Auckland

[RJD11]

This event has a decent line-up.

They through Konjuh under the bus early as

she faces top seed Vinci in the 1st round

It will be interesting to see how she does.


Venus faces HLAVACKOVA 1st

American Alison Riske takes on Ana I.

J. Hampton and C. McHale also playing.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Auckland 2014

Nice line-up indeed.
Announced player list:
http://www.festivaloftennis.co.nz/asbclassic/players/

In addition to tha names RJD mentioned, we also have Sorana, Elena, Jamie Hampton, Morita, Robson, Pliskova, Safarova and Barthel.
And more...

Photocredit - www.photosport.co.nz

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Laura Robson has withdrawn citing a wrist injury.Tamira Paszek will replace Robson in the main draw.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Sorana is out in the first round!
Ana and Alison are playing.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

This event has a decent line-up.

They threw Konjuh under the bus early as

she faces top seed Vinci in the 1st round
...

Looks like Konjuh was driving the bus. Vinci goes down in the first round.

http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3598157/title/konjuh-stuns-vinci-in-auckland

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Konjuh is only 16. Literally just turned 16 on the 27th of December, is ranked 259th in the world and just came from a set down to beat the 11th ranked player in the world. Nice gift to herself.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Of course I didn't do enough research before I posted about her. Apparently Konjuh won the Junior Australian and US Opens last year (still this year for the rest of the day) and got to #1 in the Juniors. A great 2013 for her. She makes her WTA level debut on the last day of 2013. Maybe this is one of the young talents we've all been looking for. Then again, Vinci, while no easy out, isn't exactly the strongest or most powerful player on tour. The WTA has no stats on her, but I'm sure Konjuh is another tall and strong Croatian. Still she's got to have some serious game to beat a veteran with some serious game who is playing at the peak of her career lately.

 

[RJD11]

This event has a decent line-up.

They threw Konjuh under the bus early as

she faces top seed Vinci in the 1st round
...

Looks like Konjuh was driving the bus. Vinci goes down in the first round.

http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3598157/title/konjuh-stuns-vinci-in-auckland

Right Kiu: This girl looks looks like she is ready to play.

And at that age ( 16 ) its impressive.

She faces Lauren Davis next. Should be interesting.

 

[Mastoor]

Seems tennis players with the names of Balkan mountains are destined to have great careers, first Dinara, now Konjuh. One consequence is it is not enough to say Ana any more, we seem to have two now.

I watched many matches in person in last two days. it is terrible rain so they probably won't play today. Many players I watched for the first time. I unfortunately missed Konjuh match, but I saw the one before that in which Lauren Davis beat Marina Erakovic and i was surprised to see how well lauren played. Also Riske was good against Ana even though she lost.

Muguruza is a talent and it will be interesting to see how far she will go if she stays with no injury this year. I also think her body and Ana Ivanovic's face would make a perfect one .

 

[Mastoor]

I see there is no huge interest for the tournament which is understandable considering the field in Aussie, however there are interesting things happening in Auckland too.

Ana was superb against Johanson, every shot worked, it was a real joy to watch. i hope she will play this well more often and against tougher opponents this year.

My other fav, Lauren Davis was also good against Croatian prodigy Konjuh. I hope she will face Ana in the final.

 

[RJD11]

I see there is no huge interest for the tournament which is understandable considering the field in Aussie, however there are interesting things happening in Auckland too.

Ana was superb against Johanson, every shot worked, it was a real joy to watch. i hope she will play this well more often and against tougher opponents this year.

My other fav, Lauren Davis was also good against Croatian prodigy Konjuh. I hope she will face Ana in the final.

In the Davis- Konjuh match all three sets were 6 - 2

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Auckland 2014

Scores:

THURSDAY, JANUARY 02, 2014

QUARTERFINALS
Venus Williams (USA) d Garbine Muguruza (ESP) | 6 - 3 | 6 - 3 |
[3] Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) d Sachie Ishizu (JPN) | 6 - 4 | 7 - 5 |
[5] Jamie Hampton (USA) d Lauren Davis (USA) | 6 - 2 | 4 - 6 | 6 - 4 |
[2] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d Kurumi Nara (JPN) | 6 - 2 | 6 - 3 |

Order of play:
CENTRE COURT
TIME
15:00 - [3] LUCIE HRADECKA / MICHAELLA KRAJICEK (CZE / NED) V KAROLINA PLISKOVA / KRISTYNA PLISKOVA (CZE / CZE)
17:00 - [3] KIRSTEN FLIPKENS (BEL) V [2] ANA IVANOVIC (SRB)
19:00 - [5] JAMIE HAMPTON (USA) V VENUS WILLIAMS (USA)

There will be USA in the final.

 

[kskate2]

Venus is in the final due to a walkover by Jamie Hampton. Apparently Jamie injured herself during a training session.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

scores:
singles - Semifinals
Venus Williams (USA) d [5] Jamie Hampton (USA) | 0 - 0 |
[2] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d [3] Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) | 6 - 0 | 7 - 6 (3) |

A pair of previous #1s make the final, both future hall of famers.

I have to pick Ana for the win but it's really a toss, it could be Venus. Venus does enjoy an 8-1 record against Ana.

 

[kskate2]

How do you know Ana will get in the HOF?

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

A little bird told me.


A previous #1 with a slam under her belt, you don't think so?

 

[kskate2]

A little bird told me.


A previous #1 with a slam under her belt, you don't think so?

One slam and her small stint at #1 (not even 6 months), I'm not sure. There are other people who have one slam and they haven't been inducted yet. We'll have to see if she can add to her resume and guarantee her spot.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I like both players....Ana and Vee
I would love to see Vee...win the title
Go Venus!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Moxie]

A little bird told me.


A previous #1 with a slam under her belt, you don't think so?

One slam and her small stint at #1 (not even 6 months), I'm not sure. There are other people who have one slam and they haven't been inducted yet. We'll have to see if she can add to her resume and guarantee her spot.

I also agree that's a thin resume for HOF. I like Ivanovic and am happy to see her back to playing her best tennis, but she's got work to do before she makes an impact beyond this era. And her impact on this one is still anecdotal.

I'll be happy for either player tomorrow, though sentiment pulls me in the direction of Venus. Hope it's a good match.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Ana will get into the HOF just because of her looks!

Just kidding!

The resume is not the only criteria here...