Cincinnati 2018 US, WTA Premier

[britbox]

DATE: August 13-19, 2018
SURFACE: Hard
PRIZE MONEY: $2,874,299
FIELD SIZE: 48
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Muguruza, Garbiñe

Seeds:

1 HALEP, Simona
2 WOZNIACKI, Caroline
3 STEPHENS, Sloane
4 KERBER, Angelique
5 SVITOLINA, Elina
6 GARCIA, Caroline
7 MUGURUZA, Garbiñe
8 KVITOVA, Petra
9 PLISKOVA, Karolina
10 GOERGES, Julia
11 OSTAPENKO, Jelena
12 KASATKINA, Daria
13 KEYS, Madison
14 *Venus Williams withdrew*
15 MERTENS, Elise
16 BARTY, Ashleigh
17 OSAKA, Naomi


DSC02586 copy by Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu, on Flickr

The Tournament:

The Cincinnati Masters (currently sponsored by the Western & Southern Financial Group and called the Western & Southern Open) is the second largest summer tennis event in the U.S. after the U.S. Open, as its men's portion is one of nine elite Masters 1000 tournaments on the ATP World Tour and its women's event is one of five Premier 5 events on the WTA Tour.

The tournament began in 1899 and is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States.

About Cincinnati

Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio. As the first major US city founded after the American Revolution, as well as its first major inland city, it is considered the first "purely American city."

Though its influence has fallen off since its heyday in the 19th Century, it still carries political importance, as well as being a major sports hub, home of the baseball Reds and NFL Bengals. The city can boast on its art museum, which offers fine works of European and modern artists, as well as great examples from classical antiquity. Its opera company is the second oldest in the US. Famous Cincinnatians include: Sarah Jessica Parker, Steven Spielberg, Peter Frampton and the Isley Brothers.

Tourism Guide:

 

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Draw:

 

[britbox]

1st Round ...

Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) beat Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 4-6 6-3 6-3
Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) beat Danielle Collins (USA) 6-0 6-2
13-Madison Keys (USA) beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 3-6 7-6(3) 6-4
Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) beat Johanna Konta (GBR) 4-6 6-3 6-4
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) beat Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4
Serena Williams (USA) beat Daria Gavrilova (AUS) 6-1 6-2
Viktoria Kuzmova (SVK) beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-0 4-6 6-1
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) beat 10-Julia Goerges (GER) 6-4 (Retired)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) beat Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 6-4 2-6 7-6(5)
Anett Kontaveit (EST) beat Barbora Strycova (CZE) 6-3 6-0

 

[Moxie]

Astonishing that we get Serena v. Kvitova at this round. Serena is still carrying too much weight, but Kvitova not looking so bright-eyed today.

 

[Moxie]

Serena gives up the break in the 3rd. This is an otherwise QF/SF. Let's see who's the more fit and hungry. I think they both want it, but Serena will not likely hold up to the test, at this point. But I have to say Kvitova looks a bit wan, and I'm not sure why.

 

[kskate2]

This is more like a final since it's P5. Serena needs a few more losses to sting so she will be forced to get into better shape. I think getting to the Wimby finals gave her a false sense of confidence. She can clobber the tomato cans on tour w/ her power, but as soon as she faces a top player, her movement and lack of consistency gets exposed.

 

[Moxie]

This is more like a final since it's P5. Serena needs a few more losses to sting so she will be forced to get into better shape. I think getting to the Wimby finals gave her a false sense of confidence. She can clobber the tomato cans on tour w/ her power, but as soon as she faces a top player, her movement and lack of consistency gets exposed.

I was being generous, given Serena's ranking. I do believe this is the wake-up call she needs. She's fighting for it, but she's far from top-drawer.

 

[kskate2]

Results from the Western & Southern Open - Cincinnati, Ohio, Ladies Singles Round 2 matches on Tuesday

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I was going to say that she really should have focused on fitness during the early part of the year and come back weight and everything where it needed to be during the second half of the year. I’m shocked Patrick allowed her to come back before she was a competition level of fitness.

 

[kskate2]

I don't think Patrick is running that show. Serena makes those decisions and he does his best to get her ready when she decides to play

 

[Carol]

http://sport360.com/video/tennis/29...rom-rafael-nadal-says-her-coach-darren-cahill

 

[Hoergren]

 

[kskate2]

Results from the Western & Southern Open - Cincinnati, Ohio, Ladies Singles Round 2 matches on Wednesday

And 2 matches held over from rain that will get completed early today:

 

[kskate2]

Results from the Western & Southern Open - Cincinnati, Ohio, Ladies Singles Round 3 matches on Thursday

 

[golds girl]

Sabalenka from Belarus literally looks like a female version of Roddick.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

I was going to say that she really should have focused on fitness during the early part of the year and come back weight and everything where it needed to be during the second half of the year. I’m shocked Patrick allowed her to come back before she was a competition level of fitness.

Well she lost. On the court she was gracious this time. But off the court, she made a terrible mistake, as I have said in the WTA Gossip thread. A mistake, that most might remember her for, now at the twighlight of her career. As a result I predict not only Patrick but no one will be coaching her in her now inevitable, disgraceful decline. I maybe wrong, she may still come to senses, apologise for her behaviour and come back strong, however the latter seems less likely to me.

 

[AnonymousFan]

Halep Sabalenka ! 1-1. Hope it’s a good match

 

[GameSetAndMath]

This girl Simona is on fire.

It looks like she may sweep the NA hard court season.

 

[britbox]

 

[Fiero425]

Mon Dieu; no one seems to care! Halep unable to finish off Bertens in straight sets! That was a freakin' horrible end to a TB by her!