Rio Open, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, WTA International

[Billie]

DATE: 15 Feb 2016 - 21 Feb 2016
SURFACE: CLAY
PRIZE MONEY: $266,750
FIELD SIZE: 32
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Sara Errani

Seeds:
1. T. Pereira
2. J. Larsson
3. D.Kovinic
4. C.McHale
5. P.Hercog
6. L.Arruabarrena
7. T.Maria
8. A.Mitu

About Rio de Janeiro:

Rio lives up to its pet name as the Marvelous City with its white beaches, towering mountains and scenic docks.

It is the second largest city in Brazil and the state capital of Rio de Janeiro. The bustling city is best known for its sandy beaches, carnivals, football matches, music and its well preserved lush tropical forests. To the south of the city lies the Atlantic Ocean and to the east Guanabara Bay (Baía de Guanabara). The west is covered by Sepetiba Bay (Baía de Sepetiba).

Rio has a tropical climate due to the forests surrounding it. Most of the year, the climate is warm and humid with exceptions due to altitude, vegetation and closeness to the ocean. Occasionally temperatures can reach to a high of 40°C but mostly they hover around 30°C. Regions which are near the sea are somewhat cooler due to the ocean winds.

Rio Carnaval:

 

[britbox]

No real marquee names but the event should be good as it combines with the men's event.

 

[britbox]

Rio Results - Wednesday

Francesca Schiavone, Italy, def. Mariana Duque-Marino, Colombia, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

Sorana Cirstea, Romania, def. Polona Hercog (5), Slovenia, 7-5, 7-6 (3).

Cindy Burger, Netherlands, def. Elitsa Kostova, Bulgaria, 6-3, 6-0.

Shelby Rogers, United States, def. Veronica Cepede Royg, Paraguay, 7-5, 6-4.

Rain interrupted play.

 

[Billie]

Lots of rain in Rio. Hope for a dry day tomorrow.

 

[britbox]

[3] Danka Kovinic (MNE) d Sílvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) | 6 - 2 | 6 - 3
[Q] Paula Cristina Goncalves (BRA) d [2] Johanna Larsson (SWE) | 6 - 4 | 6 - 4
[6] Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) d Ana Bogdan (ROU) | 7 - 5 | 5 - 7 | 6 - 3
Petra Martic (CRO) d Marina Erakovic (NZL) | 7 - 6 (2) | 5 - 7 | 6 - 2

 

[britbox]

QF Results:

Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d [Q] Cindy Burger (NED) | 3 - 6 | 7 - 6 (6) | 6 - 3
Petra Martic (CRO) d [6] Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) | 6 - 4 | 5 - 7 | 7 - 5

Play interrupted by rain.

 

[Billie]

Semi finals results:

Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d Petra Martic (CRO) | 6 - 3 | 6 - 3 |
Shelby Rogers (USA) d [WC] Sorana Cirstea (ROU) | 6 - 4 | 6 - 4 |

 

[britbox]

Rio Open Final

Francesca Schiavone v Shelby Rogers

v

H2H: First meet.

 

[britbox]

Francesca Schavione beats Shelby Rogers 2-6 6-2 6-2

Nice win for the 35 year old Italian veteran.

 

[Billie]

Congratulations to Francesca. Nice indeed to win a title at 35 this late in her career.