WTA News & Gossip 2023

[MargaretMcAleer]

Having received an upgrade in status by the ATP and WTA the Italian Open is expanding from 8 to 12 days this year and will feature 96 player draws for men and women - up from the previous status of 56 players in each event.
In 2025 the Italian Open plans to award women the same amount of prize money as men starting in 2025.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Some earlier results from Charleston Wednesday 5th April,

No 1 seed Jess Pegula was all business today defeating A. Blinkova 62 60
D. Shnaider defeated the No 5 seed Kudermetova 64 63
E Alexandrova (7) had no trouble defeating Y. Pintseva 61 63
B. Bencic (4) defeated K. Sebov 60 63

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Some good news for Caroline Garcia, she will resume her collaboration with Bertrand Perret. First training today in Lyon, just over five months after the coach's sudden departure.
Garcia is still looking for a physio to travel with her all year round and a physical trainer.

 

[kskate2]

Oy, just what I wanna watch. Two American consummate chokers playing on slow Har Tru clay courts. This match may never end.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oy, just what I wanna watch. Two American consummate chokers playing on slow Har Tru clay courts. This match may never end.

I went out for a run and came back and they are still playing lol!
Finally after 2 1/2 hours Rogers d McNally 67(4) 75 61

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Charleston Open,
Matches Thursday 6th April,

P.Badosa (12) vs D.Shnaider
O.Jabeur (2) vs C.Dolehide
J.Pegula (1) vs I.Begu(15)
B.Bencic (4) vs S.Rogers
M.Linette (8) vs M.Keys
V.Azarenka (6) vs A.Kalinskaya
E.Alexandrova (7) vs J. Grabher
D.Kastatkina (3) vs E.Pera

 

[Hoergren]

Great match just ended - congrats to Kalinskaya

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Great match just ended - congrats to Kalinskaya

View attachment 7961

I read that Clara will be playing Hopman Cup with Holger Rune in Nice later this year

 

[Hoergren]

Another great mach how lucky can you be Jabeur almost there from her knee operation

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Another great mach how lucky can you be Jabeur almost there from her knee operation

View attachment 7962

After Ons played the HC tournaments recently I thought she rushed back too soon from her operation, clay surface seems at present okay for her, she won 63 75! lol!

 

[kskate2]

Another great mach how lucky can you be Jabeur almost there from her knee operation

View attachment 7962

I hope so. True test will be can she sustain this level for the entire week.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Wow Begu powers into a 3rd set with Jessica Pegula from 4-0 down in the 2nd set 64.

 

[kskate2]

Jess in trouble and she's the top seed since Saba withdrew. I hate to keep going back to this, but she played the doubs final on Sun and her first match yesterday.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jess in trouble and she's the top seed since Saba withdrew. I hate to keep going back to this, but she played the doubs final on Sun and her first match yesterday.

Jess down a double break now in the 3rd set, I cant see her getting out of this match, Begu leading 4-0, unless Begu implodes lol!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Down 4-0 Jess fights back and levels at 4 games all 3rd set, I thought Jess was gone being down a double break
Jess broke Begu to love and will serve for the match 5-4,

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Pegula d Begu 75 46 64
What did I just watch?
Jess was up by a set and 4-0 but lost the next 10 games, Begu was up 4-0 in the 3rd set, Jess wins the next 6 games in a row
I guess Jess decided it was time to win!

 

[kskate2]

So I guess you were right, Begu must have imploded. I was in a meeting so I didn't see most of the decider. Just finished mtg and I see Jess sitting at the TC desk.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

So I guess you were right, Begu must have imploded. I was in a meeting so I didn't see most of the decider. Just finished mtg and I see Jess sitting at the TC desk.

I feel Begu will seek mental health after 'imploding' in her match., after watching that match maybe I should join her ..........BTW Jess will have her hands full when she plays Badosa next,

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just watching Bencic v Rogers 4 all, I hope Bencic wins in quick straight sets, commies saying rain is on the way and matches will start earlier tomorrow
Be careful what you wish for? Rogers won the 1st set 64

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Belinda Bencic (4) needed 3 sets to get past Shelby Rogers 46 75 62
P.Badosa (12) d D.Shnaider 61 63
O.Jabeur (2) d C.Dolehide 63 75
A. Kalinskaya d V.Azarenka (6) 64 76(5)
E.Alexandrova (7) d J.Grabher 64 62
J.Pegula (1) d I.Begu (15) 75 46 64
M. Keys d M. Linette (8) 62 36 61