WTA SHENZHEN OPEN 2015

[Correspondent Kiu]

It's third year of this international level event, the two time defending champion, Li Na, is now retired.

http://www.shenzhenopentennis.com/2015/chs/
SHENZHEN, CHINA
JAN 04 - JAN 10

TOURNAMENT INFO:

TIER: International
PRIZE MONEY: $500,000
SURFACE: Hard
DIRECTOR: Nick Freyer

2nd seeded Petra Kvitova and top seed Simona Halep head the field.

Other notable names are the runner-up from last year, Peng Shaui, former # 2 Vera Zvonareva and 3 other Romanians.
Full list of players here:
http://www.shenzhenopentennis.com/2015/eng/players.php

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vera Zvonareva d Peng Shuai 46 64 63...

Good win Bepa!

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

After a tough first match, Vera Z. now enjoys a very do-able draw, she should be able to make the quarter finals, I will post scores then.
The top 2 seeds are way ahead of the rest of the field here, I doubt anyone can stop them.

 

[shawnbm]

Bepa is back! This is good to see, and she takes down Peng

 

[rubydo]

Vera Z had to battle last night in her second round match against Cagla Buyukakay, but won 6-3, 7-6(5). Showed some signs of former past, never giving up on any point, which has always been her trademark.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vera Z had to battle last night in her second round match against Cagla Buyukakay, but won 6-3, 7-6(5). Showed some signs of former past, never giving up on any point, which has always been her trademark.

Just wishing that Vera can have a happy and healthy year in 2015,I have missed her on the tour,always been one of my favorite players.

 

[sk310]

Vera Z had to battle last night in her second round match against Cagla Buyukakay, but won 6-3, 7-6(5). Showed some signs of former past, never giving up on any point, which has always been her trademark.

Just wishing that Vera can have a happy and healthy year in 2015,I have missed her on the tour,always been one of my favorite players.

She's defintiely a fun character. In the last years of a players career I think it's nice to see someone have one or two good healthy years before retiring. I imagine it's really difficult to retire after a few injury plagued years after such high points just before.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vera Z had to battle last night in her second round match against Cagla Buyukakay, but won 6-3, 7-6(5). Showed some signs of former past, never giving up on any point, which has always been her trademark.

Just wishing that Vera can have a happy and healthy year in 2015,I have missed her on the tour,always been one of my favorite players.

She's defintiely a fun character. In the last years of a players career I think it's nice to see someone have one or two good healthy years before retiring. I imagine it's really difficult to retire after a few injury plagued years after such high points just before.

Everytime I think of towels it always reminds me of Bepa...

 

[rubydo]

Still puts the towel over her head during breaks, another funny trademark she has, which again has always made me like her. Fun character with brains a rare combination indeed. She came back from 2-5 in the second set yesterday to win in the tie-breaker, showing great resilience. Shots not as powerful as in the past but she used her guile to win. As Kiu noted, top two players will be hard to beat.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Scores:

THURSDAY, JANUARY 08, 2015

SINGLES - QUARTERFINALS
Saisai Zheng (CHN) d [4] Zarina Diyas (KAZ) | 3 - 6 | 7 - 6 (2) | 6 - 2 |
[8] Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d Vera Zvonareva (RUS) | 3 - 2 | RET
[1] Simona Halep (ROU) d [Q] Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) | 6 - 3 | 6 - 3 |
[2] Petra Kvitova (CZE) d Tereza Smitkova (CZE) | 7 - 5 | 6 - 4 |

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sad to see Vera with a retirement,I hope the injury isn't too serious

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Timea Bacsinszky d Petra Kvitova s/final 64 64,well played match from Timea who is the 8th seed in the tournament,congratulations for making the final.

Halep d Saisai Zheng 62 63 in the other s/final match

Halep v Bacsinszky final.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am tipping a Halep win,I feel she has too much experience at this level for Bacsinszky,still a good tournament from Bacsinsky to reach the final.

 

[kskate2]

What happened to Petra? Anybody watch the match?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ I didnt see all of the match,though what I did notice was Petra struggled on her serve.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Timea has shown flashes of tennis brilliance during the last year or two, may be this is her year to shine? We shall see...

Since our new correspondent listed the scores I'll put up the pix!

vs.

Who wins?

Order of play:
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015

CENTRE COURT

13:00 - [1] SIMONA HALEP (ROU) V [8] TIMEA BACSINSZKY (SUI)
15:00 - CHEN LIANG / YAFAN WANG (CHN / CHN) V LYUDMYLA KICHENOK / NADIIA KICHENOK (UKR / UKR)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Halep d 8th seed Bacsinszky 62 62 in 62 minutes

Congratulations Simona!,well done to Timea for reaching the final.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

That win from Simona was her 9th career title.Well Done Simona!!

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Congrads to Simona, well done.

Did not allow a break chance on her serve.