The X Blog - Dysfunctional Tennis Blogging at its Finest

June 30th, 2022

Swiatek, Halep Tested At Wimbledon, Boulter Plucks Pliskova; Kerber, Jabeur Favorites

Iga Swiatek now has the longest win streak in women’s tennis in 25 years.

Posted by Staff @ 5:00 pm in Wimbledon | Comments Off on Swiatek, Halep Tested At Wimbledon, Boulter Plucks Pliskova; Kerber, Jabeur Favorites

June 17th, 2018

Gasquet, Krunic Lift Grass Titles in Netherlands

“I don’t know how you pulled this off, mate, but the fact that you didn’t show how much pain you were in today, makes me respect you more,” Krunic said on-court after the match. “I think we’re both champions, and I’m happy that I was able to stay [in the match]. I was very nervous and it was tough for me to play, but I’m happy that I hung in there.”

Posted by Staff @ 3:25 pm in Tennis | Comments Off on Gasquet, Krunic Lift Grass Titles in Netherlands

September 18th, 2016

Muguruza, 5 of Top 10 at Loaded Tokyo; WTA Previews

Five of the Top 10, including US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova, and a slew of dangerous floaters make Tokyo the place to watch this week…The Top 4 seeds receive opening-round byes…Tough starts for Muguruza after a bye, coming out cold possibly against the US Open quarterfinalist Sevastova; (8) Pavlyuchenkova vs. the veteran Petkovic (winner to possibly meet the giant-serving Vandeweghe); (6) Cibulkova vs. Safarova; and (4) Suarez Navarro cold after a bye meeting the winner of Bencic-Wozniacki…

Posted by Staff @ 6:40 pm in Tennis | 7 Comments »

August 8th, 2016

Serena Saves Set Points at Rio Olympics; Tues. Packed Line-Up

“It was really big for me just to win that first set,” said Serena after saving two set points. “We’ve had so many tough matches in the past, so I couldn’t let the elements get into my head. I hadn’t played great against Alize in the past…so I thought how I at least wanted to get a win.”

Posted by Staff @ 11:44 pm in Rio, Tennis | 3 Comments »

April 17th, 2016

Radwanska Leads 6 of Top 10 Women at Stuttgart; Istanbul; WTA Previews

Lots of floaters in the draw and tough opening-round match-ups including (1) Radwanska vs. Petkovic, (8) Safarova vs. Pliskova in an all-Czech, (6) Vinci vs. Makarova, (3) Muguruza vs. Lisicki, and (2) Kerber vs. the riser Beck in an all-German…

Posted by Staff @ 11:57 am in Istanbul, Stuttgart, Tennis | Comments Off on Radwanska Leads 6 of Top 10 Women at Stuttgart; Istanbul; WTA Previews

April 3rd, 2016

Kerber, Bencic, Venus Lead Charleston; WTA Previews This Week

Two Top 10ers in the field, in addition to two former No. 1s…The Top 8 seeds receive opening-round byes…Potential tough starts for (9) Jankovic vs. Garcia and (3) Venus Williams vs. Riske…Wildcards were awarded to Americans Frances Altick, Louisa Chirico and Shelby Rogers…

Posted by Staff @ 4:12 pm in Tennis | 7 Comments »

March 7th, 2016

Svitolina Beats Bouchard for WTA KL Title; Watson Wins Monterrey

“Many people would think the match is over, but I like to surprise everyone,” Bouchard said with a derisive laugh afterwards. “Honestly, I was just trying to play my game. There was nothing special, just when I lost my serve I was 30-0 up, and emotionally I was struggling a bit because I lost my serve in such a big moment.”

Posted by Staff @ 9:30 am in Tennis | 2 Comments »

April 5th, 2015

WTA Previews: No Williamses in Charleston; Aggie in Poland

Not a lot of floating talent in the field, with a potential tough start for (16) Watson vs. the riser Vekic; (1) Bouchard could face Stephens in the 3rd rd…Wildcards went to Bouchard and Americans Varvara Lepchenko, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sachia Vickery…

Posted by Jeremy Davis @ 2:30 pm in ATP, Charleston, Clay Season, Katowice, Tennis, WTA | 3 Comments »

June 16th, 2014

Azarenka Returns at Eastboune; WTA, ATP Previews

Wildcards went to Azarenka and Brits Heather Watson and Johanna Konta…Pulling from the event were Svetlana Kuznetsova and Sorana Cirstea…Tough starts go to (5) Kerber vs. Riske, (4) Azarenka vs. Giogi, (8) Wozniacki vs. Stosur, and (2) Kvitova vs. Safarova…Returning former champs in the field are Wozniacki (2009) and Radwanksa (2008).

Posted by Staff @ 12:17 am in Tennis | 9 Comments »

May 19th, 2014

Isner, Kerber, Stephens Lead ATP/WTA Events

Potential tough starts for (1) Isner after a bye vs. compatriot (Q) Sock, and (2) Gulbis after a bye vs. the giant-killer Klizan…Isner has a 1-2 career record in Nice…This is the 30th anniversary of the Nice tournament…

Posted by Staff @ 1:31 am in Tennis | 1 Comment »

March 30th, 2014

WTA Previews: Serena Goes for 3 in a Row at Charleston

Notes: Serena is shooting for her third Charleston title in a row…Surprising lack of floaters…(10) Maria Kirilenko vs. (Q) Bencic could be interesting…Wildcards went to Melanie Oudin, Nadia Petrova, and Shelby Rogers…Qualifying to the main draw were Swiss Belinda Bencic. Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens, Aussie Jarmila Gajdoeova, Russian Alla Kudryavtseva, Portugal’s Michelle Larcher de Brito, American Grace Min, the Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko, and China’s Zheng Saisai…Notable pulls from the event were Alize Cornet, Casey Dellacqua, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands…Former champs in the field are Serena Williams (2013,’12,’08), Stosur (2010), Jankovic (2007), Nadia Petrova (2006), and Venus Williams (2004).

Posted by Staff @ 11:12 pm in Tennis | Comments Off on WTA Previews: Serena Goes for 3 in a Row at Charleston

February 8th, 2014

No. 1s Nadal, Serena Williams Pull; ATP/WTA Previews This Week

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal pulled from the event citing a stomach virus…Ferrer shooting for third title in a row…Wildcards went to Ferrer and Argentines Facundo Arguello and Guido Pella…Returning champs in the field are Ferrer (2013-12), Almagro (2011), Robredo (2009), and Monaco (2007).

Posted by Staff @ 2:59 pm in Tennis | 6 Comments »

January 26th, 2014

Sharapova Leads in Paris; WTA Previews This Week

Notes: Strong field with four Top 10ers…Tough starts for (1) Sharapova after a bye likely facing Hantuchova, (2) Kvitova after a bye likely meeting Cornet, and (8) Flipkens vs. the defending champion Barthel…Wildcards went to Caroline Garcia, Petra Kvitova and Kristina Mladenovic…Pulling from the tournament were Dominika Cibulkova, Ana Ivanovic, Kaia Kanepi and Lucie Safarova…Returning champs in the field are Barthel (2013), Kerber (2012), and Kvitova (2011).

Posted by Staff @ 2:44 pm in Tennis | Comments Off on Sharapova Leads in Paris; WTA Previews This Week

October 12th, 2013

Preview: WTA, ATP in Moscow; Stockholm, Vienna, Lux

Tough starts go to (1) Gasquet vs. either Baghdatis or Evgeny Donskoy, (5) Istomin vs. Russian (WC) Andrey Kuznetsov, and (7) Sousa vs. Stakhovsky…Seeds making their debuts at the event are Gasquet, Sousa and Mannarino…Russians have won the event 14 times since 1990…Last year Seppi beat Thomaz Bellucci in the final…Notable pulls from the event were Nikolay Davydenko (wrist) and Stan Wawrinka…Returning former champs in the field are Seppi (2012) and Tipsarevic (2011).

Posted by Staff @ 6:17 pm in Tennis | 2 Comments »

September 27th, 2013

WTA Preview: Serena, 8 of Top 10 at Beijing

Eight of the Top 10 take to the court in Beijing, with play starting on Saturday…Six current or former No. 1s in the field…Tough starts go to (3) Radwanska vs. Keys 2nd rd., (14) Ivanovic vs. Pennetta, (2) Azarenka vs. Petkovic (winner to likely face former world No. 2 Kuznetsova), (5) Errani vs. Flipkens, (13) Lisicki vs. V.Williams likely 2nd rd., and (4) Li vs. Hantuchova…Wildcards went to Francesca Schiavone, Venus Williams, and China’s Zhang Shuai and Zheng Jie…Pulling from the event were Martina Hingis (from doubles citing personal reasons) Marion Bartoli (retirement), Jamie Hampton (left ankle), Ekaterina Makarova, Romina Oprandi, Nadia Petrova (left hip), and Maria Sharapova (right shoulder)…The Williams sisters took a doubles wildcard…Former champs in the field are Azarenka (2012), Radwanska (2011), Wozniacki (2010), Kuznetsova (2009,’06), Jankovic (2008), Maria Kirilenko (2005), and Serena Williams (2004)…No player has ever won back-to-back singles titles in Beijing.

Posted by Staff @ 10:50 am in beijing, Tennis | 1 Comment »