Ivanovic Dumped; Williams Win in Oz; Tennis-X Notes

by Staff | January 21st, 2010, 8:58 am
  • 13 Comments

Former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic’s 2010 campaign hit a snag on Thursday when the comely Serbian was ousted in the second round of the Australian Open by equally-comely Argentine Gisela Dulko 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-4 in Melbourne.
ADHEREL
Ivanovic’s serving yips proved the difference in the third set.

“I was really disappointed to fight back in the third set and then make a couple of double faults and basically hand her three match points, then having to fight back,” the Serb said. “That was definitely an area that let me down.”

The former No. 1 admitted that a lack of confidence is still playing a large part in keeping her from challenging for the top rank again, after last year struggling with bouts of little injuries, over-training and burn-out.


“What happens is that I start well and I play good, and then, because I have no expectation, I just go out there to enjoy. Then I think I can play like this all the time. Then I get tense and I start making mistakes because I want to play like that. Then I just want to go back to playing normal,” said the conflicted Serb. “I just have to get rid of that a little bit and just try to play consistent all the time. It might not be at the highest level, but just build on it.
 
Italian Alberta Brianti was also an upset winner Thursday, defeating No. 21 Sabine Lisicki in three sets.

Aussie fans had plenty to cheer about on the day as No. 13 seed Sam Stosur and Casey Dellacqua (d. Karolina Sprem) both advanced in straight sets.
 
No. 1 Serena Williams and No. 6 Venus Williams were straight-set winners over Petra Kvitova and Sybille Bammer respectively.

The younger Williams sister, even with her knee/thigh injury, agrees that she is still the person to beat, but acknowledges the comeback-minded Belgians.

“Yeah, I feel like if I play well I’m really tough to beat,” Williams said. “Still definitely feel that way. I’m so happy to see [Justine] Henin back and doing well. She’s such a good player and a fighter. I think she brings just a totally different theme to the game. Obviously Kim [Clijsters] is fun to have back on the tour, and her winning the US Open is awesome.”
 
Other Top 10 winners on the day were (4) Caroline Wozniacki defeating Julia Goerges, (7) Victoria Azarenka over Stefanie Voegele, (9) Vera Zvonareva topping Iveta Benesova, and (10) Agnieszka Radwanska over Alla Kudryavtseva, all in straight sets.
 
Friday’s matches of note in Melbourne include (2) Dinara Safina vs. Brit Elena Baltacha, (8) Jelena Jankovic vs. (31) Alona Bondarenko, unseeded Justine Henin vs. (27) Alisa Kleybanova, (15) Kim Clijsters vs. (19) Nadia Petrova, and Jie Zheng vs. (11) Marion Bartoli.
 
TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS

Serena Williams is 81-1 career in Grand Slam first- and second-round matches…

Prince William attended the end of Roger Federer’s match and then met the Swiss No. 1. He later returned (for some reason) to catch some of the Casey Dellacqua v. Karolina Sprem…

Andy Roddick has never lost to Feliciano Lopez in five meetings…

Stanislas Wawrinka has beaten Marin Cilic four of five times…

Roger Federer has never lost in the second round of a Grand Slam…

Casey Dellacqua is ranked No. 980…

Kim Clijsters hasn’t lost a Slam match since coming back. Then again neither has Justine Henin. Who’ll be the first to lose?…

Rafael Nadal has won nine straight matches at Roland Garros. Juan Martin del Potro has won nine straight Slam matches…

Phil Kohlschrieber faces his third straight lefty in a row today (Rafael Nadal). He’s 0-13 career vs. Top 3 players…

Former Russian Evgeny Koralev is the first Kazakh player to reach the third round at a Slam.

NO WONDER ANNA TURNED OUT LIKE THAT —  The AP reported that Anna Kournikova’s mother was arrested in Florida and charged with child neglect after the 46-year-old Alla Kournikova left her five-year-old son home alone while she ran errands Tuesday, and the boy told police he jumped out the second-story window after he was found by a passerby. The elder Kournikova was released from the Palm Beach County Jail after posting $3,000 bail.

THANKS FOR NOTHING — Pat Cash on the statue erected outside Laver Arena in his honor at the Australian Open, speaking to the Heralad Sun: “It is the ugliest thing I have ever seen in my life…it just doesn’t look anything like me. My mum doesn’t like it either. I hate it.”

ROBBY IS BURNT — “It’s been almost five years since I reached the US Open semifinals,” blogs Robby Ginepri. “It looks like maybe I peaked then. I hate to think that, but at some point you have to be realistic. I have to find a way to enjoy my career again. I’m not enjoying the travel grind and living out of suitcases as much any more, and it’s getting to me a little.” Robby then adds, “I’m not sure if U.S. Davis Cup Captain Patrick McEnroe will ask me to play for the team this year. I think he’ll go with the younger generation, Sam and John Isner, but if he asks me I’ll be up for it.” — Uhhhh, not the best overall sales pitch.

MISC — How low has former Top 10er Nicole Vaidisova fallen? This week she is playing a $25,000 futures event in Florida. And she lost to American Christina McHale in the first round. That’s not going to impress Radek…Serena Williams again said her US Open meltdown wasn’t so bad, and she got hit with such a fine because she’s a woman: “I don’t know whoever got fined like that. People said worse, done worse. I think it was a bit much…In tennis I think [the women have] been able to do really well with having fought so hard to get equal prize money. I think that’s really good. But I think we still sort of, say, live in a man’s world. Some incidents can bring you back to life and back into reality.”…American Melanie Oudin is 1-6 since her run at last year’s US Open…Fabrice Santoro played in a record 70th major at the Aussie Open…Barbora Zahlavova Strycova set a match length record for women in the Open Era at a Slam, needing 4 hours, 19 minutes to beat Regina Kulikova 7-6(5), 6-7(10), 6-3 at the Aussie Open…John Isner made the trip from Auckland to Melbourne, but his luggage didn’t…Andy Roddick apologized to his fans via Twitter (but not the umpires(s)) after a profanity-laden berating of a chair umpire during his match. Roddick had also plowed into a linesperson, and subsequently yelled at him that he should get out of the way when he sees a player coming: “Apologies for the language today folks hopefully most kids were asleep by the time I went off……my bad,” he tweeted. “Did not realize that i didn’t shake the umpires hand we were mid argument and i guess it didn’t happen not a conscious decision.” — If it is true what many believe, that the bigger dick Andy acts, the better he plays, looks like he is the Australian Open favorite this year…Robby Ginepri blogging after his loss in Oz: “I had some issues with my neck in the five days leading up to the Australian Open, so my attitude was sub-par. I’ve had this neck problem before, and I have to figure a way to address it. I don’t have the full range of motion when I turn to the right when I serve, and it’s pretty painful.” — Ever heard of a chiropractor?…From Slam lockerroom neophyte John Isner: “Roger Federer congratulated me the other day on winning Auckland. That was pretty cool. I didn’t even think he would know about a tournament like that. Any time Roger congratulates you, let alone even talks to you, is pretty neat.”…Serena Williams on her ideal mixed doubles partner at the upcoming Olympics: “Obviously Andy [Roddick]. We have so much fun on and off the court. We’ve talked about it a little bit. There are some other Americans coming up. If Andy is not playing and doesn’t want to play, I have a couple other guys in mind. Tall Americans.”…After losing to Marin Cilic in five sets in a late-night encounter, Aussie teen Bernard Tomic whined about being put on late at night. Prima donna at 17-years-old with a nightmare dad, good luck with that Tennis Australia…Nikolay Davydenko on his drinking habits: “I don’t drink so much because I’m skinny. I only mix, sometimes with Red Bull to get power in nightclub or disco. But if I drink only vodka, I go to sleep straight away.”…Irishman Louk Sorensen lost in the second round to John Isner. No Irishman has ever cracked the Top 50 on the ATP Rankings, and hadn’t won a Slam match in 25+ years.


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13 Comments for Ivanovic Dumped; Williams Win in Oz; Tennis-X Notes

Gordo Says:

Lots of fun reading here. One small point – you say “Rafael Nadal has won nine straight matches at Roland Garros. Juan Martin del Potro has won nine straight Slam matches…”

You mean the Australian Open, right? Rafa’s streak at RG was snapped by Soderling at what… 31?

January 21st, 2010 at 11:00 am


been there Says:

Reading Staff’s articles is a bit difficult sometimes because when the miscellaneous, s(he)/they (?) do not use paragraphs. Hurts the eyes!

However, I 2nd Gordo…lots of fun reading. The bits I like:
“If it is true what many believe, that the bigger dick Andy acts, the better he plays, looks like he is the Australian Open favorite this year” LOL!

John Isner mesmerised & a bit star-struck that Federer actually knows what’s going on in the smaller events. LOL! Isner, he ain’t king of a tennis court for nothing. Fed probably knows what’s going on with even guys ranked out of the top100, those playing challengers.

Poor Ginepri. Doesn’t sound good at all.

January 21st, 2010 at 12:35 pm


KillerC Says:

was interesting hearing about davy’s drinkin habbits lol.. Im more of a whiskey fan myself.. i wonder if he drinks yager bombs (redbull/yager)!??! I’d so go drinkin with that dood! or even roger federer hahaha

January 21st, 2010 at 1:17 pm


jane Says:

Love her, like her, hate her, this is a great stat: “Serena Williams is 81-1 career in Grand Slam first- and second-round matches…”

I’d be curious to know more of the men’s stats for first/second round at the slams (besides Fed, who’s never lost a 2nd round); I assume a number of the top guys would have great stats like this.

Very weird about Korny’s mum leaving her 5 year old home alone – sheesh. If you’re running errands, take your kid!!

January 21st, 2010 at 1:43 pm


Gordo Says:

Jane – here is some info for you…

Federer – has played in 43 GSs, lost 5 times in the first round, never in the second round.

Nadal – has played in 23 GSs, never lost in the first round, lost 3 times in the 2nd round.

Djokovic – has played in 21 GSs, lost 2 times in the first round and once in the second round.

Del Potro – has played in 15 GSs, lost 3 times in the first round and 6 times in the second round.

Murray – has played in 17 GSs, lost 3 times in the first round and once in the second round.

Davydenko – has played in 35 GSs, lost 9 times in the first round and 9 times in the second round.

Roddick – has played in 36 GSs, lost 6 times in the first round and 4 times in the second round.

Soderling – has played in 25 GSs, lost 11 times in the first round and 7 times in the second round.

Verdasco – has played in 27 GSs, lost 3 times in the first round and 9 times in the second round.

January 21st, 2010 at 3:36 pm


jane Says:

Wow Gordo, thanks kindly for compiling those stats. Clearly, no one comes close to Serena’s numbers, though the men play best of 5, and, arguably, the field is quite a bit deeper. Fed’s second round and Rafa’s first round stats stand out, and that Djoko and Nadal have played in over 20 slams, losing only 3 times in either 1st or 2nd rounds is pretty great too. And I haven’t even jinxed anyone saying that since they’re all through rounds one and two.

January 21st, 2010 at 4:32 pm


been there Says:

Jane:
“Clearly, no one comes close to Serena’s numbers,”

Not too sure how you’re analysing the stats, but just a bit to add. From Gordo’s compilation:

“Federer – has played in 43 GSs, lost 5 times in the first round, never in the second round.”

This means that he has played 43 Rnd1 matches & lost 5, so his GS record in rnd1 matches is 38:5 win:loss. So moving on to rnd2 and not having lost any match there, his win:loss in rnd2 is 38:0. So this means his total win-loss record for rnd1&2 matches is 76-5.

Serena’s is 81-1, so Fed’s does come close , though Serena’s is still the better one. And seems like they’ve played approximately equal number of GS, which is expected ‘coz they’re about the same age.

The Key word here is ‘matches’….Gordo’s first number in the compilation, e.g.43 for Fed, grandslams played, with a breakdown of the number of matches lost. So you gotta do the little additions & subtractions to get the actual win-loss record for matches. Hope I got it right & not confused anyone. The younger guys (say under 25s won’t come anywhere close ‘coz they’ve played less slams, those skipped due to injury not withstanding)

Not saying you didn’t notice all this…just though I’d point it out & do some clarification ‘coz it wasn’t too clear from your statement.

I think what makes Serena’s stats (& Fed’s for that matter) is that being about 27/28 yrs, you’d expect their losses to be much more than these ‘coz they’ve played in many more GS than the younger girls & guys (take Rafa or Del.P for example, being 5 to 8 yrs older, Fed’s played at least 20more GS than them). Yet despite this, the number of losses Serena & Fed have in rnd1/2is still very low, & in Serena’s case, almost forgettable.

Truly amazing. Hurray to the oldies!

January 21st, 2010 at 6:02 pm


jane Says:

been there, I am an English major; I don’t interpret numbers well. Thanks for the clarification, i.e., (a) pointing out that Fed does come close and (b) highlighting “matches” as the operative word in the comparison, vs. number of slams played.

January 21st, 2010 at 6:14 pm


Gordo Says:

Let me go further with the number comparisons between the current #1s –

Federer has played in 42 GSs. He made the finals 21 times and won 15 championships. He has reached 22 consecutive semi-finals or better and he has played 41 consecutive grand slams in a row .

Federer’s 21 final appearances are all in the last 26 GSs that he has played!!! The last time he failed to reach a semi-final match was RG 2004, where he lost in the 3rd round.

Serena has played in 40 GSs. She made the finals 13 times and won 11 championships. She has reached 6 consecutive semi-finals or better and has played 14 consecutive grand slams in a row .

Serena has always reached the third round (or better) of every GS she has played since her very first (AO 1998), where she lost in the second round. She has never lost a first round match!!!

Since his first Grand Slam that Federer competed in (RG 1999) the only GS he failed to compete in was the US Open of that same year (1999). Since her first Grand Slam that she competed in (AO 1998) Serena has missed playing in the following GSs – AO 2002, 2004; RG 2000, 2005, 2006; W 1999, 2006; USO 2003.

January 21st, 2010 at 6:23 pm


Gordo Says:

Sorry, a small correction to one of Serena’s stats –

She made the finals 14 times (not 13) and won 11 championships

January 21st, 2010 at 6:54 pm


jane Says:

Anyone watching JJ? What’s happening there? I thought she was playing well here, but it looks like she’s about to go down in flames.

January 21st, 2010 at 8:20 pm


Hypnos Says:

Maybe Davydenko’s night club power has something to do with his recent success.

January 22nd, 2010 at 7:07 am


Von Says:

Ivanovic should get married as her mind is not on tennis at all. Maybe, she’s smitten by the love bug, big time, and marriage will the panacea.

Jankovic, should stop wearing her night dresses on court, put on a happy face, and maybe she’ll be awake for her matches, instead of being a whining, grumpy baby on court. She’s ineffective against most of the other players as she does not have a main go to weapon, and her return game, which was previously her strength, has gone south.

January 22nd, 2010 at 5:48 pm

Top story: Most US Open Second Round Appearances