Stephens, Madison, Davis Lead American Wins; Tomic Advances In Sydney

by Staff | January 8th, 2013, 2:15 pm
  • 63 Comments

American women have begun the year strong in 2013. Last week Serena Williams resumed her dominance easily capturing the Brisbane title, and youngster Jamie Hampton found herself in the the Auckland semifinals before losing to eventual champion Agnieszka Radwanska.

This week the momentum has continued as Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys and Lauren Davis have all collected early victories.

Stephens, who ranks a career-high No. 29 this week, is into her second straight quarterfinal of the season after consecutive wins over Laura Robson and last night Simona Halep in Hobart.


“I was getting frustrated with myself and [my coach] said calm down, just hit your balls. I had a pretty good attitude so it was good,” said Stephens. “I’m really pleased with the way I played and my fitness is good so I’m happy with that.”

Then 19-year-old Davis stunned second seed Sorana Cirstea 6-1, 6-3 to set up an all-American quarterfinal. It’s Davis’s first career WTA quarterfinal.

And in Sydney, teen Madison Keys qualified then blew out Lucie Safarova 6-2, 6-1 in the first round. Last night the 17-year-old Keys continued her run easily dispatching Zheng Jie 6-0, 6-4. Keys moves on to face No. seed Li Na.

Other results in Sydney included a big win for Svetlana Kuznetsova over former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 7-6, 1-6, 6-2.

In men’s play, in his official 2013 ATP debut Benard Tomic defeated countryman Marinko Matosevic in an all-Australian battle 6-3, 6-4.

“Every player I play now I want to win and give myself the best opportunity and chance to win,” said the 20-year-old Tomic. “Every match I go in now I believe I can win and I’m going to stay in there the whole match and fight for every point. That’s when I’m going to be the best and most satisfied with myself.”

Recent Brisbane finalist Grigor Dimitrov flamed out to Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-1.

Tonight top seed John Isner faces fellow American Ryan Harrison while Tomic No. 5 seed Florian Mayer.

SCHEDULE – WEDNESDAY, 9 JANUARY, 2013

KEN ROSEWALL ARENA start 12:00 noon
[1] A Radwanska (POL) vs R Vinci (ITA) – WTA
J Nieminen (FIN) vs [2] G Simon (FRA) – ATP
[5] F Mayer (GER) vs B Tomic (AUS) – ATP

Not Before 7:30 PM
[4] N Li (CHN) vs [Q] M Keys (USA) – WTA
[Q] S Kuznetsova (RUS) vs [2] A Kerber (GER) – WTA

GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
[4] F Verdasco (ESP) vs D Istomin (UZB) – ATP
D Cibulkova (SVK) vs [3] S Errani (ITA) – WTA
[1] J Isner (USA) vs [Q] R Harrison (USA) – ATP
[WC] J Millman (AUS) vs [3] A Seppi (ITA) – ATP
N Petrova (RUS) / K Srebotnik (SLO) vs [4] L Huber (USA) / S Mirza (IND) – WTA


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Halep, 4 Top 10 Women in WTA Sydney; Men’s Field Left Wanting
Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys Have New Coaches

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63 Comments for Stephens, Madison, Davis Lead American Wins; Tomic Advances In Sydney

Humble Rafa Says:

Ms. Sweetie can’t replace The Big Lady. The Big Lady’s one thigh weighs more than Ms. Sweetie.


Humble Rafa Says:

In response to the survey on the first page, 8% of you said, “Who is Rafa Nadal”.

Let me explain using small words so you can understand.

I am the GOAT owner.


RZ Says:

I’m wondering whether Caro’s early loss is actually a blessing in disguise. Could be a good thing that she doesn’t have to play in ridiculously hot temps the week before the Aussie Open.

I just hope she gets it together. Seems like she’s losing a lot of close matches these days.


skeezer Says:

HR,

Its amazing how you resort to name calling other players, whom shall we name you then? Butt Picker?


Wog boy Says:

Just watching Raonic/Hewitt, mat4 wont be happy. Raonic dumped Lacoste for NB. Looks better, sorry mat4. Maybe it is not new, but it is for me. Not bad match, Raonic is volleying whenever he has a chance.


nadalista Says:

Very off-topic but please indulge me:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrong-set-for-tell-all-interview-with-oprah-winfrey

Bet he will wear a woolly jumper with soft music playing in the background over a photo montage of his cancer fight and cycling great triumphs…

Selected odds on what Mr. Livestrong will say:

1. “They are all picking on me!” with scripted mid-interview break-down and “we’ll be right back after these messages”. 5/2 on

2. Comes out with some type of denial/confession trying to bring everyone down with him, “Well, if I did, and I am not saying that I did, then let’s just say that I was forced into it by circumstances.” 10/1

3. Blames everything on those cheese-eating, surrender monkeys. 15/1

4. Sits in silence, chewing uninterestedly for most of the interview looking off-stage, occasionally glancing at Oprah and snorting sarcastically. 33/1

5. Interview going oddly with sweaty, twitchy Armstrong, who pulls out a gun or two midway through and takes out Oprah’s production crew and hair extensions. 400/1

6. Full blown, bang-to-rights, genuine break-down, snort-bubble confession. 1000/1


Giles Says:

skeezer. HR has already said you can call him the GOAT owner! Lol


Wog boy Says:

Madison Keys … name to remember !

She lost … but man, she can play.

She blew me away.


Giles Says:

Wog boy. Have you been affected at all by the current bush fires raging in Australia?


Wog boy Says:

Giles,

Thanks for asking but Sydney is OK this time. Tasmania and South Australia had tough times last week and few country towns and countryside of New South Wales this week, but Sydney itself didn’t have problems … time and temperature dropped suddenly so it should be OK.


Giles Says:

^^ hope it all settles down!


Wog boy Says:

Thanks.


Margot Says:

Lots of really good young women coming through, which is excellent news. Some pundits are saying Sloane is brightest of them all.
Glad u r OK Wog boy. I remember there were terrible fires in Australia this time two years ago I think.


Wog boy Says:

Margot,

Thanks, that was Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, north of Melbourne when close to two hundred people lost their lives, they didn’t stand a chance, fire came from nowhere over the hills, they were doomed, no time to run away, huge tragedy:(


Humble Rafa Says:

There is no bigger hypocrite than the certified doper Lance Armstrong.

He sued everybody that used doping and Armstrong in the same sentence, sometimes got money from them for slandering him. Now, if he comes “clean”, does he pay all of them back.

Don’t shed a tear for him. It’s not worth it.


Wog boy Says:

Margot,

BTW, Sam Smith said that Keys reamainds her very much on Lindsay Davenport, I think she is right and by far the best female commentator … for me.


Ben Pronin Says:

Considering 90% of tennis fans are uber bullies, how is it any less hypocritical of them to call Armstrong a bully? And isn’t that the last knock? He was doping, sure, but so was everyone (not a big deal). But now the problem is he was such a bully about it. Sports fans have so little right to criticize a person’s character.


the DA Says:

@wog boy – I saw the Madison Keys match too. She was so good for a 17 yr old. I think she’s going to be big. She already has a great serve and powerful BH and FH. Reminded me of a young Serena. Very impressed.


nadalista Says:

“…..sports fans have so little right to criticize a person’s character.”

Well, knock me down with a feather! I thought that was tennis-x blog’s raison d’etre………

My bad…..


Ben Pronin Says:

Ain’t that the unfortunate truth.


Margot Says:

Wog boy, weren’t those fires very near AO stadium, occurring just after?
I’m a huge Sam Smith fan. She’s so knowledgeable, has sense of humour,doesn’t yatter all the time and has gr8 anecdotes about the players.
Plays vets doubles at Wimbles.


alison Says:

Thankyou Kimberly have been and pre registered for the challenge.


Esrelle Says:

She is one cute girl!!!


skeezer Says:

@K
In, tx

_______

@Giles,

No “PokerStars” patch allowed?


Giles Says:

^^ Under this new rule it sure is, no? Lol


Kimberly Says:

i hope this site works. It looks like a nice tennis website. I don’t see a WTA option though.


st4r5 Says:

Humble Rafa Says:
In response to the survey on the first page, 8% of you said, “Who is Rafa Nadal”.

Let me explain using small words so you can understand.

I am the GOAT owner.

January 8th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
—————————————

Hahaha…. hilarious very funny!
The records does not explain that most of their meetings were on dirt clay and please look at the age gap, It is astounding! It takes a young Rafa to beat an old Fed. Rafa never owns Fed. I bet in the coming months Fed will be beating Rafa more frequently on dirt clay.


Humble Rafa Says:

Sure, with time, The Arrogant One has become Olderer but I have been beating him for more than 8 years.

Strangely, the age gap between the Arrogant One and your Humble Highness is the same as it was 10 years ago. I know it’s not fair but…


nadalista Says:

Big Bird chimes in on the new time Rule:

http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/tom-berdych-warns-25-second-serve-rule-will-wreck-mens-game/story-fndkzym4-1226550691790

Choice quote:

“The world No.6 said the rule was conveyed to players by email and didn’t allow them time to change their routines in the off-season.

“The first time I heard about it was in Chennai when I saw it written on the wall. I said, ‘What is this?’ and they said they sent an email with the change of the rules.

“I said, ‘You’re changing such a big thing and you tell people only like that?’. And they said ‘Yeah, we sent an email’.

Big John Isner chimes in:

http://news.yahoo.com/tennis-sweaty-isner-disgruntled-time-violation-rule-080151549–ten.html

I thought Baby Fed said the players voted for it….doesn’t sound like Berdy got the ballot papers.


nadalista Says:

…….oh I get it now, the President of the Players’ Council (Fed) voted for it representing the players. Makes sense…..wish Big Bird understood the basic rudiments of democracy: you elect someone to represent you, you give them authority to speak and act on your behalf….there.


nadalista Says:

Big Bird: “You really have to practice it.”

Add this to the myriad conspiracy theories why Rafa is missing Oz2013: he is in Manacor practising playing within the new time rules!

Ouch, plank to hit him over the head with taken away…

Rafa, you can’t disappoint people like that.

Hehehehe!!!


Wog boy Says:

There is one thing I was thinking about, not that I am good in thinking, since we have same umpires in ATP and ITF tournaments there is big chance that they will keep inforcing 25 sec rule even in GS matches just because it is becaming part of their routine, even we have 20 sec rule for ITF matches. Maybe Rafa made smart move, just wanted to see how hard they are going to come on players?
He will be definitely missed at AO, I can just tell people who didn’t have a chance to see him live what kind of electrifying atmosphere is when he is walking into Rod Laver Arena. There is no player that can match him in that sense. You can like him or not but his presence on court is electrifying by itself and I am not Rafa fan but I am tennis fan. Federer is most popular but he cannot match Rafa in that department nor any other player for that matter.


courbon Says:

@Ben Pronin:Youb are spot on there…You see, internet developed some people caracters in a funny way.To be bully in the real life, you have to be strong, ready to fight, intimidating and so on….on net, anybody can be bully!And, I bet lots of bullied people in real life becomes bullys themself on net..


skeezer Says:

@nadalista
Lol @ 12:17 post ;)

Birdsh!t is, and always has been a birdsh!t whiner. It wouldn’t surprise me when the players voted they conveniently forgot to invite the Birdsh!t to vote. Almagro?


jane Says:

Isner, like Murray, suggests 30 seconds. Maybe one thing that’ll come out of this crackdown is a reassessment of the time allotment itself? Clearly a number of players already – including Baggy, Berdych, Isner, Lopez, La Monf, Murray – have all had something to say about the rule or have expressed some chagrin. Isner makes a good point about humidity, for example; perhaps in some circumstances, or for some players, they DO need to towel off after most points – if it’s humid AND they sweat a lot naturally – so, for instance, their racquets don’t go flying, missile-like, into an audience member, a ball kid, or even the other player. ;)


Giles Says:

Wog boy. “I can just tell people who didn’t have a chance to see him live what kind of electrifying atmosphere is when he is walking into Rod Laver Arena”. That is a very accurate description of Rafa’s presence on court! Thank you. #ComeBackSoonRafa.


alison Says:

Isners pulled out of the AO with a knee injury.


Jamie Says:

Murray is winning the AO. You heard it here first.


Jamie Says:

Federer is the second favorite to win it but Murray has more good things going on this time.

It’s Wimbledon 2012 deja vu again but this time Murray wins instead of Federer.


alison Says:

^Hope your right^.


alison Says:

^Murray winning AO and/or Wimbledon what a year for us Brits,if it were to come true^.


alison Says:

Murray winning Wimbledon there would not be a dry eye in the house.


Brando Says:

@Wog Boy:

‘ I can just tell people who didn’t have a chance to see him live what kind of electrifying atmosphere is when he is walking into Rod Laver Arena. There is no player that can match him in that sense. You can like him or not but his presence on court is electrifying by itself and I am not Rafa fan but I am tennis fan. Federer is most popular but he cannot match Rafa in that department nor any other player for that matter.’

Wow Wog Boy you put so well something i have felt about rafa for a long time but just did not know to articulate in the clear and spot on way that you have done there.

Rafa will be definitely be missed and whilst it’s true that i a fan of his but deep down i think any true lover of the game can recognize that rafa possess a magnetism and creates a sense of excitement on court that really is a rare quality!

Hope he comes back ASAP!


Jamie Says:

Yeah. First Kate Middleton gives birth to a heir to the throne and then Murray wins the holy grail of tennis. What a summer for the Brits.


Humble Rafa Says:

Yeah. First Kate Middleton gives birth to a heir to the throne and then Murray wins the holy grail of tennis. What a summer for the Brits.

Atleast one will happen for sure. I know.


Sienna Says:

Fed is looking fresh, eager and ominous. He’ll take them down under You heard it here first. He will be the men to beat when OZ Open starts.

Hope he meets and beats Djoker in the final although #1 would not change after that scenario. I think it will when he beats him in semi and then collects #18.


alison Says:

Great posts from Wogboy and Brando.


alison Says:

Great to see Leyton Hewitt rolling back the years and playing some fantastic tennis by beating Raonic an emerging young talent and Berdych a top tenner,Hewitts still a fighter with alot of talent and heart,hope he can carry this forward to the AO his home slam,one things for sure hes a tricky player to face when hes on his game,one that some will not like having in their section of the draw.


Daniel Says:

Wog boy,

Agree to disagree. I saw Fererer enter live in Wimbledon 09′ and US Open 11′, and Nadal in US Open 11′ and RG 12′ and no player comes close to the Federer effect. Peiple start screaming while his resume is not even finished with excitment. You can almost touch the “awe” in the audience. Even in RG I didn’t felt this much for Rafa, it is crazy (specially woman when he enters a court), but no where near Fed. Maybe it was first week in all scnearios, unless in Oz it’s different. My take…


skeezer Says:

^ Totally agree Daniel! Saw them both live a few times. When Rafa walks on he is cheered ( mostly by the ladies ), and there seems to always be 1 guy with a very low voice yelling “Vamos!” through out Rafa’s matches, so annoying cause it always seems like the same 1 guy. Unc Toni, u listening? lol.

But when Fed plays I have never witnessed so many ooh and ahhs by the crowd when the Maestro is floating around on the court hitting those magical shots. Unreal to see it up close.

“The Federer effect”. Yep!


alison Says:

Rafas seems treated more for rock star like qualities,with Roger it is more for his genius like qualities with a tennis racket,hence all those signs around many stadiums with banners saying quiet genius at work,both are very unique and special in their own different but very unique ways,never seen either live but i would love to one day,loved the applause that Rafa got at wimbledon in 2010,after missing it in 2009,Rafa said how great the crowd were even after beating a Brit that very same year,i agree Rogers probably the most popular player there is,but i dont think there would be much in it either way,just my take.


Wog boy Says:

danile, skezzer,

Agree to disagree, I always speak from personal experience.
Have seen them both quite a few times and can put my house to back what I said and I specified in what sence, mind you. There is explanation for that: Americans and Australians are not the same and don’t react same way and maybe there is more women in the stands:) I would say both.


Wog boy Says:

“sense”


Sienna Says:

Is agree to disagree the new Tennis x lingo?

Everybody who claims Nadal is more fave then Roger with the fans is living in denial.

I agree that Fedal is the most anticipated matchup there can be in tennis.

I’ve witnessed two of them. Both actually won by TMF.
HOW ABOUT THEM APPLES?

Roger is the enigma the most anticipated tennis player world wide. Maybe ever.


the DA Says:

Just a few hours to go until the AO draw. Judging from trending topics on twitter, most are curious where both the women’s and men’s No. 3 seeds will land in their respective draws.
Also, it seems Fed and Andy fans are the most pessimistic about their guy’s luck for the draw..hehe. Anticipation.


Wog boy Says:

skeezer,

If I am in situation to choose (unfortunately I am not) between Roger’s and Rafa’s (female) fan’s “ahhs” and “oohs” without any hesitaton I would go for Rafa ones, day and night, particulary night;)


the DA Says:

Draw is currently underway. Hereäs the live link for anyone interested:

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/video/live.draw.html


Wog boy Says:

the DA,

Thanks for link.


Daniel Says:

I think this is the first time that #1 and #2 got harder draws than #3 and #4. Go figure. Fed and Nole are loaded. Ferrer is a cake and Murray other than DelPo in quarters nothing. Fed got by far the worst draw of the top 4, hands down.


Sandra Says:

I have been lucky enough to have seen both rafa and fed a couple of times in all 4 slams (except rafa in FO), and I have to side with Daniel and Skeezer. The excitement and atmosphere in the stadium when fed plays is something mindblowing. People worship him. The craziest experience must have been when in went to watch him in the FO. Some people actually referred to him as ‘god’. Crazy.

ps All tennisfans should experience Fed live atleast once. It’s unforgettable.

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam