Wozniacki, 4 Women Seeds Flop Wednesday at French Open

by Staff | May 29th, 2013, 4:59 pm
  • 36 Comments

A hefty 26 matches were played on the women’s side Wednesday to make up for rain-delayed contests, resulting in four seeded upsets and other surprise winners.
ADHEREL
Not surprising was struggling No. 10 seed and former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki making an exit in the second round, dismissed in straight sets by Serb Bojana Jovanovski 7-6(2), 6-3.

“It’s always tough to say, but I definitely feel like clay is probably not my favorite surface,” said Wozniacki, who added she will now start her Wimbledon preparation. “It hasn’t been the best clay season for me. Obviously I would have liked to play longer and play better, but it wasn’t to be.”

In a day that saw seven of the Top 10 seeds in action, advancing were No. 1 Serena Williams easily over French wildcard Caroline Garcia 6-1, 6-2; No. 3 Victoria Azarenka likewise over Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-4; No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska beating American Mallory Burdette 6-3, 6-2; No. 5 Sara Errani rolling Yulia Putintseva 6-1, 6-1; No. 7 Petra Kvitova weathering an upset alert with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory against French wildcard Aravane Rezai; and No. 8 Angelique Kerber easing past Slovak Jana Cepelova 6-2, 6-2.


“It was important to finally start the tournament,” said Azarenka, playing her first-round match on the fourth day of the event. “I felt like I was one of the last ones to start. It was a long wait, but I think performance-wise, it was a good match. It was a quality match. Elena is a very tough opponent, and I was actually surprised she wasn’t seeded at the tournament. And we actually know each other pretty well, so it was important to start right away from the beginning with determination and good focus, because she’s a very dangerous opponent with a very flashy game.”

Rezai said there was little separating her from Kvitova in their three-set match.

“It was like playing a mirror — she plays pretty much like me, hitting the ball pretty flat,” Rezai said. “What separated us were our winners and errors. I was fighting as hard as I could but I just couldn’t make it today, especially in the most important moments.”

Other seeded winners of note were No. 12 Maria Kirilenko, No. 14 Ana Ivanovic, and No. 32 Sabine Lisicki. Unseeded former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova was also a winner, coming from a set down to defeat Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova 1-6, 6-2, 6-2.

In a meeting of future stars, Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig edged American Madison Keys 6-4, 7-6(2).

Also providing upsets Wednesday were Czech Petra Cetkovska outlasting No. 19 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 2-6, 6-4; Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi topping No. 23 Klara Zakopalova 7-6(3), 6-2; and American Jamie Hampton defeating No. 25 Lucie Safarova 7-6(5), 3-6, 9-7.

“A couple years ago, we weren’t even in the scene,” Hampton said of the next generation of U.S. women fighting for recognition. “There wasn’t even a group of us. We’ve progressed, and I think the whole group will continue to progress. We’ve all got really good games. We’re just trying to find our way on the clay right now.”

A thrilling (?) potential all-Radwanska third-round meeting was averted when German qualifier Dinah Pfizenmaier defeated Urszula Radwanska 6-3, 6-3.

Match highlights of Thursday at Roland Garros include Canadian riser Eugenie Bouchard vs. (1) Maria Sharapova, former champ Francesca Schiavone vs. (21) Kirsten Flipkens, (6) Na Li vs. crafty American  Bethanie Mattek-Sands, (17) Sloane Stephens vs. Vania King in an all-American grudge match, and (7) Petra Kvitova vs. Shuai Peng.

 


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36 Comments for Wozniacki, 4 Women Seeds Flop Wednesday at French Open

Bada Bing Says:

Wow is Rafa really on Langlen tomorrow?


budum Says:

LOL at Nadal on Lenglen. New tactics?


Ben Pronin Says:

I’m gonna have to side with the conspirators here. Lenglen is smaller than Chatrier, no? One of the things that makes Nadal so great on Chatrier is that he can defend from fence to fence. If he doesn’t have as much room to defend, he could struggle (how much he struggles is obviously relative to Nadal). But we’ll see.


bstevens Says:

Don’t mean to deny the conspirators but Nadal always plays his 2nd round match on Suzenne-Lenglen.


skeezer Says:

is there now a problem that nadull can only win on Chatrier?


Christine Says:

With all the talk of Nadal – all I can say is I cant wait to see Francesca Schiavone move on the clay – its a thing of beauty!


jane Says:

Just some of Raonic’s match on replay and he looked pretty good, really came in a lot. Also, Ivan Ljubicic was in his box and apparently he is a possible candidate as Milos’ new coach. Interesting…


Humble Rafa Says:

If he doesn’t have as much room to defend, he could struggle (how much he struggles is obviously relative to Nadal). But we’ll see.

Lenglen is still clay. I am still your Humble Highness. The sky is still blue. And I will still win.

Hope that clears it up.


Humble Rafa Says:

is there now a problem that nadull can only win on Chatrier?

Imaginary problem in your head. I plan to sleep well.


skeezer Says:

^Imaginary problem in your head.

Now that is the all time GOATness of Kettle/Black. You can’t even post with being a real tennis fan poster. You have to take on Rafa’s imaginary persona. Then, if you get insulted, you take on your other “imaginary” friend, RFF. The real problem is you contribute nothing except “attention” humor. Try watching a few of the old Seinfeld episodes and come back and post as your self. It may save you.
I know it is almost impossible but this is the true, no?


funches Says:

A poster on this site can’t possibly be lame enough to criticize Humble Rafa, whose hilarious posts are the only reason to keep coming here.

Oh wait, I guess someone could be that lame and thin-skinned.


Michael Says:

It’s always tough to say, but I definitely feel like clay is probably not my favorite surface,” said Wozniacki

Well, clay is not her favourite surface, as does neither Grass nor hard courts. She plays badly on all courts. What the fuss the Media is making about her exits early in tournaments. She loses almost everywhere and so there is no need to feel shocked. You must be shocked only if she manages to reach the semis or finals.


skeezer Says:

@funches,

Well surely you and HR/RFF can start your own blog;

HRRFF.com/blog/watchmeIamfunny/

You can enjoy the antics there. Here, its a tennis fan site, of which he/she/it makes a mockery of,


Rumble Says:

HR is funny, at least some time. But less these days than before. Now he is often too defensive.

Kilzan is going to rip it today, watch out!


Michael Says:

The player that impressed me most in this edition of Rolland Garros is Gael Monfils. He has made an impressive comeback and his kind of Tennis was swashbuckling. But the question is whether he will have enough gas left in the tank after two tough encounters in the initial rounds. That remains to be seen considering that Monfils has poor stamina.


Rumble Says:

3 of the last 4 clay matches nadal has lost a set and been close to losing, or at least being in a very difficult position (like 2 sets down).

He is not at his peak level, nor will he ever be. 2013 for Nadal is like 2008 was for Federer – past his peak, still good enough to reach finals and perhaps win a slam – but finding it tough more often.

Federer is still around at the top in 2013. Nadal won’t be in 2018.


Humble Rafa Says:

Federer is still around at the top in 2013. Nadal won’t be in 2018.

By that time I will be goat and goat owner.


skeezer Says:

@Michael

Yes! Monfils has been awesome. But being out so long will his stamina and focus throughout the tourny be sustainable? He is looking very good so far though. Mmmm..


skeezer Says:

@HR re ; 12:38 post.
Did you ask yourself (RFF) about that?

#checkyourp’sandq’s
#iamacomedianwannabe
#afallonreject
#mydayjobisarafaclownwithnobiceps


Michael Says:

As regards Roger, well I was able to watch some of the highlights of his match Versus Devverman and he showed his true master class and why he is a Champion. What is amazing is that he still does that at Age 32. But I am left wondering as to why such shots are not finding its range when it is against Rafa ?? Roger misses even over the top volley against him and I have seen him over hit ridiculously easy shots and net easy volleys. Probably, this is where the mystery lies which suggests that the battle on court is lost mentally rather than physically. If ever there was a glitch in the resume of Roger, this is it. Having achieved everything a player could ask for, his weakness stems out from succumbing to the Rafa syndrome atleast on Clay and outdoor hard courts. He doesn’t go out there with a positive attitude and that plays spoilsport. Ofcourse he is five years older than Rafa and has such severe handicaps in handling him game-wise where he has one handed back hand and things like that. But, a great player needs to adjust and there should not be lame excuses. Earlier even I used to believe that the lop sided H2H against Rafa is more due to his superiority on Clay. But now-a-days Roger is not finding it easy against him even on outdoor hard courts. They never met on Grass after 2008 and so we can only speculate. But the H2H on Grass favours Roger and so it must be concluded that he is superior on Grass and indoor hard courts. But on Clay and outdoor hard courts, it is Rafa who dominates him totally.


skeezer Says:

@funches

Just checkin, your a Rafa fanatic, no?
This is the true.

#lamer


Daniel Says:

Michael,

It all started in Rome 2006, that match changed the course of tennis history, which hit the peak in Wimby 2008. Had Federer won that match, which he had 2 MP on Rafa’s serve, everything would be different. He would probably had a Grand Slam year and Nadal wouldn’t be at 11 Slams. All credit to Nadal, who step up the challenge and was the only player not afraid of Roger, which won him the mental edge.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

Agree with Christine Schiavone is one of my favorite players to watch,and im dissapointed to say that i dont see enough of her,such alot of variety,such alot of fun to watch,and so sad to see her go into quite a decline,although just like Roger shes in her 30s and probably loosing a step,i would have loved to have seen her build on from the success that she had here at the FO,and for it to have transformed to the other surfaces,one of the WTAs underacheivers IMO.


Ben Pronin Says:

Daniel, I think it started earlier, Dubai 2006. Federer played god-like in the first set and then lost the next 2 in close ones. He won far more points in the match, too. And this was before Nadal was even the undisputed clay king. Federer was ruling everything and everywhere but Nadal, who was still awful on hard courts, beat him on a super slick surface.


Giles Says:

HR Yr post at 12.38 am
LMAO!!
Keep it up.


skeezer Says:

^yes, keep it up for giles! LMAO!

#onefan


Alex Says:

Lmao, the war started and I wasn’t invited?

:(


Alex Says:

Skeezers verbose power(like Rosols forhand)is going deep-deep into the Rafanatic psyche, rendering them befuddled-hitting verbal moonballs in retaliation. Yet they all hit the net(no-nonsense barrier)which Skeezer erected for the protection of the DAOSTE (defense association of sane tennis enthusiasts).


steve-o Says:

HR is running out of material, as many comedians often do later in their career. The problem is that he only has so many jokes, and they’re getting stale.

I’ll give him props for persistence though. Not many people can maintain an alternate persona for as long as he has while keeping a straight face.


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

I dont really get Humble Rafas SOH,maybe thats due to my British SOH,is he a fan of his namesake?thats just sending up his namesake?or is he just a tennis fan who likes to send up all players?i struggle to get it sometimes,also are HR,RFF,and The Great Davy all the same poster?


Alex Says:

^
HR,RFF,TGD

Mind boggling how many virtual lives some people lead, downright scary!


Tennis x hippy chic Says:

^I just wanted a new change of monikor^.


funches Says:

Skeezer,

Actually, I pull against Rafa harder than any player in the history of tennis. Respect his game, but can’t stand his mannerisms on court. Federer is my favorite player, and Djokovic is next, originally simply because he matched up better with Rafa than anyone else, but now because I genuinely like him.

But funny is funny, and HR is funny.


jane Says:

^ Have to agree funches – HR is funny!


skeezer Says:

^ok so now he has……..3 fans


Okiegal Says:

Skeezer, please don’t leave Okiegal out in your search for Rafa fanatics…….I have already stated I’m his #1 fan in Oklahoma. Count now is at 4!! LOL

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