The X Blog - Dysfunctional Tennis Blogging at its Finest

May 27th, 2018

Dimitrov, Zverev, Ostapenko And Venus Open Play Sunday At French Open

The French Open begins Sunday with a star-studded line-up including two former French Open champions, Jelena Ostapenko who opens her title defense and qualifier Francesca Schiavone. For the women, former runner-up Venus Williams plays her 21st French Open and four seed and tournament favorite Elina Svitolina embarks on her bid not just for a first […]

Posted by Staff @ 6:38 am in French Open | 11 Comments »

January 12th, 2018

Preview: Serena Out; Women’s Australian Open Likely to See a 1st-Time Winner

(5) Venus vs. Bencic the must-watch 1st rd. match in Melbourne…Other tough starts for (31) Makarova vs. Begu, and the injury-hampered (13) Stephens vs. Zhang, who she has previously lost to…

Posted by Jeremy Davis @ 2:08 pm in Australian Open, Tennis | 1 Comment »

May 29th, 2017

Pliskova Starts Strong in No. 1 Run, Muguruza Wins at French Open

“I’m happy that I managed to play, to be kind of composed out there,” Muguruza said. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to react again on the centre court, playing against an ex-champ. I found a balance, even though some moments were difficult to overcome. I knew at some point she was going to come up with some great shots.”

Posted by Special @ 5:23 pm in French Open, Tennis | 2 Comments »

May 7th, 2017

Russian Pavlyuchenkova, German Qualifier Barthel Claim WTA Titles

“I want to say good job to this girl,” Schiavone said. “When I met her, she was 19 years old and we were playing doubles! She grew up a lot [over the] years…congratulations, I think you deserve much more.”

Posted by Staff @ 5:20 pm in Tennis | Comments Off on Russian Pavlyuchenkova, German Qualifier Barthel Claim WTA Titles

April 16th, 2017

Schiavone, in Farewell Tour, Wins WTA Bogota Leading to French Open

“Today was a disaster match,” Schiavone said.

Posted by Staff @ 9:42 pm in Tennis | 1 Comment »

October 15th, 2016

Monfils, Goffin, Kvitova Headline Stockholm, Antwerp, Luxembourg This Week

No Top 10ers but an interesting field between the multi-Slam winner Kvitova, the French Open champ Schiavone, the former No. 1 Wozniacki, the former brand-wannabee Bouchard, and the breakout player Siegemund…

Posted by Staff @ 6:35 pm in Tennis | Comments Off on Monfils, Goffin, Kvitova Headline Stockholm, Antwerp, Luxembourg This Week

July 31st, 2016

WTA Events During Olympics in Brazil, China Defy Description…But Here They Are

No. 94 Pereira gets seeded, and it must be strange for the Brazilian to be playing a WTA event in Brazil as her country at the same time hosts the Olympic tennis…

Posted by Staff @ 12:23 pm in Tennis | Comments Off on WTA Events During Olympics in Brazil, China Defy Description…But Here They Are

May 9th, 2016

Venus Wins While Errani, Schiavone Fall In Rome; Serena Back On Clay Tuesday

Venus Williams went 1-1 Monday at the Rome Masters, winning in singles but losing in doubles with her sister Serena.

Posted by Staff @ 8:38 pm in Rome | 2 Comments »

February 22nd, 2016

Cuevas Follows Nadal Upset to Rio Title; Querrey, Schiavone Win; X-Notes

“I’m very happy to win my first 500 title, especially after winning a special semifinal against one of the greatest players ever on clay,” Cuevas said. “Today, against Guido, I won a difficult but good match between the two of us…Guido is a very complete player. He had a great week here.”

Posted by Staff @ 1:26 am in Tennis | 24 Comments »

July 25th, 2015

Rafa Heads Hamburg, Isner in Atlanta; ATP/WTA Previews

Notes: Time for the tournament sponsored by an online betting site as the tour fights rampant match-fixing…Loaded dirt field…Rafa makes his first appearance since being upset at Wimbledon…Tough starts for (1) Rafa vs. Hot Sauce

Posted by Staff @ 11:47 pm in Tennis | 10 Comments »

May 10th, 2015

Blockbuster WTA Rome Field to Answer Pre-French Questions?

Serena’s draw to the semifinals could go through Stosur, last year’s finalist Errani then the former French champ Ivanovic to meet either Sharapova or Wozniacki in the semis…

Posted by Staff @ 11:50 am in Clay Season, Italian Open, Rome, Tennis | 19 Comments »

April 11th, 2015

Preview: Schiavone, 2-time Champ D-Lino at WTA Bogota

Not a lot of stars with Stuttgart looming next week…Tough starts for (8) Falconi vs. Cirstea, and (6) Rogers vs. the Spanish veteran Dominguez Lino…Wildcards went to Maria Paulina Perez Garcia, Maria Herazo Gonzalez, and Yuliana Lizarazo…Caroline Garcia beat Jelena Jankovic in last year’s final…Returning former champs in the field are Dominguez Lino (2011,’06) and Duque Marino (2010).

Posted by Staff @ 11:40 pm in Tennis | 1 Comment »

March 7th, 2015

Watch This Incredible Tweener From Francesca Schiavone [Video]

You might not see a better shot than this one all year.

Posted by Tom Gainey @ 1:50 pm in Best Shots, Videos | 2 Comments »

February 23rd, 2014

Djokovic, Federer in Dubai: ATP/WTA Previews

DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS Dubai, U.A.E.; Surface: hard Seeds: Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin Del Potro, Tomas Berdych, Roger Federer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Mikhail Youzhny, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Dmitry Tursunov Floaters: Radek “The Worm” Stepanek, Igor Sijsling Notes: The defending champ Djokovic has won four Dubai titles (four of last five years) while Federer has won five…Djokovic […]

Posted by Staff @ 4:06 pm in Tennis | 2 Comments »

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 »