Reuters
Six tournaments were staged last week and there’s never a shortage of high caliber tennis and controversies too. By the end of the week, only six players remained (2 from U.S., 4 from Europe), winning their respective tournaments.
Roddick’s sweet revenge results to 27th career title
Andy Roddick avenged his semi-final defeat from Czech player Radek Stepanek at last week’s San Jose tourney by beating the latter in the finals of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships on Saturday, earning his 27th career title. It was a two-set affair, albeit a close one with a scoreline of 7-5, 7-5.
Winning the title means that Roddick extended his streak of winning at least one title per year to nine, a rare achievement among tennis players. He’ll also earn 500 ranking points for the victory since the Memphis tournament is an ATP 500 tourney. He’s currently 17-3 in matches this year.
As for Stepanek, he’s slowly but surely making his way in the world’s top ten, having won two titles so far this year and just had won nine consecutive matches before Roddick stopped him.
Tsonga prevails in all-French final
2008 Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won the battle of French players in a French territory. He defeated compatriot Michael Llodra (7-5, 7-6) to clinch the Open 13 tournament in Marseille, France on Sunday.
“I’m really happy to have won, especially since I was about not to come. My dad underwent surgery five days ago. I dedicate this victory to him. He may be listening from his hospital bed. I give him big kisses,” Tsonga said after the match.
The victory increased Tsonga’s title haul for 2009 to two. He won the SA Tennis Open in Johannesburg two weeks ago. His match record for this year so far is 19-3.
Venus Williams wins Dubai event
After she defeated her world number one sister in the semifinals, Venus Williams continued the momentum by beating France’s Virginie Razzano to clinch the Dubai Tennis Championship, her 40th singles title.
During the presentation of the trophies, Williams spoke about Israeli player Shahar Peer, the person that pretty much made the headlines in the tennis world after United Arab Emirates denied her entry to participate in the tournament.
“I felt like I had to talk about her. I thought it was brave of her to come here and try and play despite knowing that it is not going to be easy for her. My dad grew up in an area where if you spoke too much, it was your life. So I felt I had a small opportunity to say something where everyone will listen,” Williams said.
“I am not here to rock any boat or upset people, I am just here to do things that are right. And I think right things are already happening next week and right things will happen next year,” she added.
Williams’ victory assured her return in the world’s top five. As for Razzano, this is considered a major comeback. The Frenchwoman, currently ranked 58th, had a career high ranking of 24 but injuries prevented her from competing in several tournament.
“I am happy for Venus, who played great and deserved to win. And I am feeling happy for myself because I played so well throughout the week. I know I can challenge the top players,” she said.
Azarenka ousts top seed to win Memphis title
Belarusian player Victoria Azarenka won her second career title after defeating top seed Danish player Caroline Wozniacki at the finals of the Regions Morgan Championships on Saturday. The second-seeded player dominated the match to register a 6-1, 6-3 victory.
“I started well, putting a lot of pressure on her. I did everything I should have done. I was commanding the points. I think I got more confidence as the match went on, too,” she said after the match.
The 19-year old player lost her first four finals attempt but finally broke through this year in Brisbane, winning her first career title. Her victory last weekend propelled her rankings up to 11th place.
Spaniard wins first career title at age 26
The long wait is finally over for Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain. At age 26, she finally won her first career WTA singles title by beating Argentinian Gisela Dulko in the finals of the Copa Colsanitas tournament in Colombia with the score of (6-2, 6-3).
“I’m very happy to win my first singles title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. The final was more difficult than the score suggests, but on the important points I think I played better. It feels great,” Martinez Sanchez said.
The Spaniard’s singles ranking rose 13 place to number 53. She attributed her experience in doubles for her victory this week.
“I really believe that doubles helps my singles. They are equally important to me. It also helps me improve a lot of my shots, so it gives me more confidence when I’m playing singles,” she said. Martinez Sanchez has six career WTA doubles titles.
Spain’s Tommy Robredo wins second straight title
Tommy Robredo of Spain won his second straight title after defeating Juan Monaco (7-5, 2-6, 7-6) in the finals of the Copa Telmex tournament, an ATP 250 event in Argentina.
After winning the first set, rain started to pour prompting the organizers to delay the match. Nearly two hours later, the action is back on and the break seemed to favor Monaco clinched the second lead. The third set was tight enough to end with a tiebreaker with Robredo prevailing.
The victory served as Robredo’s ninth career title. He won last week’s Brazilian Open. He’s hoping to continue the winning streak in this week’s Acapulco event.
