Petra Kvitova has her sights set on the world No 2 ranking
Hot and cold
When Petra Kvitova hits the lines, she’s unbeatable. When she misses, she misses by a long way. Thus was the story of her semi-final against Sam Stosur, which essentially was the Czech’s for the taking from the off. But the 21 year-old surrendered a 4-2 lead to drop the opening set 5-7, looking extremely non-plussed at her inability to hit the ball in.
All credit to Stosur, who had stick-bageled Li Na the day before, who seized her opportunity. Two decisive breaks made the difference in the next two sets though, although yet again Kvitova somehow managed not to hang onto a 5-0 lead in the decider, eventually winning 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. She’s got some way to go. Which is all the more scary, given how good she is already.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
A day after essentially tanking her way through her final round robin match against Marion Bartoli in a very Mr Hyde manner, Victoria Azarenka came up with the goods better suited to Dr Jekyll to beat Vera Zvonareva in a match far tighter than the 6-2, 6-3 scoreline suggested, and advance to her first WTA Championships final.
Bizarrely, having been effusive to say the least in her match-winning celebrations all week, all Azarenka did was salute to the crowd. As my press centre neighbour observed, you’d have thought she’d lost.
World No.2
The result means that there will be more than the title of WTA champion at stake when Kvitova takes on Victoria Azarenka in the final…the winner will move up to world No.2, the loser to world No.3. Scary. Look out Wozniacki, who will be just 115 points in front if Kvitova wins.
Get well soon
Speaking of Wozniacki, no sooner had she secured the year-end No.1 ranking than she was struck down with a fever, and spent the whole of Friday in bed. She still managed to revive herself for a spot of Turkish shopping though…
Double teaming
The doubles event began yesterday, as Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik saw off Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova in straight sets to reach the final. They’ll play either Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta, or Lisa Raymond and Liezel Huber. Props to Raymond, who looks fitter than ever at the grand old age of 38.
Super sub
Called in to replace the injured Maria Sharapova, Marion Bartoli made the most of her cameo appearance, coming up with the goods to beat Victoria Azarenka in three sets. Admittedly, Azarenka appeared to be treating the match as a practice session, in fact that’s exactly what she called it, but Bartoli still managed to take advantage.
Follow our lead
Sam Stosur made a few comments about the proverbial Medusa that is the tennis calendar, saying that the ATP should have a look at how the WTA overhauled their schedule.
“We’ve, on the women’s side, really got a tournament schedule where you can make good decisions and make a good schedule and put good breaks throughout the year. They [the men] kind of complain about it but don’t make the situation any better for themselves either.”
Quite.
Republic day…
…meant that every inch of every building in Istanbul became covered with Turkish flags. Including the seats at the Sinam Erdem Dome. It was thus a fitting day for the tournament to donate $200,000 towards the Turkish earthquake appeal.
Lessons from Istanbul…No is not an answer
I got approached about having my shoes shined, and let’s just say I ended up having my shoes shined.
Soundbite
“I’m tired now”
Petra Kvitova. Why say more?
The final preview
Petra Kvitova v Victoria Azarenka
Battle of the young guns as the tour’s newest newcomer, Czech Kvitova, takes on Azarenka. Expect emotions and noise levels to be running high as Kvitova screeches after every point and Azarenka shrieks during every point, but the way these two have been playing, it is sure to be an exciting contest.
The Czech leads their head-to-head 3-2, their most recent encounter coming in the semi-finals at Wimbledon. Kvitova came through 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 on that occasion, and won the two meetings before that, in Madrid on clay, and at Wimbledon again last year. Azarenka won their first two encounters, at Prague in 2008, and the Australian Open in 2009.
Form would probably favour Azarenka, who despite losing to Marion Bartoli, has looked the more consistent, when she tries to be. Kvitova on the other hand as been as up and down as the Istanbul weather. She won’t be able to afford to make the mistakes she has been making this week. Even so, I’d go with Kvitova in three.
The daily click
There's no one quite like Marion Bartoli…
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