(Rank/Seed)
13/2 Petrova won her 3rd title of the year, comprehensively beating (11/1) Wozniacki 62 61 in the final; a result I certainly didn't predict.
1st Set
Petrova started off well with a break of serve and Wozniacki continued to struggle against the Petrova serve, failing to break en route to losing the 1st set. Petrova continually finished points up at the net, whilst Wozniacki was left to rue missed opportunities as each game was close. After the 1st set, Wozniacki had to recieve some medical attention to her calf.
2nd Set
Petrova's spectacular serving continued as she won 75% of her service points and Wozniacki failed to force Petrova into errors, whilst rushing her own shots and making more errors herself, particularly off her forehand wing. Petrova never looked like missing and coasted to a comprehensive victory; only her second over Wozniacki, not by accident also indoors.
Still, Wozniacki has the consolation of returning to the top 10 next week, after an impressive last couple of months that have seen her win 2 titles, make an additional final and win 18 of 21 matches since the US Open. Petrova's ended the year brilliantly with 2 titles in 4 events, as well as winning the WTA Championships last week in doubles. She has also rose to number 12 as of next week. 2013 promises to be a good year for both.
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Wozniacki To Play Petrova In Final
Wozniacki secured her return into the top 10 with her semi final victory today and will take on Petrova in the final tomorrow.
(Rank/Seed)
11/1 Wozniacki edged a close 1st set before cruising past home player Pironkova 64 61, who looked increasingly hampered by a back injury.
12/2 Petrova clawed past (16/4) Vinci 67(8) 61 64 to reach the final. Having split their 4 meetings between them, this match was close from the start. Petrova didn't drop serve all match and Vinci couldn't quite hold on and Petrova got the one break of the 3rd set to clinch the match.
Wozniacki will be appearing in her 32nd career final, winning 20 and looking for her 3rd since the US Open! Petrova's appearing in her 24th final, winning 12 and also looking for her 3rd, having of course won the big one in Tokyo the other month. However, Wozniacki has a commanding head to head lead against Petrova, winning 4 of the 5 and their only previous final in New Haven 2010. Both players went unbeaten in the round robins, but Petrova had 2 3 set struggles and then was pushed to 3 in the semis too. Wozniacki's been smooth all week and now has a secured place in the top 10 to end the year, so she will be relaxed. I think Wozniacki will win this one, but I expect drama as this is an indoor court, where Petrova's serve will be critical factor in the match.
(Rank/Seed)
11/1 Wozniacki edged a close 1st set before cruising past home player Pironkova 64 61, who looked increasingly hampered by a back injury.
12/2 Petrova clawed past (16/4) Vinci 67(8) 61 64 to reach the final. Having split their 4 meetings between them, this match was close from the start. Petrova didn't drop serve all match and Vinci couldn't quite hold on and Petrova got the one break of the 3rd set to clinch the match.
Wozniacki will be appearing in her 32nd career final, winning 20 and looking for her 3rd since the US Open! Petrova's appearing in her 24th final, winning 12 and also looking for her 3rd, having of course won the big one in Tokyo the other month. However, Wozniacki has a commanding head to head lead against Petrova, winning 4 of the 5 and their only previous final in New Haven 2010. Both players went unbeaten in the round robins, but Petrova had 2 3 set struggles and then was pushed to 3 in the semis too. Wozniacki's been smooth all week and now has a secured place in the top 10 to end the year, so she will be relaxed. I think Wozniacki will win this one, but I expect drama as this is an indoor court, where Petrova's serve will be critical factor in the match.
Friday, 2 November 2012
Semi Finals Set
In the last day of the round robins, the rank order of the two semi finalists from group Sredets were decided:- 1) Nadia Petrova and 2) Tsvetana Pironkova.
(Rank/Seed)
13/2 Petrova recovered to beat Pironkova 57 61 63 to secure a semi final meeting with Roberta Vinci, whilst Pironkova will meet Wozniacki.
Hsieh battled past Hantuchova to get her 1st win of the week 61 06 64. Hantuchova left the tournament without a win.
Arvidsson made the most of her alternate place, even if it was cut short when Zheng retired down 1-5 with a respiratory illness.
(Rank/Seed)
13/2 Petrova recovered to beat Pironkova 57 61 63 to secure a semi final meeting with Roberta Vinci, whilst Pironkova will meet Wozniacki.
Hsieh battled past Hantuchova to get her 1st win of the week 61 06 64. Hantuchova left the tournament without a win.
Arvidsson made the most of her alternate place, even if it was cut short when Zheng retired down 1-5 with a respiratory illness.
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Wozniacki On Verge Of Top 10
The two semi finalists from the Serdika group were decided today.
(Rank/Seed)
11/1 Wozniacki moved within one match of rejoining the top 10, surviving a close call against Hantuchova, recovering from 36 56 down to win 36 76(4) 64. With 3 round robin wins, she moves into the semis as top of the group.
13/2 Petrova edged her close friend (15/3) Kirilenko 36 76(4) 63 to guarantee her place in the semis. Kirilenko subsequently withdrew from the competition due to a respiratory illness and will be replaced by alternate Sofia Arvidsson, the Memphis champion. The good news for the Bulgarian home fans is that Pironkova is also now guaranteed a spot in the semis too.
16/4 Vinci took the second place in the semis, cruising past Hsieh 62 62.
(Rank/Seed)
11/1 Wozniacki moved within one match of rejoining the top 10, surviving a close call against Hantuchova, recovering from 36 56 down to win 36 76(4) 64. With 3 round robin wins, she moves into the semis as top of the group.
13/2 Petrova edged her close friend (15/3) Kirilenko 36 76(4) 63 to guarantee her place in the semis. Kirilenko subsequently withdrew from the competition due to a respiratory illness and will be replaced by alternate Sofia Arvidsson, the Memphis champion. The good news for the Bulgarian home fans is that Pironkova is also now guaranteed a spot in the semis too.
16/4 Vinci took the second place in the semis, cruising past Hsieh 62 62.
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