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SERENA WILLIAMS AND MARIA SHARAPOVA'S "RIVALRY" AS IMAGINED THROUGH THE LYRICS OF ADELE'S "HELLO"

1/25/2016

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THE BODY SERVE TENNIS PODCAST: Scandal, Upsets & Your Least Favorite CommieS

1/23/2016

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Jonathan and James return to discuss a wild opening week of the 2016 Australian Open. The first few rounds featured upsets galore, a match-fixing scandal and a slew of entertaining matches. We also report the findings of our (very scientific) Twitter polls asking our listeners to tell us who their least favorite tennis commentators are. As always, we look forward to yourfeedback, and give us a review on iTunes if you like what you hear!
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THIS WEEK IN TENNIS: WEEK ONE OF 2016 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

1/23/2016

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The 2016 Australian Open began under the cloud of a BBC/Buzzfeed report alleging match-fixing in tennis. The chaos surrounding the story was matched on court by a slew of upsets, particularly in the women's draw. By the completion of the second round, only 14 of the 32 seeded women remained in the draw. The men's seeds experienced a less turbulent time of it in Melbourne, with only seven failing to advance to the third round. Week one will also be remembered for the final match of Lleyton Hewitt's career. The long-time Aussie stalwart lost to David Ferrer in the second round, in his 20th appearance at the Australian Open. 
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​WTA


UPSETS​
Round One

Zhang Shuai d. (2) S. Halep 6-4 6-3
J. Konta d. (8) V. Williams 6-4 6-2
Y. Putintseva d. (16) C. Wozniacki 1-6 7-6 6-4
M. Gasparyan d. (17) S. Errani 1-6 7-5 6-1
E. Kulichkova d. (22) A. Petkovic 7-5 6-4
Q. Wang d. (24) S. Stephens 6-3 6-3 
K. Pliskova d. (25) S. Stosur 6-4 7-6
L. Davis d. (26) A. Pavlyuchenkova 1-6 6-3 6-4
D. Kasatkina d. (27) A. Schmiedlova 6-3 6-3
J. Larsson d. (29) I. Begu 6-3 6-2 
P. Cetkovska d. (30) S. Lisicki 6-4 6-4 
V. Lepchenko d. (31) L. Tsurenko 6-7 6-2 6-3 
B. Strycova d. (32) C. Garcia 6-2 6-4  ​
​Round Two 

D. Gavrilova d. (6) P. Kvitova 
A. Beck d. (11) T. Bacsinszky 6-2 6-3 
N. Osaka d. (18) E. Svitolina 6-4 6-4 
L. Siegemund d. (19) J. Jankovic 3-6 7-6 6-4 
K. Bondarenko d. (23) S. Kuznetsova 6-1 7-5 

Round Three


B. Strycova d. (3) G. Muguruza 6-3 6-2
(21) E. Makarova d. (9) K. Pliskova 6-3 6-2
A. Friedsam d. (13) R. Vinci 0-6 6-4 6-4
D. Gavrilova d. (28) K. Mladenovic 6-4 4-6 11-9

​Check out who's left in the WOMEN'S DRAW
​

​SPOTLIGHT

Zhang Shuai 

The Chinese player, ranked as high as #30 in 2014, scored one of the biggest upsets of the first week when she dismissed #2 seed Simona Halep in straight sets. Compounding the loss for Halep was the fact that Zhang had failed to advance past the first round of a Slam in each of her previous 14 attempts, and lost in qualifying at Slams a further 13 times. Yet, the world #133 summoned her best tennis, and finds herself in the fourth round, where she will play Madison Keys on Monday. 


Naomi Osaka

In just her third attempt at qualifying for a Grand Slam main draw, Osaka made it all the way to the third round before losing to a resurgent Victoria Azarenka. She will leave Melbourne with yet another career high ranking, having announced herself as a player to watch for the 2016 season and beyond. Osaka beat Donna Vekic in the first round and then #18 seed Elina Svitolina in straight sets two days later. 

OTHER STANDOUTS
​
  • Daria Gavrilova - Into her first-ever fourth round at a Slam after taking out Hradecka, Kvitova, and Mladenovic. A new career high awaits her at tournament's end, cracking the top 30 should she win two more matches.
  • Victoria Azarenka - She's making minced meat of her opponents so far, dropping only five games in three matches. Kerber is a potential quarterfinal opponent.
  • Serena Williams - The world #1's form through three matches has been a revelation: she's yet to drop a set while turning back Giorgi, Hsieh, and Kasatkina with aplomb. The path to a 22nd Slam title gets harder with Sharapova, Radwanksa, and Azarenka her likely opponents in the final three rounds.


​PRESS

​
​Q. Off topic, a lot of Europeans learn how to speak English and not very many Americans learn to speak another language. You have. How has learning French helped you? What do you advise for other players and other people?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It's amazing how you meet a 14 or 13 year old and they are speaking three languages. You're, like, How is that possible?
That was really encouraging for me when I first came on tour to really focus and to really try to get fluent and to really try to get really good at French.
So it worked out. One of my dreams was to give my speech in French. I'm working on English now. (Laughter.) 


Q. One of the top players in the world; won two Grand Slams. What are your...
NAOMI OSAKA: (Laughter.) I never feel pressure from playing someone that's supposed to be like better than me, sort of. I'm just going to go in there happy and hopefully try to pull off an upset.

Q. You said after the match when you first saw the draw and saw you were playing Venus you were hoping just to be out there for an hour. What do you think of her age and coming back at her age and having the great year she had last year?
JOHANNA KONTA: I think it would be silly to look at Venus' age and somehow consider that as a reflection of her level. I think it's irrelevant how old she is because she's such a champion with so much experience and so much knowledge about the game.
Even if she's playing with one leg out there, you've got to really take care of things on your own, because, yeah, no, she's an incredible player. I have all the respect for her in the world. Yeah, I was just very, really enjoying my time out there.


Q. Venus has been fined for not attending press yesterday. Is there a reason she didn't come?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. If you want to, you can ask her. Yeah, I don't know. I wasn't here. In fact, I was watching Telenovela. I'm coming apart, though. Do we have any more questions?

Q. Your biography will come out next year. Have you started to think about it and talked to people about helping you writing the book?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I have started writing the book.
Q. By yourself?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I'm working with a writer, and I'm writing myself. Yeah, I think that's one of the reasons it will take a little bit longer because I want to write a lot of it myself. I'm working with Rich Cohen, who is a tremendous writer. He's kind of a fly-on-the-wall guy, very discreet, incredible writing.
I was in New York working with him for a little bit after Fed Cup. He came up in my off-season to work together a little bit. So, yeah, I have started. Going to take my time. Not going to talk about it much just because I want the book to do the talking. But I'm really excited about it.
I've always loved to write. Something that's been a passion of mine from a young age. I'll also be sharing some of my journals as a young girl.


Q. How much on your mind was the fact you never won a match before at a Grand Slam in the main draw?
ZHANG SHUAI: Actually I already forget how many time because so many time before everybody tell me this is 10 time. Next time for sure you win. But already, like, I don't know how many time already. So doesn't matter.
I just try my best, yeah.


Q. How do you think you're going to be remembered as a tennis player?
SAMANTHA STOSUR: Well, hopefully not from my Australian Open results (smiling).
I've had a really good career. I've achieved a lot of things. You know, winning a Grand Slam was my dream from when I was eight or nine years old, and I've been able to do that. There's been a lot of good in my career.
But I'd obviously like to do better here at the Open.


​Q. What happened today?
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I would say it's a pretty shitty start to the season. It wasn't a pretty first set but I got it done and really should have closed it off in two.

You know, I let her back into the match, and it was basically my own fault that I'm not here as the winner.


Q. How does it feel to be one of the last of your generation? There's Federer and not many else - and Venus.
SERENA WILLIAMS: You know, there's a few of us. I'm waiting on Roger, waiting on his next move (smiling).

Q. Your profile will be growing. Are people starting to recognize you or are you having to slip around Coles?
DARIA GAVRILOVA: I went to the gym today just to have a bit of a stretch. The person recognized, and I was like, Oh, cool.

Q. Talk on the tour has been about your form. Do you think on the back of these couple of matches that you are "the" player or one of "the" players to beat?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Irrelevant. Sorry. I mean, I know I always answer the same way, but it's really how I feel. You know, the talk is just opinions. It's not facts. I say that you always have to go out there and you have to prove yourself and you have to play and you have to win, you know, to keep those opinions the same way.

Q. Some players prefer to try and take a break to make sure an injury is gone. Do you think you're going to need to do that at any point or you're confident the injury's behind you?
SIMONA HALEP: I did. I had a break when I felt pain at this Achilles after Singapore, and before, as well. But now was like came straightaway after I arrived in Brisbane. When I went off of the plane I felt the pain and I couldn't walk anymore.
I'm okay. I don't believe that I need break, but I will take few days I need mentally, and then I will start working hard again because is just a tournament and I have many more ahead.







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THIS WEEK IN TENNIS: THE HAPPY SLAM AWAITS           (1/11 - 1/17)

1/16/2016

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After an eventful opening week to the 2016 tennis season, chock full of big-name stars, week two was a much more low key affair. The biggest name in action this week was WTA #2, Simona Halep, still dealing with lingering Achilles/leg problems. On the men's side, David Ferrer at #8 was the top ranked player on the circuit. Nonetheless, there was plenty on offer to delight tennis fans: a resurgent Svetlana Kuznetsova, an improved Bouchard, Fast 4 Tennis, a Troicki defence, and 32 qualifiers who battled their way into the main draw of the Australian Open. While we're on the topic, be sure to check out my preview of The Happy Slam!

ATP
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​Week 2 Winners
​
  • Sydney - Victor Troicki d. Grigor Dimitrov 2-6 6-1 7-6 (That's back-to-back Sydney titles for Troicki)
  • Auckland - Roberto Bautista Agut d. Jack Sock 6-1 1-0 retired. (The Spaniard's triumph in Auckland was the third ATP title of his career.)

Spotlight​

​Once dubbed "Baby Fed" for the uncanny similarities to Roger Federer in style of play, Grigor Dimitrov now finds himself struggling to stay afloat inside the ATP top 30. From a career high of #8 in August 2014, Dimitrov now resides at #28 after a disastrous 2015 season, when he advanced to the final eight only six times. However, his quarterfinal showing in Brisbane and run to the finals in Sydney promise to spark a comeback of sorts for the beleaguered Bulgarian. Both losses -- to Federer in Brisbane, and Troicki in Sydney -- were in three sets. Along the way, he scored wins against: Troicki (Brisbane), Simon, Cuevas, Dolgopolov, and Muller. While his name won't be mentioned as a favourite in Melbourne, Dimitrov is at least able to carry some momentum into the rest of the season as he begins the climb back to the ATP top 10.

Other Standouts
  • Jack Sock - F, Auckland (d. Estrella Burgos, Pospisil, Anderson, Ferrer)
  • Jo-Wilfried Tsonga -  SF, Auckland (d. Kohlschreiber, Fognini)
  • Taylor Fritz - Qualified for Australian Open main draw (d. Moriya, Berrer, Zverev)
  • Tim Smyczek - Qualified for Australian Open main draw (d. Pereira, Karatsev, De Schepper)
​
Other events this week: Kooyong Classic, Fast4 Tennis, ​Australian Open Qualifying

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THE BODY SERVE TENNIS PODCAST: RETURN OF THE HAPPY SLAM

1/15/2016

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Don't miss the Season 2 opener from The Body Serve! As usual, Jonathan and James are serving up the laughs, the shade, and all the info you need to know about the 2016 Australian Open. 
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2016 AUSTRALIAN OPEN PREVIEW: WHERE THE SEEDS FALL

1/14/2016

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In a world where Roberta Vinci can defeat Serena Williams in the semifinals of the U.S. Open to halt a Calendar Slam bid, I've learned my lesson about making predictions. Accordingly, this 2016 Australian Open preview will not try to name the winners, but rather assess the state of the top 8 seeds' chances on both the ATP and WTA tours. 
Embed from Getty Images

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Men's Seeds

1. Novak Djokovic

The world #1 and defending champion had a season for the ages in 2015. He reached the final of every tournament he entered, save for his season opening effort in Doha, and came within one match of potentially winning the Calendar Slam. But for Stan Wawrinka, I'm hard pressed to think of another player who could possibly derail him given all that we've seen the past 12 months. Perhaps a massive server like Karlovic, who beat him in Doha last year, or Kevin Anderson, who stretched Djokovic to five sets at Wimbledon?

1st  Round: Hyeon Chung
In his quarter: Kei Nishikori
In his half: Roger Federer

2. Andy Murray

You will likely hear a fair bit about a "Murray Baby Watch" in Melbourne over the course of the fortnight. Murray has said he will withdraw should he get the call during the tournament that his wife has gone into labour. Grand Slams are difficult enough without having such an enormous life change swirling overhead. That said, perhaps the lack of expectation will spur Murray into a spell of the carefree and aggressive tennis that he will need to summon for a title run.  

1st  Round: Alexander Zverev
In his quarter: David Ferrer
​In his half: Stan Wawrinka/Rafael Nadal

3. Roger Federer

Federer is one of two players (Wawrinka) who could realistically pose a threat to Djokovic in Melbourne. However, his uneven performance in his Brisbane final loss to Raonic clouds his readiness for a deep run. Reports from Brisbane also suggested that Federer was dealing with an illness during the tournament. If so, making the final at all was a notable achievement. If close to 100%, Federer is a safe bet to make the 39th Slam semifinal of his career. 

1st  Round: Nikoloz Basilashvili
In his quarter: Tomas Berdych
​In his half: Novak Djokovic

Watch: A visibly displeased Federer drops his racquet during Brisbane final defeat to Milos Raonic.

​CLICK FOR FULL MEN'S DRAW PDF

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This (opening) week in tennis

1/10/2016

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Welcome to the first installment of "This Week in Tennis," a weekly series recapping the goings-on in the world of tennis. The first week of the 2016 season delivered it all: familiar champions, new faces, retirements, withdrawals, drama, marquee match-ups, and young guns on the come-up. If this week is any indication of what's to come in 2016, we're in for quite a ride.
​

ATP​​
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Week 1 winners:
  • Brisbane - Milos Raonic d. Roger Federer 6-4 6-4 (Avenges 2015 loss to Federer in Brisbane final)
  • Doha - Novak Djokovic d. Rafael Nadal 6-1 6-2 (Has now made at least the finals of every tournament during last calendar year)
  • Chennai - Stan Wawrinka d. Borna Coric 6-3 7-5 (Third consecutive title in Chennai and fourth in five years)

Spotlight:
​

Tennis fans were treated to the 47th edition of Djokovic vs. Nadal right off the bat in Doha. Those hoping for a reversal of fortune for Rafael Nadal were made to suffer through yet another convincing win by Djokovic; he has now won 11 consecutive sets versus Nadal spanning their last five matches, and 9 of 10 matches overall since Nadal beat him to win the 2013 U.S. Open. The 6-1 6-2 scoreline in a mere 73 minutes -- with Djokovic winning two-thirds of the total points -- underscores just how good the world number one has been over the last 12 months. For Nadal, a final to start his 2016 campaign is something he can continue to build on as he looks to ensure a more successful season this year than last. Incredibly, Djokovic actually increases his lead at #1 as his Doha title comes after losing in the quarterfinals to Ivo Karlovic last year. Spanning the last calendar year, Djokovic has not lost before reaching the final of any tournament he's entered. 

Other Standouts:
  • Bernard Tomic - SF, Brisbane (d. Mahut, Stepanek, Nishikori)
  • Dominic Thiem - SF, Brisbane (d. Duckworth, Kudla, Cilic)
  • Borna Coric - F, Chennai (d. Granollers, Krajicek, Bautista Agut, Bedene)
  • Aljaz Bedene - SF, Chennai (d. Pospisil, Vanni, Ramanathan)

Early Exits:
  • ​Defending Doha champion, David Ferrer, lost a 3-set opener to eventual semi-finalist, Illya Marchenko. 
  • World #17 Feliciano Lopez also lost in the round of 32 in Doha.
  • Seventh seeded Vasek Pospisil fell to Aljaz Bedene in his opening match in Chennai.

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