MLADENOVIC, SVITOLINA WIN AMIDST SHAPOVALOV DAVIS CUP DRAMA

This Week In Tennis
Season 2, Vol. 4

With the 2017 Australian Open completed, WTA players turned to events in St. Petersburg and Taipei, while the men traveled all over to begin their countries' quests for Davis Cup glory. Kristina Mladenovic won the first WTA title of her career in St. Petersburg, while world #13 Elina Svitolina took home the trophy in Taipei City. Elsewhere, defending Davis Cup champions Argentina (without Juan Martin del Potro) lost 3-2 to Italy. But, the biggest news of the week came out of Ottawa where Canadian Denis Shapovalov was defaulted in the deciding rubber versus Great Britan, after a ball he hit in frustration struck the chair umpire in the eye.

​ #ThisWeekInTennis recaps the tennis happenings of the last week via news reports, player tweets, featured articles, rankings, and podcasts.

RUNDOWN 

• Kristina Mladenovic won the first title of her career, defeating Yulia Putintseva in St. Petersburg. On her way to the title, Mladenovic beat Venus Williams 6-3 6-1, and defending Champion Roberta Vinci in the quarterfinals, before saving four match points in the final against Putintseva. 
• Elina Svitolina won the title in Taipei, the fifth her career. She scored identical 6-3 6-2 wins over Mandy Minella in the semifinals and Peng Shuai in the final. 
• After opening round action of Davis Cup this weekend, the Quarterfinals (April 7-9) are all set and the draw is as follows: Italy vs Belgium, United States vs Australia, France vs Great Britain, and Spain vs Serbia. 

• Denis Shapovalov was defaulted from the deciding match in the Canada vs Britain tie after inadvertently hitting the chair umpire with a ball. The Canadian was fined $7,000 and issued an apology.
• Daniel Nestor competed in his 50th Davis Cup tie, exactly 25 years after his first.
• The defending Davis Cup champions, Argentina, were bounced by Italy in the opening round of the 2017 event. 
• ATP Challenger winners: R. Harrison (Dallas), O. Jasika (Burnie), A. Mannarino (Quimper).
• Not surprisingly after her 23rd Slam title in Australia, Serena Williams was name WTA Player of the Month for January.
• Venus Williams lost her opening match in St. Petersburg, but the Australian Open finalist stuck around to take in some of the sights. 
• Former top 10 player and French Open finalist, Lucie  Šafářová, re-enters the WTA top 50 after making the semifinals in Taipei.
• After Gaël Monfils was left off the French team's roster for Davis Cup, the top ranked Frenchman tried his hand at a new sport. 

□ Thanks @wta_taiwan_open @wta @apg_world for a warm welcome and great accommodation! #FamEli ❤️ Grateful for all your sweet support □ pic.twitter.com/JfS9nam2M4

— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) February 5, 2017

Here is the line-up for the #DavisCup quarterfinals which will be held on 7-9 April! Which tie are you most excited for? pic.twitter.com/P6BhS0T1yj

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) February 6, 2017

pic.twitter.com/1GVlkfIEQu

— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) February 6, 2017

Denis Shapovalov sought out Mr Gabas in the referee's office where he was being attended and apologised. (2/2)

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) February 5, 2017

Denis Shapovalov sought out Mr Gabas in the referee's office where he was being attended and apologised. (2/2)

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) February 5, 2017

Congrats Kiki @KikiMladenovic □□□□□

— victoria azarenka (@vika7) February 5, 2017

□❤️ Worth the wait. Couldn't have wished of a better & more spectacular @wta event for my first title. It was meant to happen here. #MyGame pic.twitter.com/e4mmllBS0s

— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) February 6, 2017

Bravaaaa Kiki!!!!!!!Félicitations!!Grande torneo!!□□□□□□□□□□ @KikiMladenovic pic.twitter.com/Zt5eGPOXKF

— Roberta Vinci (@roberta_vinci) February 5, 2017

No one is nicer or carries themselves better for a 17 y/o than Shapovalov. Everyone can see that today was an accident. Can happen to anyone

— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) February 5, 2017

Back to the 1/4 finals! Great day today with the boys getting it done for the green and gold! https://t.co/kpdPHPQmi0

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) February 4, 2017

Thank you #taiwanopen for this great bday celebration! 30 is the new 20 right?! Thank you for all your nice wishes! □□□ pic.twitter.com/8bhJWxhc6h

— lucie safarova (@luciesafarova) February 4, 2017

RANKINGS WATCH

• ​ATP: Sock (+1 to #19), Gasquet (-4 to #22), Edmund (-6 to #53), Mannarino (+4 to #56), Harrison (+16 to #62), Robert (-4 to #66), Anderson (+3 to #74), Seppi (-7 to #75), Fritz (+15 to #83), Brown (-20 to #84), Herbert (+5 to #96), Stepanek (+6 to #98), Bellucci (-33 to #100)

​

• ​WTA​​:​ Putintseva (+7 to #27), Mladenovic (+20 to #31), Safarova (+8 to #47), Rogers (-5 to #53), Peng (-12 to #59), Cirstea (-3 to #62), Minella (+15 to #78), Vekic (+4 to #84), Buyukakcay (-4 to #86), Brengle 9-4 to #88), Vikhlyantseva (+26 to #89), King (-7 to #93)

ON THE WEB

Looking Back at the Highs, and an Unfortunate Low, from Davis Cup Play
​Q&A: Roger Federer Talks to TIME About Nadal, That Win in Melbourne, and Partying Till Dawn
Denis Shapovalov looks to be Canada’s next tennis star
​Canadian tennis prospect Shapovalov getting accustomed to pro life
​Breaking Down the Biggest Changes in Tennis that Define the Open Era
​Scouting Report: Dimitrov Carries Home Hopes In Sofia
​Federer v. Nadal: The Five Best Matches
​Post-Australian Open Mailbag: Ljubicic's role in Federer's win over Nadal and more
​Sania Mirza comes up with grassroots-level tennis academy
​The LTA will look to other sports to inspire British tennis coaches

PODCASTS
 
No Challenges Remaining - Waking From Australian Dreams
WTA Insider - Kristina Mladenovic Stays True to Herself in St. Petersburg
Tennis With An Accent - Johan Kriek Interview
Break Point Podcast - ​Roger Federer wins Australian Open