Tag Archive | "Govortsova"

The U.S. One Step Closer to Regaining World Group Status

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The U.S. One Step Closer to Regaining World Group Status


In today’s third rubber, Serena Williams validated the adage that “it’s not how you start, but how you finish that counts”. Williams overcame Belarus’ Anastasia Yakimova 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to clinch a spot for the United States in the World Group II play-offs.

On Saturday, Australian Open reigning champion Victoria Azarenka withdrew from World Group II competition due to a back injury. With the Worchester Massachusetts fans cheering them on, the Americans led by Serena and Christina McHale banked both ties in straight sets to take a 2-0 edge.

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Wozniacki Repels Govortsova to Defend In Ponte Vedra Beach

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Wozniacki Repels Govortsova to Defend In Ponte Vedra Beach


In the finals of the MPS Group Championships, Caroline Wozniacki, the top seed and defending champion, terminated Olga Govortsova 6-2, 7-5 for her first title of the year.

After defeating second seed Alona Bondarenko in the first round, Govortsova took care of third seed Dominika Cibulkova in the semifinals. Therefore, Govortsova was hopeful that her third career WTA final would produce her maiden trophy. The problem was that Wozniacki had other intentions.

Govortsova commenced well, breaking Wozniacki to open the match.  However, Wozniacki promptly erased her rival’s lead and under pressure held for 2-1.  Subsequently, with an overhead winner, Wozniacki obtained her second break point of the game.  Caroline converted when Olga netted a backhand.  After salvaging break point, thanks to a few forehand errors by Govortsova, Wozniacki consolidated for 4-1.  The next game despite two double faults and two break points, Govortsova guarded serve to keep in touch at 4-2.  But, down 2-5, Govortsova let a game point evaporate.  Then, with a forehand crosscourt winner off a dropshot, Wozniacki had break point. Wozniacki banked the set when Govortsova committed another error.

By attacking, Govortsova built a substantial lead in the second set.  Two double faults and too many errors by Wozniacki permitted Govortsova to break for 2-1.  Subsequently, the Belarusian sponged over double break point to secure a 3-1 lead.  Later, with a forehand up the line winner, Govortsova arrived at 0-40.  With a forehand crosscourt winner, Govortsova stretched her advantage by double break at  4-1.  Still, because of multiple mistakes her next game, Govortsova dropped serve.  But, as Caroline served at 2-4, Olga produced another winner for break point.  Yet, with spectacular defense, Wozniacki maintained serve for 3-4.  As Govortsova served for the set at 5-4, after wiping out a break point, she arrived at set point.  But, when Olga dumped an uncomplicated backhand volley into the net, the players were at deuce.  Down the road, after salvaging five break points, Govortsova obtained another set point.  Again, because of a mistake, Govortsova failed to convert.  With a forehand from Olga flying long, Caroline had break point number seven. Govortsova double faulted to level the set at 5.  After Wozniacki held at love for 6-5, Govortsova crumbled.  With a forehand miscue, a backhand crosscourt long and a double fault, the Belarusian handed Wozniacki triple championship point.  By Govortsova netting a backhand, Wozniacki captured her second straight MPS Group title.

Two years in a row, Wozniacki has clawed her way into the finals by overcoming Elena Vesnina in the semifinal round.  Yesterday, Wozniacki was down a set and a break, into the latter stages of the second set.  When Wozniacki was asked the secret of her success in Ponte Vedra, she simply stated “I love coming back here”.  For the second time in her career, Wozniacki defends a title.  Last year, Wozniacki did the same in New Haven.  A finalist in Charleston in 2009, Wozniacki will attempt to sustain this excellence at the Family Circle Cup this week.

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Opportunity Knocks:  Schiavone Scoops Up Kremlin Cup

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Opportunity Knocks: Schiavone Scoops Up Kremlin Cup


07_kremlin_cupItaly’s Francesca Schiavone and Belarus’ Olga Govortsova were unlikely picks to reach the final at the Kremlin Cup with Vera Zvonareva and defending champ Jelena Jankovic as the top two seeds at this premier tournament. Thus, this was especially sweet for Schiavone seeded eight as she made the most of her fortuitous circumstance in defeating Govortsova 6-3, 6-0 to claim her second and biggest title of her career.

The 29 year old Italian had been in her second 2009 final in Osaka just last week losing to Samantha Stosur.  Coming into Moscow, Schiavone had a horrendous final record, 1 for 10. On the other hand, for 21 year old Govortsova, this was her second WTA final although still with a title.  These competitors had split their prior two meetings.

After three uneventful service games by the players, serving at 40-15, Govortsova dumped two forehands into the net for deuce.  Then, with another crosscourt forehand error, Govortsova allowed Schiavone to get to break point. The Italian took a 3-1 lead after Govortsova mishandled Schiavone’s sliced backhand with a forehand error. However, Schiavone’s edge was brief. After placing a forehand up the line winner for two game points, Francesca double faulted and was unable to deal with a low ball causing her backhand volley to find the bottom of the net.  As a result of two forehand mistakes by Schiavone, Govortsova erased the break for 2-3.  Subsequently, in a marathon game with nine deuces, with a sensational forehand volley, Schiavone was once more with a break for 4-2. But, the Italian relinquished her advantage promptly with a sleuth of forehand miscues.  Yet, with a forehand up the line winner, a forehand crosscourt winner and a deep return which provoked an error from Govortsova, Schiavone had a couple of break chances.  Francesca capitalized when Olga’s forehand didn’t clear the net. This time, with a love game including a couple of aces, Schiavone wrapped up the set 6-3.

After the trainer attended to Govortsova’s back prior to starting the second set, with Schiavone’s amazing backhand dropshot winner, the Belarusian faced double break point. Subsequently, a backhand crosscourt error from Olga gave Francesca the break.  Schiavone consolidated with a second serve ace for 2-0.  Another mistake laden game by Govortsova resulted in triple break point for Schiavone.  A forehand miscue from the Belarusian extended the Italian’s edge to 3-0.  After a love service game, Schiavone broke one last time for 5-0.  With an ace, the Italian arrived at championship point.  Schiavone sealed the deal when Govortsova’s crosscourt forehand landed long.

With a second round win, Jankovic qualified for the final spot at the year ending championships in Doha which gets underway on Tuesday.  With Dinara Safina and Serena Williams neck in neck in the rankings, the Sony Ericsson championships will determine this season’s top dog.  The field is also comprised of Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka and Venus Williams.

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