Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/29

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/29: Corretja becomes new Spanish Davis Cup captain MADRID, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Alex Corretja was presented on Wednesday as the new captain of...

12BET Tennis News Update 12/29

Corretja becomes new Spanish Davis Cup captain

MADRID, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Alex Corretja was presented on Wednesday as the new captain of the Spanish Davis Cup tennis team.
Corretja replaces Albert Costa, who stepped down from the position earlier in the month after masterminding Spain's triumph over Argentina in the final of this year's Davis Cup. It was the second time that Spain had won the trophy in the last three years under Costa's guidance.
As a player, the new captain formed part of the Spanish team, which also included Costa, which won the Davis Cup for the first time for Spain in 2000, while his greatest individual achievement were reaching the final of the French Open in 1998 and 2001, although he lost both times, to Carlos Moya in 1998 and Gustavo Kuerton in 2001.

He will face a difficult introduction to his first job as Spain's top two singles players, Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer have both publically announced they will not play Davis Cup in 2012 in order to concentrate on their individual form. Corretja said this Wednesday that he would speak to the pair to try and convince their to change their minds.
His debut at the helm will be when the Spanish begin the defense of their crown against Kazakhstan in Oviedo over three days from Feb. 10-12.- http://news.xinhuanet.com/

 

12BET Tennis News Update 12/28

 

Tennis: Big three kick off season in Gulf

The big three of men's tennis will be eager to strike early blows ahead of the 2012 season when they square off in a US$250,000 (A$246,875) three-day exhibition event in the Gulf's winter sun.

World No.1 Novak Djokovic will defend three grand slam titles in the new year, Rafael Nadal will strive to hang on to his Olympic and French Open crowns and Roger Federer, despite turning 31, will look to extend his impressive late run in 2011.

Djokovic won three of the four slams and five Masters titles this year and assembled a 70-6 winning record.

His progress towards the end of the year was slowed by a series of back and shoulder injuries, but the Serb insists he is well rested as 2012 approaches.

"This year's success gives me a reason to believe that I can win again. Why not?" said the Serb, who has been based in Abu Dhabi for the past two weeks.

"I think it doesn't make any sense to be anything other than optimistic. I need to believe in my qualities and my abilities and I need to believe that I can repeat the success.

"Of course it is going to be an incredibly difficult task to achieve, but you never know, nothing is really impossible."

Nadal lost his top ranking to Djokovic in 2011 and cut a world-weary figure as the year came to an end, having played 84 matches - more than any of his rivals.

But the 25-year-old, whose French Open triumph was his 10th major and sixth at Roland Garros, believes leading Spain to a fifth Davis Cup has helped reignite his hopes for 2012.

He is also determined to adopt a new approach to his trade.

"I tell myself: 'If I do a bit more, I will be nearly back to winning things again.' That is the motivation. Recovering the extra will that makes you give a bit more of yourself," he said.

"I have to get back to my cruising altitude, which should be higher. From Indian Wells to Wimbledon and the Olympic Games is where I have to recover my best level."

Federer, meanwhile, defied those who believe that having celebrated his 30th birthday in 2011, his best was behind him.

The Swiss won his first title in Doha in January before picking up three more in the home straight in Basel, Paris and a sixth World Tour finals trophy.- http://www.nzherald.co.nz

 

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/27

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/27: Sony Ericsson to end sponsorship of WTA tour LONDON (AP)—Sony Ericsson is ending its sponsorship of the WTA tour at the end of the 2012 seas...

12BET Tennis News Update 12/27

Sony Ericsson to end sponsorship of WTA tour

LONDON (AP)—Sony Ericsson is ending its sponsorship of the WTA tour at the end of the 2012 season.

Sony Ericsson became the title sponsor of the women’s tennis tour in 2005 tour under a six-year, $88 million deal. Although the contract was extended through the end of 2012, the mobile phone company’s name was dropped from the tour’s title in 2011.

The WTA said in a statement Friday that “2012 will be the eighth and final year of the partnership. They have been a great partner and we will miss them.”

Sony Ericsson PR manager Graciela Pineda says “this was a strategic decision based on the evolution of the business and the brand.”

LM Ericsson announced in October it would sell its 50 percent stake in Sony Ericsson to Sony for $1.46 billion.- http://sports.yahoo.com/

 

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Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/26

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/26: Match of the year Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Roger Federer. Comebacks from two sets down against Roger Federer are not supposed to happen. ...

12BET Tennis News Update 12/26

Match of the year

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Roger Federer. Comebacks from two sets down against Roger Federer are not supposed to happen. At Wimbledon Tsonga was the 179th man to find himself in such a position, but the first to do something about it.His cannonball groundshots were frighteningly irresistible as he powered to victory in five sets. (As it happened, Federer went on to squander another two-set lead against Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-final — and that was a cracker too.)

Player of the year

Novak Djokovic. Not much argument here. Djokovic finished with a win-loss record of 70-6, which puts him slightly behind the very best in history. (John McEnroe, for instance, went 84-3 in 1984.) But over the business part of the season, running up to the end of the US Open, he returned an even more extraordinary 62-2.

How does his performance rank in the context of past giants of the game? “When you look at the way the game is played today, the physicality and the depth, I thought it was the greatest,” mused McEnroe himself in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

2011 hero
Sam Stosur. The Australian came up against Serena Williams in full Medusa mode in the final of the US Open. Halfway through the match, Williams halted proceedings while she subjected chair umpire Eva Asderaki to a disgraceful tirade. Thankfully, the popular Stosur kept her cool and closed out the win.

2011 villain
  Serena Williams, for that selfsame rant at Asderaki. “You’re a hater and you’re unattractive inside” was the most vivid and frankly bizarre insult of the year. It was also one of those comments that revealed more about its author than its target. Who was the real hater here?

Row of the year
It hasn’t quite come to the boil yet, but there is genuine discontent bubbling away under the surface of the men’s game. Spain’s Davis Cup winners — Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer – finished the year in Seville on Dec 4, and will have to begin a grand slam tournament in Australia on Jan 16.
This is no way to treat some of the world’s most finely conditioned athletes, and new ATP executive chairman Brad Drewett, who succeeds Adam Helfant on Jan 1, can expect to be buttonholed by the militants (led, probably, by Nadal and his shop steward Andy Murray). Yes, next year’s schedule is two weeks shorter, but with the Olympics added into the calendar, it’s going to be brutal out there.-http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/25

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/25: Maria Sharapova Withdraws from Brisbane, Still on for Australian Open: Fan Reaction ...

12BET Tennis News Update 12/25

Maria Sharapova Withdraws from Brisbane, Still on for Australian Open: Fan Reaction

Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the upcoming Brisbane International due to continuing concerns over an ankle injury she suffered back in September at the Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo. The injury also caused her to miss action at the China Open and also to withdraw from the WTA Championships in Istanbul in October."I was really looking forward to starting my 2012 season at the Brisbane International, which has a fantastic reputation as a great and welcomng event," Sharapova said in a statement December 24.
"Unfortunately my ankle is not 100 percent and I will not be able to make it this year. I do expect to be ready for the year's first grand slam and I am really looking forward to competing on court."
Hopefully, her optimism isn't just for the sake of public perception, and Sharapova will be able to play in the Australian Open. It goes without saying that it's a big event and to not have her in it will be a letdown for fans. There are of course many stories to be made in Melbourne, but if Sharapova isn't there I'm a fan who will be disappointed.

Sharapova and Venus Williams both say they will play in Melbourne
Sharapova's withdrawal from a warm-up tournament follows a similar announcement from Venus Williams, who withdrew from the Auckland Classic. Williams pulled out due to lingering conditions from her auto-immune disorder she revealed after withdrawing from the U.S. Open earlier in the year. Williams said she was suffering from Sjorgens syndrome.

Craig Tiley, tournament director of the Australian Open, said December 23 that his information indicates Venus will play when the Australian Open gets underway January 16.
Barty continuing progress toward Open. Ashleigh Barty, the 15-year-old from Queensland, is continuing to dazzle fans Down Under. She will make her WTA tour premiere following the granting of wild cards into the Brisbane International qualifying and the main draw of the Moorilla Hobart International. She's already earned a wild card into the Australian Open, so she might be quite busy in January, depending on how deep she goes.- yahoo.com

 

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis news 12BET update 12/23

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis news 12BET update 12/23: Keothavong outlines Olympic dream British number two Anne Keothavong has her sights set firmly on qualifying for the Olympics in her home ...

Tennis news 12BET update 12/23

Keothavong outlines Olympic dream

British number two Anne Keothavong has her sights set firmly on qualifying for the Olympics in her home town of London next year.

The 28-year-old hails from Hackney in east London, just a few miles from the Olympic site at Stratford, and wants to be there competing for Team GB in 2012.

Keothavong will first take part in the Australian Open next month but hopes for a good 12 months to ensure she is contention for the Olympics.

"For some time now, my biggest goal for 2012 has been to be ranked high enough by the summer to qualify for the Olympics," she said.

"I need to be around number 60 in the world by the grasscourt season.

"When I sat down with (coach) Jeremy (Bates) to discuss my goals just after the US Open when my ranking was outside the top 100 I said to myself, 'OK, I need to do something good here to be in with a shout,' and I feel much more confident of my chances of making it now."

Keothavong has steadily improved in 2011 and is currently ranked number 72 in the WTA list. - http://www.setanta.com

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News UIpdate 12/22

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News UIpdate 12/22: TENNIS: Venus confirmed coming CARBON Worldwide, the organiser of the WTA Tour BMW Malaysian Open, declared that Venus Williams' withdrawal...

12BET Tennis News UIpdate 12/22

TENNIS: Venus confirmed coming

CARBON Worldwide, the organiser of the WTA Tour BMW Malaysian Open, declared that Venus Williams' withdrawal from an Australian Open warm-up event in Auckland would not affect her participation in the Kuala Lumpur competition.

Venus, who has been receiving treatment for Sjogren's syndrome, stated that she was not ready to compete in Auckland, scheduled next month.Carbon representative Melvin Chia said a fitter Venus would be competing for the first time in the Malaysian Open.

"Tennis fans here will be in for a treat as Venus will be gunning for her first title on her return to competition," said Melvin yesterday.Meanwhile, former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been named patron of this year's event, scheduled on Feb 27-March 4, at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Club.

BMW Malaysia managing director Geoffrey Briscoe said: "We are delighted to have Tun Mahathir as the tournament's patron."We believe his involvement augurs well for the Malaysian Open as we've set out to augment the Malaysian sports and tourism industry."

The third edition of the event has attracted an international cast of world class players and  among them are France's World No 9 Marion Bartoli, Australia's Jelena Dokic and China's Asian Games champion Peng Shuai.- http://www.nst.com.my

 

12BET Tennis News 12/21

Venus Williams Forced to Withdraw from Auckland: Fan Reaction

Venus Williams, the 31-year-old former world No. 1, withdrew from the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. An announcement on the event's website dated December 20 contained a statement indicating that Venus would be unable to compete in the tournament, slated to begin January 2.

 

On the road to a comeback

Williams was on the court over the late fall in several exhibition appearances, but hadn't played in a competition since the U.S. Open. It was in New York where she withdrew unexpectedly and announced that she had been diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, an auto-immune disorder.

"The good news is now I know what's happening after spending years not knowing," Venus said after withdrawing from the U.S. Open. "I feel like I can get better and move on."

ASB Classic tournament director said it was sad to hear Williams would not be coming to Auckland, but he was quick to point out the event still is fielding many top players.

"We are disappointed to have lost a player of her caliber," Palmer said. "While withdrawals of this nature are part and parcel of sport, we sincerely feel for the fans who will also be disappointed by the news of Venus' withdrawal.

Next month's ASB Classic field is one of the strongest in tournament history with four seeds in the top 20…This is still an exceptional field despite the withdrawal of Venus Williams."

Venus, ranked at No. 103, wasn't among the top seeds, but certainly would have been a fan draw. Germany's Sabine Lisicki is the top-ranked player currently scheduled for Auckland.-http://sports.yahoo.com

 

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis news 12BET update 12/20

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis news 12BET update 12/20: Baltacha performs retirement u-turn Britain's number one Elena Baltacha says it would be 'silly' to follow her initial plan and retire in 2...

Tennis news 12BET update 12/20

Baltacha performs retirement u-turn

Britain's number one Elena Baltacha says it would be 'silly' to follow her initial plan and retire in 2012, claiming she will play on.

The 28-year-old had suggested she would call it quits after next year's London Olympics but has now decided not to follow that plan, having upped her game in the last two years.

Baltacha is currently ranked 51st on the WTA list having cracked the top 50 earlier in the year, reaching a career-best 49th by winning in Nottingham and finishing as runner-up at the Internationaux Féminins de la Vienne.

Having performed so well the British number one says she has rethought her plans and expects to be playing on well into 2013 if she can continue her current form.

"I did say the Olympics was probably going to be my last tournament," she told sportinglife.com.

"When I look now how near it is - it will be here before you know it - I think it would be a real shame if I'm enjoying it, if I'm still improving and I'm injury free, to give it up.

"I spent nine years on the ITF circuit trying to get into the top 100 and getting into a good position. The last two years I've achieved a lot.

"It would be silly not to carry on as long as I feel I still love it and my ranking's getting better.

"If that's the case, I'll carry on."- http://www.setanta.com

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/19

Tennis 12BET Pro: 12BET Tennis News Update 12/19: Keys, Levine Credit Fast Starts at Australian Open Wildcard Playoff Getting off to a fast start is never a bad thing in the sport of tennis....

12BET Tennis News Update 12/19

Keys, Levine Credit Fast Starts at Australian Open Wildcard Playoff

Getting off to a fast start is never a bad thing in the sport of tennis. Building on and maintaining that fast start is sometimes more difficult to do.

Madison Keys and Jesse Levine got off fast starts in their finals Sunday at the USTA Australian Open Wildcard Playoff and made it stick.Keys powered through 21-year old Gail Brodsky 6-3, 6-4 in a match that was ruled by Key's serve and forehand. 

After mounting a 5-3 lead in the first set, Keys used a barrage of forehands to close out the first set without much trouble.The USTA's wildcard into next month's Australian Open in Melbourne is the prize for Keys and just thinking about it brought a big smile to Keys' face. "It hasn't hit me yet, but I'm excited," exclaimed Keys after the match. "I was trying to focus on having a good start today." 

The second set was similar to the first as Keys raced out to a 5-2 lead before her opponent even knew it. Brodsky, who trains at the USTA training center in New York made a run at keys to bring the set to 5-4. Keys then found her form and converted her first match point chance.

"I'm one of the younger ones still, so I'm not supposed to win matches," added Keys. The days of Keys not supposed to be winning matches is quickly coming to an end.On the men's side, Jesse Levine, a former college player at Florida took down local favorite Robby Ginepri. Ginepri, who lives and is from the Atlanta area had the crowd support, but it didn't matter against Levine. Levine made quick work of Ginepri 6-0, 6-2, 

6-1.- http://sports.yahoo.com

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis news 12BET update 12/18

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis news 12BET update 12/18: Baltacha buoyant over Murray appointment Elena Baltacha believes that Judy Murray will make a "fantastic" Fed Cup captain and has hailed t...

Tennis news 12BET update 12/18

Baltacha buoyant over Murray appointment

Elena Baltacha believes that Judy Murray will make a "fantastic" Fed Cup captain and has hailed the decision to hand her the job.

Murray was unveiled as Nigel Sears' replacement last week and will take charge of the women's team for the 15-team Europe/Africa Zone qualifier in Israel from February 1-4.

It will be a tough baptism for the mother of world number four Andy Murray as only the top two teams from the tournament will qualify for the World Group II.

But British number one Baltacha feels she is the right person to have at the top of the women's game and believes her presence court side will aid all the British players.

"I think the decision is absolutely fantastic," she told BBC Sport. "I think he couldn't have picked a better person for the job. She brings so much experience to it, so much knowledge, and it will just be so nice to have her there."

The women's game in Britain is certainly on the up with Baltacha, Anne Keothavong and Heather Watson currently ranked in the top 100, while talented youngsters Laura Robson and Naomi Broady are inside the world's top 200, with every chance of improving on that over the next 12 months.

The appointment of Murray coupled with a resurgence in British women's tennis has got Baltacha buzzing for the new season and the possibility of doing something special in the Fed Cup.

"That's the exciting thing - finally the women are now doing good and we're all pushing each other," she added. "There will be a good team there, so fingers crossed we can do some damage when we get to the week and hopefully we can qualify into the World Group."- http://www.setanta.com

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis 12BET Pro: ATP Tennis news 12BET update 12...

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis 12BET Pro: ATP Tennis news 12BET update 12...: Stellar Sydney field announced Organisers have announced that nine of the world's top 10 women stars will play in next month's Apia Intern...

Tennis 12BET Pro: ATP Tennis news 12BET update 12/14

Stellar Sydney field announced

Organisers have announced that nine of the world's top 10 women stars will play in next month's Apia International in Sydney.

The players are currently enjoying a well-earned break from the pressure of tournament tennis but will return as soon as the festive period is over to prepare for the upcoming Australian Open.

The year's first Grand Slam gets under way on January 16 and stars of the men's and women's game will begin their preparations Down Under in the week leading up to the event.

The world's top two, Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova, had already declared their intention to make an appearance at the tournament and, with Victoria Azarenka's name added to the field, the world's top three-ranked stars will contest the event from January 8-14.

Maria Sharapova has opted to fine-tune her game in Brisbane and is the only member of the current top 10 who will be missing in Sydney, while defending champion Kim Clijsters has opted to join the Russian.

Clijsters is on the comeback trail after the second half of her season in 2011 was decimated by injury but, at her best, she could well be the player to watch in the prestigious event.

Tournament director Craig Watson was delighted with the line-up and feels that the event is the best way to prepare for Melbourne Park.

He said: "The women's event has again attracted the world's best and with last year's women's finalists (Clijsters and Li Na) going on to play in the Australian Open final, the Apia International Sydney is the perfect preparation for the season's first Grand Slam"  - http://www.setanta.com

Tennis 12BET Pro: ATP Tennis news 12BET update 12/13

Tennis 12BET Pro: ATP Tennis news 12BET update 12/13: No. 1 Wozniacki to play in Montreal Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki will return to the Rogers Cup in Montreal next year. Wozniacki and No....

ATP Tennis news 12BET update 12/13

No. 1 Wozniacki to play in Montreal

Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki will return to the Rogers Cup in Montreal next year.

Wozniacki and No. 3 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus confirmed Tuesday that they’ll play at the Aug. 4-13 event at Uniprix Stadium.

Wozniacki defeated Russia’s Vera Zvonareva in the final when the Premier WTA tournament was last played in Montreal. She made a second-round exit at the Rogers Cup last summer in Toronto.

Zvonareva and Marion Bartoli of France announced last week that they will play in the 2012 tournament. - http://sports.yahoo.com

 

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis news 12BET update 12/12

Tennis 12BET Pro: Tennis news 12BET update 12/12: BARTY BOOKS AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPOT Fifteen-year-old Ashleigh Barty will play in next month's Australian Open after earning herself a wildcard...

Tennis news 12BET update 12/12

BARTY BOOKS AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPOT

Fifteen-year-old Ashleigh Barty will play in next month's Australian Open after earning herself a wildcard.

The Junior Wimbledon champion won the host nation's wildcard play-off tournament on Sunday when she beat Olivia Rogowska in the final.

The Queenslander triumphed 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 at Melbourne Park to ensure she will return to the venue in January when she is likely to be the youngest player in the field.

Barty, who was only playing in the play-offs as a wildcard having last week won the Australian under-18s title, said: "I can't describe how I'm feeling right now. I'm pleased with what I've done and I've played some really good tennis this week."

Speaking about qualifying for her first senior major, she added: "I don't really want to think about it yet. I'll probably go out there and play some horrendous tennis and be really nervous, but I'll just go out there and have some fun."

Barty did not drop a set all week.

She will be joined at the first Grand Slam event of the season by her male compatriot Marinko Matosevic.

He beat James Duckworth 6-4 6-1 6-2 in the men's final to book his berth.

"It's a great opportunity, an honour and a privilege to get into a Grand Slam tournament by winning this," said Matosevic, who will now make his third Australian Open appearance.  - http://www.sportinglife.com

12BET Tennis News Update 12/11

Clijsters makes successful return, beats Wozniacki

BRUSSELS (AP)—Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters made a successful return to the court after a four-month layoff by beating top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 7-6 (5) in an exhibition Thursday.

In front of about 10,000 home fans at the Antwerp Sports Palace, Clijsters proved she has fully recovered from the stomach muscle injury that forced her off the tour in August. She will be leaving for Australia in two weeks and plans to defend her title in Melbourne next month.

She is hoping to punctuate her farewell season with a gold medal on grass at the London Olympics.

“So far, and today, everything felt really great,” Clijsters told the crowd. “Now I am good to get on the plane and fly to Australia.”She will be Down Under by Christmas and plans to play the Brisbane International before moving to Melbourne to try to add to her four major titles.Even though it was an exhibition, her serve looked strong and her groundstrokes were often dominating against the Dane.

“I am happy to have played a match and break the rhythm of daily training,” she said.

Clijsters regained the No. 1 ranking in February and looked set to be one of the dominating players of 2011 until she hurt her shoulder and wrist in April, compounded by a sprained ankle after an early exit at the French Open.

Trying to come back for the U.S. Open, she injured her stomach muscles in a preparation tournament and had been sidelined ever since.

“It’s been a year of many more downs than ups,” she said.

At 28, she wants to turn that frustration into sheer energy one last time. While unable to work her stomach muscles, she found other alternatives to getting fitter.“Physically, I feel extremely well, perhaps fitter than ever,” she said in the run-up to Thursday’s match.