Sharapova back to World #2 with title in Beijing

Sharapova delighted with her first trophy in China

Maria Sharapova's 4th title of the year, ties her for 2nd spot, with Ana Ivanovic, for most tournaments won in 2014. The leader on tour is Serena Williams, with 6 titles. 

Maria defeated current Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in an intense see-saw battle. But the world's best 3 set match player thrives on these intense matches, Sharapova dug deep once again and carried herself home in the third.

Maria's victory in Beijing lifts her 2 spots in the WTA rankings and also secures her spot as #2 in Singapore for the WTA Tour Finals, taking place from 20 - 26 October.

Bagging her 5th Grand Slam title on the Terra Battue of Roland Garros in June, Sharapova had made the 4th round in every other Grand Slam of 2014. Not the results she may have aimed for, but solid, nonetheless. 

Sharapova, and Serena each have very few points to defend up until March 2014, so expect an intense battle for the world #1 spot next year. Throw in Petra Kvitova in the mix, and we have a spot on 2015 to look forward too. 

Here's to celebrating title #4 for Maria. Congrats. And Davai.

To read more and see the match highlights, please visit the WTA website: 

http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4195644/title/sharapova-wins-beijing-back-to-no2

Li Na announces immediate retirement!

"Li Na has officially announced her immediate retirement from tennis. TheAustralian Open and ROLAND-GARROS champion has been battling chronic knee problems in 2014 and has decided to call time on her career." - https://www.facebook.com/AustralianTennisMagazine?fref=nf

This is indeed very sad news for us tennis fans. This remarkably talented and entertaining trailblazer in Chinese tennis and also very quippy lady will be dearly missed. 

Read the excerpt courtesy from the WTA site....

"Friday, September 19, 2014

My dear friends,

For close to fifteen years, we've been a part of each other's lives. As a tennis player representing China on the global stage, I've trekked around the world playing hundreds of matches on the WTA tour, for China's Fed Cup team, at the National Games and at several Olympic Games. You've always been there for me, supporting me, cheering me on, and encouraging me to reach my potential.

Representing China on the tennis court was an extraordinary privilege and a true honour. Having the unique opportunity to effectively bring more attention to the sport of tennis in China and all over Asia is something I will cherish forever. But in sport, just like in life, all great things must come to an end.

2014 has become one of the most significant years in my career and my life. This year was full of amazing highlights, which included winning my second Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open and sharing the extraordinary experience with my country, my team, my husband and my fans. It was also a year filled with difficult moments, such as having to deal with the inevitable - making the decision to end my professional tennis career......"

For the full article, please visit

http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4155316/title/li-na-announces-retirement

Li Na will surely be missed from my side. What are your thoughts on this?

US OPEN 2014 SEED PREVIEW

4 days and counting

With only 4 days to the last Grand Slam Tournament of the year, I have sadly missed the past two weeks due to other kinds of life requirements. 

Are you looking forward to the US Open? Who are your picks for the Men's and Women's titles. 

On the Men's side, once again, the tennis fandom will feel the stinging absence of Rafael Nadal, sidelined by a wrist injury. 

On the Women's side, Li Na will also be glaringly absent. 

We have the following seeds on the Men's and Women's side for the next fortnight, as well as their opponents for the first round.

Women's Seeds
1.   Serena Williams vs Taylor Townsend
2.   Simona Halep vs Danielle Rose Collins
3.   Petra Kvitova vs Kristina Mlandenovic
4.   Agnieszka Radwanska vs Sharon Fichman
5.   Maria Sharapova vs Maria Kirilenko
6.   Angelique Kerber vs Qualifier
7.   Eugenie Bouchard vs Olga Govortsova
8.   Ana Ivanovic vs Alison Riske
9.   Jelena Jankovic vs Bojana Jovanovsky
10. Caroline Wozniaki vs Magdalena Rybarikova

And the three standout matches from that line-up for me is where the biggest upsets could happen:
Serena Williams vs Taylor Townsend
Petra Kvitova vs Kristina Mlandenovic
Maria Sharapova vs Maria Kirilenko

And depending on the form of the qualifier, keep an eye out for Angelique Kerber's match too. 

Men's Seeds

1.   Novak Djokovic vs Diego Schwartzman
2.   Roger Federer vs Marinko Matosevic
3.   Stan Wawrinka vs Jiri Vesely
4.   David Ferrer vs Damir Dzumhur
5.   Milos Raonic vs Qualifier
6.   Tomas Berdych vs Lleyton Hewitt
7.   Grigor Dimitrov vs Ryan Harrison
8.   Andy Murray vs Robin Haase
9.   Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Juan Monaco
10. Kei Nishikori vs Wayne Odesnik

And the three standout matches from that line-up:
Tomas Berdych vs Lleyton Hewitt
Grigor Dimitrov vs Ryan Harrison
Andy Murray vs Robin Haase

Also keep an eye out for the match between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Juan Monaco

So, just looking at the top 10 seeds of the Men's and Women's Singles draw, it seems that the first two days at the Billy Jean King Tennis Centre at Flushing Meadows, NY is going to be a smashing exhibition.

Final picks... Serena and Novak.

Follow all the action on live TV, but if you can't, then pop in frequently
on the Official US Open site. Also check out the complete Men's and Women's draws there.

http://www.usopen.org/