Wednesday, May 17, 2006
WTA: the long and short to Roland Garros 2006
There are almost too many illustrations in the news today of my posting last week regarding today's media-scorned momentary parity and problems on the WTA tour. Currently, the players' eyes are on Roland Garros. Amelie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce will be under inordinate pressure to have a French woman win finally for the first time in centuries (almost).
Serena, suffering from chronic knee injury, is pretty much out of the French Open. Lindsay Davenport pulled out yesterday with back problems.
Struggling Venus is out there doing just that. But on May 4th, in Reuters words: "Venus Williams battled to a dramatic 4-6 7-5 6-4 victory over Martina Hingis to reach the quarter-finals of the Warsaw Cup". That was their first matchup since 2002, when Venus and Serena sent Martina into early retirement.
Venus had nothing left the next day for Svetlana Kuznetsova, who defeated Venus handily 6-4 6-2. That was Venus' only fourth match after being out four months with an elbow strain. I think I pretty much keep up with tour happenings, but, just to emphasize how media-deemphasized the tour has become, was nonetheless dumbfounded to be reminded that Kuznetsova was the 2004 US Open champion (I'm already searching back through my vcr tapes.)
Venus, Martina and Kuzy had impressive wins yesterday in Rome in their third round matches of what is essentially the Italian Open. No one is suggesting a clear favorite in the tournament (how exciting can that be).
Incidentally, (quiet as its kept) Venus won Wimbledon last year. Buzz. Over Lindsey Davenport. Media no-buzz.
Serena, suffering from chronic knee injury, is pretty much out of the French Open. Lindsay Davenport pulled out yesterday with back problems.
Struggling Venus is out there doing just that. But on May 4th, in Reuters words: "Venus Williams battled to a dramatic 4-6 7-5 6-4 victory over Martina Hingis to reach the quarter-finals of the Warsaw Cup". That was their first matchup since 2002, when Venus and Serena sent Martina into early retirement.
Venus had nothing left the next day for Svetlana Kuznetsova, who defeated Venus handily 6-4 6-2. That was Venus' only fourth match after being out four months with an elbow strain. I think I pretty much keep up with tour happenings, but, just to emphasize how media-deemphasized the tour has become, was nonetheless dumbfounded to be reminded that Kuznetsova was the 2004 US Open champion (I'm already searching back through my vcr tapes.)
Venus, Martina and Kuzy had impressive wins yesterday in Rome in their third round matches of what is essentially the Italian Open. No one is suggesting a clear favorite in the tournament (how exciting can that be).
Incidentally, (quiet as its kept) Venus won Wimbledon last year. Buzz. Over Lindsey Davenport. Media no-buzz.
