WTA has announced the players to participate at the 2010 Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions to be held in Bali, 4-7 November 2010.
Despite their international tournament wins and high rankings, Justine Henin, Maria Sharapova, and Kaia Kanepi will not be playing in Bali due to unspecified reasons.
The Tournament announced Japanese veteran, Kimiko Date Krumm another Wild Card to replace Ana Ivanovic who qualified by default after her win at Linz. Date Krumm has not won any international tournament, but has shown good progress at the end of the season.
1 Li Na Rank: 11 | Won: Birmingham
2 Aravane Rezai Rank: 18 | Won: Bastad
3 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Rank: 20 | Won: Monterrey, Istanbul
4 Yanina Wickmayer Rank: 22 | Won: Auckland
5 Ana Ivanovic Rank: 24 | Won: Linz
6 Alisa Kleybanova Rank: 27 | Won: Kuala Lumpur
7 Daniela Hantuchova Rank: 27 - WILD CARD
8 Kimiko Date Krumm Rank: 53 - WILD CARD
This has let other higher ranked players who are qualified for the tournament in dismay. Alona Bondarenko (ranked 36, won Hobart), Agnes Szavay (37, Budapest & Prague), and Roberta Vinci (38, Luxembourg) are not on the list.
Compared to those three players, Hantuchova and Date Krumm have advantages as the Tournament found them having selling factors. Those who do not really follow WTA Tour updates (even the journalists) know Hantuchova better than the other three players. She is beautiful and attractive and has been playing in Bali several times.
Kimiko Date Krumm is the oldest player on tour and has been the most succesful Japanese tennis player in singles. The Tournament is targetting Japanese tourists to flood Bali International Convention Centre in Nusa Dua to cheer on their heroine. Tennis wise, she remains highly competitive. It is not a bad choice, but I myself have a pity on those higher ranked players.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Other Possible Qualified Players for 2010 CBTC
There are several other high ranked players who could possibly qualify for the 2010 Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions. Shahar Peer (ISR, 13), Nadia Petrova (RUS, 16), Marion Bartoli (FRA, 17), and Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS, 20) can surpass the players on this week list of Bali possible contenders, but they need to win any of the last three international tournaments left, namely Osaka, Linz, and Luxembourg.
Petrova and Kuznetsova do not play this week and do not enroll for Luxembourg. Bartoli and Peer could not make it in Osaka. Bartoli has just lost in straight sets, 26 57, to Tamarine Tanasugarn at the semifinal in Osaka today. Shahar Peer did not take advantage of her first set win and eventually lost to home favorite and last year CBTC semifinalist, Kimiko Date Krumm, 63 67 57.
It is impossible for Date Krumm to go to Bali again even if she wins Osaka and the premium level tournament in Moscow next week. Her current points of 1090 only put her in the 56th position in the WTA Tour singles ranking. She would not surpass the points and rankings of Alysa Kleybanova (2105 at 26) and Kaia Kanepi (2490 at 22).
In Linz, Bali wild card, Ana Ivanovic (SER, 29) is playing the semifinals and now leading 63 22 against Roberta Vinci of Italy. Patty Schnyder keeps her hope alive by reaching the final after a three sets win over Andrea Petkovic, 62 46 75. At ranking of 47 and 1220 points Schnyder needs to win in Linz and get more points next week to qualify for Bali. She needs to play Moscow instead of Luxembourg in order to win more points.
Petrova and Kuznetsova do not play this week and do not enroll for Luxembourg. Bartoli and Peer could not make it in Osaka. Bartoli has just lost in straight sets, 26 57, to Tamarine Tanasugarn at the semifinal in Osaka today. Shahar Peer did not take advantage of her first set win and eventually lost to home favorite and last year CBTC semifinalist, Kimiko Date Krumm, 63 67 57.
It is impossible for Date Krumm to go to Bali again even if she wins Osaka and the premium level tournament in Moscow next week. Her current points of 1090 only put her in the 56th position in the WTA Tour singles ranking. She would not surpass the points and rankings of Alysa Kleybanova (2105 at 26) and Kaia Kanepi (2490 at 22).
In Linz, Bali wild card, Ana Ivanovic (SER, 29) is playing the semifinals and now leading 63 22 against Roberta Vinci of Italy. Patty Schnyder keeps her hope alive by reaching the final after a three sets win over Andrea Petkovic, 62 46 75. At ranking of 47 and 1220 points Schnyder needs to win in Linz and get more points next week to qualify for Bali. She needs to play Moscow instead of Luxembourg in order to win more points.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Ivanovic and Hantuchova
Even though the Tournament has named Ana Ivanovic and Daniela Hantuchova wild cards for the 2010 Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, both players are still trying to qualify for the tournament by winning at least one international event.
Ivanovic and Hantuchova are now playing in Linz and have also book their places at Luxembourg next week. The last two international tournaments on WTA calendar, therefore the last chances to win a ticket for Bali.
As Flavia Pennetta will not be playing in Bali, the chance of Kaia Kanepi and Alysa Kleybanova are still open.
Ivanovic and Hantuchova are now playing in Linz and have also book their places at Luxembourg next week. The last two international tournaments on WTA calendar, therefore the last chances to win a ticket for Bali.
As Flavia Pennetta will not be playing in Bali, the chance of Kaia Kanepi and Alysa Kleybanova are still open.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
WILD CARDS for 2010 CBTC
In the press conference held in Krakatau Room, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Jakarta on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 the Tournament Director, Kevin Livesey, announced Ana Ivanovic and Daniela Hantuchova the wild cards for the 2010 Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.
Kevin also explained the reason of having single elimination format for the year-end tournament. He personally affraid if round robin format would possibly help a player who might lose a match or two earlier in the tournament to cruise through the semifinal by default. The case of Venus Williams in 2009 SonyEricsson Championships is the example he mentioned.
Subject to the results of the remaining three international tournaments, below is a list of players who are qualified for the 2010 Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.
Click the picture for original size!
Kevin also explained the reason of having single elimination format for the year-end tournament. He personally affraid if round robin format would possibly help a player who might lose a match or two earlier in the tournament to cruise through the semifinal by default. The case of Venus Williams in 2009 SonyEricsson Championships is the example he mentioned.
Subject to the results of the remaining three international tournaments, below is a list of players who are qualified for the 2010 Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.
Click the picture for original size!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
2010 Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions
Twenty four players have won at least one international tournament, the first criterion to be able to participate in the year-end women's tennis tournament, the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions. The tournament will be held in Bali for 4-7 November 2010 at the Bali International Convention Centre, in Nusa Dua area.
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/page/RoadToBali/0,,12781,00.html
Not all of the above players would be playing in Bali. Six of them would probably play at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha 25-27 October 2010 and will not be allowed to play in Bali, unless the player is only an alternate at the Sony Ericsson Championship. Some of them (USA and Italian players) would not be able to come to Bali as they will play Fed Cup final at the same time.
Take a look at the players who are qualified for Bali and Doha and the possible qualified players based on their current WTA ranking and the singles ranking at the Race to Sony Ericsson Championship.
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/page/RoadToBali/0,,12781,00.html
Not all of the above players would be playing in Bali. Six of them would probably play at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha 25-27 October 2010 and will not be allowed to play in Bali, unless the player is only an alternate at the Sony Ericsson Championship. Some of them (USA and Italian players) would not be able to come to Bali as they will play Fed Cup final at the same time.
Take a look at the players who are qualified for Bali and Doha and the possible qualified players based on their current WTA ranking and the singles ranking at the Race to Sony Ericsson Championship.
Malaysian Open and Thailand PTT Open
I have booked tickets for Malaysian Open and Thailand PTT Open from 24 September 2010 to 4 October 2010, but could not go there for the tournament. Yeah, it's a pity, but the works in the office cannot be left. I need to work.
While missing the chance to meet Nadal, Verdasco, Gulbis, Del Potro, Soderling, Davydenko, Berdych, Ferrer, Youzhni, Nisikori, etc. in person, I could still follow their performances on TV and the internet.
I am waiting for Nadal-Gulbis match. I also would like to see how Nisikori develop his skill to face the Top 10 power house players like Berdych and Soderling.
Hopefully next year I can make it to KL and Bangkok. I would need to find a sidekick then.
While missing the chance to meet Nadal, Verdasco, Gulbis, Del Potro, Soderling, Davydenko, Berdych, Ferrer, Youzhni, Nisikori, etc. in person, I could still follow their performances on TV and the internet.
I am waiting for Nadal-Gulbis match. I also would like to see how Nisikori develop his skill to face the Top 10 power house players like Berdych and Soderling.
Hopefully next year I can make it to KL and Bangkok. I would need to find a sidekick then.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Last Year This Week
Regardless her postur and weak serve, at 278 in the WTA rankings Ayu Fani Damayanti is the highest ranked Indonesian tennis player today. I am always enthusiastic following Ayu's performance in international tennis forums.
Having played her third main draw in Bali in September last year, Ayu Fani Damayanti continued her good performance at the Philippines ITF women's circuits. She grabbed two ITF circuit titles despite her low ranks of 733 and 727.
At the second week in Manila, Ayu defeated the top seed, Sacha Jones (then ranked number 337) of New Zealand 6-4 6-1 (H2H) in the final. Ayu played perfect games in the course of two weeks without loosing a set.
Today Sacha Jones has made her biggest leap to 168 from last week 212 in the WTA rankings after winning three Australian challenger (Mount Gambier, Port Pirie, Rock Hill) 25K tournaments in a row and a 50K tournament in Phoenix, USA.
Where is Ayu? Within the last two months Ayu didn't play any ITF tournaments. She played at local tournaments in Tegal and Jakarta. I have not seen any official reason why she didn't enter challenger tournaments or at least the circuits in Manila. The only possible guess I have is that Ayu needs to collect money from this easy-winning local tournaments.
If Ayu is given a financial support to travel from challenger to challenger and try her luck at higher tournaments, It is not possible that she could be in the Top 200 this year. I am stil hoping that someday someone would invest in Ayu and helped her join the Top 150. Nothing is impossible for this smart tactician girl.
Having played her third main draw in Bali in September last year, Ayu Fani Damayanti continued her good performance at the Philippines ITF women's circuits. She grabbed two ITF circuit titles despite her low ranks of 733 and 727.
At the second week in Manila, Ayu defeated the top seed, Sacha Jones (then ranked number 337) of New Zealand 6-4 6-1 (H2H) in the final. Ayu played perfect games in the course of two weeks without loosing a set.
Today Sacha Jones has made her biggest leap to 168 from last week 212 in the WTA rankings after winning three Australian challenger (Mount Gambier, Port Pirie, Rock Hill) 25K tournaments in a row and a 50K tournament in Phoenix, USA.
Where is Ayu? Within the last two months Ayu didn't play any ITF tournaments. She played at local tournaments in Tegal and Jakarta. I have not seen any official reason why she didn't enter challenger tournaments or at least the circuits in Manila. The only possible guess I have is that Ayu needs to collect money from this easy-winning local tournaments.
If Ayu is given a financial support to travel from challenger to challenger and try her luck at higher tournaments, It is not possible that she could be in the Top 200 this year. I am stil hoping that someday someone would invest in Ayu and helped her join the Top 150. Nothing is impossible for this smart tactician girl.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
