Venus Williams survived an inconsistent performance to defeat Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-3, 6-3 and reach the semi-finals of the Zurich Open on Friday.
The third seeded American struggled to overcome a tenacious opponent in an untidy match that was riddled with errors from both players, but also featured some well-contested rallies and spectacular shot-making.
Five consecutive service breaks ended with Williams leading 5-3 after Schiavone double-faulted to leave her serving for the first set. In the second, Williams broke again to lead 1-0, but she had to fight off two break points in the next game and then needed four game points to hold for 3-1.
Following an exchange of breaks in the next two games, Schiavone held and then was unable to convert any of three break points to level at 4-4. After Williams held for 5-3, a strong return forced Schiavone to net a forehand and drop her serve on match point.
Williams will next face second seeded Serb Ana Ivanovic, who defeated Czech left-hander Petra Kvitova 6-1, 6-4. It is the first time since Wimbledon that the Roland Garros champion has won consecutive matches. Kvitova forced Ivanovic to save two break points in the early stages of the match, but her serve let her down and two consecutive double-faults gave Ivanovic a break for 3-1.
Although Kvitova recovered from 1-4 to 4-4 in the second set, a ninth double-fault gave Ivanovic a decisive break for 5-4.
Italy’s Flavia Pennetta followed up her victory over top seed Jelena Jankovic by beating Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia 7-5, 6-2.
One aspect of her game that allowed Pennetta to recently rise to a career-high ranking of 15 is her improved serve and she says that has played an important factor in her progress to the Zurich semi-finals.
“My serve has improved a lot,” she said. “It makes a lot of difference to win a few points with no play, just rest, is good. Now I understand how the men feel.”
Pennetta will now play Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues, who reached her fifth semi-final of the season when Victoria Azarenka of Belarus retired after pulling a chest muscle. The incident occurred after Azarenka had won the first set 6-4 and as she lost a point to go down 5-3 in the second. Azarenka attempted to continue, but retired after losing her serve and the set 6-3.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
RSS