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The End of the Red Brick Road: WTA Brussels and Strasbourg Previews

May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

One Premier tournament and one International tournament complete the Road to Roland Garros within striking distance of Paris.  None of the women involved are in serious contention for the clay season’s ultimate prize, but the absence of those elite names could lead to some tightly contested matches in playing fields without clear favorites.  I forwent [...]

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Filed Under: Chris Skelton, Latest News, Lead Story, Live Coverage Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Dirty Dozen: Roland Garros Dark Horses Preview

May 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

While attention focuses annually on a small group of contenders, Roland Garros would be much less intriguing without the upset threats that populate each year’s draw.  A look at the contenders lies ahead next week, but the spotlight this weekend shines on the dark horses.  None of these men or women can win the title [...]

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The Li Na Conundrum

May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Li Na? Or Na Li? The western world’s difficulty with the naming order of the former Roland Garros winner is sometimes the least of her problems. She (basically) carries the burden of an entire nation, becoming the first Asian woman to win a major title in singles. She graced the cover of TIME Magazine, and was [...]

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Dust in the Wind: Schiavone and Kuznetsova Continue Their Downward Slides

May 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Tennis is a cruel sport. A seemingly endless grind, a single season spans nearly ten months across six continents. Where athletes on team sports sign contracts guaranteeing a paycheck, the math is much simpler for a tennis player. Win, and collect ranking points and prize money. Lose, and be content with the minimum of each. [...]

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Filed Under: David Kane, Lead Story Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

All Roads Lead to Rome: WTA Rome Draw Preview

May 13, 2013 By 1 Comment

Starting one day later than the simultaneous ATP tournament, the second WTA Premier Five tournament of 2013 brings all of the top ten women to the Foro Italico.  Many of them will seek a fresh start following weeks in Madrid that ended sooner than they had hoped, although the world No. 1 will aim simply [...]

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Filed Under: Chris Skelton, Latest News, Lead Story, Live Coverage Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What a Difference a Year Makes: Madrid in Blue vs. Madrid in Red

May 10, 2013 By 1 Comment

After the outcry caused by the audacious rhapsody in blue last year, the ATP essentially twisted the arm of the Madrid tournament into returning to its red roots.  But did the traditional surface really make a difference in the results of either the men’s or the women’s draw?  An analysis could use multiple angles, of [...]

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In the Heat of the Moment

May 9, 2013 By 3 Comments

Perhaps more so than others, tennis is a sport in which the gladiator narrative is consistently embraced. It features two competitors going head-to-head in a war of attrition. Heavy forehands and backhands are akin to body blows, and the repetition of these rallies akin to rounds in boxing. If one player wins a long, grueling rally, [...]

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Filed Under: Lead Story, Victoria Chiesa Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Mama Martina:” Hingis Embraces New Role as Coach

May 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

In a heated debate between parent and child, many a tiger mother has resorted to an ominous prediction in her rhetoric: “Wait until you have children; then you will understand.” It is a common adage heard in American households, but it feels strangely applicable as former champion Martina Hingis begins the European clay court swing, [...]

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Filed Under: David Kane, Lead Story Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tennis And Me: What Started With Sharapova

May 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

This article discusses how I became a tennis fan and later a tennis writer.  I thought that some of you, especially those who read me more frequently, might find it illuminating, and it’s interesting for me to look back on it too. *** In the beginning, there was Maria Sharapova. I entered the undergraduate program [...]

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Opening the Magic Box: WTA Madrid Draw Preview

May 3, 2013 By 7 Comments

Rare is the non-major that features every woman in the WTA top 10, but Madrid can lay claim to that honor this year.  In another rare quirk, all of the top three women arrive there on winning streaks.  Only one of those streaks can survive Madrid.  Whose will it be?  Or none of the above?  [...]

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Filed Under: Chris Skelton, Latest News, Lead Story, Live Coverage Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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