Just a quick update, reporting much of the same…
Daniela continues to stutter after her impressive Australian Open, losing to former US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus) who will now leapfrog Daniela in the rankings.
A member within the excellent WTAWorld forum has summed up their feelings about Hantuchova at the moment, to which I agree:
“She’s capable of winning against anybody, she just hasn’t found that consistency and that nerve controlling factor the top players have. If she wants to be back on the top, like Rain said, she has to beat them eventually, and when it comes to that department, Daniela hasn’t really gone far enough.”
Yes the english is hardly pefect but you get the idea.
The Dubai tournament is however, continuing to intrigue, with no less than five former Number 1 ranked players now in the quarterfinals, including the revelation that is Martina Hingis, a truly ‘Missed Swiss’. Her comeback is nothing short of spectacular, this year she has already beaten some players in and around the top ten (Sharapova – thank god, Dechy, Pennetta).
The men’s tour is a little quieter, with injuries again rupturing tournament line-ups. Rotterdam in particular has lost out heavily after Nadaal,Baghdatis and Grosjean all retired with rib, leg and personal reasons respectively.
Still this has opened the door for British players.
Arvind Parmar, ranked 230 in the world and who is currently the fifth ranked Brit, has really found his form; the reason being he says, after Andy Murray’s inspiring run in San Jose. Parmar dumped out Paradorn Srichapan of Thailand in three gruelling sets in the first round before confidently swatting away fellow qualifier Dominik Meffert of Germany setting up a meeting with Christophe Rochus of Belgium.
With his confidence high, I wouldn’t rule out another shock win for Parmar.
Tim is also playing well, beating another of my favourites: former Australian Open champion Thomas Johannsson of Sweden in straight sets yesterday 6-4, 6-4. A fine article on the pair can be found at BBC Sport.
Andy Murray’s first title has understandably caused a real frenzy in the world of British Tennis at the moment, the British media has at last found a genuine excuse for its worship of Murray (not really justified after he beat Henman in Basle last year). This will no doubt strentgthen tennis in the UK amongst new generations, and is seemingly rubbing off on our experiecned pro’s too.
Things are (for now) looking up.
All Things Tennis 