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| True Trailblazer – Li Na was an immensely popular and deserving champion – Getty Images |
The goings on in New York tend to dominate tennis’ September, but those remarkable results aside, it’s time to look at the other winners and losers as 2014 gets all Autumnal in Asia.
With les garcons preoccupied with Davis Cup duties early on (a preview of the final to come soon), the lasses have been the busier on tour.
On both the mens and womens tours September saw triumphs for the best players this year and also those who shone brightest in that final slam a month ago.
Kei Nishikori proved that his incredible run in New York was no fluke by continuing his return to the big leagues with two titles.
There were tournament wins too for Djokovic, Sharapova Lucic-Baroni, Kvitova, Ivanovic and Lisicki whilst Raonic, Berdych, Wozniacki, Venus and Cornet all enjoyed runners-up scores.
Andy Murray was the other big victor to regain his mojo, his Shenzhen victory representing the Scot’s first piece of silverwear since Wimbles 2013.
There were wins too for David Goffin Anna-Lena Friedsam, Karin Knapp, Monica Niculescu,and Karolina Pliskova
A brief word now for a recent retiree from the WTA and a true trailblazer in tennis’ global reach.
China’s Li Na, who retired earlier this month after persistent knee trouble proved too costly long-term has single handedly catapulted tennis’ appeal in her home country.
After dominating the ITF circuit at the turn of the century Li took to the main tour with something of a slow-burn nature.
Despite the slow start, hers was a career full of constant history-making, from her maiden title ten years ago in Guangzhou to that glorious Australian Open victory in January this year via the maiden major in Paris in 2011 and countless other ‘firsts’.
Amidst many a spicy rivalry with Clijsters, Sharapova, Azarenka and Radwanska to name but a few Li always remained watchable, unpredictable and yes often disappointing – but nothing less than a professional and a role model to a nation who’s expectations doubtlessly delivered the utmost pressure.
September’s Results
Hard $ 18,102,000
Singles : Marin Cilic
Doubles : Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan
Indoor Hard € 410,200
Singles : David Goffin
Doubles : Marcin Matkowski, Mariusz Fyrstenberg
Indoor Hard $ 910,520
Doubles : Leander Paes, Marcin Matkowski
Hard $ 590,230
Singles : Andy Murray
Doubles : Horia Tecau, Jean Julien Rojer
Hard $ 2,500,470
Doubles: Herbert, Przysiezny
Hard $ 1,228,825
Doubles: Rojer, Tecau
Aug 25 – Sep 07, 2014
Flushing Meadows, USA
Doubles: Elena Vesnina/Ekaterina Makarova d. Martina Hingis/Flavia Pennetta 2-6 6-3 6-2
Sep 01 – Sep 06, 2014
Suzhou, China
Doubles: Chin-Wei Chan/Chia-Jung Chuang d. Misa Eguchi/Eri Hozumi 6-1 3-6 10-7
Sep 08 – Sep 14, 2014
Quebec City, Canada
Doubles: Mirjana Lucic-Baroni/Lucie Hradecka d. Julia Goerges/Andrea Hlavackova 6-3 7-6(8)
Sep 08 – Sep 14, 2014
Hong Kong, Sar
Doubles: Karolina Pliskova/Kristyna Pliskova d. Patricia Mayr-Achleitner/Arina Rodionova 6-2 2-6 12-10
Tashkent Open
Singles: Karin Knapp d. Bojana Jovanovski 6-2 7-6(4)
Doubles: Aleksandra Krunic/Katerina Siniakova d. Margarita Gasparyan/Alexandra Panova 6-2 6-1
Guangzhou, China
Doubles: Chia-Jung Chuang/Chen Liang d. Alizé Cornet/Magda Linette 2-6 7-6(3) 10-7
Seoul, Korea
Doubles: Irina-Camelia Begu/Lara Arruabarrena d. Mona Barthel/Mandy Minella 6-3 6-3
Tokyo, Japan
Doubles: Cara Black/Sania Mirza d. Garbiñe Muguruza/Carla Suárez Navarro 6-2 7-5
Wuhan, China
Singles: Petra Kvitova d. Eugenie Bouchard 6-3 6-4
Doubles: Martina Hingis/Flavia Pennetta d. Cara Black/Caroline Garcia 6-4 5-7 12-10
Beijing, China
Singles: Maria Sharapova d. Petra Kvitova 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
Doubles: Andrea Hlavackova/Shuai Peng d. Cara Black/Sania Mirza 6-4, 6-4
All Things Tennis 