WTA Oct 16-22 Zurich Open, Zurich, SUI Tier I $1,340,000 - 28 players - indoor: hard Live Scores: c1 - c2 - order & results WTA .pdf: draws & OOP - match notes draws, .html - sched-results photos: Yahoo news - tourney - WTA post-match quotes - Euro TV schedule Zurich: weather - map - venue map Tages-Anzeiger.ch Tennis (in German) # 1 Amelie Mauresmo # 3 Maria Sharapova # 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova # 7 Elena Dementieva # 8 Martina Hingis # 9 Patty Schnyder # 11 Nicole Vaidisova # 12 Francesca Schiavone

Tourney pages: Zurich: 2005 - 2004 - 2003 previous other tourney pages next Zurich: #3 Maria Sharapova 6' 1½+", 130 lbs, RH 2H-BH Zurich: #22 Daniela Hantuchova 5' 11¼", 123 lbs, RH 2H-BH

    On Sunday in Switzerland, in the final of the Zurich Open, 19-year-old 2nd-seeded # 3 Maria Sharapova of Russia (residence: Bradenton, Florida, home of the Bollettieri Academy), defeated 23-year-old unseeded # 22 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia (residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 (Maria is shown after match point, Daniela is shown congratulating Maria after the match). The win improved Maria's chances of finishing the year with the # 1 ranking, but she still will have to do very well in the final weeks to pass # 1 Amelie Mauresmo and # 2 Justine Henin-Hardenne.

    Daniela broke Maria's serve in the 1st game of the 2nd set. Maria said: "It was weird having a little letdown in the second set, at the beginning. I had opportunities to break [Daniela] again, but I couldn't really take them, and in the last game to win the second set she served pretty well on the big points. But, saying that, I gave it to her in the first game. I felt like I had the chances but wasn't converting them, and finally in the third set I did." Reuters story

    Daniela said: "In the first set I think I was trying a little bit too much. It was my first final for a while and I was maybe a little too excited and after the first set I tried to calm down and think more about what I had to do to come back to the match. I thought it was a very good match. I felt like I had my chances, but I have to give Maria credit for the way she closed the match out, especially in the last game. She served very, very well. I tried to hang in there and do whatever it took to still come back, but she was putting a lot of pressure on me."

    Maria put 72% of her 1st serves in the box, and served 10 aces with only 2 double faults (Daniela: 64%, 3 aces, 2 DFs). Maria won 74% of her 1st serve points, and 55% of her 2nd serve points, while Daniela, who won 73% of her 1st serve points, won only 21% of the points on her 2nd serve. Daniela held only one break point against Maria in the match, which she converted to win the 2nd set, while Maria held 15 break points against Daniela. Daniela fended off 11 of these (5 of them while serving for the 2nd set); the other 4 gave Maria the match. match stats

    Maria now leads Daniela 5-1 in career matches, and has won their last five meetings in a row.
    2006 US Open and 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria is now 14-4 in WTA singles finals; Daniela is 1-4, her only title coming when she defeated Martina Hingis at the Tier I Indian Wells tourney in 2002.
New Version Maria Sharapova Wallpaper With 2006 US Open Photos
Daniela Hantuchova Wallpaper

Zurich player's blog by Martina Hingis

WTA SCOREBOARD: Zurich s=seed, #=rank, *=upset, LL=lucky loser ranks are for the previous week How do players get into the "draw"? Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast     Zurich: The main draw for Zurich has 8 seeds, with 4 1st-round byes. There are 4 qualifiers in the main draw. Qualifying (3 rounds) starts on Saturday, qualifying finals are on Monday.     Hallenstadion, Zurich, SUI, at upper left - click for sat pic     Zurich start times: Mon 12:45, Tue-Wed 11:30, Thu-Fri 2pm, Sat-Sun 1:30     The time in Zurich is UCT (GMT, Zulu, Greenwich...) plus 2 hours. That is Eastern Daylight Time in the US + 6 hours, PDT+9 hours. Switzerland news On Saturday in Zurich, Martina Hingis contributed her substantial pretty skills to the draw ceremony... Timea Bacsinszky watched Martina play after winning her qualifying final on Monday... and on Tuesday, Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva were among the young ladies entertaining the press at the "All Access Hour." Among the darned good-looking healthy young ladies at the "VIP Party" on Wednesday were: Elena Dementieva, Daniela Hantuchova, & Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova (asking why Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton didn't show up this time), and Meghann Shaughnessy & Anna-Lena Groenefeld.

Zurich, 1st Rd, Mon after qual., Tue 11:30am Mon WTA story - Tue WTA story losers' prize: $8,790 US; points: 1 #8 s5 Martina Hingis SUI d #18 Anna-Lena Groenefeld GER 6-0, 7-5 Mon Martina about to slice a backhand, Anna-Lena driving one, Martina about to drive another backhand, and after match point     Martina won the first 9 games of the match, taking a 6-0, 3-0 lead. Martina said: "I don't think [Anna-Lena] gave it away. I made her give it to me... I was the conductor, I directed what went on." tourney story - AP story     Anna-Lena said: "I let [Martina] get ahead too quickly. I wasn't able to be aggressive in the first set and that really hurt me. I tried to come back in the second set, but she was just too good today." *#22 Daniela Hantuchova SVK d #9 s6 Patty Schnyder SUI 6-2, 7-5 Tue Daniela lining up a backhand, Patty spinning a forehand, and Daniela after winning a point     Patty said: "I arrived late from Moscow, and only had half an hour practice on centre court. That's definitely not enough. My timing was way off today...     "To her credit, [Daniela] played very well. She is one of my most difficult opponents... It's tough to get your rhythm against her with her flat balls and strong serve." AP story *#21 Tatiana Golovin FRA d #11 s7 Nicole Vaidisova CZE 6-2, 6-0 Tue     Tatiana said: "I was definitely expecting a tougher match. But from the start I could feel [Nicole] wasn't in it and I took advantage of it.     Nicole said: "Tatiana played great. I just couldn't find my rhythm today. Unfortunately, some days are like that. I hope for better results in my next tournament [Linz]." #12 s8 Francesca Schiavone ITA d #96 q Meilen Tu USA 6-2, 6-1 Tue *#173 q Timea Bacsinszky SUI d #14 Anastasia Myskina RUS 6-3, 6-3 Tue Anastasia about to slice a backhand, Timea driving one, and Timea after match point     Anastasia has been plagued by a foot injury since August, and had not played a match since the US Open. She now has not recorded a singles victory since defeating Sofia Arvidsson in the Stockholm semis on August 18. #16 Jelena Jankovic SCG d #68 q Tsvetana Pironkova BUL 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 Tue *#26 Katarina Srebotnik SLO d #17 Mary Pierce FRA 6-3, 7-5 Mon Mary's forehand drive, and Katarina's backhand *#27 Ai Sugiyama JPN d #19 Marion Bartoli FRA 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 Tue Ai and Marion firing forehands #23 Shahar Peer ISR d #161 Alicia Molik AUS 6-1, 6-2 Tue #30 Samantha Stosur AUS d #58 q Maria Elena Camerin ITA 6-1, 6-3 Tue #33 Maria Kirilenko RUS d #127 wc Emmanuelle Gagliardi SUI 6-4, 7-6(4)Tue Ai and Marion firing forehands #42 wc Nathalie Dechy FRA d #73 Jarmila Gajdosova SVK 6-3, 6-4 Tue

Zurich, 2nd Rd, Wed 11:30am, Thu 2pm losers' prize: $16,370 US; points: 42 #1 s1 Amelie Mauresmo FRA d #30 Samantha Stosur AUS 7-6(4), 6-3 Wed Amelie and Samantha serving, and Amelie's forehand drive     Amelie said: "I had a lot of trouble with Stosur’s service games, because she served very well until the middle of the second set. She was serving particularly well in the crucial moments, and there wasn’t a lot I could do. But then I knew before the match about the strength of her serve...     "On my own serve I just couldn’t get the power that I can normally generate, because my shoulder still isn’t feeling very good, but apart from that my game was OK. It’s somewhat frustrating when you can’t play your best tennis, but I made the decision to play here." tourney quotes #3 s2 Maria Sharapova RUS d #23 Shahar Peer ISR 6-4, 7-6(4) Thu Maria serving, Shahar running down a forehand, Maria's backhand drive, and Maria following a slice serve #4 s3 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #16 Jelena Jankovic SCG 7-6(6), 7-5 Thu Svetlana about to slice a backhand, Jelena's forehand drive, and Svetlana after winning a point     Jelena was very upset over some line calls she disputed during the 1st set tiebreaker, and Svetlana agreed there were poor calls in the match. Svetlana said: "There were bad calls on both sides, but I didn't want to get unhappy and negative and lose concentration. I tried to stay calm. I know [the linespeople] are only human, but it was too much this match." AP story *#26 Katarina Srebotnik SLO d #7 s4 Elena Dementieva RUS 6-1, 6-4 Thu Katarina and Elena firing forehands, and Katarina after match point     Elena said: "I think I didn't have enough patience today. I was going for the winners. I didn't want to play long rallies and I made too many mistakes.     "[Katarina] was playing good. She was putting a lot of pressure on with her serve and I just didn't take my chances and I couldn't break her. There was nothing I could do today." Reuters story #8 s5 Martina Hingis SUI d #42 wc Nathalie Dechy FRA 6-3, 6-3 Wed Forehands: Martina driving one, Nathalie volleying one, Martina hitting another on the fly, and after match point     Although Martina leads Nathalie 6-0 in career matches, Nathalie is a competent former top 20 player not to be trifled with; she hung with Martina until 3-3 in the 1st set, and, trailing 1-5 in the 2nd, broke Martina's serve to reach 3-5, fending off several match points before Martina was able to secure the victory.     Martina said: "It also happened in the last match, that I had a few lapses towards the end, but I felt like there was still more in me that I could give. Every time I needed it I could definitely put more force into the shots, and go on the aggressive side and attack more." Reuters story *#173 q Timea Bacsinszky SUI d #12 s8 Francesca Schiavone ITA 6-1, retired --right calf strain Thu Timea's backhand, and Francesca acknowledging the crowd's appreciation that she gave what she could despite the injury *#33 Maria Kirilenko RUS d #21 Tatiana Golovin FRA 2-4 retired-- right ankle sprain Wed #22 Daniela Hantuchova SVK d #27 Ai Sugiyama JPN 7-6(7), 6-2 Wed Daniela serving, Ai about to slice a backhand, and Daniela's forehand drive

Zurich, QFs, Fri 2pm losers' prize: $30,485 US; points: 75 *#22 Daniela Hantuchova SVK d #1 s1 Amelie Mauresmo FRA walkover-- right shoulder injury     Amelie withdrew from the Zurich Open on Thursday because inflammation in two places in her right shoulder has been worsening for three weeks (since Stuttgart).     Amelie said: "I've pushed myself to be able to play last week, to be able to come here this week. Maybe it wasn't the right solution, but I tried... I hope I will be in Madrid [for the WTA Championships Nov 7]. I can't say for sure today that I'm going to be, but I'll do my best and hopefully it will work. tourney story - Reuters story #3 s2 Maria Sharapova RUS d #173 q Timea Bacsinszky SUI 6-4, 6-3 Swiss Timea's service toss, Maria demonstrating "follow through" after a forehand, Maria serving, and after match point     Timea held her own against Maria, and has been doing well in ITF play, already earning 5 singles and 2 doubles titles at the age of 17. However, Maria has been suffering from a foot injury, which still hurts.     Maria said: "I wasn't completely comfortable. There were ups and downs. [Timea is] a pretty big hitter and has a good backhand... You're up 4-1 with two breaks, you think you've got the match, you get a bit sloppy and start thinking about things you shouldn't be, like 'this match should be over already.' That's what happens when you haven't been playing a lot... [The foot injury is] better after you play more, move around more. After two matches, I'm in a better groove and feeling better." AP story #4 s3 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #8 s5 Martina Hingis SUI 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 Two views of Svetlana serving, Martina's backhand, and Sveta after match point     Svetlana broke Martina's serve in the 2nd game of the final set, and they held the rest of the way, Martina unable to convert several break point opportunities. Despite the loss, Martina felt it was a good match.     Martina said: "I haven't played such a good match in a long time. Of course you always want to win, especially at home. I played such a great second set and in the third it's a pity I didn't hold serve in the second game. I had so many opportunities on her serve after that." Reuters story #26 Katarina Srebotnik SLO d #33 Maria Kirilenko RUS 6-3, 6-2 Maria's service toss, Katarina's forehand, Maria's backhand, and Katarina after match point

Zurich, SFs, Sat 1:30pm WTA story losers' prize: $56,800 US; points: 135 #3 s2 Maria Sharapova RUS d #26 Katarina Srebotnik SLO 7-6(3), 6-2 Maria and Katarina arriving on court for the match, Katarina's forehand, Maria's backhand, and after match point     Maria served 13 aces with only one double fault, and converted 4 of 5 break points. match stats     About recovering from the right foot injury that forced her to withdraw from the tourney last week in Moscow, Maria said: "I felt better, more in control, and was moving around the court better. I had a few lows. I got up a break in the second and then let [Katarina] back into it. But I definitely played a lot of good points and even though I got broken I felt in control." AP story     Maria also said: ""I definitely stepped it up a bit more today; I had to because she's been playing really well, and has had a good week. I'm definitely pleased with how I served. 13 aces is a good number. I've always said, there is no substitute for playing matches; that's what I'm happiest about this week." *#22 Daniela Hantuchova SVK d #4 s3 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS 6-4, 6-2 Daniela and Svetlana driving backhands, Daniela serving up a headful of hair (photogs like Daniela's hair, its very nice) and after match point match stats     Svetlana had to call for the trainer during the 2nd set due to a right foot injury. Daniela, on the other hand, almost withdrew from the tourney earlier in the week after being struck very hard by a ball while playing doubles. Luckily for Daniela, the withdrawal of Amelie Mauresmo from the tourney gave her an extra day to recover for the singles semis.     Daniela said: "I was hit really hard in the doubles and it was really hurting me, and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to play. It happened in our first doubles match. Mary Pierce just went for one of her big shots with the forehand, and it went straight in the rib. It was hard to get my breath. In the first two days it was not really fun because I couldn't really get up on my serve and stretch." Reuters story     Daniela also said: "Against Sveta today, I knew I had to be aggressive and move her around, and I couldn't be happier with how I played. It's a great feeling to go out there, play your best and be satisfied with the results."

Zurich, Final, Sun 1:30pm WTA story loser's prize: $105,800 US; points: 210 winner's prize: $196,900 US; points: 300 #3 s2 Maria Sharapova RUS d #22 Daniela Hantuchova SVK 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 3 views of Maria's toss and serve, Daniela's forehand, Maria about to swat one, Maria about to hit a left-handed forehand (something she does occasionally when she needs to reach for a ball; actually her 2-handed backhand with the right hand removed), Daniela firing a forehand on the run, and Maria after match point and thanking the crowd

Zurich, Doubles Final, Sun after singles losers' prize: $31,750 US winners' prize: $59,000 US cdr11 s3 Cara Black & Rennae Stubbs d cdr26 Katarina Srebotnik & Liezel Huber 7-5, 7-5 Cara & Rennae-- this victory qualified them to be one of the four doubles teams at the 2006 WTA Championships in Madrid Zurich, Qual Finals, Mon Oct 16 12:45pm losers' prizes: q1 $1,360 US; q2 $2,535 US; q final $4,720 US #58 Maria Elena Camerin ITA d #160 Kathrin Woerle GER 6-3, 6-4 #68 Tsvetana Pironkova BUL d #138 Joanna Sakowicz POL 6-1, 6-2 *#96 Meilen Tu USA d #73 Jarmila Gajdosova SVK 6-2, 6-3 *#173 Timea Bacsinszky SUI d #110 Zuzana Ondraskova CZE 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 Zurich, Withdrawals #2 Justine Henin-Hardenne right leg muscle tear #10 Dinara Safina RUS fatigue syndrome #15 Ana Ivanovic SCG right shoulder tendonitis #20 Na Li CHN right shoulder #24 Anna Chakvetadze RUS right shoulder strain #90 wc Serena Williams USA knee

    (Oct 19, 2006) Top-seeded # 1 Amelie Mauresmo of France withdrew from the Zurich Open on Thursday due to a right shoulder injury. Inflammation in two places in Amelie's right shoulder has been worsening for three weeks (since Stuttgart). The withdrawal gives # 22 Daniela Hantuchova a walkover to the semifinals.
    Amelie said: "I've pushed myself to be able to play last week, to be able to come here this week. Maybe it wasn't the right solution, but I tried... I hope I will be in Madrid [for the WTA Championships Nov 7]. I can't say for sure today that I'm going to be, but I'll do my best and hopefully it will work. tourney story - Reuters story

    (Oct 14, 2006) 2004 French Open champ Anastasia Myskina, who was reported (by her unofficial website) to be out for the season with a foot stress fracture, is in the main draw for the Zurich Open, slated to play a qualifier in the 1st round. The news media has said nothing about Anastasia's condition, although she withdrew from both the Stuttgart tourney and her hometown Kremlin Cup, and has not played since the US Open. The WTA reported that Anastasia has "left big toe inflammation," with, as usual, no futher information.

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