The view from the Mandarin Oriental Singapore.
Thank you for hosting my team and I at this beautiful location.
PHOTO OF THE DAY.
viernes, 31 de octubre de 2014
MARIA SHARAPOVA SELFIE. PHOTO OF THE DAY
The view from the Mandarin Oriental Singapore.
Thank you for hosting my team and I at this beautiful location.
PHOTO OF THE DAY.
ALIZE CORNET IN PRESS CONFERENCE INTO GARANTI COZA WTA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SOFIA 2014
Q: Do you feel now more relaxed after your first win in the tournament so probably you could prepare yourself more easily for the next match tomorrow?
It is tough to prepare myself easily for tomorrow because it will be the toughest match of the group as Muguruza is playing amazing since the beginning of the week. I played quite solid today and I am happy with my performance. Of course it is good to still be in the race and to have chances to reach the semifinals.
Q: Muguruza said that she feels very comfortable on this surface because it is not so quick and she could deliver good shots. What about you?
I think the surface is fast (smiling). I can see that she feels confident in this tournament. My match today was better than two days ago. I hope tomorrow will be even better. It will be a challenge to play against Garbine here but I have all my chances. I will try my best. It is all about fighting in this tournament.
Q: It seemed to be very easy match for you especially in the first set. But was it just like that on the court or you?
It seemed easy in the first set but in tennis match it is never easy. Makarova is 11 in the world and she is a very good player. Even if she wasn`t at her best today she is very dangerous all the time so I had to be very solid till the end. I think one of the key moments was in the first set when I could be 3:1 down but finally I win these two games and I had the lead by 3:1.
This is a great win for me because she is almost a top 10 player.
Andrea Petkovic is the first player to qualify for the Garanti Koza WTA Tournament Of Champions semifinals 2014
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| DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA SEXY |
SOFIA, Bulgaria, October 2014
Andrea Petkovic beat Dominika Cibulkova in a tight two-setter on Thursday to become the first player to qualify for the Garanti Koza WTA Tournament Of Champions semifinals.
The No.4-seeded Petkovic trailed 3-1 in both sets but clawed her way back each time, and eventually made it past the No.2-seeded Cibulkova after an hour and 43 minutes of fierce hitting, 7-5, 6-3.
"I thought I was playing really, really well today, and I thought Domi was playing really well too, especially in the first set," Petkovic said. "I'm very happy with my performance out there today." With the win Petkovic is guaranteed to be one of the two players moving into the semifinals from Group Sredets.
The last remaining round robin match from the group, which will take place on Friday and sees Carla Suárez Navarro take on Tsvetana Pironkova, will determine the other player who advances. If Suárez Navarro wins in straight sets, she's in - anything else happens and Cibulkova's in. Earlier, Garbiñe Muguruza and Alizé Cornet won round robin matches in Group Serdika, beginning with No.7-seeded Muguruza coming out on the good side of a bizarre 0-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over No.3-seeded Flavia Pennetta, rallying from a first set blowout to return the favor across the next two sets.
"I went to the court really nervous - in a round robin every match is so important," Muguruza said. "I was doing the wrong things against her in the first set, but I'm glad I could turn it around in the end." The No.6-seeded Cornet had a simpler win in the next match over No.1-seeded Ekaterina Makarova, 6-1, 6-4, but afterwards Makarova was forced to pull out of the tournament because of a back injury. "Unfortunately I have to withdraw with a back injury that happened in Singapore," Makarova said. "I tried my best these first few matches but the third one would have been really tough since the injury has been getting worse. This is a really great tournament, though, and I am really happy I was able to qualify - I tried my best, but it's not possible for me to play at my highest level right now."
jueves, 30 de octubre de 2014
Ana Ivanovic blog: “School without Violence” . UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia
Yesterday in Belgrade, UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia Ana met with pupils, principals and parents from four primary and secondary schools that have implemented the “School without Violence” programme, as well as the donors who support the work of UNICEF.
She was joined by Michel Saint-Lot, UNICEF Representative in Serbia. The gathering was held at the Delphi bookstore in the Student Cultural Centre, where the group discussed what has been achieved and what challenges remain on the path to the prevention and protection of children from violence. “The School without Violence programme is very important, and I am pleased that it has achieved significant results,” said Ana.
“But violence is occurring outside of school as well; in homes and families, on sports fields, on the street, in the virtual world, in society as a whole. No child should live in fear of violence or be exposed to violence. I'll help as much as I can and am committed to supporting the work of UNICEF to improve the lives of children.
“I will advocate for the prevention of violence, I'll talk with children and will speak on their behalf. This is my personal obligation. Also, I will provide support to children and families affected by emergency situations, as I did this year when major floods occurred in Serbia," In the words of UNICEF, in order to prevent and end violence against children, it is necessary to formulate an integrated strategy that will be based on the commitment and resources of all sections of society.
Dominika Cibulkova won her second match at the Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of Champions in Sofia 2014.
Dominika Cibulkova won her second match at the Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of Champions in Sofia.
The 2014 Australian Open finalist had a big lead in the first set against Carla Suarez Navarro (Esp), lost it but somehow managed to finish the encounter with 7:5, 6:4.
Ekaterina Makarova in Press Conference; GARANTI COZA WTA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SOFIA 2014,
Q: What has happened with you this match? Were you too tired from your flight from Singapore or there is another reason for your not so good performance tonight?
A: Today was tough for me. I didn`t show my best tennis. She played really good and didn`t give me any chances. She was too aggressive. We played in Beijing. It was like 3 hours and was a good fight. Now it is the end of the season and was very tough for me to show my best tennis.
Q: Probably the surface is too slow for your style of play?
A: I can say that I don`t really like this service. It is tough for me. In Moscow was the same in Singapore also.
Q: Are you happy with your season?
A: For me the 2014 was very good. Maybe the end of the season is not so good but in general I am happy with my results.
miércoles, 29 de octubre de 2014
Sugarpova candy packets at Robinsons The Heeren. Singapore 2014
Maria Sharapova pose for a photo with a fan with autographed Sugarpova candy packets at Robinsons The Heeren. October, 2014. Singapore.
The world number two, Maria Sharapova was in Singapore to launch her Sugarpova, line of candies ahead of her participation in Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals.
Maria Sharapova autographs the Sugarpova candy packets for fans at Robinsons The Heeren on October 2014, Singapore.
25 boys and girls from tennis club Russe had a 5-hour travel to Sofia 2014
25 boys and girls from tennis club Russe had a 5-hour travel to Sofia.
They came to watch matches from the Garanti Koza WTA tournament of champions. What a surprise for the youngsters!
A chance to play some minutes with Alize Cornet and to get autograph and picture from the French star. After that, they watched the practice session of Carla Suarez Navarro
Dominika Cibulkova in Press Conference. GARANTI COZA WTA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SOFIA 2014
If during the tiebreak in the second set you`ve lost some very important points could it be a turn in the match?
With this “could” and “if” I could win a Grand Slam (smiling). This is tennis. I can say that I played a very good game and I was feeling really good on the court. In the moments that I was losing I just didn`t using the right tactic. Always when I started to play smart I started to win games.
Why you had so many problems with your serve?
My serve always is the part that in the matches I had some problems but I think that actually I served really good. Maybe I just wanted to much from my first serve. And when my coach came on the court he told me just to play more first serve as a second on. After I started to do that I was more successful. Usually the players said that every game is different.
How do you feel when you have to play against somebody who already you have beaten six times and lost only ones?
I don`t look pretty much on statistics. Every player is different and every has very own style. And we know each other very well so I always got my focus on the match not at the statistics.
When your coach came on the court in the first set has he given you any instructions to attack more Pironkova on her forehand side?
Of course I can`t lie. Everybody knows that Tzveti has unbelievable shot at backhand and her forehand is the shot that you have to attack and that this is her weak shot. My game plan was exactly this – to be aggressive on her forehand as much as I can.
martes, 28 de octubre de 2014
GARANTI COZA PARTY WTA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SOFIA 2014. THE BEST PICS
FLAVIA PENNETTA IN GARANTI COZA PARTY WTA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SOFIA 2014
TSVETANA PIRONKOVA IN GARANTI COZA PARTY WTA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SOFIA 2014
ELINA SVITOLINA IN GARANTI COZA PARTY WTA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SOFIA 2014
kids clinic with Karolina Pliskova and Elina Svitolina. Sofia 2014
What is the feeling to play against one of the best in the world?
Ask the boys and the girls from Bulgarian clubs who has the chance to be on the court for the kids clinic with Karolina Pliskova and Elina Svitolina. It is one of the tradition at the Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of champions.
During the 30 minutes the youngsters played doubles versus the stars. The clinic was followed by an autograph session. By the court at Arena Armeec was the legendary Bulgarian multiple Olympic medalist /gymnastics/ Yordan Yovtchev, deputy minister of youth and sports.
BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore 2014 blog: THE BEST PICS.
BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore 2014 blog: THE BEST PICS.
BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore 2014 blog: THE BEST PICS.
BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore 2014 blog: THE BEST PICS.
BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore 2014 blog: THE BEST PICS.
BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore 2014 blog: THE BEST PICS.
YINZHOU BANK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S TENNIS OPEN NINGBO, CHINA OCT 27 - NOV 02, 2014. TOURNAMENT INFO
TOURNAMENT INFO
TIER: 125K
PRIZE MONEY: $125,000
SURFACE: Hard
DIRECTOR: Lei Bao
In yet another example of tennis' increased popularity in China, three new WTA 125K Series hardcourt events were implemented in the country 2013. One of those was the Yinzhou Bank International Women's Tennis Open in Ningbo during the WTA's Asian swing.
With total prize money of $125,000 and 160 ranking points awarded to the champion, WTA 125K Series events are a level above top-tier ITF Women's Circuit tournaments.
A seaport locale in the northeast of Zhejiang province, Ningbo is one of China's oldest cities - with its history dating back to the Hemudu culture in 4800 BC
lunes, 27 de octubre de 2014
Players’ party before the Garanti Coza WTA Tournament of Champions in Sofia 2014.
A wonderful black dress form Flavia Pennetta and fantastic Tsvetana Pironkova.
Tennis stars at their best outside the court at Esterhazi bar in the Bulgarian capital.
more at Arena Armeec hall from Tuesday.
The draw ceremony for the Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of Champions 2014 in Grand Hotel Sofia
The draw ceremony for the Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of Champions was held today in Grand Hotel Sofia.
The official guests of the event were the Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandukova, the Minister of youth and sport Evgenya Radanova, the President of Bulgarian tennis federation Stefan Tzvetkov and Serhan Baykal from Garanti Koza.
Bulgarian tennis star Tsvetana Pironkova will be in group "Sredets" and will play with Dominica Cibulkova, Andrea Petkovic and Carla Suarez Navaro. The first match will be Pironkova vs Cibulkova on Tuesday at 6 pm. The second will be Petkovic vs Suarez Navarro.
In the other group named "Serdika" are the number 1 seeded Ekaterina Makarova, Flavia Pennetta, Alize Cornet and Garbine Muguruza. The third match on Tuesday will be Peneta vs Cornet. The will be the last edition of Tournament of Champions in Europe. From 2015 this event will be held in China.
"It will be very interesting tournament. Everybody deserves to be in Sofia so there will be no easy matches. I feel that i am In good form and can't wait to go out on the court", said Tzvetana Pironkova. The Mayor of Sofia and the Minister of youth and sport wished to all participants "good luck" and expressed their confidence that the fans in "Arena Armeec" will see many exciting matches.
domingo, 26 de octubre de 2014
MARIA SHARAPOVA SELFIE. PHOTO OF THE DAY,
Final days in Singapore spent touring the city..
PHOTO OF THE DAY,
Cara Black and Sania Mirza won of the BNP Paribas doubles WTA Finals 2014.
Cara Black and Sania Mirza needed just 59 minutes to defeat defending champions Hsieh Su-Wei and Peng Shuai, 6-1, 6-0, in the doubles final at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals.
After snatching victory from the jaws of defeat twice already this week, Cara Black and Sania Mirza left nothing to chance in the final. Fifty-nine minutes was all it took for Black and Mirza to dethrone defending champions Hsieh Su-Wei and Peng Shuai, and ensure their final tournament together ended on a high.
The 6-1, 6-0 victory was a fairytale ending to their 13-month spell together, although the final chapter nearly had a very different outcome. In their two previous matches, Black and Mirza negotiated dramatic finishes, saving match points in both.
"That's tennis, it gives you another chance," Mirza said.
"You've got to fight and this just proves it, and today we won the tournament. It's been an amazing ride, an amazing journey." From the moment Black fended off a break point with a delicate drop volley in the second game, it was one-way traffic.
A quarter of an hour later, the set was in the bag when Black sent a backhand flashing past Peng.
Serena Williams won her third straight WTA Finals title in Singapore 2014
Serena Williams won her third straight WTA Finals title with a dominant straight set win over Simona Halep in Singapore on Sunday.
Four days after experiencing one of the heaviest defeats of her career, Serena Williams gained revenge in spectacular fashion, crushing Simona Halep, 6-3, 6-0, to win the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore.
Williams has now won five times at the WTA's season-ending showpiece, a total bettered only by Martina Navratilova, and will once again finish the year as the World No.1. While her position at the top of the rankings was a mathematical certainty following Maria Sharapova's premature exit, the nature of her loss to Halep during the round robin left her with a score to settle and a point to prove.
And she did this in emphatic fashion, overcoming a slow start to blow away Halep amid a whirlwind of winners. "She was playing so well at the beginning and I told myself to just relax and once I did that I started playing better and making my shots," Williams said.
"I lost to her a couple of days ago so I knew she was capable of playing really well, but I knew I had to play better if I wanted to win. I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to play here and now I've won the Billie Jean King Trophy again - it's an amazing feeling.
" Early on, it looked like Halep could repeat her round robin heroics, negating her opponent's greater power, breaking for a 2-1 lead with a trademark down-the-line backhand. Williams, however, had other ideas, elevating her game and unleashing a series of withering returns to restore parity.
sábado, 25 de octubre de 2014
ANA IVANOVIC SELFIE IN SINGAPORE 2014. PHOTO OF THE DAY
Thank you Singapore!
Had great time.
See you next year
PHOTO OF THE DAY
GARANTI KOZA WTA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SOFIA, BULGARIA OCT 28 - NOV 02, 2014.
TOURNAMENT INFO
TIER: Tour Championships
PRIZE MONEY: $750,000
SURFACE: Hard
DIRECTOR: Stefan Tzvetkov
The Garanti Koza WTA Tournament of Champions is the Season-Ending Championships of the WTA's International Series that features top WTA players and next-generation champions.
Six players who have captured at least one International event during the year and who are not participating in singles at the season-ending WTA Championships qualify, plus two wildcards.
Debuting in 2009 in Bali, the event moved to Sofia's Armeets Arena for the 2012-2014 editions. Winners have been Aravane Rezai in 2009, Ana Ivanovic in 2010 and 2011, Nadia Petrova in 2012 and Simona Halep in 2013.
Tennis is increasingly popular in Sofia, which is Bulgaria's capital and largest city. Many of the country's major universities, cultural institutions and businesses are concentrated in Sofia.
Simona Halep advances to final of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore
It is not often that Agnieszka Radwanska is forced to play second fiddle in terms of shotmaking.
However, on Saturday evening at the Singapore Sports Hub, she did just that, as an inspired Simona Halep outclassed her, 6-2, 6-2. During the round robin stage, Halep produced the performance of her career to humble World No.1 Serena Williams, and she was in a similar vein of form against Radwanska.
The Romanian barely put a foot wrong, hitting 26 winners to overpower Radwanska’s cerebral game.
“I’m very excited to be in the finals. I didn’t expect this result here and I’ve had to work very hard to play my best tennis here this week,” Halep said. “Agnieszka’s also a great player and I want to congratulate her on reaching the semifinals. I also want to thank everyone that came to support us – they were unbelievable.
“I knew that I’d have to run a lot and that she’s also running very well. I just wanted to play very fast and finish the points very quick and take the ball inside the baseline. My style was to be aggressive. I did that and also served really well.”
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