As Nadal’s Permanence Endures, Roland Garros Braces For Change
by Jane Voigt What would the French Open be without Rafael Nadal winning yet one more title? Sunday marked his eleventh, a run of bold, brave and impenetrable tennis we may never see duplicated by another player. But with the eleventh championship locked up, could there be a 12 or 13? Of course the answer…
How Tennis Grows — An American Story
by Jane Voigt The world’s number one female tennis player, Simona Halep, shook the monkey off her back Saturday to win her first major singles championship in Paris at the French Open. Read More
Thiem Makes First Grand Slam Final, Earns His Big Chance
by Jane Voigt They say a good woman stands behind every good man. In one semifinal Friday at Roland Garros, a good man stood behind another good man and pushed him to produce superlative tennis. The welcomed push from surprise semifinalist Marco Cecchinato propelled No. 7 seed Dominic Thiem to his first-ever Grand Slam final.…
Stephens Has Keys’ Number. Does She Have Halep’s?
by Jane Voigt Sloane Stephens might be the last woman Simona Halep would have wanted to see in the women’s singles final at Roland Garros on Saturday. First, the American is 6-0 in finals, which includes a U.S. Open title. Second, Stephens can run just as fast as Halep, one of her ace assets. Read…
La Dolce Vita: Cecchino Shreds The Planned Script, Writes a Different One
by Jane Voigt This was not supposed to happen. Marco Cecchinato, ranked number 72, defeated 12-time major champion Novak Djokovic, 6-3, 7-6(4), 1-6, 7-6(11) in the most improbable upset of the year. The quarterfinal victory for the Italian was as spectacular as it was unexpected. Cecchinato had never won a single match at any Grand…
Kasatkina Adapts in Chess-match Triumph Over Wozniacki
by Jane Voigt Daria Kasatkina is an enigma, at least for players who expect pace, rhythm and control. Caroline Wozniacki is one such player. Monday, she succumbed to the creative nature of the 21-year-old’s game, losing her chance to advance to the quarterfinals and take a crack at what could have been her second major…
Monfils Comes Close, But Goffin Closes The Door
by Jane Voigt Gael Monfils is a tragedy in the real sense. He lifts hopes then disappoints. A brilliant athlete and masterful tennis player, he seems to willfully misdirect his talents. Nonetheless he is loved, fans willing him to a win as their hearts, full of yearning, beat in anticipation. Read More
The Zen Of Zverev: Sascha Stays In The Moment
by Jane Voigt If you were standing close to Alexander Zverev after he won yet another five-set match at Roland Garros on Friday, you might have heard a sigh of relief. He had escaped a match point and, probably more important to the German, another round with reporters who could have pummeled him with questions.…
Czech-in Time: Pliskova Outlasts Safarova, Prepares For Sharapova
by Jane Voigt Karolina Pliskova is on a dangerous path. She didn’t choose it for herself, either. The women’s singles draw donated it to the Czech Republic’s sixth seed. Nonetheless — and on one day — she did her job well, advancing to the detriment of her compatriot Lucie Safarova, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Read More
Versed in Climbing: Zverev Stays Alive in Five
by Jane Voigt Alexander Zverev hasn’t performed well at Grand Slams. At 21, he’s earned three top-level tour titles at Masters 1000 events, a mighty record for the young man. But for the life of all concerned, he has not advanced beyond the fourth round at a major, losing in the opening round last year…