The WTA tour has been much criticized because there doesn’t seem to be a player consistent enough to win match after match. Justine Henin did remarkable winning every match she entered since losing the semifinal at Wimbledon last year. After a string of losses this year, she shocked everyone by retiring in May at just the age of 25 and right before the French Open where she has won 4 times. Maria Sharapova regained the world no. 1 ranking but quickly lost it after a fourth round exit at the French Open. Ana Ivanovic won that grand slam and immediately replaced the Russian as the no. 1. At Wimbledon, she lost to Zie Jheng in the third round. She was able to retain her ranking by the similar early exits by the other top 4 players. Last week at the East West Bank Classic in Los Angeles, compatriot Jelena Jankovic, the world no. 2, could have gained the world no. 1 status had she won the tournament despite haven’t reaching a grand slam final yet. The tournament was highlighted for its lack of high-profile players. It was perhaps proper that she didn’t win because it would have made it very easy for her to be no. 1.
Ivanovic was able to retain for ranking mostly because of the poor performances of the other challengers. The points between the top 4 are very close and with a good performance coupled by an early loss of another, each would have a shot at the WTA summit. This week, the top players are heading to Montreal for the Rogers Cup, the first tier I event since Berlin in May. Ivanovic, Jankovic, Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova will be under immense pressure especially after their highly-criticized exits at Wimbledon before the quarterfinals. There are also a number of notable up-and-comers top-billed by Marat Safin’s sister, Dinara Safina, who reached the French Open final and won the tournament at Berlin. She also upset top-seeded Jankovic at the East West Bank Classic to reach the final and eventually clinch the title. She already has 3 titles this year.
Check out the draw for the Rogers Cup here.
Ivanovic was able to retain for ranking mostly because of the poor performances of the other challengers. The points between the top 4 are very close and with a good performance coupled by an early loss of another, each would have a shot at the WTA summit. This week, the top players are heading to Montreal for the Rogers Cup, the first tier I event since Berlin in May. Ivanovic, Jankovic, Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova will be under immense pressure especially after their highly-criticized exits at Wimbledon before the quarterfinals. There are also a number of notable up-and-comers top-billed by Marat Safin’s sister, Dinara Safina, who reached the French Open final and won the tournament at Berlin. She also upset top-seeded Jankovic at the East West Bank Classic to reach the final and eventually clinch the title. She already has 3 titles this year.
Check out the draw for the Rogers Cup here.
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