Last year I was in a business trip so I couldnt be a part of the show, i regret..
I already queued in Wimbledon (and took part in ground courts, watched Ana as well as Williams sisters and also legendary Nahut/Isner match) and drove more than hundred km to see Clijsters on court, hence This year it was inevitable, unavoidable; so yes, I was right there, I was just one of the 16.000 (per day)witnesses.
I was on the court on the first day of the show; if you check the picture below, you would easily get that I was lucky enough to grap an enviable seat :)
If you are talking about a Championship tournament, I believe that round Robin tours are the most favorite. You could watch 3 matches played by 6 players of the top 8 seeds; and most probably one or two will be your dream players..
The programme of the first day was as follows below.
Petra Kvitova (4) - Agnieszka Radwanska (6)
Serena Williams (3) - Angelique Kerber (5)
Maria Sharapova (2) - Sara Errani (7)
Kvitova - Radwanska, match up of the new generation stars, was a good start for the audience. Winner of 2011 Wimbledon and surprisingly WTA 2011 İstanbul, Kvitova was become a brand last year and continued her journey at the first half of 2012, grabing an australian and french open semifinals; however, she was going down since summer, this was a good chance for a good finish.. Radwanska is the runner up of wimbledon 2012 and winner of 3 titles this year, but still not sustainable especially in grand slams..
Kvitova was not seem to be mentally and physically ready for the tournament, since then we learned that she has withdrawn from the challenge due to a viral infection and replaced by Samantha Stosur. Maybe, thats why, we could not see her fast and heavy left hand serves.. Radwanska, as usual, reflected her agressive and persistant play on the court.
First set is played in 3 game sessions ;) Radwanska speed up to 3-0 then Kvitova even games to 3-3 final word is given by Aga as 6-3.
In the second set, Kvitova dropped first two service games, but was able to break back once; however being not so threating for Aga, she was defeated in two sets; 6-3 6-2.
As many would know, Radwanska is famous for her crouching shots (a sort of overhead backhand for low balls), and she was so generous for giving examples of this throughout the match.
Second match up for the night was Kerber - Serena.. Kerber is an underrated tennis player who could realize her breakthrough lately, especially since 2011 and this result in 2 WTA titles and a rank 5. Serena Williams is now in her 3rd "reich" since mid 2012 after the health complications in 2011 (1st term 1999-2003; 2nd term 2007-2010) reaching her career Grand Slam in 2012 Summer olympics together with her 14 & 15 th Grand Slam singles titles and 13th Grand Slam doubles title. (consider 2 grand slam mixed doubles and 3 WTA Titles (including WTA 2012 İstanbul)
Kerber showed that she was quite excited even during the introduction interview with her shivery voice :) On the other hand, Serena was cold like a piece of steel, motivated and concentrated, which even express an arrogant look.
Serena stormed this excited little girl with serves and winner at the beginning of the play and reached easily 3-0.
However, Kerber came back thanks to relieved game of Serena, and clapping audience 3-3
In the end, serena break Kerbers serve once again for 6-4.
Second set was totally under Serena dominance without a space for Kerber to resist..
Hence, Serena got the second set and match in straight games 6-1.
Serena has a massive physical advantage against her opponents
Serena Airways presents: High Speed Serves
The final of the night was quite assertive as well, a revenge of the French open final ;)
Errani is storming in 2012, she reached her peak during clay court period and in doubles she set a dominance forming an italian team with her partner Roberta Vinci and claimed 2 titles and a final in grand slams.
Both started inconsistent with their serves and game; so long rallies resulted in long games took place.
They went on serve until Errani failed to convert either break point at 15–40 on the Sharapova serve. MaSha then broke serve at the eight game and and closed it out 6–3.
Sharapova then carried on into the second set winning it 6–2.
Here below you could watch the opening game of the match:
Princess Maria Sharapova - Opening game against Sera Errani @ WTA Champs 23/10/12
Player Head to Head statistics:
Galata Tower - İstanbul
Eminönü - İstanbul
