INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA – DAY FOURwtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/matchnotes/2020/709_4.pdf · 17/09/2020 · Best result here were SF runs in 2016 (d. No.10 Bacsinszky in QF,

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MATCH NOTES: INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA ROME, ITALY | SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2020 | €1,692,169 | PREMIER 5

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INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA – DAY FOUR[9] GARBIÑE MUGURUZA (ESP #17) vs. COCO GAUFF (USA #53)

[3] SOFIA KENIN (USA #5) vs. VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #14)

[14] ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #21) vs. SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #38)

[Q] IRINA CAMELIA BEGU (ROU #77) vs. [8] JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #13)

[5] KIKI BERTENS (NED #8) vs. POLONA HERCOG (SLO #50)

First meeting Both players suffered surprise early exits at US Open… Gauff bidding for fourth career win over a

Top-20 player… Muguruza reached SF here in 2016 and 2017

Kenin leads 1-0 Kenin won in three tight sets when the two met at 2019 Acapulco… Azarenka’s last win over a member of the Top 5 came at 2019 Stuttgart… Kenin has never reached a WTA-level QF on clay

Kontaveit leads 1-0 Kontaveit triumphed when they met in Rome two years ago… Kuznetsova is one of nine major

winners in the draw… Kontaveit has made at least QF here on two of previous three visits

First meeting Six of Begu’s last seven Top-20 wins have come on clay… Konta finished runner-up in the Italian

capital last year… Begu is one of six qualifiers to reach second round

Series tied 1-1 Bertens won their most recent encounter, at 2019 Beijing… All six of Hercog’s career finals have

come on clay… Bertens has reached SF here on two of previous three appearances

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MATCH NOTES: INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA ROME, ITALY | SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2020 | €1,692,169 | PREMIER 5

WTA4LOVE – SUPPORTING THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY • As part of the ongoing humanitarian campaign, WTA4Love,

more than 100 community initiatives have been undertakenby WTA players and partners since the onset of the COVID-19pandemic in March.

• Many players are stepping up again to raise awareness bywearing WTA4Love patches during competition in supportof the ongoing campaign as we return to play.

• WTA4Love initiatives have provided COVID-19 supportranging from donations of medical equipment to hospitals,including 30,000 masks donated to medical professionalsthrough the efforts of the players and WTA Charities.

• Food insecurity has also been addressed by providing 24,000 meals to families and frontline workers andthrough fundraisers for local foodbanks. WTA Charities will continue to support the ongoing needs ofcommunities with upcoming donations of 100,000 meals in partnership with Lilly Pulitzer.

• “WTA4Love” is a global campaign with activities and donations by players and WTA Charities in 14 of thecountries which are home to WTA tournaments and most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including China,Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others.

• In addition to the urgent focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, WTA Charities has continued to support a wide rangeof nonprofit organizations including live video chats teaching leadership and character development to youthand offering support and positive messaging to Special Olympics participants.

• For more information on each player’s specific activities, please contact WTA Communications Manager, TeyvaSammet [email protected]

A SNAPSHOT OF 2020 – THE YEAR SO FAR • One Top 10 Debut: Sofia Kenin (at No.7 on February 3)• Fewest games dropped en route to a title: Jennifer Brady (24, Lexington)• Lowest-ranked player to triumph: Patricia Maria Tig (No.88, Istanbul)• Multiple finals: Elena Rybakina: 4 (Shenzhen, R-Up, Hobart, W, St. Petersburg, R-Up, Dubai, R-Up); Sofia

Kenin: 2 (Australian Open, W, Lyon, W); Simona Halep: 2 (Dubai, W, Prague, W); Naomi Osaka: 2 (Western& Southern Open, R-Up, US Open, W); Victoria Azarenka: 2 (Western & Southern Open, W, US Open, R-Up)

• Maiden titles (3): Ekaterina Alexandrova (Shenzhen), Jennifer Brady (Lexington), Patricia Maria Tig(Istanbul)

• Youngest title winner: Elena Rybakina, Hobart (20y 7m 1d)• Oldest title winner: Serena Williams, Auckland (38y 3m 17d)• Aces leaders: Serena Williams – 167, Elena Rybakina – 164, Naomi Osaka – 141, Garbiñe Muguruza – 131• Most aces in a match (22): Alison Van Uytvanck (l. vs. Sofia Kenin 7-6(5) 6-7(2) 7-6(2) – Lyon, SF)• Match win leaders: Elise Mertens – 25, Elena Rybakina – 24, Anett Kontaveit – 20, Sofia Kenin – 18• Most doubles titles (3): Barbora Strycova / Hsieh Su-Wei (Brisbane, Dubai, Doha)• Best result by a qualifier (R-Up): Kung (Hua Hin), Fernandez (Acapulco), Bouchard (Istanbul)• Longest match: 3h 33m – Heather Watson d. Elise Mertens 6-7(5) 6-4 7-5 (Hobart, QF)• Shortest (completed) match: 44m – Serena Williams d. Amanda Anisimova 6-1 6-1 (Auckland, SF)


ROME - ITALY | Sep 14 - Sep 21, 2020 | $2,399,040 | PREMIER 5

MATCH NOTES

[9] GARBIÑE MUGURUZA (ESP #17) vs. COCO GAUFF (USA #53)

Head to Head: First meeting

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA

17 4

08-10-1993 (26)$1,703,605 $20,921,334

0 / 7 0 / 5

18-5 / 254-1427-3 / 80-626-0 / 41-50

CORI GAUFF 53 55

13-03-2004 (16)$362,908 $914,920

0 / 1 0 / 2 1-0

8-5 / 19-103-3 / 9-33-0 / 6-0

11-6

1-0 / 1-01-0 / 54-290-0 / 18-14 0-0 / 0-0

WTA RANKING

PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD

DATE OF BIRTH (AGE)

YTD PRIZE MONEY

CAREER PRIZE MONEY

SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER)

DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER)

ROME W-L (MD) *

YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) *

YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) *

YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) *

YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) *

YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) *

3-1 / 35-34 1-0 / 2-23-2 / 61-60 2-1 / 3-3

YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) *


YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-1 / 11-18 1-0 / 1-1

* Updated entering 2020 Rome 2r

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA (ESP #17)

R64: d. SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #33) 6-3,6-3 (1h21)

ROAD TO THE SECOND ROUND

COCO GAUFF (USA #53)

R64: d. ONS JABEUR (TUN #34) 6-4,6-3 (1h22)

ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA

2019

L - VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #51) R16 6-4 3-1

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from

MUGURUZA:

Rome

Making seventh main draw appearance at Internazionali BNL d’Italia

Best result here were SF runs in 2016 (d. No.10 Bacsinszky in QF, l. Keys) and 2017 (ret. w/neck injury vs. eventual

champion Svitolina)

Defeated Stephens in 1r on Tuesday for her first win over the American since 2015 Wuhan

Added three aces to her season count of 131 – the fourth-most on Tour in 2020, behind S.Williams (167), Rybakina (164)

and Osaka (141)

Faces No.53 Gauff today in their career first meeting. Has won 11 of her last 13 matches against players ranked outside the

Top 50, only falling to No.52 Brady at Dubai in February and un-ranked Pironkova last week at US Open

Last time she faced back-to-back Americans was en route to 2019 Indian Wells QF (d. Davis and S.Williams via ret.)

Has reached the QF or better at five of six events played in 2020, going 18-5 across the season – joint-fourth most main

draw wins this year, behind Mertens (25), Rybakina (24), Kontaveit (20) and Kenin (18)

Sole career final on clay was 2016 Roland Garros victory over S.Williams

Season

Coming off 2r exit at US Open (l. Pironkova)

Withdrew from Western & Southern Open w/ left ankle injury

Prior to tour’s hiatus, was enjoying her best ever start to a season and for the first time in her career made the QF or better

at five straight tournaments - is the only player to achieve this feat in 2020

Last event played was Doha, reaching QF (l. Barty)

Also made QFs at Dubai (l. Brady in 3s). Defeated former No.1 and four-time Grand Slam singles champion Clijsters in the

1r at Dubai which was the Belgian’s first professional match since 2012

Finished R-Up at Australian Open (l. Kenin in 3s) – her fourth career major final

Defeated four seeds en route to Melbourne final, including three of the Top 10 (No.4 Halep, No.5 Svitolina, No.9 Bertens)

Forced to withdraw with viral illness prior to QF match against Kudermetova at Hobart International

Began 2020 campaign posting SF appearance (l. eventual champion Alexandrova) at Shenzhen Open


MATCH NOTES

2018

L - DARIA GAVRILOVA (AUS #24) R2 5-7 6-2 7-6(6)

2017

L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #11) SF 4-1

2016

L - MADISON KEYS (USA #24) SF 7-6(5) 6-4

2014

L - FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE (ITA #61) R2 3-6 6-1 7-6(5)

2013

L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #2) R2 6-2 6-2


from

Career Milestones

Finished 2019 season at No.36 for first non-Top 20 finish since 2014

Successfully defended her title in Monterrey for seventh career WTA trophy (d. Azarenka in F)

Also in 2019, reached QF at Indian Wells defeating No.10 S.Williams and No.7 Bertens en route (l. eventual champion

Andreescu) and R16 at Australian Open (l. Ka.Pliskova) and Roland Garros (l. Stephens)

Is a two-time Grand-Slam champion winning titles at 2016 Roland Garros (d. S.Williams in F) and 2017 Wimbledon (d.

V.Williams in F). Dropped only one set in Roland Garros title run

Is only player to ever beat both Williams sisters in a Grand Slam final and one of 29 women in the Open Era to win multiple

Grand Slam titles

Also finished R-Up at 2015 Wimbledon (l. S.Williams) to make Top 10 debut. Is one of two players to meet both Williams

sisters in the final of the same Grand Slam – also Hingis at US Open (1997, d. V.Williams; 1999, l. S.Williams)

First Spaniard to reach Wimbledon final since Sánchez Vicario in 1996 and first to reach any Slam final since Conchita

Martínez at 2000 Roland Garros

Rose to World No.1 on September 11, 2017 to become the 24th woman in history to hold the top spot and second from

Spain (after Sánchez Vicario in 1995). Also named ITF World Champion for 2017

In 2015, became first Spanish player to compete at the WTA Finals in singles since 2001 (Sánchez Vicario) and reached

doubles final (w/Suárez Navarro, l. Hingis/Mirza)

Made WTA main draw debut at Miami in 2012, defeating No.9 Zvonareva for first Top 10 win of career

Grand Slam History

Appeared in 30th Grand Slam main draw at 2020 US Open

Won titles at 2016 Roland Garros (d. S.Williams in F dropping just one set en route to lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen)

and 2017 Wimbledon (d. V.Williams in F)

Reached title match at 2020 Australian Open (l. Kenin in 3s) – Grand Slam final record now stands at 2-2 (also R-Up at

2015 Wimbledon – l. S.Williams)

One of just eight players all-time to defeat Serena in a Grand Slam final

Is one of 29 women in the Open Era to win multiple Grand Slam titles

Is the second player to face both Williams sisters in the final of the same major (also Hingis, at US Open in 1997 – d.

V.Williams, and 1999 – l. S.Williams)

By winning 2017 Wimbledon, became only player to defeat both sisters in Grand Slam final, at Roland Garros (d. S.Williams

in 2016) and Wimbledon (d. V.Williams in 2017)

Best result at US Open came in 2017 with R16 showing

In doubles, best result was SF run at 2014 Roland Garros w/Suárez Navarro

Personal

Began playing tennis at age three; first memory of the sport was playing with her brothers

Mother, Scarlet is from Venezuela and father, José Antonio, is from Spain

Coached by Conchita Martínez

GAUFF: Rome

Making tournament debut this week at Internazionali BNL d’Italia

This week marks the first Tour level clay event of her career. Last year fell in qualifying at Roland Garros (l. Juvan)

Ousted No.34 Jabeur in 1r on Tuesday, having also defeated the Tunisian last month at Lexington QF

Has now posted 4-4 record against Top 50 ranked players this season, with other wins over No.4 Osaka (Australian Open),

No.11 Sabalenka and No.39 Jabeur (both at Lexington)

Faces No.17 Muguruza today for a spot in the R16. Owns three career wins over Top 20 ranked opponents, over No.8

Bertens (2019 Linz), No.4 Osaka (2020 Australian Open) and No.11 Sabalenka (2020 Lexington)

Enters Rome ranked No.53. Broke into the WTA Top 50 (at No.49) on February 24, 2020

Competing in doubles this week (w/McHale, d. L.Kichenok/N.Kichenok in 1r); faces Carter/Stefani in 2r

Season

Coming off back-to-back 1r exits at Western & Southern Open (l. Sakkari) and US Open (l. Sevastova)

Made R16 in doubles at Western & Southern Open and US Open (w/McNally, l. Melichar/Xu at both events)

Returned to tennis at Lexington, reaching the SF (l. eventual champion Brady)

Won 12 of the last 15 points of the match to upset No.11 Sabalenka in 2r at Lexington; now owns three career Top 20 wins,

having also defeated No.4 Osaka earlier this year at Australian Open and No.8 Bertens at 2019 Linz

At 2h 50m, match against Sabalenka was the longest of her career – five minutes longer than her win over Hercog at 2019

Wimbledon

Opened 2020 season by reaching 2r at Auckland (l. Siegemund) and R16 at Australian Open (l. eventual champion Kenin in

3s)

Career Milestones

Enjoyed breakout season in 2019, highlighted by maiden WTA singles title at Linz (as lucky loser, d. Ostapenko in F) -

earned her first Top 10 win en route to title over No.8 Bertens in QF

At 15y214d, her title run in Linz made her youngest to win a WTA tour-level title since Vaidisova (15y177d) won Tashkent in

2004

Also claimed maiden WTA doubles titles at Washington, DC (w/McNally, d. Sanchez/Stollar in F) and Luxembourg

(w/McNally, d. Christian/Guarachi in F)

By winning the doubles title at Washington, DC at 15 yrs, 144 days, became the youngest player to win a doubles title since

May 1995 (Martina Hingis won Hamburg at 14 yrs, 219 days)

Reached R16 at 2019 Wimbledon on Grand Slam main draw debut (l. eventual champion Halep) - followed with 3r showing

at US Open (as WC, l. Osaka)

Finished 2019 season ranked No.69, having started the year ranked No.685

Made WTA main draw debut at 2019 Miami (as WC, l. Kasatkina in 2r)

Made ITF debut in May 2018 as a qualifier into the $25K ITF/Osprey, FL—USA, where she won her first professional match

(as qualifier, l. Stewart in R16)

Finished 2018 season with a WTA ranking of No.875

Former junior World No.1 (July 2018)

Grand Slam History

On Grand Slam main draw debut, became first 15-year-old to reach R16 at Wimbledon - and also appear on Centre Court -

since Hingis in 1996 (l. eventual champion Halep)

In 1r, defeated No.44 Venus Williams to become the youngest player (15y123d at end of tournament) to win a main draw

match at Wimbledon since Capriati (15y100d) reached SF in 1991; and youngest at all Slams since Kournikova (15y93d)

advanced to R16 at 1996 US Open (l. Graf)

Also competed at 2019 US Open (as WC, l. then-No.1 Osaka in 3r)

At 2020 Australian Open, Defeated No.4 Osaka in 3r, becoming the youngest woman to beat a Top 5 opponent at WTA

level since Capriati (15y163d) defeated No.3 Sabatini in QF of 1991 US Open

Fell in qualifying at 2019 Roland Garros

Is only the third player in last 30 years to win seven or more Grand Slam matches before her 16th birthday - also Capriati

(28) and Hingis (20)

Is the first American woman in 30 years to reach the 3r in her first three majors

Won girls’ singles title at Roland Garros in 2018 (d. McNally); youngest to win the title since Hingis1993

Won US Open girls’ doubles title in 2018 (w/McNally)

Reached US Open girls’ singles final in 2017, aged 13 – youngest finalist in history (l. Anisimova)

Personal

Began playing tennis at age 7

Grew up in Atlanta, Georgia before moving to Florida to pursue tennis; main residence is now Delray Beach, Florida

Currently coached by her father Corey Gauff (played basketball for Georgia State University) and is part of ‘Team

Mouratoglou’ along with rising male players Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexei Popyrin, Rudi Molleker and Jason Tseng – has

trained at Mouratoglou Academy in France since age of 10

Mother, Candi was a track and field athlete at Florida State University. Has two younger brothers, Cody and Cameron

Favorite subject at school is literature

Cites Serena Williams as the reason she plays tennis and also admires Venus

Signed first multi-year sponsorships in 2018 with New Balance, Head and Barilla, an Italian food company known for its

pasta


MATCH NOTES

SOFIA KENIN (USA #5) vs. VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #14)

Head to Head: SOFIA KENIN leads 1-0

2019 HARD O QF SOFIA KENIN 152 mins6-4 4-6 7-5ACAPULCO

SOFIA KENIN

5 2

14-11-1998 (21)$3,306,173 $6,224,905

2 / 5 0 / 2

18-7 / 87-516-3 / 32-228-6 / 25-16

VICTORIA AZARENKA 14 3

31-07-1989 (31)$1,819,530 $32,175,035

1 / 21 0 / 8

20-1012-3 / 463-181

3-1 / 88-633-0 / 69-44

2-1

1-0 / 94-460-0 / 5-92-0 / 4-3 0-0 / 46-14

WTA RANKING


DATE OF BIRTH (AGE)

YTD PRIZE MONEY

CAREER PRIZE MONEY



ROME W-L (MD) *






1-1 / 8-14 1-1 / 68-731-3 / 15-24 4-1 / 124-101





SOFIA KENIN (USA #5)

BYE


VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #14)

R64: d. VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #70) 7-6(7),6-2 (2h01)


from

KENIN:

Rome

• Making second main draw appearance (third overall) at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia this year following a 3r showing last

year and a qualifying exit in 2018

• During 2019’s run upset No.14 Keys in 2r and then led eventual champion Ka.Pliskova 6-4 2-0 before losing in 3s

• Has posted 18 wins this season – only Mertens (25), Rybakina (24) and Kontaveit (20) have registered more

• After 1r bye, faces No.14 Azarenka in 2r today – win would be second Top 20 victory of season (also d. No.1 Barty at 2020

Australian Open)

• One of seven Americans to begin this year’s draw (also Anisimova, Gauff, Pera, Riske, Stephens, and V.Williams)

• Has won two titles this season (Australian Open and Lyon) – only other woman to win more than one is Halep (Dubai and

Prague)

• Has never reached a WTA QF on clay, with her best result on the surface last year’s R16 run at Roland Garros (l. eventual

champion Barty)


MATCH NOTES


SOFIA KENIN

2019

L - KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7) R16 4-6 6-4 6-3

2018

L - KAIA KANEPI (EST #59) R1-Q 2-6 6-2 6-2

VICTORIA AZARENKA

2019

QF L - KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7) 6-7(5) 6-2 6-2

2018

R1 L - NAOMI OSAKA (JPN #21) 6-0 6-3

2016

R2 L - IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU (ROU #35) 6-3 6-2

2015

QF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #3) 6-3 6-2

2013

F L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 6-1 6-3

2012

R16 L - DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #17) W/O

2011

QF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #8) 4-6 3-0

2010

R2 L - ANA IVANOVIC (SRB #58) 6-4 6-4

2009

SF L - SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #8) 6-2 6-4

2008

R16 L - TSVETANA PIRONKOVA (BUL #64) 6-2 1-0

2006

R1 L - ANASTASIA MYSKINA (RUS #13) 6-3 3-6 7-6(6)


from

Season

• Coming off R16 showing at US Open (l. Mertens) – the deepest run of her career at Flushing Meadows

• Made 2r exit at Western & Southern Open (l. Cornet)

• Before hiatus, lifted fifth WTA singles title at Lyon (d. Friedsam in F)

• Suffered 1r exit at Dubai (l. Rybakina) before falling 2r at Doha (l. Yastremska)

• Won deciding doubles rubber w/Mattek-Sands to help USA beat Latvia 3-2 and qualify for next year’s Fed Cup finals in

Budapest; also went 1-1 in singles (d. Sevastova, l. Ostapenko)

• Made her Top 10 debut at No.7 and US No.1 on February 3

• Won maiden major at Australian Open (d. Muguruza in F) to become the youngest champion (21y, 80d) in Melbourne

since Sharapova (20y, 283d) in 2008

• Kicked off season with 2r showings at Brisbane (l. Osaka) and Adelaide (l. Collins)

Career Milestones

Produced incredible 2019 campaign, winning three singles titles, a career-best Slam performance, qualification into both

WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai and WTA Finals (as alternate, played one match), and a career-high singles ranking of No.12

Finished the year as US No.2 (behind No.9 S.Williams) and leader in hard court wins (38-tied w/Barty)

Registered back-to-back SF runs at Cincinnati and Toronto, subsequently leading to Top 20 debut

During this run, defeated No.1 Barty (Toronto) and No.1 Osaka (Cincinnati), to become first player since October 2001 to

defeat reigning No.1s in consecutive weeks (Davenport); also became youngest American to defeat reigning No.1 in eight

years (after McHale)

Advanced to R16 for first time at a Slam at Roland Garros (d. S.Williams), becoming first American to defeat Serena at the

majors since Stephens at 2013 Australian Open QF

Broke into the Top 100 on March 19, 2018, Top 50 on October 8, 2018 and Top 20 on August 19, 2019

Made first WTA level SF in 2018 at Mallorca as a qualifier, also reaching this stage later in the season at Québec City

Represented the USA in the Fed Cup final vs. the Czech Republic in November 2018

In 2017, won the US Open Wild Card Challenge, reaching the third round (l. Sharapova) and posting career first Top 50

win over No.34 Davis

Made WTA main draw debut at 2015 US Open as a wildcard (l. Duque-Mariño in 1r)

Owns four ITF singles titles and two doubles titles

Played first matches of career on ITF Circuit in 2013, climbing to No.2 in ITF World Junior Rankings

Represented the USA at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and competed at the 2016 ITF Junior Masters, both held in

China

Grand Slam History

Won maiden Grand Slam in Melbourne, defeating two-time major champion Muguruza to become the youngest champion

(21y, 80d) at Australian Open since Sharapova (20y, 283d) in 2008

Before 2020 Australian Open, best Slam result was R16 run at 2019 Roland Garros (l. eventual champion Barty); in 3r

became first American to beat S.Williams at a majors since Stephens at 2013 AO QF

Made Slam main draw debut at 2015 US Open as a wildcard – received for being crowned USTA Girls’ 18s National

Champion. Fell 1r to Duque Mariño

Reached 3r at 2017 US Open as a wildcard (l. Sharapova), in what was only fourth tour-level main draw outing. Has since

posted best US Open result with R16 run in 2020

Made 2r at Wimbledon in 2018-19

Personal

Born in Moscow, moved to New York as a baby before family settled in Florida. Now resides in Pembroke Pines, Florida,

where she was home-schooled

Known as ‘Sonya’

Coached by father Alexander Kenin with support Lorenzo Cava; trains at at ProWorld Academy in Delray Beach, Florida

Best tennis memory is playing idol Maria Sharapova on Arthur Ashe (US Open 2017)

If not a tennis player would be a fashion designer

Dream doubles partners would be Serena Williams and Grigor Dimitrov

Good friends with CiCi Bellis and Katie Swan

Likes rap music, especially Drake

Treat food is Froyo - cookies and cream with Hershey’s on top

AZARENKA:

Rome

Making 12th appearance at Rome. R-Up in 2013 (l. S.Williams) and a semifinalist in 2009 (l. Kuznetsova); also a

three-time quarterfinalist

One of these QF runs came in 2019 (l. eventual champion Ka.Pliskova); en route recovered from 5-2 down in the third set

(saved 1mp at 5-3) to defeat defending champion Svitolina in 2r, then recorded the 500th win of her career (including

qualifying, ITF Circuit and Fed Cup) when 3r opponent Muguruza retired w/left thigh injury

Last year also won doubles title here w/Barty (d. Groenefeld/Schuurs in F)

Won six of 10 return games to see off fellow multiple-major winner V.Williams in 1r on Tuesday

Faces No.5 Kenin in 2r today; served for the match before eventually losing their only previous encounter at 2019

Acapulco

Most recent Top 5 win came over No.4 Ka.Pliskova at 2019 Stuttgart

Won sole clay court title at Marbella in 2011

Currently ranked No.14 – her highest ranking since returning to the tour from maternity leave in 2017

Celebrated 31st birthday this summer – is one of 12 players aged 30 or over in the draw this week

Season

Coming off R-Up showing at US Open (l. Osaka in 3s); now 21-18 in singles finals

Upset No.11 Sabalenka, No.18 Mertens and No.8 S.Williams en route to record the 122nd, 123rd and 124th Top 20 wins

of her career and reach first major final since 2013 US Open – seven-year between major finals is second-longest in Open

Era behind V.Williams (seven years, 207 days between 2009 Wimbledon and 2017 Australian Open)

Made history alongside S.Williams in New York by becoming the first pair of mothers to reach the semifinals at the same

Grand Slam

Lifted 21st career title at Western & Southern Open when final opponent Osaka withdrew w/left hamstring injury

Suffered 1r exit at Lexington (l. V.Williams) in her second WTA event of 2020

Opened 2020 season with 1r exit at Monterrey (l. Zidansek), having not contested any events in Australia due to personal

reasons

Career Milestones

Last tournament of 2019 was the US Open, where she fell to Sabalenka in 1r; also reached the doubles final w/Barty (l.

Mertens/Sabalenka)

Highlight of 2019 was 37th singles final at Monterrey (d. No.5 Kerber in SF, l. Muguruza in F via ret. w/leg injury). Also

made QFs at Acapulco (l. Kenin), Stuttgart (l. Kontaveit via ret.) and Rome (l. Ka.Pliskova)

On February 2, 2019 returned to Top 50 for first time following the birth of her child, Leo

Highlights of 2018 season included SF at Miami (l. Stephens) and QF at San Jose and Tokyo

Made return to tennis in June 2017 following birth of first child in December 2016

Comeback tournament was Mallorca, reaching 2r (d. Ozaki, l. Konjuh). Prior to 2017 Mallorca, last tournament contested

was 2016 Roland Garros (1r)

Followed this with R16 at Wimbledon (l. Halep). Did not play after Wimbledon due to personal reasons

Ended 2016 ranked No.13, despite missing second half of season after going on maternity leave (announced pregnancy

mid-July). Lifted three titles, at Brisbane and ‘Sunshine Double’ of Indian Wells and Miami – third woman to achieve feat

after Graf in 1994 and 1996 and Clijsters in 2005

Posted 26-3 record for first six months of 2016 with losses coming at the Australian Open (QF, l. Kerber), Rome (2r, l.

Begu) and Roland Garros (ret. vs. Knapp w/right knee injury)

Limited to total of 23 events over 2014-15 seasons due to variety of injuries

Posted five consecutive Top 10 finishes between 2009 and 2013, qualifying for the WTA Finals on each occasion (l.

Kvitova in 2011 final in Istanbul)

Ascended to World No.1 after 2012 Australian Open and held top spot for a total of 51 weeks

Began 2012 with 26-match win streak – best start since Hingis went 37-0 in 1997. Went on to win tour-leading 69 matches

in 2012, season highlighted by six titles, finishing as WTA’s year-end No.1

Won two medals for Belarus at 2012 Olympics bronze in singles and mixed doubles gold (w/Mirnyi)

Made WTA main draw debut at 2005 Kolkata

ITF Junior World Champion for 2005 – reached first tour-level semifinal at Guangzhou the same year

Grand Slam History

Contested landmark 50th major at 2020 US Open – one of nine active players to reach this milestone

Two-time major champion, winning Australian Open in 2012 (d. Sharapova in F) and 2013 (d. Li in F)

Also a three-time runner-up, at 2012 (l. S.Williams in 3s), 2013 (l. S.Williams in 3s) and 2020 US Open (l. Osaka in 3s)

Advanced to Wimbledon SF in 2011 and 2012, while best result at Roland Garros is also SF run in 2013

Four-time Grand Slam doubles finalist, at 2008 Australian Open (w/Peer), 2009 Roland Garros (w/Vesnina), 2011

Australian Open (w/Kirilenko) and 2019 US Open (w/Barty)

Two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, at 2007 US Open (w/ Mirnyi) and 2008 Roland Garros (w/B.Bryan). Most

recently finished as mixed doubles R-Up at 2018 Wimbledon (w/J.Murray)

Won girls’ singles titles at the Australian Open and US Open in 2005

Personal

Currently coached by Dorian Descloix. Formerly coached by Wim Fissette, Sam Sumyk and Michael Joyce

Gave birth to son Leo in December 2016

Introduced to tennis at age 7 by mother Alla; father’s name is Fedor and older brother is Max


MATCH NOTES

ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #21) vs. SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #38)

Head to Head: ANETT KONTAVEIT leads 1-0

2018 CLAY O R2 ANETT KONTAVEIT 109 mins7-5 7-5ROME

ANETT KONTAVEIT

21 13

24-12-1995 (24)$783,890

$4,782,651

0 / 1 0 / 0

20-8 / 123-966-3 / 43-323-3 / 31-31

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA 38 36

27-06-1985 (35)$257,925

$25,393,282

0 / 18 0 / 16 24-15

6-5 / 605-3192-1 / 199-1292-4 / 130-105

9-3

1-1 / 167-795-1 / 33-211-0 / 12-10 1-0 / 44-23

WTA RANKING


DATE OF BIRTH (AGE)

YTD PRIZE MONEY

CAREER PRIZE MONEY



ROME W-L (MD) *






2-4 / 11-20 1-1 / 62-1013-6 / 19-33 2-2 / 135-173





ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #21)

R64: d. CAROLINE GARCIA (FRA #45) 6-3,7-6(1) (1h38)


SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #38)

R64: d. BERNARDA PERA (USA #60) 3-6,7-6(3),6-3 (2h15)


from

KONTAVEIT:

Rome

• Making fourth appearance at Rome where her best result was SF run in 2018 (l. eventual champion Svitolina)• During run to the last four in 2018, defeated today’s opponent Kuznetsova in 2r before upsetting No.9 V.Williams and No.2

Wozniacki• Also made QF here in 2017 (as qualifier, d. No.1 Kerber in 2r, l. Halep)• In 1r this year, won a 66-minute second set to close out victory over Garcia• Faces No.38 Kuznetsova in 2r today; only two of her eight defeats this year have been at the hands of players outside Top

20, against No.31 Pavlyuchenkova (Adelaide) and No.44 Ferro (Palermo)• Best career results on clay are R-Up finishes at 2017 Gstaad, 2019 Stuttgart and 2020 Palermo


MATCH NOTES

ROME Tournament History

ANETT KONTAVEIT

2019

L - MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #39) R2 6-3 6-2

2018

L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #4) SF 6-4 6-3

2017

L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #4) QF 6-2 6-4

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA

2018

R2 L - ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #26) 7-5 7-5

2017

R16 L - DARIA GAVRILOVA (AUS #33) 2-6 7-5 6-4

2016

QF L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 6-2 6-0

2014

R2 L - JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB #8) 6-2 4-0

2013

R1 L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #64) 6-1 6-1

2012

R1 L - ANA IVANOVIC (SRB #15) 6-4 6-3

2011

R1 L - GRETA ARN (HUN #48) 3-6 7-6(4)7-6(9)

2010

R2 L - MARIA KIRILENKO (RUS #37) 6-2 3-6 6-4

2009

F L - DINARA SAFINA (RUS #1) 6-3 6-2

2008

R16 L - ALIZÉ CORNET (FRA #34) 6-2 6-4

2007

F L - JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB #5) 7-5 6-1

2006

SF L - DINARA SAFINA (RUS #19) 3-6 6-4 7-5

2005

R2 L - PAOLA SUÁREZ (ARG #32) 6-2 6-4

2004

QF L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #7) 7-5 6-0

2003

R16 L - ANASTASIA MYSKINA (RUS #11) 6-4 7-5


from

Season

Coming off R16 showing at US Open (l. eventual champion Osaka) Made QF at Western & Southern Open (l. Osaka) – 20th time she has reached last eight or better at a WTA event Posted R-Up finish at Palermo (d. No.15 Martic in SF, l. Ferro); career record in finals is now 1-5 In Middle East, advanced to QF at Dubai (l. Martic) and fell 2r at Doha (l. eventual champion Sabalenka) Won four singles rubbers on Fed Cup duty (including over No.4 Svitolina), leading Estonia to within one win of victory over

Ukraine in the promotional play-off Made Grand Slam breakthrough by reaching maiden major QF at Australian Open (l. Halep), became the first Estonian to

make the last eight in Melbourne` Kicked off 2020 season by reaching 2r in Brisbane (l. Bertens) and falling 1r in Adelaide (l. Pavlyuchenkova)

Career Milestones

Finished 2019 ranked No.26 – her second straight Top 30 finish (No.21 in 2018) – despite missing final two months of theseason w/viral illness

Reached her fifth career final in 2019 at Stuttgart (l. Kvitova). Also in 2019, advanced to her first Premier Mandatory SF atMiami (l. eventual champion Barty), which propelled her to a career high ranking of No.14 (April 1, 2019)

In 2018, season highlighted by fourth WTA singles final at Wuhan (l. Sabalenka); posted 33 main draw wins – the first timeshe had registered 30 or more wins in a season – finishing No.21 in the rankings

Enjoyed fruitful clay swing in 2018, including a R16 at Roland Garros (l. eventual R-Up Stephens) and SF showings atRome (l. eventual champion Svitolina) and Stuttgart (l. eventual champion Ka.Pliskova)

Breakthrough season came in 2017, finishing on a ranking of No.34, up from No.110 in 2016 – first year-end finish insideTop 50 and second non-consecutive year in Top 100

Won first career singles title at 2017 ‘s-Hertogenbosch (d. Vikhlyantseva in F). Also reached finals at Biel/Benne (l.Vondrousova) and Gstaad (l. Bertens)

Broke into Top 30 for first time at No.27 following run at Gstaad (July 24, 2017) Also advanced to QF at Premier-level tournaments at Stuttgart, where she beat No.6 Muguruza en route, and Rome, where

she posted her first career win over a reigning No.1 with defeat of Kerber in 2r In 2016, played main draw at all four Grand Slams for first time, but dropped out of Top 100 One of five teenagers in 2015 year-end Top 100 Made Top 100 debut on September 14, 2015 at No.96, up from No.152 Scored first Top 20 win of career over No.17 Errani at 2016 Monterrey (2r) Has won 11 singles titles and five doubles titles on ITF Circuit Made WTA main draw debut at 2013 Miami as WC (l. McHale, 1r) Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in 2010 Junior highlights included winning 2012 US Open and 2011 Orange Bowl

Grand Slam History

Played landmark 20th Grand Slam main draw at 2020 Australian Open, where she made history by becoming the firstEstonian to reach QF (l. Halep) – only other Estonian to reach the last eight at a major is Kanepi (on six occasions)

Earned her first Grand Slam victories at 2015 US Open where she reached R16 (as qualifier, l. V.Williams) – only seventhqualifier in Open Era to reach US Open R16

Also made R16 at 2018 Australian Open (l. Suárez Navarro), 2018 Roland Garros (l. Stephens) and 2020 US Open (l.Osaka)

Best showings at Wimbledon are 3r runs in 2017 (l. Wozniacki), 2018 (l. Van Uytvanck) and 2019 (l. Muchova)

Personal

Coached by Nigel Sears Grew up in Tallinn, Estonia World No.1 Estonian player Mother, Ulle, is a tennis coach and started her in tennis (was her coach until the age of 11, then began working other

Estonian coaches). Father, Andrus, is a manager at the Port of Tallinn

KUZNETSOVA:

Rome

• Making 16th appearance at Rome where she is a two-time R-Up in 2007 (l. Jankovic) and 2009 (l. Safina)• Also reached SF twice and QF on one occasion• In 1r this week, won seven straight points in the second-set tie-break to turn around match against Pera• Faces No.21 Kontaveit in 2r today; in terms of ranking, a win today would be here third best of the season, after No.16

Vondrousova (Australian Open) and No.9 Bencic (Doha)• One of seven Russians in the main draw

Season

Coming off 2r exit at Istanbul (after 1r bye, l. Bouchard) Reached SF at Doha (d. No.9 Bencic, l. eventual champion Sabalenka); after tournament returned to Top 40 for the first

time since May 2018 Made 2r exit at St. Petersburg (place of her birth), falling to top seed Bencic Defeated No.15 seed Vondrousova in 1r at Australian Open, before falling to Giorgi in 2r Fell 1r at Hobart (l. Linette) Withdrew from scheduled season opener at Auckland due to illness

Career Milestones

Finished 2019 season at No.54, up from No.107 in 2018, which was her first finish outside Top 100 since 2001 (No.259) Season highlight in 2019 was reaching final at Cincinnati (l. Keys) as a WC ranked No.153 – defeated four Top 20 seeds en

route to the final (No.11 Sevastova, No.10 Stephens, No.3 Ka.Pliskova and No.1 Barty). Returned to Top 100 aftertournament

Missed first few months of 2019 season due to knee injury – returned at Lugano, where she reached QF At 2018 Washington, DC won first title since October 2016 (d. Vekic in F after saving 4mp). Is now 18-24 in WTA singles

finals After falling 2r at 2018 Wimbledon (l. Strycova), dropped out of the Top 100 for the first time since August 12, 2002 (ending

a run of 831 consecutive weeks) Missed opening two months of 2018 (w/wrist injury) Season highlight in 2017 was reaching final of Indian Wells (l. Vesnina) Posted consistent results at Slams in 2017, reaching QF at Wimbledon for first time since 2007 (l. eventual champion

Muguruza), and R16 at Australian Open (l. Pavlyuchenkova) and Roland Garros (l. Wozniacki) Secured 600th match win (all levels) at 2017 Brisbane – is one of seven active players to reach the milestone, along with

V.Williams, S.Williams, Jankovic, Sharapova, Wozniacki and Kerber Won two titles in 2016, at Sydney and Moscow, and qualified for WTA Finals for sixth time in career (reached SF) One of five Russians to rank in Top 2; had a chance to become No.1 by winning 2008 Roland Garros (fell two matches

short with semifinal loss to Safina) Ranked continuously in Top 20 from March 1, 2004 to July 11, 2010 (including over four years ranked continuously in Top

10 – April 2006 to June 2010) Owns seven wins over reigning world No.1s (7-20 record), most recently defeating S.Williams at 2016 Miami. Also

Mauresmo, Safina and Henin twice each when they were No.1; one of only two players (also S.Williams) to beat Henintwice when she was No.1

Haul of 16 tour level doubles titles includes two Australian Open crowns, won in 2005 (w/Molik) and 2012 (w/Zvonareva).Rose as high as No.3 in doubles (week of June 7, 2004)

Member of victorious Russia Fed Cup sides in 2004 and 2007-08 and Russian Olympic Team in 2004, 2008, 2016

Grand Slam History

2020 Australian Open marked 67th main draw appearance at a Grand Slam Is a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, winning at 2004 US Open (d. Dementieva in F) and 2009 Roland Garros (d.

Safina in F). Also a two-time finalist, reaching the title bouts at Roland Garros in 2006 (l. Henin) and 2007 US Open (l. Henin)

One of three Russian women to lift a Grand Slam singles title (also Myskina, Sharapova) Has made QF stage at Australian Open on three occasions and Wimbledon on four occasions At 2011 Australian Open, played her part in setting the record for the longest women’s match at a Slam, eventually

succumbing to Schiavone in 4h 44min Has two major doubles titles, at Australian Open – in 2005 (w/Molik) and 2012 (w/Zvonareva)

Personal

Father is Alexandr Kuznetsov, cycling coach of six Olympic champions and world champions, including Svetlana’s mother, Galina Tsareva (six-time world champion and holder of 20 world records) and Svetlana’s brother, Nikolai Kuznetsov (silver medalist at 1996 Atlanta Olympics)

Moved at the age of seven to Spain to attend the Sanchez-Casal Academy Currently coached by Andrey Stepanov. Previously worked with Guillermo Cañas


MATCH NOTES

IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU (ROU #77) vs. JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #13)

Head to Head: First meeting

IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU

77 38

26-08-1990 (30) $190,661

$5,345,617

0 / 4 0 / 9

4-5 / 173-176 2-0 / 65-57 1-2 / 40-42

JOHANNA KONTA 13 26

17-05-1991 (29) $283,003

$9,637,367

0 / 3 0 / 0 10-4

7-7 / 171-108 1-3 / 44-45 3-2 / 38-31

8-5

0-0 / 22-19 4-2 / 87-62 0-2 / 10-18 0-0 / 13-13

WTA RANKING


DATE OF BIRTH (AGE)

YTD PRIZE MONEY

CAREER PRIZE MONEY



ROME W-L (MD) *






0-2 / 6-29 0-0 / 21-22 0-3 / 12-45 0-0 / 38-36





IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU (ROU #77)

R2-Q: d. ANNA-LENA FRIEDSAM (GER #109) 6-1,6-1 (1h02)

R1-Q: d. SARA ERRANI (ITA #151) 6-1,6-3 (1h18)

R64: d. ELISABETTA COCCIARETTO (ITA #128) 6-2,6-2 (1h24)


JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #13)

BYE


from

BEGU:

Rome

Making sixth consecutive appearance at Rome where she made SF in 2016 During 2016 run, defeated No.6 Azarenka before falling to then-No.1 and eventual champion S.Williams Has fallen 1r twice here, including last year (as qualifier, l. Kasatkina) Came through qualifying again this year, beating former Rome finalist Errani and Friedsam

Eased past No.128 Cocciaretto in 1r on Monday; this season has compiled 15-1 record against players ranked outside Top 100, with sole loss coming via retirement against No.231 Snigur at $60 ITF/Cairo-EGY

Faces No.13 Konta in 2r today; last time defeated a Top 20 opponent was a win over No.5 Ostapenko at 2018 Madrid; six of her seven recent Top 20 wins came on clay (seven out of twelve overall)

Is one of two Romanians in the draw (also two-time Rome R-Up and this year’s top seed Halep) One of six qualifiers advanced to the second round this year Owns fine record on clay, winning 2017 Bucharest – her most recent WTA title – finishing R-Up at 2011 Marbella and 2011

Budapest and also reaching eight other SFs on the surface

Season

Coming off 1r exit at US Open (l. Kvitova) Made first WTA SF in over two years at Prague in mid-August (l. eventual champion Halep); win over No.43 Sevastova in 1r

was first over a Top 50 player since 2018 Roland Garros Fell 1r at Palermo (l. Siegemund) Prior to tour’s hiatus was in good form, winning the title at WTA 125K Series event at Indian Wells and another title at $100K

ITF/Cairo-EGY In opening month of the season, fell 1r at Shenzhen (as qualifier, l. Kr.Pliskova) and Australian Open (l. Bertens). Also

contested qualifying at Hobart


MATCH NOTES

ROME Tournament History

IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU

2019

L - DARIA KASATKINA (RUS #21) R1 6-2 7-6(5)

2018

L - ANGELIQUE KERBER (GER #12) R2 3-6 7-5 7-5

2017

L - ANASTASIJA SEVASTOVA (LAT #18) R1 6-4 6-4

2016

L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) SF 6-4 6-1

2015

L - VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #29) R16 6-4 5-7 6-1

JOHANNA KONTA

2019

F L - KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7) 6-3 6-4

2018

R16 L - JELENA OSTAPENKO (LAT #6) 2-6 6-3 6-4

2017

R16 L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #12) 6-1 3-6 6-1

2016

R16 L - MISAKI DOI (JPN #45) 4-6 7-5 6-2


from

Career Milestones

Ended 2019 at No.99 – sixth straight Top 100 finish Season highlight was 3r run at Roland Garros (l. Anisimova) and three QF runs at Hobart (l. Schmiedlova), Budapest (l.

Vondrousova) and Bucharest (l. Siegemund) In doubles in 2019, won Hua Hin (w/Niculescu), her ninth doubles title Won two doubles titles in 2018 – Shenzhen and Bucharest – finishing the year at a career-best No.23 in the WTA Doubles

Rankings. Reached SF stage of 2018 Australian Open doubles event w/Niculescu Reached two singles SFs - Shenzhen and Istanbul - and one QF in 2018. Also defeated No.5 Ostapenko at 2018 Madrid for

second Top 5 win of career having also beaten No.4 Muguruza at 2016 Madrid Highlight of 2017 was lifting fourth singles title of her career at Bucharest without dropping a set (d. Goerges in F); also took

home the doubles trophy without dropping a set w/Olaru Also in 2017 reached two SFs: Istanbul (l. Mertens) and Moscow (l. Kasatkina), and one QF at Charleston (l. eventual

champion Kasatkina) Represented Romania at 2016 Rio Olympics, making 1r exits in singles (l. Hibino) and doubles (w/Niculescu, l. Chan/Chan) Other notable results in 2016 included SF at Rome (l. S.Williams), QF at Charleston (l. Kerber) and QF at Madrid (l. Halep) Posted career-best ranking at No.22 (August 22, 2016) In run to QF at 2016 Madrid was one of four Romanians for reach QF – which was first time this had occurred at a Premier

Mandatory event (also Halep, Cirstea and Tig). Secured two milestones during Madrid: career-best win vs. No.4 Muguruza, and 300th match win of career (all levels) with R16 defeat of McHale

Owns four WTA singles titles from seven finals, lifting the trophies at 2012 Tashkent, 2015 Seoul, 2016 Florianopolis and 2017 Bucharest

Owns nine WTA doubles titles from 16 finals, most recently at 2019 Hua Hin (w/Niculescu) Struggled with right shoulder injury in 2013 – first felt pain at 2013 Australian Open and missed three months of action Holds 12 singles titles and 19 doubles titles on ITF Circuit • Voted WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2011 (media vote)

Grand Slam History

Contested 34th Grand Slam main draw at 2020 US Open Best results at the majors are R16 showings at 2015 Australian Open (l. Bouchard) and 2016 Roland Garros (l. Rogers) Also made 3r at Wimbledon in 2015, Roland Garros in 2015 and 2018-19, and 2r at US Open in 2012 and 2014 Made Grand Slam debut at 2011 Roland Garros, reaching 2r (d. Rezai, l. Kuznetsova) In doubles, reached SF stage at 2018 Australian Open (w/Niculescu), and QF at 2017 Roland Garros (w/Zheng), 2018

Wimbledon (w/Buzarnescu) and 2012 Australian Open (w/Niculescu)

Personal

Coached by Teador Bolanu Started playing tennis at age 3 with aunt, who was a coach Did gymnastics and played handball when younger Idol growing up was Martina Hingis

KONTA:

Rome

Making fifth consecutive appearance at Internazionali BNL d’Italia Last year, reached the final as an unseeded player, defeating No.8 Stephens and No.4 Bertens en route, eventually falling

to No.7 Ka.Pliskova Previous results were R16 showings in 2016 (l. Doi), 2017 (l. V.Williams) and 2018 (l. Ostapenko) Faces No.77 Begu in 2r today; owns a 6-5 record against players outside Top 50 this year Enjoyed the most successful clay season to date last year, posting a 15-4 record on the surface – prior to 2019, her overall

win-loss record on clay stood at 7-15 (tour level main draw); returned to Top 20 after the clay campaign Last year, reached her first two clay finals at Rabat (l. Sakkari after leading by a set and a break) and Rome (l, Ka.Pliskova)

– had never previously passed QF stage on the surface on tour level Also became the first British woman to reach SF at Roland Garros since Jo Durie’s run in 1983, thus becoming the ninth

active player to reach a Grand Slam SF on all three surfaces

Season

Coming off 2r exit at US Open (l. Cirstea) Posted SF showing at the Western & Southern Open (l. eventual champion Azarenka); did not drop serve in any of her

three matches en route to SF Suffered 1r defeat at Lexington (l. Bouzkova) Before tour’s hiatus, ended losing streak by advancing to SF at Monterrey (l. Bouzkova) Returned to Europe in February to make 2r exit at St. Petersburg (after 1r bye, l. qualifier Dodin) Opened campaign by falling 1r at Brisbane (l. Strycova) and Australian Open (l. Jabeur)

Career Milestones

Ended 2019 campaign at No.12 (up from No.39 in 2018), despite not playing after US Open due to knee injury Last season was highlighted by historic run at Roland Garros; recording first ever main draw win in Paris before becoming

the first British woman to reach SF since Jo Durie’s run to the same stage in 1983, eventually falling to Vondrousova Re-entered Top 20 on June 10, 2019 for first time since March 2018 (dropped as low as No.50) Other highlights in 2019 included QF run at Wimbledon (d. No.9 Stephens and No.6 Kvitova; l. Strycova) and US Open (l.

Svitolina), R-Up finish in Rome (l. Ka.Pliskova) and Rabat (l. Sakkari, after leading by a set and a break) Highlights in 2018 included a second successive R-Up finish at Nottingham (l. Barty) and SF at Moscow [Kremlin Cup] (l.

eventual champion Kasatkina) Began 2017 season by lifting title at Sydney (d. A. Radwanska in F), before landing biggest title of career at Miami (d.

Wozniacki in F) At 2017 Wimbledon became first British player since Virginia Wade in 1978 to reach Wimbledon SF (l. eventual R-Up

V.Williams) Reached third final of 2017 season at Nottingham (l. Vekic). Also in 2017, reached SF for second year in a row at home

event of Eastbourne – QF defeat of World No.1 Kerber was first by a British woman over a reigning No.1 since Barker d. Evert at 1979 Boston

Reached first Premier Mandatory final of career at 2016 Beijing (l. A.Radwanska) Was the non-playing alternate for WTA Finals in Singapore in 2016, narrowly missing qualification in the Top 8 By virtue of reaching 2016 Beijing final, made WTA Top 10 debut – becoming the first British woman to feature in the elite

group since Durie in 1984, and the fourth British woman overall to do so (also Wade and Barker)

Won career-first singles title at 2016 Stanford in maiden final (d. V.Williams in F). First British woman to reach final of a Premier event since WTA Roadmap was introduced in 2009

Broke into Top 20 on June 6, 2016 (at No.18) – first British woman in Top 20 for nearly 30 years (the week of October 13, 1986, with Durie at No.20)

Was voted WTA Most Improved Player in 2016 by international media and fans Made tour-level main draw debut at 2011 Copenhagen

Grand Slam History

Is a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist. Made Slam breakthrough with historic run to SF at 2016 Australian Open (l. eventual champion Kerber); became first British woman to reach the last four at Melbourne Park since Sue Barker in December 1977, and at any Slam since Jo Durie at 1983 US Open

Has since reached SF at 2017 Wimbledon (l. R-Up V.Williams), becoming the first British woman to reach the last four since Wade in 1978 (l. Evert), and at 2019 Roland Garros (l. Vondrousova)

One of nine active players to reach a major SF on hard, grass and clay: also Azarenka, Bouchard, Clijsters, Halep, Kvitova, Muguruza, S.Williams and V.Williams

Also advanced to QF at 2017 Australian Open, 2019 Wimbledon and 2019 US Open

Personal

Born in Sydney, Australia; became a British citizen in May 2012. Parents are Gabor (hotelier) and Gabriella (dentist); older sister is Eva (works in fashion)

Grandfather Tamas Kertesz played football for the Hungarian ‘Golden Team’ with Ferenc Puskas in 1955 Switched clothing sponsor from Asics to Ellesse at end of 2018 Currently working with Thomas Hogstedt, formerly worked with Dimitri Zavialoff, Michael Joyce and Wim Fissette


MATCH NOTES

KIKI BERTENS (NED #8) vs. POLONA HERCOG (SLO #50)

Head to Head: Series tied 1-1

2019 HARD O R16 KIKI BERTENS 138 mins7-6(6) 2-6 6-3 BEIJING 2012 HARD O R1 POLONA HERCOG 55 mins6-4 ret. DALLAS

KIKI BERTENS

8 17

10-12-1991 (28) $461,143

$11,191,293

1 / 10 0 / 10

12-3 / 221-162 4-2 / 64-62 2-1 / 47-51

POLONA HERCOG 50 133

20-01-1991 (29) $115,036

$3,692,802

0 / 3 0 / 2 4-4

4-5 / 158-196 1-2 / 47-68 0-2 / 33-52

7-5

3-3 / 89-65 2-0 / 98-40 0-0 / 28-11 0-0 / 14-22

WTA RANKING


DATE OF BIRTH (AGE)

YTD PRIZE MONEY

CAREER PRIZE MONEY



ROME W-L (MD) *






0-1 / 23-25 0-2 / 1-31 1-1 / 36-46 0-2 / 9-49





KIKI BERTENS (NED #8)

R64: BYE


POLONA HERCOG (SLO #50)

R64: d. KAJA JUVAN (SLO #102) 4-6,6-4,6-1 (2h20)


from

BERTENS:

Rome

Making sixth appearance at Internazionali BNL d’Italia

Reached SF last year (l. Konta) and in 2017 (l. Halep)

After 1r bye, faces No.50 Hercog in her first event back following the Tour’s five-month hiatus

Currently owns 13-8 career record in matches immediately following byes

A loss today would be worse by ranking since falling to then-No.110 Gauff at 2019 Linz

Played doubles this week w/Rus (l. Aoyama/Shibahara in 1r on Tuesday)

Six of her 10 career titles have come on clay – the fifth most among active players after S.Williams, V.Williams, Halep and

Errani – at 2012 Fés, 2016-17 Nürnberg, 2017 Gstaad, 2018 Charleston and 2019 Madrid

Season

Prior to the Tour’s hiatus, made an early 2r exit at Doha (l. S.Zheng)

Won 10th career title at St. Petersburg (d. Rybakina in F); now owns 10-5 record in WTA finals

Participated thrilling Fed Cup tie against Belarus; scored wins in both singles matches (d. Sasnovich and Sabalenka), lost

deciding doubles rubber w/partner Schuurs 10-8 in third set

Advanced to R16 at Melbourne, falling to eventual finalist Muguruza in straight sets

Opened 2020 campaign at Brisbane International with QF run (l. Osaka)


MATCH NOTES


KIKI BERTENS

2019

L - JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42) SF 5-7 7-5 6-2

2018

L - MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #42) R1 6-2 4-6 6-3

2017

L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #4) SF 7-5 6-1

2016

L - TIMEA BABOS (HUN #48) R1 6-1 6-4

2013

L - SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #17) R2 4-6 6-3 6-2

POLONA HERCOG

2019

R1 L - MADISON KEYS (USA #14) 6-4 7-6(3)

2018

R1 L - SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #39) 6-2 6-4

2016

R1-Q L - JULIA GOERGES (GER #62) 6-4 6-3

2015

R1-Q L - MISAKI DOI (JPN #111) 6-7(2) 6-4 6-4

2014

R1-Q L - BELINDA BENCIC (SUI #96) 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4

2011

R16 L - SAMANTHA STOSUR (AUS #7) 6-3 6-4

2010

R2 L - SHAHAR PEER (ISR #21) 2-6 7-5 6-3


from

Career

Ended 2019 ranked No.9, her joint-best finish of career (also No.9 in 2018)

Reached a career high ranking of World No.4 in 2019 following her first Premier Mandatory title at Madrid (defeated four

Grand Slam champion en route - Ostapenko, Kvitova, Stephens and Halep in F).

Also became first woman to win Madrid title without dropping a set

Other season highlights included lifting the trophy at St. Petersburg (d. Vekic in F) and final runs at Palermo (l. Teichmann),

Zhuhai (l. Sabalenka), and on home soil in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (could not convert five championship points in loss to Riske)

Also in 2019 became the third alternate to win a match at the WTA Finals since the round robin format was introduced in

2003 - also Bartoli (2007, 2011) and A.Radwanska (2008-09). Defeated No.1 Barty in Shenzhen to record her first win over

the Australian and second win over a reigning World No.1, having also defeated Halep in 2018 Cincinnati final

Won 55 matches in 2019 – the second most of the season, behind Barty (56)

Struck 457 aces in 2019 - the second most on Tour behind Ka.Pliskova with 488

Won the WTA Jerry Diamond ACES Award in 2019, granted to the player who consistently goes above and beyond in

promoting the sport of women’s tennis to fans, media and local communities by performing off-court promotional and

charitable initiatives

Enjoyed a break-out year in 2018, reaching a career-best four singles finals across the season and breaking into the Top 10

(October 8, 2018) – first Dutch woman to be ranked in the Top 10 since Brenda Schultz-McCarthy in 1996

Won the WTA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2018

Lifted three titles in 2018, at Charleston (d. Goerges in F), Cincinnati (d. World No.1 Halep in F – saved 1mp) and Seoul (d.

Tomljanovic in F). Reached one further final, at Premier Mandatory Madrid (l. Kvitova)

Scored WTA-leading 12 Top 10 wins in 2018. Prior to 2018, only had three Top 10 wins in her career

Also reached SF on WTA Finals debut in 2018 (l. Svitolina)

Season highlights in 2017 were titles at Nürnberg and Gstaad, and posted first Premier Mandatory QF at Madrid

Finished 2016 ranked No.22 in singles – big jump from her season-ending ranking of No.101 in 2015

Played on Netherlands Olympic team at 2016 Rio Olympics – fell in 1r (l. Errani)

Won maiden career singles title at 2012 Fès as a qualifier in just her second main draw appearance; currently owns 10-5

career record in singles finals (most recently 2020 St. Petersburg)

Owner of 10 WTA doubles titles, most recently at 2018 Brisbane (w/Schuurs)

Made WTA main draw debut as a wildcard at 2011 ‘s-Hertogenbosch (l. 1r)

Played first event of career on ITF Circuit in the Netherlands in 2006; has won seven singles titles and 11 doubles titles at

this level

Netherlands Fed Cup Team, 2011-2012, 2014-2020

Grand Slam History

Contested 31st Grand Slam main draw appearance at 2020 Australian Open

Deepest run across the Slams came with SF showing at 2016 Roland Garros (l. eventual R-Up S.Williams)

Enjoyed her best result at Wimbledon in 2018 by reaching her second career Grand Slam QF (l. Goerges). Became first

Dutch woman to reach QF at Wimbledon since Krajicek in 2007

In 2018 reached 3r for first time at both Australian Open (l. eventual champion Wozniacki) and US Open (l. Vondrousova)

Is a two-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist in doubles, at 2015 Australian Open (w/Larsson, l. Goerges/Groenefeld) and 2016

Roland Garros (w/Larsson, l. eventual champions Garcia/Mladenovic)

Personal

Coached by former WTA player Elise Tamaela. Formerly coached by Raemon Sluiter (announced the end of their four-year

partnership in November)

In November 2019, married her husband Remko de Rijke, who has been involved as part of her team as a physio and

fitness coach. The two announced their engagement in November 2018

Won the 2019 WTA Jerry Diamond ACES Award and the 2018 WTA Most Improved Player of the Year Award

Fan-voted as May 2019 WTA Player of the Month

Parents are Rob and Doré; sisters are Joyce and Daisy

Started playing at age 6. Tennis idol growing up was Kim Clijsters

HERCOG:

Rome

Making fifth main draw appearance at Rome and eighth appearance overall

Deepest run was R16 showing in 2011 (l. Stosur)

Suffered 1r exits the past two years, falling to Kuznetsova (2018) and Keys (2019)

After recovering from a set down to defeat fellow Slovenian Jovan, advances to 2r here for the first time in nine

years

Today, faces No.8 Bertens in 2r; sole career Top 10 win came over No.7 Bartoli at 2012 Charleston

All six of her career tour-level finals have come on clay, including title runs 2011 and 2012 Bastad and 2019 Lugano. Also

nine of her 12 semifinal appearances have also been on the surface

Season

Coming off QF showing at Istanbul (l. Badosa) – deepest run so far in 2020

Suffered 1r exits at Doha (l. Van Uytvanck), Palermo (l. Cocciaretto) and Prague (l. eventual champion Halep)

Fell during qualifying at Dubai

Kicked off 2020 season with 2r run at Australian Open (l. Barty)

Career Milestones

Recorded ninth Top 100 season in 2019, at No.49

2019 saw the end of a near-seven-year wait for a WTA title, winning Lugano (d. Swiatek)

Other highlights last year were 3r runs at Roland Garros (l. Stephens), Wimbledon (l. Gauff), Eastbourne (l. Halep) and

Beijing (l. Bertens)

Best result of 2018 was R-Up showing at Istabul (l. Parmentier). Also made SF at Bucharest and QF at Auckland

Began comeback in 2017 at Roland Garros qualifying, winning $60k ITF/Brescia-ITA in her second tournament back. neded

campaign outside Top 100 after competing in only 10 tournaments, with best result a 3r run at Wimbledon

Suffered three injuring following 2016 US Open (l. Kerber in 1r via ret.) including a scapula stress facture, left knee injury

and right wrist injury

Season highlights in 2016 included a R-Up finish at WTA 135K Series event at Bol (l. Minella in F) and QF run at Bucharest

(l. Siegemund)

Represented Slovenia at the Rio Olympics, losing in 1r in singles (l. eventual gold medalist Puig)

Singles highlights during 2015 were SF at Bucharest (l. Schmiedlova) and QF at Bad Gastein (l. Knapp)

Sole career Top 10 win came over No.7 Bartoli at 2012 Charleston

Breakthrough season in 2011, highlighted by first singles final. Successfully defended her title at 2012 Bastad

Played first WTA event (in qualifying, as a WC) at 2006 Portoroz

Grand Slam History

Contested 38th career Grand Slam main draw appearance at 2020 Australian Open

Has advanced to 3r on four occasions: at Roland Garros in 2010 (l. Pennetta) and 2019 (l. Stephens) and at Wimbledon in

2017 (l. Kuznetsova) and 2019 (l. Gauff)

Has reached 2r at both Australian Open and US Open

Personal

Mother is Romana (a florist); father is Vojko (bar owner)

Family has many pets and Polona’s favorite is Roxi (Jack Russell Terrier)

Started playing tennis at age 4. Her favorite shot is forehand and favorite surface is clay

Initially trained in Slovenia but moved to Italy at age 14 and trained there before turning pro

Speaks Slovenian, English and Italian

Admires Justine Henin for her game, attitude and giving back to the sport

Tennis goal is to reach the Top 10

Documents

INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA – DAY FOURwtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/matchnotes/2020/709_4.pdf · 17/09/2020 · Best result here were SF runs in 2016 (d. No.10 Bacsinszky in QF,