WTA 2016 : Hits and Flops

As we enter the second half of February, here’s a look at the WTA players who have made a name for themselves early in this season and also the stars who need to buck up and produce the goods for the remainder of the season.

Hits

1. Angelique Kerber

The 28 year old German came into the Australian open after losing the final of Brisbane international to Victoria Azarenka. Many thought that the best was behind her but she won her first grand slam defeating Serena Williams in the final. Not many would have placed a bet on Angie coming into the Aussie open as her previous best performance of reaching a grand slam final came way back in 2011 and she saved a match point in her first round encounter against the Japanese misaka doi. On her way to the final she defeated two time champion and tournament favourite Vika. Surely Kerber, who leads the road to the Singapore race has a lot to look forward this year after a spectacular start.

2. Johanna Konta

The Aussie born British player stepped into limelight in the first grand slam of the year. She was nominated for the most improved WTA player of the year in 2015 and she more than lived up to the tag by reaching the semifinals of the Aussie open. For a player who lost in the first round of shemzhen and at Hobart a first round matchup against the legend Venus Williams was expected to be a cakewalk for the elder Williams. Konta though, pulled up an upset and from then went on to defeat seasoned players of the likes of Ekaterina Makarova. For Konta, whose beat play comes up on Hard courts the Us hard court swing promises a lots of opportunities.

3. Serena Williams

Many would argue that not winning the Aussie open would account to a poor showing by the younger Williams, but give this a thought: she’s into the flag end of her career at the age of 34, she didn’t play a single match after the US open 2015 semifinal and yet she reached the final of the Australian open without dropping a single set. In the final too she almost fought back the kerber challenge and maybe if luck had been on her side on the finals day, she may have well been the 2016 Australian open champ. Her incredible determination makes her the favorite going into whatever tournament she enters.

Flops

1. Simona Halep

A lot was expected from the former world No.2 as she entered the year 2016.The Romanian with her defensive game style and unique ability to run down all balls and turn defense into offence was billed to be the prime challenger to Serena Williams domination. But she missed the Brisbane open, lost to Svetlena Kuznetsova in Sydney international and lost in the first round to Zhang Shuai(a qualifier who had lost consecutive 15 first round matches) and in the Dubai international she lost to Ana Ivanovic in the first round. The main challenge in front of Simona Halep this season would be to remain fit and bring more attacking elements to her game.

2. Maria Sharapova

The world No.6 had a very slow start to the season as she withdrew from the Brisbane international due to a forearm injury. She slipped to world No.5 before the Aussie open and unluckily she was drawn against her nemesis Serena Williams in the quarterfinals. It was history repeating itself as she lost to Serena Williams 19 times in a row to mark a disappointing start to the season. Until and unless she finds a way to defeat the world No.1, it would be impossible for Sharapova to pickup another grand slam.

3. Petra Kvitova

For the 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon champion, 2011 has turned out to be a dismal year so far with a 1-4 win loss record this season. The Czech, who has been battling illness this season lost her second round match at Australian open to Aussie youngster Daria Gavrilova. She then lost both her fed cup matches and also lost in the first round of Dubai international. For Kvitova to win matches, it is imperative that she serves big and her forehand is on fire. Her best surface is undoubtedly grass and we can expect her to fire it up at the all England tennis club.