While WTA supports Peng Shuai, lack of info still unsettling

Peng Shuai

Everyday, many people will think, ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ The Chinese player has possibly retired this year, and she went home…we think.

But three weeks ago, she disappeared, in the public view. Peng accused former high-level Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. The Chinese governments has said a few things, that she is around, but she does not want to talk, yet. Unfortunately, that is pretty weak.

Peng played for years, in the singles and the doubles, and connected with many in the tennis world. After her match was done, she would come into the press riin and talk with some good expressions.

On court, in the singles, she was good here and there. In doubles, she was darn good, and she became No. 1.and also won Roland Garros and Wimbledon with Hsieh Su-wei.

As many people wrote, or texted, including the players, the coaches, the broadcasters, and the journalists, just how did Peng disappear and why?
 
In the boldest move so far, WTA CEO Steve Simon suspended all tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, in 2022. There has been universal support for his initiative and courage and we agree with putting pressure on China.

No. 1 Novak Djokovic, supported the WTA move to halt Chinese tournaments, calling it a “very bold and very courageous.” Former No. 1, Serena Williams, decided to tweet, saying, “This must be investigated and must not stay silent.”

No. 2 Daniil Medvedev just said that maybe he might not go to China. “If there was a tournament in China next week, nobody would be comfortable,” he said. “What we all want is to see that Peng is fine, which we do not know 100 percent.”

In 2005, in July and Augustin California, Peng was on a roll. She upset three excellent players including Elena Dementieva, Dinara Safina and Kim Clijsters.

The Belgian was started. “She has a great future ahead of her,” Clijsters said. “She’s the best player I’ve played in a long time; everything together, the groundstrokes and the movement. I think she can definitely become top three. She’s one of the hardest hitters I’ve played. She hits incredibly clean, especially from her backhand side.”

Peng was a cheery sort who’s always smiling. Then, she was the first Chinese player who had shown real top-flight potential. Peng was ready to dance way up high.

“A Grand Slam title is every player’s dream but I really just want to try my best,” she said. “I told myself if I got chances to believe in myself.”

She did then, but in the singles, she was up and down for a long time. In 2011, she topped out with a career high of No. 14. Three years later at the US Open she reached the semis beating Agnieszka Radwanska, Roberta Vinci, Lucie Safarova and Belinda Bencic. Then she cramped and had to retire against Caroline Wozniacki.

Those were some great days. Maybe the 35-year old will eventually come out and talk again in December. The world awaits more information to come out and not hindered by the Chinese government.

Australian Open picks for Wednesday, January 21

Rod Laver Arena

10-Etkaterina Makarova v Roberta Vinci
The “other” Russian has quietly become much more consistent; she can rip her forehand and smack her shots to the corners. She is a pretty good net charge, and while Vinci used to mix up her one-handed backhand and trouble opponents, she is declining very quickly in the singles. Makarova will win easily.

2-Maria Sharapova v Alexandra Panova
The 2008 Aussie champion pines to win the Slam again and has looking very good since October. She has thrown much more variety in the past and is very self-assured in her mental game. She will smoke Panova in straight sets.

2-Roger Federer v Simon Bolelli
The Italian Bolelli can mix it up and who move around fairly quickly, but he cannot penetrate Federer’s forehand or crack his own forehand unless the Swiss is way off. Federer will struggle eventually in Australia, but he won’t be challenged in the second round. Fed will win in straight sets.

3-Rafa Nadal v Tim Smyczek
The American qualified for the Aussie and won his first matches, which is pretty good overall. He hustles and fights hard, but if Nadal is clicking away, he is too good overall. However, Nadal is still rusty, so Smyczek will take a set; the Spaniard will win in four.

3-Simona Halep v Jarmila Gajdosova
This should be an interesting match, given that Halep believes that she can win a Grand Slam but the Aussie Gajdosova thinks she is playing well enough to shocker her at home. Gajdosova is very powerful and will try to out hit her, but Halep is more consistent and stable. Halep will win in three sets.

Margaret Court Arena

6-Andy Murray v Marinko Matosevic
The Aussie Matosevic knows his buddy Murray very well. He also knows that he has to jump on the Brit very quickly and play lights out. But, even if Matosevic does, he doesn’t have enough oomph against Murray, who is smarter and better overall. Figure on Murray winning in straight sets.

7-Eugenie Bouchard v Kiki Bertens
While Genie isn’t ready to shine this week, she might be in better shape in the second week, if she catches fire again. Even if the Canadian doesn’t play incredibly well, she is simply better overall against Bertens and will win in straight sets.

Tomic USO 13 TR MALT6955

Tomic looks to have the edge over Kohlschreiber.
Photo: Mal Taam/MALTphoto

Bernard Tomic v Philip Kohlschreiber
These two matched up last week in Sydney and Tomic got through. But, Tomic says they are neck and neck right now. However, to me, I like how Tomic is finally settled in and perhaps he will crack the top 20 – or better – this year. The Aussie will win in five tough sets over Kohlschreiber.

Hisense Arena

21-Peng Shuai v Magdalena Rybarikova
Peng finally looked like she was comfortable playing singles, moving well and she was in much better condition over all. She can strike inside the baseline and will do it again, easily pushing past Rybarikova in straight sets.

Sam Groth v Thanasi Kokkinakis
The Aussies will be extremely excited with this matchup and will pack the grounds. The 18-year-old Kokkinakis pulled off a terrific win over Gulbis in five sets, but he is very young and could be tired. Groth has been more composed over the past two weeks, is crushing his first serves and taking over the nets. Groth will push him around and win it in four sets.

WTA 2011Review, No

Kim played brilliantly Down Under, but then the injury bug bit her again.

 

In some ways, this list is more intriguing than the top 10, because it contains four Grand Slams winners, as well as three ex number ones, and three up and comers. All 10 are capable of finishing 2012 ranked in the top 10, but at least four of the veterans could slide out of the top 20. A couple of the younger players may have peaked, too.

11. FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: As Pennetta said, when Francesca is motivated, she

Peng hopes to match Li’s heroics

Wimbledon: no rest for weary on Manic Monday

Is Nadal injured?

There is a certain charm to Wimbledon

A positive return for Venus Williams

Venus is the best grass court player of her generation

We are just a week away from the start of Wimbledon and thankfully given how few excellent grass court players there on the WTA Tour, Venus Williams showed up in a big way and took a 7-5 5-7 6-3 victory over Andrea Petkovic at Eastbourne. That does not mean that the five-times Wimbledon champ will win another crown, not when she

Splendid on the grass

Murray will face Roddick who once knocked him out at Wimbledon

The tours have been back on grass for five days now and it took that long for Rafael Nadal to almost redline in Queens when he went down to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-7 6-4 6-1 in the quarters. Give credit to Nadal for honoring his commitment by contesting Queens after an exhaustive title run to the RG final but really, was it a wise idea to play.

“Probably after losing the second set mentally I lost my concentration,” he said. “The negative thing is I lost; the positive thing is I have few days off and can stop a little bit mentally. I can be a little bit more relaxed, because every day I play with pressure. “That’s what happened for me the last four months every day.”

Tsonga will face British wildcard James Ward who took down defending champion Sam Querrey 3-6 6-3 6-4 and then France

Gagging against Wozniacki

Roddick could fall as low as 15

Daniela hantuchova
WireImage
Hantuchova fell apart vs. Wozniacki
THURSDAY, MARCH 24 – Caroline Wozniacki and Daniela Hantuchova contested a brilliant second set late Saturday night

Throw the Tactics Out the Window

Federer’s 5-Set Sweatfest, JJ, Kleybanova Fall

MELBOURNE – Perhaps the primary reason why Roger Federer hasn

Throw the Tactics Out the Window

MELBOURNE – Perhaps the primary reason whyRoger Federer hasn