By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 02/23/2012

The conversation about the ATP in early 2011 had revolved around the Rafa Slam and Nadal’s potential to surpass Federer as the greatest of all time.  The conversation about the WTA in early 2012 revolved around the rise of Kvitova to the throne...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 02/14/2012

We reflect on the most notable highs and lows from a busy week of tennis on three continents.
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 02/14/2012

We discuss the first Premier Five tournament of the WTA season in Doha.
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 02/06/2012

The quietest month on the calendar between the Australian Open and the US Open, February showcases several indoor tournaments as well as the opening rounds of national team competition.  We review the best and worst of what we watched in the first...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 02/04/2012

Perhaps with an eye to the looming Olympics, many of the top women have “made themselves available” for Fed Cup duty as required for participation in the Summer Games.   Rather than looking so far ahead, though, we discuss the eight...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 02/02/2012

Within minutes of Djokovic’s final forehand, viewers around the world began to wonder whether the epic that we had witnessed had become the new “greatest match ever,” thrusting aside the Federer-Nadal final at Wimbledon in 2008. ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/31/2012

In this sequel to our WTA review, we continue to wrap our minds around perhaps the most thrilling tournament that we ever have had the privilege to witness.Djokovic:  For the undisputed world #1, the surprising has become commonplace, the shocking...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/30/2012

After a thrilling fortnight at the Australian Open, we compile the first of two articles that review the tournament’s most memorable performers, for better or for worse.Azarenka:  Serving at 0-2, 0-30 in the final after a third double fault,...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/14/2012

First quarter:  Still clinging to the #1 ranking, Wozniacki warily arrives into Melbourne after a wrist injury and attempts to shed her inconsistency of the past several months.  These slow courts will benefit her defensive style, especially...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/14/2012

First quarter:  Absent from most of the preliminary tournaments, Djokovic should ease comfortably into his draw without facing serious opposition until the second week.  At that stage, though, the competition might rise significantly if he ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/12/2012

Having examined the leading contenders for the Australian Open titles, we now cast a glance across the diverse spectrum of dark horses who might stifle the hopes of a favorite.Tipsarevic:  Long before his late-career surge carried him into the top...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/11/2012

Whereas only a few of the 128 men in Melbourne will harbor serious title aspirations, several top women can set their sights legitimately upon the Daphne Akhurst Cup.  In fact, the list probably extends beyond these elite eight.Kvitova:  While...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/10/2012

Looming less than a week ahead, the Australian Open arrives not a moment too soon for tennis fans awaiting the next episode in the ATP’s scintillating trivalry.  Will the dominance of the top three continue, or will one of their challenges...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/08/2012

Stuffed with nine of the top ten and 17 of the top 20, the WTA draw in Sydney features spectacular entertainment and fascinating collisions from the first round onwards.  As Ivanovic discovered in an opening-round loss to Safarova, a draw so small...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/07/2012

Overshadowed by far more famous figures at their respective tournaments were the women’s finalists in Brisbane and the men’s finalists in Doha.  But, on the first weekend of 2012, these four players have come from shadow into light.Hantuchova...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/05/2012

Schiavone vs. Kanepi:  Through the first two and a half sets of her epic quarterfinal victory over Jankovic, Schiavone escaped from one perilous situation after another.  Eluding her opponent when she served for the match at 5-3 in the second...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 01/01/2012

Having shed these shimmering robes and braced herself for 2012, Ivanovic confronts many a daunting challenge in the dense Brisbane draw.  We glance across it in our first  tournament preview of the season to come.Top half:  After a triumphant...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 12/22/2011

Wozniacki:  About three months into the season, the world #1 looked poised to either finally break through at a major or at least continue her dominance at the most significant non-majors.  At that stage, Wozniacki not only had continued a ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 12/21/2011

Not among the highest achievers of 2011, these players nevertheless merited briefer discussion during the off-season.  Having discussed the best of the season, we now reflect upon some of the other players who caught our attention, for better, for...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 12/19/2011

Outside women of the year Li Na and Petra Kvitova, several other leading women have plenty of reason to celebrate over the Christmas holidays.Sharapova:  Boldly replacing coaches and equipment during the 2010-11 offseason, Sharapova signaled her...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 12/18/2011

Although Djokovic may have dominated the ATP throughout 2011, several other players recorded noteworthy achievements.  Beyond the world #1, who achieved the most in 2011?Nadal:  Rarely has one player’s season been so inextricably intertwined...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 12/12/2011

Like the two laconic syllables of her name, Li Na’s game has revolved around the twin concepts of efficiency and functionality when at its best.  In an era of flamboyant shot-makers, China’s Golden Flower often has found herself overshadowed...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 12/11/2011

Under the unforgiving sun of Key Biscayne emerged the dominant tennis narrative of 2011, which would reach its climax five months later under the unforgiving spotlight of New York.  Until that stage of the nascent season, Novak Djokovic had won ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 12/02/2011

As December descends, most of the competitors who toiled so tirelessly through the labyrinthine tennis season enjoy a well-deserved respite.  But not quite all of them do.  Proving that this sport’s calendar, unlike all others, lasts ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/27/2011

Undefeated since the US Open, Federer eyes a third consecutive title and a record sixth title at the year-end championships.  For the fifth time, he has marched to the final without dropping a match, and on only one of the four previous occasions...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/26/2011

Federer vs. Ferrer:  The only undefeated player remaining in the tournament, its five-time champion looks poised to extend his perfect record into the final Sunday.  On hard court and clay, indoors and outdoors, Federer has throttled Ferrer...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/25/2011

Djokovic vs. Tipsarevic:  Ambling aimlessly along the baseline, the world #1 looked as though he would have preferred to have spent his evening basking in his Monte Carlo home rather than toiling through an arduous battle against David Ferrer. ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/24/2011

Nadal vs. Tsonga:  Besieged by nagging ailments, the world #2 looked a step sluggish in his movement and not always crisp in his footwork during a terse loss to his archrival on Tuesday.  That match continued a concerning trend in which Nadal...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/23/2011

Tipsarevic vs. Berdych:  Twice during his tense duel with Djokovic, Berdych edged to the verge of a victory that would have positioned him auspiciously for a semifinal appearance.  With the world #1 far from his suffocating self, the Czech ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/22/2011

Fish vs. Tsonga:  Only once have they met in their long careers, a five-setter at this year’s US Open that oscillated restlessly between them.  Through most of the first four sets, Fish matched Tsonga serve for serve and forecourt charge...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/21/2011

Murray vs. Ferrer:  Straightforward to the point of pre-ordained are the eight meetings between the Scot and the Spaniard.  While Ferrer has won all of their clashes on clay, Murray has collected all of their encounters on hard courts. ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/20/2011

Nadal vs. Fish:  At first glance, the Spaniard’s overwhelming supremacy in their head-to-head record suggests that his London campaign will open uneventfully.  Even on the fast courts of Wimbledon and the US Open, Nadal ruthlessly exploited...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/19/2011

Long after the year’s final major, 2011 concludes with the second premier tournament hosted by London.  As the city on the Thames sinks into winter, which of the year’s eight leading stars will rise to the occasion?Group A:Djokovic: ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/13/2011

A point from a deflating defeat against John Isner, Tsonga pummeled a first serve and slashed a cross-court forehand for a clean winner.  That relatively routine point inspired a paroxysm of jubilation from the Frenchman, which electrified the riveted...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/12/2011

Federer vs. Berdych:  Aiming to progress further than ever before in Bercy, Federer could win this title without defeating any of his three major rivals.  Projected to meet Murray in the semifinals, he instead will encounter an opponent who...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/11/2011

Djokovic vs. Tsonga:  Throughout the most spectacular season in the modern era of tennis, the world #1 shed the reputation of physical frailty that had dogged him during his formative years and beyond.  When Basel marked his third retirement...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/07/2011

First quarter:  Clouding this diverse section is the uncertainty enveloping the world #1, who seems all but certain to withdraw but has not as of Sunday evening.  Should Djokovic find discretion the better part of valor, the two highest-ranked...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/05/2011

Dominant in the team competition of women's tennis over the past several years, Russia hosts a challenger worthy of its steel in a Czech battalion spearheaded by the world #2.  If Kvitova aims to crack the Russian stranglehold, she may need to overcome...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/02/2011

After clicking the WTA website’s link for the Bali draw, one might struggle to locate the bracket in what appears a mostly blank sheet of paper.  The only event in the sport that starts with the quarterfinals, the Tournament of Champions doesn’t...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 11/01/2011

In the last match of individual competition that he played before his Basel opener on Monday, Federer marched within a point of the US Open final before Djokovic snatched that pearl out of the Swiss lion’s jaws.  Now, the Serb ventures into...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/30/2011

Before her sparkling week began, Azarenka breezily informed the press that prize money motivates her at crucial moments in addition to trophies, rankings points, and prestige.  (Not for nothing did she name her dog Rolex, one realizes.)  The...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/29/2011

Kvitova vs. Stosur:  Clearly the most impressive player of the round-robin phase, Kvitova blazed a trail past the world #1, a two-time Slam finalist, and the WTA’s leading performer of the fall without surrendering so much as a set.  ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/28/2011

Li (1-1) vs. Stosur (1-1):  What a difference a day made for these two women. Less than 24 hours after they opened their week with solid victories over Sharapova, Azarenka thrashed the Roland Garros and US Open champions by identical 6-2, 6-2 scores. ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/27/2011

Azarenka (1-0) vs. Li (1-0):  Showing scant respect for her elders, the Minx from Minsk marched straight from her Luxembourg title to Istanbul and demolished Stosur for the fifth straight time.  While the Aussie suffered from a competitive ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/26/2011

Azarenka (0-0) vs. Stosur (1-0):  For the second time in less than 24 hours, Stosur confronts a strong-willed and strong-lunged blonde who has throttled her throughout their previous meetings.  Less extensive than her streak of futility against...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/25/2011

Kvitova vs. Zvonareva:  In her first career match at the year-end championships, the Wimbledon champion confronts a player who conquered her twice on hard courts this year.  If this pair of combatants continue their rivalry’s pattern ...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/23/2011

After a rather arid week in tennis news, the sport springs back to life with the first of its year-end championship tournaments, held in the unfamiliar setting of the Istanbul Dome.  We profile each of the WTA’s Elite Eight before they fire...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/17/2011

Checking off the boxes:  When Nadal tumbled in the third round to Florian Mayer, the Shanghai Masters event retained only one legitimate contender in its draw and thus only one logical outcome.  In the fall, however, foregone conclusion often...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/16/2011

Overshadowed by plotlines like the ascendancy of Djokovic and the decline of Federer is the singular season of contradictions alternately enjoyed and suffered by Andy Murray.   Sometimes heroic and sometimes humiliated, Murray reached semifinals...
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By ChrisSkelton @ Sharapovanovic- Your Ticket to Tennis! 10/15/2011

On a reportedly fast surface like the Decoturf in Shanghai, one raises an eyebrow to see just one full-blooded shot-maker (Lopez) in the semifinals, together with one passive-aggressive hybrid (Murray), and two innate defenders (Ferrer and Nishikori)....
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