INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA – DAY FIVEwtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/matchnotes/2020/709_5.pdf ·...

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MATCH NOTES: INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA ROME, ITALY | SEPTEMBER 14-21, 2020 | €1,692,169 | PREMIER 5

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INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA – DAY FIVE

[1] SIMONA HALEP (ROU #2) vs. DAYANA YASTREMSKA (UKR #29)

POLONA HERCOG (SLO #50) vs. [12] MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #19)

[Q] ANNA BLINKOVA (RUS #65) vs. [2] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #4)

[9] GARBIÑE MUGURUZA (ESP #17) vs. [8] JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #13)

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #38) vs. [4] ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #6)

First meeting Halep is currently on a 10-match winning streak including titles at Dubai and Prague…

Yastremska is eyeing her third career win over a Top 5 ranked player, and second of 2020

First meeting Hercog recorded her second career Top 10 victory over No.8 Bertens on Thursday… Vondrousova

claimed her first three-set victory since 2019 Rome over Doi in 1r on Tuesday

Pliskova leads 1-0 Blinkova is aiming to reach the biggest QF of her career and first Tour-level QF on clay…

Pliskova is looking to win back-to-back matches for the first time since this year’s Australian Open

Konta leads 2-1 Muguruza is two matches away from her 400th career main draw match (255-142 career record)…

Konta is facing her first Top 20 ranked opponent of the season (38-36 career record)

Svitolina leads 3-1 Kuznetsova has won her 199th and 200th career three-set matches en route to R16 this week… Svitolina played her 99th career tiebreak against Pavlyuchenkova on Wednesday (55-44 record)

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MATCH NOTES: INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA ROME, ITALY | SEPTEMBER 14-21, 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 undertaken by WTA players and partners since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.

• Many players are stepping up again to raise awareness by wearing WTA4Love patches during competition in support of the ongoing campaign as we return to play.

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

• Food insecurity has also been addressed by providing 24,000 meals to families and frontline workers and through fundraisers for local foodbanks. WTA Charities will continue to support the ongoing needs of communities 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 the countries 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 range of nonprofit organizations including live video chats teaching leadership and character development to youth and offering support and positive messaging to Special Olympics participants.

• For more information on each player’s specific activities, please contact WTA Communications Manager, Teyva Sammet [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 – 137 • 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

[1] SIMONA HALEP (ROU #2) vs. DAYANA YASTREMSKA (UKR #29)

Head to Head: 0-0

SIMONA HALEP 2 5

27-09-1991 (28) $1,469,594 $36,577,615

2 / 21 0 / 1

16-2 / 386-170 5-0 / 115-57 5-1 / 52-56

DAYANA YASTREMSKA 29 21

15-05-2000 (20) $369,565

$1,997,142

0 / 3 0 / 0 2-1

15-8 / 58-40 5-3 / 12-19 5-4 / 14-14

16-7

4-1 / 11-8 6-0 / 126-45 0-0 / 35-15 2-0 / 4-2

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) *

0-0 / 39-49 1-3 / 2-9 3-1 / 102-76 4-4 / 11-15

YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) *

YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 12-29 1-1 / 2-3

* Updated entering 2020 Rome R16

SIMONA HALEP (ROU #2)

R32: d. JASMINE PAOLINI (ITA #99) 6-3,6-4 (1h23)

R64: BYE

ROAD TO THE ROUND OF 16

DAYANA YASTREMSKA (UKR #29)

R32: d. AMANDA ANISIMOVA (USA #27) 4-6,7-6(3),6-4 (2h18)

R64: d. CAMILA GIORGI (ITA #74) 7-5,6-7(5),6-4 (2h33)

Total games: 19 Won/lost: 12-7 Sets won/lost: 2-0 Total time on court: 1h23 Average time on court: 1h23 Average rank of opponent: 99


ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

SIMONA HALEP 2019

L - MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #44) R2 2-6 7-5 6-3

DAYANA YASTREMSKA 2019

R1 L - CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO (ESP #31) 6-4 1-6 6-3

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from

HALEP:

Rome

• Making ninth main draw appearance at Rome (10th overall)

• R-Up on two occasions, in 2017 and 2018 (l. Svitolina in both finals)

• Also made SF twice, in 2013 (l. eventual champion S.Williams) and 2015 (l. Suárez Navarro)

• Reached R16 in 2014 (l. Suárez Navarro), 2r in 2016 (l. Gavrilova) and 2019 (l. Vondrousova), and 1r in 2012 (l.

V.Williams). Fell in qualifying on tournament debut in 2011

• Second time contesting Rome as No.1 seed (also in 2018, l. Svitolina in F)

• Converted eight of 10 break points to send off Italian wildcard and No.99 Paolini, improving win-loss record this season to

an impressive 16-2

• Today, faces No.29 Yastremska for their first career meeting. Having been pushed to three sets in both of her previous

matches, the Ukrainian (4h51) has spent over three times the amount of time Halep (1h23) has on court so far this week

• Currently on a 10-match winning streak, including titles at Dubai (four wins) and Prague (five wins)

• Among active players, owns the third-most clay court titles with eight, behind V.Williams (9) and S.Williams (13)

• Since 2013, when Halep won her first of 21 titles, only Serena Williams (27) has won more titles than the Romanian

• Played doubles this week w/Niculescu (l. Shibahara/Aoyama in 2r)

Season

• Last month, captured her 21st career title at Prague (d. Mertens in F). Tied with Azarenka for fifth-most titles among active

players, behind Serena (73), Venus (49), Clijsters (41) and Kvitova (27)


MATCH NOTES

2018 L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #4) F 6-0 6-4

2017 L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #11) F 4-6 7-5 6-1

2016 L - DARIA GAVRILOVA (AUS #32) R2 6-3 4-6 6-3

2015 L - CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO (ESP #10) SF 2-6 6-3 7-5

2014 L - CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO (ESP #14) R16 W/O

2013 L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) SF 6-3 6-0

2012 L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #63) R1 6-3 6-4

2011 L - VIRGINIE RAZZANO (FRA #95) R1-Q 7-6(3) 6-0


from

• Prior to Tour’s five-month hiatus, clinched her 20th career title at Dubai (d. Rybakina in F)

• Reached eighth career Grand Slam SF at Australian Open (l. Muguruza) bringing record in major SF matches to 5-3

• Opened 2020 season with QF appearance at Adelaide (l. Sabalenka)

Career Milestones

• Ended 2019 ranked No.4 for sixth consecutive year in the Top 5

• 2019 highlighted by winning second career Grand Slam title at Wimbledon (d. S.Williams)

• Also finished R-Up at Madrid (l. Bertens) and QF at Roland Garros (as defending champion, l. Anisimova) and Toronto

(ret. vs. Bouzova w/Achilles pain)

• Ended 2018 season as World No.1 for the second time in her career, with season highlighted by maiden Grand Slam title

at Roland Garros (d. Stephens in F)

• Also won titles last year at Shenzhen (d. Siniakova in F) and Montréal (d. Stephens in F) and was R-Up at Australian

Open (l. Wozniacki), Rome (l. Svitolina) and Cincinnati (l. Bertens). Is 18-16 in career finals

• Won first career WTA doubles title at 2018 Shenzhen (w/Begu). Now 1-1 in career doubles finals

• Finished 2017 as the year-end World No.1, having ascended to the No.1 spot for first time in career on October 9, 2017 –

became the 25th woman to reach the top spot, and the 13th to hold year-end No.1

• Defended Madrid title in 2017 (d. Mladenovic in F); reached four more finals in 2017: Rome, Roland Garros, Cincinnati

and Beijing. 2016 season highlighted by three titles, at Madrid, Bucharest and Montréal

• Between May 2013 and August 2014, improved ranking from No.64 to No.2, winning seven titles

• Has qualified six times for WTA Finals in Singapore (2014-19, although withdrew injured in 2018), reaching final in 2014 (l.

S.Williams, having defeated the World No.1 in the round robin stage)

• Named 2013 WTA Most Improved Player, winning her first six WTA titles and ending year ranked No.11

• Made WTA main draw debut at 2010 Marbella as a qualifier, reaching quarterfinals

Grand Slam History

• Contested 39th Grand Slam main draw of her career at 2020 Australian Open

• Winner of two Grand Slam titles, lifting first at 2018 Roland Garros (d. Stephens in F) followed by an historic 2019

Wimbledon run (d. S.Williams in F)

• Became first Romanian to lift the singles title at the All England Club, defeating S.Williams in 56 minutes

• Posted three runner-up finishes in Paris in 2014 (l. Sharapova in 3s), 2017 (l. Ostapenko in 3s) and at Australian Open in

2018 (l. Wozniacki in 3s)

• Was the first Romanian woman to advance to final at Australian Open in 2018 (l. Wozniacki)

• Best result at US Open is SF run in 2015 (l. eventual champion Pennetta)

Personal

• Reunited with long-time coach, Darren Cahill during offseason after taking a 12-month break

• Formerly coached by Wim Fissette and Victor Ionita

• Sponsorship portfolio includes deals with Mercedes, Unilever and is an Ambassador for Dubai Duty Free

• Sponsors a children’s hockey team back in Romania through the Simona Halep Foundation

YASTREMSKA:

Rome • Making second appearance here in Rome

• Suffered 1r exit on only previous run in 2019 (l. Suarez Navarro)

• Avenged Palermo loss to No.69 Giorgi in the opening round here in Rome after a 2h33 thriller – both players struggled on

serve with 14 double faults each however Yastremska struck more winners (25 to 15) and was able to close out the match

• Rallied from a set down to dispatch No.27 Anisimova in another two-hour battle; improved career record against Top 30

players to 16-17

• In today’s R16 match, squares off against No.2 Halep where she looks to record her third career Top 5 win. Currently 2-3 vs.

Top 5 opposition with wins coming against No.2 Ka.Pliskova (2019 Wuhan) and No.5 Kenin (2020 Doha)

• Enters tournament ranked No.29, eight spots off career-high ranking of No.21, which she set the week of January 20 following

R-Up finish at Adelaide

• After a slow start to last year’s clay season, falling 1r at Istanbul, Madrid and Rome, went on to capture her third career WTA

title at Strasbourg (d. Garcia in F)

Season • Coming off 2r exit at US Open (l. Brengle)

• Made 3r run at Western & Southern Open (d. V.Williams in 1r, l. eventual R-Up Osaka)

• In first event of tour’s resumption, made QF career WTA QF at Palermo (l. Giorgi, having held 2MP)

• Highlight of opening months of season reaching first Premier-level SF and then F at Adelaide (l. Barty in F). Posted three Top

20 wins en route, over No.18 Kerber, No.20 Vekic and No.12 Sabalenka

• Also made 3r at Doha (d. No.5 Kenin, l. Muguruza) and 2r at Australian Open (l. Wozniacki). Fell 1r at Brisbane (l. Bertens) and

Dubai (l. Kudermetova)

• In February, won all three singles rubbers to help Ukraine see off Estonia, Croatia and Bulgaria to earn a trip to Japan for the

rescheduled Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Play-offs for a place in the 2022 Qualifiers Grand Slam History

• Advanced to second week of a major for the first time at 2019 Wimbledon, falling to S.Zhang in R16

• Reached 3r at 2019 US Open (l. Svitolina) and 2019 Australian Open (l. S.Williams)

• Made 1r exit at 2019 Roland Garros (l. Suárez Navarro) in first appearance in Paris

• Runner-up in 2016 Wimbledon junior girls’ event (l. Potapova) Career Highlights

• Posted second Top 100 and first Top 30 season finish in 2019, at No.22

• Captured two WTA singles titles in 2019 at Hua Hin (d. Tomljanovic in F after trailing 5-2 in third set) and Strasbourg (d. Garcia

after saving 1mp)

• Advanced to QF at 2019 Wuhan, where she recorded maiden Top 5 win against No.2 Ka.Pliskova in R16 (l. Kvitova), and

made Grand Slam breakthrough with R16 run at 2019 Wimbledon (l. Zhang)

• Qualified for WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai in 2019, going 1-1 in RR stage (d. No.20 Vekic, l. eventual R-Up Bertens) and reached

maiden doubles final, at Beijing (w/Ostapenko, l. Kenin/Mattek-Sands)

• Posted first Top 100 season in 2018, at No.60, winning first career title at Hong Kong (d. Q.Wang in F)

• Also in 2018, reached SF at Luxembourg (l. Bencic), 2r at New Haven (as qualifier, l. Goerges) and Charleston (as LL, l. Pera)

and fell 1r at US Open (l. Muchova), Acapulco (as qualifier, l. Puig) Québec City (l. McHale) and Beijing (as qualifier, l.

S.Zheng)

• Became first woman born in the 2000s to crack the Top 100 on the WTA rankings, debuting at No.100 (week of July 16, 2018)

• Won third ITF singles title in at $60k ITF/Rome-ITA and reached two more finals in 2018•Posted first Top 200 season in 2017,

at No.189 – rose more than 200 places during the year

• Won first WTA main draw match and reached first tour-level QF at 2017 Istanbul, defeating former World No.9 Petkovic en

route (l. Cepelova)

• Made WTA main draw debut as a WC at 2016 Istanbul (l. Hibino in 1r)

• Played first matches of career on ITF Circuit in 2015

• In juniors, rose as high as No.6 in the world

• On ITF Circuit, winner of three singles titles and three doubles titles

Personal • Split with coach Sascha Bajin (former coach of Naomi Osaka and Kristina Mladenovic) following 2020 US Open; plans to

announce new coach this November

• Previously coached by Olivier Jeunehomme

• Nominated for 2019 WTA Newcomer of the Year

• Born and resides in Odessa, Ukraine

• Trained as a junior in Istanbul, at Koza WOS


MATCH NOTES

POLONA HERCOG (SLO #50) vs. [12] MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #19)

Head to Head: 0-0

POLONA HERCOG 50 133

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

$3,692,802

0 / 3 0 / 2

5-5 / 159-196 1-2 / 47-68 0-2 / 33-52

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA 19 93

28-06-1999 (21) $252,464

$3,308,044

0 / 1 0 / 0 5-1

6-8 / 59-41 1-6 / 11-23 1-0 / 18-10

5-4

2-1 / 26-12 4-3 / 90-65 0-0 / 14-22 2-0 / 4-0







1-2 / 2-31 0-1 / 2-9 1-2 / 10-49 0-1 / 9-11



* Updated through entering 2020 Rome R16

POLONA HERCOG (SLO #50)

R32: d. [5] KIKI BERTENS (NED #8) 6-4,6-4 (1h36)

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


MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #19)

R32: d. ARANTXA RUS (NED #71) 6-3,6-3 (1h58)

R64: d. MISAKI DOI (JPN #80) 6-1,4-6,6-4 (2h33)




POLONA HERCOG 2019

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

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA 2019

QF L - JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42) 6-3 3-6 6-1


from

HERCOG:

Rome

• Making fifth main draw appearance at Rome and eighth appearance overall

• Has matched her best showing here by advancing to R16, having also reached this stage 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 Juvan, advanced to 2r here for the first time in nine years

• Recorded her second career Top 10 win over No.8 Bertens in 2r on Thursday. Previously defeated No.7 Bartoli at 2012

Charleston (2-31 career record)

• Has now won back-to-back main draw matches for the second time in 2020, having also done so last week at Istanbul (d.

Cengiz and Paolini, l. Badosa). In 2019, claimed back-to-back wins five times, at Lugano (WON), Roland Garros (3r),

Eastbourne (3r), Wimbledon (3r) and Beijing (3r)

• Faces No.19 Vondrousova today in their career first meeting. Owns 10 career wins over Top 20 ranked players. Prior to her

win over Bertens in 2r, her last such win came over No.13 Kerber at 2019 Beijing

• Holds 14-22 career record vs. left-handed opponents (0-0 in 2020), most recently defeating Kerber at 2019 Beijing

• 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 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)


MATCH NOTES

2018 L - SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #39) R1 6-2 6-4

2016 L - JULIA GOERGES (GER #62) R1-Q 6-4 6-3

2015 L - MISAKI DOI (JPN #111) R1-Q 6-7(2) 6-4 6-4

2014 L - BELINDA BENCIC (SUI #96) R1-Q 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4

2011 L - SAMANTHA STOSUR (AUS #7) R16 6-3 6-4

2010 L - SHAHAR PEER (ISR #21) R2 2-6 7-5 6-3


from

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

VONDROUSOVA:

Rome • Making second appearance at Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Reached QF on debut last year (l. Konta in 3s)

• Defeated No.2 Halep during last year’s run in 2r, having also defeated the Romanian, also ranked No.2, earlier in the

year at Indian Wells – marked her career first wins over a Top 2 ranked player

• Opened her 2020 Rome campaign with 3s victory over No.80 Doi, which marked her first 3s win since 2019 Rome (d.

Strycova, Halep and Kasatkina all in 3s, l. Konta in 3s). Had previously lost all six 3s matches in 2020

• In 2r, ousted No.71 Rus in straight sets to notch back-to-back wins for the first time since her season opener at Adelaide

(d. Maria and Ar.Rodionova, l. Barty)

• Faces No.50 Hercog today for a spot in her first QF since Adelaide in January (l. Barty)

• Today marks just her fourth meeting vs. a Top 50 ranked player in 2020, having defeated No.41 Sevastova (Dubai) and

falling to No.1 Barty (Adelaide) and No.37 S.Zheng (Doha)

• One of five Czechs to contest this year’s main draw (also Bouzkova, Ka.Pliskova, Siniakova and Strycova)

Season • Coming off 2r showing at US Open (l. Sasnovich) and 1r exit at Western & Southern Open (l. Siegemund)

• Suffered 1r exit at Palermo (l. Juvan – was two points from victory in second set)

• During June and July, played a series of exhibitions against, among others, Bencic, Kvitova and Strycova

• Before tour’s hiatus, made 2r at Dubai (l. Brady) and fell 1r at Doha (l. Zheng)

• Fell 1r at Australian Open (l. Kuznetsova) and St. Petersburg (l. Tomljanovic)

• In January, made positive return from six-month layoff w/left wrist injury to reach QF at Adelaide (l. eventual champion

Barty)

Career Milestones • Enjoyed break-out season in 2019, reaching three finals across the year and making Top 20 debut

• Finished R-Up at Budapest (l. Van Uytvanck) and Istanbul (l. Martic) before reaching championship match at Roland

Garros (l. Barty); did not drop a set en route to final in Paris

• Posted first win of career over a Top 2 player in 2019, defeating No.2 Halep at Indian Wells and then Rome

• Forced to end 2019 season down early due to left wrist injury – did not play again following 1r exit at Wimbledon

• At 2018 US Open, became the first teenager to reach the R16 at Flushing Meadows since 2016 (Konjuh, QF – 18) and

the youngest Czech player to advance to this stage in New York since 2005 (Vaidisova, R16 – 16)

• Was the biggest ranking mover on tour in 2017, from No.376 to No.67 (309 places)

• Made WTA breakthrough by winning International-level title at 2017 Biel/Bienne (d. Kontaveit in F). At No.233, was the

lowest-ranked title winner in 2017 and aged 17 years, 293 days was the youngest since Konjuh (17 years, 169 days) at

2015 Nottingham

• Reached doubles QF at 2017 Wimbledon (w/Bellis, l. eventual finalists H.Chan/Niculescu)

• Advanced to 2r on tour-level debut at 2016 Prague – as wildcard

• On ITF Circuit, winner of seven singles and four doubles titles

• Made professional debut at 2014 $100k ITF/Prague-CZE (d. Suk, l. Brengle in 2r)

• Ranked junior No.1 in 2015

Grand Slam History • Contested 12th and most recent major at 2020 US Open

• Breakthrough came during R-Up finish at 2019 Roland Garros; ranked No.38, was joint-third lowest-ranked woman to

reach Roland Garros final, and aged 19, was first teenager to reach title match there since Ivanovic in 2007

• Previous best result at the majors was reaching R16 at 2018 US Open (l. Tsurenko). Was youngest Czech player to

reach R16 at Flushing Meadows since 2005 (Nicole Vaidisova, R16 at 16yrs, 140 days)

• Made Grand Slam debut at 2017 Roland Garros, where she advanced to 2r. Has also reached 2r at 2018 and 2019

Australian Opens

• Fell 1r on debut at Wimbledon in 2017

• Reached doubles QF at 2017 Wimbledon (w/Bellis, l. eventual finalists H.Chan/Niculescu)

• In juniors won doubles at Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2015 (both w/Kolodziejova). In singles, was semifinalist

at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon

Personal

• Coached by former ATP Pro Jan Hernych. Fitness trainer is Michal Vagner

• Mother, Jindriska Anderlova, played volleyball in the top Czech league

• Born in Skolov but moved to Prague alone at age 15 to train full-time

• Chose tennis over soccer as she prefers the individual nature of the sport

• Describes herself as quiet and calm


MATCH NOTES

[Q] ANNA BLINKOVA (RUS #65) vs. [2] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #4)

Head to Head: KAROLINA PLISKOVA leads 1-0

2017 HARD O R2 KAROLINA PLISKOVA 59 mins 6-0 6-2 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

ANNA BLINKOVA 65 120

10-09-1998 (22) $262,120

$1,385,037

0 / 0 0 / 1

5-5 / 27-41 3-2 / 14-21

2-0 / 9-8

KAROLINA PLISKOVA 4 18

21-03-1992 (28) $599,371

$20,111,889

1 / 16 0 / 5 8-4

10-5 / 319-164 3-1 / 103-59 2-6 / 64-70

2-0

1-0 / 54-36 2-0 / 5-5 0-0 / 1-3 1-0 / 31-20







1-0 / 1-4 1-0 / 32-39 1-0 / 3-12 3-1 / 62-72




ANNA BLINKOVA (RUS #65)

R2-Q: d. STEFANIE VOEGELE (SUI #114) 7-5,6-3 (1h39)

R1-Q: BYE

R32: d. ALIONA BOLSOVA (ESP #107) 4-6,6-1,7-6(4) (2h22)

R64: d. JIL BELEN TEICHMANN (SUI #52) 6-3,6-3 (1h15)


KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #4)

R32: d. BARBORA STRYCOVA (CZE #37) 6-3,6-3 (1h15)

R64: BYE


from

BLINKOVA:

Rome • Making debut appearance at Internazionali BNL d’Italia

• In qualifying, received 1r bye, then beat Voegele to make the main draw

• Broke serve six times to see off Teichmann in 1r

• Despite hitting 12 double faults, fought back from a set down and won third set tie-break against fellow qualifier Bolsova in

2r; recorded back-to-back main draw wins for the first time since SF run at 2019 Luxembourg

• One of three qualifiers advanced to 3r this week, also Kasatkina and Kovinic

• One of three Russians remaining in the draw, also Kasatkina and Kuznetsova

• Faces No.4 Ka.Pliskova in 3r today, bidding to reach the biggest QF of her career and first WTA QF on clay

• Looking for second ever Top 10 win – upset No.8 Bencic at Shenzhen in January for her only previous Top 10 win

• Last year on clay, achieved best Grand Slam result on Roland Garros debut by advancing to 3r (as qualifier, d. Garcia, l.

Keys); also posted R-Up finish at $100K ITF/Trnava 3-SVK (l. Pera) and SF run at $60K ITF/Wiesbaden-GER (l.

Krejcikova); fell in qualifying at Stuttgart

• Also contested in doubles this week (w/Rybakina, l. Carter/Stefani in 1r)

Season

• Coming off 1r exit at US Open (l. Brady)

• Reached 2r at Lexington (l. Bouzkova) and contested qualifying at Western & Southern Open

• In final outing before tour’s break, fell 2r at WTA 125K Series event at Indian Wells (after 1r bye, l. Boulter)

• Failed to negotiate qualifying at either Doha or Dubai

• Also reached 2r at Australian Open (l. Diyas) and fell 1r at Hobart (l. Jabeur)

• Opened season with 2r showing at Shenzhen (l. Diyas); upset No.8 Bencic in 1r to register first Top 10 win of her career


MATCH NOTES

ROME Tournament History

KAROLINA PLISKOVA 2019

F W - JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42) 6-3 6-4

2018 R2 L - MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #42) 3-6 6-3 7-5

2017 QF L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #11) 6-2 7-6(9)

2016 R1 L - DARIA KASATKINA (RUS #33) 6-4 6-4

2015 R1 L - TIMEA BACSINSZKY (SUI #24) 6-4 6-0


from

Career Milestones

• Posted second Top 100 season in 2019 (at No.59, up from No.98 in 2018)

• Reached first WTA SFs of her career at Guangzhou (l. eventual champion Kenin) and Luxembourg (l. eventual champion

Ostapenko). Earlier in the season, also made maiden QF at the Bronx (as LL, l. Q.Wang) and reached 3r at Roland Garros

(l. Keys)

• Also in 2019, lifted singles title at WTA 125K Series event at New Haven (d. Arconada in F)

• Contested 13 WTA main draws in 2018, highlighted by run through qualifying to 3r at Doha, where she registered first Top

20 win, over No.13 Mladenovic

• Also in 2018 won maiden WTA doubles title at Rabat (w/Olaru)

• Reached 2r on two occasions in 2017, at Australian Open and Budapest

• Posted significant ranking jump at end of 2016, finishing the year at No.206, up from No.826 in 2015

• Made WTA main draw debut at 2016 Rabat (as wildcard, l. Bacsinszky). Posted first main draw win at 2016 Moscow (as

qualifier, d. Sevastova, conceded w/o to Konjuh in 2r)

• Clinched first two ITF Circuit titles in 2016, at $10K ITF/Stuttgart-GER and $25K ITF/Westende-BEL. Also owns 10 ITF

doubles titles

• Reached as high as No.3 in junior singles rankings, winning the ITF Junior Masters in Chengdu in April 2016 (d. Swann in

F)

Grand Slam History

• Achieved best Grand Slam result on Roland Garros debut in 2019 by advancing to 3r (as qualifier, l. Keys)

• Has also reached 2r at Australian Open in 2017 (as qualifier, l. Ka.Pliskova) and 2020 (l. Diyas) and 2018 Wimbledon (l.

Bertens). Has never been beyond 1r at US Open

• Made Grand Slam main draw debut at 2017 Australian Open, coming through qualifying to reach 2r (d. Niculescu, l.

Ka.Pliskova)

• In juniors finished runner-up at 2015 Wimbledon (l. Zhuk)

Personal • Mother Elena travels on tour and is now coaching her; father’s name is Vladimir. Formerly coached by Thomas Drouet and

Mislav Hizak

• Introduced to tennis aged four; did not win a single game in first match as a junior

• Played both tennis and chess to a high level as a teenager before concentrating on tennis

• Likes to read – Jack London and Erich Maria Remarque are her favorite authors. Also fond of classic Russian literature and

sports autobiographies (Andre Agassi, Usain Bolt, Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray)

• Speaks Russian, Slovak, French and English KA.PLISKOVA:

Rome

• Making sixth consecutive appearance at Internazionali BNL d’Italia

• Enters this week’s tournament as defending champion, having defeated Konta in last year’s final to lift the crown

• Second best run was advancing to QF in 2017 (l. Svitolina)

• Following 1r bye, struck 26 winners and broke serve four times to triumph over compatriot Strycova in 2r; career record in

matches following byes now stands at 42-8

• One of two Czech players left in the draw from five in the starting field (also Vondrousova)

• Faces No.65 Blinkova today in 3r; last time fell to a player outside Top 50 was at 2019 Beijing in 1r (l. No.73 Ostapenko)

• Bidding to win back-to-back matches for the first time since this year’s Australian Open

• Prior to Rome, posted a 9-5 record in six tournaments played this year; the least wins gathered from the opening six

tournaments of a season since 2016 (not including Fed Cup)

• Owns three career clay court titles at 2015 Prague, 2018 Stuttgart and 2019 Rome

• During the hiatus, contested the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual competition, undertook charity work by sup-porting key workers

with free coffee, kept fit with bike rides (her first in 15 years), held her Foundation’s first junior tournament as well as played

several exhibition events in the Czech Republic

Season

• Coming off 2r loss at US Open (l. Garcia)

• First event back following the hiatus was the Western & Southern Open – as No.1 seed, fell 2r (after 1r bye, l. Kudermetova)

• Prior to his, last event was in Doha, reaching the 3r (l. Jabeur)

• Fell to eventual finalist Rybakina in QF of Dubai

• Advanced to 3r at Australian Open (l. Pavlyuchenkova)

• Began 2020 by winning 16th career title at Brisbane International (d. Keys in F), defending her title from 2019 – has now won at

least one WTA title for eight consecutive seasons. Was also first time successfully defending one of her previous 15 titles

• Brisbane marked first event working with new coach Daniel Vallverdu

Grand Slam History

• Advanced to career first Grand Slam final at 2016 US Open (l. Kerber), simultaneously making debuts in R16, QF, SF and title

match at the majors. Became first Czech to reach US Open final since Helena Sukova in 1993 (l. Graf in F)

• At Australian Open, best result was SF run in 2019 (l. Osaka), also reached last four at 2017 Roland Garros (l. Halep)

• Reached R16 at Wimbledon in 2018 (l. Bertens) and 2019 (l. Muchova)

• Made Grand Slam main draw debut at 2012 Roland Garros (as qualifier, l. Bartoli in 1r)

Career Milestones

• Finished 2019 ranked No.2 for career-best year-end finish

• Lifted a Tour-leading four title across the season (tied with Barty), taking tally to 15 – triumphed at Brisbane, Rome, Eastbourne

and Zhengzhou

• Dropped 19 games across five matches during Eastbourne title win (d. Kerber in F) – most economic title run in 2019

• Also reached first Premier Mandatory final at Miami, losing to Barty in straight sets

• Produced best Australian Open performance of career, reaching SF (l. eventual champion Osaka in 3s); saved four match

points to beat S.Williams in QF

• Lost to twin sister Kr.Pliskova in R16 at Birmingham, in what was their first career main draw encounter

• Made fourth straight appearance at the WTA Finals in 2019, reaching SF for the third year in a row

• Won two titles in 2018 from three finals contested, triumphing at Stuttgart (d. Vandeweghe in F) and Tokyo [PPO] (d. Osaka in

F). Posted R-Up finish in Tianjin (l. Garcia in F)

• At Grand Slam level in 2018 season, made QF run at Australian Open (l. eventual R-Up Halep), reached 3r at Roland Garros

(l. Sharapova), made R16 for first time at Wimbledon (l. Bertens) and had QF showing at US Open (d. No.17 Barty in R16, l.

S.Williams)

• Also in 2018, made the SF at Brisbane (as defending champion, l. eventual champion Svitolina), Madrid (l. eventual champion

Kvitova) and WTA Finals (l. Stephens). Enjoyed QF runs at four other tournaments

• Claimed No.1 ranking on July 17, 2017 despite making 2r exit at Wimbledon (l. Rybarikova). Was the first Czech woman to

achieve the No.1 ranking since the computer rankings were introduced in 1975 (Martina Navratilova became No.1 on July 10,

1978 while representing USA)

• Won three titles in 2017, at Brisbane (d. Cornet in F), Doha (d. Wozniacki in F) and Eastbourne (d. Wozniacki in F)

• Owns 15-12 record in singles finals, having won having titles on all three surfaces

• Captured fifth WTA doubles title of career at 2016 Birmingham (w/Strycova). Is now 5-2 in doubles finals. At 2013 Linz, with

sister Kristyna, became first set of twins to ever win a tour-level doubles title

• Made Top 10 debut after 2015 Stanford R-Up finish; was first time in WTA history that three Czech women ranked inside Top

10 at the same time (also Kvitova and Safarova)

• Won first career WTA title at 2013 Kuala Lumpur (d. Mattek-Sands) and followed it up with two more in 2014 Seoul (d.

Lepchenko) and 2014 Linz (d. Giorgi)

• Made professional debut on ITF circuit in 2006

Personal

• Born in Louny, north of Prague, but now trains at Sparta Praha tennis club

• Has a twin sister – Kristyna. In 2013, became the first set of twins to capture a WTA doubles title

• Married Michal Hrdlicka after 2018 Wimbledon

• Currently coached by Daniel Vallverdu and Olga Savchuk, and previously coached by Conchita Martínez, Rennae Stubbs,

Tomas Krupa and David Kotyza

• Away from the court, enjoys fresh-water fishing, as well as contributing to her foundation which benefits various causes,

including pediatric oncology and children battling cancer in her native Czech Republic


MATCH NOTES

[9] GARBIÑE MUGURUZA (ESP #17) vs. [7] JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #13)

Head to Head: JOHANNA KONTA leads 2-1

2019 HARD O R2 GARBIÑE MUGURUZA 162 mins 6-4 6-7(3) 7-5 AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2015 HARD O R2 JOHANNA KONTA 203 mins 7-6(4) 6-7(4) 6-2 US OPEN 2015 GRASS O R16 JOHANNA KONTA 116 mins 6-4 4-6 6-3 EASTBOURNE

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA 17 4

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

0 / 7 0 / 5

19-5 / 255-142 8-3 / 81-62 7-0 / 42-50

JOHANNA KONTA 13 26

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

$9,637,367

0 / 3 0 / 0 11-4

8-7 / 172-108 1-3 / 44-45 3-2 / 38-31

12-6

1-0 / 23-19 2-0 / 55-29 0-0 / 18-14 0-0 / 13-13







3-1 / 35-34 0-0 / 21-22 3-2 / 61-60 0-0 / 38-36



* Updated through entering 2020 Rome R16

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA (ESP #17)

R32: d. COCO GAUFF (USA #53) 7-6(3),3-6,6-3 (2h28)

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


JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #13)

R32: d. IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU (ROU #77) 6-0,6-4 (1h23)


from

R64: BYE

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

• In 2r, ousted No.53 Gauff. Has now won 12 of her last 14 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 hit nine aces this week to add to her season count of 137 – the fourth-most on Tour in 2020, behind S.Williams (167),

Rybakina (164) and Osaka (141)

• Faces No.13 Konta today in their fourth career meeting and first on clay. In their most recent meeting, defeated the British

woman at 2019 Australian Open in three grueling sets

• Is 3-2 vs. Top 20 ranked opponents in 2020 – all wins came during Australian Open final run (d. No.5 Svitolina, No.10

Bertens and No.3 Halep). Losses came to No.15 Kenin (Australian Open final) and No.1 Barty (Doha)

• Has reached the QF or better at five of six events played in 2020, going 19-5 across the season – the fourth-most main

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

• Is two matches away from her 400th career main draw match (255-142 career record)

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


MATCH NOTES


GARBIÑE MUGURUZA 2019

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

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

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

Season

• Coming off 2r exit at US Open (l. un-ranked 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

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

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 • Has now reached the R16 (or better) in each appearance at Rome, having also reached this stage in 2016 (l. Doi), 2017 (l.

V.Williams) and 2018 (l. Ostapenko) • Following 1r bye, defeated No.77 Begu in 2r to improve record vs. players ranked outside the Top 50 this season to 7-5 • Faces No.17 Muguruza today for a spot in her third QF of 2020 (also Monterrey, SF, and Western & Southern Open, SF) • Has yet to face a Top 20 ranked opponent in 2020 (career record vs. such players stands at 38-36). The highest ranked

player she has faced this season was No.21 Sakkari, who she defeated in the QF at Western & Southern Open • 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

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #38) vs. [4] ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #6)

Head to Head: ELINA SVITOLINA leads 3-1

2019 HARD O R16 ELINA SVITOLINA 77 mins 6-4 6-2 WUHAN 2018 HARD O R2 ELINA SVITOLINA 161 mins 7-6(1) 4-6 6-4 CINCINNATI 2016 HARD I SF SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA 152 mins 6-1 6-7(2) 6-4 MOSCOW 2014 HARD O R1 ELINA SVITOLINA 81 mins 6-3 6-3 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA 38 36

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

$25,393,282

0 / 18 0 / 16

7-5 / 606-319 3-1 / 200-129 2-4 / 130-105

ELINA SVITOLINA 6 37

12-09-1994 (26) $225,496

$19,460,456

1 / 14 0 / 2 12-4

10-6 / 275-152 1-1 / 82-51 3-0 / 55-44

25-15

1-0 / 55-32 2-1 / 168-79 1-0 / 44-23 3-0 / 24-21







1-1 / 62-101 0-0 / 33-38 2-2 / 135-173 0-0 / 59-68




SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #38)

R32: d. [14] ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #21) 4-6,7-5,6-3 (2h45)

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


ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #6)

R32: d. ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA (RUS #36) 6-3,7-6(4) (1h45)

R64: BYE




from

KUZNETSOVA:

Rome • Making her 16th appearance in Rome where she is a two-time R-Up in 2007 (l. Jankovic) and in 2009 (l. Safina)

• Other notable results here include SF run in 2006 (l. Safina) and QF showings in 2004 (l. S.Williams) and 2016 (l. eventual

champion S.Williams)

• One of three Russians remaining in the draw, also Blinkova and Kasatkina

• Recovered from a set down in both matches en route to today’s R16 showing, closing out match against Pera after 2h15

and against Kontaveit in 2h45


MATCH NOTES


SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA 2018

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

2017 L - DARIA GAVRILOVA (AUS #33) R16 2-6 7-5 6-4

2016 L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) QF 6-2 6-0

2014 L - JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB #8) R2 6-2 4-0

2013 L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #64) R1 6-1 6-1

2012 L - ANA IVANOVIC (SRB #15) R1 6-4 6-3

2011 L - GRETA ARN (HUN #48) R1 3-6 7-6(4)

7-6(9) 2010

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

2009 L - DINARA SAFINA (RUS #1) F 6-3 6-2

2008 L - ALIZÉ CORNET (FRA #34) R16 6-2 6-4

2007 L - JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB #5) F 7-5 6-1

2006 L - DINARA SAFINA (RUS #19) SF 3-6 6-4 7-5

2005 L - PAOLA SUÁREZ (ARG #32) R2 6-2 6-4

2004 L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #7) QF 7-5 6-0

2003 L - ANASTASIA MYSKINA (RUS #11) R16 6-4 7-5

ELINA SVITOLINA 2019

R2 L - VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #51) 4-6 6-1 7-5

2018 F W - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #1) 6-0 6-4

2017 F W - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #4) 4-6 7-5 6-1

2016 R1 L - MONICA PUIG (PUR #57) 6-1 4-6 6-1

2015 R2 L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #16) 6-4 6-3

2014 R1 L - ELENA VESNINA (RUS #33) 6-2 6-3


from

• Faces No.6 Svitolina in today’s match; sole win over the Ukrainian was en route to the crown at 2016 Moscow

• A win today would mark her second Top 10 win of the season (also No.9 Bencic at Doha) and see her through to her

second QF this season after posting SF run at Doha (l. Sabalenka)

• Enters this week’s tournament ranked No.38, sitting within the Top 40 for the first time since May 2018

Season • Coming off 2r loss at Istanbul (l. eventual R-Up Bouchard)

• Prior to the Tour’s hiatus, advanced to SF at Doha (d. No.9 Bencic, l. Sabalenka)

• 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 after

tournament

• 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 Henin

twice 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 Marcaccio Gustavo Alejandro. Previously worked with Guillermo Cañas

SVITOLINA:

Rome • Making her seventh consecutive appearance in Rome, where she is a two-time champion

• Defeated three Top 10 opponents here in 2017 to win title (No.2 Ka.Pliskova in QF, No.3 Muguruza in SF and No.6 Halep

in F) to secure her eighth career title and the second of her impressive three Premier 5 titles last season – also Dubai and

Toronto

• Returned in 2018 to defeat three Top 20 players en route to title, including World No.1 Halep in F

• As one of the leading eight seeds, received 1r bye this year and went on to defeat No.36 Pavlyuchenkova in 2r, improving

career record in matches immediately following byes to 27-11

• Today, faces No.38 Kuznetsova for their fourth career meeting where she looks to improve 3-1 record against the Russian

• Has lost to three players ranked outside Top 30 this season, No.32 Muguruza (Australian Open), No.84 Hibino (Hua Hin)

and No.52 Brady (Dubai)

• Owns four clay titles in her career, winning Marrakech (2015), Istanbul (2017) and Rome (2017-18)

• One of two Ukrainians in the draw, also Yastremska (who she played doubles with here, l. Halep/Niculescu in 1r)

Season • During the tour’s break, played exhibitions on hard, grass and clay in Germany and Switzerland

• At Monterrey won 14th WTA title of her career (d. Bouzkova in F); now 14-3 in WTA singles finals

• Fell 1r at Dubai (l. Brady) and 2r at Doha (after 1r bye, l. Anisimova)

• Made QF at Hua Hin (l. Hibino)

• In Fed Cup action, lost only singles rubber to Kontaveit even though Ukraine beat Estonia 2-1 in Group 1 promotional

play-off

• Fell 3r at Australian Open (l. eventual R-Up Muguruza)

• Kicked off season falling in 1r at Brisbane (l. Collins)

Career

• Finished 2019 at No.6, her third consecutive Top 10 finish

• Season highlight was reaching the title match as defending champion at the Shiseido WTA Finals (l. Barty)

• Loss to Barty ended her nine-match unbeaten run at the year-end championship having gone undefeated in the RR stage

from 2018-19

• In 2018, won 13th – and most prestigious – career title at 2018 WTA Finals (d. Stephens in F), after going 3-0 during

round robin stage. Ended year ranked No.4. Also won titles at Rome (as defending champion, d. No.1 Halep in F), Dubai

(as defending champion, d. Kasatkina in F) and Brisbane (d. Sasnovich in F)

• Enjoyed stand-out 2017, finishing year at No.6, winning a tour-leading five titles and posting second-most wins (53, behind

Wozniacki with 60)

• Season culminated by qualifying for WTA Finals in Singapore, becoming first Ukrainian woman to qualify for the

season-ending tournament in singles (fell at round robin stage with 1-2 record)

• In 2017, became first player to win three Premier 5 titles in a single season (Dubai, Rome, Toronto), since such

tournaments were introduced in 2009

• One of five players to make Top 10 debut in 2017, after winning Dubai in February (also Ostapenko, Garcia, Mladenovic

and Vandeweghe). Peaked in rankings at No.3 on September 11, 2017

• On four occasions could have reached World No.1 spot – at 2017 US Open, then needed to win 2017 Beijing (fell in QF),

then needed to triumph at 2017 WTA Finals (failed to progress from group stage), or reach final at 2018 Australian Open

(fell in QF)

• End to 2016 season also saw her reach first SF at Premier Mandatory level at Beijing (l. A.Radwanska) Qualified for 2016

WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai for the second time (l. Kvitova in F)

• Reached three finals in 2016, winning Kuala Lumpur (d. Bouchard in F) and R-Up at New Haven (l. A.Radwanska) and

Zhuhai (l. Kvitova)

• Other 2016 season highlights included SFs at Dubai, Tokyo [PPO] and Moscow, and QF at Rio Olympics

• Owns two career doubles titles: 2014 Istanbul (w/Doi) and 2015 Istanbul (w/Gavrilova)

• Made WTA main draw debut at 2012 Baku (lost in 1r but went on to win title there in both 2013 and 2014)

• Played first ITF Circuit events of career in 2008

• Ukrainian Fed Cup Team, 2012-15, 2017, 2020

Grand Slam History • Made 30th consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearance at 2020 Australian Open

• Tied best Grand Slam result by reaching 2019 US Open SF (l. S.Williams), also made this stage at 2019 Wimbledon (l.

eventual champion Halep) - previous QF record at Slams was 0-4

• Became the first woman from Ukraine to reach a major SF; on the men’s, Medvedev made that stage at Roland Garros in

1993 (SF) and 1999 (R-Up)

• Elsewhere, has posted QF showings at 2015 Roland Garros (l. Ivanovic), 2017 Roland Garros (l. eventual R-Up Halep),

2018 Australian Open (l. Mertens) and 2019 Australian Open (l. eventual champion Osaka)

• Joint-highest seeding at a Slam is No.4 (2017 Wimbledon and US Open, 2018 Australian Open and Roland Garros)

Personal • Parents are Mykhaylo and Olena; brother is Yulian

• Coached by Andrew Bettles and added Marcos Baghdatis to her team during offseason. Has previously worked with Iain

Hughes and Thierry Ascione

• Won the Jerry Diamond ACES Award in the 2018 WTA Awards, in recognition of promotion of women’s tennis to fans,

media, and local communities by performing off-court promotional and charitable activities

• Launched the Elina Svitolina Foundation on March 18, 2019 with a mission to encourage children, through the sport of

tennis, to learn the values of hard work, self-discipline and the importance of giving 100 percent every day in life

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