Competition has been high in this year’s WTA tournaments. Upsets and close matches have been common as new stars emerge. This year’s Grand Slams have had four different winners. Naomi Osaka won the Australian Open, Simona Halep claimed the Wimbledon title, and Ashleigh Barty won her first French Open. Most recently, Bianca Andreescu was victorious at the US Open. Even with the younger players winning major titles, they have had to overcome an experienced competitor in Serena Williams. She has played in three Grand Slam finals this year.
Young and Experienced stars shine
Williams is currently looking to win her 24th Grand Slam title and equal Margret Court’s record. The 33-year-old continues to play at a high level after returning to the game in 2018. She had been away from the game after delivering her daughter in September 2017. New stars have emerged this year. Andreescu has been impressive, winning the Indian Wells tournament, the Roger Cup, and her first Grand Slam title. She has shot up in the rankings and is currently fifth after beginning the year outside the top 100. Amanda Anisimova is another young player who has impressed. The 18-year-old American won her first WTA singles title at the Claro Open in Bogota, Colombia.
Never know what to expect. HALEP
Ashleigh Barty has also had a good year on tour. The 23-year-old Australian is currently ranked number one. She has won two WTA singles titles and a Grand Slam. With so many players doing well in the sport, this year’s Wimbledon champion Simona Halep has been impressed by the WTA tour in 2019. She feels that the game is more exciting with the different personalities and high level of competition. “You never know what to expect from a match. You have to be 100-percent focused. The person who has the chance to give everything, to give the best in every match, has the chance to be at the top.”
The WTA has witnessed increased success for the young players like Anisimova and Andreescu. Experienced players like Williams continue to play at a high level even after recently becoming mothers.
Simona has been impressed by the mix of youth and experience. “I can say I’m really admiring Serena, that she played four Grand Slam finals in the last five. I think it’s mixed at this moment, the WTA Tour. Every player motivates me every time I play, whether is over 30 or under 20.”
Serena Williams’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.9, Serena Williams played her last match on the 7th of September when she surrendered to Bianca Vanessa Andreescu 6-3 7-5 in the final in U.S. Open.
Serena Williams’s best performance of the year was reaching the final in at the U.S. Open, Toronto and in Wimbledon.
Anisimova in Wuhan, ranking, and results in 2019
Ranked no.29, the American has a 24-13 win-loss record in 2019. Anisimova is currently having a run in Wuhan where she beat Samantha Stosur 6-3 3-6 6-3.
Amanda will face Pliskova in the 2nd round. The head to head is 1-0 for Pliskova.
The last time that they locked horns, Pliskova won 6-1 7-62 in the 4th round in Indian Wells in March 2018.
Amanda conquered 1 title in 2019 in Bogota.
Serena Williams and Amanda Anisimova have never played each other.
Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty |
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