ROGERS CUP 2011 TORONTO: Serena Williams serious even winning and Francesca Schiavone won easily 6-1, 6-3 to Ekaterina Makarova in the beginning of Rogers Cup’s third day

ROGERS CUP 2011 TORONTO: Francesca Schiavone won easily 6-1, 6-3 to Ekaterina Makarova in the beginning of Rogers Cup’s third day

TORONTO, by Juan Carlos Cordero, UNO International News Service. When everyone expected French Open champion and Chinese superstar Li Na, her opponent and country mate Shuai Peng had to retire: “I have a hip injury, I think I got it last week in San Diego. And then it is my left hip, the joint. I really tried to play yesterday, and then after I feel was not really well. Today, I did have singles, doubles, but the doctor, the trainer, said it maybe a better idea to get rest, I am not really supposed to play and I have to withdraw”.

Last night, it was the withdraw turn for Belgium Kim Clijsters, when she was winning Chinese Jie Zheng 6-3 and 2-1 in the second set. A stomach muscle tear did not allow the spectator pleasure to watch one of the strongest women in the WTA Tour, maybe for the last time (she is thinking of retirement after the 2012 Olympics or US Open next year. “During my warm up before the match, I just felt my left stomach muscle really, really tight, and when I started serving it just gradually got worse. So before the match, I got taped to try and protect the muscle as much as possible so that I wouldn’t make it worse. And during the match, it went worse and worse. Starts with the serve and then gradually, just doing rotations with my body, upper body kind of upwards, started hurting as well. So I already had an ultrasound here on-site and I have a partial tear in my left stomach muscle, a little bit of blood”.

- Kim, what does mean for the US Open? Have you ruled that out?

- “K.C.: “No, not yet. Obviously, I still have a few weeks until then, so we’ll try to do everything to be ready for the US Open. Would I play in Cincinnati? I will have a lot of treatment the next few days, do more tests, and I will just take it one day at a time”.

So, this Wednesday Francesca Schiavone took Centre Court instead of Li Na – Shuai Peng and won easily 6-1, 6-3 to Ekaterina Makarova in the beginning of Rogers Cup’s third day, in 1 hour and 1 minute. The Russian tried hard in the last games of the second set, but the Italian power was completely overwhelming for Makarova.

In the Grandstand court, Wimbledon champion 2011, Czech Petra Kvitova has to work hard, especially in the first set (7-6), to defeat Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues, winning the tie break, and then dominated the second set until rain delay was called and stopped temporarily 4-2 and 40-0 in her serve. Another country mate, Czech Lucie Safarova was also winning young Rumanian sensation Simona Halep (who early upset Kutnetzsova) 6-2 and 5-4.

In Montreal, Canadian rookie Vasek Pospisil was having a tied first set, 5-5 partial, against the best player ever, Swiss Roger Federer. But at the end, the former No.1 prevailed 7-5 in the 1st.

Even tough Serena Williams defeated easily Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko by 6-0, 6-3 last night and everyone expect that her Wednesday rival, Germany Julia Goerges, will suffer the same fate, the American wasn’t in the mood for smile or happy feelings last night:

- Serena, you talked about it last week or couple weeks ago when you won, you said it tonight, that you’re appreciating the game more; every match is so much fun. But you’re still not smiling an awful lot out there. How much fun is it? How much is still very, very serious?

- S.W.: “Well, it’s obviously really serious. I don’t know too many people that are smiling and winning. You know, I smile a lot off the court. I figure if I take a day and if I could try to be serious for a maximum of 3 or 4 hours, then, you know, I should be good. Sometimes when I smile too much, the you can lose focus”

Number one, Dane Caroline Wozniacki will start defending the Roger Cup title soon, after the rain stops, in a match with Italy's Roberta Vinci, who advanced to the second round with a solid 6-2, 6-2 victory over world No. 19 Yanina Wickmayer, but Wozniacki is a different kind of opponent, strong and more balanced, qualities that have her in top of WTA ranking for the whole year, even without winning a Grand Slam yet.

WTa Rankings

Race to Istanbul

• 01Caroline Wozniacki9915


• 02Kim Clijsters7625


• 03Vera Zvonareva7045


• 04Victoria Azarenka6115


• 05Maria Sharapova5941


• 06Na Li5726


• 07Petra Kvitova5437


• 08Francesca Schiavone4831


• 09Marion Bartoli4425


• 10Andrea Petkovic3375

ROGERS CUP 2011 TORONTO: Serena Williams also was a winner in her first-round match and Kim Clijsters retired by injury

Canada went 2-1 in singles action on Tuesday at Rogers Cup presented by National Bank, as Aleksandra Wozniak and Stephanie Dubois advanced into round two, while Eugenie Bouchard fell to world No. 10 Andrea Petkovic.

Serena Williams also was a winner in her first-round match.

Wozniak, who flew to Toronto right after winning the Odlum Brown Vancouver Open on Sunday, demolished Shahar Peer of Israel 6-1, 6-0 in just 43 minutes. She is in fine form and will next take on Samantha Stosur.

Dubois pulled out the first set tiebreaker against Kathrin Woerle of Germany and never looked back, claiming the match 7-6(4), 6-1. The Laval, Que. native, who advanced to the quarter-finals at Washington less than two weeks ago, is into the second round of Rogers Cup for the fourth time.

Rogers Cup marks Williams' fourth tournament back since her year-long absence due to injury, and she looked 100 per cent back her to normal self on Tuesday. She zipped through the first set against Alona Bondarenko, winning six straight games, and though the Ukrainian upped her level in the second the 13-time Grand Slam champion easily won it for a score of 6-0, 6-3.

Ana Ivanovic tore through her first-round match, taking out qualifier Zhang Shuai of China 6-1, 6-1 in just 55 minutes.

Ivanovic, who was to face Venus Williams before the American was forced to withdraw due to illness, has been playing great tennis since her coaching change following Wimbledon. The 2006 Rogers Cup champion was a semifinalist in Carlsbad last week.

In the first match to get started after an approximately three hour rain delay, Canadian Bouchard fell in her first-ever Rogers Cup main draw match as she lost to Andrea Petkovic of Germany 6-2, 6-2.

Taking the spotlight on Centre Court, the 17-year-old, who is ranked No.6 on the ITF junior rankings, held in with the top player for the first few games before Petkovic's higher level of skill and experience took over. She did fight hard to elongate the match in the second set though, as down 4-0, she prevented a bagel and pushed it to 6-2. It should be a good learning experience for the talented young player, whose future is bright. She won her first two professional titles at Challengers earlier this year and also claimed her first WTA main draw match just two weeks ago in Washington, D.C.

For Petkovic, it was a solid victory in her first match as a member of the Top 10, and also her premier win in Canada. She is definitely one of the top contenders to lift the trophy on Sunday.

No. 13 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who is coming off a title in Carlsbad, was triumphant in eliminating Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-1.

Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia also was victorious in her first-round match, taking out the always-tough Argentinean Gisela Dulko in straight sets.

Dulko's doubles partner and fellow defending Rogers Cup presented by National Bank doubles champion, Flavia Pennetta, enjoyed a better result, taking out Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 6-1, while Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium fell to Italy's Roberta Vinci.

Kim Clijsters won the first set 6-3 and was ahead in the second 3-2 when she called her physical trainer and explained to Zheng that she has to retire.

A. WOZNIAK/S. Peer

6 1, 6 0

An interview with: ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Did your win last week in Vancouver really help your confidence for your performance tonight?

ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK: Yeah, last week I had five good matches, and definitely it helped me gain confidence and I played a lot of matches which helped my game, also.

So today it showed that I played really well. I played offensively, and I didn't let her come back in the match.

Q. Did you feel that the qualities that you had that helped you win last week they were evident today, like it was the same sort of play you were playing last week that you were playing today?

ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK: Yeah, and I thought even today I made less errors. I was playing more consistent, and I was trying to wait for the right ball and play aggressive.

Q. Last time that you played was a very different situation. I don't know if there was less pressure or not, because at that point Canada was basically trying to go for World Group position in Fed Cup against Israel, and Shahar kind of had you that day. I wanted to know two things: A lot of double faults by both players. Were you affected by the low setting of the sun in your eyes? It seemed like everyone had a lot of problems with the vision and a lot of discussion with the umpires about whether the balls were in or out; and secondly, did you notice any kind of situation with Shahar where maybe her game wasn't quite up to what you expected?

ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK: Okay, so first question, back, yes, last time we played was, if I remember, Kamloops, right, in 2007, the World Group Fed Cup? That's right.

Yeah, it was a different situation. I mean, first of all, it was four years ago, so I'm a different player. Obviously, yeah, she played a great match back then. They won the World Group. It was really nice for them, disappointing for us.

But today, yeah, to answer your other question regarding the sun, well, yeah, it was different, especially when I felt it more on the returns of the serves, but actually I handled that better even though the sun was there on my left side, on the other side.

But my serve, yeah, I thought, you know, I tried my best with serving well, and I did some I put her in tough positions with my serve. Returning, I was waiting for the short ball and stepping in.

And I think just didn't let her find her rhythm in her game, because I was always trying to dictate from the very first ball the point, and each points I think she just couldn't, you know, find her rhythm. So I tried to stay on her and have it under control.

I think I didn't miss a question.

Q. This tournament has not been kind to Canadians in the past few years.

ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK: Yeah.

Q. Two Canadians with yourself and Stephanie moving on to the second round. Your reaction to that?

ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK: Yeah, it's exciting. It's always been tough for Canadians to succeed at this Rogers Cup, in Toronto and Montreal. I think it's awesome that at least two Canadians past the second round.

It's always tough. I think there are so many things to deal with it, and you try to focus on doing every little thing right. There are a lot of distractions, and sometimes we just have the pressure that comes outside, but we try to do our best to deal with it. And now I'm older and I have learned so many different things, and especially one of them had to deal more with pressure playing at home.

I take it more positive than before, so, you know, it pays off when you know how to deal with things better.

Q. How are you enjoying, if you are enjoying, the sort of virtual combined that we have in Toronto and Montreal?

ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK: It's awesome. It's fun. I see everyone there. It's really nice.

Q. With the win in Vancouver and the win today, how good do you feel going into the rest of this tournament? What challenges do you see will be the most difficult going forward?

ALEKSANDRA WOZNIAK: Yeah, the big challenge for me right now is that I haven't played much this year of tournaments. Because of the injury I was out like 10 months really, and it came back in March. So I'm trying to come back and play as many matches as I can.

So I always keep moving forward. I feel that each match I'm improving little things, and especially like the confidence, I'm getting more confident in my game.

So I think it's just building up, so definitely the challenge is always to take the next opponent.

E. MAKAROVA/R. Marino

7 6, 6 4

An interview with: REBECCA MARINO

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Did you feel you were carrying the weight of Canada on your shoulders tonight going into the match?

REBECCA MARINO: Not necessarily. That didn't really put that sort of pressure on myself. Didn't really want to think about that, because it was a lot of weight.

I mean, yeah. I mean, I'm just pretty happy with how I played. I didn't come out winning, but I think I did a good showing for my first time.

Q. What was it in Makarova's game that really challenged you the most, especially leading towards the second set when it seemed like both of you struggled to get a break off each other?

REBECCA MARINO: Yeah, well, her serve was actually quite difficult. That second serve, I know it may have looked easy, but it's difficult, because there was kind of no pace on it. So it's hard to actually create your own.

She used the angles very well generally and moved me around a lot. Very smart player, I guess, is the difference.

Q. How did it feel to come out and hear the Canadian crowd cheering and waving the Canadian flags?

REBECCA MARINO: Oh, it was great. It's a great feeling to know everyone is behind me and everyone is accepting of the great sport.

Yeah, and I actually love playing here or anywhere else in Canada just because the fans are that good, yeah.

Q. What positives can you take away from this experience?

REBECCA MARINO: Yeah, well, let's see. I think I actually moved really well on the court, so that's sort of a positive.

But I think as experience wise, just kind of getting to play under the lights was pretty good. And just having the crowd there just kind of helped me elevate my games at times.

And then sometimes it was I mean, when you can hear what they're saying, you try to focus but it can be distracting, so...

Q. You were born here in Toronto. How proud are you that this country and this city is able to put on such a prestigious and premier tournament?

REBECCA MARINO: I'm very proud we can hold an event such as this. I hear from a lot of players and from my own perspective that the volunteers and all of the staff here are just incredible, just doing anything they can to help us, very friendly, and I think that kind of shows the true Canadian spirit.

Q. Going back to the match, what was going through your mind in the tiebreak? You were down 5 Love there.

REBECCA MARINO: Yeah, well, I like to think I'm okay in tiebreakers, so being down 5 Love, I was like, Okay, come on. Like straighten up a little bit. I think just trying I wanted to show some sort of tenacity and actually fight a little bit.

I think I did that. I had a few chances and I did come back in the match. So to speak, I blew them, but, you know, that's in the past and I can't fix it. I just gotta look at it as things to learn from.

Q. I know that this year you have come into prominence given what you did in the Grand Slams, but when a match like this happens and some people might be disappointed given that you've lost in the first round, how do you kind of balance that? You're still learning, you're still quite young. This year I mean, from this time last year you've jumped over a hundred spots. Is it important for you to put these kind of, I mean, it was a difficult match, to put it in perspective?

REBECCA MARINO: Yeah, of course. I am disappointed losing my match here, especially first round. Not many people enjoy that, I think.

But, you know, I do put it in perspective. I think about where I was a year ago and how far I've come. I don't want to sound sort of egotistical when I say this, but I'm very proud of myself just how far I have come.

You know, yes, it's disappointing, but just so long as I stay positive about it, I can move forward and hopefully have a better showing next year.

Q. I know you live in Vancouver but you were born here. Did you have any family still here tonight that might have been here to watch you?

REBECCA MARINO: No, I don't. My dad came from Vancouver here to watch me tonight and was with me the past few days. We don't have any more family left in Toronto. My dad's hoping to show me around a little bit where his old stomping grounds were.

J. GOERGES/J. Jankovic

6 1, 6 3

An interview with: JULIA GOERGES

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Congratulations on the win. What went right for you today?

JULIA GOERGES: Well, I had like two or three weeks which haven't been that well for me, but I improved every week when I was playing.

Well, today, if you play a player like Jelena, you have to play your best to beat those players. That's what I knew before. I went for my shots and I went for my game, and, yeah, it went pretty well today.

Q. You have always been pretty powerful, big serve, big forehand. But your defense was really, really good today. Was that something you have been working on?

JULIA GOERGES: Well, some years ago I wasn't that fit to move my body that well around. We have been working a lot of it, and we have been working hard the last couple of weeks.

Yeah, well, it paid off today. It never means something that it's paying off that fast. Today it was nice getting this win under your belt.

But, yeah, when you're working hard on those things, some days they will come together. That was one day today.

Q. Most would say 2011 is a breakout year for you. What has changed about your game over the last 12 months?

JULIA GOERGES: I would say the consistency. I mean, I'm still not a consistent player. I'm now the first time in the top 20 for a couple of weeks, and it's nice but it's never easy to stay there.

You have to work on your consistent. And the players who are in the top 10, they are playing their level every week, every match, and that, well, was for me where I was always struggling on.

It's getting better and better, but it's still not perfect for me. I mean, I have always some up and downs also in matches and weeks, so this is the most thing where I can work on.

Q. Possibly your biggest up would have to be when you defeated Caroline Wozniacki for your first career win. How did that help you, knowing you have the confidence to beat anybody here at this tournament?

JULIA GOERGES: Well, it was in front of the home crowd in Germany. It was a special moment for me, and it took a while to realize those things.

I wasn't really thinking about beating No. 1 there, and it just came all together and was a great feeling. It showed me what I can play and what I have inside.

To beat twice No. 1 in the world, it means a lot. You can be proud of that. But it never stops working. You never get it from somewhere. So you always have to be a worker for it, and you always have to go for it, because otherwise you don't beat those players.

That really helped me also today. Obviously I was shaking also in some matches, and today I was staying calm and tough in those things.

Q. Next up might be Serena if she wins tomorrow. Pretty tough draw for you to start. Is that something you're looking forward to? Have you ever played her?

JULIA GOERGES: Well, I got killed once in French Open one and a half years ago, and it can only get better.

But, I mean, it can't be better normally for me. Playing Jelena here in my first round, it's a tough draw, but those matches you want to have. Obviously it never means that you make a lot of points or a lot of money, but you shouldn't think like that.

I mean, you get those matches, and that's what you're working for. You want to play those players to get better and better to have this competition.

This is what I'm looking forward. I mean, first she has to win, but when you look at the draw, you always think like that.

Q. It's your first experience here at the Rogers Cup. What has impressed you about the tournament and about the city?

JULIA GOERGES: I heard a lot of good things from it. I mean, I think it's switching every year with men's, right?

It's very well organized. I mean, the people are always nice here, they treat you well, and I feel a bit also like in Europe. It's very, very nice. It's to U.S. compared a bit different, but I have to say I'm yeah, I like it here. I mean, the people are really nice, and it's a nice place to be and where you can hang out, also.

ROGERS CUP 2011: Strong is beautiful…

TORONTO, by Juan Carlos Cordero, UNO International News Service. The first day of the Main Draw at the Toronto Rogers Cup had together many qualities and surprises. Strong is beautiful is the new slogan and campaing in the WTA, and certainly the players level is getting even, more balanced. In the courts, a couple of upsets like the one Romanian Simona Halep got over Russian Svetalana Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in center court this Monday afternoon.

Exciting first day of Main Draw play on Centre Court

In a huge upset win on Monday, Galina Voskoboeva took out No. 9 seed Marion Bartoli in straight sets, while Samantha Stosur advanced to the second round.

Voskoboeva, the world No. 135, easily defeated the 2011 French Open semifinalist by a score of 6-3, 6-3 in a shocking performance. The player from Kazakhstan had advanced into the main draw as a qualifier.

Earlier in the day, Australia's Samantha Stosur completed the comeback against Ayumi Morita of Japan on Centre Court with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 first-round victory.

THE STRONG IS BEAUTIFUL CAMPAING TOP PLAYERS

• Caroline Wosniaki: Fury + Finesse = First place

Player Name: Caroline Wozniacki

Born: July 11, 1990

BirthPlace: Odense, Denmark

Residence: Copenhagen, Denmark

Height: 5' 10" (1.77m)

Weight: 128 lbs. (58kg)

Player: Right-handed



________________________________________

Rogers Cup Results

Year Singles Doubles

2010 Champion 2nd round

2009 2nd round

2007 1st round

• Maria Sharapova: Grit + Grace = Glory

Player Name: Maria Sharapova

Born: April 19, 1987

BirthPlace: Nyagan, Siberia, Russia

Residence: Bradenton, Florida, USA

Height: 6' 2" (1.88 m)

Weight: 130 lbs. (59 kg)

Player: Right-handed



________________________________________

Rogers Cup Results

Year Singles Doubles

2009 Finalist

2008 3rd round

2004 3rd round

2003 1st round

• Serena Williams: Strength + Style = Successs

Player Name: Serena Williams

Born: September 26, 1981

BirthPlace: Saginaw, Michigan, USA

Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA

Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m)

Weight: 150 lbs. (68 kg)

Player: Right-handed



________________________________________

Rogers Cup Results

Year Singles Doubles

2009 Semifinalist

2005 3rd round

2001 Champion

2000 Finalist

• Kim Clijster: Courage + Charisma = Champion

Player Name: Kim Clijsters

Born: June 8, 1983

BirthPlace: Bilzen, Belgium

Residence: Bree, Belgium

Height: 5' 8 1/2'' (1.74 m)

Weight: 150 lbs. (68 kg)

Player: Right-handed



________________________________________

Rogers Cup Results

Year Singles Doubles

2010 Quarter-finalist

2009 3rd round

2006 2nd round

2005 Champion

2003 3rd round

2002 2nd round

LI NA, The 2011 French Open Champion

Name: Na Li

Born: February 26, 1982

BirthPlace: Wuhan, Hubei, China

Residence: Wuhan, Hubei, China

Height: 5' 7 3/4'' (1.72 m)

Weight: 143 lbs. (65 kg)

Player: Right-handed



________________________________________

Rogers Cup Results

Year Singles Doubles

2010 3rd round

2006 1st round

2005 3rd round

PETRA KVITOVA, the Wimbledon surprising champion

Player Name: Petra Kvitova

Born: March 8, 1990

BirthPlace: Bilovec, Czech Republic

Residence: Fulnek, Czech Republic

Height: 6' (1.83 m)

Weight: 154 lbs. (70 kg)

Player: Left-handed



________________________________________

Rogers Cup Results

Year Singles Doubles

2010 1st round

2008 2nd round

VERA ZVONAREVA, the Russian power

Player Name: Vera Zvonareva

Born: September 7, 1984

BirthPlace: Moscow, Russia

Residence: Moscow, Russia

Height: 5' 7 3/4'' (1.72 m)

Weight: 130 1/2 lbs. (59.1 kg)

Player: Right-handed



________________________________________

Rogers Cup Results

Year Singles Doubles

2010 Finalist Quarter-finalist

2009 3rd round 1st round

2008 2nd round Semifinalist

2005 Semifinalist

2004 Quarter-finalist Quarter-finalist

2003 2nd round 1st round

VICTORIA AZARENKA, Belarus dynamo

Player Name: Victoria Azarenka

Born: July 31, 1989

BirthPlace: Minsk, Belarus

Residence: Scottsdale, Arizona

Height: 5' 10" (1.80 m)

Weight: 132 lbs. (60 kg)

Player: Right-handed



________________________________________

Rogers Cup Results

Year Singles Doubles

2010 Semifinalist

2009 2nd round

2008 Semifinalst

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE, the Italian never surrenders

Name: Francesca Schiavone

Born: June 23, 1989

BirthPlace: Milan, Italy

Residence: London, England

Height: 5' 5 1/2'' (1.66 m)

Weight: 141 lbs. (64 kg)

Player: Right-handed



________________________________________

Rogers Cup Results

Year Singles Doubles

2010 Quarterfinalist 1st round

2009 2nd round

2008 1st round

2007 3rd round

2006 2nd round

2004 2nd round

2003 3rd round





August 8, 2011


G. VOSKOBOEVA/M. Bartoli



6 3, 6 3

An interview with: MARION BARTOLI

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.



Q. Obviously not the start you were looking for. Just talk about what didn't work for you today.

MARION BARTOLI: Oh, well, a lot of things didn't work for me today but obviously it happens. It was really just one of those days where nothing is working.

I tried my hardest, but I commit so many mistakes it was really hard to win regarding the number of unforced errors that I get, and it's very unusual for me, especially in the last two months or so I have been playing extremely well.

So obviously I'm very disappointed, but Galina as well played a great match, so all credit to her. On my side, yeah, it was really a day with nothing was working at all.

Q. You were having some problems with your hand. Was that a factor today?

MARION BARTOLI: No, not really, no. I don't want to come up with some excuses.

It was just I don't know. I was not feeling the ball. My legs was not moving. I was late on everything. I was committing a lot of mistakes, especially on the backhand, which is normally my best shot.

So, I mean, it was just really I was mistiming the ball so many times, and I didn't really understand why because I was playing well in practice. So, you know, it's one of those days when you try your hardest, and it's just not going your way.

Q. Without looking at today's match, just talk about what the problem turned out to be and how the recovery has gone. Is it okay now, or is it still...

MARION BARTOLI: Yeah, well, I had a hematoma in the palm of my hand. So I had to take two days off and then play with a glove so to make sure the pressure on my hand was limited.

But, you know, I decide to go on court without the glove and try to play this way, and I didn't feel the pain during the match.

It's really not why I didn't play well today. I mean, it reminds me a little bit two years ago the match that I did here where I lost also to Alona Bondarenko and I played a really bad match. Seems like, I don't know, something is not going well here in Toronto.

I don't know if it's the surface or humidity or something, but, you know, it has been two years' gap, and it's some of the same kind of matches that I have played, so it's a bit weird. But I have to bounce back, move on, and try to be ready for next week. That's all I can do.

Q. Voskoboeva has had a successful year so far, but you've always had success against her. What can you take out of a loss like that against a player who you've always had success against?

MARION BARTOLI: Well, I don't really remember when was the last time I played against her.

Q. You have gone 4 0 against her.

MARION BARTOLI: Can you just tell me where I play against her? I just don't remember.

Q. Specifically, I'm not sure.

MARION BARTOLI: Well, to be honest with you, I don't think it's really her game that caused me problem today. It was more like on my side I was not able to produce any kind of play.

When you commit so many mistakes like I did today, it's really hard to win a match, to be honest. It was really like my game was not at the level I'm supposed to play regarding my ranking. That was the main problem.

And obviously she played two matches in the qualification, so she gets some rhythm here and I didn't. It was my first match.

But you have to I have to go back to the practice court and practice hard. That's all I can do. I mean, it's happened to everyone to have a bad day. I just have to bounce back and be ready for the next one. That's really all I can do for now.

Q. I read that you came to Toronto a bit early. Can you tell us when you actually did arrive, and was the purpose just to try to get acclimated to the weather and the city and all that?

MARION BARTOLI: Yeah, well, I don't know if it was a good plan, actually, regarding what I did today, but I decide to light up a bit my schedule during the summer.

Usually I was playing every single week, and I thought it was a bit too much. So especially this year, because I already play so much before the summer series, I really thought I need to play less than usual.

So I played in Stanford, I made the final, and I flew on Monday here, get a day off on Tuesday because of my hand, and then started practice on Wednesday.

But really I don't think I mean, I practiced every day extremely hard. I was extremely focused, and I was really trying my hardest to be ready for this first round match. Obviously I had a bad day today.

Q. Can you talk a bit about the dropshots that she was making? That seemed to have some success against you.

MARION BARTOLI: Yeah, well, I think she could have done anything today, honestly. You know, as I said, I was trying to put some power into the ball. My ball was flying two meters outside of the lines. I was trying to put the ball inside the court, and my ball was so slow she was dropshotting me.

So the main problem to me today was my timing. I was not able to feel the ball. So I was almost before I was hitting every shot, I was almost not sure if the ball was going to go two meters out or dropping so short that my opponent would be able to make a good dropshot.

So when you have those kind of feelings, you can't really, you know, prepare a point or do something with the ball. It's very hard on the court, because you're almost getting scared to just before hitting every single shot.

So it was really my main problem. My groundstrokes were just not working. I was making so many unforced errors. It was just so unusual.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

Li Na excites masses at Pacific Mall

Sunday, August 8, 2011

Li Na, the first-ever Asian player to claim a singles Grand Slam title, made an appearance at Pacific Mall in Markham on Saturday and was welcomed by throngs of adoring fans.

Before Li's scheduled appearance, hundreds of fans had already filled the Centre Court of the mall awaiting the arrival of the 2011 French Open champion. They chanted her name as she made her way to the front, and she opened by thanking everyone for coming, and said she was overwhelmed by all of the support.

The 29-year-old, who has become a star not only in her home country of China but all over the world since claiming her first Grand Slam crown, signed autographs for the fans, took photos and participated in a 15-minute Q& A session.

As the No. 6 seed at Rogers Cup presented by National Bank, Li has a first-round bye. She is currently scheduled to play her second-round match on Wednesday afternoon.

August 8, 2011

G. VOSKOBOEVA/M. Bartoli



6 3, 6 3

An interview with: GALINA VOSKOBOEVA

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously the first upset of the tournament and maybe the biggest win of your career. Can you talk about what was going right for you today?

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: Um, I think I just played pretty successful this year, and I'm pretty confident right now. And we are working with my coach, Alina, ex tennis player.

Actually, I was not that nervous, you know, against who I was playing, so I just knew that I can play good and that's it.

Q. When did you start realizing that the dropshot was going to be so successful? Because it seemed like you were using it a bit, and then all of a sudden you were using it more and more the second set.

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: My dropshots are always successful. (Smiling.)

Q. You were talking a bit about your success so far that year. Has much changed in your game?

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: It's probably yes, because last year I didn't play. I had the injury.

And from this year, you know, I was just really happy that I could come back and start playing again. So everything went pretty good.

So probably I was relaxed in the beginning of the year, and it just went this way.

Q. You were aggressive on your serve. Do you think that benefited you, like worked to your advantage?

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: Yes, but my serve, it was always good, just of course last year it was not good.

But it always helped me. But anyway, I'm always working on it, and I'm trying to improve it.

So I think it's getting better, also.

Q. I don't know how accurate this is, but the Wikipedia biography, it says that you hunt pigs. Do you hunt boars?

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: (Laughter.) Yes, you know, I found that probably it's not interesting anymore to go to the cinema or to read books, so I decide to change something. You know, when I have free time I just go hunting pigs. Why not?

For Russians it's normal when we have free time just, you know, go for hunting pigs.

Q. What's the biggest one that you've been able to snare down?

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: Sorry?

Q. What's the biggest pig or boar that you've been able to hunt?

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: No, of course not. No, it's a joke.

Q. How did that get started?

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: Being serious, we just found it out recently with my actually, she read that. I didn't read it before. So probably it was somebody's joke.

No, because other it also says that I like to play chess, yes, with Alex, so actually I also don't know who is Alex.

Q. But do you play chess?

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: No. I like to play more cards.

Q. Can you just talk a bit about what was going through your head when you won the match and how you were feeling immediately after?

GALINA VOSKOBOEVA: Of course I was happy, and I was pretty glad, you know, that I could play good from the beginning until the end.

That's a good thing, you know, that in the end I could also play aggressive and, you know, to finish it by myself, not waiting for her mistakes.

So I'm pretty happy with that.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

The Tournament

If you have any questions please call 1-877-2TENNIS

Since 1892, the best women's tennis players in the world have showcased their skills on Canadian courts. Only Wimbledon and the U.S. Open have longer histories than the major Canadian stop, which is acknowledged by the tennis world to be one of the best-run tournaments on the Tour. Classified as a Premier 5 event under the WTA Tour Roadmap, Rogers Cup presented by National Bank offers US $2 million in prize money and attracts the brightest stars of women's tennis year after year.

Last year in Montreal, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki captured her first Rogers Cup as part of a stellar year where she became the 20th player in the history of the WTA to ascend to the No. 1 ranking. The last time the women were in Toronto, in 2009, it was Olympic Gold medalist Elena Dementieva who took home the coveted Rogers Cup trophy. Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Martina Hingis, Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters have all had their names etched on the champions list of the tournament, which alternates annually between Toronto and Montreal. Faye Urban Mlacak is the last Canadian to have won the singles title on home soil. She captured both the singles and doubles (with Vicki Berner) championships in 1969.

Past Champions - Singles

2010

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1892 Caroline Wozniacki

Elena Dementieva

Dinara Safina

Justine Henin

Ana Ivanovic

Kim Clijsters

Amelie Mauresmo

Justine Hénin-Hardenne

Amelie Mauresmo

Serena Williams

Martina Hingis



Martina Hingis

Monica Seles

Monica Seles

Monica Seles

Monica Seles

A. Sanchez Vicario

Steffi Graf

A. Sanchez Vicario

Jennifer Capriati

Steffi Graf



Martina Navratilova

Gabriela Sabatini

Pam Shriver

Helena Sukova

Chris Evert Lloyd

Chris Evert Lloyd

Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova

Tracy Austin

Chris Evert



Laura DuPont

Regina Marsikova

Regina Marsikova

Mima Jausovec

Marcie Louie

Chris Evert

Evonne Goolagong

Evonne Goolagong

Francoise Durr

Margaret Court



Faye Urban

Jane Bartkowicz

Kathy Harter

Rita Bentley

Julie M. Heldman

Benita Senn

Ann Barclay

Ann Barclay

Ann Hayden

Donna Ford



Mary Martin

Eleanor Dodge

Louise Brown

Jean Laird

Hanna Sladek

Karol Fageros

Melita Ramirez

Melita Ramirez

Lucille Davidson

Barbara Knapp



Baba Lewis

Patricia Macken

G.Wheeler Kelleher

Baba Lewis

W.W.II.

W.W.II.

W.W.II.

W.W.II.

W.W.II.

Eleanor Young



Elizabeth Blackman

Rene Bolte

Evelyn M. Dearman

Dr. Esther Bartosh

Margaret Osborne

Caroline Deacon

Graclyn Wheeler

Olive Wade

Edith Cross

Olive Wade



Olive Wade

Marjorie Gladman

Caroline Swartz

M. Leeming

M. Leeming

Lois Moyes Bickle

Florence Best

Lois Moyes Bickle

Lois Moyes Bickle

Lois Moyes Bickle



Marion Zinderstein

W.W.I.

W.W.I.

W.W.I.

W.W.I.

Lois Moyes Bickle

Lois Moyes Bickle

Mary Brown

Florence Sutton

Lois Moyes



May Sutton

Lois Moyes

Lois Moyes

Lois Moyes

NO TOURNAMENT

Violet Summerhayes

Violet Summerhayes

Violet Summerhayes

Violet Summerhayes

Violet Summerhayes



Violet Summerhayes

Juliette Atkinson

Juliette Atkinson

Juliette Atkinson

Eustace Smith

Maude Osborne

Maude Osborne

Maude Osborne DEN

RUS

RUS

BEL

SRB

BEL

FRA

BEL

FRA

USA

SUI



SUI

USA

USA

USA

USA

ESP

GER

ESP

USA

GER



USA

ARG

USA

CZE

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA



USA

CZE

CZE

YUG

USA

USA

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AUS

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CAN

USA

USA

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USA

CAN

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CAN

CAN

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MEX

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USA

USA

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USA

CAN

USA

USA

USA

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CAN

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USA

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CAN

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CAN

CAN

ROGERS CUP 2011 Main Draw: Venus to play Ivanovic in first round; Serena to face Bondarenko

WILLIAMS SISTERS KICK OFF 2011 ROGERS CUP AT OFFICIAL DRAW

http://www.rogerscup.com/women/pdf/draws/MDS_aug5.pdf

Rogers Cup 2011 WTA Main Draw

Venus to play Ivanovic in first round; Serena to face Bondarenko

Toronto, ON (August 5) - Tennis’ most famous sisters learned their first-round opponents firsthand on Friday as Venus and Serena Williams joined tournament director Karl Hale at Rexall Centre for the official 2011 Rogers Cup presented by National Bank draw.

In what will be a blockbuster first-round match, Venus will take on 2006 Rogers Cup champion Ana Ivanovic. Serena will open her tournament against Ukraine’s Alona Bondarenko and could potentially play Kim Clijsters in the third round.

The top eight seeds receive a bye. World No. 1 and defending champion Caroline Wozniacki will play the winner of Yanina Wickmayer and Roberta Vinci, while No. 3 seed and 2010 finalist Vera Zvonareva will take on the victor of Nadia Petrova and Jarmila Gajdosova.

Should the seeds hold up, Wozniacki would face 2011 French Open champion Li Na in the quarter-finals, while Zvonareva would take on 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. Maria Sharapova sits in the same quarter as Victoria Azarenka and Francesca Schiavone would be Clijsters’ final eight foe.

Canada’s No. 1 player Rebecca Marino will make her Rogers Cup main draw debut against Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova, who at No. 42 is ranked one spot below the Vancouver native. Eugenie Bouchard will play world No. 11 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, Stephanie Dubois will take on a qualifier, and Aleksandra Wozniak will be against Israel’s Shahar Peer.



Other interesting first-round matches to keep an eye on include Jelena Jankovic versus Julia Goerges, Flavia Pennetta against Maria Kirilenko, and Daniela Hantuchova opposite Gisela Dulko.

As an added element at the official draw event, Serena Williams donated HP Omni All-in-One PCs computers to children from the San Romanoway Revitalization Association in the Jane/Finch Community.

Qualifying for Rogers Cup goes Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. and the main draw begins on Monday. Tickets to Spin Master Free Family Weekend are free while tickets to the main draw start at $15. For tickets, visit www.rogerscup.com or call 1-877-2-TENNIS.

For the main draw, click here: http://www.rogerscup.com/women/pdf/draws/MDS_aug5.pdf

For the qualifying draw, click here: http://www.rogerscup.com/women/pdf/draws/QS_aug5.pdf

For Saturday's Order of Play, click here: http://www.rogerscup.com/women/pdf/draws/OP_aug5.pdf


About Rogers Cup presented by National Bank

Rogers Cup presented by National Bank is a Tennis Canada owned and operated world-class tournament celebrating its 131st anniversary of the men’s event from August 5-14, 2011 at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal and its 119th anniversary of the women’s event from August 6-14, 2011 at Rexall Centre in Toronto. As an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, Premier WTA tournament and U.S. Open Series event, Rogers Cup presented by National Bank will showcase the world’s best players. Rogers Cup presented by National Bank is the third-oldest title in tennis, behind only Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. For more information and tickets visit www.rogerscup.com.

About Tennis Canada

Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association responsible for leading the growth, promotion and showcasing of tennis in Canada. Tennis Canada owns and operates two of the premier events on the ATP and WTA Tours; Rogers Cup presented by National Bank men’s and women’s events that rotate annually between Rexall Centre in Toronto and Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. In addition, Tennis Canada owns and operates seven professional ITF sanctioned events and financially supports seven other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates national training centres at the Centre of Excellence in Toronto and at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our Web site at: http://www.lovemeansnothing.ca/.

Media Contacts (Toronto):

Tanya Phillipps, Director, Communications and Media Relations

(416) 650-7947, tphillipps@tenniscanada.com

Sarah Grossman, Manager, Communications and Media Relations

(416) 650-7922, sgrossman@tenniscanada.com

LES SŒURS WILLIAMS DONNENT LE COUP D’ENVOI DE LA COUPE ROGERS AU TIRAGE OFFICIEL

Venus affrontera Ivanovic au premier tour; Serena se mesurera à Bondarenko

Toronto, ON (August 5) - Les deux plus célèbres sœurs du tennis n’ont pas eu à attendre très longtemps pour connaître l’identité de leur première adversaire, car Venus et Serena Williams ont accepté l’invitation de Karl Hale, le directeur du tournoi de Toronto, et ont assisté au tirage officiel du tableau principal de la Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale.

Dans un match de premier tour du tonnerre, Venus sera opposée à Ana Ivanovic, championne de l’édition 2006 de la Coupe Rogers. Quant à Serena, elle affrontera l’Ukrainienne Alona Bondarenko et pourrait retrouver Kim Clijsters au troisième tour.

Les huit premières têtes de série bénéficient d’une exemption au premier tour. Caroline Wozniacki, numéro un mondiale et championne en titre de l’épreuve, se mesurera à la gagnante du match opposant Yanina Wickmayer à Roberta Vinci, tandis que Vera Zvonareva (3e), finaliste du tournoi de 2010, croisera le fer avec Nadia Petrova ou Jarmila Gajdosova.

Si la logique est respectée, Wozniacki pourrait croiser le fer avec la championne en titre de Roland-Garros, Li Na, en quart de finale, tandis que Zvonareva est sur le chemin de Petra Kvitova, gagnante de Wimbledon. De plus, Maria Sharapova pourrait avoir à composer avec Azarenka alors que Francesca Schiavone est dans la ligne de tir de Clijsters.

Rebecca Marino, la meilleure Canadienne du circuit, disputera son premier match du tableau principal de la Coupe Rogers contre la Russe Ekaterina Makarova, qui occupe le 42e rang mondial, soit une place sous la joueuse de Vancouver. Eugenie Bouchard luttera contre l’Allemande Andrea Petkovic, 11e mondiale, Stéphanie Dubois sera opposée à une joueuse issue des qualifications tandis qu’Aleksandra Wozniak tentera d’éliminer Shahar Peer.

Parmi les autres matchs à surveiller se trouvent ceux opposant Jelena Jankovic à Julia Goerges, Flavia Pennetta à Maria Kirilenko et Daniela Hantuchova à Gisela Dulko.

Dans le cadre du tirage officiel, Serena Williams a offert des ordinateurs HP Omni All-in-One aux enfants de l’Association de la revitalisation de San Romanoway Revitalization de la collectivité Jane/Finch.

Les épreuves de qualification de la Coupe Rogers se dérouleront samedi et dimanche à compter de 10 h alors que les rencontres du tableau principal commenceront lundi. L’entrée est gratuite pour le Week-end de la famille Spin Master et vous pouvez vous procurer des billets pour les matchs du tableau principal à compter de 15 $. Pour acheter des billets, nous vous invitons à visiter le www.couperogers.com ou à composer le 1-877-2-TENNIS.

Cliquez ici pour consulter le tableau principal: http://www.rogerscup.com/women/pdf/draws/MDS_aug5.pdf


Cliquez ici pour consulter le tableau des qualifications: http://www.rogerscup.com/women/pdf/draws/QS_aug5.pdf


Cliquez ici pour consulter l'horaire des matchs: http://www.rogerscup.com/women/pdf/draws/OP_aug5.pdf


À propos de la Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale

La Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale est un tournoi de catégorie mondiale que possède et administre Tennis Canada et qui célèbre cette année le 119eanniversaire du tournoi féminin. La Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale se déroulera sur les courts du Centre Rexall de l’Université York du 6 au 14 août 2011. En tant que tournoi du circuit Premier 5 du WTA et du Circuit US Open, la Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale verra les meilleures joueuses du monde se disputer le titre durant neuf jours excitants de tennis à Toronto. La Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale est le troisième plus ancien tournoi du monde après Wimbledon et les Internationaux des États-Unis. Pour plus de renseignements ou pour acheter des billets, visitez le http://www.couperogers.com/

Rogers Cup French site

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À propos de Tennis Canada

Tennis Canada, dont les origines remontent à 1890, est une organisation sportive nationale sans but lucratif responsable du développement, de la promotion et de la mise en valeur du tennis au pays. Tennis Canada possède et administre deux des plus prestigieux tournois de l’ATP et du WTA Tour; les volets masculin et féminin de la Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale, dont la présentation alterne chaque année entre le Centre Rexall, à Toronto, et le Stade Uniprix, à Montréal. De plus, Tennis Canada possède et administre sept tournois professionnels sanctionnés par l’ITF et soutient financièrement sept autres tournois professionnels au Canada. Tennis Canada administre des centres nationaux d’entraînement au Centre de l’excellence, à Toronto, et au Stade Uniprix, à Montréal. Tennis Canada est membre de la Fédération internationale de tennis, du Comité olympique canadien, du Comité paralympique canadien et de l’Association internationale de tennis en fauteuil roulant. De plus, Tennis Canada administre, commandite et choisit des équipes pour la Coupe Davis, la Fed Cup, les Jeux olympiques et paralympiques et forme des équipes nationales pour les juniors, les vétérans et les joueurs de tennis en fauteuil roulant. Tennis Canada investit ses excédents budgétaires dans le développement du tennis. Pour obtenir plus amples renseignements sur Tennis Canada, visitez notre site Web sur www.ViveLesEchanges.ca.



Renseignements (Toronto) :

Tanya Phillipps, Director, directrice des communications et des relations médias

(416) 650-7947, tphillipps@tenniscanada.com

Sarah Grossman, coordonnatrice des communications et des relations médias

(416) 650-7922, sgrossman@tenniscanada.com

ROGERS CUP LIVE! TO LAUNCH MONDAY WITH KIM CLIJSTERS

Free downtown stations to offer unique viewing experience for tennis fans

Toronto, ON (August 6) – Rogers Cup presented by National Bank will be launching Rogers Cup LIVE! on Monday, August 8 at 11 a.m. Featuring brand new free downtown viewing stations, Rogers Cup LIVE! offers a unique opportunity for fans to gather together to enjoy world-class tennis on Rogers Sportsnet broadcast, including all the on-court action from Rexall Centre in Toronto and Uniprix Stadium in Montreal.

Four-time Grand Slam Champion and WTA star Kim Clijsters will be attending the launch at Maple Leaf Square, along with some young tennis players from the Rogers Rookie Tour program (U8).

These free viewing stations will be set up across downtown Toronto through Friday, August 12 at different locations throughout the week. Showcased on large HD videoboards, fans can catch the Rogers Sportsnet broadcast of the tournament and feature play, cheering on their favourite WTA and ATP World Tour stars as they compete for the championships.

The full Rogers Cup LIVE! Viewing schedule is below:

Monday, August 8

Maple Leaf Square

Matinee Session - Starting at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, August 9

Bay Adelaide Centre Plaza

Matinee Session - Starting at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, August 10

Bay Adelaide Centre Plaza

Matinee Session - Starting at 11:00 am

Thursday, August 11

Boardwalk Cafe at Woodbine Beach

Matinee Session - Starting at 11:00 a.m.

Evening Session - Starting at 7:00 p.m.


Friday, August 12

The Historic Distillery District

Matinee Session - Starting at 11:00 a.m.

Evening Session - Starting at 7:00 p.m.

Rogers Cup presented by National Bank match coverage begins Monday, August 8 at 11:00 a.m. ET on Rogers Sportsnet. For the complete broadcast schedule visit sportsnet.ca or rogerscup.com.

About Rogers Cup presented by National Bank

Rogers Cup presented by National Bank is a Tennis Canada owned and operated world-class tournament celebrating its 131st anniversary of the men’s event from August 5-14, 2011 at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal and its 119th anniversary of the women’s event from August 6-14, 2011 at Rexall Centre in Toronto. As an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, Premier WTA tournament and U.S. Open Series event, Rogers Cup presented by National Bank will showcase the world’s best players. Rogers Cup presented by National Bank is the third-oldest title in tennis, behind only Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. For more information and tickets visit www.rogerscup.com.

About Tennis Canada

Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association responsible for leading the growth, promotion and showcasing of tennis in Canada. Tennis Canada owns and operates two of the premier events on the ATP and WTA Tours; Rogers Cup presented by National Bank men’s and women’s events that rotate annually between Rexall Centre in Toronto and Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. In addition, Tennis Canada owns and operates seven professional ITF sanctioned events and financially supports seven other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates national training centres at the Centre of Excellence in Toronto and at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our Web site at: www.LoveMeansNothing.ca.

SONYA JEYASEELAN AND RENE SIMPSON TO BE INDUCTED INTO CANADIAN TENNIS HALL OF FAME

Virtual Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame Museum Unveiled on http://www.lovemeansnothing.ca/

http://www.lovemeansnothing.ca/

Toronto, ON (August 7) – Tennis Canada announced Sunday that Sonya Jeyaseelan and Rene Simpson, two former players who have made significant impacts on the sport in Canada, will be inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame at a dinner in their honour on October 20, 2011 at the Granite Club in Toronto.

“Rene and Sonya are so deserving of induction into the Hall of Fame and it is fitting to see them enter the Hall together,” said Hatem McDadi, Vice-President, Tennis Development, Tennis Canada. “They both had exceptional careers highlighted by their patriotic spirit and passion for the sport. We really look forward to honouring their achievements this fall during the official induction dinner as their contribution to tennis in Canada has been impactful on many levels.”

To this day, Jeyaseelan (Toronto) remains Canada’s highest-ever ranked junior player, hitting No. 2 on the ITF rankings. She was a finalist at the 1994 Junior French Open, where she fell to Martina Hingis. As a pro, Jeyaseelan twice advanced to the third round of Slams, and reached her career-high of No. 48 on the WTA rankings in December 2000. Among her best wins is a straight-sets victory over then-world No. 6 Venus Williams at Amelia Island in 1999.

“This is a huge honour to be able to be recognized for the achievements I made playing tennis for Canada,” Jeyaseelan said. “To be a part of the Hall of Fame induction inspires me to want to give back more to the tennis community in Canada as well. I am very blessed and humbled to be a part of a great list of Canadian champions.”

Simpson (Sarnia, Ont.) made her biggest contribution to Canadian tennis as part of the country’s Fed Cup squad. Not only does she own a 20-16 record in the team competition, where she was a regular player throughout the 1990s, she also served as Canada’s Fed Cup captain from 2001 to 2009. Among her accomplishments is leading the team to a World Group II berth in 2007. As a pro, Simpson reached a career-high of No. 70 in April 1989 and advanced to the third round of Roland Garros that same year.

"I am honoured to be inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame,” Simpson said. “Tennis has been a huge part of my life and I am truly humbled to be recognized as one of Canada's best. It is extra special for me to receive this award alongside Sonya as many of my most memorable moments came on the doubles court with her. I look forward to sharing this special evening with Sonya and my family.”

In conjunction with Jeyaseelan and Simpson’s induction, a virtual Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame museum has been launched on LoveMeansNothing.ca. The virtual museum features bios and photos of every Hall of Fame inductee, and will be an accessible home for Canadian tennis fans to learn more about the people who have shaped the country’s tennis history. Each member of the Hall of Fame, dating back to the first induction in 1991, will have their own page and photo gallery.

The 2011 Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner will take place at the Granite Club in Toronto on October 20. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting Julie Roper at 416-665-9777 x4273. The virtual Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame museum can be found by visiting www.LoveMeansNothing.ca/About-Tennis-Canada/Canadian-Tennis-Hall-of-Fame.


About Tennis Canada

Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association responsible for leading the growth, promotion and showcasing of tennis in Canada. Tennis Canada owns and operates two of the premier events on the ATP and WTA Tours; Rogers Cup presented by National Bank men’s and women’s events that rotate annually between Rexall Centre in Toronto and Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. In addition, Tennis Canada owns and operates seven professional ITF sanctioned events and financially supports seven other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates national training centres at the Centre of Excellence in Toronto and at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our Web site at: www.LoveMeansNothing.ca.

LE TEMPLE DE LA RENOMMÉE DU TENNIS CANADIEN ACCUEILLE SONYA JEYASEELAN ET RENE SIMPSON

Dévoilement du musée virtuel du Temple de la renommée du tennis canadien dans VivelesEchanges.ca

Toronto, ON (le 7 août) – Tennis Canada annonçait dimanche que Sonya Jeyaseelan et Rene Simpson, deux anciennes joueuses qui ont beaucoup influencé le sport au Canada, seront officiellement accueillies au sein du Temple de la renommée du tennis canadien dans le cadre d’un souper en leur honneur le 20 octobre 2001 au club de tennis Granite, à Toronto.

« Rene et Sonya méritent pleinement d’être intronisées au Temple de la renommée du tennis canadien et il est très à propos qu’elles fassent leur entrée en même temps », mentionnait Hatem McDadi, vice-président du développement du tennis de Tennis Canada. « Elles ont toutes les deux connu des carrières exceptionnelles et ont démontré tout leur patriotisme et toute leur passion pour le tennis.Nous avons très hâte de les honorer cet automne dans le cadre d’un souper officiel. »

À ce jour, Jeyaseelan (Toronto) reste la Canadienne la mieux classée chez les juniors, elle qui a occupé le deuxième rang de l’ITF. En 1994, elle était finaliste des épreuves juniors de Roland-Garros après s’être inclinée face à Martina Hingis. Chez les pros, Jeyaseelan a atteint le troisième tour de tournois du Grand Chelem à deux reprises et s’est hissée au 48e rang du WTA en décembre 2000. Parmi ses plus belles victoires se trouve un gain en deux manches aux dépens de la numéro six mondiale, Venus Williams, à Amelia Island en 1999.

« C’est un très grand honneur d’être reconnue pour ce que j’ai accompli au tennis lorsque je représentais le Canada », confiait Jeyaseelan. « Être membre du Temple de la renommée me donne encore plus de goût de redonner à la grande famille du tennis. Je suis très choyée et reconnaissante de faire partie de cette liste de prestigieux champions canadiens. »

La contribution de Simpson (Sarnia, Ontario) au tennis canadien s’est surtout fait sentir au sein de l’équipe canadienne de la Fed Cup. En plus de détenir une fiche de 20 victoires et 16 défaites à titre de joueuse dans les années 1990, elle a également agi en tant que capitaine de l’équipe de 2001 à 2009. En 2007, elle a d’ailleurs mené le Canada vers une participation au Groupe mondial II. Sur le circuit professionnel, Simpson s’est hissée au 70e rang mondial en avril 1989 et a atteint le troisième tour de Roland-Garros la même année.

« Je suis très honorée d’être intronisée au Temple de la renommée du tennis canadien », déclarait Simpson. « Le tennis a occupé une grande partie de ma vie et cela me donne un grand sentiment d’humilité d’être reconnue comme étant l’une des meilleures du Canada. Recevoir cet honneur en même temps que Sonya est encore plus spécial, car je garde d’excellents souvenirs de nos matchs de double. J’ai hâte de vivre ce moment en compagnie de Sonya et de ma famille. »

L’annonce de l’intronisation de Jeyaseelan et de Simpson coïncide avec le lancement du musée virtuel du Temple de la renommée du tennis canadien dans VivelesEchanges.ca. Ce musée propose des biographies et des photos de tous les membres du Temple de la renommée, permettant ainsi à tous les amateurs de découvrir ceux qui ont modelé l’histoire du pays au pays. Chaque membre du Temple de la renommée possède sa propre page et sa galerie de photos.

Les cérémonies d’intronisation auront lieu le 20 octobre 2011 au club Granite, à Toronto. Pour vous procurer des billets, veuillez communiquer avec Julie Roper au 416-665-9777, poste 4273. Vous pouvez également visiter le musée virtuel du Temple de la renommée du tennis canadien à l’adresse suivante : http://www.lovemeansnothing.ca/fr/about-tennis-canada/canadian-tennis-hall-of-fame.

À propos de Tennis Canada

Tennis Canada, dont les origines remontent à 1890, est une organisation sportive nationale sans but lucratif responsable du développement, de la promotion et de la mise en valeur du tennis au pays. Tennis Canada possède et administre deux des plus prestigieux tournois de l’ATP et du WTA Tour; les volets masculin et féminin de la Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale, dont la présentation alterne chaque année entre le Centre Rexall, à Toronto, et le Stade Uniprix, à Montréal. De plus, Tennis Canada possède et administre sept tournois professionnels sanctionnés par l’ITF et soutient financièrement sept autres tournois professionnels au Canada. Tennis Canada administre des centres nationaux d’entraînement au Centre de l’excellence, à Toronto, et au Stade Uniprix, à Montréal. Tennis Canada est membre de la Fédération internationale de tennis, du Comité olympique canadien, du Comité paralympique canadien et de l’Association internationale de tennis en fauteuil roulant. De plus, Tennis Canada administre, commandite et choisit des équipes pour la Coupe Davis, la Fed Cup, les Jeux olympiques et paralympiques et forme des équipes nationales pour les juniors, les vétérans et les joueurs de tennis en fauteuil roulant. Tennis Canada investit ses excédents budgétaires dans le développement du tennis. Pour obtenir plus amples renseignements sur Tennis Canada, visitez notre site Web sur www.ViveLesEchanges.ca.

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Renseignements (Montréal) :

Louis-Philippe Dorais, directeur des communications et du marketing

lpdorais@tenniscanada.com, 514-273-1515, poste 232

Valérie Tétreault, coordonnatrice des communications

vtetreault@tenniscanada.com, 514-273-1515, poste 259

Renseignements (Toronto) :

Tanya Phillipps, directrice des communications et des relations médias

tphillipps@tenniscanada.com, 416-650-7947

Sarah Grossman, coordonnatrice des communications et des relations médias sgrossman@tenniscanada.com, 416-650-7922