Champagne for Azarenka

Apr 5, 2016, 4:16:05 PM

On this week’s tennis program, the epilogue of the Miami tournament, with Azarenka’s nice victory, despite her bloody foot, and the inevitable Djokovic, who even had the time for a beach trip.

On this week’s tennis program, the epilogue of the Miami tournament, with Azarenka’s nice victory in the women’s table, despite her bloody foot, and the inevitable Djokovic in the men’s table, who even had the time for a beach trip. Semi-finalist in Florida, the Swiss Timea Bacsinszky comes third.

 

1- Victoria Azarenka (NE).

 

This time, Azarenka’s officially back. The Belarusian, who hadn’t won a major tournament on the circuit since Cincinnati in 2013, has just consecutively won the BNP Paribas Indian Wells Open and the Miami tournament ! A double performance which deserved a break, on the Florida sand, bottle in hand…

 

 

...and more classically on the center court after her win in the final in Miami against Svetlana Kuznetsova (6/3 6/2).


To win, Azarenka spared no pains, training hard…

 

 

…even earning a cut on her right foot.

 

 

During the Floridian fortnight, Azarenka also proved that she was currently one of the most popular girls in the WTA, receiving a considerable amount of support…

 

 

 

…including a tweet from the famous bulldog Manny the Frenchie, who counts more than 22 000 followers…

 

 

2- Novak Djokovic (+1).

 

The record harvest continues for the untouchable world number 1 : a sixth title in Miami, equalling Agassi, a fourth double with the BNP Paribas Indian Wells Open, his third title in a row, a 63rd title on the ATP circuit, a 28th Masters 1000 (one more than Rafael Nadal’s previous record) and the fourth this season (in five tournaments). The orgy has a name : Djokovic.

 

 

 

In Miami, Novak Djokovic even had the time for a small beach trip, just like any other tourist.

 

 

He also had the time to meet the Brazilian international football player Kaka, who plays in the MLS, in the neighboring city of Orlando.

 

 

« I have plenty of energy and lots of motivation for the beginning of the clay-court season, he said after his win in the final against Nishikori (6/3 6/3), that ends up, hopefully, with a crown in Paris. » The only tournament still missing on the ogre’s record.

 

3- Timea Bacsinszky (NE).

 

And the ward for the most radiant player on the WTA circuit at the moment goes to…Timea Bacsinszky. The Swiss keeps on winning unanimous support with her kindness and love of life, whether it be with her opponents, the audience, or her fellow countrymen.

 

 

 

 

In Miami, her sporting journey has also been very interesting as Bacsinszky managed to qualify for the semi-finals, only to be defeated by Kuznetsova (7/5 6/3). Promising before the start of the clay season, her favorite surface.

 

 

Just a reminder, last year, Bacsinszky featured in the semi-finals at the French Open, and was only defeated by the future winner, Serena Williams.

 

4- Kei Nishikori (NE).

 

Good Floridian fortnight for the world number 6, who qualified for the final but was logically (and comfortably) dominated in the last match by Novak Djokovic in two small sets.

 

 

Nishikori is on a poor run against the members of the Top 5, having suffered his thirteenth consecutive defeat in a row. Upsetting, even if the crown suits him well.

 

 

The Japanese’s inferiority complex against the « big shots » shouldn’t lead him to forget he’s now among the best of the circuit.

 

 

In any case, he looks way more elegant on the circuit, racquet in hand, than on a bike.

 

 

5- Svetlana Kuznetsova (NE).

 

It’s a nice little surprise to see the Russian, turning 31 soon, qualifying for the final of a major tournament in Miami.

 

 

If she couldn’t do much against Azarenka, Svetlana Kuznetsova pleased the crowd with a few nice shots…

 

 

 

…and ideally launched her clay season. Her only Grand Slam victory was in Paris, in 2009, against her fellow countrywomen Dinara Safina.

 

6- Rafael Nadal (+3).

 

Out of the courts, but not out of mind for Rafael Nadal, who was seen last week in Barcelona where he headed to the Camp Nou to pay a last hommage to the Blaugrana people’s idol, Johan Cruyff. The Dutchman had notably coached the Majorcan’s uncle, Miguel Angel Nadal.

 

 

Nadal was also indirectly in Wimbledon last week : a postcard sent by the champion as a kid features among the most original pieces of the tournament’s museum.

 

 

7- Barack Obama (NE).

 

As always, the Easter holidays were the stage of an open day at the White House. The current resident, dressed casually in a shirt, notably welcomed two renowned champions of American tennis. One who recently retired, James Blake.

 

 

And the other one who’s the future of US tennis on the WTA circuit : Sloane Stephens.

 

 

Swag as always…

 

 

8- David Goffin (NE).

 

The Belgian may be discreet, his performances are clearly improving : two weeks after his first semi-final in a major tournament at the BNP Paribas Indian Wells Open, he did it again in Miami.

 

 

With this double performance, David Goffin wrote his name in the Belgian tennis history books.

 

 

While awaiting more ? The actual world number 13 seems to hold all the cards to enter the top 10 before the end of the season.

 

9- Maria Sharapova (-1).

 

Sharapova denied of access to the circuit ? The Russian didn’t seem to mind, AT ALL.

 

 

Despite her troubles, she can still count on her fans’ support.

 

 

Maria Sharapova is still pleasing the paparazzis, as she has shown in Mexico, where she spent a few days on holiday with the American actress Chelsea Handler.

 

 

10- Gaël Monfils (NE).

 

« I would pay a ticket to watch his match. » The compliment is from Novak Djokovic to Gaël Monfils, whose game is still incredibly spectacular.

 

 

The Frenchman knows how to please the crowd, even during the breaks.

 

 

And when it comes to life outside the courts, he knows his stuff too, whether he is dressed casually…

 

 

…or wearing a t-shirt.

 

 

11- Grigor Dimitrov (NE).

 

In Miami, Dimitrov did what Dimitrov does : on fire in the third round against Andy Murray, to finally be defeated by Gaël Monfils in the next match.

 

 

It is quite frustrating as it seems like the Bulgarian isn’t missing much to compete with the best on the long-term. A little bit like Gasquet…In any case, Dimitrov seemed happy with his trip to Florida.

 

 

Awaiting for the clay season now.

 

12- Nick Kyrgios (-1).

 

Kyrgios lui aussi a fait du Kyrgios : du très bon… Kyrgios also did what Kyrgios does : some very good shots…

 

 

…but some annoying gestures as well, as usual.

 

 

That being said, there’s not much to worry about for the Australian, who looks joyful these days : happy in his relationship and more popular than ever in the eyes of his female fans.

 

 

The bad boy style is still working wonders.

 

13- Pierre-Hugues Herbert (NE).

 

The Frenchies are here ! Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut have won a second consecutive major title : after the BNP Paribas Indian Wells Open, they celebrated a second win in Miami against the pair formed by Raven Klaasen (South Africa) and Rajeev Ram (USA). Classy.

 

 

 

In Florida, the two Frenchmen had good fun and met up with a famous fellow countryman, the ex pro-golfer Thomas Lever.

 

 

Their duo is so efficient that they are offering a credible option to Yannick Noah for his next squads at the BNP Paribas Davis Cup.

 

14- Eugenie Bouchard (-7).

 

Anything new with Bouchard ? The Canadian loves weird framings. Oh well, the artistis…

 

 

 

 

Having hit rock bottom on the sporting side for a few months now, Eugénie has finally decided to take the matter in her own hands, as she apparently chose to call back her former coach Nick Saviano, responsible for all her success until a rowdy separation at the end of 2014.

 

 

World number 5 in October 2014, the Canadian is currently ranked 45th at the WTA race…

 

15- Alexandre Sidorenko (NE).

 

The point of the week goes to Alexandre Sidorenko, at the Saint-Brieuc Challenger, in Brittany. French tennis’ ex wonderkid, now aged 28, wins the tournament against Igor Sijsling but was mainly noticed for this incredible inspiration.

 

 

Outs :

 

Serena Williams, Murray, Tsonga, Federer, Wozniacki, Radwanska, Pennetta, Dzumhur, Troicki

 

By Régis Delanöe