Saudi Arabia ranks 4th and Riyadh 3rd globally in digital services    'Ineffective' generic drugs fuel rare public anger in China    Israel says Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not free hostages by Saturday    Trump insists US will take Gaza as he meets Jordan's King Abdullah    Russia releases imprisoned American in what US calls a step toward end of Ukraine war    Musk denies 'hostile takeover' of government in White House debut    Saudi Air Force to participate in Cobra Warrior 25-1 exercise in UK    Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of GlobeE anti-corruption network    60 Saudi relief trucks cross Hail en route to Syria    Sanofi is transferring its global expertise in insulin production to Saudi Arabia, aligning with Vision 2030 program    Maya Diab joins Arab stars and celebrities in celebrating the Centrepoint Ramadan 2025 collection launch at Riyadh Boulevard    Riyadh Season draws 19 million visitors in 4 months    Schools across Saudi Arabia start celebrating Founding Day in an air of festivity    Oilatum tackles rise in Eczema and Dry Skin in Saudi Arabia    HONOR brings together AI and luxury with PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR at LEAP 2025    Eagles win Super Bowl LIX to end the Chiefs' dream of a three-peat    Chinese film stirs national pride, rakes in $1bn in days    Sharifa Al-Sudairi makes historic debut at Asian Winter Games    Ivan Toney's brace secures Al Ahli victory over Al Fateh in Saudi Pro League    Al Nassr reclaims third place with 3-0 victory over Al Fayha as Jhon Durán shines    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Pliskova sends out a warning
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 02 - 07 - 2017

Karolina Pliskova gave herself the perfect pre-Wimbledon tonic by lifting the Aegon International title on the grass at Eastbourne, defeating Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-4 in impressive style in Saturday's final.
The Czech world No. 3 demonstrated once again just why, with her big serves and crushing groundstrokes, she could be the one to beat at Wimbledon over the next fortnight as she annexed her third title of the season.
Denmark's Wozniacki, the world No. 6 who had hoped to regain the title she last won in 2009, held on in game fashion but succumbed to a break of serve in each set and, despite a second set push, could not dent Pliskova's formidable delivery.
"This feels better," said the 25-year-old Pliskova on court afterward, comparing her feeling to the defeat in the same final last year.
Reminded that Jana Novotna had been the last Czech woman to win at Eastbourne before going to triumph at Wimbledon in the same year, she added: "My service is definitely my biggest weapon and if it's working it causes the other player a lot of problems.
"I'm going to go step-by-step and hopefully I can go far at Wimbledon."
Pliskova took command with a break for 3-2 in the first set and dropped only five points on serve as she took the stanza in 34 minutes.
In the middle of the second set, Pliskova finally faced an examination on serve, having to save four break points in one game and two in the next, but saved them all with a combination of fine serving and Wozniacki's profligacy.
Pliskova sent down 10 aces as she wrapped up victory in one hour 22 minutes and it is hard to imagine she will not improve on her best previous Wimbledon performances, second round dates in each of the last four years.
For Wozniacki, another live contender in an open Wimbledon, it was a disappointing fourth defeat in four finals this season but she was still able to smile: "I would have loved to have won today but maybe fifth time is the charm as they say.
"I thought I played really well, but Karolina played better than me, definitely with the serves. I had trouble getting them back."
Serena's absence leaves vacuum in women's game
Brad Gilbert reckons 40 women have a shot at the Wimbledon title which, depending on which side of the fence you stand, means either the WTA Tour is blessed with extraordinary depth or chronically short of capable understudies for Serena Williams.
Its supporters will say the unpredictability adds to the spectacle, while detractors will point to the fact that, unlike in the men's game which is still in the midst of a golden era, there are few players capable of carrying the sport forward.
With Serena on maternity leave since winning a 23rd major title at this year's Australian Open, the door has been open for a bunch of new names to barge through.
Jelena Ostapenko did it at the French Open in stunning style to take the title, prompting none other than Chris Evert to proclaim the birth of a new star.
Only time will prove whether the 20-year-old Latvian can establish herself as a consistent grand slam challenger.
In the past years that has been something beyond pretty everyone apart from Serena, Maria Sharapova, who will be missing from Wimbledon as she makes a stuttering return from a doping ban, and former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka who is in the early days of a comeback from having a baby.
Current world number one Angelique Kerber enjoyed an incredible 2016, winning two majors, but has struggled badly this year. The same can be said of Spain's Garbine Muguruza who has faded since winning the 2016 French Open.
Twice champion Petra Kvitova returns to Wimbledon having recovered from injuries sustained in a stabbing last December and the fact that she is being tipped as favourite by many speaks volumes for the vacuum that currently exists. — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.