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Post by Admin on Oct 15, 2014 21:37:09 GMT
Sporting celebrities are aplenty in Singapore this week, with the latest arrivals being tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard, who are here for the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals. Bouchard, 20, posted two pictures of herself on Instagram at the Marina Bay Sands' rooftop Infinity Pool on Monday. 1st to arrive in Singapore? Genie Bouchard! One showed a view of the pool, and the Canadian tennis star's caption read: "Everyone needs to experience this." The second photograph was also taken at the pool, and showed the new darling of women's tennis in a cleavage-baring bikini and sunglasses. On top of the world!!! #Singapore #Blessed
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Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2014 21:29:51 GMT
The clinic is part of the SportCares "Love Singapore" programme, which aims to give girls from underprivileged backgrounds access to tennis, and to use the sport to empower them with confidence. Around 40 students were treated to a special tennis clinic at the OCBC Arena at the Sports Hub on Thursday (Oct 16). Aged between eight and 18, they met two of the biggest names in women's tennis - world number three Simona Halep and Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard. During the session, Halep demonstrated a trick or two about the game. Joining in the fun was Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong, who pitted his tennis skills against Halep. The clinic is part of the SportCares "Love Singapore" programme, which aims to give girls from underprivileged backgrounds access to tennis, and to use the sport to empower them with confidence. It is organised by SportCares a foundation managed by Sports Singapore and supported by the US Embassy. The programme will run annually for a minimum of five years, in conjunction with the season-ending WTA championships. Secondary One student Nurul Lisa Mohd Syahrin shared her thoughts: "I feel it is such an honour to meet all these tennis players and I do not think most Singaporeans have this chance. So I think I better take up tennis so that I can be like one of them." Referring to the participants, SportCares' deputy director, Laura Reid, said: "Some of them may come from hardship backgrounds, and the older kids may come from backgrounds where they are trying to get their lives more in order. Either way, we work to use sports as a force for social good." She added: "Tennis can be a brilliant sport for girls, it is empowering and physically challenging. It requires strong mental skills, discipline and commitment."
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Post by Admin on Oct 18, 2014 21:26:22 GMT
If you found Road to Singapore an exciting affair, then brace yourself for the most watched out high-octane action in women’s tennis, as the WTA Finals Singapore 2014 is all set to kickstart from October 17 and will go on till October 26. The eight players who made it into the tournament are – Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, Eugenie Bouchard, Agnieszka Radwanska, Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki. The line-up was expected to be quite the same except for Chinese player Li Na missing in action after her sudden announcement of retirement from the sport. Sharapova's career run at the WTA tour draws two theories by the sporting critics, first is the longevity of her career after she became pro in 2001 but at the same time many point out the number of major titles being limited to five (she added fifth grand slam title at Roland Garros this year). But Masha, as she is fondly called has defied all odds in her career from career-threatening shoulder injury to bounce back when she was ruled out of the game. Known to be a fighter and tough competitor, Sharapova is back as the World No. 2 in the rankings after bagging the fourth WTA title of the year in Beijing beating Petra Kvitova in tough three sets. Definitely, one of the hot favourites to lift the trophy for the second time in her career after 2004 when she beat her nemesis Serena Williams for the last time in her career so far. The Serena factor will play a supreme role in her road to the title and the top spot of world rankings. Definitely the most promising and consistent players on the tour, 23-year-old Simona Halep has done everything right to give her a shot at this championships title in Singapore. From making her first grand slam final appearance to becoming the World No. 2, Simona deservedly became the most improved player in the women’s tennis. The Romanian is in search of her first major achievement after making several semis and final would be keen to end the year on high note. The left-handed Czech is known for keeping a low-profile on the WTA tour but that does not stop Petra Kvitova adding feathers in her crown. The reigning Wimbledon champion added second Venus Rosewater Dish to her existing 2011 title surprising quite a few critics. Known for her powerful first serves, she can demolish her opponent on her day. Petra lost the China Open final against Maria Sharapova but is sure to have worked on shortcomings and add the championships title to her kitty with 14 titles so far. Undoubtedly, the most noted player on the tour, the 20-year-old Canadian garnered attention for both her looks and brilliant play. Everything about Eugenie has been noticeable right from her princess name to her killer approach while hitting the ball. The Wimbledon 2014 runner-up has showed consistency throughout the year and looks prepared to take on the best players after a good run during inaugural Wuhan Open where she made to finals before faltering to Petra Kvitova. The sixth seed from Poland has been one of the players who have never really been a potential winner at the major tournaments. Except for the 2012 Wimbledon final, Agnieszka Radwanska has not shown the killer instinct in any other tournament that could establish her as a favourite. Her run at the recent tournaments Wuhan Open and China Open has also been miserable but Radwanska would be keen to prove her mettle in Singapore. At the age of 26 with one grand slam title and 11 coaches, one can summarise Ana Ivanovic’s career as fulfilling but the Serbian beauty knows she deserved much more than lone major title. After making to Australia Open final in 2008 and going on to win the French Open the same year, one expected entry of a serious ruler in women’s tennis but Ivanovic’s form faltered to deceive. But Ana has shown good comeback this year rising to the World No. 8 and beating the likes of Maria Sharapova during the current season should do ample amount of good during this tournament. Thanks to Li Na’s retirement and Victoria Azarenka’s niggling injuries, Caroline Wozniacki got in the contention to fight for the title in Singapore. Overall, Caroline’s journey in 2014 has been bag of mixed results with the Dane making her second major finals of her career but was comprehensively beaten by Serena Williams. Caroline would be keen to make an impact at the WTA Tour Finals and justify her berth.
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Post by Admin on Oct 20, 2014 21:09:12 GMT
Watch WTA Live All Access Hour presented by Xerox from WTA Finals. The Elite Eight are featured in this episode. That's Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Simona Halep, Genie Bouchard, Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki & Ana Ivanovic. Group photo time! wtatenn.is/YS0WZo #WTAFinals #TwitterMirror Big smiley face from Simona Halep wtatenn.is/YS0WZo #WTAFinals #TwitterMirror Thumbs up from @carowozniacki! wtatenn.is/YS0WZo #WTAFinals #TwitterMirror
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Post by Admin on Oct 22, 2014 20:46:55 GMT
Defending champion Serena Williams was thrashed 6-0 6-2 by Simona Halep at the WTA Finals in Singapore. The 18-time Grand Slam champion was remarkably off her game against the world No 4, who had never beaten the American. Halep won the first set in just 20 minutes, as Williams could only put seven points on the board, suffering a bagel set for only the eighth time in her illustrious career. Williams couldn’t cope with Halep’s extraordinary shot making and depth in her game as the Romanian crushed the US Open champion within an hour of play. Having defeated Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-4 on Monday in her first red group match, it would have been expected Williams, who had made 16 consecutive victories at the WTA Finals, to ease past Halep having won their three previous meetings. However Halep, brought a high level to the court and pounced on Williams’ temperamental serve to race to the first set. Williams failed to recover, making 36 unforced errors and was broken five times during a flawless performance by Halep. The world No 1 will now need to beat Canadian Eugenie Bouchard in the next group match in Singapore to advance to the semi-finals. Williams congratulates Halep, who beat the world No 1 for the first time having raced to a 6-0, 6-2 victory
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