ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland

Blackheathen

The annual tournament is back this year after two years cancellations due to COVID.  The women’s tournament is from Monday, January 2-8 and the men’s from January 9-14.

The women’s field includes Emma Raducanu, Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff and Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin.

It was announced today that the popular Venus Williams will be in Auckland for her 6th tilt at the title.  The 42 year old won it in 2015 beating Caroline Wozniacki in the final.  Sister Serena is the current champion but won’t be here 2023.  Venus has only played 16 matches in the last couple of years, winning three and has a world ranking of 1007.  She has also accepted a wildcard for the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Auckland-raised Cameron Norrie will join Casper Rudd (top seed and world number 3) and Holger Rune (second seed and world number 11) in the men’s draw.  John Isner will also be playing.  He is ranked 7 for this tournament and 41 in the world.  He has won the Auckland Classic twice in 8 previous appearances.  Norrie is the only British entrant.  The 19-strong men’s field are all top 65 world rankings.

Blackheathen

Emma’s first up opponent is 17 year old Linda Fruhvirtova  from Czechoslovakia and regarded as one of the brightest rising stars in tennis.  Their match starts at 1pm local time (midnight UK).

Coco Gauff top seed faces a potential banana skin in her match against Maria Tatiana from Germany, semi finalist at last year’s Wimbledon.

The tournament is close to being sold out from the quarterfinals onwards.

Coco Gauff made a lot of young friends at a coaching session yesterday afternoon, followed by lots of high fives etc.

Blackheathen

Just had a look at the match schedule.  Doesn’t look as if Emma plays until tomorrow.

se9addick

Blackheathen said:

Emma’s first up opponent is 17 year old Linda Fruhvirtova  from Czechoslovakia and regarded as one of the brightest rising stars in tennis.  Their match starts at 1pm local time (midnight UK).

Coco Gauff top seed faces a potential banana skin in her match against Maria Tatiana from Germany, semi finalist at last year’s Wimbledon.

The tournament is close to being sold out from the quarterfinals onwards.

Coco Gauff made a lot of young friends at a coaching session yesterday afternoon, followed by lots of high fives etc.

I doubt anyone who is 17 years old is from Czechoslovakia!

Blackheathen

Emma won her first round match 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

The rain delay at 4-4 in the first set appeared to favour Linda but the girl from Bromley rallied to take out the match.  Horrible weather forecast for the entire country over the next few days unfortunately.

Blackheathen

The match will likely be held indoors in front of a handful of spectators

killerandflash

Emma retires from the match after rolling an ankle 

hoof_it_up_to_benty

Unbelievable her injury record.

DamoNorthStand

She must have attended the same fitness school as Chuks Aneke.

Blackheathen

Blackheathen

Coco Gauff duly won the ASB Classic with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Spanish qualifier Rebekah Makarova.  It was the most dominant performance ever in the tournament.  She conceded only 22 games over the 10 sets she played.  She will return next year to defend her title as she wants to see her name on the Cup next to her idol Serena Williams who won the trophy in 2020 (2021 and 2021 were cancelled due to COVID).

All eyes now on the men’s tournament.  Cameron Norrie is now second seed and has a bye in the first round.

Wheresmeticket

Anti Social Behaviour Classic.  You'd think Kyrgios would win every time.

Lincsaddick

killerandflash said:

Emma retires from the match after rolling an ankle 

according to yesterday's Sunday Times, Emma made just under £15 MILLION last year through modelling, advertising, personal appearances and 'influencing' (and just £600,000 from tennis, still a nice earner though) .. add this to the millions she surely earnt in previous years and where is the real incentive to go through gruelling get fit regimes to play tennis .. as I typed just after her grand slam win, I doubt she'll win another slam especially as she is so attractive and photogenic for advertising .. incidentally the biggest earner amongst female sports stars was Naomi Osaka, reportedly pocketing £41.5 MILLION from off court activities

Blackheathen

Cameron Norrie beat Czech qualifier Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in his 2nd round match in a rain-delayed match which took 2 3/4 hours.  He meets Marcus Giron in the quarter finals who is currently ranked 60 in the world.  His career high ranking was 49 in mid 2022.  Giron’s total career earnings - singles and doubles - total $2,641,382.

Emma’s participation in the Aussie Open is in doubt but going on Linc’s comment above this shouldn’t worry her unduly.

Blackheathen

There has been a “seismic upset” in the ASB Open with the defeat of top seed Casper Rudd at the hands of Serbian Laslo Djerba (no 70 in the world).  He lost 7-3 in the deciding set tie breaker and was the only match he got to play at the Open.  Unfortunately the match was played indoors in front of no spectators, the match finishing after midnight.

Cameron Norrie is now the tournament top seed with the withdrawal of Holger Rune before the tournament started.  

Blackheathen

Blackheathen

Cameron Norrie’s match for a place in the final will be against US player Jensen Tyler (JT) Brooksby,  He is 6’4” tall, 22 years old and is no 48 in world rankings.  His career high ranking was 33 in June last year.

Blackheathen

Cameron Norrie is in the final of the ASB Classic after his 6-3, 6-4 win over Jensen Brooksby.  Brooksby has a bright future and should become a top 20 player but he could not compete with Norrie’s tenacity, devastating backhand and consistency.

Unfortunately the other semi-final did not take place with Constant Lestienne pulling out with a pectoral injury which he picked up in his marathon quarter-final win over Laslo Djerba.

Norrie’s opponent in the final will be Richard Gasquet of France, currently ranked 67 in the world.  His career high was 7 attained in 2007.  His earnings total nearly $20m putting him 29th in the all time earning list.  He has featured in 3 Grand Slam semi-finals (at Wimbledon in 2007 and 2015 and the US Open in 2013).  He won the mixed doubles at the French Open in 2004 partnering Tatiana Golovin.

Richard Gasquet is best known for his elegant ground strokes and one-handed backhand.  He is only the sixth active player on the APT tour to win 550 matches.

The final takes place tomorrow Saturday at 2pm local time.

Blackheathen