Sharapova overcomes Chakvetadze in Sunday’s exhibition match
December 31, 2007
World No 5 Maria Sharapova’s power play Sunday prevailed against the stroke play of Anna Chakvetadze, who ranked sixth in the world.
The two 20—year—old Russians clashed in an exhibition match at Singapore’s Indoor stadium, playing to a crowd of 9,300.
The 1.88—metre tall Sharapova used her extra length to great effect, taking the first set in merely 30 minutes.
Chakvetadze simply had no answers to the Siberian’s fast volleys, going down 6—0.
In the second set, Chakvetadze, with the crowd behind her, provided some resistance and took a surprise 5—2 lead, but that only charged up her opponent.
With her trademark screams, the taller Sharapova fought back to reduce the deficit.
Two—time Grand Slam winner Sharapova then clawed back to level the set at 6—6.
A roller—coaster tie—breaker ensued, which Sharapova finally won 12—10 to take the set 7—6.
Her latest victory means Sharapova maintains her winning streak against Chakvetadze.
For both, the exhibition game was good preparation for the first Grand Slam in 2008, the Australian Open.
"I felt like I needed to get off to a great start. I didn’t want to come in sloppy and I think I did a great job. And obviously Anna started playing great in the second set, and all of a sudden I found myself in a battle. But that’s what this sport is all about. I was trying to dig deep and find a way to win and I did that today," said Sharapova.
"Well, I was really disappointed with the first set, and I really didn’t want to repeat the second set like that. The second set was better and I had a lot of competition in the second set. It was a tough one and I was thinking that it might lead to a third set, but it was a good game," Chakvetadze said.
Making their debut in Singapore, the two were impressed with the city and vowed to return.
And the organisers plan to make this an annual event, with a promise of more exciting future editions
Anna Chakvetadze gives tennis clinic to local players
December 31, 2007
A group of young tennis players was given a once-in-a-lifetime treat on Sunday morning.
A total of 16 local athletes from the Singapore Tennis Association had a clinic of their dreams with world number six player, Anna Chakvetadze.
But these players had no time to get star struck.
20-year-old Anna quickly put the youngsters to work by trading ground strokes and giving them valuable tips about the pro circuit.
Stefanie Tan said: "It's very inspiring to be able to see her play live. I've watched her on TV before, but I've never seen her stroke. I can see her technique on court."
Sylvester Wee Min said: "I learned that the international circuit is very different from local circuit. You've got to go out there to experience all these players hitting that hard, being consistent. You know where you stand, where to work on to compete with these players."
Anna escapes unharmed after house robbery
December 19, 2007
Russia tennis player Anna Chakvetadze escaped unharmed after several men broke into her house in southwest Moscow early on Tuesday, police said.
"Five to six unknown people wearing masks climbed over the fence of the country house at about 4:00 a.m. Moscow time (1:00 a.m. British time), then broke into the house and tied her parents up," a police spokesman was quoted as saying by the Russian media.
"They took money and valuables worth some five million roubles (over 99,300 pounds)."
Her father Jamal appeared on Russian television, showing scabbed-over bruises on his scalp, cheek and forehead.
"They started to beat me up, I resisted, then they hit me either with their hands or a pistol. It was dark, told me I had a child there, reminded me about it, so that I gave them everything. So I did," Jamal Chakvetadze told Russian television.
Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpishchev later said that 20-year-old Chakvetadze was not hurt in the incident.
"The most important thing was that no one was hurt. I was told Anna didn't even try to resist the robbers," Tarpishchev said.
Police later said they were looking for suspects but gave no details.
World number six Chakvetadze has won four singles titles this year, earning more than $1.4 million in prize money.
This was the latest in a series of violent crimes against high-profile sports figures in Russia and other former Soviet republics in recent years.
Former world top 10 player Andrei Chesnokov was seriously wounded in a shooting in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk in November 2005.
(Reporting by Gennady Fyodorov)
How psychology helps budding star
November 16, 2007
Anna Chakvetadze, the latest woman to emerge from the Russian tennis production line, says her time as a psychology student has helped her to break into the top 10 this year.
"I studied psychology at university, although I've not yet finished. At first I thought it was boring but it got more and more interesting when I started to read the books and it definitely helps me when I'm playing," she told Reuters at a promotional event.
"It helps you prepare properly for the match and when I'm playing I try to think about the next point and not the last one. I also make a point of fighting all the time as it puts pressure on your opponent when they see you don't want to give them any free points.
"For me it is important not just in sport but in life in general."
Chakvetadze started the year outside the top 10, but four tour titles and a debut grand slam semi
final appearance at the US Open have helped the 20-year-old to rise to number six.
Her performances earned her a place in the season-ending WTA Championships in Madrid for the first time. She fell at the semifinal stage to compatriot Maria Sharapova but showed plenty of evidence of the talent that is likely to make her a fixture in the top 10.
"It is definitely my best season but I've still got plenty of room to improve my tennis and my ranking," she said.
The Moscow-born player, who is one of six Russians in the world's top 15 and a member of the country's victorious Fed Cup team, admits she took up tennis only because she was desperate to find an excuse to give up piano lessons.
"I started with piano and I didn't like it and when I started with tennis I really liked it," she said. "One day I said to my parents I wanted to stop piano and just play tennis. I was just eight years old and I had to stop one of the two.
"My parents were playing a little bit and my mum was watching tennis on TV and she really liked it and she said 'Why don't you try tennis and if you like it you can continue it'.
"My parents never pushed me and that's good because if kids don't want to do something like that they shouldn't have to do it. My mum pushed me for piano and because I didn't like it I'm not playing right now.
"Maybe if I had started a little later I would be a good piano player but it didn't happen and I'm pleased I'm a good tennis player."
Her determination and strength of character were evident in her victory over world number three Jelena Jankovic in her final round-robin match in Madrid.
She won the first set 6-4, then lost seven games in a row to trail 1-0 in the third but hung on to clinch the decider 6-3 and book her place in the semi-finals.
One thing she believes helps her to keep her focus is the fact that she can switch off from the sport when she is not on the circuit.
"My friends who I grew up with have nothing to do with tennis," she said. "They don't know the sport and that makes things easier when I go home. We just go out and because they don't really follow the sport we can talk about anything except tennis.
"During the summer I relax and stay fit by playing soccer in the garden with my friends and my little brother who is nine. You need that sort of freedom."
Anna beaten by Sharapova
November 11, 2007
Anna was defeated 6-4, 6-4 by former World No.1 and 2004. champion Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Championships. This was Anna’s last competitive match during 2007. season.
Anna rounds out field
November 8, 2007
Anna Chakvetadze clinched the last semi-final berth at the WTA Championships in Madrid after beating world number three Jelena Jankovic 6-4 0-6 6-3 in the round robin.
The seventh seeded Russian won thanks to a stunning turn-around after dropping seven straight games to go down a break in the third and final set.
Chakvetadze advances in the second place out of the yellow group behind group winner Justine Henin, and will face either Serbia's Ana Ivanovic or compatriot Maria Sharapova in the last four.
A semi-finalist at this year's US Open, Chakvetadze finishes her best year on the WTA Tour on a high with her second victory this year over the world number three.
The 20-year-old started the match brilliantly breaking the third seeded Serbian in the fourth game, but Jankovic matched the Russian with her own break of serve in the next.
The opener appeared headed for a tie-break after Chakvetadze concluded the first love-service game of the match with an ace to go ahead 5-4, but the Russian broke Jankovic in the very next game thanks to a pair of excellent backhands.
The Serbian, who had won the most matches on the WTA Tour this year, then started the second set with a break of serve that was a harbinger of things to come as Jankovic won the seven straight games to bagel the Russian in the second and go up a break in the third.
Chakvetadze responded beautifully though, after being handed the break back on a platter thanks to a Jankovic double fault on break point.
The 22-year-old Serbian number one finished the night with eight double faults to Chakvetadze's six, as errors clearly cost her despite some excellent defensive play during all three sets.
Chakvetadze broke to love with a gorgeous backhand winner down the line to win her fourth game in a row and go up a double break at 3-1 in the third set.
Jankovic finally held serve again in the sixth game of the set, but by then it was too late as Chakvetadze served out to claim the victory in one hour and 37 minutes and collect the last semi-final berth in the Spanish capital.
Serena withdrawal boosts Chakvetadze
November 7, 2007
Anna Chakvetadze claimed her first-ever win at the WTA Championships when Serena Williams retired from their round robin match hurt after dropping the first set 6-4.
The American number one Williams, who won the tournament in 2001, came into the match with bandages on both of her legs but looked comfortable at the start of the first set taking the first two games after breaking the Russian in the second.
Chakvetadze, who lost her Madrid debut to Justine Henin on Tuesday, responded brilliantly capitalising on a string of unforced errors from the Australian Open champion to win her next three games including two breaks of serve.
The Russian then handed Serena a break right back in the sixth with a double fault on break point to return the score to 3-3 in the opener.
But the left thigh injury that caused the former world number one to withdraw from her opening match at the Zurich open two weeks ago appeared to flame up again as Williams dropped another serve with her own slew of unforced errors and a double fault.
The pair then traded holds of serve and, with the Russian ready to serve for the opening set, an emotional Williams called an injury time out to have the trainer examine her legs.
When the pair returned to the court Chakvetadze ruthlessly took advantage of her rival's injury with a brilliant serve out wide and a better forehand winner past Williams to manufacture her first set point.
The Russian, who reached her first grand slam semi-final in September's US Open during this break-out season, then confirmed the opening set on the first time of asking with a big first-serve winner.
Unable to continue Williams abandoned the match, her first-ever meeting with the 20-year-old Russian, and left the court near tears to hand Chakvetadze the victory in 49 minutes.
Williams' withdrawal means that world number one Justine Henin automatically qualifies for the Madrid semi-finals after her two opening wins, with Chakvetadze and Jankovic contesting the second berth from the yellow group.
Henin beats Chakvetadze 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
November 6, 2007
Justine Henin began her title defense at the Sony Ericsson Championships with a 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory against Anna Chakvetadze on Tuesday.
The top-ranked Henin cruised through the first set then rallied to take the tiebreaker over the seventh-ranked Russian - making her first appearance at the WTA Tour's season-ending championships - in the first match of round-robin play in the yellow group.
Henin, who trailed 2-0 to start the second set, hit a backhander to the corner to take a 4-3 lead in the tiebreaker before serving out for the win.
Chakvetadze, who withdrew from Quebec City last week with a right shoulder injury, looked rusty with 30 unforced errors and Henin broke twice to take the first set.
Chakvetadze improved in the second and Henin double-faulted to give the Russian an early break in a back-and-forth set.
Both players had trouble with the other's strong ground strokes and Henin, the French and U.S. Open champion, rallied with consecutive breaks to tie it at 3-3.
After trading breaks again to reach the tiebreaker, Chakvetadze hit into the net on the first match point as Henin improved to 3-0 against her.
Anna to play Henin on Tuesday
November 5, 2007
Anna will begin her Madrid campaign on Tuesday evening against defending champion Justine Henin. The match will begin at 6pm Madrid time. This will be the third meeting between two, and Henin has won both of those matches.
It will be Anna's first ever match at the season-ending event
Anna is in the Yellow group with world No. 1 Justine Henin, Australian Open champion Serena Williams and world No.3 Jelena Jankovic. Anna will play each of these players once in a round-robin format and the top 2 in the group qualify for the semis.
Sony Ericsson Championships Profile: Anna Chakvetadze
November 1, 2007
This year has seen Anna Chakvetadze emerge as the latest Russian superstar to establish herself in the world's Top 10 and last week she was rewarded for a wonderful season with qualification for the prestigious Sony Ericsson Championships. The elegant young Russian's intelligent game has seen her score wins over several of her Madrid rivals en route to capturing four titles in 2007 and reaching a career-high ranking of No.5.
Chakvetadze made the ideal start to the year with a near-faultless title run in Hobart and she continued this form right through to the end of the season, finishing the season with a highly credible 57-18 win-loss record. In addition to the championship run in Australia, the 20-year-old Muscovite lifted trophies in 's-Hertogenbosch, Cincinnati and Stanford as well embarking on a maiden Grand Slam semifinal run at the US Open.
This year will see Chakvetadze making her bow in the Spanish capital, but despite her lack of experience at the event, she certainly has the ability to go all the way to the title and after a slightly disappointing run in her past few tournaments she will be eager to finish off this breakthrough season in style.
"I'm so excited to play in my first Sony Ericsson Championships," Chakvetadze said. "I love the beautiful city of Madrid and I'm hoping to perform very well. This has been an amazing year for me, having reached the Top 5 in the world, and I am looking forward to finishing strongly in Madrid."
QUICK STATS
Race to the Sony Ericsson Championships standing: No.6
2007 Win-Loss Record: 57-18
2007 Highlights: Won (4): Hobart, 's-Hertogenbosch, Cincinnati, Stanford; SF (4): US Open, Antwerp, Miami, San Diego
Championships history: Debut appearance
Schnyder stops Chakvetadze in Linz
October 26, 2007
Patty Schnyder needed only 39 minutes to rout top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze 6-1, 6-0 Friday and reach the semifinals of the Generali Ladies.
"This result is an incredible surprise for me," the sixth-seeded Schnyder said. "I know what a great player Anna is, but obviously she didn't have any self-confidence today."
The seventh-ranked Russian made 24 unforced errors and scored only six points on Schnyder's serve.
While trailing 3-0 in the opener, Chakvetadze won her only service game after saving two break points.
Schnyder next plays either third-seeded Marion Bartoli or Julia Vakulenko.
Earlier, second-seeded Daniela Hantuchova defeated Alona Bondarenko 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 despite making 44 unforced errors.
"I played a great opening set, but made too many errors afterward," Hantuchova said. "I had to work hard to find my game again."
Hantuchova won the first set after breaking Bondarenko twice, but scored only six points on her own serve in the second. Hantuchova used her only break point at 4-3 in the third and closed out the match with a love game.
Hantuchova next plays either fourth-seeded Dinara Safina or fifth-seeded Nicole Vaidisova.
Anna reach quarters
October 24, 2007
Top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze needed just 47 minutes to defeat Francesca Schiavone 6-0, 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Generali Ladies in Linz, Austria.
The seventh-ranked Russian was in control of the match throughout, as Schiavone double-faulted ten times and won only eight points on her own serve in the opening set.
Chakvetadze, who became the top seed after defending champion Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova pulled out with injuries, will play sixth-seeded Patty Schnyder in the quarterfinals.
Anna Qualifies for Madrid
October 23, 2007
Anna Chakvetadze has become the sixth player to qualify for the singles event at the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships, set to take place in Madrid's Recinto Ferial Casa de Campo, November 6-11. The Russian has assured herself of a berth in Madrid with 2626 points on this week's Race to the Sony Ericsson Championships Standings, behind Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic and Serena Williams.
This marks the first time the Russian has qualified for the prestigious year-ending event. She is the third newcomer to have qualified for this year's Championships from the six singles players announced to date and is also the sixth player from Russia to crack the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's Top 5 Rankings in the last three years.
"I'm so excited to play in my first Sony Ericsson Championships," Chakvetadze said. "I love the beautiful city of Madrid and I'm hoping to perform very well. This has been an amazing year for me, having reached the Top 5 in the world, and I am looking forward to finishing strongly in Madrid."
"Anna Chakvetadze has been one of the breakthrough stars of 2007," said Larry Scott, Chairman & CEO of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. "Anna’s debut at this year's Sony Ericsson Championships further reflects the terrific mix of established names and new faces that will descend on Spain's capital this year."
"With the Sony Ericsson Championships taking place now in less than two weeks, the excitement is continuing to build as we see Anna Chakvetadze, who has had a phenomenal year, be the sixth player to qualify." said Dee Dutta, CVP and Global Head of Marketing at Sony Ericsson. "The Sony Ericsson Championships is all about being the very best; it's a week not to be missed and should be placed firmly on everyone’s calendar."
"We are very happy that Chakvetadze has qualified for Madrid," said Tournament Director and Spanish tennis legend Manolo Santana. "She has had an impressive season and we look forward to seeing her compete at her highest level in a few days here."
Chakvetadze is having the best season of her career, having won four singles titles (only world No.1 Justine Henin has claimed more in 2007) at Hobart, 's-Hertogenbosch, Cincinnati and Stanford. She has won over 50 singles matches, reached the semifinals of the US Open and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, in addition to winning over $1 million so far.
The Sony Ericsson Championships is the richest annual women's sporting event in the world. The tournament is the year-ending punctuation to an 11-month global Tour which finally gathers the Top 8 singles players and Top 4 doubles teams from the season to battle it out for a share of the $3-million prize purse. Since its inception in 1972, the event has been held in such notable venues as Madison Square Garden, New York City, the Olympiahalle in Munich and The Forum and Staples Centre in Los Angeles. Former singles champions include Tracy Austin, Kim Clijsters, Chris Evert, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova, Gabriela Sabatini and Serena Williams. The reigning champions are Henin (singles) and Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur (doubles).
Moscow draw released
October 7, 2007
Anna is seeded third for the Kremlin Cup in Moscow, which begin on Monday. She receives a bye in round one, and faces either world No.17 Dinara Safina or 50-ranked Martina Muller in the second round.
Should she win that match, which is not expected to take place until Wednesday at the earliest, Ana is seeded to meet No.6 seed Amelie Mauresmo in the quarter-finals.
Second seed Maria Sharapova is a potential semi-final opponent, while top seed and world No.2 Svetlana Kuznetsova could await in the final. Australian Open champion Serena Williams
Anna is defending champion at this Tier I event. With a strong result in her home town, Anna can move a step closer to qualification season-ending Championships in Madrid.
Golovin upsets Anna
October 3, 2007
Tatiana Golovin of France won 10 of the last 12 games for a 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 upset over fourth-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Wednesday.
The world number 19 Golovin roared back from 5-2 down in the opening set to victory in 1 hour 29 minutes, her third win in the fifth meeting with Chakvetadze.
Golovin, a runner-up in Stuttgart last year, won the first set on a double fault by her opponent. She clinched a quarter-final berth with six unanswered games.
“We’ve built a new garage – there’s space for a Porsche”
October 1, 2007
Anna Chakvetadze, the No 6 in the WTA World Rankings was present at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s All Access Hour to answer questions posed by the journalists. The 18-year-old Russian on...
...the tournament in the Porsche Arena:
“This is my first time in this great arena. I hit a few balls on Center Court this morning. The surface is good and suits my style of play. Things didn’t go that well in Luxemburg last week. But I hope, I’ll be back playing my best tennis again in the Porsche Arena.”
...her season up to now:
“It’s been a great year up to now. I’ve definitely had a kind of breakthrough this year. I was able to win four tournaments. At the Australian and French Opens I stood in the quarterfinals and played against Maria Sharapova on both occasions. Then at the US Open I was only beaten in the semis by Svetlana Kuznetsova. It was obviously a shame I lost to her. On the other hand it was a marvellous experience – it was my first grand slam semifinal. I won’t be taking things easy just yet. Being an athlete, I hope I can continue to improve and do even better on the tour.“
...the main prize, the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet:
“I unfortunately bought a new car a few weeks ago. If I’d known earlier what a great car the Porsche is then there’d definitely be another car parked in my parent’s garage in Moscow. But the good thing is that we’ve just built a new garage. It’s got room for six cars and three are parked there at the moment. So there’s space for a Porsche.”
...her university studies:
“I’ve been enrolled at the University of Moscow since last year and am studying psychology. When I’m on tour, life is extremely strenuous at times so I write a few tests via Internet. On the other hand, it’s enormously helpful. I also learn things for my own game and life in general. It’s really enjoyable in the meantime. I always carry the books with me even if they often only lie in the corner for a few days without me looking at them.”
...the fact that she generally travels to tournaments without a coach:
“It hasn’t done my game any harm at all up to now. It’s how I’ve reached the Top 5 and I see no reason to change things. My mother and father alternate so there’s somebody accompanying me: I feel really happy with the way the things are.”
source: www.porsche-tennis.de
Bartoli eliminates Anna in Luxembourg quarters
September 28, 2007
Marion Bartoli upset top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze of Russia 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on Friday to advance to the semifinals of the Fortis Championships.
Anna charges into Luxembourg QFs
September 27, 2007
Anna charged past American Meilen Tu 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) on the indoor hardcourts at CK Sport Kockelscheuer.
Up next for the U.S. Open semifinalist Chakvetadze will be Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli, who beat Austrian Sybille Bammer 6-2, 7-5. The French Bartoli is seeded fifth this week.
The match is scheduled as the second on the Central court and will begin sometime after 4.00pm Central European Time.
Click here for live point-by-point scoring from Luxembourg.
FORTIS Championships draw
September 23, 2007
Anna is top seed at the FORTIS Championships in Luxembourg, which begin on Monday. She receives a bye in round one, and faces either 41th-ranked Julia Vakulenko or world No.47 Meilen Tu in the second round.
Should she win that match, Anna is seeded to meet No.5 Marion Bartoli in the quarter-finals.
Fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova is a potential semi-final opponent, while second seed and world No.6 Ana Ivanovic could await in the final.
Russia takes its third Fed Cup
September 16, 2007
Russia scored its third Fed Cup victory in the last four years when Svetlana Kuznetsova saved two match points and fought back to defeat Francesca Schiavone 46 76 75 to give Russia a winning 3-0 lead.
In a pulsating two hour, 48 minute battle, Kuznetsova refused to give in and bravely saved two match points in the second set tiebreak. The Russian then found herself 1-4 down in the third set but in a repeat of Saturday’s singles, Schiavone was unable to finish the match off. Kuznetsova won four games in a row and after a tense finish, it was the Russian who finally prevailed.
“I didn’t play as well as Saturday but I could pull it out because of my strong will,” a delighted Kuznetsova said afterwards. “I had a problem with my abdominals, I couldn’t serve 100% as I didn’t want to make it worse.”
With Russia leading 2-0 overnight, it was vital for Italy to strike the first blow on the second day and that is exactly what happened as Schiavone broke in the opening game. A tumble at the end of the first game, followed by a snapped shoelace and an enforced change of shoes did not seem to unsettle Kuznetsova however as she took the next three games, breaking the Italian twice.
Suddenly, and not for the last time during this match, the momentum changed as Schiavone picked up her level and Kuznetsova inexplicably lost hers. The Italian swept the next four games and held her nerve to serve out the first set.
The pair again traded early breaks at the start of the second set but then Schiavone broke in the seventh game, and soon found herself serving for victory at 5-4. Right from the moment where she put her first forehand wide there was a certain inevitability hanging over the tenth game and soon enough, the Russian had broken back. Both players held comfortably and the second set headed into a tiebreak.
Kuznetsova got the first mini-break in the tiebreak but Schiavone roared back and set up a matchpoint opportunity at 6-5 on Kuznetsova’s serve, which was saved with a powerful forehand by the Russian. The Italian then had match point on her own serve but couldn’t convert and it was Kuznetsova who emerged triumphant, taking the tiebreak 9-7 and levelling the match.
The third set began with a noticeable increase in the level of play as winners began to outnumber errors. Schiavone received treatment to both thighs at the first changeover and this seemed to revitalise her. She got the first break of the set and led 4-1, conceding just two points in her first three service games. But in Schiavone’s next service game, the momentum swung again and Kuznetsova broke back, Schiavone losing the game on a point that will probably give her nightmares: the Italian somehow managed to put an easy ball out over the baseline with the court at her disposal.
“I served worse at 4-1, there was a lot of pressure from Svetlana. She played those points very well and it was very close afterwards,” said Schiavone.
Kuznetsova drew level and broke again to lead 5-4. Just when the Russian got into a winning position, the enormity of the occasion seemed to strike and in a tension-filled finale, neither player seemed capable of winning the match. Then at 0-30 while serving for the match for a second time at 6-5, Kuznetsova strung together four points and amid mounting hysteria in the Luzhniki stadium, jumped for joy as she clinched the tie for Russia. She was quickly joined on court by her teammates and their practice partner for this week Maria Sharapova.
Explaining the difference between her two matches, Kuznetsova said, “Francesca is better suited to this court. She plays differently and caused me many problems, forcing me to play much longer rallies.”
The Italians’ reign was over but a disappointed Schiavone added, “ I enjoyed today’s match a lot. I was very focused and played a very good match.”
In the fourth singles match, Elena Vesnina played Mara Santangelo in what was a dead rubber. The Russian was far more motivated than the Italian, defeating her comfortably 62 64 in a very one sided affair. The doubles match was cancelled so the final score will read Russia 4, Italy 0.
Looking ahead, Kuznetsova said, “as long as we stay as a team, we’re gonna be very strong.”
Russia now has the rare opportunity of holding both the Davis Cup and Fed Cup at the same time and will continue the defence of its Davis Cup title here in Moscow, at the Olympic Stadium, with a semifinal against Germany next weekend.
Chakvetadze draws first blood for Russia
September 15, 2007
Anna Chakvetadze gave Russia a 1-0 lead in the Fed Cup final tie with Italy beating Francesca Schiavone in the opening rubber here on Saturday.
The 20-year-old Chakvetadze, who is currently fifth in the world, clinched a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win in two hours 15 minutes -- her third win in four head-to-head meetings with the Italian.
"The first match of the tie is always very important and I'm happy to win it and give my side the point that we all needed so much," Chakvetadze said.
"It was so much up and down today and now I feel completely exhausted," she added.
"When it was 3-0 in Francesca's favour in the third set I started to relax a bit more because I had nothing to lose. I helped me a lot, and I managed to get back into my game and finally win the match."
Chakvetadze looked slightly rusty from the start allowing Schiavone to break early for a 2-0 lead. But the Moscow resident soon found her composure and broke back twice to take the opening set in 39 minutes.
The pair traded breaks throughout the second set but a more precise Schiavone, currently 25th in the WTA rankings, pulled the scores level at one set all after one hour 25 minutes on court.
The 27-year-old Italian broke early in the deciding set for a comfortable 3-0 lead, but Chakvetadze broke back in the fifth game to level at three games all.
Schiavone lost her nerve in the ninth game, producing a series of unforced errors which allowed Chakvetadze to break again minutes before she won the set and the match.
The clash between world number two Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Italy's Mara Santangelo will complete Saturday's schedule.
Kuznetsova and Chakvetadze the new Russian stars
September 10, 2007
When Russia began its 2007 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas campaign in April of this year, Anna Chakvetadze was a promising up-and-comer who spent most of the one-sided first round tie against Spain on the bench, waiting for her chance to pitch in and help Nadia Petrova and Svetlana Kuznetsova. As Russia returns to Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium for this year’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas final against Italy, Chakvetadze is now a key member of the team.
The 20-year-old Muscovite was originally a highly promising pianist, but at 12 her mother took her to a tennis club and her life changed direction. She was an outstanding junior but not surprisingly has taken time to find her feet on the WTA Tour. However, a stellar spell on the American hard-courts has culminated in a run to the US Open semifinals – and a marquee match against her good friend Kuznetsova – and left Chakvetadze knocking on the door of the world’s top five.
Chakvetadze and Kuznetsova became close after getting to know each other on Fed Cup duty, and their friendship has help build team spirit within the all-star Russian line-up. “I’m such a friendly person and I’m in good relations with everyone. I mean, we are seeing each other every week and we practise together,” said Chakvetadze, who also featured in Russia’s thrilling 3-2 semi-final victory over the USA in Stowe in July, when she beat Vania King in the opening match before losing to Venus Williams.
Chakvetadze and Kuznetsova will be assisted in the final by Petrova and Elena Vesnina, who regularly partners Chakvetadze in doubles. They will also have a high class practice partner in World No.2 Maria Sharapova, whose injury problems will not allow her to play but who will attend the final at the invitation of team captain Shamil Tarpischev. “I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from our captain asking me if I would like to play in the finals,” Sharapova told her personal website. “Unfortunately he called me the day I was visiting a doctor in Toronto.” Sharapova has been told not to put any pressure on her shoulder, where she is still experiencing some pain after a series of nagging problems this season. “The bad news is that I can’t play the finals without a serve, smash or a swinging volley,” she explained.” The least I could do is fly over there and be their practice partner for the week and cheer them on from the stands. Get those horns ready!”
Chakvetadze is working with Sharapova’s former coach Robert Landsorp and credits the California-based mentor – who has also worked with Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport and Pete Sampras among others – with helping her improve in recent months. “I’m working physically and mentally definitely, and I think I improve this year a lot compared to last year,” she said. “He helps me a lot. He gives me confidence, you know, and he’s a great guy. I just take some little things what he teaches, you know, because I will never play like Maria. I will never have powerful shots like Maria because I’m just smaller and thinner. I don’t have as much power to hit, so I have to play smart. And because I’m shorter I'm moving better, so I have to use that.”
Kuznetsova, too, feels that she has improved and travels to Moscow as the US Open runner-up, all of which could spell bad news for Italy, the competition’s defending champions. “I know I’ve grown as a person and as a player, I can see it in the matches,” said Kuznetsova. “It really motivates me a lot to do what I’m doing, and I really enjoy playing tennis.”
Italy, the competition’s defending champions, can also field a strong, experienced team for the final, made up the quartet of players who took Italy to victory in Charleroi last September.
Francesca Schiavone will spearhead the team, with Flavia Pennetta, Mara Santangelo and doubles specialist Roberta Vinci alongside her, and last year’s winning captain Corrado Barazzutti once more leading the team from the sidelines.
The 45th Fed Cup final marks the first time the two teams have met at such a late stage in the competition but they have met on three previous occasions, with Russia winning all three
Fed Cup - Official Team Nominations for 2007 Finals
September 10, 2007
The ITF has received the Official Team Nominations for the 2007 Final between Russia and Italy, to be held September 15-16 in Moscow, and they are as follows:
Russia
Svetlana Kuznetsova
Anna Chakvetadze
Nadia Petrova
Elena Vesnina
Captain: Shamil Tarpishchev
Italy
Francesca Schiavone
Flavia Pennetta
Mara Santangelo
Roberta Vinci
Captain: Corrado Barazzutti
Under Fed Cup regulations, each team may change up to two of its nominations up to one hour before the draw.
This is the 45th Fed Cup Final and the first time that these two nations have met at the last stage. Russia has a 3-0 lead in their the head-to-head record, with the most recent meeting being in 2005 at Brindisi in Italy. The Russians won that first round tie 4-1 on their way to being crowned champions for a second year running and are No.1 in the Fed Cup rankings, having won the title eleven times.
The only player who remains from that 2005 tie is Francesca Schiavone, who will lead the Italians at the Small Sports Arena “Luzhniki” as they attempt to defend their Fed Cup title. The talismanic Schiavone was the heroine of Italy’s semifinal tie against France, defeating Amelie Mauresmo on her way to winning all three of her rubbers and is ready to hit top form in Moscow. “It’s going to be very tough. They have some of the best players in the world, but I will give my best for Italy”, Schiavone said. The Italians make only one change from the semifinals with Flavia Pennetta coming in for Tathiana Garbin and crucially, they have the same team that defeated Begium in the final last year.
On paper, the Russians have an incredibly strong line-up with three of their four players ranked in the Top 10. World No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova will head the Russian team, along with No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze, who are playing exceptionally well, having both reached the semifinals of the US Open. After missing the semifinal against the USA with a shoulder injury, Kuznetsova can’t wait for the Moscow clash. “We will all be together fighting for our country, it’s going to be very exciting.” Finally, there is Nadia Petrova, currently ranked No. 8 and Elena Vesnina, who partnered each other in that decisive rubber victory in the semifinal.
Anna falls to Kuznetsova
September 7, 2007
It was the battle of the Russians, as No. 4 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova faced No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze. Kuznetsova outlasted her countrywoman to advance to the final, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
In some ways, the two women are a study in contrasts, with the former US Open champion Kuznetsova trying to make her way back versus the up-and-comer Chakvetadze.
In the first set, neither woman was able to hold serve in the first three games, with Chakvetadze going up, 2-1. She then held and broke Kuznetsova again, taking a comfortable 4-1 lead.
The swirling wind, which provided a nice relief to those in the stands, created a hindrance for both players, making the ball difficult to judge. On one point, Chakvetadze missed the ball entirely, when the wind lifted it away from her.
Whether due to nerves or focus, Kuznetsova struggled with her game throughout the entire first set, not finding her groove at all. She seemed to have no control over any of her shots and became more and more visibly frustrated, at one point letting out a huge, frustrated yell at another lost point.
Kuznetsova, who had dropped only one set in the tournament before today's match (to Camille Pin in round two), subsequently complained to the umpire that all of the talking in the crowd was distracting her. However, even after the crowd was warned and quieted a bit, she still could not focus and gave the first set to her opponent, with a staggering 21 unforced errors.
In fact, after the match, speaking on court to Mary Joe Fernandez, Kuznetsova admitted she was embarrassed by her performance in the first set, saying she had played about as badly as she could have.
In the second set, Kuznetsova began to awaken and find her stride. While the match went steadily back and forth, Chakvetadze stuttered a bit, and Kuznetsova regained some control over her game. Falling into a split to return a ball, she managed not only to get it in but to recover in time to return again and win the point.
Up 5-1 in the second, Kuznetsova was now fully on the offensive, and the pace of the match picked up, as she won the next game to send the match into a third set.
With the temperature in the mid-80s (and higher on the court) with not a cloud in the sky, the umpire alerted the players and the crowd that the heat rule was in effect, and the players received a 10-minute break before the start of the third set.
Coming back out, Kuznetsova continued to put pressure on her 20-year-old opponent. As Kuznetsova broke to go up 3-1, Chakvetadze was clearly distraught and looked to be in tears.
When Kuznetsova took a 4-1 lead, she finally flashed the first smile of the match and, looking toward her family box, clenched her fist and nodded her head. Her opponent could not summon the strength to make a comeback, and Kuznetsova served out the set, sending herself to the US Open final for the second time in her career.
The 2004 US Open champion next faces either Justine Henin, who won the US Open title in 2003, or Venus Williams, the 2000 and 2001 winner, for the 2007 women’s title.
Anna cruises into US Open semis
September 5, 2007
Anna eased past Israel's Sahar Peer 6-4 6-1 at the US Open to reach her first-ever grand slam semi-final.
"I'm so excited," said Anna, who has won four titles this year including two this summer at Cincinnati and Stanford. "I was so nervous before the match. Even though it was straight sets it was a really tough match.
"(In the second set) I just started to play more aggressively and Shahar's level went down a bit, so I took my opportunity."
Anna made it to the quarter-finals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros already this year, but failed to make the breakthrough falling to compatriot Maria Sharapova each time.
This time around she dominated the lower-ranked Peer with her brutal forehand and some imposing play from the baseline, chalking up 19 winners.
Peer, meanwhile, failed to take advantage of 23 unforced errors by the Russian, hitting 20 of her own and failing to convert on seven-of-nine break chances.
The world number six won the last four games of the opening set after dropping an early break to the Israeli number one and then reeled off the last six games of the second set after being broken in the opening game to seal the win through in 82 minutes.
She will now play against fellow Russian, former US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova for the place in the final.
Anna vs Peer
September 5, 2007
Anna faces world No.19 Shahar Peer in the quarter finals of the US Open today.
The match is scheduled as the first match of the day on the Arture Ashe Stadion, and will begin at 11am local time
Anna has played against 20-year old 18. seed three times before and leads 2-1, although Peer came out on top in the pair's most recent encounter at Indian Wells in March.
Two players reached the fourth round 12 months ago, but will be making their quarterfinal debuts on Wednesday.
Chakvetadze has been one of the revelations of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in 2007, winning four titles - including Cincinnati and Stanford during the summer hardcourt swing - and firmly establishing herself in the Top 10.
The 20-year-old Muscovite has been impressive en route to the quarterfinals and has yet to drop a set at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, defeating among others Sania Mirza and Tamira Paszek.
Click here for live point-by-point scoring
Here is what Matt Cronin thinks about the match:
Since Maria Sharapova was upset in the third round, Chakvetadze has been the favorite to get through to her first Slam final, as the 20-year-old Russian has had the best summer of anyone on her side. With each passing match, she is getting better control of volatile emotions, which is certainly her Achilles’ heel.
Chakvetadze is the smoothest player among the top 6, but the slight blonde is lacking a little power, which can hurt her against top 5 players. That also might affect her against Peer, who isn't going to give her the pace she desires, so Chakvetadze is going to have to come up with a bit of her own zip. Peer loves the long grind and Chakvetadze is vulnerable in tortuous matches because she gets frustrated if things aren't going her way.
But the Russian has more positives to her game, owning slightly better groundstrokes and a more effective return. Plus, she's a smarter player who is more of a risk-taker. Even though this match is starting at 11 a.m., fans should be able to come in around noon and see the end of the first set. Long points will be frequent and it will be the woman is willing to pull the trigger who will end up on top. That player will be Chakvetadze in three sets.
Anna Moves Into Quarterfinals
September 4, 2007
In her first night match at Flushing Meadows, Anna Chakvetadze defeated the youngest woman in the fourth round, 16-year-old Austrian Tamira Paszek, 6-1, 7-5, to earn her third quarterfinal berth at a Slam this year. Chakvetadze had also been in the Australian and French Open quarters, but Monday night's victory meant she would also achieve her best finish at the US Open.
Afterward, the 20-year-old Chakvetadze said of Paszek: "She has a great future, definitely. I feel I am young, but not anymore." Paszek had been a finalist at the 2006 US Open girls' singles tournament.
Chakvetadze won the first five games in the first set before Paszek was able to hold serve in the sixth game. But then the Russian closed out the 28-minute first set on serve with a winner to the baseline.
At the beginning of the second set, Paszek took a medical time out while a trainer rubbed her already-wrapped left leg. The treatment appeared to help as Paszek quickly took the lead by breaking Chakvetadze in the fourth game to go up 3-1.
Chakvetadze rallied back, broke Paszek twice, and took a 5-4 lead. In the10th game, Chakvetadze served for the match but netted a forehand and Paszek finally converted her third break point to tie the set at five games apiece. In the 11th game, Chakvetadze broke Paszek and served for the match. On match point, Paszek hit a backhand return long.
Chakvetadze now looks to a quarterfinal meeting with the No. 18 seed, Shahar Peer, of Israel. Peer will be "very, very tough," said Chakvetadze. "She killed me in practice before the tournament. [It] will be a tough match. You need to see, definitely.
Anna vs Paszek
September 2, 2007
Anna faces world No.43 Tamira Paszek in the fourth round of the US Open today.
The match is scheduled as the first match of the night session Arture Ashe Stadion, and will begin at 7pm local time.
Anna has never played against 16-year old Austrian, who beat No. 11 seed Patty Schnyder 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 in their third round match.
The winner of the match meets the winner of the Agnieszka Radwanska-Shahar Peer tie in the quarter-finals.
Click here for live point-by-point scoring
Here is what Matt Cronin thinks about the match:
When the 20-year-old Chakvetadze can be called the veteran in match, you know that the tour is going to the greenhorns. The super-talented Austrian Paszek is only 16 years old, and already owns the guts and know-how to be able to best seeds at the Slams, having taken down Patty Schnyder in a third-set tiebreaker in the previous round. She has a rock solid build and blinding groundstrokes and never seems to get nervous. Lock her into the top 10 some time during the next two years.
But with Maria Sharapova gone out of the bottom half of the draw Chakvetadze is now the favorite to reach her first Slam final, because she's the smartest, quickest, most deceptively lethal player on tour. The Cincy and Stanford champ a wisp of a woman, but counterpunches with direction and force and has few weaknesses save for an occasional emotional walkabout. She rarely hits the ball the same way and Paszek will be confused about what her strategy should be. The Russian will yank the Austrian teen around in a straight set win.
Anna breezes into fourth round
September 1, 2007
Anna confidently moved into round four of the US Open with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory over the No. 26 seed Sania Mirza in only 53 minutes
6 seed hit a forehand winner to break Mirza's first service game of the match and then broke again in the last game of the set when Mirza hit a forehand long after having denied Anna on two prior set points.
Mirza fell behind 5-1 in the second set before rallying, breaking when Anna sent a backhand wide and surviving match point when the 20-year old sent a forehand wide.
Anna held serve to end the match after 53 minutes on a forehand winner, advancing to a round of 16 match against Austria's Tamira Paszek.
Anna ousted Mirza from the Moorilla Hobart International in the semi-finals in January, and then defeated her again in a Cincinnati semi-final and the Stanford final in July.
She won the title in each of those tournaments.
Anna vs Mirza
August 31, 2007
Anna faces world No.27 Sania Mirza in the third round of the US Open today. The match is scheduled as the second on Court 11 and should begin sometime after 12.45pm local time (6.45pm Central European Time).
It will be the fourth contest between the two, and the fourth this year, Anna won all the matches so far, in Hobart, Cincinnati and Stanford.
The winner of the match meets the winner of the Patty Schnyder - Tamira Paszek tie in round four.
Click here for live point-by-point scoring
Here is what Matt Cronin thinks about the match:
These two promising teens simply can't avoid each other as this is the third time they've played this summer, with the Russian winning both their matches in Cincinnati and Stanford. Mirza cannot afford to play long points with Chakvetadze, who is excellent at pulling her out of position and either forcing an error or smoking a winner. She has to go straight at the Russian's body with her hammer forehand in order to get Chakvetadze to stand still once in while, because the Russian is deadly on the run. Most importantly, she has to serve very well, because while Mirza has improved her movement, backhand and on court composure, her serve is still a weakness. If she zones on her forehand, Mirza could pull an upset here, but the intelligent Chakvetadze will find a way around her and triumph in three sets.
Anna eases into round three
August 30, 2007
Ana moved into the third round of the US Open with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over world No.68 Nicole Pratt, in one hpur and 12 minutes.
She won't have been too happy with her unforced error count of 30 but her winner tally of 38 more than made up for that and ensured she progressed to a meeting with 26th seed Sania Mirza, a 6-3 7-5 winner against home hope Laura Granville
Anna vs Pratt
August 29, 2007
Anna faces world No.68 Nicole Pratt in the second round of the US Open today.
The match is scheduled as the first of the day on Court 13, and will begin at 11am local time (5pm Central European Time).
Anna has never played against 34-year old American, who beat Jamea Jackson 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 in their first round match.
The winner of the match meets the winner of the Sania Mirza-Laura Granville tie in the third round round.
Click here for live point-by-point scoring
Here is what Matt Cronin wrote about the match:
Chakvetadze may have not been known to fair-weather fans prior to the summer, but by winning Cincinnati and Stanford and taking down Venus Williams at San Diego, her profile was raised a great deal. She's an intelligent, quick player who has some of the fastest hands in the business. She's the wispiest member of the top six, but has such fine technique and so keen a focus that she's able to chop down dozens of other bigger players.
Pratt is yet another elder veteran to appear on Thursday and is a scrappy, game player, but when the Aussie pulls off upsets, they tend to be against non-thinking players. Chakvetadze is not in that group, and will school Pratt in two rapid sets.
Anna storms past Weinhold in first round
August 28, 2007
Anna’s service delivery is so efficient that she often finds herself waiting for her opponents to set themselves to return. Anna has applied this no-nonsense approach to many other parts of her game, which served her well today as she defeated Ashley Weinhold 6-1, 6-1.
In only 46 minutes, 20-year old breezed through her first round match against the wild card from Austin, TX. Anna never relinquished control of the match, relying on her more powerful ground strokes which tormented Weinhold all afternoon. Weinhold, who made her debut in the US Open main draw this year, was moved around the court by Anna's shots like a puppet is by a puppeteer. That business-like approach frustrated Weinhold at Louis Armstrong Stadium, where she never had time to get comfortable.
Despite the lopsided score, Weinhold still found her first experience in the main draw to be a memorable one. “I was very excited to have the opportunity to play a Top 10 player at Louis Armstrong,” said Weinhold.
The World no. 6 displayed an array of shots that should help her in her quest to win her first Grand Slam title. When asked about her opponent, Weinhold commented on what she thought Anna did best on the day. “I thought she served very well, but her backhand is her best shot,” said Weinhold.
Indeed, the two-handed backhand of Anna's was usually her finishing shot of choice on the day, but she mixed in plenty of winners from the forehand side as well. Her serve was also exceptional, as she won 91 percent of her first serve points. It seemed that as long as Anna kept her serve in play, her superior ground strokes would eventually pull through.
Next up for 20-year old is Nicole Pratt, who defeated American Jamea Jackson earlier today.
Anna vs. Weinhold
August 27, 2007
Anna has unquestionably been one of the outstanding performers on Tour in 2007 - capturing four singles titles as well as reaching her first ever Grand Slam quarterfinals at Roland Garros and the Australian Open.
These performances have helped to propel the elegant 20-year-old to a career-high world ranking of No.6 and after her back-to-back triumphs during the North American hardcourt season in Cincinnati and Stanford she will be highly confident of building on her fourth round showing in New York 12 months ago.
However, if Anna is to achieve this she will first have to overcome another talented young player in the form of American wildcard Weinhold.
The 18-year-old from Texas will be making her Grand Slam debut against Chakvetadze and after winning just 12 matches all season the world No.413 will have to produce the performance of her life to trouble the No.6 seed.
Click here for live point-by-point scoring.
Anna's US Open first round match against Ashley Weinhold is scheduled as the fourth on Louis Armstrong stadium on Tuesday. Play begins at 11am; Anna is expected to take to the court sometime after 17.30pm local time.
Experts on Anna
August 27, 2007
As we wait for Anna to take the court for her first round match, we look at what some people said about Anna in 2007 U.S. Open experts' predictions
Patrick McEnroe, ESPN analyst
- Further introductions -
Anna Chakvetadze is No. 6 in the world, but hasn't broken through at a major. If she beats Sharapova in the quarters, people will start paying a lot more attention to her.
Peter Bodo, TENNIS.com senior writer
- Worth watching -
This is a great chance for Anna Chakvetadze to really prove she is the real deal. Her game has never been in better shape; right now, it's all about the mind.
Mary Joe Fernandez, ESPN analyst
- Worth watching -
She's ranked sixth, but do you really know who Anna Chakvetadze is? This is a great opportunity to make a name for herself.
US Open first round - Anna Chakvetadze vs. Ashley Weinhold
August 27, 2007
U.S. wild card Weinhold got in by virtue of winning the USTA 18s nationals in impressive fashion, but this match-up is a very tough ticket.
Chakvetadze was one of the most impressive performers during the US Open Series, winning Stanford, taking a Tier III title the week before in Cincinnati and upsetting Venus Williams in San Diego.
She's smart, quick, has fast hands and moves the ball around with the deftness of Martina Hingis.
The Russian is hard to read and goes from defense to offense in a blink of an eye.
Wienhold will attempt to show U.S. fans that she has a bright pro future and will hang in gamely during some points, but Chakvetadze will win all the big ones in rapid victory.
(Matthew Cronin's Picks)
US Open draw
August 22, 2007
Anna has been drawn to face Ashley Weinhold in the first round of the US Open, which begins on Monday.
Anna is seeded sixth for the year's final Grand Slam.
Should she overcome the 18-year old American, Anna will face either Austrian Nicole Pratt or another American player, Jamea Jackson.
26th seed Sania Mirza is a possible third round opponent, while 11th seed Patty Schnyder could await in the fourth round.
Defending champion Maria Sharapova is Anna's scheduled quarter-final opponent, while another Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova is a likely semi-final adversary.
The leading seeds in the top half of the draw are No.1 Justine Henin and No.3 Jelena Jankovic.
Click here for the full draw.
Anna seeded 6 at US Open
January 1, 2008
August 21, 2007
Anna is the number 6 seed at the year’s last Grand Slam, US Open, which starts at Flushing Meadows on August 27.
Last year, Anna reached fourth round at Flushing Meadows, which is her best singles performance, and has 96 points to defend.
The singles draws for the 2007 US Open will be conducted Wednesday, August 22 at 11 a.m. at the Empire State Building in New York City.
While we wait for Anna to step on the court at this year`s US Open, check out the 2006 US Open photo gallery!!!
Anna on Tennis Channel Tonight
August 20, 2007
CENTER COURT WITH CHRIS MYERS
Chris Myers hosts exclusive conversation with Anna in half-hour episode.
The Russian Revolution is well underway in tennis and this Moscow native is the latest to take the world by storm. She cracked the top 10 in only her third year on the Sony Ericcson WTA Tour. Known as a fearless fighter, she's a proven winner - and took the first 5 tour finals of her career. She talks about growing up in Moscow, the influence of that OTHER Anna on Russian tennis, and about her goals for the future.
The show starts at 7:00pm eastern time
For more details, go to www.thetennischannel.com
Anna: "I felt my power was going away"
August 16, 2007
An Interview with Anna after her withdrawal from Rogers Cup during her second round match against Virginie Razzano while trailing 7-6, 2-0.
Q. Did you feel bad right from the start of the match?
ANNA: No, I felt okay. And I actually felt that I'm ready to finish the match, you know, and I'm ready to play to the end. And I start pretty solid 3-Love up. And then suddenly I felt that, like, point by point, my power's going away.
So, and it was really long rallies, you know. And I felt that after I lost first set, you know, I felt that I'm not ready physically to finish the match. And it's a pity, because I felt that I am in good shape, but just, you know, physically I just can't run. And I just can't finish the match.
Q. This is the same kind of flu bug that you had from San Diego?
ANNA: Yeah, it's still the same thing. And, I mean, I've been practicing for just an hour every day, and I felt it's okay.
But I actually didn't run that much on those practices. I just, you know, just played from one place, you know, didn't run. Just crosscourt and served. Didn't do that much.
That's why, I mean, if I know that I was not able to finish the match, I would never go out to the court. Because it's happened - I mean, it's very, very pity for me because I have to defend semifinals here. And I like this tournament, and it's just very sad.
Q. Do you have any concern going into the US Open?
ANNA: Yeah. Hopefully, I have one - more than a week to rest, you know. And hopefully it will be okay.
Q. How about the fact that you won't be getting in, I guess, matches now going into the Open. Do you feel comfortable still?
ANNA: I'm feeling sick. That's it (smiling). I mean, you never know how you're going to play in a week.
Right now I'm feeling that I'm playing okay. I'm on my rhythm. I feel my serve. And I'm just, as I said, not ready physically.
Q. I'm sorry. What are the symptoms you're feeling, nausea, light-headed?
ANNA: Yeah, headache, a little bit dizziness and can't really breathe well, you know. And I have cough which was bothering me during the match. All cold symptoms.
Anna withdraws from Rogers Cup
August 15, 2007
Anna withdrew from her second round match against Virginie Razzano from France while trailing 6-7, 0-2.
Rogers Cup: There’s Something About An(n)a
August 15, 2007
The name “Anna” derives from the Hebrew name “Channah”, meaning grace, charm, and mercy. Although a couple of Anna’s in action at the Rogers Cup presented by American Express have displayed a plethora of grace and charm, they have shown little mercy.
Anna Chakvetadze had seen her year-end Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles ranking cut in half in each of the past five years and looks prime to continue that streak for a sixth year. After finishing 2006 at No. 13 in the world, it certainly isn’t a stretch to suggest that Chakvetadze could at least maintain her current No. 6 position (a career-high) considering the year that she has had thus far.
In what has already been her most successful season on Tour, the 20-year old Russian has collected four titles (Hobart, S’ Hertogenbosch, Cincinnati, and Stanford), reached a pair of Grand Slam quarter-finals (Australian Open and Roland Garros), and enjoyed a 12-match win streak, the longest on Tour this year. Now, she hopes to build on her semifinal run at last year’s Rogers Cup in pursuit of a much-coveted place within the Tour’s top five.
from tournament official website www.rogerscup.com
Anna's Toronto Blog
August 14, 2007
Anna id doing the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Blog from this week's Rogers Cup in Toronto.
Go to www.sonyericssonwtatour.com to read her entries.
Acura Classic Photos
August 14, 2007
While we wait for Anna to get on the court for her second round match at Rogers Cup, images of Anna in action during Acura Classic in San Diego are now in the Gallery.
Anna playing hurt
August 14, 2007
Anna was so sick when she arrived for the Rogers Cup last Thursday she couldn't get out of bed, never mind swing a racquet.
Dogged by a cold she caught playing in a Tier One tournament in San Diego, the No. 6 ranked-player lay in her hotel room and wondered if she'd be able to play. Yesterday she said she'll be ready to go tomorrow.
"I'm still not practising two sessions a day," said the 20-year-old Russian. "I'm just hitting one session a day to save my energy for Wednesday."
This year's tournament has once again been plagued by top-seeded players withdrawing. John McEnroe yesterday called it "an epidemic."
But with the list of ailing players who showed up nearly rivalling those who didn't, the women here can commiserate.
"The U.S. Open series, there's always a lot of injuries because a lot of players are playing so many matches in a row," said Chakvetadze. "You have to give your body a rest a little bit."
Rogers Cup draw
August 12, 2007
Anna has been drawn to face Franche player - either Aravane Rezai or Virginie Razzano in the second round of the Rogers Cup presented by American Express, which begins on Monday. She is seeded fifth and receives a bye in round one.
11h seed Shahar Peer could await in round three, while No.2 Jelena Jankovic is possible quarter-final opponent.
Third seeded countrywoman Svetlana Kuznetsova is Anna's scheduled semi-final adversary.
Sharapova stops streaking Chakvetadze
August 05, 2007
Defending champion Maria Sharapova threw cold water on red-hot Anna Chakvetadze's bid for a third WTA title in as many weeks on Saturday.
Sharapova, the top seed, continued her dominance over her fellow Russian with a 6-3, 6-2 semi-final victory in the 1.34 million-dollar San Diego Classic.
Sharapova, who reached her third final of the season, will vie for the title against Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, who defeated Russian Elena Dementieva 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 in the second semi-final.
Showing no sign of the shoulder injury that has nagged her, Sarapova fired five aces and won 75 percent of the points on her first serve en route to improving to 5-0 all-time against Chakvetadze.
It was another strong effort for the 20-year-old, who has dropped just 15 of 61 games in four matches at this event.
"I'd rather be playing these matches than be playing tough matches," said Sharapova, adding that despite the apparent ease of Saturday's win, she thought she had played better earlier in the week.
"I didn't feel as sharp as I did in the previous matches, especially in the beginning of the match," she admitted. "I was making a lot of unforced errors off of the return. But other than that, (after the break) it's a good situation to be in."
Chakvetadze, meanwhile, had been the big story on the road to the US Open, winning tournaments at Cincinnati and Stanford in the past two weeks.
Despite already losing in straight sets in the quarter-finals at both the Australian and French Open to Sharapova this year, Chakvetadze appeared as if she might have the game to finally push the reigning US Open champion.
Chakvetadze did end the run of three-time winner Venus Williams in the quarters on Friday despite being down a set and 5-3 in the second. She overcame a match point en route to posting a 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 victory.
But Chakvetadze struggled against Sharapova, coughing up six double faults without an ace.
Chakvetadze admitted that she was feeling the effects of three straight weeks of tennis.
"I felt very tired," she said. "Maria played very well and hit a lot of winners, but I couldn't run and I could not play.
"I was not able to fight today like I did yesterday against Venus. I did not have much time to recover. In the end, I got cramps on my left side and I couldn't move as well."
Anna beats Venus, Moves to Semis
August 04, 2007
Ana won her quarter final match gainst Wimbledon Champion Venus Williams, 6-7 7-6 6-2.
Anna Wins, Moves to Quarters
August 03, 2007
Third seed Anna Chakvetadze, who is gunning for her third straight title, won her 11th straight match by downing Japan's Ai Sugiyama 6-4, 6-4.
Chakvetadze stretches to 10th straight win
August 01, 2007
Russian wonder Anna Chakvetadze extended her summer win streak to 10 matches on Wednesday as the third seed crushed Meghann Shaughnessy 6-4, 6-4 at the San Diego Classic.
Chakvetadze, ranked sixth in the world, had polished her finals record to six-for-six with last weekend's triumph in Stanford over India's tennis princess Sania Mirza.
The Russian spent just under 90 minutes in dispatching American Shaughnessy in the second round, breaking serve four times.
She will next face former tournament giant killer Ai Sugiyama, who continued her habit of knocking out seeds with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) victory over number 15 Austrian Sybille Bammer.
Anna captures Bank of West Classic title
July 29, 2007
Top-seed Anna Chakvetadze of Russia cruised past Indian Sania Mirza in straight sets to win the $600,000 Bank of the West Classic.
Chakvetadze, who outlasted third-seed Daniela Hantuchova in three sets in her semifinal match, needed just over an hour to beat Mirza, 6-3, 6-2, at Taube Family Tennis Stadium. The eighth-ranked woman in the world captured her third title of the year and the sixth of her career.
Last week's titlist in Cincinnati, Chakvetadze has won nine straight matches on hardcourts.
Anna holds off Hantuchova to advance at Bank of West Classic
July 29, 2007
Top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze of Russia rallied to down No. 3 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday at the semifinals of the $600,000 Bank of the West Classic.
Set to face Chakvetadze in the final, Indian Sania Mirza advanced to her biggest career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour final, as she dropped eighth-seeded Austrian Sybille Bammer, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 at Taube Family Tennis Stadium.
Last week's titlist in Cincinnati, Chakvetadze has won eight straight matches on hardcourts. Ranked eighth in the world, Chakvetadze has already notched two titles this year.
Mirza, the world No. 35, reached her first final since Forest Hills in August of 2005 by topping her third straight seeded opponent.
Anna races to Stanford semi
July 28, 2007
Top seed Anna Chakvetadze continued her rich vein of U.S. hardcourt form by defeating Katarina Srebotnik 4-6 6-2 6-2 to move into the semifinals of the Stanford Classic on Friday.
The Russian, last week's winner in Cincinnati, will meet third seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, who overcame qualifier Olga Govortsova 7-5 6-3.
Srebotnik, the seventh seed, successfully boomed big serves and forehands at the Russian to seal the first set, but Chakvetadze raced out to a 5-0 lead in the second set, and the Slovenian could not recover.
Chakvetadze continued her fine form in the third, immediately breaking Srebotnik to go 2-0 up. She was never pushed on her own service games and broke her opponent again to win the contest when she unleashed a backhand down the line winner.
Chakvetadze Claims Cincy Crown
January 1, 2008
July 21, 2007
Just like she had been doing all week, Anna Chakvetadze came through when it really mattered, shrugging off somewhat messy quarterfinal and semifinal victories and summoning her best in the final of the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open, stopping the run of Akiko Morigami in the final in straight sets, 61 63.
Despite being a heavy favorite on paper coming into the event, the No.1-seeded Chakvetadze overcame some slow starts in her first two rounds then got pushed to three sets by both of her next two opponents, No.6 seed Elena Vesnina and No.3 seed Sania Mirza. But she managed to get through those and looked sharp from all angles against No.7 seed Morigami, claiming the first set in just 26 minutes and overcoming an early 2-0 hole to win the second set.
"I didn't expect it to be so easy; I think she was tired, because she played a tough match yesterday," Chakvetadze said. "I was trying to play every point very concentrated, because the last few days have been really up and down; if it had been like that today it would be really tough against her because she doesn't make easy mistakes and she runs very fast. My game plan was to move her, make her run and be more aggressive."
"I was really disappointed in how I played today; I just wasn't executing my shots and did not know what I wanted to do out there," Morigami said. "I just feel like I missed so many balls. Even though I was up 2-0 in the second set I think that was just because she made a few unforced errors. I tried to find my game at that point but it never happened."
Chakvetadze was 4-0 in Sony Ericsson WTA Tour finals coming into Cincinnati, and with this win improves to 5-0. She captured her first two career titles at Guangzhou and Moscow last year and has already won three this year, at Hobart, 's-Hertogenbosch and now here.
"When I came here I started hearing about being 4-0 in finals and that's just great," said Chakvetadze. "Today I think I played better than I did yesterday because it was a final. I always try to improve my game for a final because it's just a more important match."
There was also another perfect record on the line going into Sunday's match, but it wasn't something in Chakvetadze's favor. Morigami had won all three of their previous meetings, a win at San Diego in 2005 perhaps seeming the most relevant as it came in the summer season.
"Those three matches both of us played pretty well," Morigami said, "but Anna's definitely a different player than a few years ago. The difficult thing about playing her is that she changes the direction every other ball, so I had to run side to side all the time. I tried to mix things up with slices and different shots, but really just couldn't do it today."
But Morigami's run to the final was a popular one with the Cincinnati crowds who witnessed her saving match point in her first match against Camille Pin before making it all the way to the final, upsetting No.2 seed and former champion Patty Schnyder along the way. It was her third career final, having been a runner-up here in 2005 and won Prague in May.
"It has definitely been a good week for me although I was disappointed to have played like this in the finals," the Japanese continued. "Beating Patty on this surface gives me a lot of confidence though. Today Anna was just too good. I have to give her a lot of credit."
Having won five Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles titles and secured her place in the world's Top 10 already, Chakvetadze's goals are being reset higher and higher these days.
"My goal is to get better and win a Grand Slam; every player wants to win one, and I'm one of them," the 20-year-old Muscovite said. "A lot of things have to come together for me to win one though. You need a good draw and should be healthy and in good shape. I've made it to the quarterfinals twice already so I think I can do it. That's my goal now."
Anna falls to Krajicek
June 29, 2007
Dutch teenager Michaella Krajicek became the first player in either singles draw to take out one of the top 10 seeds when she beat Russia's number eight seed Anna Chakvetadze in an intense baseline battle which lasted for nearly three hours and featured two tense tie-breaks.
It was the 20-year-old Russian, the world number seven, who came out firing at the start, winning a series of break points and then converting to take an early 3-1 lead.
But then Krajicek, the 31st seed, started finding her angles and the players settled into a groove, with the match dominated by long baseline rallies mixed up with a few deft volleys. Chakvetadze, leading 5-4, had the chance to serve for the opening set but hit a double fault followed by a wayward shot, which gave her opponent the chance to level at 5-5.
The long-threatened rain finally fell, forcing the players off with Krajicek leading 6-5 and, on their return two hours later, Chakvetadze quickly forced a particularly tense tie-break, which featured some scintillating rallies, but was sealed 10-8 by Krajicek.
The second set was equally gripping. The revitalised Krajicek shone with confidence as she smashed down three aces in a row on her opening service game and at times she challenged the Russian's serve, but the match continued to be closely contended and went with serve.
The lack of any breakthrough prompted both players to show their frustration at time. The Dutchwoman threw her racquet to the ground in anger at her unforced errors and the Russian questioned a number of line calls.
The set ended with another tie-break, which looked a mirror image of the first with long cross court rallies but this time the Russian held her nerve, clinching it 7-5 to level the match.
Krajicek took the opening game of the third set before the rain came down. Fortunately it was only a quick shower and play resumed half an hour later, when Chakvetadze was immediately broken.
There were further break point chances for both players but Krajicek ran away with the third set and rounded off a memorable victory 7-6 (10-8), 6-7 (7-5), 6-2 in two hours 49 minutes.
Anna sinks Poutchek
June 28, 2007
Anna needed 56 minutes to book her place in the thid round at All England Club, as she defeated 85th-ranked Tatiana Poutchek of Bulgaria in straight sets, 6-2 6-1.
In the third round the number 8th seed meets the No.31 seed Michaella Krajicek of Netherland.
Anna wins Wimbledon opener
June 26, 2007
Women’s No.8 seed Anna Chakvetdatze overcame a slow start to defeat 76th-ranked Angelique Kerber of Germany in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.
For a while the 20-year-old Chakvetdatze’s prospects seemed as indifferent as the weather. Nineteen-year-old Kerber broke her more fancied opponent to love in the first game and soon found herself serving for the first set as errors sprayed from the Russian’s racquet.
The whiff of a potential upset seemed to have an effect on both players: Kerber, playing her first Wimbledon, grew tentative; Chakvetdatze found her angles and got her groove back. The eighth seed levelled for 5-5, calmly held her own serve and then seized the set by breaking the German with a barnstorming running backhand crosscourt.
Chakvetdatze, who defeated in-form Jelena Jankovic to win the grasscourt title at ’s-Hertogenbosch last week, continued to exert her authority in the second set. Although Kerber earned a break point for 3-1, she failed to convert it and after that it was one-way traffic. In the second round Chakvetdatze meets Tatiana Poutchek of Bulgaria.
Last year, Anna reached third round at All England Club, and has 62 ranking points to defend.
Anna takes Ordina Open title
June 23, 2007
Anna has won the WTA singles tournament at the Ordina Open! Chakvetadze played an exciting match, which was interrupted by rain on several occassions, and defeated Jelena Jankovic in three sets: 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3.
Jankovic struggled with a hamstring injury and at times appeared visibly in pain in a final frequently interrupted by rain showers.
The match took a rather strange course from the start. In the first set Chakvetadze hurried to a 5-0 advantage, but quickly saw her Serbian opponent even the score up to 5-5. In the following tiebreak Chakvetadze clearly advanced and took the set.
In the second set, however, Jankovic merely needed one break in the fourth game to take the set. After a 2-3 advantage for Chakvetadze in the third set the Russian player broke Jelena Jankovic’ serve. Jankovic thought she could break back, but Chakvetadze struck once more and finished the match on her own serve.
"I had a very good start... Jelena came back very strongly in the second set but I got lucky at the start of the third set," said Anna.
Anna is in Ordina Open final
June 22, 2007
Anna defeated fifth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-4 to reachOrdina Open final, where she will play against world No. 3 and the top seed Jelena Jankovic.
"It's my first time in Holland; I like it here and I'm excited to be in the finals," Anna said. "I feel relaxed here, like I'm playing exhibition matches! I look forward to playing against Jelena. She has had very good results this year."
Jankovic and Chakvetadze have played six times, and Chakvetadze leads the series, 4-2. Their last two matches have resulted in retirement wins - one each - so in completed matches, the Russian leads, 3-1. The Serb's lone win in that record was on grass, a 64 62 win in the first round of Wimbledon two years ago.
Anna through to Ordina Open semis
June 21, 2007
Ana beat Angelique Kerber, 6-2, 6-2 at the Ordina Open grass-court tournament in Netherlands on Thursday to earn a semifinal against fifth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova who overpowered second-seeded Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-1.
Anna advances to Ordina Open quarters
June 19, 2007
Third-seeded Anna Chakvetadze beat World No.30 Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4 7-6 in the second round of the Ordina Open in Holland.
Anna, seeded third, advances to the quarter-finals, where she will meet either fellow Russian Elena Vesnina or German Angelique Kerber on Thursday.
Anna rallies to win Ordina opener
June 17, 2007
Russia's Anna Chakvetadze rallied for a three-set triumph on the first day of play at the Ordina Open.
The third-seeded Chakvetadze posted a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Victoria Azarenko of Belarus in the first round of the final tuneup for Wimbledon.
Only two main draw matches were played Sunday, as Italy's Roberta Vinci was also a winner with a 6-0, 6-4 blitz of Russia's Elena Bovina.
The top seeds in the tournament are Serbs Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic. Both have byes into the second round.
Anna to play at Ordina Open
June 11, 2007
Anna’s first tournament of the grass court season will be Ordina Open in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, which begins on June 18.
The rankings point breakdown for the Tier III event is as follows:
First Round, 1pt;
Second Round, 10pts;
Third Round, 20pts;
Quarter-Finals, 35pts;
Semi-Finals, 65pts;
Runner-up, 100pts;
Winner, 140pts.
Anna loses to Sharapova
June 5, 2007
Anna lost in French Open qurter-finals to World No 2. Maria Sharapova in two sets, 3-6, 4-6.
Chakvetadze, who lost to Sharapova in the quarter-finals of this year's Australian Open, bowed out by firing a backhand return wide on the first match point.
Anna vs. Sharapova
June 4, 2007
Sharapova's reward for her thrilling three-set victory over Patty Schnyder is a quarterfinal match-up with her compatriot and rival Chakvetadze. The pair also met at the same stage of the Australian Open and world No.9 Chakvetadze will be out to avenge the narrow defeat she suffered at Melbourne Park. Prior to this year the Muscovite had never been beyond the fourth round in Grand Slam competition, but now she has achieved the feat in consecutive Majors.
Sharapova on the other hand will be making her third quarterfinal bow at Roland Garros, although her previous two appearances both ended in defeat; losing straight sets encounters with Paola Suárez in 2004 and Justine Henin one year later. Entering the tournament off the back of an injury-plagued last few months, the Russian has improved with every round and will be quietly confident of chalking-up her fourth career triumph over her fellow 20-year-old. However, Chakvetadze will be out to put an end to that run and in a year which has seen the elegant Russian capture her third career title in Hobart, as well as climb to her highest ever world ranking of No.9, few would rule her out of doing so and recording her 30th victory of the season in the process.
They have met 3 times before and Sharapova leads the series 3-0. Here are the matches:
Roland Garros 2005 - 3rd Round - Maria won 6-1 6-4
Los Angeles 2005 - 3rd Round - Maria won 4-6 6-4 7-5
Australian Open 2005 - Quarter-Final - Maria won 7-6 7-5(5)
Anna’s quarter-final match is scheduled as the second on Lenglen Arena on Tuesday. It is expected to begin sometime after 2pm local time (8am Eastern Time).
Click here for live point-by-point scoring from Roland Garros.
Russian hotshot must learn to keep her cool
June 3, 2007
Having reached the last 16 of the French Open, Anna Chakvetadze faces a test of temperament
The ability to maintain composure on court is, of course, not a prerequisite of a champion. Various rages for perfection have accompanied many of the most stunning tennis exploits as well as some of the more appalling. But few players regularly experience such variant emotions within the space of just a couple of games as the latest Russian to make her presence felt in the women’s top 10, Anna Chakvetadze.
Now just one match away from her second quarter final in as many Grand Slam tournaments, the 20-year-old Muscovite rates as one of the most emergent talents on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. Yet ask her what she would most like to accomplish in the forthcoming months and the answer is one of honesty rather than the bravado that suggests a major title. “More than anything I would like to find the way of becoming calm,” she admits with more than a tinge of embarrassment.
Perhaps it has something to do with studying for a psychology degree, partly by correspondence and occasionally in the classroom or lecture theatre at Moscow University, but Chakvetadze is highly analytical about her moods on court.
Moving through to the last 16 with her 6-4, 6-4 win over the infinitely more experienced Japanese Ai Sugiyama, she played with confidence and authority at the beginning of each set only to tighten with nerves and lose the ability to propel a first serve into play.
However, such clear demonstrations of anxiety is not totally unknown in women’s tennis. What was infinitely more unique was the ninth seed’s behaviour during her previous win against Hungary’s Agnes Szavay. At the beginning of the second set she was clearly so elated by her performance at winning the first that she walked back to the baseline struggling to contain her laughter.
Yet when she faltered in sight of victory and then, after a lengthy rain delay, allowed her opponent to take the match into a decisive third set, Chakvetadze was in such distress that tears were trickling down her face and she repeatedly looked courtside to Rainer Hoffman, the husband and coach of top 20 rival Patty Schnyder, with the expression of somebody who had lost all hope.
“He is just helping me out when he can,” explained Chakvetadze. “It is not easy to find the right coach that I can talk to and feel right with. I am a player that needs to be more calm on the court but I find it very difficult.”
Chakvetadze bears distinct similarities to two far more recognisable competitors. She plays in a way very similar to Martina Hingis in that she has no discernible big shots but instead plays the percentage game. But there are also parallels with Anastasia Myskina, the French champion of 2004 who trains at the same Vita Sport club in Moscow and is excited by the potential of her young compatriot.
“She’s a really smart girl on the court, in terms of the way she plays the game and moves, and she’s doing really a lot of good things,” said Myskina, who has spent more time analysing players in her assumed role of television commentator since experiencing a foot injury which continues to jeopardise her career.
One coach who has helped Chakvetadze is Robert Lansdorp, who not only prepared Myskina for her triumph at Roland Garros but was also integral in Maria Sharapova’s emergence. Following successful cancer surgery last year, a touring role is not possible for the Californian-based Dutchman, who previously guided Tracy Austin to the summit of the women’s game and did the same for Lindsay Davenport.
Lansdorp first began working with the 20-year-old Chakvetadze in March just before the back to back United States tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. The first event produced a couple of reasonably predictable victories but the second saw her reach the semi-final, eliminating three seeds on the way before falling to Justine Henin.
The pair will definitely reconvene later in the summer after Wimbledon when the tour moves to the United States and he is sufficiently enthused to maintain greater things could not be far away for the right-hander. “I compare her to Myskina,” he said. “She’s very intelligent and talented. There’s a lot of potential there. They were about the same age when they first came to me. Myskina was possibly a bit quicker but this girl hits a much bigger shot.”
Last October, Chakvetadze served notice of intent in her home city by reaching the final of the Kremlin Cup thanks to a walkover victory against the injured Sharapova and an emphatically convincing performance over former French and US Open finalist Elena Dementieva. In the past year she has also registered three wins over Nadia Petrova, who 12 months ago was ranked the world’s third best player.
Player portrait: Anna Chakvetadze
June 3, 2007
Anna Chakvetadze broke into the top 10 at the end of May, four short years after turning pro, and she does not intend stopping there. We met the 20 year-old Russian and found her cool, calm, and fiercely determined to succeed at the highest level.
"I don’t need inspiration, I can think for myself," she tells us, shortly after her comfortable victory over Ai Sugiyama. On the back of her quarter-final at the Australian Open, the No.9 seed has taken her progress to the last sixteen very much in her stride. "I’m happy because I played a lot better today, which explains why I was calmer on the court. I controlled things well," she says in flawless English.
“I’m ambitious”
Chakvetadze is accompanied on tour by her Georgian father while her Ukrainian mother looks after her younger brother at home. She needs no prompting when we ask her about her ambitions. "I’m not the type to announce what my objectives are; to win a Grand Slam or whatever. Everyone wants to win them. I’d like to get into the top 5 for sure but I take things as they come and try to do my best."
Anna has something of a reputation for being very emotional on court, even to the point of breaking into tears. Though she travels without a coach, she has been receiving guidance from Robert Landsdorp, the former mentor of Maria Sharapova, Pete Sampras and Anastasia Myskina. That is in Los Angeles, where she will return to prepare for the North American leg of the tour, prior to the US Open. Chakvetadze has been compared to Martina Hingis, with a game that is more varied than many of her compatriots. That may go to explain her meteoric rise through the rankings since her debut on the ITF tour in 2001, in Minsk.
Moscow memories
By 2004 she was playing in her first Grand Slam, at the US Open, where she reached the third round, beating Myskina on the way. "That’s a great memory. I couldn’t believe it at the time. It was a dream to beat the No.1 Russian, someone who had won Roland Garros that year," remembers the Wimbledon juniors finalist of 2003.
2005 saw her enter the top 50, and in 2006 she won her first two titles, in Guangzhou and her home town of Moscow. "To win the Kremlin Cup at home was fantastic. The win in China gave me a lot of confidence. When I beat a top 10 player I tell myself I can really go far and my game improves," she says. Anna has a title to her name this year too, in Hobart, and made the semi-finals in Miami, Warsaw and Montreal.
"It’s important to be consistent", reasons the future opponent of Lucie Safarova, a friend among many on the circuit. "I have a lot of friends on tour but we forget our friendship when we meet on court,” says Chakvetadze. Whether she is facing friend or foe, Anna Chakvetadze knows she only needs to concentrate on her own game. Her natural talent usually does the rest…
Anna Chakvetadze vs. Lucie Safarova - Preview
June 3, 2007
Safarova leads, 1-0
Safarova may be the lowest ranked player left in the draw at Roland Garros, but Russia's Chakvetadze will certainly not be taking the world No.29 lightly when they clash in the day's final match on Court 1.
Safarova looked in great touch during her shock third-round victory over home favorite Amelie Mauresmo and if she maintains this form there is every possibility of her repeating the trick against world No.9 Chakvetadze.
Sunday's encounter between the two 20-year-olds will be their second in less than a month; Safarova triumphed in a second-round match in Berlin in the middle of May.
The Czech starlet is certainly enjoying playing in the French capital this season; she was a losing finalist at the Open Gaz de France in February and on her return this week the No.25 seed has yet to drop a set.
Chakvetadze's progression into her first fourth-round appearance in Paris has not been so serene, laboring to victories over qualifier Agnes Szavay and then No.21 seed Ai Sugiyama.
However, these victories were the Muscovite's 27th and 28th of a highly successful season and the talented Russian will go into the contest hungry for revenge and a place in her second Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Anna’s fourth round match is scheduled as the fourth on Court 1 on Sunday.
Click here for live point-by-point scoring from Roland Garros.
Anna Moves On
June 2, 2007
Anna Chakvetadze beat Ai Sugiyami in straight sets in the French Open third round on Saturday.
The ninth seed from Russia eventually prevailed 6-4 6-4 after a tough battle on Suzanne Lenglen Court that lasted one hour and 22 minutes.
The world number 10 has previously disappointed at Roland Garros and her fourth round appearance against Lucie Safarova will be the furthest she has ever got in the French Open, even if she bows out.
Anna Moves Past Szavay
May 31, 2007
Women's ninth seed Anna Chakvetadze just made it through to the third round on Thursday.
The Russian came through a rain delay to book her place in the next round by beating Hungarian Agnes Szavay in three sets, 6-4 6-7 6-4.
She will go on to face Japanese 21st seed Ai Sugiyama, who came through her own three set battle against American Meilen Tu.
No Problems For Anna
May 30, 2007