WTA Finals: Caroline Wozniacki advances to semis after thrashing world no. 1 Simona Halep

Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images AsiaPac

Caroline Wozniacki thrashed world no.1 Simona Halep 6-0, 6-2 to reach the WTA Finals last four in Singapore.

The Dane, who beat Elina Svitolina in her first match, broke Halep's serve five times in a victory that secured progress from Red Group.

The 27-year-old, a former world number one, took the first set in 24 minutes against Halep, making only two unforced errors. Overall, Halep committed 17 unforced errors throughout the match, compared to just seven from Wozniacki. If you are following the betting odds for WTA Finals, keep an eye on the players' performance in Singapore during this period.

Wozniacki, now ranked no. 6 in the world said, "I didn't expect to be leading by this much, so I was asking myself, 'What's happening, am I really playing that well?'.

Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images AsiaPac

"I just tried to stay positive, stayed aggressive, take the ball early and go for my shots."

Wozniacki is one of five players who could finish the year as world number one by winning the tournament.

Meanwhile, Caroline Garcia won the last four games to beat Svitolina 6-7 (9-7) 6-3 7-5 in the other Red Group's match.

The result means any one of Halep, Garcia or Svitolina could join Wozniacki in the semifinals depending on the results of Friday's last robin-round matches.

Karolina Pliskova has already qualified from the White Group, with Garbine Muguruza and Venus Williams playing for the second qualifying spot on Thursday.

Tennis stars take the plunge with #IceBucketChallenge

The #IceBucketChallenge has soaked the US and across the world in the past weeks raising awareness of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a neurodegenerative disorder commonly known as the Lou Gehrig's disease.

Celebrities videoed themselves emptying buckets full of icy water and challenged three other people to do the same stunt. As a result, the campaign has gone viral.

In the tennis scene, Andy Murray was first nominated by Jesse Levine in July to take up the challenge. Later, the former Wimbledon champion named his coach Amelie Mauresmo for the challenge.

Murray has also challenged Justin Gimelstob earlier this week live on air after his second round match in Cincinnati.

“Obviously we witnessed someone going through this right in front of our eyes with Brad Drewett, and it was tough to watch,” said Murray.

“It’s a horrible disease. I wasn’t aware of it personally before the situation with Brad, but now there’s been a few cases of it in tennis the past few years. It’s great to raise awareness for it and hopefully we can raise a lot of money to try and help find a cure.”

ATP Executive Chairman and President Brad Drewett passed away last year after a short battle with the disease, which has no cure.

Laura Robson also did the #IceBucketChallenge recently and has nominated Caroline Wozniacki. The latter performed the stunt in Cincinnati few days ago and has put forward the challenge to Serena Williams and John Isner.

With the US Open coming up, we hope to see more big names taking up the challenge to raise more awareness of the disease. However, our priority is still back on the game - who will win the year-end Grand Slam championships. If you're betting for the game, check out the SportsBettingInfo.com site for betting on tennis which also feature other sports like the NFL, NHL, etc.

(Via ATP World Tour Website, Kpopstarz)

Arrivals at the Sony Open Player Party

Players arrived at Sony Open Player Party 2013 held at the JW Marriott Marquis on Tuesday in Miami, Florida.

Missing from the tournament are Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who won the BNP Paribas Open last week.

Maria Sharapova who was also recently victorious at the BNP Paribas Open made an appearance at the players' party along with world no.1 Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer, Victoria Azarenka and Agnieszka Radwanska among others.

Maria Sharapova is aiming for a rare double at the Sony Open. Only two players in WTA history have won back-to-back Indian Wells and Key Biscayne titles: Steffi Graf (1994 and 1996) and Kim Clijsters (2005).

If you bet on sports you might want to follow the tournament closely.

Novak Djokovic who is the favourite to win the tournament here is set to make a comeback after losing in the semifinals at Indian Wells last week. His 22-match win streak was ended by Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro.

Djokovic will try to claim his fourth Miami title in Key Biscayne while Serena Williams attempts to take her sixth career crown at the $8.5 million ATP and WTA event that began since Tuesday. First-round byes are given to seeded players.

Meanwhile, Victoria Azarenka is still dealing with a nagging, painful injury to her right ankle. After withdrew from Indian Wells last week, Azarenka will enter the Sony Open without a loss. However it is still unsure whether she'll be able to play her first tournament match on Friday.

Another notable player to watch is Spaniard David Ferrer who drew strong contender Del Potro in his quarter at the Sony Open. After a spectacular start to the 2013 season, Ferrer suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Nadal in the finals of Acapulco. That seemed to drag his disappointment with him to Indian Wells. With Del Potro in his half, it could be extremely hard for Ferrer to regain back his no.4 ranking from Nadal.

Looks like the tournament will not lose its shine without Nadal and Federer.

Victoria Azarenka

David Ferrer

Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy

(Images via zimbio.com)

The wig prank continues

Caroline Wozniacki is the latest player to pull a wig prank on Facebook. However, unlike Victoria Azarenka who copied Maria Sharapova, Wozniacki is a bit more original by putting on a black one.

Still on Wozniacki, she'll be on the February issue of Expatriate Lifestyle (Malaysia version). There will be an exclusive interview inside. I haven't purchase the magazine yet but I will share the content once I get hold of it.

(Images via Wozniacki's Facebook page, Expatriate Lifestyle)

Wozniacki, Kirilenko and Robson play tennis in a mirror court to launch Adidas by Stella McCartney range

Earlier today, Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Kirilenko and Laura Robson played tennis in the world's first mirror court to globally launch the new range of Adidas by Stella McCartney collection.

What do you think of this new range?

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Australian Open 2013: Novak Djokovic eyeing a hat-trick

Reigning champions Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, both currently ranked no.1 in the world attended the Australian Open official draw ceremony this morning. The event was made public this year and was held at the Crown Riverside.

Djokovic's bid for a third consecutive Australian Open title received a boost when Roger Federer and Andy Murray landed in the other half. The Serbian will face Paul-Henri Mathieu in the first round and also has Tomas Berdych in the quarter of the draw and David Ferrer in his half. Click here for the complete draw.

Meanwhile, Azarenka is in the same quarter as Caroline Wozniacki and has Serena Williams in her half. Maria Sharapova, who is launching her Sugarpova in Melbourne today is on the other half of the draw and could meet Venus Williams in the third round. Click here for the complete draw.

(Images via Yahoo! Tennis)

Caroline Wozniacki and defending champion Hsieh Su-Wei commit to play BMW Malaysian Open 2013

Malaysian tennis fans will be in for a treat next year as former world no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki will play in the BMW Malaysia Open from Feb 25-March 3 at the Royal Selangor Golf Club.

Wozniacki who is now ranked no. 10 will be joined by defending champion Hsieh Su-Wei.

Earlier Wozniacki was spotted at the Miami Heat game with her golfer boyfriend Rory McIlroy who reportedly bought a $10.9 million home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

(Image via Tennis Forum)

Caroline Wozniacki bumps into Josh Hartnett in Monaco

Monaco must be a really small country that Caroline Wozniacki bumped into Hollywood star Josh Hartnett while she is there.

Hartnett, who resembles Rafael Nadal, reminds me of a few years ago when Wozniacki denied dating Nadal on her blog.

By the way, did you know what Hartnett once confessed that he likes Ana Ivanovic?


(Image via Caroline Wozniacki's Twitter page)

Wozzilroy shows PDA in Eastbourne; Rafael Nadal and Xisca warm up on the eve of Wimbledon

Caroline Wozinacki and her Irish golfer boyfriend Rory McIlroy were spotted strolling out of a pizza restaurant in Eastbourne yesterday. 

McIlroy can't seem to get his hands off the former world no.1. He didn't mind to show PDA in front of the paparazzi either.

Meanwhile Rafael Nadal and Xisca were also spotted taking a stroll on the eve of Wimbledon but in a more casual and relaxing way.

(Via dailymail.co.uk)

WTA Tour pre-Wimbledon bash video and photos

The women's tennis players arrives at the WTA Tour Pre-Wimbledon Party at The Roof Gardens, Kensington yesterday ahead of the SW19.

Maria Sharapova is the favourite player to win this tournament.

Petra Kvitova

Ana Ivanovic

Caroline Wozniacki

The Williams sisters

Li Na

Sorana Cirstea

(Images via Sina Sports)

Caroline Wozniacki launches her own underwear line

Caroline Wozniacki announced on her website yesterday that she was partnering with JBS Underwear, a Danish clothier to release a line of lifestyle and leisure underwear.

The line named "This is Me" is set to be released worldwide in September.

The undergarments which include low hipsters, g-strings and bras were designed with "Caroline's personal input to reflect her individual style and desired level of comfort."

Now Rory McIlroy can make this picture his new desktop wallpaper:

(Images via Caroline Wozniacki's official website)

Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy under the Eiffel Tower

Lovebirds Caroline Wozniacki and professional golfer Rory McIlroy enjoyed an evening together taking a picture under the Eiffel Tower in Paris yesterday.

Meanwhile, on the professional side, Wozniacki has hired former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson to help coach her, DR Sports reports. Johansson has worked closely with her for the past few weeks and is contracted through the US Open.

Let's see who else also taking a picture with the Eiffel Tower:

(Images via Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka's Twitter pages)

Kids' Day at Roland Garros

It's Roland Garros Kids' Day today. As usual there are quite a lot of events happening on the eve of the French Open.

Here are some pictures to summarize the events.

Novak Djokovic becomes an umbrella boy during his exhibition match with Ryan Harrison.

 Caroline Wozniacki, Sabine Lisicki, Na Li and French Pauline Parmentier play an exhibition match on the Philippe Chatrier-central court.

  Juan Martín del Potro becomes the umpire for an exhibition match where Roger Federer and Sebastien Grosjean against French Nicolas Escude and Fabrice Santoro.

Serena Williams joins DJ Big Ali and DJ Bob Sinclar at the turntables on the Philippe Chatrier-central court.

Retirees Grosjean and Santoro make a special appearance at the Kids' Day.

Local hero Jo-Wilfried Tsonga meets the fans.

Xavier Malisse enjoys beach tennis at Roland Garros.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports and French Open official website)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Love him or love him even more

This picture was taken from Sina Sports when they conducted an exclusive interview with the Frenchman recently.

This picture was taken from Caroline Wozniacki twitter.

Tell me you love them both (I mean the pictures).

Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki win BNP Paribas Open

Djokovic beats Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

Am I disappointed about Rafael Nadal's loss to Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells?

No, not at all.

In fact, I actually think Nadal is a smart player with long term planning. Look, he doesn't need to defend the title this year as his gap from the world no.2 is quite far apart, about 4000 points in the latest ATP rankings. What's more important is that he plays a small part in 'allowing' Djokovic to surpass Roger Federer as the new world no.2.

Anyway the season is still a long way from being over. I'm looking forward to the clay court season where the battle between Djokovic, Nadal and Federer will continue.

Wozniacki defeated Bartoli 6-1, 2-6, 6-3

On the women's tennis, Caroline Wozniacki made another strong statement that she's the best player after winning at the Indian Wells last week.

The question again is when can she win her first Grand Slam? I'm pretty sure that once she knows the formula, she could easily become one of the greatest players.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

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