=============================
MOORILLA HOBART INTERNATIONAL
(Hobart, Australia; outdoor hard (Rebound Ace); WTA Tier IV)
============================= http://www.hobartinternational.com.au/

After my very tight pre-AO schedule, a very hectic AO, and a long
post-AO backlog, I am finally ready to post my Hobart report!

ANNA CHAKVETADZE [1,EF]:
1r + Lourdes Domínguez Lino, 6-0 6-4
2r + Olga Poutchkova, 7-6 (8/6) 7-5
qf + ZHENG,JIE [7], 4-6 6-1 6-1
sf + Sania Mirza [WC], 6-4 6-1
_f + Vasilisa Bardina [Q], 6-3 7-6 (7/3)

No other player has ever won a WTA singles-title so soon after I
inducted her into my Eternal Fanship! :worship:

With nothing but a second round at the Australian Open to defend
until March, Anna has a great chance to make an assault on the top
ten by then (she remains #13 after this week). The intriguing thing
is that #11 Nicole Vaidišová and #12 Jelena Jankovic also have strong
claims to be in the top ten - as well as the players who are already
there - and the top ten isn't big enough to hold them all!

[Edit: Nicole moved up to #9 after the Australian Open, while Anna
remains #13 - but now she's only 88 points away from #10]

------
Photos
------

http://preview.tinyurl.com/3dtzf2 (www.tennisaustralia.com.au)
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/photogallery/?Event=hobart

The best Anna-photos from Hobart are the ones on Getty Images (search
for "chakvetadze"). Except the ones from the final, where she looked
better than she did in the prior rounds. ;-)

Those photos of Anna where she's running and stretching low & wide
for a forehand are always nice. Was she in tears in her quarter-final?

--------------------
Pretournament quotes
--------------------

Anna: "I am extremely excited to begin the 2007 season playing the
Moorilla Hobart International. I have heard many great things about
the event from my friends, and I am looking forward to competing in
Hobart for the first time.


Tournament-director Michael Roberts: "To have a player of Anna's
talent and ranking commit to the tournament (well in advance of the
player-entry deadline) is a coup for the tournament.

"She will be the highest-ranked player to have competed at Hobart,
and is one of the fastest-rising stars in women's tennis. Anna has
represented Russia in Fed Cup, recently won a Tier I event in Moscow,
and has a string of victories over top-ten players - all at just 19
years of age."

-----------
First round (Sunday 7th January)
-----------

+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [1,EF] d. Lourdes Domínguez Lino, 6-0 6-4

With steady showers suspending and postponing matches left, right and
centre, this was the only match completed on Day 1 of the main draw.

www.wtatour.com:
>>>
Anna Chakvetadze, currently ranked No.13 in the world, kicked off her
career Hobart debut nicely, moving past 52nd-ranked Spaniard Lourdes
Domínguez Lino, 6-0 6-4. The first set was a complete blow-out, with
Chakvetadze winning nearly three quarters of the points, but the
second set was much tighter, with the Russian claiming an early break
of serve [*2-1] then holding on and winning on the strength of it.
<<<


Anna quotes
-----------

"I am happy to win my first match of the year, but it was pretty
tough - especially the second set. The score was easy, but it was
tough to play because it was very windy. But I am happy I got
through, and now we will see what will happen second round."

------------
Second round (Tuesday 9th January)
------------

Very nice winner, nice loser:
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [1,EF] d. Olga Poutchkova, 7-6 (8/6) 7-5

Anna was 1/4 down in the tiebreak, and saved two set-points at 4/6!

I have since seen Olga play at the Australian Open. She's a good-
looking girl who occasionally plays brilliantly, and I am pleased
that we'll have a repeat of this mouthwatering match at Paris! :-)

-------------
Quarter-final (Wednesday 10th January)
-------------

+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [1,EF] d. ZHENG,JIE [7], 4-6 6-1 6-1

Anna led the first set *2-1, but ended up losing it with a double
fault on set-point! :-(

Anna now leads Zheng 3-0 head-to-head, but every match has been tough
(6-4 6-4 at New Haven 2005, 5-7 6-2 6-4 at the Australian Open 2006).

----------
Semi-final (Thursday 11th January)
----------

Mouthwatering match:
+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [1,EF] d. Sania Mirza [WC,DF], 6-4 6-1

Anna and Sania are both prime examples of players who hit their
groundstrokes with flairsome power, so in tennis-terms (as well as
superficial attractiveness), this match must have been an absolute
joy to watch! :D

Alicia Molik, who lost to Sania in the quarter-finals, described her
as follows: "I was very impressed by Sania today. There's no reason
she can't be there [in the final] on Friday. She played exceptionally
well. She probably has one of the biggest forehands in the game. She
definitely hurt me with that shot of hers."

Anna was 6-4 5-1 up when she was struck by a nasty stomach-injury
that would have forced her to retire if she hadn't been so close to
the end of the match. Once again, I admire her ability to overcome
adversity.


http://www.hobartinternational.com.au/
>>>
Two Russian teenagers will meet in the final of the Moorilla Hobart
International after Anna Chakvetadze and Vasilisa Bardina posted wins
in day-five action at the Domain Tennis Centre today.

In a dramatic second semi-final, top seed Chakvetadze was just one
game from victory when a stomach-injury almost forced her to retire.

The 19-year-old claimed the first set over Indian Sania Mirza 6-4,
and led 5-1 in the second when she took a long injury-timeout and was
worked on by the trainer.

Chakvetadze returned to the court in an attempt to serve out the
match out, but was barely able to serve. The determined world No.13
fought on, producing a couple of good winners, and was also assisted
by some unforced Mirza errors in claiming the match 6-4 6-1.

Despite the injury, Chakvetadze said post-match treatment had made a
significant difference.
<<<

Anna quotes
-----------

"I pulled my stomach-muscle - it was actually because of my back.

"It was hurting a lot, but I was 5-0 up so I wanted to finish the
match. If it be any other score, I think I would have pulled out. I
couldn't serve, and I couldn't run at all.

"But now it's okay: trainers worked very good, and now I feel good. I
can even run, so I will be ready for final tomorrow."

-----
Final (Friday 12th January)
-----

+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [1,EF] d. Vasilisa Bardina [Q], 6-3 7-6 (7/3)

My thoughts before the match: a fully fit Anna should win this match
easily. Bardina is a qualifier ranked #70 (#48 after this week), who
will be playing her eighth match of the tournament, and admitted to
exhaustion after her semi-final.

But Anna's injury yesterday puts a large question-mark in my mind.
It's very stressful to play a match not knowing if you'll be able to
finish it.

Anna did show signs of the injury, but she was just too strong for
Bardina, whom she would have beaten much more comprehensively if she
had been fully fit.

Anna is now 3-0 in WTA singles-finals, and past the $1-million mark
in career-prizemoney!


Articles
--------

Associated Press (AP):
>>>
The 19-year-old Chakvetadze came into the final with a pulled stomach-
muscle, but was able to complete the match despite showing some signs
of discomfort in the first set.
<<<

www.wtatour.com:
>>>
Anna Chakvetadze continued to show why she is one of the Sony
Ericsson WTA Tour's quickest-rising stars this past week in Hobart,
winning her third career-title at the Moorilla Hobart International.
She clinched the title with a 6-3 7-6(3) win on Friday over Russian
compatriot Vasilisa Bardina.

Chakvetadze, the top seed at the Tier IV event, grabbed two early
breaks en route to a commanding first set victory, but the contest
heated up in the second as the two 19-year-olds went to a tiebreak;
it was then that Chakvetadze truly came out shining, reeling off four
points in a row to start, and then closing out the first all-Russian
final of the year in one hour, 44 minutes.
<<<

http://www.hobartinternational.com.au/
>>>
The 19-year-old sped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set, but started
to show signs of discomfort while serving in the fourth game,
prompting fears the painful stomach-injury Chakvetadze suffered in
the previous night's semi-final had resurfaced.

Chakvetadze soldiered on, and overcame a brief Bardina fightback to
take the set 6-3.
<<<>>>
Russian top seed Anna Chakvetadze has claimed her third career-title
after straight-sets win in the final of the Moorilla Hobart
International at the Domain Tennis Centre tonight.

Chakvetadze won a straightforward first set over compatriot Vasilisa
Bardina, but was stretched in the second before producing a
6-3 7-6(3) win in 1hr 44mins.

The world No.13 broke in the first game and again in the third game
to take control of the opener. Both players traded early breaks in
the second, but it was Chakvetadze who again got the lead - thanks to
a Bardina double fault.

But the underdog fought her way back into the match, serving for the
second at 5-4, but came unstuck with unforced errors. The set went to
a tiebreak, where Chakvetadze opened up a 4/0 lead, and proceeded to
claim the match with a big forehand winner down the line.

Chakvetadze said she wasn't too pleased with the way she played, but
thrilled to secure another WTA Tour title.
<<<

Sportal:
>>>
Both players struggled with the blustery conditions in the opening
set, with neither player able to hold their serve regularly.

Although Bardina managed to break Chakvetadze's serve once in the
opening set, the World #13 was more powerful from the back of the
court, and took the opening set with ease.

Bardina broke her countrywoman in the opening game of the second set,
but Chakvetadze hit back to take a 2-1 lead before both players
traded breaks to send the set to a tiebreak.

Chakvetadze was more composed during the tiebreak, racing away to her
third career-title in 104 minutes.
<<<

My match-report
---------------

The match started at 19:12 AEST. I followed live scores on the
Internet, and used the following scores-thread:
http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=280369


First set
---------
CHAKVET @*@__*_*@ 6
BARDINA ___@* *__ 3

Bardina serving 0-0: 0/40 (3 BPs), 30/40, broken.
Anna serving 1-0: 0/15, 15/15, 15/30, 40/30, held.
Bardina serving 0-2: 0/15, 40/15 -> 40/40, ad B, Deuce #2, ad A,
broken.

A massive blow against Bardina, not being able to hold from 40/15 and
one other game-point. She must be worrying about a double bagel now...

Anna serving 3-0: 0/40 (3 BPs), 15/40, broken.

Just a lapse in concentration because she's winning so easily, or
something more serious?

cosmoose: "Looks like Anna is still bothered by her stomach problem.
3 dfs already. :sad:"

Bardina serving 1-3: 0/30 -> 40/30, 40/40, ad B, held.

This is getting worrying, in the light of Anna's injury.

Anna serving 3-2: 0/15, 15/30, 40/30, held.

Yes! C'mon Anna!

Bardina serving 2-4: 0/15, 15/15, 15/40 (2 BPs) -> 40/40, ad B,
Deuce #2, ad B, held.

That could prove to be a very important game, with Anna's missed
opportunities for *5-2.

cosmoose: "Chaky's first serves [in] are only at 42%. She usually
serves in the mid 60s."

Anna serving 4-3: 0/15, 15/15, 15/30, 30/30, 40/30, 40/40, ad B (BP),
Deuce #2, ad A, held.

Now Bardina will be ruing a missed opportunity for 4-4*.

Bardina serving 3-5: 0/30, 15/30, 15/40 (2 SPs), Anna won the first
set 6-3 at 19:52 (40 minutes).

It's a big relief for Anna to get that one under her belt! I guess
only her injury could stop her now, with Bardina being exhausted
after all those matches in qualifying and the main draw.


Second set
----------
CHAKVET _@*@__*__@*_ 7(7)
BARDINA @___@* *@__* 6(3)

The second set didn't start until 19:58 (six minutes after the end of
the first). Apparently Bardina took a bathroom-break.

Anna serving 0-0: 0/40 (3 BPs), broken.

Bardina serving 1-0: 30/0 -> 30/40 (BP), 40/40, ad A (BP #2),
Deuce #2, ad A (BP #3), held.

Well pegged back by Anna! And it adds to Bardina's exhaustion!

Anna serving 1-1: held to love.
Bardina serving 1-2: 0/15, 15/15, 15/30, 30/30, 30/40 (BP), broken.
Anna serving 3-1: 0/40 (3 BPs), 15/40, broken.

Anna has served 5 double faults now, and she didn't get her first
serve in on the last point.

Bardina serving 2-3: 15/0, 15/15, 30/15, 30/30, 40/30, 40/40, ad B,
Deuce #2, ad B, held.

Again, Anna sends the message that it's not easy for Bardina to close
out her service-games, and further adds to Bardina's exhaustion.

Anna serving 3-3: 0/30 -> 40/30, held.

Phew! Could have been 3-4* down! :)

smokovec: "Anna plays incostantly, but in the long rallies is better
than Bardina."

Bardina serving 3-4: 30/0 -> 30/40 (BP), 40/40, ad B, held.

Once again, Bardina has to work very hard to hold serve, but how much
are all these wasted break-points preying on Anna's mind?

Anna serving 4-4: 0/40 (3 BPs) -> 40/40, ad B (BP #4), broken.

I wouldn't have predicted Bardina serving for the set!

Bardina serving 5-4: 15/0, 15/40 (2 BPs), broken.

Yes! Anna is a very gritty fighter.

Anna serving 5-5: 15/0, 15/30, 30/30, 30/40 (BP), 40/40,
ad B (BP #2), Deuce #2, ad A, held.

Opportunities wasted by Bardina to be serving for the set a second
time at *6-5, and now Anna is one game away from her third WTA
singles-title.

Bardina serving 5-6: 0/15, 15/15, 30/30, 40/30, 40/40, ad B, held.

Tiebreak 6-6: Anna *0/0, 1/0*, 2/0*, *3/0, *4/0, 4/1*, 4/2*, *5/2,
*5/3, 6/3* (3 CPs), Anna won 6-3 7-6 (7/3) at 20:56 (second set
1h04m - including the 6-minute delay before the start of the second
set - match 1h44m).

Phew! *4-0 -> 4/2* had me a bit worried that /Chokevetadze/ would
rear her pretty head again! ;)

Anna! :D :hearts: :worship: :banana: :aparty: :clap2: :bounce:


Statistics
----------

Anna didn't serve well, with 6 double faults and no aces. She got 49%
of her first serves in, winning 56% of the points when she did so,
and 49% on second serve.

Bardina served one ace and 4 DFs, and her corresponding serve-
percentages were 59%, 48% and 43%.

In the second set, Anna's first-serve winning-percentage dropped from
69% to 48% - even her second serve was better at 52%! Bardina upped
her first-serve percentages (both "in" and "points won") from the
first set to the second.

Anna broke 6 times from 13 BPs (first set 3/7, second set 3/6),
Bardina 4 times from 12 (first set 1/3, second set 3/9). It might
have been a different story if Bardina had converted for 4-4* in the
first set or *6-5 in the second.

In points, Anna won 85-75 (first set 36-30, second set 49-45).


Anna quotes
-----------

"I'm happy that I've won my first title of the year. When you win a
tournament it's a pleasure. It's Tier IV, but it's a win and it feels
good.

"She is a great fighter. She'll keep running and fighting. I'm so
happy and proud of myself, and I'm proud of Vasilisa, because she's
improved a lot. The crowd was awesome: they were cheering 50-50 for
Vasilisa and for me as well."

[Re. her stomach-injury]
"I feel good; I feel okay - almost 100% now. It didn't bother me at
all.

"I actually had some troubles with my serve and forehand today, but I
hope I will get better by Monday.

"I have a flight [to Melbourne] at six in the morning tomorrow, so
probably I'll sleep all day, and then have a practice on Sunday."

[Re. the trophy]
"It was so big and heavy!"


Bardina quotes
--------------

{before the match}

"We played juniors, but it was a long time ago, so I don't actually
remember. It will be interesting match because we're both the same
age.

"She's played much better now than last year. I hope I will play
better, and I hope I will stay healthy."


{after the match}

"I think it was a good match. It's amazing. I'm glad that it's my
best result, and I hope not the last one [final] for the future. I
played before, and everybody know that I can play good, but I didn't
show my game to everybody. And now I think most people will know who
I am.

"I tried to play well, but I am so tired. Like the first set, second
set I'm so heavy. You need good recovery for any match to be on the
top.

[Re. to beat Kim Clijsters in the first round of the Australian Open]
"Yeah, why not? I'm glad that I play against her, and I think it will
an interesting match."

^[Clijsters beat Bardina 6-0 6-0]

-------
Doubles
-------

Anna Chakvetadze [EF]/Mara Santangelo:
1r - (ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES/VIRGINIA RUANO PASCUAL)[1], 0-6 1-6

=========================
Anna's WTA singles-titles
=========================

1. Guangzhou International Women's Open (Guangzhou), WTA Tier III,
1st October 2006
2. Kremlin Cup (Moscow), WTA Tier I, 15th October 2006
3. Moorilla Hobart International (Hobart), WTA Tier IV, 12th January
2007

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/chakv/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Anna_Chakvetadze/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jeldani/