=================
PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
(Indian Wells, California, USA; outdoor hard (Plexipave); WTA Tier I)
================= http://www.pacificlifeopen.com/
Foreword
--------

Lightning never strikes twice in the same place?

So she actually did it! After five years in the desert, Daniela
Hantuchová won the second WTA singles-title of her career in the
Coachella desert! :D

I hope we don't have to wait until Indian Wells 2012 for her third
title! ;-)

I got someone with access to Eurosport to record the final for me as
a special favour.

So I have actually watched the match myself, and I have to say, it
was one of the most delightful performances of flairsome power and
spreading rallies I've ever seen! Daniela kept stretching Svetlana
Kuznetsova wide to open up the court for a winner, and also played
some nice volleys. It was certainly much more than a one-dimensional
baseline-duel.

And Daniela seemed so calm and confident. She showed no signs of
choking, and even when I followed the match on the live scoreboard
(I didn't watch my DVD of it until Tuesday), there was a sense of
destiny about her victory. Everything had fallen into place at the
right time.

After winning IW 2002, the young, carefree Daniela said she was the
happiest player in the world. But this one must taste so much sweeter
for all the hardships she's endured.

Indian Wells is the eighth most prestigious tennis-tournament in the
world (behind the four Grand Slams, the Olympics, the season-ending
championships, and Miami), and Daniela becomes only the seventh woman
to win it twice (nobody has ever won it more than twice).

Daniela moves up from #18 to #12 in the rankings this week, and if
she can maintain even half the form she showed in the IW final, she
has an excellent chance of returning to the top ten this year.

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

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news/?c=news_photos&p=hantuchova
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/3/photogallery/?Event=indianwells
http://www.tennisrulz.com/players/hantuchova/gallery04/gallery38.htm
http://www.pacificlifeopen.com/2/players/gallery/ (March 16, 17)
Search Getty Images for "hantuchova"

On-court HQs:
http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=278875&page=20 (to 23)
Off-court HQs:
http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=278892&page=12 (to 13)

npphotog's Indian Wells photos, including shirtless Daniela!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/npphotog/sets/72157594584891337

------
Videos
------

Highlights, last game, interviews:
http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=145909&page=51

Last game of Indian Wells 2002:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQIyNGO-Mrs

Indian Wells - Highlights:
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/multimedia/

-----
Final (Saturday 17th March)
-----

+ DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ [14] d. SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [2], 6-3 6-4

And by the same score as the Indian Wells 2002 final!

With this win, Daniela is now 3:5 head-to-head against Kuznetsova.

-----------------------------------
Other people's reports and comments
-----------------------------------

www.wtatour.com:
>>>
In 2002, a teenaged Daniela Hantuchová came out of relative obscurity
in Indian Wells, capturing her first career-title at the Pacific Life
Open. How ironic that a five-year title-drought has now come to an
end in that very desert; on Saturday, the Slovak, now 23, downed
Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets for her second career-title,
capping an incredibly popular return to the winner's circle.

Hantuchová, seeded No.14 at the Tier I event, was in solid form all
fortnight, and things were no different on Saturday; her penetrating
groundstrokes were on target, the serve was impeccable, and she even
mixed in some dropshots in a 6-3 6-4 win - just her third in eight
meetings with Kuznetsova, who was the No.2 seed.

Hantuchová's performance was calm yet confident and seemingly
nerveless, reminiscent of her championship-victory at the event
exactly five years ago.

The championship-duel featured two flashy, aggressive players playing
at a high level, and the critical difference came on the most
critical points. Hantuchová prevailed on three of four break-points,
while Kuznetsova was one for two.

For Hantuchová, the 2007 Pacific Life Open victory marks her coming
full circle, from one of the WTA Tour's brightest up-and-comers five
years ago, to one of its former Top 10 players, and now back to one
of its brightest prospects. A former No.5, the Slovak moves from
No.18 to No.12 with the title.

But it's not as though this was the same player that won the title as
an 18-year-old; this was a more patient, more accepting, and - in
light of the evolution of the sport over the years - much better
player. Hantuchová acknowledged how things are different now than in
2002, where she upset Hingis for the title.

Kuznetsova also emerges with a significant jump in the rankings. On
Monday she will rise from No.4 to No.3, making her the fourth
Russian, after Anastasia Myskina, Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova,
to crack the Top 3. With her title-defense in Miami next week, Indian
Wells has given her a much-needed boost.

The two finalists were not the only players to make the headlines in
the desert. Many top players lost in a fourth-round exodus, with
Sharapova, Hingis, Nadia Petrova, Jelena Jankovic and Anna
Chakvetadze all falling on a manic Monday; Sybille Bammer snuck into
the seedings-list at No.33 upon Elena Dementieva's withdrawal, then
made a shock run to her first Tier I semi-final; Li,Na flew the flag
for China with a semi-final run as well; and former phenom Mirjana
Lucic played a main draw for the first time in four years, winning a
match before dropping a tight one to Chakvetadze.

But Hantuchová's Cinderella-run stole the show, and when questioned
about potentially rising to the top ranking, the newfound belief was
evident.
<<<

Greg Heakes for Agence France Presse (AFP):
>>>
Hantuchová posted her breakthrough-win as a elfish 18-year-old here
five years ago by beating another second seed Martina Hingis by the
same score.

The Hingis-victory raised expectations, but Hantuchová has struggled
in finals since, losing four straight.

She is the forgotten former champion in Indian Wells, and wasn't even
featured in the tournament-programme this year [because she entered
late?].

She joins an all-star cast who have won this tournament twice,
comprising Mary Joe Fernández (1993, 1995), Martina Navrátilová
(1990, 1991), Steffi Graf (1994, 1996), Lindsay Davenport (1997,
2000), Serena Williams (1999, 2001) and Kim Clijsters (2003, 2005).

Hantuchová got off to quick start, breaking Kuznetsova in the second
game, and winning the first two games of the opening set.

Hantuchová was broken in the next game, but she managed to break back
immediately to take a 3-1 lead.

Hantuchová broke the 21-year-old Russian again in the fifth game of
the second, setting the stage for her dramatic finish.

She clinched the championship on the first of two match-points when
Kuznetsova drove a forehand long. Hantuchová leaped for joy, avenging
a straight-set loss to Kuznetsova in the Doha-tournament which served
as a tune-up for Indian Wells.
<<<

Ken Peters (AP Sports Writer):
>>>
No. 18 Hantuchová, who upset Martina Hingis in the championship-match
for her only previous title, this time used steady, accurate
groundstrokes and timely net-play for the victory over No. 4
Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open champion.

Hantuchová, who also beat Hingis this year on her way to the final,
obviously was elated to finally earn her second Tour-win.

At almost the same instant Kuznetsova's forehand sailed over the back
line long on the final point, Hantuchová already was jumping and
waving her arms in joy.

The 23-year-old Slovak dictated the rhythm of the match against
Kuznetsova, a 21-year-old Russian who has won eight Tour-titles.
Keeping the ball deep with hard groundstrokes, Hantuchová also made
the most of her trips to the net, winning 11 of her 12.
<<<

Matthew Cronin for Reuters:
>>>
Hantuchová was brilliant on the day, ripping 27 winners and only
committing 14 unforced errors.

Hantuchová controlled the court, serving powerfully and consistently,
finding the corners with her groundstrokes, and attacking
Kuznetsova's second serves.

The Slovak came into the match with a 2:5 win:loss record against
Kuznetsova, and was beaten by her two weeks ago in the semi-finals of
Doha.
<<<

manfred - http://www.teamwta.com/content/view/920/2/
>>>
Hantuchová pretty much dominated the match against Kuznetsova. With
her hard and accurate groundstrokes and well-timed attacks at the
net, she overcame Kuznetsova to take home the impressive Indian Wells
title.
<<<

http://www.pacificlifeopen.com/1/news/wta11.asp
>>>
While Hantuchová brought in a 3:25 career-record against Top 5
players, all three of those victories had come against opponents
ranked No. 4, including Swiss Martina Hingis in the 2002 Pacific Life
Open final.

Hantuchová's road to the title included a straight-sets win over No.
3 seed Hingis in the third round, and an epic battle against Israeli
Shahar Pe'er in the quarter-finals - a match she won in nearly three
hours in the third-set tiebreak.

Despite the loss, Kuznetsova will reach a career-high No. 3 in the
rankings by reaching the final. The 21-year-old also finished as the
runner-up in her last tournament appearance, two weeks ago in Doha.
<<<

Matthew Cronin
<http://www.tennisreporters.net/nadaldani_031707_c.html>:
>>>
Daring Daniela: Hantuchová Repeats – Five Years Later

Her composure was extraordinary, her serve singed the surface and she
struck her groundstrokes deep and true. In a totally unanticipated
title-run, Daniela Hantuchová won her first title in five years when
she upended Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 6-4 in the final.

While Hantuchová has shown decent form over the past six months, she
had been unable to chop down the big girls deep in tournaments. Here,
she drop-kicked Francesca Schiavone, Martina Hingis, Shahar Pe'er, Li
Na and then '04 US Open champ Kuznetsova for the crown.

Sure, that's not an A+ field, but it's a B+ level and Hantuchová has
fallen down in C+ draws plenty of times since she first came to fame
by shocking Martina Hingis for the '02 Pacific Life title. She looks
a good deal stronger, moves more swiftly, and at least during this
fortnight displayed a tremendous amount of confidence with her serve
and off the ground. She never choked and, believe it or not, had no
substantial lapses. Against Kuznetsova, Ms. Three-Setter didn't let
the match go to final set, a sizeable accomplishment for the slender
and more muscular Slovak.

She nailed 27 winners and only committed 14 unforced errors - a fine
differential. She didn't have too much trouble handling Kuznetsova's
forehand, and properly attacked Kuznetsova's second serves. She came
into the match with a 2:5 lifetime record against Kuznetsova, and had
quickly fallen to her two weeks ago in the semis of Doha. But on
Saturday, in her beloved California desert, she whipped up a
sandstorm.

Plus, Hantuchová actually closed out a sizeable match again –
a Tier I tournament against a Slam champ.

The 23-year-old will rise to No. 12 on Monday. She has had
pretensions on No. 1 since she came on tour, and five years ago, when
she thrashed Hingis. But in 2007 it doesn't appear to her to be a
pipe-dream the size of Alaska's endless stretch into the Northern
Hemisphere.
<<<

Frank Riley <http://tennisrulz.com/forum/showpost.php?p=29246>:
>>>
I have to say this is the best I have ever watched Daniela play and
she looked amazing and nearly perfect. I found very little wrong with
her game in this match. (She reminded me of Sharapova a little.)
All I can say is it is great to see her win again.

As for Svetlana Kuznetsova I have to say she looked horrible both in
her tennis skills and overall her fitness, she has gotten fat and out
of shape, what happened to her, she was realled pumped up a few years
ago and now she looks like she needs to leave the dinner table a
little sooner.
<<<

------------
My TV-report
------------

My comments are a combination of psychological insights from when I
followed live scores, and point-descriptions from when I watched the
match on DVD.


First set
---------
HANTUCHOVÁ *@ @* * * 6
KUZNETSOVA __@__* *_ 3

I used the scores-thread at:
http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=290317

Kuznetsova should be much more tired than the superfit Daniela.

Daniela had a 2h13m semi-final, but Kuznetsova's was 2h40m, and
finished 4h31m later than Daniela's. Both semi-finals were in
scorching heat (Daniela's 38°C).

It was very hot for the final, too: 36°C (96°F). Jo Durie said the
thin air at Indian Wells helped Daniela (because there's less
resistance to her shots).

Daniela won the toss and elected to serve. The match started at 14:13
PDT.

Chris Bradnam described Daniela's white & yellow dress as "super".

Daniela serving 0-0: Serve + short-angled crosscourt forehand winner
on the sideline. LDF: "Wow, what a great angle from Dani to start
off"! 15/0. A longish rally ended with Daniela hitting a backhand
long. 15/15. Forehand return long. 30/15. Serve + fantastic
crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline. 40/15. Service-winner
down the middle (clipped the outside edge of Kuznetsova's racket).

Daniela looks very fired up as she prepares to receive, bouncing on
her toes. And, I might add, she looks fabulous - especially her very
long, smooth legs!

Kuznetsova's no oil-painting, but I do think she looks better as a
brunette than she did as a blonde.

Kuznetsova serving 0-1: Daniela retrieved one smash, but Kuznetsova
finished the point with a forehand smash-winner. 15/0. Daniela netted
a forehand. 30/0. Kuznetsova hit a good serve, but sprayed a forehand
wide. 30/15. Kuznetsova sliced a backhand into the net. 30/30.
Daniela off-forehand just wide. 40/30. Kuznetsova forehand just wide
(she used up a Hawkeye-challenge). 40/40. Ace down the middle.
Ad Kuznetsova. Double fault. Deuce #2. Daniela hit a "fabulous" error-
forcing crosscourt forehand pass, after Kuznetsova had hit what
appeared to be a service-winner. Ad Daniela (BP). Backhand return
just long. Deuce #3. Kuznetsova netted a forehand after a longish
rally. Ad Daniela (BP #2). Daniela hit a dipping crosscourt backhand
pass, forcing Kuznetsova to net a forehand volley. Daniela breaks!

Daniela serving 2-0: Kuznetsova sprayed a wild forehand long. 15/0.
Daniela netted a forehand - forced by a wide crosscourt forehand from
Kuznetsova. 15/15. Kuznetsova crosscourt backhand winner. 15/30.
Daniela wasted a great serve down the middle as she sprayed a
forehand wide. 15/40 (2 BPs). Daniela spread Kuznetsova with a wide
serve and an error-forcing off-forehand. 30/40 (BP #2). Some heavy
hitting from Kuznetsova induced Daniela to hit a backhand long.
Kuznetsova breaks back.

Aww - no double bagel! :-(

Wintermute: "If Daniela keeps having to go out wide to her backhand
she's gonna have a tough time."

Kuznetsova serving 1-2: Daniela backhand return just long. 15/0.
Daniela worked her way to the net and hit a delectable backhand drop-
volley winner. 15/15. Daniela came in again, and another drop-volley
forced Kuznetsova to net a backhand. 15/30. Kuznetsova hit a pinpoint
crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/30. Daniela
played a long spreading rally, and finished it with a forehand volley-
winner - "what a point!" [Chris Bradnam]. 30/40 (BP). Kuznetsova
sprayed a forehand wide after a long rally with very loud grunting
from her! Daniela breaks again!

LDF: "Wow, Sveta is very loud at the moment! :eek: Great hustling
from Dani to eventually get the error and the break! :D"

Daniela serving 3-1: A high ball from Daniela induced Kuznetsova to
hit a wild forehand long. 15/0. Kuznetsova hit a forehand return-
winner down Daniela's forehand-line. 15/15. Serve + deep crosscourt
forehand + forehand volley-winner. 30/15. Daniela forehand winner
down the line. 40/15. Daniela forehand just wide. 40/30. Daniela
threw in two moonballs - the second was just long. 40/40. Kuznetsova
forehand long. "C'mon," said Daniela. Ad Daniela. She held serve with
a superb dropshot to set up a simple crosscourt backhand pass-winner.

Chris Bradnam: "Just relies on timing, doesn't she? Doesn't force it."

That's what I mean by /flairsome power/ - Daniela's timing as opposed
to Kuznetsova's muscles.

Wintermute: "Good hold for Daniela. She's making some very nice plays
at the net. Her defence hasn't been bad either."

Daniela's playing some great tennis so far, but I hope we don't see
too many more moonballs - it's the worst rubbish there is. ;-)

Kuznetsova serving 1-4: Kuznetsova's forehand clipped the netcord and
fell back on her side. 0/15. With both players at the net, Kuznetsova
hit a forehand volley-winner. 15/15. Ace out wide. 30/15. Daniela
backhand return long. 40/15. Ace out wide, right in the corner.

Jo Durie: "Hantuchová's very within herself at the moment."

Daniela serving 4-2: Daniela played a long spreading rally, finishing
with an off-forehand winner. She was now grunting as well as
Kuznetsova. 15/0. Kuznetsova backhand return just wide. 30/0.
Daniela seemed content to stroke the ball around at 75% of her power
until Kuznetsova netted a forehand. 40/0. Daniela hit a pinpoint
error-forcing backhand down the line.

hablo: "Dani making Sveta run from side to side. :clap2:"

Kuznetsova serving 2-5 (new balls): Kuznetsova came to the net, and
Daniela hit a backhand pass-winner down the line. 0/15. A big, wide
serve forced Daniela to net a backhand return. 15/15. Daniela
forehand return long. 30/15. Daniela netted a backhand on the fourth
stroke. 40/15. Kuznetsova hit a pinpoint error-forcing crosscourt
forehand into the corner.

NyCPsU: "sveta is hitting much harder now :o and those grunts :help:"

Chris Bradnam: "That [game] could put the frighteners on the
Slovakian."

Daniela serving 5-3: Kuznetsova took the initiative, came to the net
and hit a forehand volley-winner. 0/15. Big serve: Kuznetsova
forehand return just long. 15/15. Daniela opened up the court with a
crosscourt backhand, and hit a pinpoint backhand winner down the
line - beautiful spreading. 30/15. More spreading from Daniela
induced Kuznetsova to net a forehand. 40/15 (2 SPs). First serve hit
the netcord and fell long. Second serve down the middle; Kuznetsova
hit a deep, looping backhand return; Daniela hit a short crosscourt
backhand, and Kuznetsova sprayed a backhand just wide. Daniela won
the first set 6-3 at 14:49 (36 minutes).

Kuznetsova took a toilet-break, and then received some coaching from
Stefan Ortega during the set-break. When play resumed, she was
wearing a cap on her head.

Wintermute: "Dani's gotta be careful because Sveta's serving very
well and I imagine in the second set she'll try to run around to hit
her forehand more."


Second set
----------
HANTUCHOVÁ _* *@* * * 6
KUZNETSOVA * *___* *_ 4

Kuznetsova serving 0-0: Ace out wide. 15/0. On the fourth stroke,
Daniela sprayed a wild forehand wide & long. 30/0. Daniela netted a
forehand return. 40/0. Daniela pounced on a moonball from Kuznetsova
to hit a crosscourt forehand winner. 40/15. Daniela forced a short
ball and hit a crosscourt forehand winner. 40/30. Kuznetsova netted a
backhand after a longish rally. 40/40. Ace down the middle. Ad
Kuznetsova. Daniela pounced on a pathetic short second serve to hit a
crosscourt forehand return-winner. Deuce #2. Second-serve ace out
wide, on the sideline. Ad Kuznetsova. Daniela backhand return long.

Chris Bradnam: "The Slovakian's got the lion's share of the support
out here."

Jo Durie described Daniela as "brilliant" but "brittle" - but said
she looked "in complete control of herself" now. :-)

njnetswill: "Kuznetsova sounds like she is having a baby."

Daniela serving 0-1: Serve + off-forehand + forehand smash-winner.
15/0. Double fault. 15/15. Kuznetsova forehand return just long.
30/15. Daniela backhand just long. 30/30. Serve + backhand dropshot-
winner. Jo Durie praised Daniela's "lovely touch" and "great hands".
40/30. Daniela hit a brilliant forehand winner down the line from
outside the tramlines! Just a tiny triangle of court to aim at, and
she made it.

Kuznetsova serving 1-1: Ace out wide. 15/0. Serve + crosscourt
backhand winner behind Daniela. 30/0. Second-serve ace out wide.
40/0. Kuznetsova's backhand hit the netcord, hung for an age... and
dropped back on her side. 40/15. Daniela defended with a sliced
forehand, and Kuznetsova hit a crosscourt forehand winner into the
corner.

This is where Daniela has to be careful. One break against her, and
this match would suddenly have a very different complexion.

Daniela serving 1-2: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Kuznetsova
took the initiative with a deep forehand return, but blew it by
netting a forehand on the fourth stroke. 30/0. Daniela netted a
backhand off a deep ball from Kuznetsova. 30/15. Kuznetsova opened up
the court with a crosscourt backhand winner, and hit a backhand
winner down the line. 30/30. Daniela hit a backhand volley-winner
after getting away with a poor drop-volley on her previous stroke -
poor in that Kuznetsova should have hit a winner, but it did create a
big gap for Daniela's winner! 40/30. Daniela sprayed a forehand just
wide. 40/40. Daniela hit an off-backhand winner and said "c'mon".
Ad Daniela. A good serve forced a backhand lob-return just long -
well left by Daniela.

Chris Bradnam: "No negative body-language at all from Hantuchová - so
far."

Kuznetsova serving 2-2: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0.
Kuznetsova forehand long. 15/15. Kuznetsova took the early
initiative; Daniela recovered but hit a forehand just wide. 30/15.
Daniela down-the-line backhand return-winner. 30/30. Daniela cracked
a fabulous crosscourt forehand pass-winner from a defensive position -
"the shot of the match" according to Chris Bradnam. 30/40 (BP).
Kuznetsova netted a forehand on the fifth stroke to give Daniela the
vital break of the second.

Yay! A set and a break! Podme Daniela - make it stick!

Jo Durie: "She's looking confident /within herself/ - not looking
outside."
Anakin Skywalker: "The Sith rely on their passion for their strength.
They think inward, only about themselves."
Chancellor Palpatine: "And the Jedi don't?"
Anakin Skywalker: "The Jedi are selfless - they only care about
others."

Daniela serving 3-2: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Ace down the
middle - on the centre-line. 30/0. Daniela dictated the rally side to
side, then came in and hit a backhand drive-volley winner. 40/0.
Kuznetsova opened up the court for an off-backhand winner... but hit
it into the net.

Jo Durie said that in a normal Daniela-match, she'd be looking for
signs of a wobble at this stage, but that Daniela was now so calm and
confident that there was a sense of destiny about it.

Kuznetsova serving 2-4: Kuznetsova came in behind a big forehand, and
hit a huge error-forcing smash - Daniela did well to even get her
racket on it. 15/0. Daniela forehand return long. 30/0. Daniela
backhand return long. 40/0. Daniela spread Kuznetsova but sprayed a
wild backhand wide.

That was by far the worst game Daniela played in the second set -
fortunately it was on Kuznetsova's serve.

Suddenly it's become very serve-dominated...

Some kid was holding up a sign saying: "We love Hantuchová. All we
ask is for a kiss."

Daniela serving 4-3: Daniela, running backwards, hit a forehand smash-
winner that clipped the netcord - it didn't significantly alter the
flight of the ball, but it must have been nerve-jangling for Daniela
and her fans who watched it live! 15/0. Kuznetsova netted a simple
forehand. 30/0. Kuznetsova sprayed a forehand return wide. 40/0.
Daniela hit a good serve, followed by a terrific crosscourt forehand
winner into the corner.

Kuznetsova's playing badly, but Daniela to her credit is showing no
signs of tightening up or choking. She's even retrieving well, and
showing good footwork in terms of tiny steps around the ball - the
key thing that deserts her when she does get nervous.

Kuznetsova serving to stay in the match at 3-5: Kuznetsova forehand
long - "c'mon," said Daniela. 0/15. Kuznetsova hit a huge error-
forcing backhand down the line. 15/15. Kuznetsova netted a sliced-
backhand approach. Jo Durie said she was trying to go back behind
Daniela, but that with Daniela's relatively poor mobility, it's
better to keep her on the run. 15/30. Kuznetsova hit a huge
crosscourt forehand winner down Daniela's forehand-line. 30/30.
Service-winner. 40/30. Daniela forehand just wide.

Daniela was two points from victory at 15/30 there, but Kuznetsova
played very well to recover.

Now for the moment of truth. Daniela's about to serve for her first
singles-title in five years. Does she believe with the right kind of
believing?

I've had a very good feeling about this match from the start, but for
the first time today, I'm actually trembling.

Daniela serving for the title at 5-4: Good serve out wide; Kuznetsova
forehand return just long. 15/0. Daniela missed her first serve, and
after a long rally, netted a one-handed backhand. 15/15. Daniela
dominated the rally, finishing with a down-the-line backhand that
forced Kuznetsova to net a forehand. 30/15. Kuznetsova hit a forehand
long, and Daniela shouted her loudest "c'mon" of the day. In The
Zone: "Daniela is playing great tennis with depth and precision."

40/15 (Championship-point #1). Daniela hit a good serve out wide, on
the service-line; Kuznetsova a short forehand return down the middle;
Daniela a short crosscourt backhand; Kuznetsova crosscourt backhand;
Daniela backhand down the line; Kuznetsova a short forehand down the
line; Daniela a rolling crosscourt backhand just inside the sideline;
Kuznetsova a short crosscourt backhand, and Daniela hit a body-
jamming crosscourt backhand, inducing Kuznetsova to hit a forehand
long on the tenth stroke of the rally. Daniela won 6-3 6-4 at 15:33
(second set 44 minutes, match 1h20m).

As soon as the last ball from Kuznetsova landed out, Daniela - who
was shaping up to hit a forehand - raised her arms and jumped for
joy. She jogged to the net, shook hands with Kuznetsova and the
umpire, and there was a big smile on her face.

Chris Bradnam: "Five years ago, the same smile, revisited today."
Jo Durie: "How /composed/ was she? Very mature performance."

Daniela hugged Eduardo Nicolás (one of her coaches from the
Casal/Sánchez Academy), saying "thank you very much", and also hugged
another man.

I have waited a long time for this moment, my little green
friend! :lol:

----------
Statistics
----------

Daniela got 67% of her first serves in, winning 84% of the points
when she did so, and 50% on second serve. Both of her first-serve
percentages improved from the first set to the second.

The corresponding statistics for Kuznetsova were 69%, 61% and 56%.
In the second set, she sacrificed her first-serves-in percentage for
a greater first-serve winning-percentage.

Kuznetsova served 8 aces, Daniela just one. They each served one
double fault.

Daniela broke 3 times from 4 break-points, which is excellent
efficiency considering her usual habit of squandering break-points!
In the second set, she had just one break-point (2-2 40/30*) and
converted it.

Kuznetsova had just 2 break-points - at 2-0 (15/40) in the first set -
and she converted the second (30/40).

In points, Daniela won 64-50 (first set 32-24, second set 32-26).
It's funny how the sets that are closer in games also tend to be
closer in points, isn't it?

--------------
Daniela quotes
--------------

"I had exactly the same feeling I had against Martina [Hingis] in
2002. I just knew I was going to enjoy myself out there, and not for
one second I didn't believe in myself. I was just so confident from
the first point, I didn't really think about the score. I went out
there, tried to play my game, and really just enjoyed every moment on
the court.

"I think all the best things in life are worth waiting for - moments
like this - and all the hard work and everything I had to go through
makes the victory that much sweeter.

"I know people have been saying that I haven't won a tournament since
2002, but if I had the choice, I'd much rather pick this one than
having to win little tournaments. This is what's the most important
thing for me, to be able to do well in big tournaments like this and
Grand Slams, so definitely it means a lot to me.

"There is something special about this place that I love so much. I
don't know what it is. I can't describe it. But if I could have this
feeling all the time, I think I'd have a few more titles behind me.

"Since now I will be able to do it, it wouldn't be a bad idea.
I don't know."

[Re. her ritual between points]
"I think it's a self-talk with myself, so I don't think I have to
share it with anyone else. I guess everyone does different things,
how to be in the best way ready for the next point.

"Once I'm on the court, I don't really think about what I'm doing
between the points. I just care about what I'm doing when the point
has started. I just try to get myself in the best shape possible for
the next point."

[Re. her loss to Kuznetsova at Doha]
"Well, in Doha, in the beginning of the match, I felt like I was also
controlling the games, and had some chances that I didn't take. She
them came up with some unbelievable shots.

"Maybe this time I was much more confident, because I had so many
matches this week already behind me already. Mentally, I was just not
going to let it go, and I was ready to do whatever it takes to get
through this one today."

[Re. the fifth major?]
"Definitely, that's what it feels like to me. To win this tournament
with a field like this, you've got the best players in the world
playing, it's definitely a very tough one to win. I think there are
only a few players in the past that were able to win this tournament
twice. And, you know, being able to be one of them, it definitely
feels great. And for me, as I said always, this is one of my most
favourite tournaments, and definitely the biggest one after the
Slams."

^[For me, Indian Wells is the eighth major, after the Grand Slams,
the Olympics, the season-ending championships, and Miami.]

[Re. her love for playing tennis]
"There was never a doubt that I wanted to do this. This is what I
chose ever since I was a little kid. Even though there were some
tough times, I still enjoy the game of tennis. That's something I've
never lost - I never thought about not loving it.

"I learned not to try - I mean, of course you always want to be
perfect, but if you're not perfect all the time. It's okay. And I
realised that there are always going to be some difficult times that
you have to get through. But as long as you enjoy what you're doing,
I think that's the most important thing."

[Re. Indian Wells 2002]
"The first one was so much easier, because I had nothing to lose.
No one really knew my game. I was just young and swinging around,
everything was going in, and there was no pressure. Now, everyone
knows how I play and what I do on the court. But the feelings,
I would say, were the same. I was really not nervous at all, and was
just playing my game.

"After that, I thought I had a great year. I finished the year like
No. 8 in the world, and in January [2003], I was No. 5. So I felt
like I was on the right track. Of course, there were some
disappointments and some losses, but, you know, it's like in life.
You have your ups and downs, and definitely I'm now on my ups again.

"It doesn't seem like a long time ago. Everything's been happening so
fast for me, and I don't really feel like it's been five years. But I
think it's a great thing, you know, when the time is running so fast.
That means you're having fun and really enjoying what you're doing.

"This is even sweeter - just the feeling of being able to win the
same tournament. It's something I haven't even thought about."

[Re. Kuznetsova's slump after winning the US Open 2004]
"I guess everything happens for a reason. So I understood very well
what she had to go through after the US Open, 'cause I think it's
natural that once you win such a big thing, everyone expects so much
from you. And it's not easy to deal with, especially when you're
younger. I don't think we are prepared for it. But it's about, you
know, having to see it early and knowing how to get through it. And
it's important, you know, the people you have around that help you
with that."

[Re. the Casal/Sánchez Academy]
"I feel like I've done some really good progress. There is still a
lot I can learn from those guys. I think today's final just proved it
again. And the academy is a very, very good one. You had two players
in the finals from the same place. And, you know, they really seem to
know what they're doing.

"And I think it was a great change for me that showed me there are a
lot of different ways how to play tennis. And I think I'm now adding
more options to my game. If one thing doesn't work, there is still so
many other things, how I can get through matches."

[Re. the phone-call she made at the end of the match]
"My mom. She's the first one I always have to share all the bad and
good things, so... She was busy. She didn't pick up, so I was very
upset about it. <laughing> But, no, we talked already now, so..."

[Re. the trophy]
"God, this one is -- I don't know what happened to it. I mean, the
first one was like this big. Now it's grown so much in five years.
But definitely, I'm very excited that the old one will now have a new
friend."

[Re. how she's going to celebrate]
"There was a thing, I said that if I win the tournament, we'll have
to take the balloon and fly around a little bit. But I said it the
first day of the tournament, obviously. So I had no idea, actually,
it was gonna happen. So it's great."

[Re. how big she is in Slovakia]
"I know there's been quite a few people watching this match. In the
last few days, I don't think too many people in Slovakia are having
enough sleep because I was playing for them in the middle of the
night. But I don't know. As long as I can be some kind of motivation,
especially for the little kids, that, you know, they might pick up
the tennis-racket and do that, instead of maybe smoking or do some
other things. I'm very thankful for that.
And I think it's up to other people to judge whether I'm big or not."

^[I hope we'll see a lot more tennis-girls from Slovakia, because
they really are the most beautiful in the world! ;-) And it's good to
hear Daniela condemn smoking.]

[Re. becoming a tennis-pro]
"I don't know when I started to have the feeling. But I know that I
wanted to be professional since I picked up the racket when I was 6
years old. I didn't want to play tennis just to... that I had nothing
to do, so, 'Okay, let's play some tennis.' I saw the Olympics in
1988, when Miloslav Mecír won for our country, the Gold Medal. Ever
since then, I always knew it was something I wanted to do, and one
day become a pro."

[Re. the match between her coach and Kuznetsova's]
"We were practising, I think it was the day before the tournament,
and the guys were messing around and telling us how to move our feet
and to do that, to do that. So then we said, 'Okay. Well what about
if we change that once, and /we/ will be coaching /them/, and they
have to play.'
And we said, 'Okay. When do we do that?'
I suggested, 'Okay, if we play against each other, then they
will have to play a match against themselves.' But I didn't realise
that was going to be in the finals! I thought it would be semi-
finals, quarter-finals, by then. So once that happened, now they're
gone have to play."

[Re. the rest of 2007]
"It takes so much pressure away from me being able to finally win my
second title somehow, you know. I'm not the one always been talking
about only winning one. So definitely, it feels great, and I'm not
going to put any pressure on myself anymore, because I know it
doesn't help. But what I can take with me is a lot of confidence.

"Definitely, I can take a lot of confidence with me from this
tournament. But, again, next week, you have to be ready to play from
the first round. That's the thing about tennis, that no one is going
to give you anything. And I learned my lessons there, that they will
want to play against me. They will have nothing to lose. Now I'm
ready for it.

"I think it's an exciting thing about our sport, that you have to be
at your best every single week, 'cause, you know, winning one week
doesn't mean to say that you're going to do it automatically next
week.

"But I feel like I'm on the right track, and, definitely, there is a
lot of hope and belief for this year, for sure."

[Re. her potential to become world number one]
"I'm starting to feel that slowly. I have people around me always
believing that and telling me that, but slowly I'm starting to
believe it, too. And especially winning a tournament like this really
proves I can play with anyone, as long as I do the right things and
play my game. It's definitely something that's inside me, and I just
would love to let it all out one day."

[Re. Indian Wells 2012]
"I'll be 28. Yeah, I should be still around. You never know."

It's good to hear that Daniela isn't planning early retirement -
unlike my teenagers Maria Sharapova and Nicole Vaidišová, both of
whom have recently hinted they'll retire in five years! :-(

-----------------
Kuznetsova quotes
-----------------

{before the match}

"Well, it's surprising [that Indian Wells 2002 was Daniela's only
title], but I guess everybody has highs and lows in their career, and
it's just normal. And she's back on the track now. So I'm very happy
for her. I don't know what's exactly been going with her, so I can't
really judge her."

"It was very funny thing - I was thinking to say it or not to you
guys - but we were having heat another day here with Daniela, we were
like sitting and chatting and we go, because my coach [Stefan Ortega]
has been coaching her coach [Eduardo Nicolás] who is with her here.
So it was kind of funny and then we go, 'Yeah, you guys, you have to
play match between you guys together, and /we/ should coach /you/.'
"And then we come up with the idea: 'Okay. We both make final
here? You guys play a match back at the Academy!'
"So they say, 'Okay. That's cool.'
"So I say, 'Okay. Here we go for final.'
"Just one day before, we will go like, 'Hey, one more match
left for both of us, so let's go. Let's keep it up.'
"You know, we both thought it was so far, but then finally
we're here. It's very surprising - very interesting thing - and I'm
just looking forward to tomorrow.

"So, yeah, I mean, they've been kind of good mates all the time, like
Nick will come and ask him, like, 'yeah, what's going on in the Tour,
in the circuit,' because he been in men's circuit not the women's. So
they're kind of friends, so I'm not meeting with Daniela many times.
I saw her in preseason there just one week practising. That's all I
seen her there."


{after the match}

"I was too far behind to win this match. Daniela was playing very
well - all the credit to her - and I have to work on some things in
the future.

"To beat her today, I had to play the key moments better than I did,
and I forced a little bit more than I had to in the first set. When
she was on a roll, it was pretty hard to stop her. I had to play a
little bit better than I played.

"Before the match, I was feeling pretty well, you know. I mean,
I knew the pressure was on me because I wasn't one of her favourites.
But I also knew she plays well in exactly these conditions. It was
not easy, and I knew it was gonna be hard, but it really didn't work
for me today.

[Re. "exactly these conditions"]
"It's not about the weather. It's about exactly this surface, you
know. Like last three weeks in Doha, it was better for me, and here,
it's better for her. And she did pretty well, and I was not out of
the gas, but it was very weird today. It was not my conditions.
It was not my day.

"I still have to think about this match a lot, and what I can
improve. And definitely I should dictate the game with more...
I mean, conditions is not excuse. I mean, it was just better for her.
But it's nothing like me to say, 'Yeah, I lost because of
conditions.' No, not at all.

"Key point, I guess it was in the first set [at 0-1] when she broke
me, because I had 30/Love, and then I missed easy forehand, because
of going for too much. I knew I had to take the game in my hands, but
I didn't do it.

"And then it was another key point, and I broke her back [for 1-2],
and she was serving the game, and she broke me [for 3-1]. I think
this was a key point. If it would be, it would be totally different
game. But I mean, yeah, she played good game and she was on top today.

"I never felt I was playing my best tennis in the tournament.
I didn't feel it. And it's hard to me to say something like that.
Because to win the Slam, you would have to face all top players.
And, like, Justine [Henin], Amélie [Mauresmo], they were not here
this week. And then afterwards, other top players that lose early.

"To not make this final would make me feel very low. At least I made
it. But still I have to play next week [as defending champion at
Miami], and I'm going to face top players there, and it's going to be
very important for me. I'm gonna have a good rest and improve my
mistakes."

[Re. the Casal/Sánchez Academy]
"Well, yeah, I mean, we train there, but she came there maybe two
weeks or three weeks. She got a coach there. She been working, which
improve her game. But she comes on this higher level again.
But, it's good to come here. It's very tough, but it's also very
tough to stay here. So it would be the key for her, I guess, to work
on. But she would know better.

"But, I mean, I have not been training with her so much at the
academy. We've been meeting here, and, yeah, she been working with
this guy now for three weeks, which I think help her a lot. And,
I mean, it's very hard to say, you know, battle between the coaches.
It has nothing to do. I mean it's just players and the coaches. They
help us a lot outside. Her coach is my coach.

"She been improving her forehand a lot. And I knew I had to do it
differently today. I know that her forehand is improved, because to
work in Spain, first thing they do is work on your forehand. And it
was much better.

"But, still I was there and I was still trying, you know. Maybe,
yeah, it's not 100% every day, and today was not my day. And as I
say, I have not played - like if I would play Slam, like French Open
or Miami, would play seven matches or six matches. And every match,
I feel improvement.

"But here I didn't play really the top, top players. And I didn't
really feel this improvement coming to me and just improving my
tennis and playing unbelievably. I just played enough to win. I would
say my best match was against Sugiyama. But still I've been a little
bit unlucky to play three matches in a row in three sets - two sets
or three sets. I don't know. But I have very tough ones in a row. But
it was also my mistake because I was not focused. I was not playing
my game from the start. So I don't know. It's not easy to play six or
seven matches, not every day you have easy ones. So I guess this is
why I play so, but today was not so good for me."

[Re. beating Daniela at Doha]
"I played very well in Doha, I guess. And I've been serving, I didn't
give her chance and the ball was heavier than here. The balls here
fly a lot, and she plays pretty deep. Here, the speed didn't hurt her
that much. But then she was very consistent in her game today, and I
didn't have a chance to get on top."

---------------------
Sybille Bammer quotes {after her semi-final}
---------------------

"I think it will be a very good match, and we will see who will win.
I think both play really good, and I think it could go either way.
So the player who is mentally better and physically better tomorrow,
I think will win."

--------------------
Semi-final revisited (Friday 16th March)
--------------------

+ DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ [14] d. LI,NA [12], 7-5 4-6 6-1

Matt Cronin's Blog
<http://www.tennisreporters.net/hantuchova_031607.html>
>>>
FROM THE PACIFIC LIFE OPEN AT INDIAN WELLS – Daniela Hantuchová will
never back off on her desire to be No. 1 some day, even though to
most folks it appears to be a fantastic notion.

She still believes her best years are ahead of her, even though she
has six years behind her as a pro and likely no more than five decent
physical ones ahead.

In the fourth seed's 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 win over Li Na in the semifinals,
Hantuchová arranged points like an elite player, but her opponent had
dead legs and the Slovak didn't have to orchestrate a perfect
sympathy in the third set. She merely had to put balls into the
court.

That she did so without hitting herself off the court is to be
admired, because as bright as she is, she did that plenty in the
past. No great surprise here, but her legion of coaches at the
Sánchez-Casal Academy have taught her the value of patience. Everyone
needs a little injection of Arantxa now and then.

How often has a Top-5 player won her first Tier I title and then had
to come back to the same place five years later and have to attempt
to win her second title of any kind? It's likely it has never
happened at another Tier I, but it could very well happen for
Hantuchová, who is playing as well as anyone in the tournament and is
extremely confident.

Hantuchová is an accomplished on-court thinker, so that's not what's
been holding her back. As Martina Hingis says, she always seems to
play the right shot. It's about execution and whether she is
emotionally and physically fit enough to be able to execute. That has
not been always the case, but has certainly been the way things are
for the past two years. She's striking a better emotional balance, so
her challenge has largely been to improve her technical game. As
sweet as her two-handed backhand is, her forehand has been late to
develop, and as strong as her first serve is, it's often erratic. But
her serve is a weapon when she finds a good rhythm, and when her feet
are properly planted, she can paste a forehand, too.

When Hantuchová is on, she's very, very good because if you can't get
her moving more than a few strides laterally, she'll seize control of
the court. She has terrific depth and understands the angles pretty
well. She's not a standout returner, partly because she's not a risk-
taker, but she does a fine job launching missiles down the line off
pattycake second serves.

Players like Hantuchová could be accused of being to happy with their
station in life, but in her case, that contention could be flipped on
its head. Sure, she should have won more titles by now, and certainly
should have reached a Slam semi, but she's been around the Top 20 for
almost all of her career and that does take some effort. On the one
hand, you could call her a perennial quarter-finalist, but had she
gotten lazy, she could have ended up a perennial third-rounder. She's
gifted, but it's not like she was handed Venus Williams' height,
sinewy muscles and speed.

Hantuchová enters her third Tier One final and the sixth final
overall. In her only title run, she stunned Hingis at the '02 Pac
Life Open. In her other four title-round losses, she'd fallen to Kim
Clijsters (whom she has never beaten), Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva
and Maria Sharapova.

Hantuchová is 9-1 in three-setters this year, a terrific mark for any
player, but it also shows her vulnerability: she has trouble closing
out matches. But no matter, as written in this space a few days ago,
she's defying those physiotherapists who believe that thin frames
can't last under brutal conditions. She actually believed she had the
fitness-edge going into the third set against Li, and proved it. Big
credit there to her fitness trainer, Marco Panichi.
<<<

More quotes from Daniela
------------------------

"Especially the first few games in the third set were very important,
and I just tried to save my energy for the points - not to waste it
in between - and just tried to play very smart, and not to waste too
much energy or giving her too many points."

[Re. the heat]
"Well, as I said it was tough. I mean, it was the same for both of
us. And I just tried to use the heat-break and, you know, get some
energy back and drink a lot, and just try not to think too much about
it, 'cause it was the same for both of us. I just tried to stay calm
and stay cool.

"I was starting to feel a little tired, but that break really helped
me. And just mentally, I just tried to forget about the second set as
soon as I could, and really tried to focus on the third one.

"Even though conditions were tough, I still felt like I had a lot of
me in the third set. But, of course, it's, you know, tough having to
get through matches like this. But I'm enjoying it a lot, and from
every match I feel like I'm getting more and more confident, and it
feels great."

[Re. the bad times in the last five years]
"I feel like all these experiences, I had to go through, you know. I
feel like now, it's starting to pay off, and definitely I think when
you have to, when you want to have ups in your career, you have to
also go through the difficult and low times. And as long as I accept
it and I know how to deal with it, I think it's okay.

"I felt like when I was younger, I always expected everything to go
my way and always being perfect. And I realise it's okay not to be
like that all the time. Of course you /look/ for it - to be as good
as you can every single day - but if it doesn't happen, it's still
okay.

"Off the court, I think everyone learns with the years. And
definitely I feel like I'm more mature, and I think much, much
smarter with making my decisions.

[Is a thin body more heat-resistant?]
"I think I was prepared very well, especially for today, and overall
during the whole tournament. I felt like I was in great shape, and no
matter how difficult it was getting in the matches, I felt very good
physically. And that gives me a lot of confidence /mentally/ as well.

"Basically I'm working with Emilio Sánchez at Casal Academy. There is
always someone from the Academy travelling with me. They are Angel
Jiménez, Eduardo Nicolás. And so basically every tournament I'm with
one of these two guys, plus I have my trainer here, Marco Panichi.
It's been like that since last year, so... I did spend some time in
Barcelona, but most of the time I prefer to be in Monte Carlo.

"I don't feel like game-wise, my game was right there. But, I mean, I
just tried to fight through, and wait for the right opportunities to
come out with some good shots, which I did. And definitely, I felt it
was a very tough match, but I think I've played much better probably
against Hingis or the day before."

[Re. the difference between Nigel Sears and the Sánchez/Casal Academy]
"I think just looking at things in a little different way. I mean,
sometimes maybe hearing the same stuff, but maybe, you know,
sometimes when you hear it in different way, it makes you open your
eyes a little bit. There's still so much I think these guys can teach
me. I think probably this week, you know, when I don't try to be too
impatient with my shots, and just take my time and wait for the right
one to come in or to hit a good shot. I'm not rushing so much as
probably I was before and just, you know, playing a little smart
tennis.

"I think before, it was either all winners or unforced errors. There
was like nothing in between. Now I'm learning that it's okay also
sometimes to hit a normal shot. It doesn't have to be on the line or
winner that goes to 200 miles an hour, so... I guess [I learned that]
with the time and experiences.

[Re. her improved strength and movement]
"I think I work very, very hard the last couple of months with my
trainer. He's doing a great job. And I'm really enjoying that part of
my game, and definitely, I think it's helping my game a lot.

[Re. playing Kuznetsova in the final]
"The last two matches we played in series, I won. But now she won in
Doha. Both great matches, was very close either way. So, yeah, I'm
just looking forward to it. I don't really care who is on the other
side of the court once.

[Re. the possibility of playing Sybille Bammer in the final]
"Once someone gets to the finals, obviously they have to be playing
great tennis. I played her last year once in Filderstadt, I think it
was. It was a tough match. She's a very good player. So you can never
underestimate her. And, yeah, it would be a tough match, too, so
we'll see what happens in the next semi-final.

[Re. the powder in her drink]
"Electrolytes."

[Re. the video of the Indian Wells 2002 final]
"Definitely I watched it many, many times, especially after the
finals. And it was a great feeling. And, you know, whenever you watch
match like that, it brings so many great memories. And I could feel
exactly what I was thinking in those moments. It was fantastic."


More quotes from Li
-------------------

"For me, I didn't control the point for this match. Because, I mean,
I hit a lot of winner, but I have a lot of miss in the court. So I
give opponent lot free points. So maybe she think, 'Okay, if I serve
to her, just I can win easy point, yeah.'"

[Re. Daniela taking a lot of time between points]
"It's okay for me, yeah, because if I play, like, long point, I would
like her to take a long time to break, and then play the next point,
yeah."

[Re. on-court coaching]
"I didn't say for the coach, because I want to try for myself. I want
to play myself, yeah. Because for this tournament, I didn't sign for
the coach. But my coach was watch play every match, yeah."

Yeah!

-----------
UK TV-alert
-----------

UK viewers: watch out for highlights of the Indian Wells final in
Transworld Sport on Channel 4 on Sunday morning.

For those who remember to put their clocks forward, and those whose
video-recorders automatically adjust their clocks, Transworld Sport
begins at 06:30 BST, and ends at 07:25 BST.

For those who forget to put their clocks forward, Transworld Sport
starts at 05:30 GMT.

Transworld Sport may also be televised in other countries.


Daniela got the whale back. Now it needs a bowl to swim in.

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/hantu/ (+2 external links)

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