Author: Michael Dickens

Kasatkina: On Getting Back To A Happier Place

PARIS/WASHINGTON, June 3, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) Three years have passed since Daria Kasatkina made a quarterfinal run at Roland Garros in 2018. On Wednesday, the 24-year-old native of Tolyatti, Russia, showed signs of her brilliant past when she dealt […]

The Journey Back Was Suárez Navarro’s Reward

PARIS/WASHINGTON, June 2, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) The journey back to play Roland Garros one last time was Carla Suárez Navarro‘s reward. Win or lose, it didn’t really matter. But, oh, did the 32-year-old Spaniard born in the Canary Islands, […]

Swiatek Finding Right Balance On, Off The Court

PARIS/WASHINGTON, June 1, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) The second day of the Roland Garros fortnight started with defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrating her 20th birthday by playing her best friend, Kaja Juvan of Slovenia, and winning 6-0, 7-5. […]

Collins: Surgery Changed Her Mindset

PARIS/WASHINGTON, May 31, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) When Danielle Collins stepped out on Stade Roland-Garros Court 12 to play her first-round match against 145th-ranked Chinese qualifier Wang Xiyu on Sunday at the French Open, the 50th-ranked American had a different […]

Roland Garros: The Big 3, #NextGen And Naomi

PARIS/WASHINGTON, May 30, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) The 2021 edition of the French Open has arrived – a week later than originally planned but better than waiting until October like last year. Day One of the Parisian fortnight begins on […]

La Vainqueur: Krejcikova Is A Solo Champion

STRASBOURG/WASHINGTON, May 29, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) On the eve of Roland Garros, a significant battle on the terre battue of Strasbourg in northeastern France took place, where 61st-ranked Sorana Cirstea and No. 38 Barbora Krejcikova fought for the singles […]

First WTA Semifinal Just Amazing For Niemeier

STRASBOURG/WASHINGTON, May 29, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) One of the biggest surprises during this week’s Internationaux de Strasbourg, a red clay Roland-Garros tune-up taking place in northeastern France, has been the emergence of German rising star Jule Niemeier. What a […]

Strasbourg Comebacks Unite Cirstea, Krejcikova

STRASBOURG/WASHINGTON, May 28, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) Sorana Cirstea has been lights out on clay this season, while Barbora Krejcikova is enjoying a career-best singles ranking after establishing herself as a Grand Slam doubles champion. Each has put together a […]

Cecchinato, Korda Win To Reach Parma Final

PARMA, May 28, 2021 (by Lorenzo Carini) Both Sebastian Korda and Marco Cecchinato have reached the final of the inaugural Emilia-Romagna Open – Mutti Cup on red clay in Parma, Italy. Come Saturday, when the title match is held, the […]