Memory Lane May 9, 2020

Madrid Memories 2019: Brilliant Bertens denies Halep

Kiki Bertens secured her ninth WTA Tour title at Madrid 2019, denying Simona Halep in the final, while Belinda Bencic enjoyed a memorable run to the last four.

Among the headline upsets in qualifying was wildcard Marta Kostyuk’s 6-0, 2-6, 6-0 win over No.1 seed Amanda Anisimova, while Vera Zvonareva would oust Anastasia Potapova. — 01 /20

Among the headline upsets in qualifying was wildcard Marta Kostyuk’s 6-0, 2-6, 6-0 win over No.1 seed Amanda Anisimova, while Vera Zvonareva would oust Anastasia Potapova.

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In the main draw, Petra Kvitova made short work of Sofia Kenin, storming to a 78-minute win by a score of 6-1, 6-4. — 02 /20

In the main draw, Petra Kvitova made short work of Sofia Kenin, storming to a 78-minute win by a score of 6-1, 6-4.

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Naomi Osaka ensured 2016 finalist Dominika Cibulkova’s last Madrid outing was a brief one as she claimed a 6-2, 7-6(6) first-round victory. — 03 /20

Naomi Osaka ensured 2016 finalist Dominika Cibulkova’s last Madrid outing was a brief one as she claimed a 6-2, 7-6(6) first-round victory.

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The big shock of the opening round came as France’s Pauline Parmentier defeated No.6 seed Elina Svitolina, 6-4, 7-6(6). — 04 /20

The big shock of the opening round came as France’s Pauline Parmentier defeated No.6 seed Elina Svitolina, 6-4, 7-6(6).

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Petra Martic would enjoy a profitable week, with her run to the quarterfinals highlighted by her 7-5, 7-6(2) success over Garbiñe Muguruza. After winning in Istanbul, it was her sixth successive win of a nine-victory streak. — 05 /20

Petra Martic would enjoy a profitable week, with her run to the quarterfinals highlighted by her 7-5, 7-6(2) success over Garbiñe Muguruza. After winning in Istanbul, it was her sixth successive win of a nine-victory streak.

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Karolina Pliskova flirted with defeat against Dayana Yastremska as she fended off an incredible five match points before securing a 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3 success. — 06 /20

Karolina Pliskova flirted with defeat against Dayana Yastremska as she fended off an incredible five match points before securing a 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3 success.

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In the second round, Sloane Stephens made it four wins over Victoria Azarenka in succession as she bounced back from the loss of the second set to win, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. She had lost her first three encounters against the Belarusian. — 07 /20

In the second round, Sloane Stephens made it four wins over Victoria Azarenka in succession as she bounced back from the loss of the second set to win, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. She had lost her first three encounters against the Belarusian.

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Ashleigh Barty was also taken the distance before overcoming Danielle Collins, 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 in a topsy-turvy affair that lasted only 85 minutes. — 08 /20

Ashleigh Barty was also taken the distance before overcoming Danielle Collins, 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 in a topsy-turvy affair that lasted only 85 minutes.

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Completing play on the first day of second round action, Belinda Bencic won a stunning 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3 success over a resurgent Svetlana Kuznetsova in what was arguably the match of the tournament. — 09 /20

Completing play on the first day of second round action, Belinda Bencic won a stunning 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3 success over a resurgent Svetlana Kuznetsova in what was arguably the match of the tournament.

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Simona Halep was up bright and early on the Tuesday to book her third-round spot with a 7-5, 6-1 over Britain’s Johanna Konta. — 10 /20

Simona Halep was up bright and early on the Tuesday to book her third-round spot with a 7-5, 6-1 over Britain’s Johanna Konta.

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Having narrowly avoided an upset in her opener, Karolina Pliskova was unable to repeat the trick against Kateryna Kozlova as the Ukrainian scored her second career Top 5 win with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 shock. — 11 /20

Having narrowly avoided an upset in her opener, Karolina Pliskova was unable to repeat the trick against Kateryna Kozlova as the Ukrainian scored her second career Top 5 win with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 shock.

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Halep wasted little time in reaching the quarterfinals as she scored her second career double bagel win in a WTA main draw. Viktoria Kuzmova was on the wrong end of the in-form Romanian, with the match lasting 45 minutes. — 12 /20

Halep wasted little time in reaching the quarterfinals as she scored her second career double bagel win in a WTA main draw. Viktoria Kuzmova was on the wrong end of the in-form Romanian, with the match lasting 45 minutes.

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Kiki Bertens faced off against a familiar opponent in the form of Anastasija Sevastova. It was the third year in a row they had played in Madrid, with the Dutchwoman triumphing, 6-1, 6-2. — 13 /20

Kiki Bertens faced off against a familiar opponent in the form of Anastasija Sevastova. It was the third year in a row they had played in Madrid, with the Dutchwoman triumphing, 6-1, 6-2.

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There was another straight sets victory for Simona Halep in the last eight as she overcame Barty, 7-5, 7-5 as she showcased her remarkable consistency to down the future French Open champion. — 14 /20

There was another straight sets victory for Simona Halep in the last eight as she overcame Barty, 7-5, 7-5 as she showcased her remarkable consistency to down the future French Open champion.

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Bencic enjoyed three wins over Osaka in 2019, with the second of those arriving in the quarterfinals in Spain. The Swiss scored a memorable, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 success. — 15 /20

Bencic enjoyed three wins over Osaka in 2019, with the second of those arriving in the quarterfinals in Spain. The Swiss scored a memorable, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 success.

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Defending champion Kvitova met Bertens, the player she had beaten in the final in 2018, in the quarters. It was the player from the Netherlands who came out on top this time as she scored a 6-2, 6-3 win. — 16 /20

Defending champion Kvitova met Bertens, the player she had beaten in the final in 2018, in the quarters. It was the player from the Netherlands who came out on top this time as she scored a 6-2, 6-3 win.

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Halep was given her sternest examination yet in the semifinals as she faced off against Belinda Bencic. The 2018 French Open champion, however, rallied to win, 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-0. — 17 /20

Halep was given her sternest examination yet in the semifinals as she faced off against Belinda Bencic. The 2018 French Open champion, however, rallied to win, 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-0.

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Bertens got the better of Stephens in the other semi, taking 90 minutes exactly to seal a 6-2, 7-5 victory. — 18 /20

Bertens got the better of Stephens in the other semi, taking 90 minutes exactly to seal a 6-2, 7-5 victory.

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The final saw Bertens meet Halep, who would be denied her third title in the Spanish capital. The No.7 seed came out on top, 6-4, 6-4 in a contest that lasted 88 minutes. — 19 /20

The final saw Bertens meet Halep, who would be denied her third title in the Spanish capital. The No.7 seed came out on top, 6-4, 6-4 in a contest that lasted 88 minutes.

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Bertens claimed her ninth career title and second of 2019, having already won in St Petersburg. — 20 /20

Bertens claimed her ninth career title and second of 2019, having already won in St Petersburg.

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