From Seoul,  South Korea, March 2019

SNS도 합니다! 팔로우해주세요~

페북 ID: @Living Next Level: Between Europe and Korea

인스타 ID: @mewanderer99

WTA 2019 Week 9&10 Tournaments - 여자테니스 2019년 제9&10주의 대회

1.  Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open - California, United States

2. Abierto Zapopan - Guadalajara, Mexico

***

1. Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open - USA (인디언웰스 오픈 )

Level / 수준: WTA Premier Mandatory

Dates / 날짜: Mar 6 - Mar 17 (2019)

Surface / 표면: Hard Court / 하드코트

Total prize / 총 상금: $ 9,035,428

Singles Draw Size / 싱글 드로 사이즈: 128

2018 Finalists / 2018 결승전 출전자: N. Osaka def D. Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2

***

Points / 포인트:

Tournament Level / 대회 수준: WTA Premier Mandatory

Winner / 우승자: 1000

Finalist / 2위: 650

Semifinalists / 준결승전: 390

Quarter-finalists / 준준결승: 215

Round of 16 / 16강전: 120

Round of 32 / 32강전: 65

Round of 64 / 64강전: 35

Round of 128 / 128강전: 10

***

Seeds / 시드:

***

The Final /  결승전: 

Bianca Andreescu (Canada) defeated Angelique Kerber (Germany)  6-4 , 3-6, 6-4

Final Highlights / 하일라이트 동영상:

* * *

2018 Winner / 2018 우승자:

Naomi Osaka (Japan) def. Daria Kasatkina (Russia) 

2018 Final Highlights / 2018 결승전 하일라이트 동영상:

2017 Winner / 2017 우승자:

Elena Vesnina (Russia) def. Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 

2016 Winner / 2016 우승자:

Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) def. Serena Williams (USA) 

2015 Winner / 2015 우승자:

Simona Halep (Romania) def. Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 

2014 Winner / 2014 우승자:

Flavia Penetta (Italy) def. Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 

***

2. Abierto Zapopan - Guadalajara, Mexico (사포판 오픈)

Level / 수준: WTA 125k

Dates / 날짜: Mar 11 - Mar 16 (2019)

Surface / 표면: Hard Court / 하드코트

Total prize / 총 상금: $ 150,000

Singles Draw Size / 싱글 드로 사이즈: 32

2018 Finalists / 2018 결승전 출전자:  This is the first edition of the tournament / 이번 대회의 첫 회입니다

***

Points / 포인트:

Tournament Level / 대회 수준: WTA 125k

Winner / 우승자: 160

Finalist / 2위: 195

Semifinalists / 준결승전: 57

Quarter-finalists / 준준결승: 29

Round of 16 / 16강전: 15

Round of 32 / 32강전: 1

***

Seeds / 시드:

***

The Final /  결승전: 

Veronika Kudermetova (Russia) defeated Marie Bouzkova (Czech Republic)  6-2 , 6-0

Final Highlights / 하일라이트 동영상:

No Video - 동영상 없음

From Myrtle Beach,  South Carolina, January 2019

SNS도 합니다! 팔로우해주세요~

페북 ID: @Living Next Level: Between Europe and Korea

인스타 ID: @mewanderer99

WTA 2019 제 3 & 4의 주 대회 (1월)

호주 오픈

2018 호주오픈 여자 단식 결승전 출전자, 

캐롤라인 보즈니아키 (덴마크) 와 시모나 할렙 (루마니아)

하일라이트 보기:

***

포인트:

시드:

***

2018 우승자:

Caroline Wozniacki (덴마크)

2017 우승자:

Serena Williams (미국) def. Venus Williams (미국)

2016 우승자:

Angelique Kerber (독일) def. Serena Williams (미국)

2015 우승자:

Serena Williams (미국) def. Maria Sharapova (러시아)

2014 우승자:

Li Na (중국) def. Dominika Cibulkova (슬로바키아)

2013 우승자:

Victoria Azarenka (벨라루스) def. Li Na (중국)

From Seoul, South Korea, August 2018

1. Rogers Cup, Montreal, Canada

ABOUT

The 2018 Rogers Cup presented by National Bank is a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It is the 138th edition (for the men) and the 127th (for the women) of the Canadian Open. The tournament is part of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 of the 2018 ATP World Tour, and of the WTA Premier 5 tournaments of the 2018 WTA Tour, and is also a 2018 US Open Series event. The  women's event is held at the IGA Stadium in Montréal, both from August 6 to August 12.

POINT SYSTEM

Winner - 900

Runner-up - 585

Semifinalists - 350

Quarter-finalists - 190

Round of 16 - 105

Round of 32 - 60

Round of 64 - 1

SEEDS

FINALISTS

Simona Halep (Romania) and Sloane Stephens (USA)

Score: 7(8)-6(6) , 3-6 , 6-4

Highlights of the match here

In a remake of the 2018 Roland Garros final these two players met again, this time playing even a better tennis, and showing the world why they are th best in the world! Stephens had more winners (and what winners!) and less errors, but somehow Halep's points came at the right moment and turned her into a champion. It might easily become the best women's tennis match of the year. Watch the highlights if not convinced ^^!

 WINNER 

Simona Halep (Romania) 

Simona first won this tournament 2 years ago, in 2016. With this title she stays at the top of the WTA ranking and if she continues in this way she may become the year-end No 1 once again. Good luck!

FINAL HIGHLIGHTS

***

2017 WINNER: Elina Svitolina (Ukraine)

*2017 final highlights Svitolina-Wozniacki

2016 WINNER: Simona Halep (Romania)

2015 WINNER: Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)

WTA RANKING, August 14th, 2018

wtatennis.com

wikipedia.com

From Seoul, South Korea, August 2018

1. Silicon Valley Classic, San Jose, California, USA

ABOUT

The 2018 Silicon Valley Classic (also known as the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic for sponsorship reasons) is a professional tennistournament played on hard courts. This is the 47th edition of the tournament, and part of the WTA Premier tournaments of the 2018 WTA Tour. It takes place between 30 July and 5 August 2018 and it is the first time the tournament is held in San Jose, California, following a move from Stanford.^[1] It is the first women's event on the 2018 US Open Series.

POINT SYSTEM

Winner - 470

Runner-up - 305

Semifinalists - 185

Quarter-finalists - 100

Round of 16 - 55

Round of 32 - 1

SEEDS

Among the seeded players, Muguruza and Keys were eliminated at the date this artcle was posted.

FINALISTS

Mihaela Buzarnescu (Romania) and Maria Sakkari (Greece)

Score: 6-1 6-0

HIGHLIGHTS (YOUTUBE LINK)

 WINNER  

Mihaela Buzarnescuhas been playing great in 2018 and also lost some finals.  This is the first singles WTA title in her career, a career which is close to the end. When she received the trofee at the end of the match she told Sakkari to enjoy her tennis career as she is young and has a lot of possible tournaments to win from now on. 'As for me, maybe I can play two more years and then I have to tep down.' Mihaela was never able to show and grow her true talent due to numerous injuries in the past, which makes this trofee even more special. Her fellow Romanian, world no 1 Simona Halep posted a congratulatory message on her twitter 'I am so happy for you, Miki! Welcome to WTA Top 20'. Mihaela's dream was to enter Top 20 one day, and that happened here, in California.

2017 WINNER: Madison Keys (USA) [Bank of the West Classic]

2. Citi Open, Washington DC, USA

ABOUT:

The 2018 Washington Open (called the Citi Open for sponsorship reasons) is a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It is the 50th edition (for the men) and the 8th edition (for the women) of the Washington Open. The event is part of the ATP World Tour 500 series of the 2018 ATP World Tour, and of the WTA International tournaments of the 2018 WTA Tour. It is taking place at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C., United States, from July 30 to August 5, 2018.

POINT SYSTEM

Winner - 280

Runner-up - 180

Semifinalists - 110

Quarter-finalists - 60

Round of 16 - 30

Round of 32 - 1

SEEDS

Among the seeded players, Caroline Wozniacki was eliminated at the date this artcle was posted.

FINALISTS

Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) and Dona Vekic (Croatia)

Score: 4-6  7(9)-6(7)  6-2

   WINNER  

Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia)

2017 WINNER: Ekaterina Makarova (Russia)

wtatennis.com

wikipedia.com

From Seoul, South Korea, July 2018

1. BRD Bucharest Open, Romania

ABOUT

The 2018 BRD Bucharest Open is a tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts. It is the fifth edition of the tournament and part of the International category of the 2018 WTA Tour. This year it is held held from 16 to 22 July 2018 at the Arenele BNR in Bucharest, Romania.

POINT SYSTEM

Winner - 280

Runner-up - 180

Semifinalists - 110

Quarter-finalists - 60

Round of 16 - 30

Round of 32 - 1

SEEDS

FINALISTS

Anastasia Sevastova (Latvia) and Petra Martic (Croatia)

Score: 7(7)-6(4), 6-2

 WINNER  

Anastasia Sevastova (Latvia)

2017 WINNER: Irina Camelia Begu (Romania)

2. Swiss Open, Gstaad, Switzerland

ABOUT:

The 2018 Ladies Championship Gstaad is a women's tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts. It is the 26th edition of the Ladies Championship Gstaad, and part of the International category of the 2018 WTA Tour. It takes place at Roy Emerson Arena in Gstaad, Switzerland, from 16 July through 22 July 2018.

POINT SYSTEM

Winner - 280

Runner-up - 180

Semifinalists - 110

Quarter-finalists - 60

Round of 16 - 30

Round of 32 - 1

SEEDS

FINALISTS

Alize Cornet (France) and Mandy Minella (Luxemburg)

Score: 6-4, 7(8)-6(6)

   WINNER  

Alize Cornet (France)

2017 WINNER: Kiki Bertens (Netherlands)

wtatennis.com

wikipedia.com

From Georgensgmund, Bayern, Germany, January 2018

Danish Caroline Wozniacki is finally a Grand Slam champion, after securing victory

 over top seed Simona Halep in her first Australian Open final, 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4. 

"I think last year, already for a year and a half, I've proved that I can beat anyone out there

on court", Wozniacki said at her post-championship press conference. 

"When you're in the finals, I'm not going to lie, I was really nervous before going out there on court,

but once I kind of settled in and we had the warmup, I thought, I have everything to win."

Simona Halep had an impressive comeback in the first set when, from the score 4 to 1 for Wozniacki,

 she pushed the set into tiebreak.

However she was defeated in the tiebreak in the end.

Halep won the second set, 6 to 3, but she got more and more tired, while Wozniacki 

seemed to manage her condition better.

In all, Caroline hit just 19 unforced errors and 25 winners in a nearly 3 hours match. 

For Halep, it was another agressive display: 40 winners off-set by 46 unforced errors, accompanied

by an impressive six aces off her ever-improving serve.

Simona had more winners, but also more errors. Caroline's winners came in key moments 

of the match. This, and her better physical condition were the aspects which mattered in the end.

"I was really tired", Halep said after the match. "I had so many problems at my feet, pain everywhere.

But, you know, I think I did pretty well with all the things that were going on.

After the first set, I was just out. I don't know what happened. No energy, no power. 

But then I just said that I have to hit all the balls, and then I could take the second set."

<Caroline reacts after the final point>

Wozniacki had been the underdof in her first previous Grand Slam (US Open) finals, against 

Kim Clijters in 2009 and Serena Williams in 2014. She had her own physical issues late 

in the AO final, calling her trainer for an acute left knee injury.

<Players hug after match>

With the match in critical stage, Caroline got one last streak, earning the championship point with

 a sensational rally and taking the win one point later, becoming the first from her country

 to win a singles Grand Slam title.

"That was a crazy point. I think we both played very well."

"I can still smile", Halep said. "It's fine. I cried, but now I'm smiling. It's just a tennis match in the end. 

But I'm really sad I couldn't win. I was close again, but the gas was over in the end."

"She was better. She was fresher. She had actually more energy in the end."

<Simona and her team>

Ranked No. 1 for 67 weeks between 2010 and 2012, Wozniacki will return to the top spot 

on Monday after six years.

"I think being the new Grand Slam champion and World No. 1 sounds pretty good. I'm very excited for that.

 It's a dream come true."

VIDEOS:

Blood pressure is rising, Halep seeks medical treatment

Caroline Wozniacki press conference (F)

Simona Halep press conference (WF) 

The fight to the top: Halep v Wozniacki final

spiegel.de

wtatennis.com

ausopen.com

From Seoul, South Korea, October 2017

안녕 folks!

Caroline Wozniacki with the trophy

WTA Finals Singapore. The competition reuniting the best 8 players in women’s tennis. It is the last competition of the year, and the most important after the 4 Grand Slams. This year the best world 8 competed against each other in 2 groups, and indeed, each game was worth watching! When the best 8 play among themselves each game is like a final.

 Group standings, semifinals, final & points and prize won. Interesting fact: the participation fee of $ 151 000 is deducted from the prize, so players who did not make it to the final or at least the semifinals, perhaps won't sleep well until the next season begins. :D

Danish player Caroline Wozniacki triumphed over veteran Venus Williams in the final game in Singapore, a game which ended 6-4 6-4. The second set saw Caroline almost winner as she was leading with 5 games to zero, but as champion that she is, Venus made an unforgettable comeback winning 4 games in a row. Caroline however, was strong enough not to be intimidated, ending up with the trophy, and the money of course. Moreover, she climbed 3 positions in the year-end rankings, from no 6 to no 3. 

Caroline reached the fisrt WTA position only once before, between October 2010 and February 2011. She has never won a Grand Slam tournament, which makes this Singapore trophy the most important for her so far.

You can see the higlights of the game here: youtube link Don't miss the second set! It was epic! 

Incredible Venus, at 37 years old

The most important title in Wozniacki's career. She has never won a Grand Slam. 

But she nailed this final.

THE OTHER STORY, YEAR-END NO 1 IN WOMEN'S TENNIS: SIMONA HALEP. 

THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF ROMANIAN TENNIS EVER

Halep was not able to reach the semifinals. She won her first group game against French Caroline Garcia, but lost to Wozniacki and Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. As the only player who could threaten her no 1 position, Czech Karolina Pliskova lost in the semifinals, she managed to remain the leader in the WTA standings. And she will stay there until the next season begins. 

 Simona said she stills feels very sad for the French Open final she lost last summer, but as one of her goals for 2017 was to be No 1, she ends the year in a positive note. Her game started to improve lately, and it seems that her biggest problem, the mental part, is not as disturbing as it used to be. 

Watch the awarding ceremony here: click

One of the most consistent WTA players, finally gets there. But no Grand Slam yet... 

AND YET ANOTHER STORY, CAROLINE GARCIA: THE RISING STAR

Another Caroline, Garcia, was the last to qualify for this year’s finals. WTA No 8, was, personally, my favourite player of this tournament. Very strong mentally and with a powerful attack style game, she put in trouble all the other players she met here. She even beat Wozniacki in the groups. I am looking forward to see her rising even more next year.

FINALLY, FAN BATTLE :D

Nothing gets more fun on facebook these days than following fans fight over the new world's number 1. From people lamenting there is no one single dominant player in women's tennis, to people arguing one does not need a Grand Slam to be a champion. Consistency or fame? What would you choose?

An article analyzing this particular topic here: click

FINAL STANDINGS OF 2017 IN WTA

Sources:

wtatennis.com

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2017/10/tough-call-will-any-wta-player-win-more-one-major-2018/70159/

http://www.hindustantimes.com

From Seoul, South Korea, October 2017

안녕 folks! 한국어 실수 무시하시고 보시기 바랍니다^^ 외국인입니다^^

완전 채식주의자가 아니지만 한국 사람들의 '비건'의 개념을 어떻게 이해하는지가 궁금해서 비건 페스티벌에 가기로 했습니다. 한국에서 살고 있고 앞으로도 한국에 살아야 하니까 한국 음식을 맛있고 다양하게 만드는 법을 알아야죠. 그런데 고기, 계란, 해물을 싫어해서 정말 요리를 어떻게 해야하는지 모르겠어요... 동물 중에 생선만 먹을 수 있는데 .. 밥상이 그렇게 다양하지 않고 항상 거의  똑같은 음식을 먹습니다. 

포스터에 고양이들이 있었어요. 한국에서 고양이를 안 먹는데 왜 고양이 

사진을 사용했는지 이해가 아 가네.. 왜 돼지나 소나 닭 사진을 쓰지 않았을까요?

포스터를 팔고 있었어요

쿠키와 케이크와 다른 과자류를 파는 스텐드들이 많아서 놀랐습니다. 비건 축체에 가서 제대로 된 음긱을 보는 거 기대했는데 이런 과자가 너무 많았어요. 과자는 비건 축체의 대표적인 이미지로 남으면 어떡해요? 뭐 그래도 과자를 먹고 싶을 때가 있긴 있죠^^

쿠키

브라우니?

또 브라우니, 케이크 등...

제가 팔라펠 후무스 샌드위치를 먹었습니다. 후무스를 너무 좋아하는데 한국에서 마트에 안 팔아요. (여러 분들이 파는 마트를 아시면 알려주세요~~^^) 그래서 Jack's Bean에서 샌드위치를 샀는데 제가 알고 있었던 후무스의 맛이 아니었습니다 ㅠㅠ

여기 정말 줄이 길었습니다. 인기가 많은 것 같네요. 

복잡한 설명 글 ^^

3500원이었습니다. 저는 고기 없는 것이 다 맛있으니까 이것도 즐겨 먹었어요. 

하지만 후무스가 최고는 아니었어요.

그 다음으로 제가 비건들에 대한 이해 못하는 한가지는 고기의 맛을 그립다는 것입니다. 동물을 사랑해서 고기를 포기하기로 했는데 고기 맛이 그리운 겁니다. 동물을 그렇게 사랑한다면 그 맛만 생각나고 기분이 나빠야 하는 거 아닐까요?

Textured soy으로 만든 '치킨'. 가공 식품입니다. 어렸을 때 엄마가 이걸로 schintzel 자주 만들어 

주셨는데 나중에 건강에 안좋은 것이 알게 되셔서 더 

이상 집에서 못봤어요 ㅎㅎ

이 축체에 대한 제일 아쉬운 것은 한국요리가 거의 없었던 겁니다. 한 스텐드에 만두를 봤지만 나머지는 다 외국/서양 스타일 음식이었습니다. 그런 음식을 만들기 위해서 특별한 재료가 필요한데 한국에서 쉽게 찾을 수 있는 재료가 아닙니다. 있으면 비싸고요.. 된장찌개, 김치, 김치찌개 등 등, 한식을 고기나 동물성 식품을 쓰지 않고 만드는 법, 레시피, 육수 없는 고추장 어디서 찾을 수 있는지 등등 , 이런 것들을 보러 갔는데 ... 제가 너무 많이 기대를 했나요?

Tempeh/템페는 인도네시아식 콩인데 한국에서 잘 안 팝니다.

또 그린빈은 한국에서 잘 안 팔고 있는 거고 비쌉니다. 루마니아에서 자주 먹었던

건데 너무 그립습니다 ㅠㅠ

채식 만두.

고기 없는 라면. 음.... 라면 먹고 싶을 때 이걸 먹어 볼까요?^^

견과류 밀크. 제가 한국에 파는 무첨가 두유를 먹습니다. 그리고 가끔

 코코넛 밀크도 쿠팡에서 구매합니다.

좀 .... 외국인들을 위한 만든 축체? 그런 느낌이었습니다. 그리고 여기 설탕이 안 들어있는 건강한 쿠키를 팔고 다른 데는 건강에 안 좋은 라면 등, 이 축체의 목표가 뭐였는지 잘 모릅니다. 한국과 한식을 좀 더 집중했었으면 좋았을텐데...

From Seoul, South Korea, October 2017

안녕 folks!

Simona Halep's way to her first WTA number 1 ranking was halted several times in the months before China Open (30 Sept- 8 Oct, 2017). The Roland Garros final loss to Jelena Ostapenko and the elimination from US Open by Maria Sharapova in the first round, were not easy to deal with psychologically. 

In an interview for a Romanian TV channel she stated the Roland Garros final haunted her dreams for days after the game. Aggressive player Ostapenko is not an easy opponent these days in the WTA tournaments. 

On the other side, Halep lost all her previous games to Sharapova, seven in number, a situation that led some to say she had developed a Sharapova complex. However, Halep denied such a thing, still admitting that it was one of her biggest wishes to beat the Russian.

<Previous meetings, before Beijing 2017>

     China Open will remain a tournament to remember for Simona Halep. 

<Petra Kvitova, Caroline Garcia, Jelena Ostapenko, Simona Halep>

She obtained her first victory in two sets against the 'unbeatable Russian': 6-2, 6-2.

She took revenge for the Roland Garros final, becoming WTA No 1, after the semifinal against Ostapenko: 6-2, 6-4.

Yet Simona is getting a lot of criticism from fans all over the world who say that a No 1 without a Grand Slam is not a real No 1. Regarding this, only time will tell the truth. 

Sources:

TVR1 interview with Simona Halep, in Romanian:

Pictures:

https://www.facebook.com/WTA/?ref=br_rs

http://www.wtatennis.com/

Watch:

2017 China Open 3rd Round against Maria Sharapova, highlights:

https://youtu.be/3oYXBWw_RR8

2017 China Open semi-final against Jelena Ostapenko, highlights:

https://youtu.be/gUt8s9lIVRk