Breaking down the draws at the first four tournaments of 2012

January 5, 2012   ·   0 Comments

Breaking down the draws at the first four tournaments of 2012

Busted Racquet recaps the action at the four biggest season-opening tournaments.

Brisbane (Women)

Defending champion Kim Clijsters advanced to the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Irene Benesova. Her side of the draw opened up after Benesova defeated top seed and Australian favorite Sam Stosur in the second round. She’ll face Daniela Hantuchova, who advanced after Serena Williams‘ withdrawal, on Friday.

The other side of the draw pits Francesca Schiavone and Kaia Kanepi. Schiavone won a three-set thriller on Thursday against Jelena Jankovic. She reflected on how she was going to celebrate the win. ”Massage for sure, and then I should eat a cow,” she said.

Brisbane (Men)

Marcos Baghdatis continues to defy expectations, defeating Ryan Harrison and Kei Nishikori to advance to a quarterfinal match with Andy Murray. If Murray continues on to the final, he’d face the winner of Alex Dolgopolov and Giles Simon.

Doha

Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will begin 2012 the way they ended 2011. After playing seven times last year, including in the finals of the year-end ATP World Tour Finals, the two will face off in the semifinals of Doha. Federer held off Andreas Seppi in three sets to win his winning streak to 20. Tsonga cruised in straights to advance.

The seeds held to form in the top half of the draw as well. Rafael Nadal defeated Mikhail Youzny in a 6-4, 6-4 barnburner, while Gael Monfils took out Viktor Troicki in straights.

Auckland

Top-seeded Sabine Lisicki withdrew on Thursday after suffering an abdominal injury. She was down a set to Angelique Kerber when she retired from the match. The German will face Flavia Pennetta in the semifinals.

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