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Full BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open results for Tuesday, October 16, 2012:
Singles – First Round
(1) Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 60 26 60
(2) Julia Goerges (GER) d. Sílvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 62 61
(3) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 30 ret. (right shoulder injury)
(6) Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. Petra Martic (CRO) 62 62
Venus Williams (USA) d. (WC) Belinda Bencic (SUI) 63 61
Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) d. (Q) Tatjana Malek (GER) 76(3) 61
(Q) Annika Beck (GER) d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 57 76(2) 62
(WC) Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) d. (5) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 36 63 61
Doubles – First Round
(1) Hlavackova/Hradecka (CZE/CZE) d. Birnerova/Castaño (CZE/COL) 64 62
(2) Begu/Niculescu (ROU/ROU) d. Oprandi/Paszek (SUI/AUT) 61 60
(3) Dushevina/Govortsova (RUS/BLR) d. Soler-Espinosa/Suárez Navarro (ESP/ESP) 64 63
Bertens/Rus (NED/NED) d. Keothavong/Klepac (GBR/SLO) 36 62 106
Rick Gleijm‘s gallery from Tuesday in Luxembourg!
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LUXEMBOURG — Tournament Player Parties give tennis players the chance to relax and mingle with each other away from the tennis courts. And this year’s edition at the BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open was a hit with the players — especially a goofy and energetic Andrea Petkovic!
The always entertaining “Petkorazzi” – as known by many of her fans – couldn’t get enough of posing for our camera man Rick Gleijm. She strut her stuff with a contagious smile, and then goofed around a bit more when friend and fellow player Jelena Jankovic joined her in the spontaneous photoshoot.
It was an evening that gave players the chance to catch up, meet some of the youngsters on tour, eat some delicious food, and overall just have a much-needed good time out without too much glitz. In all, a perfect setting in Luxembourg.
Catch all the funny, spunky and charismatic exchanges below!
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LUXEMBOURG — In a successful effort by the WTA Tour to be even more awesome than it already is, the organization holds a media “All-Access Hour” with top WTA players  prior to the start of each tournament. And the Luxembourg Open was no different as Venus Williams, Andrea Petkovic and Jelena Jankovic spent time contemplating questions and laughing with members of the international media in an informal setting.
Our photographer Rick Gleijm was on hand to catch all three ladies enjoying a little time off court with the media.
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LUXEMBOURG (Oct. 14, 2012) — The final rounds of qualifying are set at the BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open, with notables Vera Dushevina, Aravane Rezai and Anne Keothavong all making it through. Andrea Hlavackova, who made her best Slam appearance by reaching the fourth round of this year’s U.S. Open, was ousted by Anna-Lena Friedsam in a third set tiebreak.
The main draw players were also visible around the outside courts as they practiced and prepared for their debuts starting tomorrow, including Tamira Paszek, Petra Martic, Kiki Bertens, and Monica Niculescu.
Check out Rick Gleijm‘s photo gallery below of all the day’s happenings, and make sure to check back tomorrow for photos from the WTA All-Access Hour and main draw play!
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LUXEMBOURG (Oct. 13, 2012) — The BGL BNP Parisbas Luxembourg Open kicked off today with qualifying tournament matches, as well as the main draw ceremony featuring charming world No. 25 Sabine Lisicki. Our photographer Rick Gleijm will be here all week, so make sure to check back daily for a new photo gallery of your favorite players. (Full gallery from Saturday below.)
The country of Luxembourg, located in western Europe, is one of the smallest countries in the world, but certainly not short on culture and history as it is bordered by Germany, France and Belgium. The capital city is the largest in the country and hails by the same name, often confusing foreigners.
Top players in Luxembourg this week will include Julia Goerges, Yanina Wickmayer, Jelena Jankovic, Sorana Cirstea, Venus Williams and Andrea Petkovic among others.
Today’s winners in the first round of qualifications include Anne Keothavong, Vera Dushevina, Tatjana Malek and Aravane Rezai. For full qualification results, please go here.
The official tournament website can be found here, and make sure to catch a live stream of the main draw matches from the tournament website here starting Monday.
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 LINZ, Austria — World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka made her Linz debut to a crowd of 3000 fans in TipsArena, defeating Aranxta Rus 6-0, 6-2 in just over an hour. (Full photo gallery below)
Of note is Azarenka’s commitment of playing Linz at all this week given her grueling traveling schedule. After winning the China Open on Sunday some speculated that she would pass on the International-level tournament altogether as she didn’t particularly need the points. But all credit to her for not just taking the easy road, but even confirming that she was ready to battle to the end:
“I adjusted and felt comfortable in the conditions today, which was surprising for me. I didn’t expect to play the perfect match today … It is an honor to be here and play. I would like to get the trophy.”
When asked about the stress of traveling the past few days and how she’s coped with it, she smiled and answered: “I have eaten all the chocolate that was given to me on my arrival. That helped!”
Azarenka also stated that she is looking forward to venturing in the city with her team for some good apple strudel and Austrian “Wiener Schnitzel.”
Two time Linz champion Ana Ivanovic also won her opener against Monica Niculescu, 7-5, 6-3, while comfortably winning 81% of her first serves.
A different story for No. 8 seed Sabine Lisicki unfolded as she was demolished by the lone Austrian left in the draw, world No. 159 Patricia Mayr-Achleitner, by a score of 6-1, 6-3. The German continues her slump as she loses her fifth straight tournament within the first two rounds.
Julia Goerges was also on court, defeating her second-round opponent Romina Oprandi, 6-3, 6-3, while Sofia Arvidsson booked her own quarterfinal spot by ousting Lucie Hradecka, 6-4, 7-6(4).
In doubles action, the pairings of Daniela Hantuchova and Petra Martic, Maria Elena Camerinn and Simona Halep, and Karolina and Kristyna Pliskova all advanced to the next round.
Photographer Rick Gleijm was once again capturing all the action from the day’s matches. See his full photo gallery below.
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LINZ, Austria — Day two of main draw play saw a few surprises as qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands took out No. 7 seed Tamira Paszek, Petra Martic sent off Sorana Cirstea, and qualifier Kirsten Flipkens defeated Alize Cornet. (Gallery below)
Two time champion Ana Ivanovic, world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, and crowd favorite Sabine Lisicki will all be in action on Wednesday to round off the first round of play, so check back tomorrow for more photos of the ladies!
Our photographer Rick Gleijm caught all the on-court action from the singles play today, including Hantuchova, Goerges, Paszek, Petkovic, Burdette, Pervak, Mattek-Sands and Cornet. Don’t forget to check out all our galleries from Linz on the homepage!
Full Results: Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Singles – First Round
(5) Julia Goerges (GER) d. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 64 76(5)
(Q) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. (7) Tamira Paszek (AUT) 62 64
Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 63 64
Simona Halep (ROU) d. (Q) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 30 ret. (right shoulder injury)
Romina Oprandi (SUI) d. Alexandra Cadantu (ROU) 62 61
Petra Martic (CRO) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 64 63
(Q) Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 64 63
(Q) Mallory Burdette (USA) d. (LL) Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) 63 64
(LL) Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) d. (LL) Catalina Castaño (COL) 60 64
(WC) Andrea Petkovic (GER) d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 76(3) 62
Doubles – First Round
(1) Groenefeld/Peschke (GER/CZE) d. Dzehalevich/Kalashnikova (BLR/GEO) 62 62
Jugic-Salkic/Klemenschits (BIH/AUT) d. Castaño/Hrdinova (COL/CZE) 63 64
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So far, the year 2012 has been pretty kind to tennis star, Andy Murray. The 25-year-old Scotland native and London resident started the year off by winning the Brisbane International, reached his fifth straight Grand Slam at the Australian Open and won the first British male singles gold medal since 1908 when he played in the London Olympics.
Unfortunately, his awesome winning streak ended once he reached Japan. Here’s how Andy Murray’s matches went down at the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo this past week.
First Round: Murray vs. Karlovic
Andy Murray had a great start in defending his championship title as he beat Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic in straight sets in the first round of the Rakuten Open.
Ivo Karlovic, who received an entry into the event after Gael Monfils had to drop out due to a knee injury, had never beaten Murray in a match. However, he put up a good fight in the first set with each player holding their serves and leveling the set at 6-6 to force a tiebreaker. Murray eventually won two straight points to seal it.
Both players held their serves in the next set and Karlovic even led the set for a while. The Croatian player couldn’t continue his momentum, however and Murray won the second set as well.
Murray executed brilliant serves during this match, hitting nine aces without a single double fault. In the second round, Murray faced off with Lukas Lacko from Slovakia.
Second Round: Murray vs. Lacko
The defending Rakuten champion trounced Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko in the second round of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships. Murray won in straight sets of 6-1 and 6-2, and needed only 57 minutes to register this win.
Murray started off flawlessly, grabbing the first five games to obtain a 5-0 lead. Lacko held his serve in the next set to reduce the lead to 5-1. Murray hit three aces but committed a couple of double faults in the first set. However, he had a high conversion rate and returned Lacko’s serves brilliantly, which led to a fairly easy win.
Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka challenged Murray in the third round of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championship.
Third Round: Murray vs. Wawrinka
Andy Murray beat Swiss tennis star, Stanislas Wawrinka, in a three-set match at the Rakuten Open 2012. Seeded top in this event, Andy Murray was able to win the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in a little under two hours.
This match saw numerous long rallies and longer games. Fortunately, Murray started off well and he rode the momentum into the final set. Murray faced the Canadian number one seed, Milos Raonic, in the fourth round of the championship.
Fourth Round: Murray vs. Raonic
The Olympic gold medallist lost to Milos Raonic after a three-set battle at 6-3, 6-7, 7-6. In this 2 hour and 46 minute thriller, Raonic gave a first-rate performance and struck early to win the opening set.
Murray managed to drag the second set into a tiebreaker and bagged the second set. But the two players had another tiebreaker in the third round and Raonic, clearly the better player this match, beat Murray in a surprise victory.
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LINZ, Austria — Monday at the Generali Ladies Linz saw the end of qualifications while the doubles draw kicked it into high gear with Daniela Hantuchova, Sorana Cirstea and Julia Goerges all winning their respective matches with their partners. (Gallery below)
The wildcard doubles team of Andrea Petkovic/Romina Oprandi lost a heartbreaker in the third set tiebreak when they were defeated by the No. 4 seeded team of Vera Dushevina and Alicja Rosolska.
Americans Mallory Burdette and Bethanie Mattek-Sands each survived their singles qualifying final round matches for a place in the main draw, as did Kirsten Flipkens and Lesia Tsurenko. Irina-Camelia Begu received a ‘Lucky Loser’ slot in the main draw as Anna Tatishvili pulled out with a viral illness. She will take on another lucky loser, Catalina Castano, as No. 3 seed Dominika Cibulkova pulled out with a recurring shoulder injury.
Unfortunately, Monday also saw Sofia Arvidsson take out No. 4 seed Lucie Safarova who struggled with her serve hitting 12 double faults for the match. Slumping German Mona Barthel fell victim to a nearly identical statistic as she served 11 double faults with a first serve percentage at a low 38.
Full Results from Monday, October 8, 2012
Singles – First Round
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) d. (4) Lucie Safarova (CZE) 36 62 75
Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. Sílvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 63 76(5)
Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Mona Barthel (GER) 76(3) 16 61
Doubles – First Round
(2) Goerges/Zahlavova Strycova (GER/CZE) d. Birnerova/Cornet (CZE/FRA) 64 46 105
Camerin/Halep (ITA/ROU) d. (3) Grandin/Uhlirova (RSA/CZE) 64 ret.
(4) Dushevina/Rosolska (RUS/POL) d. (WC) Oprandi/Petkovic (SUI/GER) 63 46 107
Hantuchova/Martic (SVK/CRO) d. Cadantu/Savinykh (ROU/RUS) 64 63
Cirstea/Paszek (ROU/AUT) d. (WC) Haas/Mayr-Achleitner (AUT/AUT) 64 63
Singles Qualifying – Final Round
Mallory Burdette (USA) d. (1) Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 64 61
(2) Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) d. (7) Jana Cepelova (SVK) 57 62 63
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. (5) Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) 76(7) 75
(6) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) d. Catalina Castaño (COL) 36 61 63
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LINZ, Austria — Generali Ladies Linz No. 6 seed Yanina Wickmayer and No. 8 seed Sabine Lisicki took time out of their busy schedules on Monday to participate in a Kids’ Day Press Conference.
Our photographer Rick Gleijm was given an exclusive invite to capture all the excitement and giggles as school children of all ages asked their favorite players challenging and inspiring questions. Afterward, the ladies stayed to sign autographs and even posed with a life-size bumblebee!
Wickmayer will open her campaign on Tuesday against American qualifier Mallory Burdette who recently turned professional, while Lisicki will face wildcard Patricia Mayr-Achleitner on Wednesday.
Enjoy the full gallery below from Kids’ Day with Lisicki and Wickmayer!
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