JOIN USMourning Razzano wins
The 81st-ranked Frenchwoman would reach her first WTA semifinal in more than two years with a victory on Friday over 102nd-ranked Irina Falconi of the United States at the hardcourt event, an early tune-up event for the United States Open.
“I played a great match,” Razzano said. “I’m feeling good with my tennis. I was very serious, focused on my game. I was able to concentrate on my goals from the start.”
Razzano fought through her sorrow at an emotional French Open appearance in May this year barely a week after the death of Stephane Vidal, her coach for 11 years, due to a brain tumor.
Razzano, 28, had not won back-to-back matches since Vidal’s death until downing Baltacha.
She said that every victory is a tribute to their time together.
“For me, it is (a tribute) already done, because I won two matches in a row. He is happy because I made a good start, played two very good matches,” she said. “The more I win matches there is more confidence for me.
“I’m going positively. Go to win. I win for him and for me. First for him, then for me.”
Somdev in quarters
In Los Angeles, Somdev Devvarman and Treat Conrad Huey shocked the top-seeded Brazilian pair of Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares in straight sets to advance to the doubles quarterfinals of the ATP Farmer’s Classic.
The unseeded Indo-Philippine pair took out the top seeds 6-3, 6-4 in little over one hour in the opening round of the $619,50 tournament.
They are now up against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg and Briton Jamie Murray.
Somdev and Huey converted all the five breakpoints, including three in the opening set, that came their way and saved a crucial break chance in the second set to seal the victory.
Somdev’s singles campaign had ended earlier with a 4-6, 6-7 (7-9) first-round defeat against Ryan Sweeting of the United States.