Daniela's podcast "The Real DNA" is available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts        Daniela will be player/media relationship representative and ambassador at the Madrid Open   

Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 53 posts ] 

Board index : English Forum (ENG) : Tournaments

Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4
Author Enter your Message here

Career Grand Slam
 Post subject: Re: PTT Thailand Open, Pattaya
PostPosted: 15. February 2015 16:55 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 23. August 2011
Posts: 1474
Local Time:
|28. March 2024| 05:39
7 :D ;) 7 :lol: :beer: 7!!!!!!!

IT'S A MAGNIFICENT SEVEN!!!!!!!



Let's Go, Daniela!


Top
  Profile
Reply with quote  

Golden Slam
 Post subject: Re: PTT Thailand Open, Pattaya
PostPosted: 15. February 2015 17:00 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 29. April 2008
Posts: 10867
Local Time:
|28. March 2024| 10:39
DANIELA HANTUCHOVA, QUEEN OF PATTAYA
Daniela Hantuchova battled past an inspired WTA Rising Star to capture the PTT Thailand Open - her third title in four attempts at the picturesque WTA stop.
Published February 15, 2015 12:14

PATTAYA CITY, Thailand - A day after they spent a combined total of almost six hours to win their semifinal matches, Daniela Hantuchova and Ajla Tomljanovic had another battle on their hands in the final of the PTT Thailand Open - and it was experience that just edged out youth this time.

Tomljanovic, who won an all-WTA Rising Star showdown against Monica Puig the day before, came out stronger in the final, taking the first set in 32 minutes and looking safely in control up 6-3, 2-1.

But Hantuchova has been no stranger to battling back - she saved two match points to beat Marina Erakovic in the semis - and she found another second wind in the final, winning eight of the next nine games to take the second set, 6-3, and jump out to a 3-0 lead in the third and deciding set.

Tomljanovic got things back to 3-all, and then 4-all too, but Hantuchova made one last push right at the end, holding then breaking one last time to win in two hours and seven minutes, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

"Today was very tough because Ajla was playing some great tennis," Hantuchova said. "I had to really fight for it - at the end I felt maybe I was a little fresher and sharper, and that decided the match.

"But Ajla has a great future ahead of her. She's also a very nice girl. It's nice to have somebody like her in the game. And like I said on the court, I'm sure she'll have many more finals to come."


This is the third time Hantuchova has won the PTT Thailand Open, her first two titles here coming in 2011 and 2012. She has seven WTA titles overall now, including Indian Wells in 2002 and 2007.

"It means so much to me to win this tournament three times. I've never done that in my career and never thought I'd be able to," the former World No.5 said. "It's always a special feeling playing in Pattaya. I've felt great here since the first match, and I'm very proud I kept it up all week."

It was a breakthrough week for Tomljanovic regardless of the final result - she had never even been to a WTA semifinal before, let alone a WTA final. Things are really looking up for the 21-year-old.

"There are too many positives from the week. I'm going to try not to dwell on this too much," she said. "I'll just try to learn from it. There are things I can learn from this match and the week.

"Overall I think this was a really big step forward for me in Pattaya."





This is the second time that Daniela's beaten a Croat in a final as she beat a Croat in Birmingham. It seems that the nationality of her final opponents come in twos as she's beaten two Swiss (Hingis & Schnyder), two Russians (Kuznetsova & Kirilenko) and now two Croats (Vekic & Tomljanovic) in finals. It's also the second time Daniela saved match points in the semi-final of a tournament she's gone on to win.



Daniela Hantuchova is right about everything.


Top
  Profile
Reply with quote  

Career Grand Slam
 Post subject: Re: PTT Thailand Open, Pattaya
PostPosted: 15. February 2015 17:42 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 23. August 2011
Posts: 1474
Local Time:
|28. March 2024| 05:39
First, let me apologize to Mr. Rodriguez for calling him Annie Sullivan (the Miracle Worker). Or, maybe I was dead on! Full marks to Carlos. But it all goes back to a young lady who still believed in herself after a season that would have sent many a distinguished veteran into the broadcast booth.
And Daniela has so many options for her future. But deep down she knew she still had it, sought the help of the best coach available, listened, worked like crazy. And she still had to go out there and hit all the shots, handle tough opponents, and push through heat, humidity, match points, lost leads, and even more. This woman is a monument to perseverance, heart and soul. We have chosen well indeed, guys.
I'm not even going to bother with the silly things I did during the match or how it seemed Ajla was hitting aces on every point (Dani certainly ended up with more than her share) or any quips about stomach settling products. This victory transcends all that.
Not only is it a Pattaya City hat trick, but even better to me, with doubles and the mixed Grand Slam added in, this is Daniela's 20th career victory. She's not going to the Hall of Fame, but that nice round number shows that Dani has had, and is still in the midst of, one pretty distinguished career. There's no need for me to bring up the critics and their tired arguments; they've crawled back into the holes they belong in. We are fortunate to be fans of this woman, and those of us who have been actually able to meet her are even more fortunate. Hearty congratulations, Daniela. God bless her.



Let's Go, Daniela!


Top
  Profile
Reply with quote  

Golden Slam
 Post subject: Re: PTT Thailand Open, Pattaya
PostPosted: 16. February 2015 00:43 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 15. May 2008
Posts: 2460
Local Time:
|28. March 2024| 11:39
I think the coach who has travelled (South African guy) with Daniela has also been a fantastic influence and help. (I forget his name) He deserves a lot of credit.


Top
  Profile
Reply with quote  

Golden Slam
 Post subject: Re: PTT Thailand Open, Pattaya
PostPosted: 16. February 2015 00:55 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 29. April 2008
Posts: 10867
Local Time:
|28. March 2024| 10:39
John-Laffnie De Jager, eddy, he used to be the South African Davis Cup captain.



Daniela Hantuchova is right about everything.


Top
  Profile
Reply with quote  

Grand Slam Champion
 Post subject: Re: PTT Thailand Open, Pattaya
PostPosted: 22. February 2015 10:43 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 24. June 2008
Posts: 616
Location: Germany
Local Time:
|28. March 2024| 11:39
Anyone knows the names?




Top
  Profile
Reply with quote  

Golden Slam
 Post subject: Re: PTT Thailand Open, Pattaya
PostPosted: 22. February 2015 21:04 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 29. April 2008
Posts: 10867
Local Time:
|28. March 2024| 10:39
The man's John_Laffnie de Jager, Patti, the woman's called Kate as Daniela thanked her in her Pattaya victory speech.



Daniela Hantuchova is right about everything.


Top
  Profile
Reply with quote  

Golden Slam
 Post subject: Re: PTT Thailand Open, Pattaya
PostPosted: 28. February 2015 14:41 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 29. April 2008
Posts: 10867
Local Time:
|28. March 2024| 10:39
The full name is Kate Mahony and she's a physiotherapist. Here's some more information on her:



Daniela Hantuchova is right about everything.


Top
  Profile
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 53 posts ] 

Board index : English Forum (ENG) : Tournaments

Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  






This forum is powered by phpBB • Style based on N.Design by Midnight Phoenix
Chat and Shoutbox based on Ajax Chat by blueimpFacebook connect for phpBB by SVmods.
Privacy policy