SB Nation User Blog: jamie.r.saengsawang

Kimiko Date-Krumm Secures 1st Top 30 Scalp in her Comeback

jamie.r.saengsawang — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:32:58 -0000

38 year old Kimiko Date-Krumm accomplished two major things this week at the Hansol Korean Open. She secured her first WTA main draw win in 13 years when she defeated Korean wildcard Ye-Ra Lee in the opening round on Wednesday, and to cap it all off dispatched her first top 30 opponent in 5th seeded Russian Alisa Kleybanova 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 on Thursday ensuring her a quarterfinal birth against top seed Daniela Hantuchova.

Date-Krumm has lost many tough three setters this year beginning with a 6-8 loss to Kaia Kanepi at the Australian Open. She has also lost three setters this year to U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki, Sabine Lisicki, and Anabel Medina-Garrigues.

This loss is quite troubling for Kleybanova who has been unable to win a match since her semifinal finish at Toronto where she blew a third set lead to Maria Sharapova.

Jamie RS

Angela Park is Back!

jamie.r.saengsawang — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:59:06 -0000

Angela Park is Back!

Angela Park is officially back in the saddle at the CN Canadian Women's Open.

Even though Ryan already told us, straight from Facebook, that Angela was indeed not retiring, it's still nice to get it officially by her entering, and hopefully doing well this week in Canada!

How great would it be if Angela could pull off her first LPGA victory?

Nicole Vaidisova's 1R loss to Chan Yung-Jan in U.S. Open qualies is puzzling for a player that was...

jamie.r.saengsawang — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:10:18 -0000

Nicole Vaidisova's 1R loss to Chan Yung-Jan in U.S. Open qualies is puzzling for a player that was ranked in the top 10 just a year ago. Now ranked outside the top 100, she'll have to start playing ITFs Challengers.

The best point of the 2009 Rogers Cup final between Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva. Could...

jamie.r.saengsawang — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:36:17 -0000

The best point of the 2009 Rogers Cup final between Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva. Could actually be the point of the year.

Kimiko Date-Krumm in USO Qualifying

jamie.r.saengsawang — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:18:20 -0000

Despite being a two time quarterfinalist the 38 year old Kimiko Date-Krumm will be in the qualifying tournament at this year's U.S. Open. Now ranked #160 in the world, Date-Krumm opens her campaign against Ekaterina Ivanova seeded #21. This is the third grand slam qualifier Date-Krumm will have played this year, having qualified for the Australian Open, and retiring in her opening match at Roland Garros.

If you have missed Kimiko Date-Krumm's comeback it's been nothing short of amazing, but certainly could be better. After retiring in 1996, Date-Krumm came back to the tour last season after exhibitions against Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf renewed her competitive spirit for the game. In her first tournament in 12 years Date-Krumm not only came through qualifying at the $50,000 Gifu ITF Challenger, but made it all the way to the final! It wasn't until her 8th match of the week against Tamarine Tanasugarn did Date-Krumm lose, in a tight three setter. This tournament was played on synthetic grass, and Tanasugarn a grass court specialist, would win s'Hertogenbosch and make the QFs of Wimbledon just a few weeks later.

Date-Krumm focused on ITF challengers in Japan for most of 2008, winning a $10,000 event and winning two $25,000 events. She finally set sights on her first WTA event at Tier I Tokyo, where she received a wildcard into qualifying. In just three months after her return to tour, Date-Krumm made it to the final round of qualifying, dispatching a top 50 Casey Dellacqua on the way. She would lose to the 2008 Stanford Champ in the final round, but a good week was had! A seemingly tired Date-Krumm didn't find much success for the rest of 2008, but turn it up in 2009.

Qualifying for the Australian Open (defeating 5th seed Maret Ani) was impressive. Nearly upsetting the 25th seed Kaia Kanepi (losing 6-8 in the third) was astounding. She had a pretty quiet year after that, but did win her biggest title since her comeback at the $75,000 Monzon challenger. After an injury setback saw her fall in the opening qualifying match at Roland Garros, Date-Krumm came to Wimbledon with high hopes. If there was a surface where her compact game, and flat strokes could shine, it was the lawns at Wimbledon. She did not dissapoint.

Despite having a nightmare draw, playing 9th seed Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki, Date-Krumm came ready to stun. Winning the first set, and going up a break in the sad. Alas the 38 year old could not maintain that level and could not sustain it for a win, but another close call in a major. Date-Krumm would continue her struggles in closing out a match after qualifying for the Los Angeles tournament, losing to Sabine Lisicki the 17th seed, 7-5 in the third.

Kimiko has had a great comeback, but has been so close to having an amazing one. Let's see if she can finally put it together this week, and qualify and hopefully win her first main draw match on the main tour, in 13 years.

Anna Rawson's 5 Step Plan

jamie.r.saengsawang — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:29:21 -0000

Model and part time golfer (he he!) Anna Rawson appeared on ESPN's E:60 Tuesday evening and discussed her thoughts on the way the LPGA can improve themselves. To be expected Anna played up to her strengths (and the only reason why should be invited to the ESPYs or be given an opportunity to give her input on anything LPGA related), and mainly focused on youth and beauty as way for the LPGA to grow!

Anna Rawson on E:60

I do applaud her to have the gaul to continue to talk so openly about the subject, after she was slammed after her unfortunate comments about the dykes and unattractiveness that the LPGA is apparently well known for.

Although I do like her thoughts on the PGA and LPGA joining forces, as I do think that's a beautiful idea, and one that could truly benefit the LPGA tour. If she could use her modeling contracts to secure a weekly photo spread for LPGA winners, bring it on!

My full thoughts on the subjects are written at Crosscourt Birdies, but I do think that Anna is thinking in a purely young, and beautiful perspective. She dosen't want to utilize the beauty that is the diversity of culture and personality on tour! We should be playing up to the strengths of the tour members, and not forcing them out to be something they aren't. Her hearts in the right place, I just don't think this one sighted vision is really bringing the LPGA forward in the long-run sport landscape.

But, hey! She got a prime interview on ESPN. That alone is a great help! If Anna could get into the top 100 of the money list, maybe she gain some more veracity.

Poll

Do you agree with Anna Rawson?

Yes! Of course! Saturdays should also feature a swimsuit competition!

3 votes

No, no, no. Bring back pleated shorts and oversized visors please!

1 votes

She makes good points, but is a little green in her thinking.

7 votes

Wait. Dosen't Anna Kournikova play tennis?

0 votes

11 votes | Poll has closed

Sarah Oh's Bio Still up on LPGA Site

jamie.r.saengsawang — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:48:16 -0000

While looking at some of the new profile pictures of the girls of the LPGA tour, I noticed that Sarah Oh's bio is still listed on the LPGA official site.

Although she apparently did not gain status at Q-School (an issue that if you've been paying attention you should be well versed in) her bio hasn't been removed as were other 2008 Rookies who've lost status (Violeta Retamoza, Sukjin Lee-Weusthoff, et al.).

Her bio isn't updated with the new, priority list information like all the others do, (she is still listed as non-exempt), which seems to say that the LPGA hasn't made an official decision on her future just yet.

Hopefully they'll have this all cleared up in no time.

Also, I just started a women's golf/tennis blog myself, if you care to read it:

http://ccbirdies.blogspot.com/