BALI, Indonesia - It has been a year of resurgence for Daniela Hantuchova. Not only did she rekindle the magic in Indian Wells, claiming her second career Tier I title at the Pacific Life Open, but she has also spent some time back in the Top 10. This week, she seeks her second singles title of the year as the No.2 seed, and competes with Lindsay Davenport in the doubles. Follow along in the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Blog.
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Sunday, September 16, 2007
Well unfortunately I wasn't able to come away with the title today, but it was really a great match. It was about two hours and just very high quality. All the credit to her and the way she has been playing though - incredible. To have a baby and come back here and be in such great shape and on top of her game again, it's so tough. She was serving so well and got herself out of trouble so many times with it. I think in the beginning of the third it was very even but she got an early break and stepped it up from there. But all in all, it was a very good match and I have to give credit to Lindsay.
Although I lost today, this has definitely been such a great experience. I have had a wonderful week and no complaints whatsoever! Playing Lindsay in the final was very special for me - she is such a great champion, and I've got a lot of respect for her. This is a beautiful place and brings me down to Earth in so many ways, especially after a hectic time in New York.
I really enjoyed doing the blog this week. I'm glad to share my experiences with my fans. It has been great to give you all more of an idea of what it is like on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. Thanks to all of you who read along and in general just for all the support over the years, it all means a lot to me. I'll definitely do this again, maybe here again next year! This was the perfect place.
I'll probably stick around here another day. I'd like to get a massage and go for a swim - finally! Just a bit of time for myself to unwind from this week. And then I'm off to India for my next tournament!
Thanks again for reading and I'll talk to you all soon :)
Daniela
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Saturday, September 15, 2007
Hello again everyone!
Obviously, I'm very excited to reach the final. It's my second of the year, after Indian Wells. I'm just going to go out there, enjoy myself and go for my shots. I really believe it's just another match every time I go out there - no pressure.
Cirstea was a tough opponent today, but I feel like I played much better than the other matches this week. After I figured out her game a little, I felt a lot more comfortable and was able to start going for my shots quite a bit, and then it all clicked. I still have some things to work on but overall I'm very satisfied. Also, I think preparing early in these conditions was key. I think some of the girls do get a little bit tired, but I've been feeling fine during my matches. So although I'm thrilled to get this far, I can't say I'm surprised; when you put in the hard work, it's only a matter of time before it pays off.
Today I slept in a little bit more, because I stayed up pretty late last night to write the blog :) After I got up we had a beautiful breakfast, a nice walk on the beach, went to the gym, warmed up on the court and had lunch before my match. At breakfast it was funny, we were taking pieces of bread and throwing them in the little pond next to the restaurant, which has fish in it. They were loving it.
During our walk today we went outside of the resort. All week I've been talking a lot about how the people here are so friendly and everything is beautiful, but it just takes a few steps away to see that it's a completely different world off the grounds. You see people striving to have a roof over their heads, struggling with just everyday things... again, we are so worried about rushing through things and getting things done but we never stop to think that there are many less fortunate than us out there, even just outside this resort. It opens your eyes. It makes me think, what's one tennis match when there are people wondering what they're going to eat out there? You just have to be thankful for whatever you have. I think I'm so lucky to be playing tennis and doing what I love.
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's final. I just want to enjoy it and we'll see what happens. It'll be special. Lindsay is such a great champion and I've got so much respect for her. It's just great to see her back.
Until tomorrow,
Daniela
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Friday, September 14, 2007
Good day from Bali!
Well more like good night, it's pretty late here... today was another packed day, starting with my quarterfinal against Ayumi Morita, which I won in straight sets, so I'm happy about that. I was supposed to play my doubles match later on but we had to pull out because Lindsay was injured. I also did an autograph session for Commonwealth Bank, which was fun, and of course practice... a busy day!
I was very happy with my match with Morita. Apart from the first few games, I was in control and was able to execute just about everything I was trying for. Still there are things to work on of course, but today just about everything felt good. It was pretty hot as well, so I'm glad it was pretty quick, just so I can save a bit more energy for the semifinals tomorrow. Coming to Bali early to get used to the conditions definitely paid off today, I'm glad we made that decision.
Once you get to this stage of a tournament anything can happen. I don't think of it as another semifinal. It's a nice position to be in, but I just try to do the best I can in every match, just taking it one at a time. You can't think too far ahead because you can quickly be out of the tournament that way. I'll be playing Sorana Cirstea, whom I've never seen play before - my coach went and watched her play so that will help, I hope. I just have to focus and we'll see what happens!
It's a shame Lindsay had to pull out. I was at the tournament anyway to do press and stretches, so waiting was not a problem; but I was really looking forward to the match. Bad luck for Lindsay though, hopefully she'll be okay for her singles. I went to hit with my coach a little bit more so I still got some more tennis in.
I want to say again how the atmosphere of this place is just incredible (I can't stop talking about it!) Every time I walk to the courts there are 50 people just wishing me luck on the way. I'm on the other side of the resort so I walk across the whole thing each day. And by the time I get to the courts I'm so relaxed and happy each time. Just like our housekeeper the other day. It's just so nice :)
I'm going to get some sleep now. I'll talk to you all tomorrow...
Daniela
