AUCKLAND, New Zealand - It was a breakthrough fall season for talented Romanian Monica Niculescu, who went into the US Open ranked No.68 and finished the year No.30. Now she hopes to continue her momentum into 2012 and this week brings us the very first WTA Blog of the year from Auckland.
Tuesday, January 3, 2011
Good morning everyone!
Yesterday was my first match of the year after two months of off-season. It was a nice feeling to compete again - I really enjoyed it. Alizé and I won our doubles match against an all-Romanian team in straight sets.
Afterwards I could hardly wait to play my singles match today!
I did a short warm-up this morning with my doubles partner, Alizé, then prepared for my first singles match on my own (that's when I actually started writing this blog!) Then it was time for my match... I played Jamie Hampton and was able to win, 76(1) 61. I think Jamie played good tennis today. I started a little bit slowly because I was adjusting to all the wind and outdoor conditions. She had already played three matches in qualies and was feeling the court very well. But after I took the first set I felt more confident and started to control my strokes and move better. I was in control all through the second set.
Tomorrow I have another match and can hardly wait for the new challenges!
I will talk to you soon - please keep the questions coming :)
Moni
What were you doing at midnight on New Year's Eve? Shelley
Unfortunately I spent midnight sleeping because I was quite tired from the time difference between Romania and here!
What are your goals for 2012? Jason, UK
The most important goal for me is to be healthy, then to improve my game and try to make better results than last year.
With you, Bartoli and Peng in the Top 30 and more in the Top 100, the two-handed style seems to be coming back - why do you think it's becoming popular again? Stephanie, France
I think this style is rising actually, not really coming back. I don't think there's a special reason to play like this, it's rather a matter of preference. I'm glad to see young players playing this style but you have to move very well on the court to be able to play like this. That's just my opinion!
