NOTE: This is my own version of draw analysis on 2012 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships. In this self-version of draw analysis, I will pick who I think will be 2012 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Champion.
The 2012 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships at Istanbul hosting for the 2nd year will be more interesting. As the top 8 contenders have reached semifinals or better at the Grand Slam tournaments — five of those are title holders (with 22 titles between them) and two are finalists.
Such strong contenders, expect the exciting and quality matches that these players will be offered to us, and of course, the drama. The top 8 players vying for the title to be crowned as 2012 WTA Champion are No.1 Victoria Azarenka, No.2 Maria Sharapova, No.3 Serena Williams, No.4 Agnieszka Radwanska, No.5 Angelique Kerber, No.6 Petra Kvitova, No.7 Sara Errani, and No.8 Li Na.
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| Petra Kvitova 2011 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Champion |
As the draw and groupings is out, the Red Group is composed of Azarenka, Williams, Kerber, and Li, while the White Group is composed of Sharapova, Radwanska, Kvitova, and Errani. With such groupings, ensure that rivalries will be renewed, repeats of this years battle will be witnessed, and of course, the underdogs who will try to score an upset makes this year-end championships as entertaining as ever.
Who will be the 2012 WTA Champion? That will be determined at the weeks end. But one of the most interesting part in this year's edition of year-end championships is the battle for the No.1 ranking. Yes, the No.1 ranking is also at stake and two of these players are wrestling it out to end the year as No.1 player in the world. These are Azarenka and Sharapova.
Unfortunately, Williams has no chance to grab the No.1 ranking even she wins the tournament. She has no chance to grab the No.2 ranking either. Definitely, Williams will just settle on winning the title.
Currently, No.1 seed Azarenka has 10,190 points comfortably leading No.2 seed Sharapova with 9,115 points. Note that with a round robin format, it offers each player 70 points each round and an additional 160 points for winning the round.
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| World No.1 Victoria Azarenka | World No.2 Maria Sharapova |
How will Azarenka or Sharapova take the No.1 ranking?
Azarenka has an easy work to do to cement and end the year as No.1-ranked player in the world. That is, she needs to win two round robin matches and the No.1 ranking is hers. Going further the tournament will just extend her lead over her rivals.
As for Sharapova, the only possibility to snatch the No.1 ranking from Azarenka is she needs to win the tournament undefeated and Azarenka must win just one round robin match. Indeed, this is a very slim chance for Sharapova given the current form of Azarenka.
With 2012 WTA Champion title and No.1 ranking up for grabs, this is definitely an exciting ways to end the WTA season.
The Red Group
With 17 Grand Slam title between them, ensure this group will showcase their powers led by Williams. Also, with a round robin format expect that Azarenka and Williams will meet again, the repeat of their US Open final. However, you can't count out Li an Kerber who can make an upset at any given day.
With 17 Grand Slam title between them, ensure this group will showcase their powers led by Williams. Also, with a round robin format expect that Azarenka and Williams will meet again, the repeat of their US Open final. However, you can't count out Li an Kerber who can make an upset at any given day.
Though Williams haven't played since winning her 15th Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows, she's still the player to beat in this group. Fresh from winning her sixth WTA title at Linz, Azarenka is carrying a huge momentum going into this tournament. And with the year-end No.1 ranking on the line, Azarenka is in serious business.
Semifinalists: (1) Williams, (2) Azarenka
The White Group
Two players are Grand Slam champions while the two players are this year's Grand Slam finalists. Together they formed the White Group. One look is that it is dominated by Sharapova. With her 12 wins versus the other three contenders with only four wins between them, this group is certainly in favor of Sharapova.
Two players are Grand Slam champions while the two players are this year's Grand Slam finalists. Together they formed the White Group. One look is that it is dominated by Sharapova. With her 12 wins versus the other three contenders with only four wins between them, this group is certainly in favor of Sharapova.
Of course, with the year-end No.1 ranking on the line, Sharapova has a lot of work to be done. She needs to work on her service and pass the test of the lefty Kvitova, the tactics of Radwanska, and the crafty Errani. Can Sharapova would go on undefeated all the way?
Semifinalists: (1) Sharapova, (2) Radwanska
The Semifinals
Williams vs. Radwanska: Williams has been dominated Radwanska. With their current head-to-head record stands at 3-0 in favor of Williams, this match is certainly in favor of Williams. However, their recent meeting at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships which gone to three sets and Williams has been off the tour since winning 2012 US Open, we will definitely witness a new edition of their rivalry as this is their first meeting in a hardcourt. Who will emerge victorious: power or finesse? Williams in straight sets.
Williams vs. Radwanska: Williams has been dominated Radwanska. With their current head-to-head record stands at 3-0 in favor of Williams, this match is certainly in favor of Williams. However, their recent meeting at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships which gone to three sets and Williams has been off the tour since winning 2012 US Open, we will definitely witness a new edition of their rivalry as this is their first meeting in a hardcourt. Who will emerge victorious: power or finesse? Williams in straight sets.
Azarenka vs. Sharapova: The rivalry between Azarenka and Sharapova has been fruitful this season. From a deadlock head-to-head record at 3-3 since quarterfinal of WTA Rome 2011, it has gone to 7-4 in favor of Azarenka, with four wins all committed this season alone. This year, Azarenka and Sharapova has played four finals with Azarenka winning three of them. One of which is where she lifted her first Grand Slam trophy at 2012 Australian Open beating Sharapova in the final and took the No.1 ranking from Caroline Wozniacki. Azarenka even won 26 matches in a row since the start of the season. As the season is almost over, whose fighting spirit will carry them through 2012 WTA year-end championship finals? Sharapova in tough three sets.
Finalists: Williams, Sharapova
The Finals
The Williams-Sharapova XXII will be another edition of their rivalry. In 2004, Sharapova led Williams in their head-to-head 2-1, but she has scored zero wins since then. With an unmatched power and unbeatable weapon, the serve, Williams has dominated Sharapova and still giving her a huge problem.
The Williams-Sharapova XXII will be another edition of their rivalry. In 2004, Sharapova led Williams in their head-to-head 2-1, but she has scored zero wins since then. With an unmatched power and unbeatable weapon, the serve, Williams has dominated Sharapova and still giving her a huge problem.
The numbers don't lie, but their hands can work it out. Their head-to-head records stands: 9-2 in their career and 5-1 in hardcourts both in favor of Williams. Currently, they are deadlocked in career finals at 2-2, which Williams tied recently with her win at the Olympics. As dominant as Williams is, this will be a huge test for Sharapova. She might miss the year-end No.1 ranking, but the 2012 WTA Championship title is still up for grabs. Williams will take the title in straight sets.
Champion: Serena Williams
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