ESPN Tennis

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha unveils his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

30. Henin retires, again

Unlike her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin's comeback didn't produce any Grand Slam titles.

This season, a nervous-looking Henin flopped in Melbourne, falling to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round.

Still hampered by an elbow injury sustained, ironically, against Clijsters at Wimbledon last year, Henin called it quits for the second time.

"I had hoped for a different return and dreamed of a different ending," Henin said.

Why Henin couldn't wait until the Australian Open ended to make the announcement is beyond many.

29. Woz's mystery man

No, not Caroline Wozniacki's boyfriend. We knew who that was pretty early: Rory McIlroy.

Rather, Wozniacki kept everyone guessing about the identity of her new coach.

The Dane reportedly began working with the mystery person in the summer, although she wouldn't name names. Wozniacki sent video tapes of her practice sessions to the new coach, getting help from afar.

Wozniacki managed to stay mum during the U.S. Open, too.

Earlier this month, however, a Danish newspaper reported that Spaniard Ricardo Sanchez -- who teamed with another Slam-less No. 1, Jelena Jankovic -- got the job.

28. It had to happen

What were the odds of John Isner and Nicolas Mahut meeting in the first round at Wimbledon? More than 140-1. So call it destiny when it happened.

"I joked with Nic last week, sent him a text saying, 'Just watch us play the first round,'" Isner said the day the draw was made. "He replied, 'No, that's not cool,' but now it's happened."

The rematch didn't live up to the immense, and understandable, hype.

Far from a 70-68 fifth set on Court 18, Isner eased past the slightly injured Frenchman 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (6) on the new Court Three.

27. Fed finally wins Bercy

It was one of tennis' minor mysteries: Why hadn't Roger Federer ever reached a Paris Masters final? He'd played at Bercy eight times.

If ever there was a time to end the slump, it was this season since he didn't have to contend with Novak Djokovic (who bailed mid-tourney), Rafael Nadal (who skipped the event) or Andy Murray (a quarterfinal loser).

And sure enough, an inspired Federer swept to the title, not dropping a set.

"It's a special victory," he said.

26. Not so Fab

When two clay-court specialists met in the fourth round of the French Open, it was pure drama. We shouldn't be surprised that one was Fabio Fognini, given his late-night thriller against Gael Monfils last year.

Fognini saved five match points while essentially playing on one leg against veteran Albert Montanes, who tensed up at crunch time. But instead of Fognini being remembered as a hero, the Italian will go down as a villain for demanding -- and receiving -- a medical timeout when it appeared he was simply suffering from a cramp. Timeouts can't be called for cramps, and the educated folks at Roland Garros knew it.

Fognini was mostly booed when the 4-hour, 22-minute marathon concluded.

Perhaps to prove he was injured, Fognini bailed from his quarterfinal against Djokovic, altering the course of history.

25. The grudge match

David Nalbandian and Lleyton Hewitt don't particularly like each other.

There was that bump in their Australian Open quarterfinal in 2005, and on the eve of a Davis Cup semi a year later in Buenos Aires, Nalbandian said he couldn't "wait for [Hewitt] to have a taste of Argentine hospitality."

When Hewitt drew Nalbandian in the first round of the Australian Open this January, the prematch hype predictably overflowed. Thankfully that match didn't disappoint.

Devoid of any ill temper this time, the two hip-affected veterans battled for five sets and nearly five hours, with Nalbandian prevailing 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 9-7 after going into semi-tank mode when down a break in the fourth. He saved two match points, one with an outrageous half volley.

"It was that kind of match that nobody will forget it," Nalbandian said.

24. Kangaroo court

Obviously keen to give reporters something to talk about besides her Slam-less No. 1 label, Wozniacki took things to another level in Melbourne.

Besides setting the agenda for one of her news conferences, Wozniacki claimed a scratch on her leg came courtesy of an encounter with a kangaroo in Melbourne.

A wire service ran the story, only to have Wozniacki tell reporters later that it was a concocted tale.

"I'm sorry if I caused an inconvenience," Wozniacki said.

23. Fed punishes Rafa

Federer was in a confident mood as he prepared to face Nadal at the year-end championships. And he had every right to be considering his title at the Paris Masters and the fact that Federer had never lost to the Spaniard indoors.

Things went even better for Federer than he would have imagined.

He crunched winners from all over the court and comfortably defended Nadal's heavy crosscourt forehand.

The final score read 6-3, 6-0, Federer's most lopsided victory in their 26 encounters.

"This win ranks high because it's against my biggest rival, probably," Federer said. "It was a great match for me from start to finish. I've felt the power of Rafa in the past."

22. Slammin' Sammy upsets Serena

When Serena Williams reaches major finals, she usually wins. Entering 2011, her record was a sterling 13-3.

And when she was pitted against Samantha Stosur in the U.S. Open finale, not many gave the Aussie a chance.

But Stosur hardly blundered.

The serve and forehand worked great, as did her backhand, Stosur's weakest shot off the ground. She handled the occasion well, overcoming a minor blip after Williams clashed with the chair ump.

"I had one of my best days, and I'm very fortunate that I had it on this stage in New York," Stosur said.

Potential realized.

21. Kvitova storms to Istanbul title

To simplify matters: When Petra Kvitova is on her game, not many can beat her. Serena Williams is one of those few.

But with Williams and Clijsters absent from the year-end championships, no one managed to derail the Wimbledon winner in Istanbul.

This was the tournament -- not Wimbledon -- where Kvitova realized she's one of the best players, if not the best, in the world. She felt comfortable on the big stage.

Kvitova will be on the big stage for many years to come.

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha is unveiling his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

60. No double delight for Maria

Maria Sharapova double-faulted her way into a whole heap of trouble this season, especially when it mattered most.

Sharapova made six against Petra Kvitova in the Wimbledon final, 10 in the French Open semis against Li Na and seven in a much-anticipated encounter with Serena Williams in Stanford. Yes, she lost each time.

And the number soared to 12 when she was ousted by Flavia Pennetta at the U.S. Open.

Kind of a foreboding statistic moving forward, eh?

59. Dodig dumps Nadal

With veterans Ivo Karlovic and Ivan Ljubicic fading, and Marin Cilic's slump, Croatian tennis fans had little to cheer about.

However, Ivan Dodig emerged from the woodwork.

Dodig, who possesses a nice all-around game, won his first title in Zagreb, reached another final on grass, made the semis in Barcelona and took the only set off Djokovic at the Australian Open.

Dodig's 1-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) three-hour win over Rafael Nadal in Montreal, when he rallied from 3-1 down in the second and 5-3 down in the third, though, took the cake.

"He didn't feel the pressure in the important moments," said Nadal, who was perhaps still reeling from his Wimbledon loss to Djokovic.

58. Harrison's temper tantrums

Ryan Harrison strung together a solid season, registering some impressive wins and playing the top players tough. His ranking rose by nearly 100 places. The 19-year-old owns a varied, attractive game, too.

But it's Harrison's temper that attracts the most attention. Fernando Gonzalez and Marat Safin would be proud of the way he demolishes his racket at times.

Harrison saved his "best" for the French Open, when he flung his racket over a fence and into a tree after losing in qualifying.

57. Czechs win Fed Cup

After winning the year-end championships, Petra Kvitova had one more bit of business: To lead the Czech Republic to the Fed Cup title.

Mission accomplished.

Kvitova won both of her singles matches against Russia -- which was without Vera Zvonareva -- and looked on as Kveta Peschke and Lucie Hradecka teamed to down Maria Kirilenko and Elena Vesnina in the doubles decider.

"Kvitova was the key to their success," Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev said. "She was just phenomenal."

The Czech Republic won its first title since the breakup of Czechoslovakia.

56. Lisicki and that serve at Wimbledon

When healthy, Sabine Lisicki is a force -- as Li Na discovered at Wimbledon.

Surging after winning a grass-court warm-up in Birmingham, Lisicki, a wild card, saved a pair of match points to eliminate the newly crowned French Open champion 3-6, 6-4, 8-6 in the second round. Her mammoth serve garnered the spotlight afterward.

"She is serving like most of the men are serving," said Li's coach at the time, Michael Mortensen.

Lisicki kept it up, landing in the semifinals, while Li continues to dip.

55. Milos' move

Rejoice, Canada, you have all the makings of a future Grand Slam winner in Milos Raonic.

Raonic, who is another monstrous server, showed signs of life at the end of 2010, but no one could predict how much progress the 6-foot-5 right-hander would make this year.

Raonic won his first title in San Jose, made the Memphis final the next week and reached the fourth round at the Australian Open as a qualifier.

Had he not had hip surgery in the summer, his ranking would probably be higher than 31.

54. The Rafa-Delpo appetizer

Before Nadal's thriller against Juan Martin del Potro in the Davis Cup final came their heavyweight fourth-round bout at Wimbledon.

Nadal won in nearly four hours in a contest that will largely be remembered for two things: The Spaniard injuring his foot late in the first set and then taking a medical timeout -- irking del Potro -- immediately prior to the first-set tiebreaker.

"For a moment at the end of the first set, I thought that I had to retire," Nadal said. "I didn't know what's going on. After that the pain goes a little bit down and finally I was ready to play."

Del Potro, nonetheless, demonstrated that he could win the tournament in the future.

53. Clijsters skips U.S. Open

Kim Clijsters' body didn't cooperate this season.

She entered the French Open with a bum right ankle and missed Wimbledon after reinjuring the ankle at a grass-court warm-up.

But worse was to come. Clijsters, the two-time defending champion, pulled out of the U.S. Open with a stomach injury.

"Obviously I'm very disappointed," she said. "I trained very hard this summer and felt in good shape to play the U.S. Open."

Clijsters didn't play post-U.S. Open, either.

52. Li's extended French Open hangover

Of the three first-time Grand Slam winners in 2011, Li struggled the most in the wake of her historic victory.

She went 6-9 after the French Open and ended the campaign with a demoralizing 6-1, 6-0 loss to U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur. Li, bizarrely, cut ties with coach Michael Mortensen and appeared lost on court in the fall.

"Beginning of the year was like fantastic," said Li, also the Australian Open finalist. "And after Roland Garros, I think I didn't win many matches. I mean, up and down all year, so I wish I could do the same level for next year."

51. Berdych loses one, wins one

It's not often that a player squanders a match point only to save one in his next encounter. But Tomas Berdych was an exception at the World Tour Finals.

The Czech let one get away against Djokovic, hitting an off-balance forehand into the net to keep the Serb in it. Another Serb, Janko Tipsarevic, erred on a volley when he held match point against Berdych two days later in London.

"I was a bit unlucky against Djokovic, but I got luckier here," Berdych said. Berdych rallied to beat David Ferrer to reach the semifinals.

When Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka stepped foot onto the court Sunday, it not only signaled the end of the season (well, almost), but the hope of a long-lasting rivalry -- one that the WTA sorely lacks and desperately needs.

You see, rivalry sparks debate, criticism and a whole lot of passion. It inspires us to engage in heated controversy. Hail Roger Federer, he of the record 16 Slams. His legion of supporters says G.O.A.T., no two ways about it. But those miffed Mallorcans quickly rebuff that sentiment and point out the lopsided losing record he has against Rafael Nadal. And how about Justine versus Kimmy and Lindsay versus Martina? Oh and lest we appear to have forgotten the Williams sisters, we did not. We can parse facts and figures and pass judgment on who had the better career, but the intensity of a legitimate rivalry goes well beyond numbers. The gratification of your guy winning can take a backseat to the pleasure of watching the beleaguered enemy fail.

It's that raw emotion and tension the WTA would love to get its arms around. The tour has been marred by mediocrity since Serena Williams stopped playing full-time. The Belgians teased us for a brief moment when Henin returned to tennis. She played three thrilling three-set matches against Clijsters (all won by Clijsters, but two ended in final-set tiebreakers). But injury and career ambivalence again pulled Henin away from the game. Since then, there have been few signs of any burgeoning rivalries. And that brings us to Kvitova and Azarenka. Tall. Talented. Tenacious. Tailor-made to dominate for years.

"There's something to it," ESPN tennis analyst Pam Shriver said. "But they need to play each other in major finals and some more meaningful semifinals before we can consider it a legitimate rivalry. They need to leave us with some matches to remember."

Kvitova knocked off Azarenka earlier this year in the Wimbledon semifinals en route to the championship. Although they have played on two other occasions in major events (both times before the fourth round and when neither was ranked in the top 10), that encounter was a good sampling of two players with considerable power and desire. We'd be remiss, though, not to point out the one essential missing ingredient in their games: consistency. Azarenka affirmed how robust she could be by winning Miami for the second time this year. But she has notoriously fallen short in Slams. Kvitova, of course, soared at SW19, but her inability to sustain that level for as long as she did in the aftermath suggests she might not be ready for stardom.

"She went through growing pains after Wimbledon," Shriver said. "It's tough -- especially when you're shy and reserved like she is."

When you listen to Kvitova, she doesn't exactly exhibit the kind of aplomb you'd hope for from someone who just finished the season with 10 straight wins and the year-end championship. You get the sense she isn't comfortable in her own success.

And with the Australian Open only 70-odd days away, her demurred response, when asked how it would feel heading into Melbourne as one of the favorites, clearly diminishes the intimidation factor that is so vital to top players.

"I mean, it will be really, really strange for me," Kvitova said. "I didn't … I mean, it will be something new again."

It's hard to believe that Serena, Maria Sharapova or any other supremely gifted Slam winners would render that kind of apprehensive reply -- especially coming off a title run. Sure, there's something endearing about Kvitova's underwhelming makeup, but the fact that she seems obviously overwhelmed by her accomplishments leaves something to be desired. Every victory is going to breed more attention. But great players have an innate ability to compartmentalize, to surmount adversity, to focus on the moment and find a way to succeed.

For Kvitova, though, Istanbul proved that she can play blue-collar tennis when her game is not in sync. That she can dig deep and not fizzle during tense moments.

"Kvitova needed a big follow-up to her Wimbledon title," Shriver said. "She withstood a great test in Istanbul, and that says a lot."

As for Azarenka, there's little she can't do well on the court, well, except for a less-than-mighty serve. Unlike Kvitova, she exudes attitude and an unabashed hunger to win. She was discernibly agitated when someone in the postmatch news conference asked her if Kvitova -- not she -- could snatch the No. 1 ranking.

"I think you guys do much better predictions than we are," Azarenka retorted. "You like to talk about it, weigh everybody's chances and put some players down."

Fair enough. But now it's a game of wait and see. How will these two players handle 2012 -- especially considering Caroline Wozniacki, the current world No. 1, likely won't parlay her defensive-minded game into a weapon against the likes of bigger, stronger hitters.

Shriver, for one, sees Kvitova as the player with the most upside and best chance to unseat Wozniacki.

"[Kvitova] has a lefty serve, which is better than average," Shriver said. "Her forehand is one of the two, three best shots in tennis when it's working. She can be the best of her generation -- better than Azarenka. She can be the best of her age group, the girls in the 18-23 range. And, oh by the way, she is the best fast-court player in the world. With that serve and forehand, that's all you need."

So Kvitova leaves Istanbul with not just the top prize but as the seminal figure in ending the tour's long battle against parity. If she can figure out how to maximize her tremendous talent and quell the quickly mounting pressure, the future, as they say, is pretty darn bright.

"Kvitova climbed a lot in the past 12 months," Shiver said. "If she can improve just a little bit more, she'll be a tough player to beat. But if she can improve as much in the next 12 months, she'll rule women's tennis."

Petra Kvitova joined some rather fine company in beating a gutsy Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to win the year-end championships in Istanbul. Only two others players had won the prestigious title in their tournament debut, Serena Williams in 2001 and Maria Sharapova in 2004.

The Wimbledon champion pocketed a cool $1.75 million by going undefeated and rose to a career high No. 2. Nice rewards. Kvitova went unbeaten indoors on hard courts in 2011, rising to 19-0, so this was no fluke.

There's much more to come from the Czech.

Horrible start for Vika: The word "settled" is used early in big matches by commentators -- which player settled better, acclimated themselves to the occasion, crowd and so forth. Kvitova was the winner. But it could have been different. Kvitova trailed 15-30 on serve in the opening game, then received help from a good second serve and held. Azarenka, meanwhile, double-faulted on game point at 0-1, then dropped serve. In 20 minutes it was 5-0 and an uphill battle.

The usual Kvitova wobble: It's like Kvitova does this on purpose: She takes a massive lead and allows the opponent back into it, only to finish strong. See the third set against Samantha Stosur in the semis. After taking that 5-0 advantage Sunday, the Czech lost the ensuing five games. As usual, they went in a hurry. The patch included being broken at love twice and squandering two set points at 5-2. The errors rose like a tidal wave. Hope for Azarenka, which was subsequently taken away.

Late first-set momentum changer: Azarenka is sure to rue the opening point on her serve at 5-6. She worked Kvitova around nicely and got what she wanted -- a nice looking smash. Problem was, it landed in the bottom of the net. Kvitova, though, came alive. She stooped to plant a backhand volley winner (Martina would have been proud) and increased the use of her backhand slice to steady. It's not all about her power.

Vika's adjustment: Even if Azarenka was close, the first set was all about Kvitova. She was either blasting winners or making errors. It changed in the second. Azarenka seized the initiative, becoming more aggressive on the baseline and hitting down the middle to take away Kvitova's angles. Midway in the set, she started going after Kvitova's second serve, too. The moves paid off.

Horrible start -- again: This was the match. Kvitova saved four break points to begin the third and Azarenka was broken in the next game from 30-0. Many will remember the bad forehand miss by Azarenka on break point with the court empty, but Kvitova did her part by simply getting Azarenka's good serve out wide back in play. She made Vika hit the extra ball.

The grunts: How does one describe Kvitova's shriek post point? Is it a bird, a bark or perhaps a combination of the two? Whatever, it sure is loud -- and was louder than Vika's infamous grunts. Azarenka clearly toned it down for the final, which means she can do it in the future.

Kvitova's frailty: Kvitova can light it up like Dick Clark on New Year's Eve, delivering winners from every part of the court. But one shot gives her problems -- the short forehand near the net. Several times Sunday, as well as throughout the tournament, her reply sailed long. Bringing those balls down isn't easy given her height.

Bravo, Istanbul: When the year-end championships moved from Qatar to Turkey, not many expected the atmosphere to improve. But organizers were smart, keeping ticket prices affordable, and the result was packed houses. Well done.

Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka entered the year-end championships as two of the hottest players on tour. They're still on course to meet in Sunday's final.

But before then in Istanbul, they'll have to get past a Grand Slam winner and two-time Grand Slam finalist intent on pulling upsets.

Here's a preview of both semifinals.

Petra Kvitova versus Samantha Stosur

A star might have been born when Kvitova won Wimbledon, but it's only now that the Czech is truly blossoming.

There are signs everywhere.

When Kvitova misses, a look of annoyance rather than resignation engulfs her face: She expects to make every ball -- and she expects to win. She remains a little shy off the court, but on it she had become bolder. Kvitova is easily much more comfortable in grand surroundings, knowing she's a main attraction.

Her newfound steel is demonstrated by that clenched fist prior to returning, a la another tall Grand Slam champion from Eastern Europe. If she keeps progressing at this rate, Kvitova will no doubt end her career with more majors than Maria Sharapova.

Kvitova's fate largely rests in her hands when she plays, and Friday's 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory against Polish battler Agnieszka Radwanska was a good example. Down 5-1 in the first set as the errors flowed, a flurry of winners got Kvitova back to 5-5 -- and quickly. She went undefeated in the Red Group, bringing her win streak to eight matches, and she is playing like a world No. 1.

Stosur won't be lacking confidence, either.

After all, she's also a Grand Slam champion and thrashed a completely frazzled Li Na 6-1, 6-0 on Friday to advance. Stosur's heavy kick serve provided the power, while her short backhand slices continually deceived.

But Stosur's kick serve is likely to land right in Kvitova's wheelhouse. Another problem for Stosur is that Kvitova usually goes cross court with her monstrous lefty forehand. If the pattern continues, it means a slew of balls to Stosur's backhand, her much weaker wing.

Unless Kvitova capitulates, the winning streak should linger.

Prediction: Kvitova in two

Vera Zvonareva versus Victoria Azarenka

It was all going so well for Zvonareva against Radwanska on Thursday.

She was ripping winners down the line, being aggressive at the right times and keeping cool against a wily opponent who'd beaten her three matches in a row. A downbeat, ailing Radwanska looked like she was ready to check out in an hour.

But when Zvonareva was broken early in the second set, she panicked. After wasting three match points, Zvonareva suffered one of the worst losses of her tumultuous career.

As down as she was, Zvonareva has a second chance. Her bags were probably packed when Radwanska, who needed just to win a single set to advance to the semifinals, took a 5-1 lead against Kvitova in the first set Friday. But we know how that played out.

The way this season has gone on the women's tour, you never know what might happen next. Zvonareva is 6-3 against Azarenka, one of the few players who possess a solid head-to-head record against the Belarusian. Zvonareva, who benefited from a day off Friday, suffered a bad loss to Azarenka in Miami the last time they played but has won two of the past three encounters.

Further, whenever Azarenka appears to be on the verge of something special, she can't see it through. As the favorite against Li at the French Open, Li prevailed, and as the favorite versus Kvitova at Wimbledon, Kvitova prevailed.

But is this finally a different Azarenka, one who can triumph at an important event -- outside Miami?

Azarenka has built on the momentum she collected in capturing a title last week in Luxembourg, breezing past Stosur and Li in straight sets this week.

With nothing to play for Friday -- excluding prize money, and she has enough of that -- Azarenka looked disinterested against alternate Marion Bartoli in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 loss that snapped her nine-match winning streak (which includes a walkover). She had no intention of winning the final set; Bartoli, as tennis fan pointed out on Twitter, exerted more effort on her famous practice swings. The fans didn't like it.

Etiquette aside, don't read too much into it.

When it really mattered, against Stosur and Li, Azarenka ascended to another level, serving well, dominating from the baseline and retrieving admirably. She's mentally tougher than Zvonareva, and motivation won't be in short supply Saturday.

Prediction: Azarenka in three

Thursday turned out to be quite an eventful day at the year-end championships. Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova advanced to the semifinals, while an ailing Caroline Wozniacki's journey ended.

Already without Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters, the final four won't include Woz or the other marquee name in the field, Maria Sharapova. Organizers must be happy, eh?

And in the match of the tournament, Agnieszka Radwanska took advantage of Vera Zvonareva's choke, er, nervousness, to keep her own chances of progressing alive.

Here's what we learned about each of the six players in action.

Petra Kvitova def. Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-2

Wozniacki has a giant heart

Wozniacki has had a long, long season. Much of that, mind you, is thanks to her and her entourage. She plays way too much, exhibitions included, and her off-the-court diary always appears to be booked. The world No. 1 can't stand still.

All that said, however, Wozniacki deserves plenty of credit for the way she handled herself against Kvitova. Feeling unwell -- her pulse and blood pressure were taken early in the second set -- there was no retirement. Did you see that, Vika?

Rest up, Caro, and try to land that first major. The task will be even harder in 2012.

Kvitova's one wild ride

You can't take your eyes off Kvitova. Who knows what's coming off her racket next? When the Czech misses, she does it with oomph. Kvitova almost clubbed Wozniacki with a drive volley that sailed long and hit a backhand volley that nearly made it to the backboard on the fly. One of her serves landed near the baseline, and an easy-looking forehand smash (or was it a volley?) hit none of the court.

Fortunately for the Wimbledon champion, she kept the misses to a minimum. Irrespective of Wozniacki's health, if Kvitova is on, the Dane doesn't have much hope.

Victoria Azarenka def. Li Na 6-2, 6-2

Vika's coach is pretty good

When Li beat Azarenka in the French Open quarterfinals, she pounded Azarenka's second serve. Seventeen points played -- and only six won by the Belarusian. Her coach, Sam Sumyk, was no doubt aware of that.

So what did Azarenka do Thursday? She made sure her first-serve percentage was up there. Taking the pace slightly off, it finished at 80. In the first set alone, it was 89.

Sumyk already has worked wonders with Azarenka's temperament -- the most aggression she shows now is in her scary, celebratory postmatch windmill fist pump -- and has the Frenchman turned Vika into Rafa II? Some of her scrambling was outstanding.

It's adding up to a Vika-Petra final.

Li's a confident player

When Li won the first set against Sharapova on Wednesday, her body language changed for the better. Not surprisingly, her game picked up. Sharapova's ankle injury gave her a further boost.

But after dropping the first set against Azarenka, you knew there was no coming back. Still lacking confidence, despite topping Sharapova, Li doesn't have the ability to grind out matches -- at least right now. Li fell to 4-12 in encounters where she's conceded the opening set this year and is 0 for her past 7.

Expect it to worsen to 0-for-8 when Li confronts Sam Stosur in their group finales; Stosur leads their head-to-heads 5-0. The winner lands second place in their group. Sacking Michael Mortensen was a big mistake.

Agnieszka Radwanska def. Vera Zvonareva 1-6, 6-2, 7-5

Zvonareva is still a work in progress

How, oh, how did Zvonareva lose this match?

Even before blowing three match points in the third set, she made things too difficult for herself. Radwanska looked listless and helpless in the opening set, her heavily strapped right shoulder continuing to cause problems.

Zvonareva was in total control until she suddenly switched off early in the second. From then on, Radwanska gained belief. Zvonareva's own belief dipped, and so did her game. The killer instinct was missing. She made 55 unforced errors and stopped going to the net, a tactic so successful in the first.

There is a positive, though. Zvonareva didn't explode on court à la her 2009 collapse against Flavia Pennetta at the U.S. Open. Rather, she tried to smile away her frustration.

Radwanska never quits

Maybe Zvonareva's swoon had something to do with her recent record against Radwanska -- she'd lost three in a row, all since the U.S. Open Series.

Radwanska saved her best stuff for the final set. No wonder the crowd was on its feet after she saved the third match point with nothing but hustle.

Unfortunately for Radwanska, up next is Kvitova, who could feast on Radwanska's modest serves.

One match into the year-end championships and we're already making bold predictions. It's what we the pundits do: make a living out of snap, often unsubstantiated, judgments. But Petra Kvitova's opening-day performance in Istanbul was remarkably compelling -- so much so that you kind of get the feeling she is the player to beat.

The strong serve, the combination of southpaw deft and power and the unexpected net play. Ah, the endless talent leaves us salivating for more.

You may remember Wimbledon 2011, when this somewhat unknown prodigy stunned Maria Sharapova to win her first Slam. It was the kind of feat that signaled the beginning of stardom. This was not Slammin' Samantha Stosur nor was it Li Na -- both major winners this season. No one is expecting either of them to rule the tour in the coming years. There was something special, almost unexplainable, about Kvitova's effortless strokes and her all-around penetrating game.

But you've probably heard this story before. Player wins big title. Player slips back into the vortex of forgotten land. Such was the case for Kvitova, who did little to resemble even a modicum of that masterful Wimby performance until her title in Linz, Austria, last week. A good time to get hot, eh? She carried that momentum into the year-end championships campaign with a decisive 6-2, 6-4 win over Vera Zvonareva. So again, we're inclined to raise the question: Does Kvitova have the stuff to dominate women's tennis? She has the ability, yes, but is she shrewd enough to fight through adversity?

Kvitova boasts the game to finally crack the parity that has plagued the WTA Tour for a number of years. She doesn't seem to carry a lot of excess baggage nor have volatile relationships with her coaches and parents. She doesn't have a beau named Rory or Sasha, and she, to this point, doesn't have any tawdry tales of line-judge run-ins. Ostensibly, she is just a simple girl with a very big game.

Perhaps Kvitova needs to start believing in herself. She doesn't exude the kind of tenacious hunger that you hear from Sharapova and Serena Williams. And despite Caroline Wozniacki's much-maligned career, she's at least comfortable in her role as the world No. 1. When recently asked whether she could reach top ranking, Kvitova coyly responded by saying that any number of her peers could get there. Fair enough, but it's not the kind of blasé rhetoric we want to hear from a player with her boundless skills.

Kvitova is, however, one of three players in the field who can finish the year ranked No. 1. She needs to win the tournament and will need help from Wozniacki and Sharapova (the other competitor who can finish No. 1). All Kvitova can do is take care of herself -- and that's exactly what she did in her Istanbul opener.

For a while it looked like Petra Kvitova, who joined Tsvetana Pironkova as an improbable semifinalist at Wimbledon last year, was destined to be a one-Slam wonder. The tall, shrieking Czech couldn't buy a win thereafter, beaten five straight times in the immediate aftermath of the grass-court swing.

But as it's turning out Kvitova is no Pironkova, who's still slumping, overcoming her dip to move into the elite -- albeit unstable, at the moment -- top 10 thanks to winning the second-biggest clay-court tournament on the calendar, the Madrid Open. Kvitova and her victim in the final, Victoria Azarenka, are the only two players in that group who are playing well enough now to win the French Open, which is quickly approaching.

Caroline Wozniacki, largely, still has to hope that heavy hitters miss against her, which didn't happen in Stuttgart and Madrid courtesy of Julia Goerges. Vera Zvonareva's best surface isn't clay, while last year's French Open finalists, Francesca Schiavone and Samantha Stosur, are yearning for last year. Even if Kim Clijsters recovers in time from an ankle injury, no prep and lack of match practice aren't a good combo for the reigning U.S. and Australian Open winner.

There must be something in the voda in Prostejov, east of Prague, where Tomas Berdych, Lucie Safarova and Kvitova train, because they're three of the purest ball-strikers around. Kvitova is even more powerful than Safarova and has some variety, which was displayed throughout Madrid. While Safarova took a set off Azarenka in Friday's quarterfinals, Kvitova went one better.

Simply put, Kvitova, shy in press conferences, struggled after Wimbledon because expectations were heightened. Then, this season, following a sizzling 11-1 start, she proceeded to lose four of the next five, flopping at the jewels of Indian Wells and Miami.

The 21-year-old will be under more pressure, and scrutiny, at Roland Garros, and two of last season's clay-court winners at important tournaments, Martinez Sanchez and Aravane Rezai, couldn't produce in Paris. Kvitova is a cut above the pair and figures to be in the upper echelon for years, but mentally, unlike, oh, Wozniacki, the book is still out.

We should get a good indication of where Kvitova's head is this week. As the top seed and overwhelming favorite at an ITF stop in Prague, not Rome, she'll be expected to blitz the field.

John McEnroe, never one to shy away from predictions, said after the quarterfinals that he would stand on his head if Serena Williams didn't win the Wimbledon title this fortnight. He must have been a little edgy Thursday when Williams fell behind an early break to Czech left-hander Petra Kvitova. The 12-time Grand Slam champion recovered, of course.

ESPN.com grades the Wimbledon semifinalists, with Williams' next opponent, Vera Zvonareva, leading the way.

Vera Zvonareva

There was a moment in Zvonareva's 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova when you thought the Russian might revert to type and implode. Zvonareva had just missed a backhand into the net facing set point, undoing a minicomeback from 40-0 down. She berated herself.

What would happen during the changeover?

Nothing, as it turned out.

"I've been in a lot of different situations in the past, and I think I know how to turn the matches around much better now," Zvonareva said.

Zvonareva used her all-court game to rally past Pironkova, totaling 31 winners and 13 unforced errors. She went 29-for-35 on net approaches.

Grade: A-. She's looking mentally tough.

Serena Williams

Most expected Williams to blow away Kvitova. Except Williams, that is. Williams said before the match that she had watched Kvitova earlier in the tournament and was impressed.

Williams served well at key moments again and won 80 percent of her points behind her first serve. She took advantage of a loose game to break back in the first set and ended up prevailing 7-6 (5), 6-2. Her defense was outstanding.

Plus, she doled out a rare compliment. "She does everything good," Williams said of Kvitova.

Williams, however, didn't start well.

Grade: B+. She was workmanlike, not dominant.

Petra Kvitova

Reaching the semis was no fluke for Kvitova, a tall, hard-hitting baseliner whose game resembles that of compatriot and men's semifinalist Tomas Berdych. Third-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, a slightly rejuvenated Victoria Azarenka and three other previous Grand Slam quarterfinalists (at least) were among her victims.

Kvitova started well against Williams, especially with the cross-court forehand. She was the one standing closer to the baseline. The 20-year-old was even one point from leading 5-2 in the opening set.

She predictably fizzled in the second.

"I think it was a great match for me," Kvitova said.

Grade: B. She made it closer than we thought.

Tsvetana Pironkova

Pironkova picked up where she left off against Venus Williams, ripping backhands and throwing in big serves. As with Kvitova, there were no nerves.

But she began to wobble early in the second. When Zvonareva broke for 3-2, it unsettled Pironkova. Zvonareva was suddenly the one doing the dictating.

Here's hoping 82nd-ranked Pironkova isn't a one-Slam wonder.

"There are many things I should work on, and I will do it with pleasure," she said. "Now I have lots of motivation."

Grade: B-. The magic dissipated.