{"id":2053,"date":"2017-04-16T08:32:46","date_gmt":"2017-04-16T12:32:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/?p=2053"},"modified":"2017-04-16T12:46:12","modified_gmt":"2017-04-16T16:46:12","slug":"czech-teenager-marketa-vondrousova","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2017\/04\/16\/czech-teenager-marketa-vondrousova\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is Rising Czech Teenager Marketa Vondrousova?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It seems like every week nowadays we have a fresh-faced teenager bursting onto the tennis scene. This week is no different. <strong>Marketa Vondrousova<\/strong>\u00a0has enjoyed a sublime run in <strong>Biel\/Bienne<\/strong> and has now won\u00a0her first <strong>WTA<\/strong> final aged just 17.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Czech<\/strong> teenager progressed to the\u00a0final\u00a0in some style. Not only did she have to qualify for the event but she has also had\u00a0to dismiss an array of WTA talent. \u00a0<strong>Annika Beck<\/strong>, <strong>Kristyna Pliskova<\/strong> and <strong>Barbora Strycova<\/strong> have all fallen victim to Vondrousova&#8217;s crafty left-hand in <strong>Switzerland\u00a0<\/strong>in straight sets.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Estonian<\/strong> youngster <strong>Anett Kontaveit<\/strong> was her opponent in the final but was no match for Vondrousova. Showing maturity and composure far beyond her years the 17-year-old held her nerve to win 6-4 7-6(6) in only her second WTA event.<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/656617516\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 72.053872% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/656617516?et=rAoUYjdcRkBlmgNXkR5ynw&amp;tld=co.uk&amp;viewMoreLink=on&amp;sig=VCyAqzqMkwlZpge-CclHxk4xMTH2EDWCYWoaFR_Rcnc=&amp;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"428\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">\n<\/div>\n<h2>Marketa Vondrousova&#8217;s blistering start to 2017<\/h2>\n<p>Marketa Vondrousova&#8217;s dream run is less surprising when you peruse the form guide. Her 2017 form <a href=\"http:\/\/www.itftennis.com\/procircuit\/players\/player\/profile.aspx?playerid=100174723\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">has been remarkable at <strong>ITF<\/strong> level<\/a>. After missing the second half of 2016 through injury the 17-year-old returned to the circuit in startling fashion.<\/p>\n<p>Twenty consecutive victories was how Vondrousova began her season. Two titles accompanied this run &#8211; a 15k in <strong>Stuttgart<\/strong> and a 25k in <strong>Grenoble<\/strong> &#8211; before finally losing to <strong>Marie Bouzkova<\/strong> in the final in a 25k in <strong>Perth<\/strong>. Before the loss to Bouzkova she dropped just three sets in those matches.<\/p>\n<p>Another final and semi-final followed to move her up to her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wtatennis.com\/players\/player\/24433\/title\/marketa-vondrousova\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">current ranking of #233<\/a> in the world. This was enough to gain her entry to the qualifying draw of the inaugural <strong>Ladies Open Biel Bienne<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Qualifying for the event was no walk in the park. Twice Vondrousova had to battle from a set down in her three qualifying matches. That time spent adapting to the conditions proved vital in the main draw though, as the teenager won eight straight sets for the loss of just 26 games including a 7-6 6-2 semi-final victory over top #20 player Barbora Strycova.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">17 year old qualifier Marketa Vondrousova reaches FIRST <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WTA?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WTA<\/a> Final!<\/p>\n<p>Stuns Strycova 7-6(3), 6-2 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WTABielBienne\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@WTABielBienne<\/a>! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/YKFgxhkRIC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/YKFgxhkRIC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 WTA (@WTA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WTA\/status\/853282940175785984\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 15, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Technically a crafty competitor<\/h2>\n<p>The 17-year-old has a fun game to watch. Not only is she an accomplished mover across the court and powerful ball-striker but she has a notable deftness to her play. Vondrousova has made no secret that her favourite stroke is the drop-shot.<\/p>\n<p>The slight of hand that Vondrousova possesses is causing all manner of problems for her opponents. Not only do the drop-shots catch players cold but the delicate touch means she is able to find angles that\u00a0many players can merely dream of.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-video\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Defense to offense from Vondrousova!<\/p>\n<p>Back on serve <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WTABiel?src=hash\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#WTABiel<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Iq1uDQk3R7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Iq1uDQk3R7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 WTA (@WTA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WTA\/status\/853269610216300545\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 15, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nThe way she plays to her strengths is obvious if you look at her junior career. Deftness of touch is a commonality on the doubles circuit\u00a0and her two junior <strong>Grand Slam<\/strong> doubles titles in <strong>Melbourne<\/strong> and <strong>Paris<\/strong> demonstrate her capabilities on the doubles court.<\/p>\n<p>Those two Grand Slam titles coupled with an unwavering consistency on the junior circuit helped lift her to #1 in the junior rankings\u00a0by May in 2015, a feat she will no doubt be looking to replicate on the professional circuit.<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/462509144\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/462509144?et=m0LO_JdhSbtyAbuQR2l4jg&amp;tld=co.uk&amp;viewMoreLink=on&amp;sig=8pdydyR0p9JW-TXJUNF0HdZZVxpcsrPYHcuVDzx2Ofk=&amp;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Heading for the top #100?<\/h2>\n<p>Her eight victories in Switzerland this week will lift her over 100\u00a0places in the rankings. After her triumph in the final she should be ranked #117 when the new rankings are released, within a whisker of direct entry to the Slams.<\/p>\n<p>Looking forward, the teenager has no points to defend from the end of May. Unless she were to suffer another injury it is unthinkable that the latest talent off of the Czech production line were to not finish the year inside the top #100 at the very least.<\/p>\n<p>Should she crack the top #100 before June she will have become the second 17-year-old to make the jump into double figures in 2017 after <strong>Cici Bellis<\/strong> managed it back in January. Chances are she&#8217;ll be much higher though with her undeniable talent. This\u00a0is the first of many WTA finals for Marketa Vondrousova.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/475956440\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/475956440?et=x8kXz7EUSvBSqImOfdz4uA&amp;tld=co.uk&amp;viewMoreLink=on&amp;sig=gC1YhX9aw20FduSyRy8YcgbxT-PH6tHcqPkGHnYqIks=&amp;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It seems like every week nowadays we have a fresh-faced teenager bursting onto the tennis scene. This week is no different. Marketa Vondrousova\u00a0has enjoyed a sublime run in Biel\/Bienne and has now won\u00a0her first WTA final aged just 17. The Czech teenager progressed to the\u00a0final\u00a0in some style. Not only did she have to qualify for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1355,"featured_media":2054,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[888,887,637,308,884,48,15],"class_list":["post-2053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wta","tag-aliaksandra-sasnovich","tag-anett-kontaveit","tag-barbora-strycova","tag-itf-juniors","tag-marketa-vondrousova","tag-tennis","tag-wta"],"modified_by":"Sam Barker (Editor)","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1355"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2053"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2053\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}