Dominika Cibulková lost in the semifinals of the tournament for deserving players in Luxembourg, Magdaléna Rybáriková already lost in the opening round of the quarterfinals. Belgian Kirsten Flipkensová became the champion of the third year.
Australian Open 2014 finalist and WTA Finals 2016 year-end champion Cibulková first beat US Open 2015 hero Flavia Pennett of Italy twice 6-4 at the prestigious Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters indoor hard court event, but then was not enough for the former world number one, the Swiss-born Košice to Martina Hingisová – 6:7 (4), 0:6.
2017 Wimbledon semi-finalist Rybáriková narrowly lost to Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 5-7, 7-10 (match tiebreaker) despite having a 5-0 record against the German with Balkan roots in their official senior careers, starting with their triumph in the 2013 Washington final .
The trophy combined with a check for 50,000 euros went to the Belgian Kirsten Flipkensová, who successively overcame the doubles, fours and singles of the “spider”: the Serbian Ana Ivanovičová, Petkovicová and finally Hingisová, whom she surpassed in Sunday’s final 6:4, 2:6. 10:7 (match tiebreak).
The 38-year-old semi-finalist of Wimbledon 2013 “Flipper” Flipkensová followed the more famous compatriot Kim Clijstersová, the heroine of the premier edition in the metropolis of Luxembourg, in the list of winners. Last year, the Estonian Anett Kontaveitová, now a new mother, made her mark.
Events at the Center National Sportif et Culturel d’Coque with a capacity of 8,300 spectators were watched, promoted and voiced by Daniela Hantuchová as an ambassador.
Results1. round – quarter finals:
Dominika Cibulková (SR-3) – Flavia Pennettová (Italy) 6:4, 6:4
Andrea Petkovicová (Germany-4) – Magdaléna Rybáriková (SR) 4:6, 7:5, 10:7 (match tiebreak)
Martina Hingisová (Switzerland-1) – Laura Robsonová (V. Brit.) 6:3, 6:2
Kirsten Flipkensová (Belg.) – Ana Ivanovičová (Serb.-2) 6:1, 6:4
Semifinals:
Martina Hingisová (Switzerland-1) – Dominika Cibulková (SR-3) 7:6 (4), 6:0
Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters: The Good, The Bad, and The Flipping Fantastic!
What’s Up with Dominika and Magdaléna?
So, let’s dive into the contemporary Shakespearean drama unfolding at the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters, where the esteemed Dominika Cibulková and the valiant Magdaléna Rybáriková had plans to bring the house down but ended up more like a slightly leaky balloon. Cibulková strutted in with a fierce attitude, having just taken down the legendary Flavia Pennetta—who, let’s be honest, probably didn’t see that coming in her wildest dreams. But then, like a magician’s rabbit that just wouldn’t appear, she hit the semi-final against the icon Martina Hingis and poof! It was a quick exit at 6-7 (4), 0-6. Talk about an abrupt end to a dramatic tale!
Rybáriková’s Roller Coaster
Now, onto Rybáriková, who, much like a roller coaster ride gone awry, thought she had the upper hand against Andrea Petkovic. Did she think she could bag this one easily with a 5-0 record? Apparently not! What was shaping up to be a flawless victory spiraled into a 4-6, 7-5, 10-7 nail-biter. A match tiebreaker is the tennis equivalent of flipping a coin, only the coin has an attitude problem…
Flipkens: The New Golf Champion!
Enter the real star of the show, the delightful Kirsten Flipkens! You have to love a player who, at 38, can still take it to the younger crowd! Flipkens stormed through the tournament, defeating a veritable who’s who of tennis: Ana Ivanović, Petkovic, and finally Hingis. It’s almost as if she was flipping through her preseason to-do list, ticking off each opponent one at a time, almost like a diabolical villain setting forth her plans for world domination—except, of course, it was just a trophy and a hefty check for €50,000.
Luxembourg’s Tennis Showdown: A Spectacle!
The venue was positively packed—8,300 spectators were treated to what one can only describe as tennis melodrama at its finest! With the likes of Daniela Hantuchová acting as the ambassador, it was a true spectacle that even the royals would stop by to catch. Just think: who wouldn’t want to see women chucking rackets like a scene from Gladiator? Well, almost.
Results Round-Up!
To keep you up to speed (and so my fingers won’t cramp), here’s how the bracket broke down:
- Quarter Finals:
- Dominika Cibulková (SR-3) – Flavia Pennettová (Italy) 6:4, 6:4
- Andrea Petkovicová (Germany-4) – Magdaléna Rybáriková (SR) 4:6, 7:5, 10:7
- Martina Hingisová (Switzerland-1) – Laura Robsonová (V. Brit.) 6:3, 6:2
- Kirsten Flipkensová (Belg.) – Ana Ivanovičová (Serb.-2) 6:1, 6:4
- Semi Finals:
- Martina Hingisová (Switzerland-1) – Dominika Cibulková (SR-3) 7:6 (4), 6:0
Final Thoughts
As we bid adieu to the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters, we’re left pondering: Can Cibulková and Rybáriková resurrect their careers like phoenixes from the ashes? Will Flipkens continue to outplay time itself like a tennis-playing Jennifer Aniston in a Friends reunion? Only time will tell. Until then, my dear readers, keep your rackets ready and your spirits high!
