Julien Benneteau's run at Bercy, and the outpouring of affection accompanying it, is lovely to behold. Allez!

Congratulations to 14 year old Clara Tauson (DEN) for winning the $15k Stockholm this week, after making it to the final from qualifying last week.

JonH wrote:

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[...] whilst Sloane Stephens continued her losing streak. But main shout out is to Belarus who took them all the way and made a real fist of their first Fed Cup Final.

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Ms. Stephens managed at least to win 2 sets during the tie; those were the first sets she has won since the one with which she secured the US Open title.
It's sad that Azarenka is not able to leave California, and so could not play, that would have made it a very exciting tie, and possibly meant a Belarus win. In counter of course, the US had neither Venus or Keys available (or srtictly, Serena).

Whilst I have no love for the Belarussian regime, it is generally a good thing when more countries have success in any sport, and the worldwide base of support is widened that little bit more as a consequence. In those terms I would have liked for Belarus to win. It would almost inarguably have meant more to Belarussians than to Americans.

I looked through a few of the major news organisations in America, and this win means absolutely nothing to the average American; is of no seeming interest.
The leading sports headlines being: "Coach quits over tweet about black NASCAR driver", "3 UCLA players arrested in China could remain there 'a week or two", etc.
NBC/CBS/ESPN all had over 70 headlines before any mention of the tennis, and no coverage of it all on their front sports pages.
It might well have been frontpage news in Belarus, and I dare say, if ever it happened here, it would be too - much in the way that the Davis Cup victory was.

It almost devalues the competition when America wins it. Not that that is the players fault; being victims of the national success and historical success.
Contrast this to the Czech wins recently, every one almost cause for a national holiday.

Helen40 wrote:

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Ash Barty has risen from 325 to 17 this year, and made the semis at Zhuhai taking out Kerber on the way.

She plays a limited schedule (as do most Aussies, as they have so far to travel to play tournies). So I think she's had a meteoric year. Well done Ash.

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She has just won the Newcombe Medal (Australia's top tennis honour) for her exploits.
She followed up with effusive and heartfelt thanks to Casey Dellacqua for guiding her back to tennis and for just being a generally all round very good egg.
Lovely exclamation points to a redemptive story.

In the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff semi-final, 16 yo JWR6, Xinyu Wang (WR763) defeated former WR30 (current WR119), Misaki Doi to make the final.
Doi won the first set, 6-1, but the teenager roared back, to victory.
She plays Papua New Guinea's Abigail Tere-Apisah (WR334), for the coveted MDWC.

That's a fine result, and either way for the result of the deciding match, it's an interesting outcome. Either a top junior, or PNG in the MD.
I've got to say, I like the idea of PNG having some sporting success - they tend to punch above their weight of resources in terms of mens team sports (rugby, Aussie Rules, Cricket etc.), but very little in the way of individuals, or women, so that would be a nice story.

Marion Bartoli! Back at 33. Targetting Miami to return.
This truly is the tennis silly season.
Also, an early Christmas present. Allez! On y va!