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Home , 2015 WTA Elite Trophy, 2017 WTA Finals, Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Andrea Petkovic, Caroline Wozniacki

INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA MAY 13 – 19, 2019 WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION MATCH NOTES

ROME, ITALY | MAY 13 - 19, 2019 | € 3,452,538 WTA PREMIER 5 EVENT

wtatennis.com | facebook.com/WTA | .com/WTA | youtube.com/WTA Tournament Website: www.internazionalibnlditalia.com | @InteBNLdItalia | facebook.com/internazionalibnlditalia WTA Communications: Estelle LaPorte ([email protected])

INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA - FINAL MATCH-UP (GBR #42) vs. [4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7) Pliskova leads 5-1 Players meeting for the first time since 2016... Pliskova bidding to become the third woman this season to win multiple titles... Konta appearing in her biggest final in two years... Pliskova beat last year’s conqueror Sakkari in semifinals... Konta is third unseeded Rome finalist in past 10 years A LOOK AT THE FINALISTS PLAYER ROME W/L YTD W/L CAREER W/L YTD PRIZE $ CAREER PRIZE $ YTD TITLES CAREER TITLES [4] Karolina Pliskova 6-4 26-7 501-297 1,869,222 16,251,953 1 12

Johanna Konta 10-3 21-8 361-218 246,230 7,426,649 0 3

FINAL RECORDS PLAYER BEST ROME RESULT LAST FINAL REACHED CAREER FINAL W/L

[4] Karolina Pliskova Final (1): 2019 2019 Miami (R-Up) 12-12 QF (1): 2017 Johanna Konta Final (1): 2019 2019 Rabat (R-Up) 3-4 R16 (3): 2016-18 ROME HONOR ROLL YEAR CHAMPION FINALIST SCORE

2009 6-3 6-2 2010 MARÍA JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ SÁNCHEZ JELENA JANKOVIC 7-6(5) 7-5 2011 6-2 6-4 2012 MARIA SHARAPOVA 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) 2013 6-1 6-3 2014 SERENA WILLIAMS 6-3 6-0 2015 MARIA SHARAPOVA CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO 4-6 7-5 6-1 2016 SERENA WILLIAMS 7-6(5) 6-3 2017 4-6 7-5 6-1 2018 ELINA SVITOLINA SIMONA HALEP 6-0 6-4 WOMEN’S TENNIS ASSOCIATION MATCH NOTES

RANKINGS MOVERS CHANGE IN FORTUNES

By reaching the final, Karolina Pliskova is assured of Johanna Konta’s semifinal win over one of the Roland overtaking Petra Kvitova as World No.5 - and Czech No.1 Garros favorites, , was her 10th on clay this - on Monday. She will move to No.4 as runner-up and season. No.2 with the title. It is a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for a player who Meanwhile, for Johanna Konta, a return to the Top 30 entered this campaign with a career total of seven main beckons, at No.26 with a runner-up finish and No.22 draw wins on the surface. should she leave the Eternal City as champion.

RACKING UP THE WINS

Karolina Pliskova has been the epitome of consistency in 2019, reaching the quarterfinals or better at six of her eight tournaments and posting 26 wins. 5 Prior to the start of this sea- Also passing the 20-win mark is Johanna Konta, who last son, Johanna Konta owned year did not achieve that particular feat until August. just seven main draw wins on clay, with five of these 2019 WTA MAIN DRAW MATCH WIN LEADERS coming in Rome

PLAYER WINS LOSSES BEST RESULT

KVITOVA 28 8 WON: , STUTTGART

BENCIC 26 9 WON: DUBAI

BERTENS 26 9 WON: ST. PETERSBURG, MADRID SERVING NOTICE PLISKOVA 26 7 WON: BRISBANE Karolina Pliskova has struck 30 aces en route to the BARTY 24 5 WON: MIAMI final, edging her to the summit of this year’s aces leader- board: HALEP 23 8 R-UP: DOHA, MADRID

VONDROUSOVA 22 6 R-UP: BUDAPEST, PLAYER ACES MATCHES

ANDREESCU 20 4 WON: INDIAN WELLS KAROLINA PLISKOVA 247 31

KONTA 20 7 R-UP: RABAT KIKI BERTENS 246 36

NAOMI OSAKA 184 24 ON THIS DAY: MAY 19 PETRA KVITOVA 172 36

A 20-year-old Serena Williams defeats Pliskova’s ace count has helped her prevail in 40 of 48 7-6(6) 6-4 in the Rome final to win the first title of her games on her serve this week: career on clay. PLAYER % SERV. GAMES WON “I think I’m a really good player, but everybody KAROLINA PLISKOVA 83.3% says I can’t play on it,” Williams said afterwards. “This JOHANNA KONTA 79.9% may change some minds.” DOUBLES UPDATE FIGHTING SPIRIT

Victoria Azarenka and sprung their lat- Karolina Pliskova came back from the brink on a couple est upset in the doubles competition when they knocked of occasions during her title run at Brisbane in the first out top seeds and reigning Roland Garros champions week of the season. Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina SIniakova on Saturday, 6-4 6-4. It is a trend that has continued as her campaign has pro- gressed, with the Czech’s come-from-behind victories this In the final the unseeded duo will face No.8 seeds week over and Victoria Azarenka taking her An- and , 7-5 6-7(6) 10-3 record in three-set matches to a tour-leading 14-6. na-Lena Groenefeld winners over Chan Hao-Ching and . MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42) vs. [4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7)

Head to : KAROLINA PLISKOVA leads 5-1

2017 GRASS O SF KAROLINA PLISKOVA W/O 2016 BEIJING HARD O R16 JOHANNA KONTA 6-1 3-6 7-6(2) 127 mins 2016 EASTBOURNE GRASS O SF KAROLINA PLISKOVA 6-7(5) 6-3 6-3 137 mins 2016 INDIAN WELLS HARD O R16 KAROLINA PLISKOVA 7-6(2) 3-6 6-3 130 mins 2015 BIRMINGHAM GRASS O R2 KAROLINA PLISKOVA 3-6 6-3 6-4 115 mins 2013 ITF/NOTTINGHAM GRASS O SF KAROLINA PLISKOVA 3-6 7-5 6-3 N/A 2011 ITF/PREROV CLAY O R1 KAROLINA PLISKOVA 6-2 7-6(3) N/A

JOHANNA KONTA KAROLINA PLISKOVA 42 WTA RANKING 7 38 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 3 17-05-1991 (28) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 21-03-1992 (27) $246,230 YTD PRIZE MONEY $1,877,512 $7,426,649 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $16,251,953 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 3 1 / 12 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 0 / 5 ROME W-L (MD) * 10-3 6-4 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 20-7 / 148-93 26-7 / 283-149 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 10-2 / 38-41 14-6 / 95-51 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 6-5 / 34-26 4-4 / 58-60 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 10-2 / 17-17 5-2 / 50-35 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-0 / 12-12 4-0 / 27-19 1-1 / 6-10 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-2 / 13-18 3-2 / 17-20 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-2 / 27-37 3-4 / 33-34 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 3-3 / 53-68 * Updated entering 2019 Rome F

ROAD TO THE FINAL

JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42) [4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7)

SF: d. [6] KIKI BERTENS (NED #4) 5-7,7-5,6-2 (2h49) SF: d. (GRE #39) 6-4,6-4 (1h28) QF: d. MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #44) 6-3,3-6,6-1 (1h53) QF: d. VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #51) 6-7(5),6-2,6-2 (2h26) R16: d. (USA #50) 6-2,6-4 (1h12) R16: d. SOFIA KENIN (USA #37) 4-6,6-4,6-3 (1h54) R32: d. [7] (USA #8) 6-7(3),6-4,6-1 (2h30) R32: d. AJLA TOMLJANOVIC (CRO #47) 6-3,6-3 (1h11) R64: d. (USA #51) 6-4,6-1 (1h28) R64: BYE Total games: 122 Total games: 96 Won/lost: 75-47 Won/lost: 58-38 Sets won/lost: 10-3 Sets won/lost: 8-2 Total time on court: 9h52 Total time on court: 6h59 Average time on court: 1h58 Average time on court: 1h45 Average rank of opponent: 31 Average rank of opponent: 44

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

ROME Tournament History

JOHANNA KONTA KAROLINA PLISKOVA 2018 2018 R16 L - JELENA OSTAPENKO (LAT #6) 2-6 6-3 6-4 R2 L - MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #42) 3-6 6-3 7-5

2017 2017 R16 L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #12) 6-1 3-6 6-1 QF L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #11) 6-2 7-6(9)

2016 2016 R16 L - (JPN #45) 4-6 7-5 6-2 R1 L - (RUS #33) 6-4 6-4

2015 R1 L - (SUI #24) 6-4 6-0

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from JOHANNA KAROLINA KONTA VS PLISKOVA

ROME ROME

• Playing the Internazionali BNL d’Italia for a fourth • Making fifth appearance at Rome, where she is time, where she has now reached her maiden final through to the final for the first time • Previous best results were R16 showings in 2016 (l. • Best previous result was QF showing in 2017 (l. Doi), 2017 (l. V.Williams) and 2018 (l. Ostapenko) eventual champion Svitolina) • On Monday, beat Riske in 1r for the second tourna- • Before this had never been beyond 1r, falling at ment in succession (also won 6-4 6-1 at Madrid) this stage in 2015-16. Last year, after 1r bye, lost to • In 2r on Thursday, upset No.8 Stephens for second Sakkari in 2r career Top 10 win on clay (also No.7 Vinci in 2r at • After 1r bye this week, eased past Tomljanovic in 2016 Rome) 2r on Tuesday, improving career record in matches • Returned later in the day to beat former champion following byes to 33-7 V.Williams in R16 • Recovered from 6-4 2-0 down to beat Kenin in R16 • Hit 42 winners to beat the in-form Vondrousova in QF • Gained revenge on Azarenka, who ended her Stutt- • In SF, ended Bertens’s eight-match winning streak gart title defense in April, with 3s victory in QF - the to record 10th win on clay this year; in contrast won 500th win of her career (including qualifying, ITF a total of seven in 2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons Circuit and Fed Cup) combined • In SF, gained revenge on last year’s conqueror here, • Win over No.4 Bertens was her first vs. a Top-5 play- Sakkari, hitting two aces in a straight set win. Has er since 2017 Wimbledon (No.2 Halep) struck 30 aces this week, taking season total to 247 - • Faces No.7 Ka.Pliskova in final; in addition to wins the most on tour ahead of Bertens on 246 over Stephens and Bertens this week, owns one oth- • Now has registered 26 main draw wins in 2019, the er Top 10 win this year (No.6 Stephens at Brisbane) third-most on tour - Kvitova leads the way on 28-8 • Is the first British woman to reach Rome final since • Faces No.42 Konta in today’s final; has lost three won the title in 1971 times to players outside Top 30 this season, against • Last unseeded finalist at Rome was Keys in 2016 (l. No.31 Hsieh (Dubai), No.61 Azarenka (Stuttgart) and S.Williams). Most recent unseeded champion was No.85 Kozlova (Madrid) Martínez Sánchez in 2010 • Is the first Czech woman to reach Rome final since • Owns 3-4 career record in singles finals, losing the Mandlikova in 1982 (l. Evert). Last Czech to win here last three at Nottingham (2017-18) and Rabat (2019) was Marsikova in 1978 • Has never won a main draw match on the red clay of • Owns 12-12 career record in finals (2-1 on clay). Roland Garros (0-4) Two clay court titles came at 2015 Prague and 2018 Stuttgart, while was R-Up at 2014 Nürnberg • Has played a tour-leading 20 three-set matches in SEASON 2019 (14-6 record) • Coming off 2r exit at Madrid (l. Halep) • Posted R-Up finish at Rabat (l. Sakkari, after leading SEASON by a set and a break) – marked first final in 10 months (2018 Nottingham) and first ever final on red • Fell 2r at Madrid (l. Kozlova) clay (had never previously passed QF stage on the • Withdrew from Prague w/viral illness surface at tour level) • Lost opening match as defending champion at Stutt- • Until Rabat, where she won four matches, had never gart (after 1r bye, l. Azarenka) won more than two consecutive main draw matches • Reached first Premier Mandatory final at Miami, on red clay and had not won three matches in a row losing to Barty in straight sets in the final on the surface since qualifying for Roland Garros in • Fell in 3s to Bencic in QF at Indian Wells 2015. Not since winning her first ITF Circuit title in • Led 5-1 in the final set of her QF match vs. Hsieh at Mostar in 2008 had she won four consecutive match- Dubai before losing 6-4 1-6 7-5 es on red clay (all levels) • Withdrew from Doha w/viral illness • Saved three match points in 1r at Rabat against • Was unable to prevent defending champions Czech Wang Yafan Republic from slipping to 3-2 defeat at the hands of • In Fed Cup action in in April, posted three- in Ostrava (d. Buzarnescu, l. Halep) set wins over Diyas and Putintseva to help Britain • Produced best performance of secure a place in the competition’s World Group II in career, reaching SF (l. eventual champion Osaka in 2020 (Great Britain d. Kazakhstan, 3-1) 3s); saved 4MP to defeat S.Williams in QF • During Sunshine Double, reached 3r at Indian Wells • Began season by winning 12th career title at Bris- (l. Bertens) and 2r at Miami (l. Q.Wang) bane International (d. Tsurenko in F) – has now won • Reached first QF of year at Acapulco (l. Vekic) at least one WTA title for seven consecutive seasons JOHANNA KAROLINA KONTA VS PLISKOVA

SEASON CONT. CAREER MILESTONES

• On February, won all four of her Fed Cup matches to • Won two titles in 2018 from three finals contested, help Great Britain progress from Europe/Africa Zone triumphing at Stuttgart (d. Vandeweghe in F) and Group I to World Group II play-offs [PPO] (d. Osaka in F). Posted R-Up finish in • Lost to Muguruza in 2r at Australian Open in a three- Tianjin (l. Garcia in F) set match which lasted two hours 42 minutes and • At level last season, made QF run at finished at 03:12am – one of the latest finishes in the Australian Open (l. eventual R-Up Halep), reached 3r tournament’s history at Roland Garros (l. Sharapova), made R16 for first • Retired in final round of qualifying at Sydney vs. Alex- time at Wimbledon (l. Bertens) and had QF showing androva w/neck injury. Entered draw as Lucky Loser, at US Open (d. No.17 Barty in R16, l. S.Williams) however withdrew prior to 1r match vs. Bertens w/ • Made the SF stage at Brisbane (as defending cham- same injury. Was first time contesting qualifying since pion, l. eventual champion Svitolina), Madrid (l. even- 2015 Linz tual champion Kvitova) and WTA Finals (l. Stephens). • Opened 2019 season at Brisbane, making 2r (d. Enjoyed QF runs at four other tournaments No.6 Stephens, l. Tomljanovic). Defeat of Stephens • Helped win sixth Fed Cup in past was 15th career victory over a Top 10 opponent and eight years in 2018 (played SF tie vs. Germany) first since No.2 Halep at 2017 Wimbledon • Claimed No.1 ranking on July 17, 2017 despite mak- ing 2r exit at Wimbledon (l. Rybarikova). Was the first Czech woman to achieve the No.1 ranking since the CAREER MILESTONES computer rankings were introduced in 1975 ( became No.1 on July 10, 1978 while • Finished 2018 at No.37, with season highlights a representing USA) second consecutive R-Up finish at Nottingham (l. • Won three titles in 2017, at Brisbane (d. Cornet in Barty) – overall record in WTA finals now stands at F), Doha (d. Wozniacki in F) and Eastbourne (d. 3-4 – and SF showing at [] (l. Wozniacki in F) eventual champion Kasatkina) • In Grand Slam play, reached SF at Roland Garros (l. • Also in 2018, reached QF at Brisbane and San Jose, eventual R-Up Halep), QF at both Australian Open (l. while best results at the Slams were 2r showings at Lucic Baroni) and US Open (l. Vandeweghe) Australian Open and Wimbledon • Holds a 12-11 record in singles finals, having won • Posted five Top 20 wins in 2018, over No.19 Keys having titles on clay (2015 Prague, 2018 Stuttgart), (Brisbane), No.19 Rybarikova (Madrid and Rome), grass (2016 Nottingham, 2017 Eastbourne) and hard No.11 Ostapenko (Montréal) and No.16 Mertens (2013 Kuala Lumpur, 2014 Linz, 2014 Seoul, 2016 (Moscow [Kremlin Cup]) Cincinnati, 2017 Brisbane, 2017 Doha, 2018 Tokyo, • Enjoyed best season of career in 2017, posting 2019 Brisbane) career-high season finish of No.9 (second Top 10 • Captured fifth WTA doubles title of career at 2016 season in a row). Peaked in rankings at No.4 on July Birmingham (w/Strycova). Is now 5-2 in doubles 17, 2017 finals. At 2013 Linz, with sister Kristyna, became first • Began 2017 season in great form by lifting title at set of twins to ever win a tour-level doubles title Sydney (d. A.Radwanska in F), before landing big- • Made Top 10 debut after 2015 Stanford R-Up finish gest title of career at Premier-Mandatory Miami (d. first time in WTA history, three Czech women inside Wozniacki in F) Top 10 at the same time (also Kvitova and Safarova) • At 2017 Wimbledon became first British player since Virginia Wade in 1978 to reach Wimbledon SF (l. eventual R-Up V.Williams) GRAND SLAM HISTORY • Reached third final of 2017 season at Nottingham (l. Vekic). Also in 2017, reached SF for second year • Advanced to career first Grand Slam final at 2016 in a row at home event of Eastbourne – conceded US Open (l. Kerber), simultaneously making debut in walkover to eventual champion Ka.Pliskova, hav- R16, QF, SF and title match at the majors. Became ing sustained a thoracic spine injury during her QF first Czech to reach US Open final since Helena defeat of World No.1 Kerber (fell heavily on match Sukova in 1993 (l. Graf in F) , but won match after treatment). Match against • At Australian Open, best result was SF run in 2019 Kerber was second of day, after she defeated Roland (l. Osaka), while she posted deepest run at 2018 Garros champion Ostapenko in R16 Roland Garros, advancing to SF (l. Halep) • With win over Kerber, became first British woman to • Reached R16 at Wimbledon in 2018 (l. Bertens) defeat a reigning World No.1 since Barker d. Evert at • Made Grand Slam main draw debut at 2012 Roland 1979 Boston Garros (l. Bartoli in 1r) JOHANNA KAROLINA KONTA VS PLISKOVA

CAREER CONT. PERSONAL

• Was in contention for WTA Finals qualification in • Born in Louny, north of Prague, but now trains at 2017, however withdrawal from Moscow opened spot Sparta Praha tennis club for Garcia • Currently coached by Rennae Stubbs and Conchita • Posted first Top 10 season in 2016, at No.10 Martínez, and previously coached by Tomas Krupa • Ended 2016 season at WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai in and November (went 2-0 in round-robin play), fell in SF (l. • Married Michal Hrdlicka after 2018 Wimbledon Svitolina) • Reached first Premier Mandatory final of career at 2016 Beijing (l. A.Radwanska) • Alternate for WTA Finals in Singapore in 2016, narrowly missing qualification in the Top 8; was not called upon to play • By virtue of reaching 2016 Beijing final, made WTA Top 10 debut – first British woman to feature in the elite group since Durie in 1984, and the fourth British woman overall to do so (also Wade and Barker). Be- came 119th woman to break into the Top 10, and the fourth to do so in 2016 after Vinci, Bencic and Keys • Won career-first singles title at 2016 Stanford in maiden final (d. V.Williams in F). First British woman to reach final of a Premier event since WTA Road- map was introduced in 2009, and first British woman to win the tournament since Barker in 1977 (when it was held in San Francisco) • Broke into Top 20 on June 6, 2016 (at No.18) – first British woman in Top 20 for nearly 30 years (the week of October 13, 1986, with Durie at No.20) • Was voted WTA Most Improved Player in 2016 by international media and fans • Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in 2006, making WTA main draw debut at 2011 Copenhagen GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• Two-time Slam semifinalist. Made breakthrough with historic run to SF at (l. eventu- al champion Kerber); first British woman to reach the last four at any Slam since Durie at 1983 US Open • Has since reached SF at 2017 Wimbledon (l. R-Up V.Williams), becoming the first British woman to reach the last four since Wade in 1978 (l. Evert) • Also made QF at Australian Open in 2017 (l. even- tual champion S.Williams), while at US Open has twice reached R16, in 2015 (l. Kvitova) and 2016 (l. Sevastova) PERSONAL

• Born in Sydney, ; became a British citizen in May 2012. Parents are Gabor (hotelier) and Gabriel- la (dentist); older sister is Eva (works in fashion) • Recently switched clothing sponsor from Asics to Ellesse • Currently working with Dimitri Zavialoff. Joined by Daniel Smethurst this week in Rome INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA MAY 13 – 19, 2019 WOMEN’S TENNIS ASSOCIATION MATCH NOTES

ROME, ITALY | MAY 13 - 19, 2019 | € 3,452,538 WTA PREMIER 5 EVENT

wtatennis.com | facebook.com/WTA | twitter.com/WTA | youtube.com/WTA Tournament Website: www.internazionalibnlditalia.com | @InteBNLdItalia | facebook.com/internazionalibnlditalia WTA Communications: Estelle LaPorte ([email protected]), Ellie Emerson ([email protected])

INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA - SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS [6] KIKI BERTENS (NED #4) vs. JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42) Bertens leads 2-1 (not including qualifying) Bertens prevailed in straight sets when the pair met at Indian Wells earlier this year... Konta’s last Top 5 win was against Halep at 2017 Wimbledon... Bertens bidding to reach ninth clay court final of career

[4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7) vs. [Q] MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #39) Sakkari leads 1-0 Sakkari upset Pliskova in three tight sets during second round here last year... Sakkari owns 12 wins on clay this season... Pliskova aiming to become first Czech woman to reach Rome final since 1982

A LOOK AT THE SEMIFINALISTS PLAYER ROME W/L YTD W/L CAREER W/L YTD PRIZE $ CAREER PRIZE $ YTD TITLES CAREER TITLES [4] Karolina Pliskova 5-4 25-7 500-297 1,869,222 16,251,953 1 12

[6] Kiki Bertens 7-4 26-9 397-234 1,926,021 8,448,145 2 9 [Q] Maria Sakkari 6-1 17-9 293-196 264,805 1,960,666 1 1

Johanna Konta 9-3 20-8 360-218 246,230 7,426,649 0 3

SEMIFINAL RECORDS

PLAYER BEST ROME RESULT LAST FINAL REACHED CAREER SF W/L* CAREER FINAL W/L

[4] Karolina Pliskova SF (1): 2019 2019 Miami (R-Up) 23-14 12-12 [6] Kiki Bertens SF (2): 2017, 2019 2019 Madrid (WON) 11-9 9-2 [Q] Maria Sakkari SF (1): 2019 2019 Rabat (WON) 2-3 1-1 Johanna Konta SF (1): 2019 2019 Rabat (R-Up) 8-5 3-5 * not including walkovers POTENTIAL FINAL HEAD-TO-HEADS

PLISKOVA SAKKARI

BERTENS Bertens leads 3-2 Series tied 3-3 KONTA Pliskova leads 5-1 Series tied 1-1 WOMEN’S TENNIS ASSOCIATION MATCH NOTES

RANKINGS MOVERS DOUBLES UPDATE

Despite her quarterfinal withdrawal, will Victoria Azarenka softened the blow caused by her extend her stay at No.1 until at least the end of Roland singles exit on Friday by teaming up with Ashleigh Barty Garros, taking her total time at the summit to 19 consec- to reach the doubles semifinals. utive weeks. The unseeded duo saw off and Kiki Bertens, could rise as high as No.2 by reaching the , 6-2 6-4 to set up a showdown with top final, so long as Karolina Pliskova does not win the title. seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova. On the Even if she falls in today’s semifinals, the Dutchwoman other side of the draw No.7 seeds Chan Hao-Ching and may move up one spot to a career-high No.3, although Latisha Chan will face Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Demi once again this will depend on Pliskova not lifting the Schuurs. trophy. SERVING NOTICE By reaching the semifinals, Pliskova is assured of over- taking Petra Kvitova as World No.5 - and Czech No.1 - on Kiki Bertens and Karolina Pliskova have struck a com- Monday. She will move to No.4 by finishing runner-up and bined total of 45 aces en route to the last four, consolidat- No.2 with the title. ing their places atop this year’s aces leaderboard:

Maria Sakkari, who was second out from the main draw PLAYER ACES MATCHES cut-off, is projected to match her career-high ranking of KAROLINA PLISKOVA 245 30 No.29 by advancing to the semifinals. A win over Pliskova 236 35 today could see her rise to No.25 (depending on Johan- KIKI BERTENS na Konta’s fortunes), while a second career title would NAOMI OSAKA 184 24 move her to No.21. PETRA KVITOVA 172 36

For Konta, a return to the Top 40 beckons (at No.32). She Pliskova’s ace count has helped her prevail in 31 of 38 will jump to No.26 by reaching the final and No.22 should games on her serve this week - one of three semifinalists she leave the Eternal City with the silverware. to win in excess of 80% of their service games:

PLAYER % SERV. GAMES WON

SOLID AS A ROCK KAROLINA PLISKOVA 81.6%

JOHANNA KONTA 81.4% Karolina Pliskova has been the epitome of consistency in 2019, reaching the quarterfinals or better at six of her MARIA SAKKARI 80.9% eight tournaments. Along with recent Madrid champion Kiki Bertens, the Czech is jostling with Petra Kvitova and at the top of the match-wins leaderboard. GULF IN EXPERIENCE

2019 WTA MATCH WIN LEADERS For Kiki Bertens, Saturday’s match against Johanna PLAYER WINS LOSSES BEST RESULT Konta will be the 12th semifinal of her career on clay.

PETRA KVITOVA 28 8 WON: SYDNEY, STUTTGART In contrast, Konta’s only previous venture this deep into a BELINDA BENCIC 26 9 WON: DUBAI clay court event on tour came during her recent run to the WON: ST. PETERSBURG, KIKI BERTENS 26 9 final at Rabat. MADRID

KAROLINA PLISKOVA 25 7 WON: BRISBANE ASHLEIGH BARTY 24 5 WON: MIAMI 70 Since the start of 2016, Kiki ON THIS DAY: MAY 18 Bertens has won more matches on clay than any other woman, amassing Qualifier Alizé Cornet’s fairytale run at the 2008 Internazi- at 70-18 record onali BNL d’Italia is ended in the championship match by No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic.

Eleven years on, Maria Sakkari will attempt to match the feat by reaching the biggest final of her career. MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[6] KIKI BERTENS (NED #4) vs. JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42)

Head to Head: KIKI BERTENS leads 2-1 (not including qualifying)

2019 INDIAN WELLS HARD O R3 KIKI BERTENS 7-6(10) 6-4 120 mins 2017 CINCINNATI HARD O R2 JOHANNA KONTA 6-3 6-3 76 mins 2012 ITF/BATH 2 HARD I QF KIKI BERTENS 3-6 6-3 7-6(6) 158 mins

KIKI BERTENS JOHANNA KONTA 4 WTA RANKING 42 4 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 38 10-12-1991 (27) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 17-05-1991 (28) $1,926,021 YTD PRIZE MONEY $246,230 $8,448,145 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $7,426,649 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 2 / 9 0 / 3 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 10 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 7-4 9-3 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 26-9 / 180-142 19-7 / 147-93 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 8-7 / 50-54 9-2 / 37-41 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 5-5 / 38-43 6-5 / 34-26 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 12-2 / 91-37 9-2 / 16-17 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 4-1 / 20-10 1-0 / 12-12 3-1 / 9-10 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 5-10 5-1 / 20-21 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-2 / 16-20 8-4 / 31-40 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-4 / 32-34 * Updated entering 2019 Rome SF

ROAD TO THE SEMIFINALS

[6] KIKI BERTENS (NED #4) JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42)

R16: d. CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO (ESP #31) 6-4,1-6,6-3 (1h49) QF: d. MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #44) 6-3,3-6,6-1 (1h53) R32: d. (USA #54) 6-2,4-6,7-5 (2h05) R16: d. VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #50) 6-2,6-4 (1h12) R64: BYE R32: d. [7] SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #8) 6-7(3),6-4,6-1 (2h30) R64: d. ALISON RISKE (USA #51) 6-4,6-1 (1h28)

Total games: 56 Total games: 90 Won/lost: 30-26 Won/lost: 57-33 Sets won/lost: 4-2 Sets won/lost: 8-2 Total time on court: 3h54 Total time on court: 7h03 Average time on court: 1h57 Average time on court: 1h46 Average rank of opponent: 43 Average rank of opponent: 38

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ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

KIKI BERTENS JOHANNA KONTA 2018 2018 R1 L - MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #42) 6-2 4-6 6-3 R16 L - JELENA OSTAPENKO (LAT #6) 2-6 6-3 6-4

2017 2017 SF L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #4) 7-5 6-1 R16 L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #12) 6-1 3-6 6-1

2016 2016 R1 L - TIMEA BABOS (HUN #48) 6-1 6-4 R16 L - MISAKI DOI (JPN #45) 4-6 7-5 6-2 2013 R2 L - SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #17) 4-6 6-3 6-2

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ROME ROME

• Making fifth appearance at Rome, where she also • Making fourth appearance at Rome, where she is made SF two years ago (l. Halep) through to SF for the first time • Excluding 2017 run and this year’s results, only main • Previous best results were R16 showings in 2016 (l. draw win here came during 2r showing on debut in Doi), 2017 (l. V.Williams) and 2018 (l. Ostapenko) 2013 (d. Schiavone, l. Stephens) • On Monday, beat Riske in 1r for the second tourna- • After 1r bye this year, came within two points of de- ment in succession (also won 6-4 6-1 at Madrid) feat before beating Anisimova on Thursday • In 2r on Thursday, upset No.8 Stephens for second • Came back later in the day to beat Suarez Navarro - career Top 10 win on clay (also No.7 Vinci in 2r at now owns 12-2 record on clay in 2019, fellow Rome 2016 Rome) semifinalist Sakkari is the only other player to record • Returned later in the day to beat former champion as many wins (12-3) V.Williams in R16 • Meanwhile, record on all surfaces this season im- • Battled past Vondrousova in QF to record ninth win proves to 26-9; Ka.Pliskova (25-7), Bencic (26-9) and on clay this year; in contrast won a total of seven in Kvitova (28-8) are only others to reach 25-win mark 2016, 2017 and 2018 seasons combined • QF opponent Osaka withdrew w/right thumb injury • Faces No.4 Bertens today in SF; most recent Top-5 • Faces Konta in SF; career record against British op- win came over No.2 Halep at 2017 Wimbledon position stands at 9-5, winning most recent encoun- • Has never won a main draw match on the red clay of ter against Konta this year at Indian Wells Roland Garros (0-4) • Has won a tour-leading 62.9% of points on serve this season (Kvitova also on 62.9%) SEASON • Hit 20 aces in win over Bencic last month in Stuttgart, the most aces in a clay-court match in the Match • Coming off 2r exit at Madrid (l. Halep) Stats Era (since 2008). Has hit the second-most • Posted R-Up finish at Rabat (l. Sakkari, after leading aces on tour this year (236 - behind Ka.Pliskova with by a set and a break) – marked first final in 10 245 - including Rome results) months (2018 Nottingham) and first ever final on red • Broke into Top 5 at No.4 for first time on Monday to clay (had never previously passed QF stage on the become the highest-ranking Dutchwoman of all time surface at tour level) • Went 15-5 on clay in 2018 highlighted by title run in • Until Rabat, where she won four matches, had never Charleston (d. Goerges) and R-Up finish in Madrid (l. won more than two consecutive main draw matches Kvitova). Has posted a WTA-leading 70-18 record on on red clay and had not won three matches in a row clay since the start of 2016 on the surface since qualifying for Roland Garros in 2015. Not since winning her first ITF Circuit title in Mostar in 2008 had she won four consecutive match- SEASON es on red clay (all levels) • Saved three match points in 1r at Rabat against • Coming off winning ninth career title at Madrid, de- Wang Yafan feating four Grand Slam champions en route (Osta- • In Fed Cup action in London in April, posted three- penko, Kvitova, Stephens and Halep in F). Also first set wins over Diyas and Putintseva to help Britain woman to win Madrid title without dropping a set secure a place in the competition’s World Group II in • Posted SF run at Stuttgart (l. eventual champion Kvi- 2020 (Great Britain d. Kazakhstan, 3-1) tova); d. No.5 Kerber in QF for first Top 5 win of 2019 • During Sunshine Double, reached 3r at Indian Wells • Fell in R16 (Sakkari) during Charleston title defense (l. Bertens) and 2r at Miami (l. Q.Wang) • Posted R16 showings at Indian Wells (l. Muguruza) • Reached first QF of year at Acapulco (l. Vekic) and Miami (l. eventual champion Barty) • On February, won all four of her Fed Cup matches to • In Middle East, reached QF at Doha (l. eventual help Great Britain progress from Europe/Africa Zone champion Mertens) and fell 2r at Dubai (after 1r bye, Group I to World Group II play-offs l. Kuzmova - held 1mp in third set tie-break) • Lost to Muguruza in 2r at Australian Open in a three- • Won eighth career title - and third at Premier level set match which lasted two hours 42 minutes and - at St. Petersburg (d. Vekic in F) finished at 03:12am – one of the latest finishes in the • Made 2r exit at Australian Open (l. Pavlyuchenkova) tournament’s history • Enjoyed SF finish in Sydney (l. eventual R-Up Barty). • Retired in final round of qualifying at Sydney vs. Alex- Marked first SF on Australian soil; best previous androva w/neck injury. Entered draw as Lucky Loser, results were QF runs at 2016-17 Hobart however withdrew prior to 1r match vs. Bertens w/ • Fell in the 2r of Brisbane to start the year (l. Vekic, same injury. Was first time contesting qualifying since having held 2mp at 5-4 in final set) 2015 Linz KIKI JOHANNA BERTENS VS KONTA

CAREER MILESTONES SEASON CONT.

• Enjoyed a break-out year in 2018, reaching a ca- • Opened 2019 season at Brisbane, making 2r (d. reer-best four singles finals across the season and No.6 Stephens, l. Tomljanovic). Defeat of Stephens breaking into the Top 10 (October 8, 2018) – first was 15th career victory over a Top 10 opponent and Dutch woman to be ranked in the Top 10 since Bren- first since No.2 Halep at 2017 Wimbledon da Schultz-McCarthy in 1996 • Won the WTA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2018 CAREER MILESTONES • Lifted three titles in 2018, at Charleston (d. Goerges in F), Cincinnati (d. World No.1 Halep in F) and Seoul • Finished 2018 at No.37, with season highlights a (d. Tomljanovic in F). Reached one further final, at second consecutive R-Up finish at Nottingham (l. Premier Mandatory Madrid (l. Kvitova in F) Barty) – overall record in WTA finals now stands at • Scored WTA-leading 12 Top 10 wins last season. Pri- 3-5 – and SF showing at Moscow [Kremlin Cup] (l. or to 2018, only had three Top 10 wins in her career eventual champion Kasatkina) • Also reached SF on WTA Finals debut (l. Svitolina) • Also in 2018, reached QF at Brisbane and San Jose, • Season highlights in 2017 were titles at Nürnberg while best results at the Slams were 2r showings at and Gstaad. Also` posted SF run at 2017 Rome (l. Australian Open and Wimbledon eventual R-Up Halep) and reached QF at Madrid (l. • Posted five Top 20 wins in 2018, over No.19 Keys Sevastova) - first QF at Premier Mandatory level (Brisbane), No.19 Rybarikova (Madrid and Rome), • Career-high doubles ranking is No.16 (first reached No.11 Ostapenko (Montréal) and No.16 Mertens on April 16, 2018) (Moscow [Kremlin Cup]) • Finished 2016 ranked No.22 in singles – big jump • Enjoyed best season of career in 2017, posting from her season-ending ranking of No.101 in 2015 career-high season finish of No.9 (second Top 10 • Played on Netherlands Olympic team at 2016 Rio season in a row). Peaked in rankings at No.4 on July Olympics – fell in 1r (l. Errani) 17, 2017 • Made a clean sweep of titles at 2016 Nürnberg, • Began 2017 season in great form by lifting title at claiming the singles and doubles Sydney (d. A.Radwanska in F), before landing big- • Won maiden career singles title at 2012 Fès as a gest title of career at Premier-Mandatory Miami (d. qualifier in just her second main draw appearance Wozniacki in F) • Owner of 10 WTA doubles titles, most recently at • At 2017 Wimbledon became first British player since 2018 Brisbane (w/Schuurs) Virginia Wade in 1978 to reach Wimbledon SF (l. • Made WTA main draw debut as a wildcard at 2011 eventual R-Up V.Williams) ‘s-Hertogenbosch (l. 1r) • Reached third final of 2017 season at Nottingham • Played first event of career on ITF Circuit in the Neth- (l. Vekic). Also in 2017, reached SF for second year erlands in 2006; has won seven singles titles and 11 in a row at home event of Eastbourne – conceded doubles titles at this level walkover to eventual champion Ka.Pliskova, hav- • Netherlands Fed Cup Team, 2011-2012, 2014-2017 ing sustained a thoracic spine injury during her QF defeat of World No.1 Kerber (fell heavily on match GRAND SLAM HISTORY point, but won match after treatment). Match against Kerber was second of day, after she defeated Roland • Best result across the Slams came with SF run at Garros champion Ostapenko in R16 2016 Roland Garros (l. eventual R-Up S.Williams) • With win over Kerber, became first British woman to • With that result in Paris, became the first Dutch defeat a reigning World No.1 since Barker d. Evert at woman to reach SF at Roland Garros since Marijke 1979 Boston Schaar in 1971 (l. SF), and at any Slam since Betty • Was in contention for WTA Finals qualification in Stove at 1977 US Open (l. SF) 2017, however withdrawal from Moscow opened spot • Enjoyed her best result at Wimbledon in 2018 by for Garcia reaching her second career Grand Slam QF (l. • Owns five Top 5 wins, over No.2 Halep at 2015 Wu- Goerges). Became first Dutch woman to reach QF at han, No.3 A.Radwanska at 2017 Sydney, No.5 Halep Wimbledon since Krajicek in 2007 at 2017 Miami, No.1 Kerber at 2017 Eastbourne and • In 2018 reached 3r for first time at both Australian No.2 Halep at 2017 Wimbledon Open (l. eventual champion Wozniacki) and US • Posted first Top 10 season in 2016, at No.10 Open (l. Vondrousova) • Ended 2016 season at WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai in • Is a two-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist in doubles, November (went 2-0 in round-robin play), fell in SF (l. at (w/Larsson, l. Goerges/ Svitolina) Groenefeld) and 2016 Roland Garros (w/Larsson, l. • Reached first Premier Mandatory final of career at eventual champions Garcia/Mladenovic) 2016 Beijing (l. A.Radwanska) KIKI JOHANNA BERTENS VS KONTA

PERSONAL CAREER CONT.

• Coached by former ATP player Raemon Sluiter; • Alternate for WTA Finals in Singapore in 2016, brought former WTA player Elise Tamaela into coach- narrowly missing qualification in the Top 8; was not ing team during off-season called upon to play • In November 2018, announced engagement to • By virtue of reaching 2016 Beijing final, made WTA boyfriend Remko de Rijke, who has been involved as Top 10 debut – first British woman to feature in the part of her team as a physio and fitness coach elite group since Durie in 1984, and the fourth British • Parents are Rob and Doré; sisters are Joyce and woman overall to do so (also Wade and Barker). Be- Daisy came 119th woman to break into the Top 10, and the • Started playing at age 6. Tennis idol growing up was fourth to do so in 2016 after Vinci, Bencic and Keys • Won career-first singles title at 2016 Stanford in maiden final (d. V.Williams in F). First British woman to reach final of a Premier event since WTA Road- map was introduced in 2009, and first British woman to win the tournament since Barker in 1977 (when it was held in San Francisco) • Broke into Top 20 on June 6, 2016 (at No.18) – first British woman in Top 20 for nearly 30 years (the week of October 13, 1986, with Durie at No.20) • Was voted WTA Most Improved Player in 2016 by international media and fans • Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in 2006, making WTA main draw debut at 2011 Copenhagen

GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• marked 21st main draw ap- pearance at a Grand Slam • Is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. Made Slam breakthrough with historic run to SF at 2016 Austra- lian Open (l. eventual champion Kerber); first British woman to reach the last four at Park since in December 1977, and at any Grand Slam since at 1983 US Open • Has since reached SF at 2017 Wimbledon (l. R-Up V.Williams), becoming the first British woman to reach the last four since Wade in 1978 (l. Evert) • Also made QF at Australian Open in 2017 (l. even- tual champion S.Williams), while at US Open has twice reached R16, in 2015 (l. Kvitova) and 2016 (l. Sevastova) • At Roland Garros has never been beyond 1r, falling at the first hurdle in 2015-18

PERSONAL

• Born in Sydney, Australia; became a British citizen in May 2012. Parents are Gabor (hotelier) and Gabriel- la (dentist); older sister is Eva (works in fashion) • Recently switched clothing sponsor from Asics to Ellesse • Currently working with Dimitri Zavialoff, having parted ways with at the end of 2018 season MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7) vs. [Q] MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #39)

Head to Head: MARIA SAKKARI leads 1-0

2018 ROME CLAY O R2 MARIA SAKKARI 3-6 6-3 7-5 142 mins

KAROLINA PLISKOVA MARIA SAKKARI 7 WTA RANKING 39 3 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 35 21-03-1992 (27) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 25-07-1995 (23) $1,877,512 YTD PRIZE MONEY $264,805 $16,251,953 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $1,960,666 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 12 1 / 1 0 / 5 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 5-4 6-1 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 25-7 / 282-149 15-9 / 58-62 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 14-6 / 95-51 6-2 / 18-22 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 4-4 / 58-60 2-0 / 15-8 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 4-2 / 49-35 12-3 / 24-16 4-0 / 27-19 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 3-1 / 5-5 1-2 / 13-18 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-1 / 2-2 1-2 / 27-37 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-1 / 4-5 3-3 / 53-68 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 4-4 / 10-18 * Updated entering 2019 Rome SF

ROAD TO THE SEMIFINALS

[4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7) [Q] MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #39)

QF: d. VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #51) 6-7(5),6-2,6-2 (2h26) R2-Q: d. (GER #65) 6-2,7-5 (1h44) R16: d. SOFIA KENIN (USA #37) 4-6,6-4,6-3 (1h54) R1-Q: d. (RUS #82) 6-4,6-2 (1h38) R32: d. AJLA TOMLJANOVIC (CRO #47) 6-3,6-3 (1h11) QF: d. (FRA #63) 5-7,6-3,6-0 (2h01) R64: BYE R16: d. [2] PETRA KVITOVA (CZE #5) 7-5,5-7,4-0 Ret'd (2h15) R32: d. [14] (EST #16) 6-3,6-2 (1h12) R64: d. (RUS #36) 6-1,7-5 (1h31) Total games: 76 Total games: 91^ Won/lost: 46-30 Won/lost: 58-33^ Sets won/lost: 6-2 Sets won/lost: 8-2^ Total time on court: 5h31 Total time on court: 6h59^ Average time on court: 1h50 Average time on court: 1h45^ Average rank of opponent: 45 Average rank of opponent: 30^

^ Main draw matches only

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ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

KAROLINA PLISKOVA MARIA SAKKARI 2018 2018 R2 L - MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #42) 3-6 6-3 7-5 R16 L - (GER #12) 6-1 6-1

2017 2017 QF L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #11) 6-2 7-6(9) R1-Q L - (GER #60) 6-2 6-0

2016 R1 L - DARIA KASATKINA (RUS #33) 6-4 6-4

2015 R1 L - TIMEA BACSINSZKY (SUI #24) 6-4 6-0

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ROME ROME

• Making fifth appearance at Rome, where she is • Making second main draw appearance at Rome through to SF for the first time (third overall), where she is through to SF for the first • Best previous result was QF showing in 2017 (l. time eventual champion Svitolina) • Previous best showing here was R16 run last year • Had previously never been beyond 1r, falling at this (d. No.15 Bertens, No.5 Ka.Pliskova, l. Kerber) stage in 2015-16. Last year, after 1r bye, lost to • Was top seed in qualifying this year, beating Sakkari in 2r Zvonareva and Petkovic in straight sets • After 1r bye this week, eased past Tomljanovic in • Defeated Pavlyuchenkova in 1r then upset No.16 2r on Tuesday - career record in matches following Kontaveit in 2r and No.5 Kvitova in R16. Won QF byes improves to 33-7 meeting with fellow qualifier Mladenovic to improve • Recovered from 6-4 2-0 down to beat Kenin in R16 main draw record on clay this year to 12-3 - only • Gained revenge on Azarenka, who ended her Stutt- Bertens (12-2) owns as many wins on the surface in gart title defense in April, with 3s victory in QF - the 2019. Prior to start of this season, owned a career 500th win of her career (including qualifying, ITF total of 12 main draw wins on clay Circuit and Fed Cup) • Win via ret. (w/left calf injury) over No.5 Kvitova • Against Azarenka, fired 41 winners, including eleven this week was second of career against a player in aces, making 10 unforced errors in the last two sets the Top 5; the only other also came here in Rome • Now has registered 25 main draw wins in 2019, the against today’s opponent and then-No.5 Ka.Pliskova third-most on tour - Kvitova leads the way on 28-8 12 months ago • Faces No.39 Sakkari in SF today; has lost three • During victory over Pliskova 12 months ago - their times to players outside Top 30 this season, against only meeting on tour - was two points from defeat at No.31 Hsieh (Dubai), No.61 Azarenka (Stuttgart) and 5-4 before rallying to win 61-minute final set No.85 Kozlova (Madrid) • Is first qualifier to reach SF here since Gavrilova • Has struck 28 aces this week, taking season total to in 2015 (l. Sharapova); best result by a qualifier at 245 - the most on tour ahead of Bertens on 236 Rome was Cornet’s R-Up finish in 2008 • Last Czech woman to reach Rome final was Mand- • Owns 2-3 career record in SF matches (1-1 on clay) likova in 1982 (l. Evert) • The only Greek woman to contest the 2019 Rome • In three matches here, has won 77.7% of first serve main draw points - the most of any player left in the draw • Owns two career clay court titles at 2015 Prague and 2018 Stuttgart SEASON • Has played a tour-leading 20 three-set matches in 2019 (14-6 record) • Last week suffered 1r exit at Madrid (l. Suarez Na- varro) • Won maiden WTA title at Rabat, recovering from a SEASON set and break down to beat Konta in final • Fell 1r at Istanbul (l. Kudermetova) • Fell 2r at Madrid (l. Kozlova) • Reached first QF of the season at Charleston (l. • Withdrew from Prague w/viral illness Wozniacki); ended defending champion Bertens’s • Lost opening match as defending champion at Stutt- reign in R16 - her third career victory over a Top 10 gart (after 1r bye, l. Azarenka) player, having previously beaten No.6 Wozniacki at • Reached first Premier Mandatory final at Miami, 2017 Wuhan and No.5 Ka.Pliskova at 2018 Rome losing to Barty in straight sets in the final • Made 2r at Miami (l. Kvitova) • Fell in 3s to Bencic in QF at Indian Wells • Suffered 1r exits at St. Petersburg (l. Goerges), • Led 5-1 in the final set of her QF match vs. Hsieh at Acapulco (l. Puig) and last month at Indian Wells (l. Dubai before losing 6-4 1-6 7-5 McHale) • Withdrew from Doha w/viral illness • Part of the Greek Fed Cup Team who failed to gain • Was unable to prevent defending champions Czech promotion from Europe/Africa Zone Group I event in Republic from slipping to 3-2 defeat at the hands of February (posted 2-1 record in singles) Romania in Ostrava (d. Buzarnescu, l. Halep) • Had 3r run at Australian Open (l. Barty), having de- • Produced best Australian Open performance of feated No.22 seed Ostapenko in 1r career, reaching SF (l. eventual champion Osaka in • Fell 1r at Hobart (l. Linette) 3s); saved 4MP to defeat S.Williams in QF • Began 2019 campaign pairing with Tsitsipas at Hop- • Began season by winning 12th career title at Bris- man Cup - going 2-1 in singles (d. Bencic, d. Boulter, bane International (d. Tsurenko in F) – has now won l. S.Williams) at least one WTA title for seven consecutive seasons KAROLINA MARIA PLISKOVA VS SAKKARI

CAREER MILESTONES CAREER MILESTONES

• Won two titles in 2018 from three finals contested, • Registered third-consecutive Top 100 year-end finish triumphing at Stuttgart (d. Vandeweghe in F) and in 2018 ranked No.42, up from No.52 in 2017 - the Tokyo [PPO] (d. Osaka in F). Posted R-Up finish in highest year-end finish by a Greek player since Dani- Tianjin (l. Garcia in F) ilidou in 2006 (No.36) • At Grand Slam level last season, made QF run at • 2018 season highlights include reaching her first Australian Open (l. eventual R-Up Halep), reached 3r tour-level final at San Jose (l. Buzarnescu), scoring at Roland Garros (l. Sharapova), made R16 for first first career Top 5 win after defeat of No.5 Ka.Pliskova time at Wimbledon (l. Bertens) and had QF showing in Rome as well as SF at Istanbul (l. Hercog) and at US Open (d. No.17 Barty in R16, l. S.Williams) Seoul (l. Bertens) • Made the SF stage at Brisbane (as defending cham- • Posted career-high ranking of No.29 after Seoul run pion, l. eventual champion Svitolina), Madrid (l. even- (September 24, 2019) tual champion Kvitova) and WTA Finals (l. Stephens). • Has 10 career Top 20 wins, against No.6 Wozniacki Enjoyed QF runs at four other tournaments (2017 Wuhan), No.16 Vandeweghe (2018 Indian • Helped Czech Republic win sixth Fed Cup in past Wells), No.15 Bertens, No.5 Ka.Pliskova (both 2018 eight years in 2018 (played SF tie vs. Germany) Rome), No.14 V.Williams (2018 San Jose), No.19 • Claimed No.1 ranking on July 17, 2017 despite mak- N.Osaka (2018 Cincinnati), No.6 Bertens (2019 ing 2r exit at Wimbledon (l. Rybarikova). Was the first Charleston), No.18 Mertens (2019 Rabat), No.16 Czech woman to achieve the No.1 ranking since the Kontaveit (2019 Rome) and No.5 Kvitova (2019 computer rankings were introduced in 1975 (Martina Rome) Navratilova became No.1 on July 10, 1978 while • Broke into Top 50 for first time at No.49 on October representing USA) 9, 2017 • Won three titles in 2017, at Brisbane (d. Cornet in • Notched first Top 10 victory of career over No.6 F), Doha (d. Wozniacki in F) and Eastbourne (d. Wozniacki en route to first WTA SF of career at 2017 Wozniacki in F) – became just second qualifier to reach • In Grand Slam play, reached SF at Roland Garros (l. Premier-level SF in 2017 (Mertens at New Haven) eventual R-Up Halep), QF at both Australian Open (l. • Reached first career WTA QF at 2016 Istanbul after Lucic Baroni) and US Open (l. Vandeweghe) qualifying to enter main draw (l. Kovinic) – at the • Holds a 12-11 record in singles finals, having won time, achieved her then best win-by-ranking defeat- having titles on clay (2015 Prague, 2018 Stuttgart), ing No.34 Schmiedlova in 1r grass (2016 Nottingham, 2017 Eastbourne) and hard • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2012 Palermo (2013 Kuala Lumpur, 2014 Linz, 2014 Seoul, 2016 • Made debut on ITF Circuit in 2010; Owns seven ITF Cincinnati, 2017 Brisbane, 2017 Doha, 2018 Tokyo, Circuit singles titles and five in doubles 2019 Brisbane) • Captured fifth WTA doubles title of career at 2016 Birmingham (w/Strycova). Is now 5-2 in doubles GRAND SLAM HISTORY finals. At 2013 Linz, with sister Kristyna, became first set of twins to ever win a tour-level doubles title • 2019 Australian Open marked 13th Grand Slam main • Made Top 10 debut after 2015 Stanford R-Up finish draw appearance first time in WTA history, three Czech women inside • Has reached 3r at all four of the majors – at 2017 Top 10 at the same time (also Kvitova and Safarova) Australian Open (l. Lucic-Baroni), 2017 Wimbledon (l. Konta), 2017 US Open (l. V.Williams) and 2018 Roland Garros (l. Kasatkina) and now 2019 Austra- GRAND SLAM HISTORY lian Open • When she made 3r at , became • Advanced to career first Grand Slam final at 2016 first Greek woman to reach this stage at a Slam US Open (l. Kerber), simultaneously making debut in since Daniilidou at 2005 Wimbledon (l. Pennetta) R16, QF, SF and title match at the majors. Became • At 2016 Australian Open, reaching 2r, (d. Y.Wang, first Czech to reach US Open final since Helena l. Suárez Navarro) became the first woman from Sukova in 1993 (l. Graf in F) Greece to win a main draw match at a Slam since • At Australian Open, best result was SF run in 2019 Daniilidou d. Ka.Pliskova at (l. Osaka), while she posted deepest run at 2018 • At all Grand Slams, Daniilidou reached R16 at 2002 Roland Garros, advancing to SF (l. Halep) Wimbledon, 2003 Australian Open and 2004 US • Reached R16 at Wimbledon in 2018 (l. Bertens) Open • Made Grand Slam main draw debut at 2012 Roland Garros (l. Bartoli in 1r) KAROLINA MARIA PLISKOVA VS SAKKARI

PERSONAL PERSONAL

• Born in Louny, north of Prague, but now trains at • Born and grew up in Athens, Greece, before moving Sparta Praha tennis club to aged 18 – has trained there for two • Currently coached by Rennae Stubbs and Conchita years Martínez, and previously coached by Tomas Krupa • Mother, , was tennis player and David Kotyza too, however didn’t start because of her – just liked • Married Michal Hrdlicka after 2018 Wimbledon the sport. Tried karate and gymnastics but was thrown out of class for laughing too much • Favorite surface is hard court • Currently coached by and Tom Hill INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA MAY 13 – 19, 2019 WOMEN’S TENNIS ASSOCIATION MATCH NOTES

ROME, ITALY | MAY 13 - 19, 2019 | € 3,452,538 WTA PREMIER 5 EVENT

wtatennis.com | facebook.com/WTA | twitter.com/WTA | youtube.com/WTA Tournament Website: www.internazionalibnlditalia.com | @InteBNLdItalia | facebook.com/internazionalibnlditalia WTA Communications: Estelle LaPorte ([email protected]), Catherine Sneddon ([email protected]), Teyva Sammet ([email protected]), Ellie Emerson ([email protected]) INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA - QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS [1] NAOMI OSAKA (JPN #1) vs. [6] KIKI BERTENS (NED #4) Series tied 1-1 Osaka retired from their previous meeting at last year’s WTA Finals with a leg injury... Bertens bidding for ninth straight victory and 27th of the season... Osaka’s last Top-5 win was at 2018 Indian Wells

[Q] KRISTINA MLADENOVIC (FRA #63) vs. [Q] MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #39) First meeting Both players attempting to become first qualifier to reach SF here since 2015... Sakkari owns 11 wins on clay this season... Mladenovic has registered two Top 20 victories this week MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #44) vs. JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42) Vondrousova leads 1-0 Vondrousova prevailed in two tight sets when the players met at 2018 Indian Wells... Konta upset Americans Stephens and V.Williams on Thursday... Vondrousova has reached QF at five straight events [WC] VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #51) vs. [4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7) Azarenka leads 4-3 Azarenka shocked defending champion Pliskova at Stuttgart this year... Pliskova bidding for 500th win of career... Azarenka reached her half century in the previous round when Muguruza retired with thigh injury

A LOOK AT THE QUARTERFINALISTS

PLAYER ROME W/L YTD W/L CAREER W/L YTD PRIZE $ CAREER PRIZE $ YTD TITLES CAREER TITLES [1] Naomi Osaka 3-2 19-5 196-124 3,483,350 11,112,547 1 3

[4] Karolina Pliskova 4-4 24-7 499-297 1,869,222 16,251,953 1 12

[6] Kiki Bertens 7-4 26-9 397-234 1,926,021 8,448,145 2 9 [Q] Maria Sakkari 5-1 16-9 292-196 264,805 1,960,666 1 1

Johanna Konta 8-3 19-8 359-218 246,230 7,426,649 0 3

Marketa Vondrousova 3-0 22-5 150-52 556,992 1,521,347 0 1

Victoria Azarenka 19-9 16-10 500-190 313,498 29,592,487 0 20

[Q] Kristina Mladenovic 4-5 14-12 308-268 381,609 9,383,037 0 1 MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[1] NAOMI OSAKA (JPN #1) vs. [6] KIKI BERTENS (NED #4)

Head to Head: Series tied 1-1

2018 WTA FINALS HARD I R1 KIKI BERTENS 6-3 ret. (left leg injury) 47 mins 2016 ACAPULCO HARD O R1 NAOMI OSAKA 6-4 6-2 81 mins

NAOMI OSAKA KIKI BERTENS 1 WTA RANKING 4 2 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 4 16-10-1997 (21) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 10-12-1991 (27) $3,483,350 YTD PRIZE MONEY $1,926,021 $11,112,547 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $8,448,145 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 3 2 / 9 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 0 / 10 ROME W-L (MD) * 3-2 7-4 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 19-5 / 99-64 26-9 / 180-142 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 8-2 / 23-17 8-7 / 50-54 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 4-2 / 17-17 5-5 / 38-43 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 7-1 / 16-12 12-2 / 91-37 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 2-0 / 6-5 4-1 / 20-10 0-0 / 3-7 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 3-1 / 9-10 3-0 / 8-18 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 5-1 / 20-21 5-1 / 21-29 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 8-4 / 31-40 * Updated entering 2019 Rome QF

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

[1] NAOMI OSAKA (JPN #1) [6] KIKI BERTENS (NED #4)

R16: d. MIHAELA BUZARNESCU (ROU #29) 6-3,6-3 (1h13) R16: d. CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO (ESP #31) 6-4,1-6,6-3 (1h49) R32: d. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #33) 6-3,6-3 (1h42) R32: d. AMANDA ANISIMOVA (USA #54) 6-2,4-6,7-5 (2h05) R64: BYE R64: BYE

Total games: 36 Total games: 56 Won/lost: 24-12 Won/lost: 30-26 Sets won/lost: 4-0 Sets won/lost: 4-2 Total time on court: 2h55 Total time on court: 3h54 Average time on court: 1h28 Average time on court: 1h57 Average rank of opponent: 31 Average rank of opponent: 43

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

ROME Tournament History

NAOMI OSAKA KIKI BERTENS 2018 2018 R2 L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #1) 6-1 6-0 R1 L - MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #42) 6-2 4-6 6-3

2017 2017 R1 L - (GER #32) 6-2 6-4 SF L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #4) 7-5 6-1

2016 R1 L - TIMEA BABOS (HUN #48) 6-1 6-4

2013 R2 L - SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #17) 4-6 6-3 6-2

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from NAOMI KIKI OSAKA VS BERTENS

ROME ROME

• Making third main draw appearance at Rome, where • Making fifth appearance at Rome, where she made she is through to QF for first time SF two years ago (l. Halep) • Made 2r last year, d. Azarenka in 1r before falling to • Excluding 2017 run and this year’s results, only main Halep; fell 1r on debut in 2017 (l. Siegemund) draw win here came during 2r showing on debut in • Top seed in Rome for the first time; aside from S.Wil- 2013 (d. Schiavone, l. Stephens) liams, who won the title as top seed in 2013, 2014 • After 1r bye this year, came within two points of de- and 2016, the only top seed to triumph at the Foro feat before beating Anisimova on Thursday Italico in the was Safina in 2009 • Came back later in the day to beat Suarez Navarro • One of eight players in the Rome starting line-up who - now owns 12-2 record on clay in 2019, the best on have held the top ranking tour ahead of Martic (11-2) and Sakkari (11-3) • After 1r bye, on Thursday struck 21 aces across 2r • Last loss to a player ranked outside Top 50 came and 3r wins over Cibulkova and Buzarnescu - now against No.137 Gasparyan at 2018 Linz has 184 aces in 2019 (third most on tour behind • Meanwhile, record on all surfaces this season im- Bertens, 236, and Ka.Pliskova, 234) proves to 26-9; only Bencic (26-9) and Kvitova (28-8) • Faces No.4 Bertens today in third consecutive clay have passed the 25-win mark court QF; prior to this season had never reached this • Faces No.1 Osaka in QF today; owns 1-2 career stage on clay at a WTA event record against reigning World No.1s, beating Halep • Bidding for first Top 5 win since upsetting No.1 Halep at 2018 Cincinnati and losing to S.Williams at 2015 and No.5 Ka.Pliskova at 2018 Indian Wells US Open and 2016 Roland Garros • This week is enjoying her 16th week as World No.1 – • Has won a tour-leading 62.9% of points on serve this 20th spot on the all-time list season (Kvitova also on 62.9%) • Has secured the No.1 ranking and assured herself • Hit 20 aces in win over Bencic last month in Stuttgart, the top seed at Roland Garros (her first top seeding the most aces in a clay-court match in the Match at a Grand Slam) by advancing to the quarterfinals Stats Era (since 2008). Has hit the second-most aces here in Rome on tour this year (219 - behind Ka.Pliskova with 222) • Broke into Top 5 at No.4 for first time on Monday to become the highest-ranking Dutchwoman of all time SEASON • Went 15-5 on clay in 2018 highlighted by title run in Charleston (d. Goerges) and R-Up finish in Madrid (l. • Coming off QF run at Madrid – her best result at that Kvitova). Has posted a WTA-leading 70-18 record on event to date (l. Bencic, having led 5-3 in third set). clay since the start of 2016 Had previously never won a main draw match at Madrid • At 2h 35m, 2r win over Sorribes Tormo at Madrid was SEASON the longest match of her career – previous longest was 2h 33m win over S.Zhang at 2018 Beijing • Coming off winning ninth career title at Madrid, de- • Made SF showing at Stuttgart (withdrew prior to feating four Grand Slam champions en route (Osta- match against Kontaveit w/abdominal injury) – had penko, Kvitova, Stephens and Halep in F). Also first never previously reached a QF at a WTA-level clay woman to win Madrid title without dropping a set court tournament • Posted SF run at Stuttgart (l. eventual champion Kvi- • Made 3r exit at Miami – falling to Hsieh in three sets tova); d. No.5 Kerber in QF for first Top 5 win of 2019 • Posted a R16 finish at Indian Wells (l. Bencic) as a • Fell in R16 (Sakkari) during Charleston title defense defending champion for the first time in her career • Posted R16 showings at Indian Wells (l. Muguruza) • Made 2r exit at Dubai (l. Mladenovic) in what was and Miami (l. eventual champion Barty) her first match since defeating Kvitova in Australian • In Middle East, reached QF at Doha (l. eventual Open final; withdrew from Doha w/back injury champion Mertens) and fell 2r at Dubai (after 1r bye, • Won second Grand Slam title at Australian Open (d. l. Kuzmova - held 1mp in third set tie-break) Kvitova in F); became first Japanese player to attain- • Won eighth career title - and third at Premier level the World No.1 ranking following the tournament; has - at St. Petersburg (d. Vekic in F) held ranking since then • Made 2r exit at Australian Open (l. Pavlyuchenkova) • Is the first woman to win her second major straight • Enjoyed SF finish in Sydney (l. eventual R-Up Barty). after winning her first since Capriati did so in 2001 Marked first SF on Australian soil; best previous (Australian Open followed by Roland Garros) results were QF runs at 2016-17 Hobart • Opened 2019 season with SF run at Brisbane (l. • Fell in the 2r of Brisbane to start the year (l. Vekic, eventual R-Up Tsurenko). Withdrew from Sydney having held 2mp at 5-4 in final set) citing a change in schedule NAOMI KIKI OSAKA VS BERTENS

CAREER MILESTONES CAREER MILESTONES

• Posted a 40-20 record in 2018, resulting in best year • Enjoyed a break-out year in 2018, reaching a ca- end finish of career at No.5, up from No.68 in 2017 reer-best four singles finals across the season and • Won the first two titles of her career last season, at breaking into the Top 10 (October 8, 2018) – first WTA Premier Mandatory level Indian Wells (d. Kasat- Dutch woman to be ranked in the Top 10 since Bren- kina in F) and debut Grand Slam crown at US Open da Schultz-McCarthy in 1996 (d. S.Williams in F) • Won the WTA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2018 • Reached one further final, at Tokyo [PPO] (l. Ka.Plis- • Lifted three titles in 2018, at Charleston (d. Goerges kova). Record in finals stands at 2-2, having also in F), Cincinnati (d. World No.1 Halep in F) and Seoul finished as R-Up at 2016 Toyko [PPO] (l. Wozniacki) (d. Tomljanovic in F). Reached one further final, at • From her efforts in New York last September, passed Premier Mandatory Madrid (l. Kvitova in F) USD $5 million in prize money for the season – No.2 • Scored WTA-leading 12 Top 10 wins last season. Pri- (behind Halep) on the 2018 list of top earners or to 2018, only had three Top 10 wins in her career • En route to the Indian Wells title, defeated five-time • Also reached SF on WTA Finals debut (l. Svitolina) major champion Sharapova, and A.Radwanska, • Season highlights in 2017 were titles at Nürnberg Ka.Pliskova and Halep. Only set dropped all fortnight and Gstaad. Also` posted SF run at 2017 Rome (l. was against Sakkari in R16 eventual R-Up Halep) and reached QF at Madrid (l. • After win over Halep at 2018 Indian Wells, owns Sevastova) - first QF at Premier Mandatory level a 1-3 record against reigning No.1s (also lost to • Career-high doubles ranking is No.16 (first reached Ka.Pliskova at 2017 Toronto and Halep at 2018 Aus- on April 16, 2018) tralian Open and 2018 Rome) • Finished 2016 ranked No.22 in singles – big jump • Owns eight Top 10 wins, also over No.6 Kerber from her season-ending ranking of No.101 in 2015 (2017 US Open), No.5 V.Williams (2017 Hong Kong), • Played on Netherlands Olympic team at 2016 Rio No.5 Ka.Pliskova and No.1 Halep (2018 Indian Olympics – fell in 1r (l. Errani) Wells), No.10 Goerges (2018 Beijing), and No.6 Kvi- • Made a clean sweep of titles at 2016 Nürnberg, tova, No.7 Svitolina and No.8 Ka.Pliskova (all 2019 claiming the singles and doubles Australian Open) • Won maiden career singles title at 2012 Fès as a • Other Grand Slam results in 2018 were R16 at Aus- qualifier in just her second main draw appearance tralian Open (l. eventual R-Up Halep), 3r at Roland • Owner of 10 WTA doubles titles, most recently at Garros (l. Keys) and 3r at Wimbledon (l. eventual 2018 Brisbane (w/Schuurs) champion Kerber). Elsewhere, had SF runs at Not- • Made WTA main draw debut as a wildcard at 2011 tingham (l. champion Barty) and Beijing (l. Sevasto- ‘s-Hertogenbosch (l. 1r) va), and fell in group stage on WTA Finals debut • Played first event of career on ITF Circuit in the Neth- • Produced second Top 100 season in 2017, finishing erlands in 2006; has won seven singles titles and 11 at No.68 as the Japanese No.1 doubles titles at this level • Book-ended the season with QF showings at Auck- • Netherlands Fed Cup Team, 2011-2012, 2014-2017 land and Hong Kong; other highlights included 3r runs at Wimbledon and US Open • Scored first Top 5 win when she upset No.5 V.Wil- GRAND SLAM HISTORY liams at 2017 Hong Kong. Upset win over defending • Best result across the Slams came with SF run at champion and No.6-ranked Kerber at 2017 US Open 2016 Roland Garros (l. eventual R-Up S.Williams) marked first career Top 10 win • With that result in Paris, became the first Dutch • Voted 2016 WTA Newcomer of the Year woman to reach SF at Roland Garros since Marijke • Highlight of 2016 was career-first WTA final at Tokyo Schaar in 1971 (l. SF), and at any Slam since Betty [PPO] (l. Wozniacki). Also reached three QFs, at Stove at 1977 US Open (l. SF) Acapulco, Florianopolis and Tianjin, and 3r at 2016 • Enjoyed her best result at Wimbledon in 2018 by Australian Open, Roland Garros and US Open reaching her second career Grand Slam QF (l. • Won 2015 WTA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore Goerges). Became first Dutch woman to reach QF at (d. Garcia in F, saving match points) Wimbledon since Krajicek in 2007 • Ranked No.406, made WTA main draw debut at • In 2018 reached 3r for first time at both Australian 2014 Stanford. As an alternate, won through qualify- Open (l. eventual champion Wozniacki) and US ing (achieving first WTA qualifying wins), and came Open (l. Vondrousova) from match point down to shock No.19 Stosur in 1r of • Is a two-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist in doubles, main draw, before losing to No.18 Petkovic in 2r at 2015 Australian Open (w/Larsson, l. Goerges/ • Made WTA qualifying debut at Québec City in 2013 Groenefeld) and 2016 Roland Garros (w/Larsson, l. (l. Dabrowski) eventual champions Garcia/Mladenovic) NAOMI KIKI OSAKA VS BERTENS

GRAND SLAM HISTORY PERSONAL

• Two-time major winner, at 2018 US Open and 2019 • Coached by former ATP player Raemon Sluiter; Australian Open. Has made only 12 Grand Slam brought former WTA player Elise Tamaela into coach- main draw appearances, owning 32-10 record ing team during off-season • Defeated six-time champion S.Williams to win 2018 • In November 2018, announced engagement to US Open. Triumph made her first Japanese wom- boyfriend Remko de Rijke, who has been involved as an to reach Slam final and the youngest US Open part of her team as a physio and fitness coach champion since Sharapova in 2006 won 2019 Aus- • Parents are Rob and Doré; sisters are Joyce and tralian Open on only her third appearance. Daisy • Became the 10th woman to win US Open and Aus- • Started playing at age 6. Tennis idol growing up was tralian Open back-to-back Kim Clijsters • In reaching R16 at , became youngest Japanese player to reach R16 at a Grand Slam since Sugiyama at 1995 Roland Garros (19yrs, 342 days) and the youngest player from Japan to reach the fourth round at Australian Open since Date in 1990 (19 yrs, 122 days) • Has also made 3r at the other two majors: 2016 Roland Garros (l. Halep) and 2018 Roland Garros (l. Keys), 2017 Wimbledon (l. V.Williams) and 2018 Wimbledon (l. Kerber) PERSONAL

• Recently hired Jermaine Jenkins, former hitting partner of Venus Williams, as her new head coach having parted company with Aleksandar (Sascha) Bajin, former hitting partner of Serena Williams • Formerly coached by David Taylor, long-time coach of Sam Stosur • Also in her team are Stuart Duguid (agent), Abdul Sillah (fitness trainer) and Kristy Stahr (physio) • Was born in Osaka, Japan, and moved to USA when she was three years old; holds dual citizenship. • Lives in Fort Lauderdale and trains in Boca Raton • Sponsorship deals include Nike, Citizen, broadcaster WOWOW, Nissin (food brand), Nissan (automobiles) and ANA Airlines • Her father, Leonard Max Francois, was born in Haiti and attended college in NYC before moving to Japan where he lived for 13 years • Her mother, Tamaki, is Japanese. Older sister Mari is also on tour MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[Q] KRISTINA MLADENOVIC (FRA #63) vs. [Q] MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #39)

Head to Head: First meeting

KRISTINA MLADENOVIC MARIA SAKKARI 63 WTA RANKING 39 60 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 35 14-05-1993 (26) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 25-07-1995 (23) $381,609 YTD PRIZE MONEY $264,805 $9,383,037 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $1,960,666 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 1 1 / 1 1 / 20 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 4-5 5-1 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 11-10 / 179-184 14-9 / 57-62 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 2-2 / 56-56 5-2 / 17-22 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 1-5 / 45-51 2-0 / 15-8 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 6-3 / 49-43 11-3 / 23-16 1-1 / 10-15 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 3-1 / 5-5 1-3 / 7-11 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-1 / 2-2 2-3 / 14-23 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-1 / 4-5 3-4 / 30-52 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 4-4 / 10-18 * Updated entering 2019 Rome QF

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

[Q] KRISTINA MLADENOVIC (FRA #63) [Q] MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #39)

R2-Q: d. AMANDA ANISIMOVA (USA #53) 6-1,6-4 (1h15) R2-Q: d. ANDREA PETKOVIC (GER #65) 6-2,7-5 (1h44) R1-Q: d. FIONA FERRO (FRA #91) 7-6(4),6-2 (1h48) R1-Q: d. VERA ZVONAREVA (RUS #82) 6-4,6-2 (1h38) R16: d. [8] ASHLEIGH BARTY (AUS #9) 6-2,6-3 (1h15) R16: d. [2] PETRA KVITOVA (CZE #5) 7-5,5-7,4-0 Ret'd (2h15) R32: d. BELINDA BENCIC (SUI #15) 6-2,2-6,6-1 (1h57) R32: d. [14] ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #16) 6-3,6-2 (1h12) R64: d. (FRA #22) 6-1,6-2 (1h05) R64: d. ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA (RUS #36) 6-1,7-5 (1h31) Total games: 55^ Total games: 64^ Won/lost: 38-17^ Won/lost: 41-23^ Sets won/lost: 6-1^ Sets won/lost: 6-1^ Total time on court: 4h17^ Total time on court: 4h58^ Average time on court: 1h26^ Average time on court: 1h39^ Average rank of opponent: 15^ Average rank of opponent: 19^

^ Main draw matches only

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ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

KRISTINA MLADENOVIC MARIA SAKKARI 2018 2018 R1 L - (LAT #20) 6-3 3-0 R16 L - ANGELIQUE KERBER (GER #12) 6-1 6-1

2017 2017 R1 L - JULIA GOERGES (GER #45) 7-6(6) 7-5 R1-Q L - MONA BARTHEL (GER #60) 6-2 6-0

2016 R1 L - JELENA OSTAPENKO (LAT #39) 6-3 6-1

2015 R2 L - (RUS #8) 4-6 6-3 6-1

2014 R2-Q L - (PUR #60) 6-4 6-3

2013 R1 L - DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #16) 1-6 6-2 6-2

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ROME ROME

• Making sixth main draw appearance at Rome (sev- • Making second main draw appearance at Rome enth overall), where she is through to QF for the first (third overall), where she is through to QF for the first time time • Prior to this year, only main draw win here came • Previous best showing here was R16 run last year during 2015’s 2r showing (as qualifier, d. Puig, l. No.8 (d. No.15 Bertens, No.5 Ka.Pliskova, l. Kerber) Makarova) • Was top seed in qualifying this year, beating • Rome doubles champion in 2015 (w/Babos, d. Zvonareva and Petkovic in straight sets Hingis/Mirza in F) • Defeated Pavlyuchenkova in 1r then upset No.16 • Won her way through qualifying here at Rome this Kontaveit in 2r and No.5 Kvitova in R16 to improve year with wins over Ferro and No.2 seed Anisimo- main draw record on clay this year to 11-3 - only va - third time contested qualifying this season (also Martic (11-2) and Bertens (12-2) own as many wins Sydney where she fell to Birrell at first hurdle and last on the surface in 2019. Prior to start of this season, week in Madrid where she qualified before falling 2r) owned a total of 12 career main draw wins on clay • In 1r won six of eight return games to ease past com- • Win via ret. (w/left calf injury) over No.5 Kvitova this patriot Garcia; career record against fellow French- week was second of career against a player in the women now stands at 19-10 Top 5; the only other also came in Rome against • Upset No.15 Bencic in 2r and No.9 Barty in R16 to No.5 Ka.Pliskova 12 months ago record third and fourth Top 20 wins of the season • Faces fellow qualifier Mladenovic in QF today; best (also No.1 Osaka at Dubai) result by a qualifier at Rome was Cornet’s R-Up • Is the first player ranked outside Top 10 to beat Barty finish in 2008 this season • Owns 5-3 career record in QF matches (2-2 on clay) • Faces fellow qualifier Sakkari in QF today; winner will • The only Greek woman to contest the 2019 Rome be first qualifier to reach SF here since Gavrilova in main draw 2015 (l. Sharapova) • Owns 16-18 career record in QF matches (5-3 on clay) SEASON • Currently the French No.3 behind Garcia and Cornet • Best career results on clay are R-Up finishes at • Last week suffered 1r exit at Madrid (l. Suarez Na- Strasbourg in 2015 and Stuttgart and Madrid in 2017 varro) • Won maiden WTA title at Rabat, recovering from a set and break down to beat Konta in final SEASON • Fell 1r at Istanbul (l. Kudermetova) • Reached first QF of the season at Charleston (l. • Coming off 2r showing at Madrid (as qualifier, l. Wozniacki); ended defending champion Bertens’s Kvitova) reign in R16 - her third career victory over a Top 10 • Reached QF at Monterrey (l. Muguruza) and Istanbul player, having previously beaten No.6 Wozniacki at (l. eventual champion Martic in longest match of year 2017 Wuhan and No.5 Ka.Pliskova at 2018 Rome to date – 3h 18m) • Made 2r at Miami (l. Kvitova) • Won 20th career doubles title at Istanbul (w/Babos) • Suffered 1r exits at St. Petersburg (l. Goerges), • Member of French Fed Cup team that defeated Acapulco (l. Puig) and last month at Indian Wells (l. Romania to advance to competition final against McHale) Australia in November (l. Halep in sole singles rubber • Part of the Greek Fed Cup Team who failed to gain contested; combined w/Garcia to defeat Halep/ promotion from Europe/Africa Zone Group I event in Niculescu in decisive doubles rubber) February (posted 2-1 record in singles) • Fell 2r at Indian Wells (l. Osaka) and 1r at Miami (l. • Had 3r run at Australian Open (l. Barty), having de- Y.Wang) feated No.22 seed Ostapenko in 1r • Made 2r exit at Indian Wells 125K series event (l. • Fell 1r at Hobart (l. Linette) Bacsinszky) after 1r bye • Began 2019 campaign pairing with Tsitsipas at Hop- • In Middle Eastern contested Dubai, and posted her man Cup - going 2-1 in singles (d. Bencic, d. Boulter, first win over a reigning World No.1, defeating Osaka l. S.Williams) in 2r en route to R16 (l. Suarez Navarro) • Had previously lost both matches against reigning No.1s, vs. S.Williams at 2016 Roland Garros and Kerber at 2016 Wuhan

KRISTINA MARIA MLADENOVIC VS SAKKARI

SEASON CONT. CAREER MILESTONES

• Is first French woman to defeat the World No.1 • Registered third-consecutive Top 100 year-end finish player since Cornet d. S.Williams at 2014 Wuhan (via in 2018 ranked No.42, up from No.52 in 2017 - the ret.) highest year-end finish by a Greek player since Dani- • Began 2019 with 1r exits in Brisbane (l. Aiava), Syd- ilidou in 2006 (No.36) ney qualifying (l. Birrell), Australian Open (l. Vekic) • 2018 season highlights include reaching her first and St Petersburg (l. Ostapenko) tour-level final at San Jose (l. Buzarnescu), scoring • Sydney marked first time in qualifying since 2015 first career Top 5 win after defeat of No.5 Ka.Pliskova Rome (d. Falconi and Puig to reach main draw). Was in Rome as well as SF at Istanbul (l. Hercog) and first qualifying loss since 2015 Madrid (l. Doi) Seoul (l. Bertens) • As defending champion in doubles at Australian • Posted career-high ranking of No.29 after Seoul run Open (w/Babos), reached final again in 2019, howev- (September 24, 2019) er lost out to Stosur/Zhang • Has eight career Top 20 wins, against No.6 Wozniac- ki (2017 Wuhan), No.16 Vandeweghe (2018 Indian Wells), No.15 Bertens, No.5 Ka.Pliskova (both 2018 Rome), No.14 V.Williams (2018 San Jose), No.19 CAREER MILESTONES N.Osaka (2018 Cincinnati), No.6 Bertens (2019 Charleston) and No.18 Mertens (2019 Rabat) • Season highlights in 2018 were R-Up finish as St • Broke into Top 50 for first time at No.49 on October Petersburg (as defending champion, l. Kvitova in F) 9, 2017 and matching her best career result at Wimbledon by • Notched first Top 10 victory of career over No.6 reaching 3r (l. eventual R-Up S. Williams) Wozniacki en route to first WTA SF of career at 2017 • In doubles in 2018, won second career Grand Slam Wuhan Open – became just second qualifier to reach doubles title at Australian Open (w/Babos) – defeated Premier-level SF in 2017 (Mertens at New Haven) Makarova/Vesnina in F. Also finished doubles R-Up • Reached first career WTA QF at 2016 Istanbul after at Flushing Meadows York (w/Babos, l. Barty/Vande- qualifying to enter main draw (l. Kovinic) – at the weghe) and ended campaign by lifting WTA Finals time, achieved her then best win-by-ranking defeat- crown w/Babos (d. Krejcikova/Siniakova in F) ing No.34 Schmiedlova in 1r • Owns six Top 5 career wins, over No.2 Li (2014 • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2012 Palermo Roland Garros), No.3 Halep (2015 Birmingham), • Made debut on ITF Circuit in 2010; Owns seven ITF No.3 Ka.Pliskova (2017 Dubai), No.4 Halep (2017 Circuit singles titles and five in doubles Indian Wells), No.2 Kerber (2017 Stuttgart) and No.5 Muguruza (2017 Roland Garros) • Enjoyed best season of career in 2017, making Top 10 debut and lifting first career singles title at GRAND SLAM HISTORY Premier-level 2017 St Petersburg (d. Putintseva in F). Passed $5 million career prize money mark by • 2019 Australian Open marked 13th Grand Slam main winning title draw appearance • Finished season at No.11 for highest year-end • Has reached 3r at all four of the majors – at 2017 ranking and first inside Top 20. Broke into Top 10 on Australian Open (l. Lucic-Baroni), 2017 Wimbledon October 23, 2017 (l. Konta), 2017 US Open (l. V.Williams) and 2018 • Reached biggest final of career at Premier Manda- Roland Garros (l. Kasatkina) and now 2019 Austra- tory-level Madrid in 2017 (l. Halep) and was R-Up at lian Open Acapulco (l. Tsurenko) and Stuttgart (l. Siegemund) • When she made 3r at 2017 Australian Open, became • Advanced to SF at Indian Wells (l. eventual cham- first Greek woman to reach this stage at a Slam pion Vesnina), en route defeating two seeds, No.4 since Daniilidou at 2005 Wimbledon (l. Pennetta) Halep and No.13 Wozniacki. Result saw her break • At 2016 Australian Open, reaching 2r, (d. Y.Wang, into Top 20 in WTA Rankings for first time in career, l. Suárez Navarro) became the first woman from and overtake Garcia to become French No.1 Greece to win a main draw match at a Slam since • Qualified as first alternate for 2017 WTA Finals but Daniilidou d. Ka.Pliskova at 2013 Australian Open not called on to play • At all Grand Slams, Daniilidou reached R16 at 2002 • Reached two singles finals in 2016, at ‘s-Hertogen- Wimbledon, 2003 Australian Open and 2004 US bosch (l. Vandeweghe) and Hong Kong (l. Wozni- Open acki), having been runner-up at 2015 Strasbourg (l. Stosur) • Won four doubles titles in 2016 w/Garcia: Charleston, Stuttgart, Madrid and Roland Garros KRISTINA MARIA MLADENOVIC VS SAKKARI

CAREER CONT. PERSONAL

• Member of French Fed Cup side that advanced to • Born and grew up in Athens, Greece, before moving 2016 competition final against Czech Republic – lost to Barcelona aged 18 – has trained there for two epic singles rubber to Ka.Pliskova, 63 46 16-14 in 3 years hours 48 minutes – 30-game final set being lon- • Mother, Angeliki Kanellopoulou, was tennis player gest-ever in a Fed Cup final – as well as decisive too, however didn’t start because of her – just liked doubles rubber (w/Garcia, l. Pliskova/Strycova) the sport. Tried karate and gymnastics but was • Broke into Top 100 on September 17, 2012 and Top thrown out of class for laughing too much 50 on March 18, 2013 • Favorite surface is hard court • Played first WTA qualifying event as wildcard at 2008 • Currently coached by Mark Petchey and Tom Hill Paris [Indoors]

GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• Best Slam results are QF runs at 2015 US Open (l. Vinci) and 2017 Roland Garros (l. Bacsinszky) • Also reached 3r at 2016 Australian Open (l. Gavrilo- va), 2015 Wimbledon (l. Azarenka) and 2018 Wim- bledon (l. eventual R-Up S. Williams) • In doubles, won first Grand Slam title at 2016 Roland Garros (w/compatriot Garcia, d. Makarova/Vesnina in F) – were first French pair to win the doubles title at Roland Garros since Gail Chanfreau and Francoise Durr in 1971 • Won second Grand Slam doubles title at 2018 Aus- tralian Open (w/Babos, d. Makarova/Vesnina in F) • Finished R-Up at 2014 Wimbledon (w/Babos), 2016 US Open (w/Garcia), 2018 US Open (w/Babos) and 2019 Australian Open (w/Babos) • Won mixed doubles at 2013 Wimbledon and , and finished R-Up at 2013 Roland • Garros and 2015 Australian Open (all w/Nestor)

PERSONAL

• Mother is Dzenita (was a pro volleyball player); father is Dragan (was a pro handball player); brother is Luka (soccer player) • Started playing tennis aged 8 when introduced to sport by parents • Speaks French, English, Serbian, Italian and Spanish • Announced new coach in April 2019 MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #44) vs. JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42)

Head to Head: MARKETA VONDROUSOVA leads 1-0

2018 INDIAN WELLS HARD O R2 MARKETA VONDROUSOVA 7-6(5) 6-4 136 mins

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA JOHANNA KONTA 44 WTA RANKING 42 19 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 38 28-06-1999 (19) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 17-05-1991 (28) $556,992 YTD PRIZE MONEY $246,230 $1,521,347 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $7,426,649 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 1 0 / 3 0 / 0 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 3-0 8-3 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 22-5 / 46-29 18-7 / 146-93 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 7-3 / 10-15 8-2 / 36-41 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 5-0 / 15-10 6-5 / 34-26 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 9-1 / 18-9 8-2 / 15-17 0-0 / 1-0 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 0-0 / 11-12 2-0 / 2-2 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 5-10 2-2 / 2-7 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-2 / 16-20 4-2 / 8-9 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-4 / 32-34 * Updated entering 2019 Rome QF

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #44) JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42)

R16: d. DARIA KASATKINA (RUS #21) 7-5,2-6,6-2 (2h13) R16: d. VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #50) 6-2,6-4 (1h12) R32: d. [3] SIMONA HALEP (ROU #2) 2-6,7-5,6-3 (2h12) R32: d. [7] SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #8) 6-7(3),6-4,6-1 (2h30) R64: d. BARBORA STRYCOVA (CZE #40) 1-6,6-4,7-6(4) (2h33) R64: d. ALISON RISKE (USA #51) 6-4,6-1 (1h28)

Total games: 87 Total games: 65 Won/lost: 44-43 Won/lost: 42-23 Sets won/lost: 6-3 Sets won/lost: 6-1 Total time on court: 6h58 Total time on court: 5h10 Average time on court: 2h19 Average time on court: 1h43 Average rank of opponent: 21 Average rank of opponent: 36

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ROME Tournament History

JOHANNA KONTA 2018 R16 L - JELENA OSTAPENKO (LAT #6) 2-6 6-3 6-4

2017 R16 L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #12) 6-1 3-6 6-1

2016 R16 L - MISAKI DOI (JPN #45) 4-6 7-5 6-2

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ROME ROME

• Making debut appearance at Rome • Making fourth appearance at Rome, where she is • In 1r, defeated compatriot Strycova for the third time through to QF for the first time this year (also Miami and Istanbul), recovering from • Previous best results were R16 showings in 2016 (l. 5-2 down in the final set Doi), 2017 (l. V.Williams) and 2018 (l. Ostapenko) • Upset No.2 Halep in 2r for the second time this sea- • On Monday, beat Riske in 1r for the second tourna- son, having previously beaten the Romanian at 2019 ment in succession (also won 6-4 6-1 at Madrid) Indian Wells; now owns 2-7 career record against • In 2r on Thursday, upset No.8 Stephens for second Top 10 opponents career Top 10 win on clay (also No.7 Vinci in 2r at • Broke serve seven times to see off Kasatkina in R16 2016 Rome) and improve record to 21-4 since end of Australian • Returned later in the day to beat former champion Open; by contrast, posted 14 main draw wins during V.Williams in R16 entire 2018 season • Has now won eight matches on clay this year; in • Faces Konta in QF - her fifth consecutive QF this contrast won a total of seven in 2016, 2017 and 2018 season, having previously made that stage at Bu- seasons combined dapest (R-Up), Indian Wells (QF), Miami (QF) and • Faces Vondrousova today in QF; owns 10-17 record Istanbul (R-Up) against Czech players (at all levels) • One of five teenagers in WTA Top 100 and only one • Has never won a main draw match at Roland Garros to make it past 2r here in Rome (0-4) • Leads the WTA for percentage of return games won (46.9%), ahead of Y.Wang (45.7%), Mladenovic SEASON (45.3%) and Azarenka (44.8%) • Coming off 2r exit at Madrid (l. Halep) • Posted R-Up finish at Rabat (l. Sakkari, after leading SEASON by a set and a break) – marked first final in 10 months (2018 Nottingham) and first ever final on red • Was R-Up at Istanbul (l. Martic); now owns 1-2 ca- clay (had never previously passed QF stage on the reer record in singles finals surface at tour level) • Won both Fed Cup singles rubbers (d. Marino and • Until Rabat, where she won four matches, had never Fernandez) as Czech Republic maintained their won more than two consecutive main draw matches World Group status without dropping a set in a 4-0 on red clay and had not won three matches in a row win over Canada on the surface since qualifying for Roland Garros in • Reached QF at both Indian Wells (l. Svitolina) and 2015. Not since winning her first ITF Circuit title in Miami (l. Ka.Pliskova). Scored first Top 10 win over Mostar in 2008 had she won four consecutive match- No.2 Halep during Indian Wells es on red clay (all levels) • Reached second WTA final at Budapest, losing to • Saved three match points in 1r at Rabat against Van Uytvanck in 3s in the final Wang Yafan • Fell in 2r at Australian Open (l. Martic). Reached • In Fed Cup action in London in April, posted three- SF in doubles with Strycova (l. eventual champions set wins over Diyas and Putintseva to help Britain Stosur/S.Zhang) secure a place in the competition’s World Group II in 2020 (Great Britain d. Kazakhstan, 3-1) • During Sunshine Double, reached 3r at Indian Wells CAREER MILESTONES (l. Bertens) and 2r at Miami (l. Q.Wang) • Reached first QF of year at Acapulco (l. Vekic) • 2018 highlights included reaching SF at Gstaad (l. • On February, won all four of her Fed Cup matches to Minella), and R16 at Indian Wells (l. Martic) and US help Great Britain progress from Europe/Africa Zone Open (l. Tsurenko in 3s) Group I to World Group II play-offs • Notched Top 20 victories over No.11 Konta (2018 • Lost to Muguruza in 2r at Australian Open in a three- Indian Wells), No.11 Goerges (2018 Stuttgart) and set match which lasted two hours 42 minutes and No.13 Bertens (2018 US Open) finished at 03:12am – one of the latest finishes in the • Posted first Top 100 season in 2017, finishing at tournament’s history No.67, having finished 2016 at No.376 – biggest • Retired in final round of qualifying at Sydney vs. Alex- ranking mover into the Top 100 (309 places) androva w/neck injury. Entered draw as Lucky Loser, however withdrew prior to 1r match vs. Bertens w/ same injury. Was first time contesting qualifying since 2015 Linz MARKETA JOHANNA VONDROUSOVA VS KONTA

CAREER CONT. SEASON CONT.

• Made WTA breakthrough by winning Internation- • Opened 2019 season at Brisbane, making 2r (d. al-level title at Biel/Bienne (as qualifier, d. Kontaveit No.6 Stephens, l. Tomljanovic). Defeat of Stephens in F). At No.233, was the lowest-ranked title winner in was 15th career victory over a Top 10 opponent and 2017 and aged 17 years, 293 days was the youngest first since No.2 Halep at 2017 Wimbledon since Konjuh (17 years, 169 days) at 2015 Notting- ham CAREER MILESTONES • Also won four singles titles at ITF level in 2017 – in- cluding at $80k ITF/Prague-CZE (d. Muchova in F) • Finished 2018 at No.37, with season highlights a • In April 2017, made Fed Cup debut during Czech second consecutive R-Up finish at Nottingham (l. Republic’s 3-2 defeat to USA in Florida. Lost opening Barty) – overall record in WTA finals now stands at singles rubber to Vandeweghe before levelling the 3-4 – and SF showing at Moscow [Kremlin Cup] (l. tie with victory over Davis (USA won the deciding eventual champion Kasatkina) doubles to end Czech Republic’s three-year reign as • Also in 2018, reached QF at Brisbane and San Jose, Fed Cup champions) while best results at the Slams were 2r showings at • Missed second half of 2016 to recover from elbow Australian Open and Wimbledon injury • Posted five Top 20 wins in 2018, over No.19 Keys • Advanced to 2r on tour-level debut at 2016 Prague – (Brisbane), No.19 Rybarikova (Madrid and Rome), as wildcard, l. eventual champion Stosur No.11 Ostapenko (Montréal) and No.16 Mertens • On ITF Circuit, winner of seven singles and four (Moscow [Kremlin Cup]) doubles titles • Enjoyed best season of career in 2017, posting • Made professional debut at 2014 $100k ITF/Prague- career-high season finish of No.9 (second Top 10 CZE (d. Suk, l. Brengle in 2r) season in a row). Peaked in rankings at No.4 on July 17, 2017 • Began 2017 season in great form by lifting title at GRAND SLAM HISTORY Sydney (d. A.Radwanska in F), before landing big- gest title of career at Premier-Mandatory Miami (d. • 2019 Australian Open marked eighth Grand Slam Wozniacki in F) main draw appearance • At 2017 Wimbledon became first British player since • Achieved her best result at the majors by reaching Virginia Wade in 1978 to reach Wimbledon SF (l. R16 at 2018 US Open (l. Tsurenko). Was youngest eventual R-Up V.Williams) Czech player to reach R16 at Flushing Meadows • Reached third final of 2017 season at Nottingham since 2005 (Nicole Vaidisova, R16 at 16yrs, 140 (l. Vekic). Also in 2017, reached SF for second year days) in a row at home event of Eastbourne – conceded • Made Grand Slam debut at 2017 Roland Garros, walkover to eventual champion Ka.Pliskova, hav- where she advanced to 2r. Has also reached 2r at ing sustained a thoracic spine injury during her QF 2018 and 2019 Australian Opens defeat of World No.1 Kerber (fell heavily on match • Fell 1r on debut at Wimbledon and US Open in 2017 point, but won match after treatment). Match against • Reached doubles QF at 2017 Wimbledon (w/Bellis, l. Kerber was second of day, after she defeated Roland eventual finalists H.Chan/Niculescu) Garros champion Ostapenko in R16 • In juniors won doubles at Australian Open and • With win over Kerber, became first British woman to Roland Garros in 2015 (both w/Kolodziejova). In defeat a reigning World No.1 since Barker d. Evert at singles, was semifinalist at both Roland Garros and 1979 Boston Wimbledon • Was in contention for WTA Finals qualification in 2017, however withdrawal from Moscow opened spot for Garcia PERSONAL • Owns five Top 5 wins, over No.2 Halep at 2015 Wu- han, No.3 A.Radwanska at 2017 Sydney, No.5 Halep • Coached by former ATP Pro Jan Hernych. Fitness at 2017 Miami, No.1 Kerber at 2017 Eastbourne and trainer is Michal Vagner No.2 Halep at 2017 Wimbledon • Born in Skolov but moved to Prague alone at age 15 • Posted first Top 10 season in 2016, at No.10 to train full-time • Ended 2016 season at WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai in • Chose tennis over soccer as she prefers the individu- November (went 2-0 in round-robin play), fell in SF (l. al nature of the sport Svitolina) • Describes herself as quiet and calm • Reached first Premier Mandatory final of career at • Tennis idol is 2016 Beijing (l. A.Radwanska) MARKETA JOHANNA VONDROUSOVA VS KONTA

CAREER CONT.

• Alternate for WTA Finals in Singapore in 2016, narrowly missing qualification in the Top 8; was not called upon to play • By virtue of reaching 2016 Beijing final, made WTA Top 10 debut – first British woman to feature in the elite group since Durie in 1984, and the fourth British woman overall to do so (also Wade and Barker). Be- came 119th woman to break into the Top 10, and the fourth to do so in 2016 after Vinci, Bencic and Keys • Won career-first singles title at 2016 Stanford in maiden final (d. V.Williams in F). First British woman to reach final of a Premier event since WTA Road- map was introduced in 2009, and first British woman to win the tournament since Barker in 1977 (when it was held in San Francisco) • Broke into Top 20 on June 6, 2016 (at No.18) – first British woman in Top 20 for nearly 30 years (the week of October 13, 1986, with Durie at No.20) • Was voted WTA Most Improved Player in 2016 by international media and fans • Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in 2006, making WTA main draw debut at 2011 Copenhagen

GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• 2019 Australian Open marked 21st main draw ap- pearance at a Grand Slam • Is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. Made Slam breakthrough with historic run to SF at 2016 Austra- lian Open (l. eventual champion Kerber); first British woman to reach the last four at Melbourne Park since Sue Barker in December 1977, and at any Grand Slam since Jo Durie at 1983 US Open • Has since reached SF at 2017 Wimbledon (l. R-Up V.Williams), becoming the first British woman to reach the last four since Wade in 1978 (l. Evert) • Also made QF at Australian Open in 2017 (l. even- tual champion S.Williams), while at US Open has twice reached R16, in 2015 (l. Kvitova) and 2016 (l. Sevastova) • At Roland Garros has never been beyond 1r, falling at the first hurdle in 2015-18

PERSONAL

• Born in Sydney, Australia; became a British citizen in May 2012. Parents are Gabor (hotelier) and Gabriel- la (dentist); older sister is Eva (works in fashion) • Recently switched clothing sponsor from Asics to Ellesse • Currently working with Dimitri Zavialoff, having parted ways with Michael Joyce at the end of 2018 season MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[WC] VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #51) vs. [4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7)

Head to Head: VICTORIA AZARENKA leads 4-3

2019 STUTTGART CLAY I R16 VICTORIA AZARENKA 4-6 6-3 6-4 130 mins 2018 WIMBLEDON GRASS O R2 KAROLINA PLISKOVA 6-3 6-3 72 mins 2018 MADRID CLAY O R2 KAROLINA PLISKOVA 6-2 1-6 7-5 126 mins 2018 MIAMI HARD O QF VICTORIA AZARENKA 7-5 6-3 96 mins 2016 INDIAN WELLS HARD O SF VICTORIA AZARENKA 7-6(1) 1-6 6-2 126 mins 2015 BRISBANE HARD O R1 KAROLINA PLISKOVA 4-6 7-6(7) 6-4 193 mins 2008 PRAGUE CLAY O QF VICTORIA AZARENKA 6-2 6-1 51 mins

VICTORIA AZARENKA KAROLINA PLISKOVA 51 WTA RANKING 7 39 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 3 31-07-1989 (29) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 21-03-1992 (27) $313,498 YTD PRIZE MONEY $1,877,512 $29,592,487 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $16,251,953 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 20 1 / 12 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 7 0 / 5 ROME W-L (MD) * 19-9 4-4 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 16-10 / 445-170 24-7 / 281-149 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 4-5 / 85-58 13-6 / 94-51 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 1-2 / 64-44 4-3 / 58-59 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 6-2 / 92-44 3-2 / 48-35 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-1 / 46-14 4-0 / 27-19 2-1 / 30-40 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-2 / 13-18 3-4 / 67-69 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-2 / 27-37 4-6 / 119-96 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 3-3 / 53-68 * Updated entering 2019 Rome QF

ROAD TO THE QUARTERFINALS

[WC] VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #51) [4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7)

R16: d. GARBIÑE MUGURUZA (ESP #19) 6-4,3-1 Ret'd (1h11) R16: d. SOFIA KENIN (USA #37) 4-6,6-4,6-3 (1h54) R32: d. [5] ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #6) 4-6,6-1,7-5 (2h16) R32: d. AJLA TOMLJANOVIC (CRO #47) 6-3,6-3 (1h11) R64: d. SHUAI ZHANG (CHN #45) 6-2,6-1 (1h07) R64: BYE

Total games: 58 Total games: 47 Won/lost: 38-20 Won/lost: 28-19 Sets won/lost: 6-1 Sets won/lost: 4-1 Total time on court: 4h34 Total time on court: 3h05 Average time on court: 1h31 Average time on court: 1h33 Average rank of opponent: 23 Average rank of opponent: 42

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

ROME Tournament History

VICTORIA AZARENKA KAROLINA PLISKOVA 2018 2018 R1 L - NAOMI OSAKA (JPN #21) 6-0 6-3 R2 L - MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #42) 3-6 6-3 7-5

2016 2017 R2 L - IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU (ROU #35) 6-3 6-2 QF L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #11) 6-2 7-6(9)

2015 2016 QF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #3) 6-3 6-2 R1 L - DARIA KASATKINA (RUS #33) 6-4 6-4 2013 2015 F L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 6-1 6-3 R1 L - TIMEA BACSINSZKY (SUI #24) 6-4 6-0 2012 R16 L - DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #17) W/O

2011 QF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #8) 4-6 3-0

2010 R2 L - (SRB #58) 6-4 6-4

2009 SF L - SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #8) 6-2 6-4

2008 R16 L - (BUL #64) 6-2 1-0

2006 R1 L - (RUS #13) 6-3 3-6 7-6(6)

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ROME ROME

• Making 11th appearance at Rome. R-Up in 2013 (l. • Making fifth appearance at Rome, where she is S.Williams) and a semifinalist in 2009 (l. Kuznetsova) through to QF for a second time • One of eight players in the starting field who have • Also made it this far in 2017 (l. eventual champion held the WTA World No.1 Ranking Svitolina) • Broke serve six times to beat Zhang in 1r this year • Had previously never been beyond 1r, falling at this • Recovered from 5-2 down in the third set (saved 1mp stage in 2015-16. Last year, after 1r bye, lost to at 5-3) to defeat defending champion Svitolina in 2r Sakkari in 2r • R16 opponent Muguruza retired w/left thigh injury, • After 1r bye this week, eased past Tomljanovic in bringing her a 500th career win - 500-190 record 2r on Tuesday - career record in matches following (including qualifying, ITF Circuit and Fed Cup) byes improves to 33-7 • Now owns 19 main draw wins in Rome, the only • Recovered from 6-4 2-0 down to beat Kenin in R16 player left in the draw to have reached double figures • Now has registered 24 main draw wins in 2019, the • Faces No.7 Ka.Pliskova in QF today; upset the fourth-most on tour (also Barty) - Kvitova leads the Czech at Stuttgart in April for one of three Top 10 way on 28-8 wins in 2019 (also No.5 Kerber at Monterrey and • Faces No.51 Azarenka in QF today; has lost two No.6 Svitolina earlier this week) times to players outside Top 50 this season, against • Played 2018 Rome ranked No.84 – has improved No.61 Azarenka (Stuttgart) and No.85 Kozlova ranking by around 30 places since then (Madrid) • Won sole clay court title at Marbella in 2011 • A win today would be the 500th of career (including qualifying, ITF Circuit and Fed Cup); current record 499-297 SEASON • Has struck 17 aces this week, taking season total to 234 (only Bertens - 236 - has hit more) • Coming off 2r exit at Madrid (l. Stephens in 3s) • In two matches here, has won 80.8% of first serve • Made QF run at Stuttgart (ret. vs. Kontaveit w/right points - the most of any player left in the draw shoulder injury). Before that, her defeat of No.4 • Owns two career clay court titles at 2015 Prague and Ka.Pliskova in 2r was her second victory over a Top 2018 Stuttgart 5 player this season, having defeated No.5 Kerber • Has played a tour-leading 19 three-set matches in at Monterrey, and first on clay since 2015 Rome (d. 2019 (13-6 record) No.5 Wozniacki in 2r) • Prior to QF run at Stuttgart was part of Fed Cup team that fell to Australia in World Group semi- SEASON final, in Brisbane. Azarenka went 1-1 in her singles rubbers (d. Stosur, l. Barty) and also lost the doubles • Fell 2r at Madrid (l. Kozlova) with Sabalenka • Withdrew from Prague w/viral illness • R-Up at Monterrey with first Top 10 victory of the year • Lost opening match as defending champion at Stutt- (d. No.5 Kerber); ret. vs. Muguruza due to lower leg gart (after 1r bye, l. Azarenka) injury. Marked first final since 2016 Miami • Reached first Premier Mandatory final at Miami, • Exited 2r of Miami (l. Garcia) after winning first match losing to Barty in straight sets in the final ever played on the brand-new stadium court at Hard • Fell in 3s to Bencic in QF at Indian Wells Rock Stadium (d. Cibulkova) • Led 5-1 in the final set of her QF match vs. Hsieh at • Made 2r exit at Indian Wells (l. S.Williams). Faced Dubai before losing 6-4 1-6 7-5 S.Williams in their 22nd career meeting – the only • Withdrew from Doha w/viral illness player S.Williams has faced more in her career is • Was unable to prevent defending champions Czech sister Venus (30 meetings) Republic from slipping to 3-2 defeat at the hands of • Win over Lapko in 1r at Indian Wells marked 300th Romania in Ostrava (d. Buzarnescu, l. Halep) career main draw win on hard courts • Produced best Australian Open performance of • Reached QF at Acapulco (l. Kenin) career, reaching SF (l. eventual champion Osaka in • Also won seventh career doubles title – and first 3s); saved 4MP to defeat S.Williams in QF since 2011 – in Acapulco (w/S.Zheng d. Krawczyk/ • Began season by winning 12th career title at Bris- Olmos in F) bane International (d. Tsurenko in F) – has now won • Lost to Kvitova in 2r at St Petersburg at least one WTA title for seven consecutive seasons • Suffered back-to-back 1r exits at Auckland (l. V.Williams) and Australian Open (l. Siegemund) and Auckland (l. V.Williams) VICTORIA KAROLINA AZARENKA VS PLISKOVA

CAREER MILESTONES CAREER MILESTONES

• On February 2, 2019 returned to Top 50 for first time • Won two titles in 2018 from three finals contested, following the birth of her child, Leo triumphing at Stuttgart (d. Vandeweghe in F) and • Highlights of 2018 season included SF at Miami (l. Tokyo [PPO] (d. Osaka in F). Posted R-Up finish in Stephens) and QF at San Jose and Tokyo Tianjin (l. Garcia in F) • Made return to tennis in June 2017 following birth of • At Grand Slam level last season, made QF run at first child in December 2016 Australian Open (l. eventual R-Up Halep), reached 3r • Comeback tournament was Mallorca, reaching 2r (d. at Roland Garros (l. Sharapova), made R16 for first Ozaki, l. Konjuh). Prior to 2017 Mallorca, last tourna- time at Wimbledon (l. Bertens) and had QF showing ment contested was 2016 Roland Garros (1r) at US Open (d. No.17 Barty in R16, l. S.Williams) • Followed this up with R16 showing at 2017 Wimble- • Made the SF stage at Brisbane (as defending cham- don (l. Halep). Did not play any tournaments after pion, l. eventual champion Svitolina), Madrid (l. even- Wimbledon due to personal reasons tual champion Kvitova) and WTA Finals (l. Stephens). • Ended 2016 ranked No.13, despite missing sec- Enjoyed QF runs at four other tournaments ond half of season after going on maternity leave • Helped Czech Republic win sixth Fed Cup in past (announced pregnancy mid-July). Lifted three titles, eight years in 2018 (played SF tie vs. Germany) at Brisbane (first title since 2013 Cincinnati) and • Claimed No.1 ranking on July 17, 2017 despite mak- ‘Sunshine Double’ of Indian Wells and Miami – third ing 2r exit at Wimbledon (l. Rybarikova). Was the first woman to achieve feat after Graf in 1994 and 1996 Czech woman to achieve the No.1 ranking since the and Clijsters in 2005 computer rankings were introduced in 1975 (Martina • 2016 Miami marked 20th tour-level singles title of Navratilova became No.1 on July 10, 1978 while career (20-17 record in finals) representing USA) • Posted 26-3 record for first six months of 2016 with • Won three titles in 2017, at Brisbane (d. Cornet in losses coming at the Australian Open (QF, l. Kerber), F), Doha (d. Wozniacki in F) and Eastbourne (d. Rome (2r, l. Begu) and Roland Garros (ret. vs. Knapp Wozniacki in F) w/right knee injury) • In Grand Slam play, reached SF at Roland Garros (l. • Limited to total of 23 events over 2014-15 seasons eventual R-Up Halep), QF at both Australian Open (l. due to variety of injuries Lucic Baroni) and US Open (l. Vandeweghe) • Posted five consecutive Top 10 finishes between • Holds a 12-11 record in singles finals, having won 2009 and 2013, qualifying for the WTA Finals on having titles on clay (2015 Prague, 2018 Stuttgart), each occasion (l. Kvitova in 2011 final in Istanbul) grass (2016 Nottingham, 2017 Eastbourne) and hard • Ascended to World No.1 after (2013 Kuala Lumpur, 2014 Linz, 2014 Seoul, 2016 and held top spot for a total of 51 weeks Cincinnati, 2017 Brisbane, 2017 Doha, 2018 Tokyo, • Began 2012 with 26-match win streak – best start 2019 Brisbane) since Hingis went 37-0 in 1997. Went on to win • Captured fifth WTA doubles title of career at 2016 tour-leading 69 matches in 2012, season highlighted Birmingham (w/Strycova). Is now 5-2 in doubles by six titles, finishing as WTA’s year-end No.1 finals. At 2013 Linz, with sister Kristyna, became first • Won two medals for Belarus at 2012 London Olym- set of twins to ever win a tour-level doubles title pics bronze in singles and mixed doubles gold (w/ • Made Top 10 debut after 2015 Stanford R-Up finish Mirnyi) first time in WTA history, three Czech women inside • Made WTA main draw debut at 2005 Kolkata Top 10 at the same time (also Kvitova and Safarova) • ITF Junior World Champion for 2005 – reached first tour-level semifinal at Guangzhou the same year GRAND SLAM HISTORY

GRAND SLAM HISTORY • Advanced to career first Grand Slam final at 2016 US Open (l. Kerber), simultaneously making debut in • 2019 Australian Open marked 46th main draw ap- R16, QF, SF and title match at the majors. Became pearance at a Grand Slam first Czech to reach US Open final since Helena • Is a two-time Grand Slam champion, winning the Sukova in 1993 (l. Graf in F) Australian Open in 2012 (d. Sharapova in F) and • At Australian Open, best result was SF run in 2019 again in 2013 (d. Li in F). Also a two-time Grand (l. Osaka), while she posted deepest run at 2018 Slam runner-up, at 2012 and 2013 US Open (losing Roland Garros, advancing to SF (l. Halep) to S.Williams both times in 3s) • Reached R16 at Wimbledon in 2018 (l. Bertens) • Reached Wimbledon SF in 2011 and 2012, while • Made Grand Slam main draw debut at 2012 Roland best result at Roland Garros has been SF appear- Garros (l. Bartoli in 1r) ance in 2013 VICTORIA KAROLINA AZARENKA VS PLISKOVA

GRAND SLAM CONT. PERSONAL

• Three Grand Slam doubles R-Up, at 2008 Australian • Born in Louny, north of Prague, but now trains at Open (w/Peer), 2009 Roland Garros (w/Vesnina) and Sparta Praha tennis club (w/Kirilenko). Two-time Grand • Currently coached by Rennae Stubbs and Conchita Slam mixed doubles champion, at 2007 US Open (w/ Martínez, and previously coached by Tomas Krupa Mirnyi) and 2008 Roland Garros (w/B.Bryan). Most and David Kotyza recently finished as mixed doubles R-Up at 2018 • Married Michal Hrdlicka after 2018 Wimbledon Wimbledon (w/J.Murray) • Won girls’ singles titles at the Australian Open and US Open in 2005

PERSONAL

• Hired Wim Fissette as her full-time coach during the 2018 offseason, restarting a successful partnership prior to Azarenka’s pregnancy in 2016 • Formerly coached by and Michael Joyce • Gave birth to son Leo in December 2016 • Introduced to tennis at age 7 by mother Alla; father’s name is Fedor and older brother is Max INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA MAY 13 – 19, 2019 WOMEN’S TENNIS ASSOCIATION MATCH NOTES

ROME, ITALY | MAY 13 - 19, 2019 | € 3,452,538 WTA PREMIER 5 EVENT

wtatennis.com | facebook.com/WTA | twitter.com/WTA | youtube.com/WTA Tournament Website: www.internazionalibnlditalia.com | @InteBNLdItalia | facebook.com/internazionalibnlditalia WTA Communications: Estelle LaPorte ([email protected]), Catherine Sneddon ([email protected]), Teyva Sammet ([email protected]), Ellie Emerson ([email protected]) INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA - DAY 3 MATCH-UPS [1] NAOMI OSAKA (JPN #1) vs. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #33) Osaka leads 3-0 Osaka won in straight sets when the pair met last week in Madrid... Cibulkova bidding for sixth win over a reigning World No.1... Osaka can hold onto No.1 ranking by reaching QF this week

[14] ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #16) vs. [Q] MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #39) Series tied 2-2 Kontaveit triumphed in most recent meeting between the two at 2018 Cincinnati... Sakkari bidding for 10th main draw win on clay this year... Kontaveit made SF last year in Rome (KAZ #38) vs. [2] PETRA KVITOVA (CZE #5) Kvitova leads 1-0 Only previous match on tour lasted over three hours, with Kvitova emerging triumphant at 2018 Indian Wells... Putintseva bidding for third Top 5 win of career... Kvitova has twice reached QF here in Rome JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42) vs. [7] SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #8) Konta leads 1-0 Konta won when the pair met this January in Brisbane... Last week Stephens reached first SF of the season at Madrid... Winner will face former champion V.Williams in last 16 [3] SIMONA HALEP (ROU #2) vs. MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #44) Vondrousova leads 1-0 Vondrousova upset Halep earlier this year at Indian Wells... Halep has reached final on past two visits to Foro Italico... Vondrousova making tournament debut RETURNING WITH INTEREST ROME MASTERS

Marketa Vondrousova’s rise up the rankings in 2019 Simona Halep will be bidding for her 16th win in Rome has been aided by some excellent numbers on return. In when she steps on court today to take on Marketa fact, entering Rome the teenager lead the tour for both Vondrousova today. Among the players left in this year’s games and points won on return: draw, only Venus Williams and Victoria Azarenka have enjoyed more success here

WIN LEADERS IN 2019 ROME STARTING FIELD

PLAYER WINS LOSSES WIN %

SERENA WILLIAMS 44 8 .846

VENUS WILLIAMS 34 13 .723

VICTORIA AZARENKA 18 9 .667

SIMONA HALEP 15 6 .714

CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO 13 7 .650 MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[1] NAOMI OSAKA (JPN #1) vs. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #33)

Head to Head: NAOMI OSAKA leads 3-0

2019 MADRID CLAY O R1 NAOMI OSAKA 6-2 7-6(6) 115 mins 2018 TOKYO HARD I R16 NAOMI OSAKA 6-2 6-1 59 mins 2016 TOKYO HARD O R16 NAOMI OSAKA 6-2 6-1 63 mins

NAOMI OSAKA DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA 1 WTA RANKING 33 2 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 221 16-10-1997 (21) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 06-05-1989 (30) $3,483,350 YTD PRIZE MONEY $157,814 $11,112,547 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $13,617,777 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 3 0 / 8 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 0 / 1 ROME W-L (MD) * 1-2 9-7 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 17-5 / 97-64 4-7 / 380-271 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 8-2 / 23-17 1-4 / 120-107 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 4-2 / 17-17 1-1 / 88-67 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 5-1 / 14-12 3-2 / 78-54 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-0 / 5-5 1-0 / 32-29 0-0 / 3-7 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-2 / 20-37 3-0 / 8-18 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-2 / 37-64 5-1 / 21-29 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-2 / 70-110 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 2r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration

R1 BYE - R1 D. CIBULKOVA d. A. SASNOVICH 6-2,6-3 90 mins

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ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

NAOMI OSAKA DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA 2018 2018 R2 L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #1) 6-1 6-0 R2 L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #40) 3-6 6-4 6-2

2017 2017 R1 L - LAURA SIEGEMUND (GER #32) 6-2 6-4 R2 L - EKATERINA MAKAROVA (RUS #43) 1-6 6-1 6-3

2014 R1 L - (ITA #54) 6-4 7-6(2)

2013 R16 L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 6-0 6-1

2012 QF L - NA LI (CHN #9) 6-1 7-6(4)

2010 R16 L - (RUS #37) 4-6 6-1 6-1

2008 R2 L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #2) 6-2 3-6 6-4

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ROME ROME

• Making third main draw appearance at Rome • Making eighth appearance at Rome; best result to • Looking to reach R16 here for the first time – last date is reaching QF in 2012 (l. eventual R-Up Li Na) year, d. Azarenka in 1r before falling to Halep; fell 1r • Also advanced to R16 in 2010 (l. Kirilenko) and 2013 on debut in 2017 (l. Siegemund) (l. eventual champion S.Williams) • Top seed in Rome for the first time; aside from S.Wil- • Today in Rome is facing Osaka for the second week liams, who won the title as top seed in 2013, 2014 in a row; is looking to win back-to-back matches on and 2016, the only top seed to triumph at the Foro tour for the first time this season Italico in the 21st century was Safina in 2009 • Having defeated Sasnovich here at the Foro Italico • One of eight players in the Rome starting line-up who on Monday, is aiming for just her fifth match win have held the top ranking of 2019 following Dubai (d. Arruabarrena in 1r, l. • After 1r bye, faces Cibulkova in 2r; career record in Ka.Pliskova in 2r) and Fed Cup (d. Alves and Hadd- matches following byes is 5-1, with solitary defeat ad Maia) coming to Mladenovic earlier this year at Dubai • Posted 5-5 record on clay in 2018, highlighted by • Owns 6-1 career record against Slovak players R-Up finish at Strasbourg (l. Pavlyuchenkova in 3h (including three wins over Cibulkova); only defeat 36m final – second longest match of 2018) was at the hands of Hantuchova in qualifying at 2016 • Has reached three other clay court finals during Stuttgart her career, finishing R-Up at 2008 Amelia Island (l. • This week is enjoying her 16th week as World No.1 – Sharapova), 2012 Barcelona (l. Errani) and 2016 20th spot on the all-time list Madrid (l. Halep) • Can secure the No.1 ranking and assure herself the • Remains the Slovak No.1 of three women in Top 100 top seed at Roland Garros (would be first top seed- (also Kuzmova and Rybarikova) ing at a Grand Slam) if she advances to the quarterfi- nals here in Rome – can only be overtaken by Halep if the Romanian wins the title this week, and Osaka SEASON also falls before the last eight • Coming off 1r exit at Madrid (l. Osaka), taking record against World No.1s to 5-12 – upset Wozniacki at SEASON 2011 Sydney and 2011 Wimbledon, Azarenka 2012 Roland Garros, Kerber at 2016 WTA Finals and • Coming off QF run at Madrid – her best result at that Halep at 2018 Wuhan event to date (l. Bencic, having led 5-3 in third set). • Made 1r exit at Stuttgart (l. qualifier Minnen) Had previously never won a main draw match at • In her 22nd and stated final Fed Cup tie, helped Madrid Slovakia to a 3-1 win over Brazil to retain its World • At 2h 35m, 2r win over Sorribes Tormo at Madrid was Group II status (d. Alves and Haddad Maia) the longest match of her career – previous longest • Lost opening match at Indian Wells (after 1r bye, fell was 2h 33m win over S.Zhang at 2018 Beijing to eventual champion Andreescu in 2r) and Miami (l. • Made SF showing at Stuttgart (withdrew prior to Azarenka in 1r) match against Kontaveit w/abdominal injury) – had • Notched first win of 2019 at Dubai (d. Arruabarrena never previously reached a QF at a WTA-level clay in 3s before falling to Ka.Pliskova in 2r) court tournament • Withdrew from St. Petersburg w/viral illness • Made 3r exit at Miami – falling to Hsieh in three sets • Opened season with 1r exits at Sydney (l. Stosur) • Posted a R16 finish at Indian Wells (l. Bencic) as a and Australian Open (l. Zhang) – first time she has defending champion for the first time in her career failed to post a win in Australia since 2007 • Made 2r exit at Dubai (l. Mladenovic) in what was her first match since defeating Kvitova in Australian Open final; withdrew from Doha w/back injury CAREER MILESTONES • Won second Grand Slam title at Australian Open (d. Kvitova in F); became first Japanese player to attain- • Posted ninth career Top 30 finish in 2018 (at No.25), the World No.1 ranking following the tournament; has reaching finals at Budapest (l. Van Uytvanck) and held ranking since then Strasbourg (l. Pavlyuchenkova). Record in WTA • Is the first woman to win her second major straight finals now stands at 8-13 (most recent title came at after winning her first since Capriati did so in 2001 2016 WTA Finals in Singapore) (Australian Open followed by Roland Garros) • Held 2mp in Strasbourg final against Pavlyuchen- • Opened 2019 season with SF run at Brisbane (l. kova; match lasted 3h 35m – the longest non-Slam eventual R-Up Tsurenko). Withdrew from Sydney match of the 2018 season citing a change in schedule NAOMI DOMINIKA OSAKA VS CIBULKOVA

CAREER MILESTONES CAREER CONT.

• Posted a 40-20 record in 2018, resulting in best year • Also made QF in 2018 at Sydney, Wimbledon, Wu- end finish of career at No.5, up from No.68 in 2017 han and Beijing and R16 at US Open • Won the first two titles of her career last season, at • Owns a 5-12 record against reigning World No.1s, WTA Premier Mandatory level Indian Wells (d. Kasat- with wins over Wozniacki at 2011 Sydney and 2011 kina in F) and debut Grand Slam crown at US Open Wimbledon, Azarenka 2012 Roland Garros, Kerber (d. S.Williams in F) at 2016 WTA Finals and Halep at 2018 Wuhan • Reached one further final, at Tokyo [PPO] (l. Ka.Plis- • 2017 was highlighted by R-Up finish at New Haven kova). Record in finals stands at 2-2, having also (l. Gavrilova). Posted career-high ranking on March finished as R-Up at 2016 Toyko [PPO] (l. Wozniacki) 20, 2017 at No.4 following run to R16 at Indian Wells • From her efforts in New York last September, passed • Won first WTA doubles title of career at 2017 ‘s-Her- USD $5 million in prize money for the season – No.2 togenbosch (w/Flipkens) (behind Halep) on the 2018 list of top earners • Capped 2016 by winning biggest title of career to • En route to the Indian Wells title, defeated five-time date at WTA Finals in Singapore – went 1-2 in group major champion Sharapova, and A.Radwanska, stage before defeating No.9 Kuznetsova in SF and Ka.Pliskova and Halep. Only set dropped all fortnight World No.1 Kerber in final was against Sakkari in R16 • At No.7, became lowest seeded player to triumph at • After win over Halep at 2018 Indian Wells, owns WTA Finals since No.7 seed V.Williams in 2008; first a 1-3 record against reigning No.1s (also lost to debutante to win WTA Finals since Kvitova in 2011 Ka.Pliskova at 2017 Toronto and Halep at 2018 Aus- • Won 2016 WTA Comeback Player of the Year award tralian Open and 2018 Rome) – ended 2015 ranked No.38 having been sidelined • Owns eight Top 10 wins, also over No.6 Kerber for four months with a left Achilles problem, with (2017 US Open), No.5 V.Williams (2017 Hong Kong), ranking dipping as low as No.66 in February 2016 No.5 Ka.Pliskova and No.1 Halep (2018 Indian • Won career-high 53 matches in 2016 (previous best Wells), No.10 Goerges (2018 Beijing), and No.6 Kvi- was 42 matches in 2011) tova, No.7 Svitolina and No.8 Ka.Pliskova (all 2019 • Won a WTA-leading four singles titles in 2016 – qual- Australian Open) ified for Singapore by virtue of lifting trophy at Linz (d. • Other Grand Slam results in 2018 were R16 at Aus- Golubic in F) after earlier wins at Katowice (d. Giorgi tralian Open (l. eventual R-Up Halep), 3r at Roland in F) and Eastbourne (d. Ka.Pliskova in F). In 2016 Garros (l. Keys) and 3r at Wimbledon (l. eventual also reached finals at Acapulco (l. Stephens), Madrid champion Kerber). Elsewhere, had SF runs at Not- (l. Halep) and Wuhan (l. Kvitova) tingham (l. champion Barty) and Beijing (l. Sevasto- • Earlier titles came at 2011 Moscow, 2012 Carlsbad, va), and fell in group stage on WTA Finals debut 2013 Stanford and 2014 Acapulco • Produced second Top 100 season in 2017, finishing • Owns 37 victories over Top 10 opponents (eight com- at No.68 as the Japanese No.1 ing in 2016) including five over reigning World No.1s: • Book-ended the season with QF showings at Auck- Wozniacki at 2011 Sydney and 2011 Wimbledon, land and Hong Kong; other highlights included 3r Azarenka at 2012 Roland Garros, Kerber at 2016 runs at Wimbledon and US Open WTA Finals and Halep at 2018 Wuhan • Scored first Top 5 win when she upset No.5 V.Wil- • Made Top 10 debut at No.10 on March 31, 2014 liams at 2017 Hong Kong. Upset win over defending (after Miami) champion and No.6-ranked Kerber at 2017 US Open • Broke into Top 20 on August 4, 2008 marked first career Top 10 win • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2005 Rabat and main • Voted 2016 WTA Newcomer of the Year draw debut at 2006 Istanbul • Highlight of 2016 was career-first WTA final at Tokyo [PPO] (l. Wozniacki). Also reached three QFs, at Acapulco, Florianopolis and Tianjin, and 3r at 2016 GRAND SLAM HISTORY Australian Open, Roland Garros and US Open • Won 2015 WTA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore • 2019 Australian Open marked 45th Grand Slam main (d. Garcia in F, saving match points) draw appearance • Ranked No.406, made WTA main draw debut at • Best result across the majors came with runner-up 2014 Stanford. As an alternate, won through qualify- finish at 2014 Australian Open (l. Li). Defeated four ing (achieving first WTA qualifying wins), and came seeds en route to final at Melbourne Park, including from match point down to shock No.19 Stosur in 1r of No.3 Sharapova and No.5 A.Radwanska to become main draw, before losing to No.18 Petkovic in 2r first player representing Slovakia (male or female) to • Made WTA qualifying debut at Québec City in 2013 reach a Grand Slam singles final (l. Dabrowski) NAOMI DOMINIKA OSAKA VS CIBULKOVA

GRAND SLAM HISTORY GRAND SLAM CONT.

• Two-time major winner, at 2018 US Open and 2019 • At Roland Garros, advanced to SF in 2009 (l. eventu- Australian Open. Has made only 12 Grand Slam al R-Up Safina) and QF in 2012 (l. Stosur) main draw appearances, owning 32-10 record • Also, a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon in 2011, 2016 • Defeated six-time champion S.Williams to win 2018 and 2018, and at US Open in 2010 US Open. Triumph made her first Japanese wom- an to reach Slam final and the youngest US Open champion since Sharapova in 2006 won 2019 Aus- PERSONAL tralian Open on only her third appearance. • Became the 10th woman to win US Open and Aus- • In 2019 launched the Love 4 Tennis Dominika tralian Open back-to-back Cibulkova Academy in home town of Bratislava • In reaching R16 at 2018 Australian Open, became • In February 2014 launched her own sportswear and youngest Japanese player to reach R16 at a Grand accessories line, ‘Domi’, which incorporates her on- Slam since Sugiyama at 1995 Roland Garros (19yrs, court Slovak catch-cry ‘Pome!’; proceeds go to her 342 days) and the youngest player from Japan to foundation which assists athletes and other notables reach the fourth round at Australian Open since Date in her native Slovakia who have fallen on tough in 1990 (19 yrs, 122 days) times • Has also made 3r at the other two majors: 2016 • Married husband Michal ‘Miso’ Navara in Bratislava Roland Garros (l. Halep) and 2018 Roland Garros in July 2016, after Wimbledon (l. Keys), 2017 Wimbledon (l. V.Williams) and 2018 • Coached by Matej Liptak Wimbledon (l. Kerber) PERSONAL

• Recently hired Jermaine Jenkins, former hitting partner of Venus Williams, as her new head coach having parted company with Aleksandar (Sascha) Bajin, former hitting partner of Serena Williams • Formerly coached by David Taylor, long-time coach of Sam Stosur • Also in her team are Stuart Duguid (agent), Abdul Sillah (fitness trainer) and Kristy Stahr (physio) • Was born in Osaka, Japan, and moved to USA when she was three years old; holds dual citizenship. • Lives in Fort Lauderdale and trains in Boca Raton • Sponsorship deals include Nike, Citizen, broadcaster WOWOW, Nissin (food brand), Nissan (automobiles) and ANA Airlines • Her father, Leonard Max Francois, was born in Haiti and attended college in NYC before moving to Japan where he lived for 13 years • Her mother, Tamaki, is Japanese. Older sister Mari is also on tour

MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[14] ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #16) vs. [Q] MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #39)

Head to Head: Series tied 2-2

2018 CINCINNATI HARD O R2 ANETT KONTAVEIT 6-1 6-3 76 mins 2018 MIAMI HARD O R2 MARIA SAKKARI 6-4 6-1 69 mins 2017 AUSTRALIAN OPEN HARD O R1 MARIA SAKKARI 6-0 6-4 64 mins 2016 GSTAAD CLAY O R1 ANETT KONTAVEIT 7-5 6-1 75 mins

ANETT KONTAVEIT MARIA SAKKARI 16 WTA RANKING 39 11 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 35 24-12-1995 (23) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 25-07-1995 (23) $705,259 YTD PRIZE MONEY $264,805 $3,483,548 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $1,960,666 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 1 1 / 1 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 8-2 3-1 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 16-9 / 94-81 12-9 / 55-62 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 6-2 / 33-27 4-2 / 16-22 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 5-4 / 26-27 2-0 / 15-8 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 4-2 / 28-18 9-3 / 21-16 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-2 / 9-10 2-1 / 4-5 0-2 / 2-8 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 1-2 1-3 / 9-14 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-1 / 3-5 2-5 / 15-24 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-4 / 8-18 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 2r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration

R1 A. KONTAVEIT d. M. BARTHEL 4-6,6-4,6-4 129 mins R1 M. SAKKARI d. A. PAVLYUCHENKOVA 6-1,7-5 91 mins

R2-Q M. SAKKARI d. A. PETKOVIC 6-2,7-5 104 mins

R1-Q M. SAKKARI d. V. ZVONAREVA 6-4,6-2 98 mins

ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

ANETT KONTAVEIT MARIA SAKKARI 2018 2018 SF L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #4) 6-4 6-3 R16 L - ANGELIQUE KERBER (GER #12) 6-1 6-1

2017 2017 QF L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #4) 6-2 6-4 R1-Q L - MONA BARTHEL (GER #60) 6-2 6-0

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ROME ROME

• Making third appearance at Internazionali BNL • Making second main draw appearance at Rome d’Italia, where she reached SF last year (l. eventual (third overall) champion Svitolina) • Made R16 here last year (d. No.15 Bertens, No.5 • During last year’s run also beat former Roland Gar- Ka.Pliskova, l. Kerber) ros champion Kuznetsova, No.9 V.Williams and No.2 • Was top seed in qualifying this year, beating Wozniacki Zvonareva and Petkovic in straight sets • Also made QF in 2017 (d. No.1 Kerber, l. Halep) • Defeated Pavlyuchenkova in 1r on Tuesday to im- • In 1r on Monday, won four of the last five games to prove main draw record on clay this year to 9-3 - only edge past qualifier Barthel Martic (11-2) and Bertens (10-2) own more wins on • Faces another qualifier Sakkari in 2r today; including the surface in 2019 win over Barthel in 1r, has won just five of past 13 • Faces No.16 Kontaveit in 2r today; owns two Top 20 matches against qualifiers wins this year, over No.6 Bertens (Charleston) and • Currently ranked No.16, two spots off her career-high No.18 Mertens (Rabat) ranking of No.14 (achieved on April 1, 2019) • The only Greek woman to contest the 2019 Rome • Went 12-5 on clay in 2018, highlighted by R16 show- main draw ing at Roland Garros (l. eventual R-Up Stephens), and SFs at Stuttgart (l. eventual champion Ka.Plisko- va) and Rome (l. eventual champion Svitolina) SEASON

• Last week suffered 1r exit at Madrid (l. Suarez Na- SEASON varro) • Won maiden WTA title at Rabat, recovering from a • Coming off 1r exit at Madrid (l. Sasnovich) set and break down to beat Konta in final • Posted R-Up finish at Stuttgart (l. Kvitova); career • Fell 1r at Istanbul (l. Kudermetova) record in finals is now 1-4 • Reached first QF of the season at Charleston (l. • Withdrew from Lugano w/left leg injury Wozniacki); ended defending champion Bertens’s • Reached first Premier Mandatory SF after reaching reign in R16 - her third career victory over a Top 10 last four at Miami (l. eventual champion Barty). Came player, having previously beaten No.6 Wozniacki at from a set and 4-0 down in the decider to defeat 2017 Wuhan and No.5 Ka.Pliskova at 2018 Rome Hsieh in QF • Made 2r at Miami (l. Kvitova) • Reached R16 at Indian Wells (l. Ka.Pliskova) • Suffered 1r exits at St. Petersburg (l. Goerges), • Made 2r at Doha (l. Kerber) and fell 1r at Dubai (l. Acapulco (l. Puig) and last month at Indian Wells (l. S.Zhang) McHale) • Won all three of the singles matches she played • Part of the Greek Fed Cup Team who failed to gain at the Fed Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group I event, promotion from Europe/Africa Zone Group I event in including defeating Barritza to help Estonia to a 2-0 February (posted 2-1 record in singles) victory in their relegation play-off tie against • Had 3r run at Australian Open (l. Barty), having de- • Lost to Sasnovich in straight sets in 2r at Australian feated No.22 seed Ostapenko in 1r Open • Fell 1r at Hobart (l. Linette) • Upset No.7 Kvitova in 2r at Brisbane before falling to • Began 2019 campaign pairing with Tsitsipas at Hop- Tsurenko in QF. Reached 2r in Sydney (l. Mertens) man Cup - going 2-1 in singles (d. Bencic, d. Boulter, l. S.Williams) CAREER MILESTONES CAREER MILESTONES • In 2018, season highlighted by fourth WTA singles final at Wuhan (l. Sabalenka); posted 33 main draw • Registered third-consecutive Top 100 year-end finish wins – the first time she had registered 30 or more in 2018 ranked No.42, up from No.52 in 2017 - the wins in a single season – and finished at No.21 in the highest year-end finish by a Greek player since Dani- rankings ilidou in 2006 (No.36) • Enjoyed fruitful clay swing in 2018, including a R16 • 2018 season highlights include reaching her first run at Roland Garros (l. eventual R-Up Stephens) tour-level final at San Jose (l. Buzarnescu), scoring and SF showings at Rome (l. eventual champion first career Top 5 win after defeat of No.5 Ka.Pliskova Svitolina) and Stuttgart (l. eventual champion Ka.Plis- in Rome as well as SF at Istanbul (l. Hercog) and kova) Seoul (l. Bertens) ANETT MARIA KONTAVEIT VS SAKKARI

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Breakthrough season came in 2017, finishing on a • Posted career-high ranking of No.29 after Seoul run ranking of No.34, up from No.110 in 2016 – first year- (September 24, 2019) end finish inside Top 50 and second non-consecutive • Has eight career Top 20 wins, against No.6 Wozniac- year in Top 100 ki (2017 Wuhan), No.16 Vandeweghe (2018 Indian • Won first career singles title at 2017 ‘s-Hertogen- Wells), No.15 Bertens, No.5 Ka.Pliskova (both 2018 bosch (d. Vikhlyantseva in F). Also reached finals at Rome), No.14 V.Williams (2018 San Jose), No.19 Biel/Benne (l. Vondrousova) and Gstaad (l. Bertens) N.Osaka (2018 Cincinnati), No.6 Bertens (2019 • Broke into Top 30 for first time at No.27 following run Charleston) and No.18 Mertens (2019 Rabat) at Gstaad (July 24, 2017) • Broke into Top 50 for first time at No.49 on October • Also advanced to quarterfinals at Premier-level tour- 9, 2017 naments at Stuttgart, where she beat No.6 Muguru- • Notched first Top 10 victory of career over No.6 za en route, and Rome, where she posted her first Wozniacki en route to first WTA SF of career at 2017 career win over a reigning No.1 with defeat of Kerber Wuhan Open – became just second qualifier to reach in 2r Premier-level SF in 2017 (Mertens at New Haven) • In 2016, played main draw at all four Grand Slams • Reached first career WTA QF at 2016 Istanbul after for first time, but dropped out of Top 100 qualifying to enter main draw (l. Kovinic) – at the • One of five teenagers in 2015 year-end Top 100 time, achieved her then best win-by-ranking defeat- • Made Top 100 debut on September 14, 2015 at ing No.34 Schmiedlova in 1r No.96, up from No.152 • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2012 Palermo • Scored first Top 20 win of career over No.17 Errani at • Made debut on ITF Circuit in 2010; Owns seven ITF 2016 Monterrey (2r) Circuit singles titles and five in doubles • Has won 11 singles titles and five doubles titles on ITF Circuit • Made WTA main draw debut at 2013 Miami as WC (l. GRAND SLAM HISTORY McHale, 1r) • Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in 2010 • 2019 Australian Open marked 13th Grand Slam main • Junior highlights included winning 2011 Orange draw appearance Bowl, defeating Bouchard and Putintseva along the • Has reached 3r at all four of the majors – at 2017 way Australian Open (l. Lucic-Baroni), 2017 Wimbledon (l. Konta), 2017 US Open (l. V.Williams) and 2018 Roland Garros (l. Kasatkina) and now 2019 Austra- GRAND SLAM HISTORY lian Open • When she made 3r at 2017 Australian Open, became • 2019 Australian Open marked 16th Grand Slam main first Greek woman to reach this stage at a Slam draw appearance since Daniilidou at 2005 Wimbledon (l. Pennetta) • Earned her first Grand Slam victories at 2015 US • At 2016 Australian Open, reaching 2r, (d. Y.Wang, Open where she reached R16 (as qualifier, l. V.Wil- l. Suárez Navarro) became the first woman from liams) – only seventh qualifier in Open Era to reach Greece to win a main draw match at a Slam since US Open R16 Daniilidou d. Ka.Pliskova at 2013 Australian Open • Also made R16 at 2018 Australian Open (l. Suárez • At all Grand Slams, Daniilidou reached R16 at 2002 Navarro) and 2018 Roland Garros (l. Stephens) Wimbledon, 2003 Australian Open and 2004 US • Best showings at Wimbledon are 3r runs in 2017 (l. Open Wozniacki) and 2018 (l. Van Uytvanck) • Runner-up in 2012 US Open girls’ singles (l. Craw- ford) PERSONAL

• Born and grew up in Athens, Greece, before moving PERSONAL to Barcelona aged 18 – has trained there for two years • Coached by Nigel Sears • Mother, Angeliki Kanellopoulou, was tennis player • Grew up in , Estonia too, however didn’t start because of her – just liked • Mother, Ulle, is a tennis coach and started her in the sport. Tried karate and gymnastics but was tennis (was her coach until the age of 11, then began thrown out of class for laughing too much working other Estonian coaches). Father, Andrus, is • Favorite surface is hard court a manager at the Port of Tallinn • Currently coached by Mark Petchey and Tom Hill MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

YULIA PUTINTSEVA (KAZ #38) vs. [2] PETRA KVITOVA (CZE #5)

Head to Head: PETRA KVITOVA leads 1-0

2018 INDIAN WELLS HARD O R2 PETRA KVITOVA 6-7(4) 7-6(3) 6-4 197 mins

YULIA PUTINTSEVA PETRA KVITOVA 38 WTA RANKING 5 47 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 1 07-01-1995 (24) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 08-03-1990 (29) $343,920 YTD PRIZE MONEY $2,503,820 $3,371,286 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $29,846,027 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 2 / 27 0 / 0 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 2-1 6-6 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 11-11 / 99-120 27-7 / 425-196 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 5-8 / 33-41 8-4 / 128-81 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 4-0 / 28-24 8-5 / 86-62 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 3-2 / 36-28 7-1 / 86-41 0-1 / 4-9 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-0 / 45-14 1-0 / 2-9 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-1 / 25-31 1-5 / 6-20 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-2 / 54-52 3-5 / 13-37 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 7-4 / 106-88 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 2r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration

R1 Y. PUTINTSEVA d. L. TSURENKO 6-4,6-2 83 mins R1 BYE -

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ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

YULIA PUTINTSEVA PETRA KVITOVA 2018 2016 R1-Q L - SU-WEI HSIEH (TPE #50) 1-6 7-5 6-3 R2 L - MADISON KEYS (USA #24) 6-3 6-4

2017 2015 R2 L - JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #6) 6-3 6-0 QF L - CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO (ESP #10) 6-3 6-2

2016 2014 R1-Q L - MARIANA DUQUE-MARIÑO (COL #109) 7-6(3) 6-7(4) R2 L - SHUAI ZHANG (CHN #43) 7-6(6) 5-7 6-3 6-1 2013 2013 R2-Q L - (ESP #58) 4-6 7-6(3) 7-5 R16 L - SAMANTHA STOSUR (AUS #10) 7-5 2-6 6-1

2012 QF L - ANGELIQUE KERBER (GER #11) 7-6(2) 1-6 6-1

2010 R2 L - ANDREA PETKOVIC (GER #49) 6-3 6-4

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from YULIA PETRA PUTINTSEVA VS KVITOVA

ROME ROME

• Making second main draw appearance at Rome • Making seventh appearance at Rome, and first since • Reached 2r in 2017 (d. Puig, l. Konta) 2016 • Also fell in qualifying here on three occasions, includ- • A two-time quarterfinalist at the Foro Italico – in 2012 ing last year (l. Hsieh) (l. Kerber) and 2015 (l. Suarez Navarro) • This week, won seven straight games during 1r win • Arrives in Rome with a tour-leading 27 wins in 2019 over Tsurenko on Monday (ahead of Bencic on 26, including 1r at Rome) • Takes on No.5 Kvitova today, looking for the second • After 1r bye, faces Putintseva in 2r today; recovered Top 5 win of the season and third of her career – from 4-2 down in the final set to win their only previ- after No.5 Cibulkova at 2017 St Petersburg and No.5 ous match, in an encounter lasting 3h 17m at 2018 Stephens at 2019 Sydney Indian Wells • Heading into today’s bout with Kvitova owns a 4-9 • Heading into Rome, has won the highest percent- career record against lefties, losing only match-up in age of service games on tour in 2019 (79.3%) but 2019 against Kerber at Indian Wells has also served the most double faults (156 in 34 • Top-ranked Kazakh woman ahead of Diyas in the matches) current Top 100 (week of May 13) • Has played the most tie-break sets so far in 2019: 13 (8-5 record); only Stephens has also won eight tie- breaks this year (8-2 record) SEASON • Owns two Top 10 wins this season, over No.2 Kerber (Sydney) and No.7 Bertens (Stuttgart) • Coming off run to R16 at Madrid (l. Barty in 3s) – her • Currently sits at No.1 on the Porsche Race to Shen- second consecutive appearance in R16 at a Pre- zhen, ahead of No.2 Osaka, No.3 Ka.Pliskova and mier Mandatory event, first ever coming earlier this No.4 Bertens season at Miami • After winning the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stutt- • Opened clay season with 1r exit at Rabat (l. gart, jumped to No.4 on the Clay Court Power Rank- Zidansek) ings (up from No.10 heading into the tournament) • Went 1-1 in singles in Kazakhstan’s loss to Great Britain in April’s Fed Cup World Group II play-offs – SEASON d. Boulter, l. Konta • Posted wins against seeds Bencic and Sevastova en • Coming off QF exit at Madrid, where she was the route to R16 at Miami (l. Ka.Pliskova) defending champion (l. eventual champion Bertens) • Fell 2r at Indian Wells. Defeat of Babos in 1r • Won 27th career singles title at Stuttgart (d. Kon- snapped four-match losing streak, which began with taveit in F) to become first two-time singles winner of 2r exit at Australian Open (l. Bencic) then continued 2019 – her WTA-leading fourth final of 2019; since at St Petersburg (l. Martincova), Fed Cup (l. Zhang joined by Bertens as a two-time winner this year Shuai) and Dubai (l. Tsurenko) (Madrid) • Posted QF run at Sydney prior to Australian Open, • Made QF run at Miami (l. eventual champion Barty) as a qualifier (l. l. Bertens). Defeat of No.5 Stephens after 2r exit at Indian Wells (l. V.Williams) in 2r matched career best win of career (against No.5 • Reached her 35th career final at Dubai (l. Bencic) Cibulkova at 2017 St Petersburg) and eighth final since the start of 2018 season • Began season with 1r exit at Brisbane (l. eventual • Fell QF in defense of St Petersburg title (l. Vekic) champion Ka.Pliskova, whom she led by a set and a • Reached third career Grand Slam final at Australian break) Open (l. Osaka in F); was one win away from reach- ing World No.1 ranking • Captured 26th career title at Sydney (d. Barty in F) CAREER MILESTONES • Went on 11-match winning streak between Sydney (5 wins) and Melbourne (6 wins) • Posted first Top 50 season in 2018, finishing at No.45 • Fell 2r in season opener at Brisbane (l. Kontaveit) (up from No.53 in 2017). Season highlighted by sec- ond career WTA final at Guangzhou (l. Q.Wang) • Also in 2018, reached QF at Roland Garros for a CAREER MILESTONES second time (l. Keys) and advanced to the last eight at Taipei City (l. Kozlova) and Washington, DC (l. • Won a WTA-leading five titles in 2018, at St Peters- eventual champion Kuznetsova) burg (d. Mladenovic in F), Doha (d. Muguruza in F), Prague (d. Buzarnescu in F), Madrid (d. Bertens in F) and Birmingham (d. Rybarikova in F). Ended the year ranked No.7 YULIA PETRA PUTINTSEVA VS KVITOVA

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Reached maiden WTA final in 2017 at St Petersburg • Titles came on all three surfaces – first player to win (l. Mladenovic) after notching two Top 10 wins over a title on three difference surfaces in a season since No.8 Kuznetsova and No.5 Cibulkova (l. Mladenovic S.Williams in 2015. The Czech has won at least one in F) – became first woman from Kazakhstan to title every year dating back to 2011 reach a WTA singles final since Shvedova at 2015 • Began 2017 season in May at Roland Garros (2r, Bogotá (l. Pereira) l. Mattek-Sands) after a knife attack in her home in • Rose to new career-high ranking of No.27 on Czech Republic on December 20, 2016; required February 6, 2017 following her run to the final in St extensive surgery to left hand Petersburg • Won title at 2017 Birmingham. Other season high- • Also in 2017 reached QF at Tokyo [] (l. lights included a SF showing at Beijing (l. eventual eventual champion Diyas) and Nürnberg (l. Cirstea), champion Garcia) and equaled best result at US and reached 3r at Roland Garros (l. No.5 Muguruza) Open by advancing to QF (l. V. Williams) • In 2016 became first Kazakh to reach the quarter- • Ended 2016 ranked No.11, ending run of five straight finals at Roland Garros – or at any major – since Top 10 finishes Shvedova in 2012 • Won two singles titles in 2016, at Wuhan and the • Also reached SF at two International-level events in WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai 2016: Kaohsiung (l. V.Williams) and Washington, DC • Contested Rio Olympics in August 2016, winning the (l. Wickmayer). Defeated No.14 V.Williams en route singles bronze medal (l. Puig in SF, d. Keys in bronze to first Premier-level quarterfinal of career at 2016 medal play-off) Charleston • 2015 season highlights included three singles titles, • Later in season, posted second career win over a at Sydney, Madrid and New Haven. New Haven win Top 10 opponent at 2016 Tokyo [PPO], defeating was third in past four years, and marked first time No.9 Keys in 1r. First Top 10 win came over No.10 she has won any tournament title three times Petkovic at 2015 Nürnberg (via ret.) • Runner-up at 2015 WTA Finals in Singapore (l. • Reached maiden WTA SF at 2015 Bastad (l. eventu- A.Radwanska in 3s). Former champion at the season al champion Larsson) finale, which she won on her event debut in 2011 (d. • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2009 Luxembourg and Azarenka in F) WTA main draw debut at 2012 Copenhagen • At 2012 Sydney was two wins from becoming No.1 • On ITF Circuit, winner of six singles titles and six (had won Wimbledon and WTA Finals in previous six doubles titles months) • Kazakhstan Fed Cup Team, 2014-19 • Part of Czech Republic’s Fed Cup winning team in 2011-12, 2014-16 and 2018 • Pro debut on ITF Circuit in Czech Republic in 2006 GRAND SLAM HISTORY GRAND SLAM HISTORY • 2019 Australian Open marked 21st Grand Slam main draw appearance • 2019 Australian Open marked 42nd Grand Slam • Best result across the Slams were QF runs at Roland main draw appearance, reaching her third career Garros in 2016 (l. S.Williams in 3 sets) and 2018 (l. major final (l. Osaka in F) Keys). Was the first Kazakh to reach QF at Roland • Winner of two Grand Slam singles titles, at Wim- Garros – or at any major – since Shvedova in 2012 bledon in 2011 (d. Sharapova in F) and 2014 (d. (l. QF) Bouchard in F) • Away from Paris, other key results include 3r at 2016 • Was first player born in 1990s to win a Grand Slam Australian Open (l. Gasparyan), 2r at Wimbledon in title (since joined by Muguruza, Ostapenko, Ste- 2015 (l. V.Williams) and 2016 (l. Pavlyuchenkova) phens, Wozniacki, Halep and Osaka) and 2r at US Open in 2016 (l. Witthoeft) and 2017 (l. • Runner-up at 2019 Australian Open. The last Czech A.Radwanska) woman to reach the final at Melbourne Park was • A two-time junior Grand Slam runner-up (2010 US Novotna in 1991 (l. Seles); last Czech to win the Open, 2012 Australian Open) Australian Open title was Mandlikova in 1987 (d. Navratilova) • Aside from Wimbledon, best Grand Slam results are SF at 2012 (l. Sharapova) and 2012 Roland Garros (l. eventual champion Sharapova), and QF runs at 2017 US Open (l. V.Williams), 2015 US Open (l. eventual champion Pennetta) YULIA PETRA PUTINTSEVA VS KVITOVA

PERSONAL PERSONAL

• Coached by Roman Kislianskii • Has won the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award, • Changed representation from to Kazakhstan as voted by her WTA peers for the past six years in May 2012 running (through 2018) and seven times overall • Practiced at Spartak Club in Moscow as a junior be- • A global ambassador for Right To Play International, fore moving to Paris to attend Mouratoglou Academy a charity which helps children to learn through sport • Tennis idols were and Justine Henin – • Current coach is Jiri Vanek, having split with former still watches videos of Henin on YouTube ATP player and fellow Czech, Frantisek Cermak, • Enjoys dancing, music, singing, Sudoku, playing after 2016 US Open. Previously coached by David cards and chess Kotyza for seven years, with the partnership ending in January 2016 • Fitness trainer is David Vydra • Parents are Jiri and Pavla

MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

JOHANNA KONTA (GBR #42) vs. [7] SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #8)

Head to Head: JOHANNA KONTA leads 1-0

2019 BRISBANE HARD O R1 JOHANNA KONTA 6-4 6-3 113 mins

JOHANNA KONTA SLOANE STEPHENS 42 WTA RANKING 8 38 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 18 17-05-1991 (27) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 20-03-1993 (26) $246,230 YTD PRIZE MONEY $669,283 $7,426,649 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $14,045,486 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 3 0 / 6 0 / 0 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 6-3 6-5 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 16-7 / 144-93 14-8 / 210-139 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 7-2 / 35-41 4-3 / 67-47 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 6-4 / 34-25 8-2 / 56-29 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 6-2 / 13-17 6-2 / 57-37 0-0 / 11-12 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-1 / 17-6 0-1 / 5-10 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 9-21 1-2 / 15-20 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 17-34 1-4 / 31-34 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-2 / 35-56 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 2r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration

R1 J. KONTA d. A. RISKE 6-4,6-1 88 mins R1 BYE -

ROME Tournament History

JOHANNA KONTA SLOANE STEPHENS 2018 2018 R16 L - JELENA OSTAPENKO (LAT #6) 2-6 6-3 6-4 R16 L - CAROLINE GARCIA (FRA #7) 6-1 7-6(7)

2017 2015 R16 L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #12) 6-1 3-6 6-1 R1 L - (GER #22) 6-4 6-1

2016 2014 R16 L - MISAKI DOI (JPN #45) 4-6 7-5 6-2 R2 L - (USA #49) 6-2 6-2

2013 R16 L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #2) 6-2 6-1

2012 R2 L - (ITA #21) 6-2 6-3

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from JOHANNA SLOANE KONTA VS STEPHENS

ROME ROME

• Making fourth appearance at Rome, where she • Making sixth main draw appearance at Rome reached R16 in 2016 (l. Doi), 2017 (l. V.Williams) and • Best previous results were R16 showings in 2013 (l. 2018 (l. Ostapenko) Sharapova) and 2018 (l. Garcia) • On Monday, beat Riske in 1r for the second tourna- • One of 10 Grand Slam winners in this year’s Rome ment in succession (also won 6-4 6-1 at Madrid) starting field • Has now won six matches on clay this year; in con- • If victorious against Konta in 2r today will face sev- trast won a total of five in 2017 and 2018 seasons en-time Slam winner V.Williams in R16 combined • Five of eight losses in 2019 have been at the hands • Faces No.8 Stephens in 2r; sole Top 10 win of 2019 of players ranked outside Top 40 season to date came over Stephens at Brisbane in • Has won eight tie-breaks in 2019, the joint-most on January tour (Kvitova has 8-5 record) • Has never won a main draw match on the red clay of • On April 29, announced engagement to Toronto FC Roland Garros (0-4) soccer star Jozy Altidore • Playing second event under new coach Sven Groenefeld SEASON

• Coming off 2r exit at Madrid (l. Halep) SEASON • Posted R-Up finish at Rabat (l. Sakkari, after leading by a set and a break) – marked first final in 10 • Coming off SF showing at Madrid (l. eventual cham- months (2018 Nottingham) and first ever final on red pion Bertens) clay (had never previously passed QF stage on the • In April’s Fed Cup play-offs in San Antonio, won both surface at tour level) singles rubbers against (d. Golubic, Bac- • Until Rabat, where she won four matches, had never sinszky) to help USA maintain place in World Group won more than two consecutive main draw matches for 2020. Has now won 29 of her last 35 matches on on red clay and had not won three matches in a row US soil on the surface since qualifying for Roland Garros in • Advanced to QF at Charleston (l. eventual champion 2015. Not since winning her first ITF Circuit title in Keys). Result marked first QF run since reaching Mostar in 2008 had she won four consecutive match- final of 2018 WTA Finals in Singapore es on red clay (all levels) • Miami title defense ended in 3r (l. Maria) • Saved three match points in 1r at Rabat against • After 1r bye at Indian Wells, fell in 2r to qualifier and Wang Yafan World No.109 Voegele • In Fed Cup action in London in April, posted three- • Reached 2r at Acapulco (l. No.172 Haddad Maia) set wins over Diyas and Putintseva to help Britain • Posted R16 showing at Australian Open (l. Pavly- secure a place in the competition’s World Group II in uchenkova) 2020 (Great Britain d. Kazakhstan, 3-1) • Opened 2019 season at Brisbane, where she fell • During Sunshine Double, reached 3r at Indian Wells in 1r (l. Konta) before making a 2r exit at Sydney (l. (l. Bertens) and 2r at Miami (l. Q.Wang) Putinseva after leading 6-3 5-3) • Reached first QF of year at Acapulco (l. Vekic) • On February, won all four of her Fed Cup matches to help Great Britain progress from Europe/Africa Zone CAREER MILESTONES Group I to World Group II play-offs • In 2018 posted best year-end finish of career to date, • Lost to Muguruza in 2r at Australian Open in a three- at No.6; reached career-high No.3 ranking on July set match which lasted two hours 42 minutes and 16, 2018 finished at 03:12am – one of the latest finishes in the • Season highlights in 2018 included capturing first tournament’s history Premier Mandatory title at Miami – subsequently • Retired in final round of qualifying at Sydney vs. Alex- made Top 10 debut at No.9. Also reached her second androva w/neck injury. Entered draw as Lucky Loser, Grand Slam final, at Roland Garros (l. Halep) and however withdrew prior to 1r match vs. Bertens w/ posted R-Up finishes at Montréal (l. Halep) and WTA same injury. Was first time contesting qualifying since Finals (l. Svitolina) 2015 Linz • Won her maiden Grand Slam title at 2017 US Open, • Opened 2019 season at Brisbane, making 2r (d. d. Keys 6-3 6-0 to become the fifth unseeded player No.6 Stephens, l. Tomljanovic). Defeat of Stephens to win a major in the Open Era was 15th career victory over a Top 10 opponent and first since No.2 Halep at 2017 Wimbledon JOHANNA SLOANE KONTA VS STEPHENS

CAREER MILESTONES CAREER CONT.

• Finished 2018 at No.37, with season highlights a • Voted 2017 WTA Comeback Player of the Year. second consecutive R-Up finish at Nottingham (l. Returned to action at Wimbledon after 11 months on Barty) – overall record in WTA finals now stands at sidelines w/foot injury (had surgery in the January) 3-4 – and SF showing at Moscow [Kremlin Cup] (l. • Arrived at 2017 Wimbledon having not played a eventual champion Kasatkina) match since Rio Olympics in August 2016 • Also in 2018, reached QF at Brisbane and San Jose, • After 1r loss at 2017 Washington DC, went 15-2 while best results at the Slams were 2r showings at through US Open title run, including back-to-back SF Australian Open and Wimbledon at Toronto and Cincinnati • Posted five Top 20 wins in 2018, over No.19 Keys • Won three titles in 2016, at Auckland, Acapulco and (Brisbane), No.19 Rybarikova (Madrid and Rome), Premier-level Charleston. Won maiden singles title in No.11 Ostapenko (Montréal) and No.16 Mertens first final contested at 2015 Washington, DC (Moscow [Kremlin Cup]) • At No.97 was youngest player in year-end Top 100 • Enjoyed best season of career in 2017, posting in 2011; and after a phenomenal sophomore season, career-high season finish of No.9 (second Top 10 reached No.38 and was the youngest player, and the season in a row). Peaked in rankings at No.4 on July only teenager, in the year-end Top 50 in 2012 17, 2017 • Made Top 20 debut on January 29, 2013 and went • Began 2017 season in great form by lifting title at on to win a career-best 39 matches that season Sydney (d. A.Radwanska in F), before landing big- • Played first WTA qualifying eventual 2008 Miami and gest title of career at Premier-Mandatory Miami (d. first WTA main draw at 2010 Indian Wells (as qualifi- Wozniacki in F) er, No.747, fell 2r, l. Zvonareva) • At 2017 Wimbledon became first British player since Virginia Wade in 1978 to reach Wimbledon SF (l. eventual R-Up V.Williams) GRAND SLAM HISTORY • Reached third final of 2017 season at Nottingham (l. Vekic). Also in 2017, reached SF for second year • Enjoyed fairytale run at 2017 US Open, lifting maiden in a row at home event of Eastbourne – conceded Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows (d. Keys in walkover to eventual champion Ka.Pliskova, hav- F). At No.83, is second-lowest ranked Grand Slam ing sustained a thoracic spine injury during her QF champion (since inception of computer rankings defeat of World No.1 Kerber (fell heavily on match in 1975) and 14th unseeded player to advance to point, but won match after treatment). Match against a Grand Slam final in the Open Era, and only fifth Kerber was second of day, after she defeated Roland unseeded champion Garros champion Ostapenko in R16 • Also R-Up at 2018 Roland Garros (l. Halep) • With win over Kerber, became first British woman to • Prior to 2017 US Open triumph, best result across all defeat a reigning World No.1 since Barker d. Evert at majors was reaching SF at 2013 Australian Open (d. 1979 Boston S.Williams in QF, l. eventual champion Azarenka) • Was in contention for WTA Finals qualification in • Also just the second American (after Davenport) to 2017, however withdrawal from Moscow opened spot beat both Williams sisters in Grand Slam match play for Garcia • Advanced to SF at 2013 Australian Open (d. Halep, • Owns five Top 5 wins, over No.2 Halep at 2015 Wu- Mladenovic and S.Williams en route) and QF at 2013 han, No.3 A.Radwanska at 2017 Sydney, No.5 Halep Wimbledon (l. eventual champion Bartoli) at 2017 Miami, No.1 Kerber at 2017 Eastbourne and No.2 Halep at 2017 Wimbledon • Posted first Top 10 season in 2016, at No.10 PERSONAL • Ended 2016 season at WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai in November (went 2-0 in round-robin play), fell in SF (l. • Mother is Sybil Smith a former collegiate swimmer Svitolina) at Boston University and late father, John Stephens, • Reached first Premier Mandatory final of career at was an NFL player in 1980s and 1990s; brother is 2016 Beijing (l. A.Radwanska) Shawn Farrell • Alternate for WTA Finals in Singapore in 2016, • Aged 11, relocated from Fresno to Boca Raton, narrowly missing qualification in the Top 8; was not Florida, where she began training at the Evert Tennis called upon to play Academy before moving to High Per- formance Tennis Academy • Formerly coached by Kamau Murray and Nick Savi- ano

JOHANNA SLOANE KONTA VS STEPHENS

CAREER CONT.

• By virtue of reaching 2016 Beijing final, made WTA Top 10 debut – first British woman to feature in the elite group since Durie in 1984, and the fourth British woman overall to do so (also Wade and Barker). Be- came 119th woman to break into the Top 10, and the fourth to do so in 2016 after Vinci, Bencic and Keys • Won career-first singles title at 2016 Stanford in maiden final (d. V.Williams in F). First British woman to reach final of a Premier event since WTA Road- map was introduced in 2009, and first British woman to win the tournament since Barker in 1977 (when it was held in San Francisco) • Broke into Top 20 on June 6, 2016 (at No.18) – first British woman in Top 20 for nearly 30 years (the week of October 13, 1986, with Durie at No.20) • Was voted WTA Most Improved Player in 2016 by international media and fans • Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in 2006, making WTA main draw debut at 2011 Copenhagen

GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• 2019 Australian Open marked 21st main draw ap- pearance at a Grand Slam • Is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. Made Slam breakthrough with historic run to SF at 2016 Austra- lian Open (l. eventual champion Kerber); first British woman to reach the last four at Melbourne Park since Sue Barker in December 1977, and at any Grand Slam since Jo Durie at 1983 US Open • Has since reached SF at 2017 Wimbledon (l. R-Up V.Williams), becoming the first British woman to reach the last four since Wade in 1978 (l. Evert) • Also made QF at Australian Open in 2017 (l. even- tual champion S.Williams), while at US Open has twice reached R16, in 2015 (l. Kvitova) and 2016 (l. Sevastova) • At Roland Garros has never been beyond 1r, falling at the first hurdle in 2015-18 PERSONAL

• Was introduced to the sport at age eight by parents; started to play at an after-school care program • Born in Sydney, Australia; became a British citizen in May 2012. Parents are Gabor (hotelier) and Gabriel- la (dentist); older sister is Eva (works in fashion) • Grandfather Tamas Kertesz played football for the Hungarian ‘Golden Team’ with Ferenc Puskas in 1955 • Recently switched clothing sponsor from Asics to Ellesse • Currently working with Dimitri Zavialoff, having parted ways with Michael Joyce at the end of 2018 season MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[3] SIMONA HALEP (ROU #2) vs. MARKETA VONDROUSOVA (CZE #44)

Head to Head: MARKETA VONDROUSOVA leads 1-0

2019 INDIAN WELLS HARD O R16 MARKETA VONDROUSOVA 6-2 3-6 6-2 100 mins

SIMONA HALEP MARKETA VONDROUSOVA 2 WTA RANKING 44 7 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 19 27-09-1991 (27) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 28-06-1999 (19) $1,513,281 YTD PRIZE MONEY $556,992 $29,658,860 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $1,521,347 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 18 0 / 1 0 / 1 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 15-6 1-0 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 23-7 / 350-158 20-5 / 44-29 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 7-4 / 102-53 5-3 / 8-15 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 5-4 / 44-54 5-0 / 15-10 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 7-1 / 116-43 7-1 / 16-9 1-1 / 34-12 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 0-0 / 1-0 1-0 / 11-27 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-0 / 1-2 3-2 / 36-46 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-2 / 1-7 6-4 / 96-71 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 3-2 / 7-9 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 2r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration

R1 BYE - R1 M. VONDROUSOVA d. B. STRYCOVA 1-6,6-4,7-6(4) 153 mins

ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

SIMONA HALEP 2018 F L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #4) 6-0 6-4

2017 F L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #11) 4-6 7-5 6-1

2016 R2 L - (AUS #32) 6-3 4-6 6-3

2015 SF L - CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO (ESP #10) 2-6 6-3 7-5

2014 R16 L - CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO (ESP #14) W/O

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

2013 SF L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 6-3 6-0

2012 R1 L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #63) 6-3 6-4

2011 R1-Q L - (FRA #95) 7-6(3) 6-0

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from SIMONA MARKETA HALEP VS VONDROUSOVA

ROME ROME

• Making eighth main draw appearance at Rome • Making debut appearance at Rome where she was R-Up in past two years (l. Svitolina • In 1r, defeated compatriot Strycova for the third time on both occasions) this year (also Miami and Istanbul), recovering from • Run last year took total wins here to 15 - only S.Wil- 5-2 down in the final set liams (44), V.Williams (34) and Azarenka (18) have • Faces No.3 Halep in 2r today for the second time; more among this year’s starting field has 1-7 record vs. Top 10 opponents, with sole win • Bidding for her eighth WTA singles clay court title coming against No.2 Halep at 2019 Indian Wells today (7-8 in finals, with wins at 2013 Budapest, • One of five teenagers in WTA Top 100; Vondrousova 2013 Nürnberg, 2014 and 2016 Bucharest, 2016-17 (19) is one of two teenagers to reach 2r in Rome Madrid and 2018 Roland Garros) (also Anisimova) • Has reached at least the QF stage in her last 10 clay • Leads the WTA for both return points (48.5%) and court tournaments – 2019 Madrid (F), 2018 Roland games (47.5%) Garros (Won), 2018 Rome (F), 2018 Madrid (QF), 2018 Stuttgart (QF), 2017 Roland Garros (F), 2017 Rome (F), 2017 Madrid (Won), 2017 Stuttgart (SF), SEASON 2016 Bucharest (Won). Last event on clay where she did not reach at least the last eight was 2016 Roland • Was R-Up at Istanbul (l. Martic); now owns 1-2 ca- Garros (R16) reer record in singles finals • After 1r bye, faces Vondrousova in 2r; boasts a 40-10 • Won both Fed Cup singles rubbers (d. Marino and record in matches directly following a bye, including a Fernandez) as Czech Republic maintained their 4-1 record in such matches this season (loss coming World Group status without dropping a set in a 4-0 against Barty at Sydney) win over Canada • During Rome has moved to 277 consecutive weeks • Reached QF at both Indian Wells (l. Svitolina) and in the Top 10 – the longest active streak (ahead of Miami (l. Ka.Pliskova). Scored first Top 10 win over Ka.Pliskova on 140 weeks) No.2 Halep during Indian Wells • Can regain the World No.1 ranking this week by • Reached second WTA final at Budapest, losing to lifting the title and Osaka falling prior to QF Van Uytvanck in 3s in the final • Last year, posted 16-3 record on clay, highlighted by • Fell in 2r at Australian Open (l. Martic). Reached maiden Slam title at Roland Garros and R-Up finish SF in doubles with Strycova (l. eventual champions at Rome. Record on clay since the start of 2016 Stosur/S.Zhang) season is 56-11

SEASON CAREER MILESTONES

• Coming off R-Up showing at Madrid (l. Bertens); • 2018 highlights included reaching SF at Gstaad (l. scored third Top 10 win of the season over No.9 Minella), and R16 at Indian Wells (l. Martic) and US Barty in QF, having previously seen off No.5 Ka.Plis- Open (l. Tsurenko in 3s) kova (Fed Cup) and No.7 Svitolina (Doha) • Notched Top 20 victories over No.11 Konta (2018 • Beat Kuzmova without dropping a game in R16 at Indian Wells), No.11 Goerges (2018 Stuttgart) and Madrid - the third 6-0 6-0 win on tour this season No.13 Bertens (2018 US Open) (also Sharapova d. Dart at Australian Open and • Posted first Top 100 season in 2017, finishing at Pavlyuchenkova d. Jorovic at Monterrey); at 45 min- No.67, having finished 2016 at No.376 – biggest utes, it was the shortest completed match in 2019 ranking mover into the Top 100 (309 places) • Withdrew from Stuttgart w/hip injury following long • Made WTA breakthrough by winning Internation- weekend on Fed Cup duty. Won both singles rubbers al-level title at Biel/Bienne (as qualifier, d. Kontaveit (d. Garcia and Mladenovic), before losing decisive in F). At No.233, was the lowest-ranked title winner in rubber w/Niculescu Garcia/Mladenovic in 3-2 defeat 2017 and aged 17 years, 293 days was the youngest to France in semifinal since Konjuh (17 years, 169 days) at 2015 Notting- • Fell SF at Miami (l. Ka.Pliskova) and posted R16 run ham at Indian Wells (l. No.61 Vondrousova in 3s) • Also won four singles titles at ITF level in 2017 – in- • Fell in QF at Dubai (l. eventual champion Bencic) cluding at $80k ITF/Prague-CZE (d. Muchova in F) • Finished R-Up in Doha (l. Mertens)

SIMONA MARKETA HALEP VS VONDROUSOVA

SEASON CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Defeated Siniakova and Ka.Pliskova to help Roma- • In April 2017, made Fed Cup debut during Czech nia to a 3-2 victory over Czech Republic in the Fed Republic’s 3-2 defeat to USA in Florida. Lost opening Cup first round and reach the SF for the first time. singles rubber to Vandeweghe before levelling the Was the first time Czech Republic had been defeated tie with victory over Davis (USA won the deciding at home in 10 years doubles to end Czech Republic’s three-year reign as • Lost to S.Williams in R16 at Australian Open Fed Cup champions) • Fell to Barty in 2r at Sydney (after 1r bye) • Missed second half of 2016 to recover from elbow injury • Advanced to 2r on tour-level debut at 2016 Prague – CAREER MILESTONES as wildcard, l. eventual champion Stosur • On ITF Circuit, winner of seven singles and four • Ended 2018 season as World No.1 for the second doubles titles time in her career, with season highlighted by maiden • Made professional debut at 2014 $100k ITF/Prague- Grand Slam title at Roland Garros (d. Stephens in F) CZE (d. Suk, l. Brengle in 2r) • Also won titles last year at Shenzhen (d. Siniakova in F) and Montréal (d. Stephens in F) and was R-Up at Australian Open (l. Wozniacki), Rome (l. Svitolina) GRAND SLAM HISTORY and Cincinnati (l. Bertens). Is 18-16 in career finals • Won first career WTA doubles title at 2018 Shenzhen • 2019 Australian Open marked eighth Grand Slam (w/Begu). Now 1-1 in career doubles finals main draw appearance • Finished 2017 as the year-end World No.1, having • Achieved her best result at the majors by reaching ascended to the No.1 spot for first time in career on R16 at 2018 US Open (l. Tsurenko). Was youngest October 9, 2017 – became the 25th woman to reach Czech player to reach R16 at Flushing Meadows the top spot, and the 13th to hold year-end No.1 since 2005 (Nicole Vaidisova, R16 at 16yrs, 140 • Defended Madrid title in 2017 (d. Mladenovic in F); days) reached four more finals in 2017: Rome, Roland Gar- • Made Grand Slam debut at 2017 Roland Garros, ros, Cincinnati and Beijing. 2016 season highlighted where she advanced to 2r. Has also reached 2r at by three titles, at Madrid, Bucharest and Montréal 2018 and 2019 Australian Opens • Between May 2013 and August 2014, improved rank- • Fell 1r on debut at Wimbledon and US Open in 2017 ing from No.64 to No.2, winning seven titles • Reached doubles QF at 2017 Wimbledon (w/Bellis, l. • Has qualified five times for WTA Finals in Singapore eventual finalists H.Chan/Niculescu) (2014-18), reaching final in 2014 (l. S.Williams, hav- • In juniors won doubles at Australian Open and ing defeated the World No.1 in the round robin stage) Roland Garros in 2015 (both w/Kolodziejova). In • Named 2013 WTA Most Improved Player after singles, was semifinalist at both Roland Garros and winning her first six WTA titles and rising to year-end Wimbledon No.11 (dipped as low was No.64 in May) • Made WTA main draw debut at 2010 Marbella as a qualifier, reaching quarterfinals PERSONAL • Member of Romanian Fed Cup Team, 2010, 2012, 2014-19 • Coached by former ATP Pro Jan Hernych. Fitness trainer is Michal Vagner • Born in Skolov but moved to Prague alone at age 15 GRAND SLAM HISTORY to train full-time • Chose tennis over soccer as she prefers the individu- • Won first Grand Slam title of career at 2018 Roland al nature of the sport Garros (d. Stephens in F) after three runner-up fin- • Describes herself as quiet and calm ishes, at Roland Garros in 2014 (l. Sharapova in 3s), • Tennis idol is Roger Federer 2017 (l. Ostapenko in 3s) and at Australian Open in 2018 (l. Wozniacki in 3s) • Became 49th different woman to win a Slam title in the Open Era, and the second Romanian woman to win a Slam after Ruzici at 1978 Roland Garros • Was the first Romanian woman to advance to final at 2018 Australian Open (l. Wozniacki)

SIMONA MARKETA HALEP VS VONDROUSOVA

GRAND SLAM CONT.

• Made SF at Wimbledon in 2014 (l. Bouchard) and US Open in 2015 (l. eventual champion Pennetta) • Won Roland Garros girls’ singles title in 2008 – sixth woman to go on to win the women’s singles title

PERSONAL

• Announced at Miami that she is now working with Daniel Dobre. During off-season long-time coach Darren Cahill announced he was talking a 12-month break from tennis • Formerly coached by Wim Fissette and Victor Ionita • Tennis idols are Justine Henin and Roger Federer INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA MAY 13 – 19, 2019 WOMEN’S TENNIS ASSOCIATION MATCH NOTES

ROME, ITALY | MAY 13 - 19, 2019 | € 3,452,538 WTA PREMIER 5 EVENT

wtatennis.com | facebook.com/WTA | twitter.com/WTA | youtube.com/WTA Tournament Website: www.internazionalibnlditalia.com | @InteBNLdItalia | facebook.com/internazionalibnlditalia WTA Communications: Estelle LaPorte ([email protected]), Catherine Sneddon ([email protected]), Teyva Sammet ([email protected]), Ellie Emerson ([email protected]) INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA - DAY 2 MATCH-UPS [9] (BLR #10) vs. [Q] ALIZÉ CORNET (FRA #53) First meeting Cornet owns 17 career wins over Top 10 players... Sabalenka suffered early exit last week at Madrid... Cornet finished runner-up here in Rome on debut in 2008

[5] ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #6) vs. [WC] VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #51) Azarenka leads 2-0 Azarenka won hard court meetings between the two back in 2015... Svitolina bidding to become the fourth woman to lift three consecutive Rome titles... Azarenka has two Top 10 wins to her name in 2019 [8] ASHLEIGH BARTY (AUS #9) vs. VIKTORIA KUZMOVA (SVK #43) First meeting Both players lost to Halep last week in Madrid... Kuzmova’s sole career Top 10 win came earlier this year over Bertens at Dubai... Barty has not lost to a player outside the Top 10 since last September AJLA TOMLJANOVIC (AUS #47) vs. [4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7) Pliskova leads 2-1 Pliskova beat the Australian en route to Brisbane title this January... Tomljanovic owns two wins in her career against Top 10 opponents... Pliskova reached QF here two years ago (USA #30) vs. [11] (DEN #12) Wozniacki leads 1-0 Wozniacki triumphed when the pair met in first round at last year’s Roland Garros... Collins is one of eight Americans in the main draw... Wozniacki made SF at Rome in 2011 BELINDA BENCIC (SUI #15) vs. [12] ANASTASIJA SEVASTOVA (LAT #13) First meeting Bencic coming off SF run last week at Madrid... Sevastova aiming to score first Top 20 win of the season... Bencic playing Rome for first time since 2015 RETURN TO FORM ACE RACE

Injury free for the first time since 2015, Belinda Bencic Karolina Pliskova has already passed the 200-ace mark has been in fine form this season, winning 25 matches. In for the season and today has the opportunity to pass Kiki contrast, across the previous two campaigns, she posted Bertens atop the 2019 aces leaderboard: a combined total of just 17 main draw victories.

2019 WTA MATCH WIN LEADERS PLAYER ACES MATCHES

PLAYER WINS LOSSES BEST RESULT KIKI BERTENS 219 33

PETRA KVITOVA 27 7 WON: SYDNEY, STUTTGART KAROLINA PLISKOVA 217 27

BELINDA BENCIC 25 8 WON: DUBAI PETRA KVITOVA 168 34

KIKI BERTENS 24 9 WON: ST. PETERSBURG, MADRID NAOMI OSAKA 163 22 MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[9] ARYNA SABALENKA (BLR #10) vs. [Q] ALIZÉ CORNET (FRA #53)

Head to Head: First meeting

ARYNA SABALENKA ALIZÉ CORNET 10 WTA RANKING 53 17 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 67 05-05-1998 (21) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 22-01-1990 (29) $995,589 YTD PRIZE MONEY $250,781 $3,144,528 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $6,817,459 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 3 0 / 6 2 / 2 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 3 ROME W-L (MD) * 0-1 7-7 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 16-9 / 74-39 9-8 / 288-280 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 5-2 / 29-14 1-3 / 97-94 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 1-2 / 16-13 3-2 / 59-59 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 1-2 / 5-7 1-2 / 101-84 0-2 / 6-7 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-0 / 25-17 0-0 / 3-3 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 8-27 0-4 / 8-9 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 17-48 0-4 / 16-14 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-1 / 38-100 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 1r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration R2-Q A. CORNET d. K. PLISKOVA 6-4,7-6(4) 101 mins

R1-Q A. CORNET d. M. LINETTE 6-4,2-6,6-3 127 mins

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ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

ARYNA SABALENKA ALIZÉ CORNET 2018 2017 R1 L - SU-WEI HSIEH (TPE #50) 6-2 6-4 R2 L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #11) 6-4 7-6(11)

2016 R1 L - MISAKI DOI (JPN #45) 7-6(2) 6-1

2015 R1 L - ANGELIQUE KERBER (GER #11) 6-2 6-3

2014 R2 L - ANA IVANOVIC (SRB #13) 7-6(1) 7-5

2013 R1 L - NASTASSJA BURNETT (ITA #141) 6-2 6-2

2011 R1-Q L - (ESP #115) 6-3 6-4

2009 R2 L - (UKR #61) 6-4 6-1

2008 F L - JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB #4) 6-2 6-2

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ROME ROME

• Making second appearance at Internazionali BNL • Making eighth main draw appearance at Rome (10th d’Italia, having fallen 1r in 2018 (as qualifier, l. Hsieh) overall), where she was R-Up as a qualifier on debut • Faces Cornet in 1r today; owns 4-1 career record in 2008 against French opponents, losing most recent • During 2008 run, upset No.20 Schiavone, No.5 against Garcia at 2018 Zhuhai Kuznetsova and No.8 Chakvetadze before losing to • Has won past seven matches against qualifiers, last Jankovic tasting defeat against Hsieh here in Rome 12 months • Only other main draw wins came during 2r showings ago in 2009 (d. Sugiyama, l. K.Bondarenko), 2014 (d. • One of three Belarusians in field (also Azarenka and Flipkens, l. Jankovic) and 2017 (d. Errani, l. eventual Sasnovich). Best run by one of her compatriots in champion Svitolina) Madrid was a R-Up finish from Azarenka in 2013 (l. • Takes on No.10 Sabalenka today in 1r; last Top 10 S.Williams) win came over No.4 Kerber at 2018 Montreal • Posted 4-5 record in main draw matches on clay in • In terms of ranking, best wins this season were over 2018 - all wins came during R-Up showing at Lugano No.21 Mertens in Fed Cup and No.12 Wozniacki at • Playing this week as the World No.10 - her 14th Madrid (via ret. w/low back injury) consecutive week inside the Top 10. By contrast, 12 • One of three French players in draw here (also Gar- months ago was No.45 cia and Mladenovic) • No.4 seed in doubles draw w/Mertens (after 1r bye, face Sasnovich/Tsurenko or Grymalska/Marchetti in 2r) SEASON

SEASON • Made 2r at Madrid (l. Zheng) and fell 1r at Rabat (l. Bogdan) • Last week, suffered 1r exit at Madrid (l .Kuznetsova) • Advanced to 3r at Miami (l. Ka.Pliskova) • Was part of Belarus Fed Cup team that fell 3-2 to • Fell in 1r at both Indian Wells (l. Tomljanovic) and Australia in World Group semifinal, in Brisbane. Went at the WTA $125k Series event in Guadalajara (l. 1-1 in her singles rubbers (d. Stosur, l. Barty) and wildcard Zhuk) also lost the decisive doubles with Azarenka • Lost to Riske in 2r at Dubai • Made R16 in first clay court event of the season at • Helped France to 3-1 win away to Belgium in Fed Charleston (l. Puig) Cup World Group (d. Mertens on day one). Will play • Suffered 2r exit at Miami (after 1r bye, l. Tomljanovic) Romania in April’s SF after R16 run at Indian Wells (l. Kerber) • Produced SF showing at Hobart (l. eventual cham- • Completed the ‘Sunshine Double’ by sweeping pion Kenin) before falling 2r at Australian Open (l. back-to-back doubles titles at Indian Wells and Miami V.Williams) (both w/Mertens); now 2-1 in doubles finals • Opened season by losing singles matches to Barty, • Fell in R16 at Dubai (l. eventual champion Bencic) Muguruza and S.Williams as France made group • Won both singles rubbers (d. Petkovic and Siege- stage exit at mund) during Belarus’ Fed Cup World Group I win over Germany in February • Made SF at St. Petersburg (l. eventual champion Bertens); rose to career-high No.9 in the rankings CAREER MILESTONES following run in Russia (February 4, 2019) • In 2018, won sixth career title at Gstaad (d. Minella • Suffered 3r exit at Australian Open (l. Anisimova); in F), and reached two further QFs at Brisbane and made Top 10 debut after tournament (January 28) Charleston • Followed up Shenzhen title with opening match loss • Other five career titles came at 2008 Budapest, 2012 at Sydney (l. Kvitova) Bad Gastein, 2013 Strasbourg, 2014 Katowice and • Opened 2019 season by lifting third title of career at 2016 Hobart; owns 6-6 career record in finals Shenzhen (d. Riske in F) • Former World No.11 (achieved in February 2009) who broke back into Top 20 at end of 2014 for first CAREER MILESTONES time since May 2009; dropped out of Top 20 again after 2015 Dubai • Enjoyed breakthrough season in 2018, lifting two titles, at New Haven (d. Suárez Navarro in F) and Wuhan (d. Kontaveit in F), winning 46 matches and finishing at No.11 in the rankings ARYNA ALIZÉ SABALENKA VS CORNET

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Also in 2018, was R-Up at Lugano (l. Mertens) and • Owns five wins over Top 3 ranked opponents: No.1 Eastbourne (l. Wozniacki), made SF at Cincinnati, S. Williams (2014 Dubai, 2014 Wimbledon and 2014 reached five QFs and produced a career-best Grand Wuhan via ret.), No.3 A.Radwanska (2014 Katowice) Slam run to R16 at US Open and No.2 Halep (2015 Madrid); wins over S.Williams • Posted first Top 100 season finish in 2017, ending made her the first player to defeat the American in year at No.78. Season highlight was reaching first three straight meetings since Henin in 2007 tour-level final at Tianjin (l. Sharapova) and amking • Qualified for 2013 and 2014 Tournament of Champi- SF run at Tashkent (l. Babos) ons in Sofia, Bulgaria • Made Grand Slam main draw debut 2017 Wim- • Three-time doubles champion: 2008 Budapest (w/ bledon, falling in 2r (as qualifier, l. Witthoeft), and Husarova), 2010 Strasbourg (w/King), 2015 Hong WTA main draw debut at 2017 Dubai (as qualifier, l. Kong (w/Shvedova) Ka.Bondarenko) • Member of French Fed Cup Team, 2008-17, 2019; • Member of Belarus Fed Cup Team that advanced to French Olympic Team, 2008, 2012, 2016 competition final in 2017 – went 1-1 in singles and 0-1 in doubles as side lost to USA • Scored first Top 20 win of career with defeat of No.13 GRAND SLAM HISTORY Stephens during 2017 Fed Cup final in • Rounded out season by lifting WTA 125k Series title • 2019 Australian Open marked 49th consecutive at Mumbai (d. Jakupovic) Grand Slam main draw appearance – the longest • In 2016 rose nearly 400 places in the rankings, end- streak among active players. However, among active ing year at No.155. Won on ITF Circuit at $50k ITF/ players also has the most Grand Slam appearances Tianjin-CHN and $50kITF/Toyota-JPN (52) without reaching a quarterfinal • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2016 Rabat • Made Grand Slam – and WTA main draw debut – as • Made debut on ITF Circuit in 2012 at $25k ITF/ a 15-year-old at 2005 Roland Garros, advancing to Minsk-BLR 2r (l. Mauresmo) • Reached R16 on four occasions, at Australian Open GRAND SLAM HISTORY in 2009 (l. Safina), Wimbledon in 2014 (l. eventual runner-up Bouchard) and Roland Garros in 2015 (l. • 2019 Australian Open marked sixth career main draw Svitolina) and 2017 (l. Garcia) appearance at a Grand Slam, where she reached 3r • Best showing at US Open is 3r (2007-08, 2013-14) • Advanced to R16 for first time at 2018 US Open (l. • Won 2007 Roland Garros girls’ singles (d. Duque- eventual champion Osaka in 3s) Mariño in F) • Only previous Grand Slam win came during 2r show- ing on Grand Slam debut at 2017 Wimbledon (as qualifier, d. Khromacheva, l.Witthoeft) PERSONAL • Made 1r exit on next three major appearances, at 2018 Australian Open (l. Barty), 2018 Roland Garros • Father is Francis (retired); mother is Patricia; brother (l. Bertens) and 2018Wimbledon (l. Buzarnescu) is Sébastien (PhD, also her agent) • Also fell in qualifying at 2016 and 2017 US Opens, • Sponsors include Peugeot, and 2017 Australian Open and 2017 Roland Garros • Currently without a full-time coach. Working with • Was No.26 seed at 2018 US Open– first Grand Slam Pierre Bouteyre during the Miami tournament seeding of her career PERSONAL

• Coached by former ATP player • Since their partnership formed last summer, the pair- ing scored the best win-by-ranking of her career over No.2 Wozniacki at Montréal. Then in Cincinnati, the Belarusian dropped three consecutive seeds (No.9 Ka.Pliskova, No.6 Garcia and No.13 Keys) en route to SF, before capturing her first career titles at New Haven, Wuhan and Shenzhen • Started playing aged six • Prefers playing on hard courts MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[5] ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #6) vs. [WC] VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #51)

Head to Head: VICTORIA AZARENKA leads 2-0

2015 TORONTO HARD O R1 VICTORIA AZARENKA 6-1 6-4 77 mins 2015 DOHA HARD O R16 VICTORIA AZARENKA 6-3 6-7(4) 6-1 136 mins

ELINA SVITOLINA VICTORIA AZARENKA 6 WTA RANKING 51 10 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 39 12-09-1994 (24) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 31-07-1989 (29) $942,916 YTD PRIZE MONEY $313,498 $14,051,541 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $29,592,487 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 13 0 / 20 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 2 1 / 7 ROME W-L (MD) * 11-3 17-9 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 13-7 / 239-131 14-10 / 443-170 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 5-4 / 75-45 3-5 / 84-58 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 3-2 / 47-36 1-2 / 64-44 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 0-1 / 53-30 4-2 / 90-44 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-0 / 21-21 1-1 / 46-14 0-2 / 17-17 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-1 / 30-40 0-2 / 29-34 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-4 / 66-69 3-2 / 50-63 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-6 / 117-96 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 2r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration

R1 BYE - R1 V. AZARENKA d. S. ZHANG 6-2,6-1 67 mins

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ROME Tournament History

ELINA SVITOLINA VICTORIA AZARENKA 2018 2018 F W - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #1) 6-0 6-4 R1 L - NAOMI OSAKA (JPN #21) 6-0 6-3

2017 2016 F W - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #4) 4-6 7-5 6-1 R2 L - IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU (ROU #35) 6-3 6-2

2016 2015 R1 L - MONICA PUIG (PUR #57) 6-1 4-6 6-1 QF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #3) 6-3 6-2 2015 2013 R2 L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #16) 6-4 6-3 F L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 6-1 6-3 2014 2012 R1 L - (RUS #33) 6-2 6-3 R16 L - DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #17) W/O

2011 QF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #8) 4-6 3-0

2010 R2 L - ANA IVANOVIC (SRB #58) 6-4 6-4

2009 SF L - SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #8) 6-2 6-4

2008 R16 L - TSVETANA PIRONKOVA (BUL #64) 6-2 1-0

2006 R1 L - ANASTASIA MYSKINA (RUS #13) 6-3 3-6 7-6(6)

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ROME ROME

• Making her sixth consecutive appearance in Rome. • Making 11th appearance at Rome. R-Up in 2013 (l. Returns as the two-time defending champion S.Williams) and a semifinalist in 2009 (l. Kuznetso- • Defeated three Top 10 opponents here in 2017 to win va); also a three-time quarterfinalist title (No.2 Ka.Pliskova in QF, No.3 Muguruza in SF • One of eight players in the starting field who have and No.6 Halep in F) to secure her eighth career title held the WTA World No.1 Ranking and the second of her impressive three Premier 5 • Broke serve six times to beat Zhang in 1r this year titles last season – also Dubai and Toronto • Faces No.6 Svitolina in 2r today; bidding for third Top • Returned in 2018 to defeat three Top 20 players en 10 win of 2019, having previously upset No.5 Kerber route to title, including World No.1 Halep in F (Monterrey) and No.4 Ka.Pliskova (Stuttgart) • Bidding to become fourth player to win three straight • Has won back-to-back matches three times so far Rome titles, after Court (1962-64), Evert (1980-82) time this season – at Stuttgart (ret. vs. Kontaveit and Martinez (1993-96) in QF), Acapulco (l. Kenin in QF) and Monterrey (l. • After 1r bye, faces Azarenka in 2r today; owns 21-7 Muguruza in F via ret.) record in matches following byes, losing most recent • Currently the Belarusian No.3, Behind Sabalenka against Y.Wang at Miami this March and Sasnovich • A win today would be 11th in a row at Rome • Played last year’s Rome tournament on a ranking of • Owns four clay titles in her career, winning Marrake- No.84 – has improved ranking by around 30 places ch (2015), Istanbul (2017) and Rome (2017-18) since then • Won sole clay court title at Marbella in 2011 SEASON SEASON • Coming off 1r exit at Madrid (l. Parmentier) • Made second career WTA Premier Mandatory SF • Coming off 2r exit at Madrid (l. Stephens in 3s) of her career at Indian Wells (l. eventual champion • Made QF run at Stuttgart (ret. vs. Kontaveit w/right Andreescu). At Miami fell 2r (after 1r bye, l. Y.Wang) shoulder injury). Before that, her defeat of No.4 • Reached SF at Doha (l. Halep after leading 4-1 in Ka.Pliskova in 2r was her second victory over a Top final set) and Dubai (l. eventual champion Bencic) 5 player this season, having defeated No.5 Kerber • Advanced to QF at Australian Open for second year at Monterrey, and first on clay since 2015 Rome (d. in a row (l. eventual champion Osaka) No.5 Wozniacki in 2r) • Opened 2019 season with 2r exit at Brisbane as • Prior to QF run at Stuttgart was part of Belarus Fed defending champion (after 1r bye, l. Sasnovich) Cup team that fell to Australia in World Group semi- final, in Brisbane. Azarenka went 1-1 in her singles rubbers (d. Stosur, l. Barty) and also lost the doubles with Sabalenka CAREER MILESTONES • R-Up at Monterrey with first Top 10 victory of the year (d. No.5 Kerber); ret. vs. Muguruza due to lower leg • Won 13th – and most prestigious – career title at injury. Marked first final since 2016 Miami 2018 WTA Finals (d. Stephens in F), after going 3-0 • Exited 2r of Miami (l. Garcia) after winning first match during round robin stage. Ended year ranked No.4 ever played on the brand-new stadium court at Hard • Last year, also won titles at Rome (as defending Rock Stadium (d. Cibulkova) champion, d. No.1 Halep in F), Dubai (as defend- • Made 2r exit at Indian Wells (l. S.Williams). Faced ing champion, d. Kasatkina in F) and Brisbane (d. S.Williams in their 22nd career meeting – the only Sasnovich in F); career record in finals now stands at player S.Williams has faced more in her career is 13-2, including a current nine match win streak sister Venus (30 meetings) • At the Slams in 2018, reached QF at Australian • Win over Lapko in 1r at Indian Wells marked 300th Open (l. Mertens), R16 at US Open (l. Sevastova), career main draw win on hard courts 3r appearance at Roland Garros (l. Buzarnescu) and • Reached QF at Acapulco (l. Kenin) suffered 1r upset at Wimbledon (l. Maria) • Also won seventh career doubles title – and first • Posted SF run at Montréal (as defending champion, since 2011 – in Acapulco (w/S.Zheng d. Krawczyk/ l. Stephens) and made five further QFs Olmos in F) • Enjoyed stand-out 2017, finishing year at No.6, • Lost to Kvitova in 2r at St Petersburg winning a tour-leading five titles and posting sec- • Suffered back-to-back 1r exits at Auckland (l. ond-most wins (53, behind Wozniacki with 60) V.Williams) and Australian Open (l. Siegemund) and Auckland (l. V.Williams)

ELINA VICTORIA SVITOLINA VS AZARENKA

CAREER CONT. CAREER MILESTONES

• Season culminated by qualifying for WTA Finals in • On February 2, 2019 returned to Top 50 for first time Singapore, becoming first Ukrainian woman to quali- following the birth of her child, Leo fy for the season-ending tournament in singles (fell at • Highlights of 2018 season included SF at Miami (l. round robin stage with 1-2 record) Stephens) and QF at San Jose and Tokyo • Her five titles in 2017 were Taipei City, Dubai, Toronto • Made return to tennis in June 2017 following birth of • Became first player to win three Premier 5 titles in a first child in December 2016 single season (Dubai, Rome, Toronto), since such • Comeback tournament was Mallorca, reaching 2r (d. tournaments were introduced in 2009 Ozaki, l. Konjuh). Prior to 2017 Mallorca, last tourna- • One of five players to make Top 10 debut in 2017, ment contested was 2016 Roland Garros (1r) after winning Dubai in February (also Ostapenko, • Followed this up with R16 showing at 2017 Wimble- Garcia, Mladenovic and Vandeweghe). Peaked in don (l. Halep). Did not play any tournaments after rankings at No.3 on September 11, 2017 Wimbledon due to personal reasons • On four occasions could have reached World No.1 • Ended 2016 ranked No.13, despite missing sec- spot – at 2017 US Open, then needed to win 2017 ond half of season after going on maternity leave Beijing (fell in QF), then needed to triumph at 2017 (announced pregnancy mid-July). Lifted three titles, WTA Finals (failed to progress from group stage), or at Brisbane (first title since 2013 Cincinnati) and reach final at 2018 Australian Open (fell in QF) ‘Sunshine Double’ of Indian Wells and Miami – third • Strong finish to 2016 season also saw her reach first woman to achieve feat after Graf in 1994 and 1996 SF at Premier Mandatory level at Beijing (l. A.Rad- and Clijsters in 2005 wanska); in addition, post-US Open reached SF at • 2016 Miami marked 20th tour-level singles title of Tokyo [PPO] (l. Osaka) and Moscow (l. Kuznetsova) career (20-17 record in finals) • Qualified for 2016 WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai for the • Posted 26-3 record for first six months of 2016 with second time (l. Kvitova in F) losses coming at the Australian Open (QF, l. Kerber), • Reached three finals in 2016, at Kuala Lumpur (d. Rome (2r, l. Begu) and Roland Garros (ret. vs. Knapp Bouchard in F) and advancing to finals at New Haven w/right knee injury) (l. A.Radwanska) and Zhuhai (l. Kvitova) • Limited to total of 23 events over 2014-15 seasons • Other 2016 season highlights included SF at Dubai due to variety of injuries (l. Errani) and QF at Rio Olympics (l. Kvitova) • Posted five consecutive Top 10 finishes between • Owns two career doubles titles: 2014 Istanbul (w/ 2009 and 2013, qualifying for the WTA Finals on Doi) and 2015 Istanbul (w/Gavrilova) each occasion (l. Kvitova in 2011 final in Istanbul) • Made WTA main draw debut at 2012 Baku (lost in 1r • Ascended to World No.1 after 2012 Australian Open but won title the next two years) and held top spot for a total of 51 weeks • Played first ITF Circuit events of career in 2008 • Began 2012 with 26-match win streak – best start • Ukrainian Fed Cup Team, 2012-2017. Ukrainian since Hingis went 37-0 in 1997. Went on to win Olympic Team, 2016 tour-leading 69 matches in 2012, season highlighted by six titles, finishing as WTA’s year-end No.1 • Won two medals for Belarus at 2012 London Olym- GRAND SLAM HISTORY pics bronze in singles and mixed doubles gold (w/ Mirnyi) • Best Grand Slam results to date have been QF • Made WTA main draw debut at 2005 Kolkata showings at 2015 Roland Garros (l. Ivanovic), 2017 • ITF Junior World Champion for 2005 – reached first Roland Garros (l. eventual R-Up Halep), 2018 Aus- tour-level semifinal at Guangzhou the same year tralian Open (l. Mertens) and 2019 Australian Open (l. eventual champion Osaka) • Reached R16 at Wimbledon in 2017 (l. Ostapenko) GRAND SLAM HISTORY and US Open in 2017 (l. eventual R-Up Keys) and 2018 (l. Sevastova) • 2019 Australian Open marked 46th main draw ap- • Joint-highest seeding at a Slam is No.4 (2017 Wim- pearance at a Grand Slam bledon and US Open, 2018 Australian Open and • Is a two-time Grand Slam champion, winning the Roland Garros) Australian Open in 2012 (d. Sharapova in F) and again in 2013 (d. Li in F). Also a two-time Grand Slam runner-up, at 2012 and 2013 US Open (losing to S.Williams both times in 3s) • Reached Wimbledon SF in 2011 and 2012, while best result at Roland Garros has been SF appear- ance in 2013 ELINA VICTORIA SVITOLINA VS AZARENKA

PERSONAL GRAND SLAM CONT.

• Parents are Mykhaylo and Olena; brother is Yulian • Three Grand Slam doubles R-Up, at 2008 Australian • Introduced to tennis at age 5 by family Open (w/Peer), 2009 Roland Garros (w/Vesnina) and • Coach is Andrew Bettles. Has previously worked with 2011 Australian Open (w/Kirilenko). Two-time Grand Iain Hughes and Thierry Ascione Slam mixed doubles champion, at 2007 US Open (w/ • Won the Jerry Diamond ACES Award in the 2018 Mirnyi) and 2008 Roland Garros (w/B.Bryan). Most WTA Awards, in recognition of promotion of women’s recently finished as mixed doubles R-Up at 2018 tennis to fans, media, and local communities by per- Wimbledon (w/J.Murray) forming off-court promotional and charitable activities • Won girls’ singles titles at the Australian Open and US Open in 2005

PERSONAL

• Hired Wim Fissette as her full-time coach during the 2018 offseason, restarting a successful partnership prior to Azarenka’s pregnancy in 2016 • Formerly coached by Sam Sumyk and Michael Joyce • Gave birth to son Leo in December 2016 • Introduced to tennis at age 7 by mother Alla; father’s name is Fedor and older brother is Max

MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[8] ASHLEIGH BARTY (AUS #9) vs. VIKTORIA KUZMOVA (SVK #43)

Head to Head: First meeting

ASHLEIGH BARTY VIKTORIA KUZMOVA 9 WTA RANKING 43 6 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 23 24-04-1996 (23) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 11-05-1998 (21) $2,128,288 YTD PRIZE MONEY $350,227 $7,336,368 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $913,207 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 4 0 / 0 0 / 9 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 1 ROME W-L (MD) * 0-1 1-0 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 23-4 / 107-53 15-10 / 30-29 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 6-2 / 30-15 6-4 / 10-7 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 4-3 / 17-13 6-2 / 12-8 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 3-1 / 14-12 5-4 / 7-8 1-2 / 10-6 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 2-1 / 2-2 2-1 / 4-13 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-2 / 0-3 6-4 / 11-18 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-4 / 1-8 9-4 / 23-32 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 2-5 / 2-10 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 2r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration

R1 BYE - R1 V. KUZMOVA d. S. ERRANI 6-1,6-0 55 mins

ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

ASHLEIGH BARTY 2018 R1 L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #40) 7-5 3-6 6-2

2017 R2-Q L - JELENA OSTAPENKO (LAT #50) 5-7 6-4 6-4

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ROME ROME

• Making second main draw appearance (third overall) • Making debut appearance at Rome at Internazionali BNL d’Italia – fell 1r in 2018 (l. • In 1r struck 10 aces in quick-fire win over wildcard Sharapova) and in qualifying in 2017 Errani; has now struck 145 aces this season - the • Coming off a QF appearance in Madrid; extended sixth most on tour recent winning streak to 11 matches before run was • Faces No.9 Ashleigh Barty in 2r for the first time; sole ended by Halep in straight sets career win came over No.8 Bertens at 2019 Dubai • After 1r bye, faces No.43 Kuzmova in 2r today for the • Contesting tournament at her career-high ranking first time; last loss to a player outside Top 20 came No.43 (set March 4, 2019). By contrast, this time last against No.63 Azarenka at 2018 Tokyo year was ranked No.109 • Enters Rome in fourth place for match wins in 2019 – • Currently Slovakia’s No.2 player, behind Cibulkova, 23-4, including Fed Cup results (4-0) and ahead of Rybarikova in the Top 100 (week of • In 2019 has posted the second most wins against May 13, 2019) Top 10 opponents – 6-4 record (Bencic ahead with • Coming off R16 showing last week at Madrid. Posted 7-4) the second and third best wins of her career in the Spanish capital – upset No.17 Goerges in 1r for second Top 20 win (also defeated No.8 Bertens at SEASON 2019 Dubai) and followed up with 2r win over No.27- ranked Suarez Navarro • Won biggest title of career to date at 2019 Miami – run included three Top 10 wins, over No.8 Bertens (R16), No.2 Kvitova (QF) and No.7 Ka.Pliskova (F) • Win over Kvitova at Miami was 200th of career (in- SEASON cluding ITF Circuit) and 100th at main draw level • Made 1r exits at Prague (l. fellow Slovak Schmiedlo- • Made Top 10 rankings debut after Miami triumph va) and Istanbul (l. Strycova) (week of April 1) at No.9 (rose from No.11); became • Won maiden WTA doubles title in Prague (w/Ka- ninth Australian woman to crack the elite bracket linskaya) • Also became only player to currently rank in Top 10 • In April, won singles rubber vs. Haddad Maia as Slo- in both singles and doubles – enters Rome ranked vakia won its Fed Cup play-off against Brazil, 3-1 No.9 in both disciplines • Reached 2r at Lugano (l. Swiatek) • Made R16 showing at Indian Wells (l. Svitolina in • Advanced to 3r at Miami (l. Bertens) after falling 1r at second longest match so far in 2019 – 3hr 12min) Indian Wells (l. S.Zhang) • Led Australia to 3-2 away win over USA on Fed Cup • Reached first Premier-level QF of career at Dubai duty in February, defeating Kenin and Keys in singles (l. Kvitova); in 2r, saved 1mp to upset No.8 Bertens before teaming up with Hon to win decisive doubles - prior to this, best wins-by-ranking of career came rubber over Collins and Melichar over No.36 Cirstea (2018 Budapest) and No.36 Sas- • Also won both singles rubbers in Fed Cup SF against novich (2018 Cincinnati) Belarus in Brisbane (d. Sabalenka, Azarenka) as • Contested qualifying at St Petersburg, where she well as decisive doubles rubber (w/Stosur); Australia also reached her first WTA doubles final (w/Kalinska- hosts France in November’s final ya, l. Gasparyan/Makarova) • At tour-level posted 8-2 record on home soil in Jan- • At Australian Open, made 2r for second time at a uary, reaching QF at Australian Open and finishing major (l. Svitolina) R-Up at Sydney for second year in a row (l. Kvitova • Opened season with SF run at Auckland (l. eventual at both tournaments) champion Goerges) and made a 2r exit at Hobart (l. • Opened 2019 season at the Hopman Cup. Posted Flipkens) 2-1 singles record as home nation made group stage exit (d. Cornet, d. Muguruza, l. Kerber) CAREER MILESTONES CAREER MILESTONES • Ended 2018 season ranked No.56 to register her first • Posted career best season-finish in 2018, ending at Top 100 year-end finish of career No.15, winning titles at Nottingham and Zhuhai and • Posted best career result at 2018 Budapest, simul- reaching final on home soil at Sydney. Other 2018 taneously making tour-level QF and SF debut. As highlights included SF runs at Montréal and Wuhan qualifier, defeated No.36 Cirstea, Grand Slam R-Up Lisicki and Martic to reach SF without dropping a set (l. eventual champion Van Uytvanck) ASHLEIGH VIKTORIA BARTY VS KUZMOVA

CAREER CONT. CAREER MILESTONES

• Won maiden Grand Slam doubles title at 2018 US • Other 2018 highlights included reaching SF at ‘s-Her- Open (w/Vandeweghe) and picked up three other togenbosch (l. Flipkens) titles at Miami, Rome, and Montréal. Fell SF at WTA • On ITF Circuit in 2018, won titles at $100K ITF/Buda- Finals (w/Vandeweghe) pest-HUN, $60k ITF/Shenzhen-CHN (d. Kalinskya in • Started 2017 ranked No.271 in singles and improved F) and ITF $100k/Trnava 2-SVK (d. Cepde Royg in her position by 254 spots to post first Top 20 season F) to break into Top 100 for first time (finishing at No.17) • Was instrumental for Slovakia on Fed Cup debut vs. • Clinched career first WTA singles title at 2017 Kuala Russia in February 2018, going 2-0 in singles (d. Lumpur (as qualifier, d. Hibino in F) Potapova, Vikhlyantseva) as they ran out 3-1 winners • Made Top 20 debut and became Australia’s No.1 on • Finished 2017 season ranked No.132 to record her October 23, 2017 first Top 200 year-end finish • Best career win by ranking came over No.1 Halep at • Highlight of 2017 season was earning first tour-level 2019 Sydney win at Linz over Friedsam (l. Maria in 2r) • Winner of nine WTA doubles titles (five w/Dellacqua, • Fell in WTA qualifying on four occasions in 2017 two w/Vandeweghe, two w/Schuurs) • Made tour-level main draw debut at 2017 US Open • Qualified for first WTA Finals in doubles in 2017 (w/ (as qualifier, l. V.Williams) Dellacqua) • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2016 Prague • Reached a career-high doubles ranking of No.5 on • Holds 14 singles and six doubles titles on the ITF May 21, 2018 Circuit • Took a break from tennis after 2014 US Open that lasted almost two years • Returned to professional tennis in 2016, having en- GRAND SLAM HISTORY joyed a successful stint for the Brisbane Heat cricket team in the 2015-16 Women’s Big Bash League • 2019 Australian Open marked sixth Grand Slam main • Won Australia’s Newcombe Medal prize in 2018 draw appearance (eighth overall) • Finished 2013 ranked No.12 in doubles – only teen- • Best result across majors is 2r showings at 2018 ager ranked in doubles Top 30 Roland Garros and 2019 Australian Open (l. Svitolina • Won 2011 Wimbledon girls’ singles title; finished both times) 2011 as No.2 ranked junior behind Khromacheva • Her four other outings were 1r exits at 2017 US Open • Made WTA main draw debut at 2012 Hobart as WC (as qualifier, l. V.Williams), 2018 Australian Open (as qualifier, l. Mertens), 2018 Wimbledon (l. Peterson) and 2018 US Open (l. Azarenka) • Fell in qualifying at 2017 Roland Garros and Wimble- GRAND SLAM HISTORY don • Was R-Up in girls’ singles at 2016 US Open, and • Best major result to date is QF showing at 2019 Aus- won the girls’ doubles title (w/Pospelova) at 2015 US tralian Open (l. Kvitova) and R16 at 2018 US Open Open (l. Ka.Pliskova) • Has advanced to 3r on four occasions, at Wimbledon in 2018 (l. Kasatkina), Australian Open in 2017 (l. Barthel), and 2018 (l. Osaka), and US Open in 2017 PERSONAL (l. eventual champion Stephens). Made 2r at Roland • Coached by Michal Mertinak and trains at Slovakian Garros in 2013 (l. Kirilenko) and 2018 (l. S.Williams) National Tennis Centre in Bratislava • First Slam main draw (2012 Australian Open) came • Introduced to tennis aged four by father, Radovan, from winning Tennis Australia’s WC Play-Off who used to run a tennis club; mother is Ingrid and • Lifted maiden Grand Slam doubles trophy at 2018 sister is Katarina US Open (w/Vandeweghe), defeating No.1 seeds • Tennis idols are and Ana Ivanovic Krejcikova/Siniakova in SF and No.2 seeds Mlade- novic/Babos in F • Advanced to three Grand Slam doubles finals in 2013 (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open) and was also R-Up at Roland Garros in 2017 (all w/Del- lacqua) ASHLEIGH VIKTORIA BARTY VS KUZMOVA

PERSONAL

• Father is Robert, mother is Josie; sisters are Ali and Sara. Started playing at age 5 when parents intro- duced her to the sport • In April 2018, was named National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador by Tennis Australia. In conjunction with the announcement, she flew to the remote Wurrumi- yanga community on Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory to conduct a clinic at a local school • In 2015, earned a contract with the Brisbane Heat for the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League (cricket) before returning to tennis in 2016 • Currently coached by Craig Tyzzer; formerly coached by Jason Stoltenberg and Jim Joyce

MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC (AUS #47) vs. [4] KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE #7)

Head to Head: KAROLINA PLISKOVA leads 2-1

2019 BRISBANE HARD O QF KAROLINA PLISKOVA 6-1 1-6 6-1 83 mins 2015 STANFORD HARD O QF KAROLINA PLISKOVA 6-2 6-4 70 mins 2011 ITF/CLEARWATER CLAY O QF AJLA TOMLJANOVIC 6-3 6-3 N/A

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC KAROLINA PLISKOVA 47 WTA RANKING 7 32 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 3 07-05-1993 (26) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 21-03-1992 (27) $260,628 YTD PRIZE MONEY $1,877,512 $2,377,623 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $16,251,953 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 1 / 12 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 0 / 5 ROME W-L (MD) * 1-1 2-4 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 15-12 / 86-100 22-7 / 279-149 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 3-7 / 36-41 12-6 / 93-51 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 5-6 / 32-28 4-3 / 58-59 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 6-4 / 24-25 1-2 / 46-35 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 0-2 / 4-11 4-0 / 27-19 0-0 / 1-3 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-2 / 13-18 1-3 / 2-8 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-2 / 27-37 1-5 / 5-29 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 3-3 / 53-68 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 2r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration

R1 A. TOMLJANOVIC d. T. ZIDANSEK 7-6(1),6-4 89 mins R1 BYE -

ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC KAROLINA PLISKOVA 2018 2018 R1 L - DARIA KASATKINA (RUS #13) 6-0 6-4 R2 L - MARIA SAKKARI (GRE #42) 3-6 6-3 7-5

2015 2017 R2-Q L - MISAKI DOI (JPN #111) 6-3 6-4 QF L - ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR #11) 6-2 7-6(9)

2014 2016 R2-Q L - (RSA #91) 6-2 6-0 R1 L - DARIA KASATKINA (RUS #33) 6-4 6-4

2015 R1 L - TIMEA BACSINSZKY (SUI #24) 6-4 6-0

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ROME ROME

• Making second main draw appearance (fourth over- • Making fifth appearance at Rome, posting her best all) at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia result here with QF run in 2017 (l. eventual champion • Fell 1r as a qualifier on main draw debut last year (l. Svitolina) Kasatkina) • Had previously never been beyond 1r, falling at this • Broke six times to beat fellow qualifier Zidansek in 1r stage on her previous two visits in 2015-16 this year • Last year, after 1r bye, lost to Sakkari in 2r • Faces No.7 Ka.Pliskova in 2r today; bidding for third • Faces No.47 Tomljanovic in 2r today; has lost three career Top 10 win, having previously upset No.3 times to players outside Top 30 this season, against A.Radwanska at 2014 Roland Garros and No.9 Sa- No.31 Hsieh (Dubai), No.61 Azarenka (Stuttgart) and balenka at 2019 Miami No.85 Kozlova (Madrid) • One of two Australians in main draw (also Barty) • Owns two career clay court titles at 2015 Prague and • Enters Rome ranked No.47; last month, posted a 2018 Stuttgart career-high singles ranking of No.39 (April 1) • Has struck 217 aces this season, only Bertens (219) has hit more • Registered 22 main draw wins in 2019, the sixth- SEASON most - Kvitova leads the way on 27-7 • Has played a tour-leading 18 three-set matches • Coming off 1r exit at Madrid (l. Buzarnescu). Also in 2019 (12-6 record) ahead of Bencic (10-3) and during European clay court swing, made SF at Rabat Osaka (8-2) (l. Konta) and fell 1r at Istanbul (l. Vondrousova) • Opened clay court season by advancing to R16 at SEASON Charleston (l. Stephens) • Reached 3r at Miami (l. Kontaveit) and 2r at Indian • Fell 2r at Madrid (l. Kozlova) Wells (l. Sabalenka) • Withdrew from Prague w/viral illness • Fell 1r at both Doha (l. Goerges) and Dubai (l. • Lost opening match as defending champion at Stutt- S.Zheng) gart (after 1r bye, l. Azarenka) • Reached the second WTA final of her career at Hua • Reached first Premier Mandatory final at Miami, Hin (l. Yastremska in F) losing to Barty in straight sets in the final • Fell in 1r of Australian Open (l. Konta) • Fell in 3s to Bencic in QF at Indian Wells • Opened 2019 season at Brisbane, reaching QF (l. • Led 5-1 in the final set of her QF match vs. Hsieh at eventual R-Up Ka.Pliskova, then fell 1r the following Dubai before losing 6-4 1-6 7-5 week at Sydney (l. Giorgi) • Withdrew from Doha w/viral illness • Was unable to prevent defending champions Czech Republic from slipping to 3-2 defeat at the hands of CAREER MILESTONES Romania in Ostrava (d. Buzarnescu, l. Halep) • Produced best Australian Open performance of • Return to form and fitness in 2018 was marked by career, reaching SF (l. eventual champion Osaka in first career Top 50 finish, at No.46, and second and 3s); saved 4MP to defeat S.Williams in QF third WTA singles finals at Rabat (l. Mertens) and • Began season by winning 12th career title at Bris- Seoul (l. Bertens) bane International (d. Tsurenko in F) – has now won • Elsewhere in 2018, at Monterrey, made first WTA QF at least one WTA title for seven consecutive seasons appearance since 2015 (Tokyo [Japan Open]) before falling to the eventual champion, Muguruza. Reached three other QFs last season, at Mallorca, San Jose CAREER MILESTONES and Hiroshima • Opened 2016 season at Brisbane and Australian • Won two titles in 2018 from three finals contested, Open, but thereafter underwent shoulder surgery and triumphing at Stuttgart (d. Vandeweghe in F) and was off tour until 2017 Acapulco (early March) Tokyo [PPO] (d. Osaka in F). Posted R-Up finish in • Finished 2016 season at No.930 Tianjin (l. Garcia in F) • Advanced to 2r at comeback event at 2017 Acapul- • At Grand Slam level last season, made QF run at co, defeating Bouchard in 1r – her first main draw Australian Open (l. eventual R-Up Halep), reached 3r win since September 2015 at Tokyo [Japan Open] – at Roland Garros (l. Sharapova), made R16 for first before retiring vs. Flipkens in 2r (w/shoulder injury time at Wimbledon (l. Bertens) and had QF showing at US Open (d. No.17 Barty in R16, l. S.Williams)

AJLA KAROLINA TOMLJANOVIC VS PLISKOVA

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Improved ranking back to No.151 by end of 2017 • Made the SF stage at Brisbane (as defending cham- season, helped by 3r run at Miami (l. Safarova) and pion, l. eventual champion Svitolina), Madrid (l. even- 2r efforts at US Open (l. Krunic) and Linz (l. Bu- tual champion Kvitova) and WTA Finals (l. Stephens). zarnescu) Enjoyed QF runs at four other tournaments • On ITF Circuit, finished R-Up in final tournament of • Helped Czech Republic win sixth Fed Cup in past 2017 at $100k ITF/Dubai-UAE (l. Bencic) in Decem- eight years in 2018 (played SF tie vs. Germany) ber and also reached finals at $60k ITF/Sacramento • Claimed No.1 ranking on July 17, 2017 despite mak- (l. Anisimova), CA-USA and $80k Waco, TX-USA (l. ing 2r exit at Wimbledon (l. Rybarikova). Was the first Townsend) Czech woman to achieve the No.1 ranking since the • Made first WTA final of career in 2015, finishing R-Up computer rankings were introduced in 1975 (Martina at Pattaya City (l. Hantuchova in 3s) – previously, Navratilova became No.1 on July 10, 1978 while had never been past the QF at any WTA event representing USA) • Reached first Premier-level QF of career in 2015, at • Won three titles in 2017, at Brisbane (d. Cornet in Stanford (l. No.11 Ka.Pliskova). Other notable results F), Doha (d. Wozniacki in F) and Eastbourne (d. in 2015 were SF run at Tokyo [Japan Open] (l. even- Wozniacki in F) tual champion Wickmayer) and QF at Strasbourg (l. • In Grand Slam play, reached SF at Roland Garros (l. eventual champion Stosur) eventual R-Up Halep), QF at both Australian Open (l. • Improved ranking from No.453 to No.78 in 2013 sea- Lucic Baroni) and US Open (l. Vandeweghe) son – biggest jump of any player in Top 100 • Holds a 12-11 record in singles finals, having won • Made pro debut on ITF Circuit in Croatia in 2007. having titles on clay (2015 Prague, 2018 Stuttgart), WTA main draw debut came at 2009 Indian Wells (as grass (2016 Nottingham, 2017 Eastbourne) and hard WC, l. 1r) (2013 Kuala Lumpur, 2014 Linz, 2014 Seoul, 2016 • Owns five wins over Top 20 opponents: No.9 Sabak- Cincinnati, 2017 Brisbane, 2017 Doha, 2018 Tokyo, lenka (2019 Miami), No.13 Vesnina (2017 Miami), 2019 Brisbane) No.18 Keys (2015 Stanford), No.16 Jankovic (2015 • Captured fifth WTA doubles title of career at 2016 Brisbane) and No.3 A.Radwanska (2014 Roland Birmingham (w/Strycova). Is now 5-2 in doubles Garros) finals. At 2013 Linz, with sister Kristyna, became first • As a junior, achieved career-high ranking of No.4 in set of twins to ever win a tour-level doubles title singles and No.4 in doubles. Member of Croatia’s • Made Top 10 debut after 2015 Stanford R-Up finish victorious junior Fed Cup team in 2009 first time in WTA history, three Czech women inside Top 10 at the same time (also Kvitova and Safarova) GRAND SLAM HISTORY GRAND SLAM HISTORY • 2019 Australian Open marked 18th Grand Slam main draw appearance. Made debut at 2013 Wimbledon • Advanced to career first Grand Slam final at 2016 (as qualifier, l. Bojanovski) US Open (l. Kerber), simultaneously making debut in • Best Grand Slam result to date was R16 run at 2014 R16, QF, SF and title match at the majors. Became Roland Garros (d. No.32 seed Vesnina in 2r and first Czech to reach US Open final since Helena No.3 seed A.Radwanska in 3r, l. Suárez Navarro) Sukova in 1993 (l. Graf in F) • Has also reached 2r at Australian Open twice, in • At Australian Open, best result was SF run in 2019 2014 (l. Stephens) and 2015 (l. Lepchenko), at Wim- (l. Osaka), while she posted deepest run at 2018 bledon in 2015 (l. A.Radwanska) and at US Open Roland Garros, advancing to SF (l. Halep) in 2013 (as qualifier, l. Cornet), 2017 (l. Krunic) and • Reached R16 at Wimbledon in 2018 (l. Bertens) 2018 (l. Siniakova) • Made Grand Slam main draw debut at 2012 Roland Garros (l. Bartoli in 1r) PERSONAL PERSONAL • Coach and fitness trainer is father Ratko Tomljanovic • Started playing tennis at age 7 (introduced by sister) • Born in Louny, north of Prague, but now trains at • Announced in 2014 she would switch nationalities Sparta Praha tennis club from Croatia to Australia (first at 2014 US Open) • Currently coached by Rennae Stubbs and Conchita • Moved to Brisbane in November 2014 with Australian Martínez, and previously coached by Tomas Krupa residency; parted ways with coach David Taylor in and David Kotyza June 2015 • Married Michal Hrdlicka after 2018 Wimbledon MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

DANIELLE COLLINS (USA #30) vs. [11] CAROLINE WOZNIACKI (DEN #12)

Head to Head: CAROLINE WOZNIACKI leads 1-0

2018 ROLAND GARROS CLAY O R1 CAROLINE WOZNIACKI 7-6(2) 6-1 94 mins

DANIELLE COLLINS CAROLINE WOZNIACKI 30 WTA RANKING 12 12 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 30 13-12-1993 (25) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 11-07-1990 (28) $883,757 YTD PRIZE MONEY $341,412 $1,868,108 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $33,833,825 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 0 / 30 0 / 0 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 2 ROME W-L (MD) * 1-1 10-8 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 12-9 / 29-29 9-6 / 582-245 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 3-3 / 12-8 1-3 / 149-82 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 5-3 / 8-6 2-1 / 91-80 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 4-3 / 6-7 4-2 / 108-54 1-2 / 2-3 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-0 / 59-28 1-1 / 1-4 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 21-37 1-4 / 2-8 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 61-67 3-4 / 6-12 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 132-107 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 1r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

DANIELLE COLLINS CAROLINE WOZNIACKI 2018 2018 R2 L - DARIA KASATKINA (RUS #13) 6-2 6-3 QF L - ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #26) 6-3 6-1

2015 R2 L - VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #29) 6-2 7-6(2)

2013 R1 L - BOJANA JOVANOVSKI PETROVIC (SRB #48) 2-6 6-4 7-6(5)

2012 R2 L - ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES (ESP #31) 6-4 4-0

2011 SF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #8) 7-5 6-3

2010 R16 L - MARIA JOSE MARTINEZ SANCHEZ (ESP #26) 6-4 6-2

2009 R16 L - VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #9) 6-2 6-2

2008 R16 L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #2) 6-4 7-6(3)

Insights Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA from DANIELLE CAROLINE COLLINS VS WOZNIACKI

ROME ROME

• Making second appearance at the Internazionali BNL • Making ninth appearance at Rome, where she made d’Italia SF in 2011 (d. No.9 Jankovic, l. eventual champion • On debut last year, came through qualifying to reach Sharapova) 2r (l. Kasatkina) • Also made QF last year (l. Kontaveit) • Takes on No.12 Wozniacki today in 1r; three Top 20 • Has lost opening match in Rome on three occasions, wins this season all came during SF run at Austra- in 2012 (after 1r bye, ret. vs. Medina Garrigues w/ lian Open (No.13 Goerges, No.19 Garcia and No.2 upper respiratory illness), 2013 (l. Jovanovski) and Kerber) 2015 (after 1r bye, l. Azarenka) • In terms of ranking, best win of career on clay came • Faces Collins in 1r today; won only previous meeting over No.43 Cirstea in 1r here last year with the American en route to R16 at Roland Garros • One of eight US players in draw here (also Anisimo- in 2018 va, Kenin, Keys, Riske, Stephens, S.Williams and • Enters Rome ranked No.12 – this time last year, was V.Williams) ranked No.2 • Last year on clay, posted a 6-4 record (including • Looking to claim 31st career title this week and fifth qualifying matches), with highlight a run through on clay - most recent clay court title came at Brus- qualifying to 2r here in Rome sels in 2011

SEASON SEASON

• Coming off 2r showing at Madrid (l. Barty) • Coming off 1r exit at Madrid (ret. vs. Cornet w/low • Opened clay court season with QF run at Charleston back injury) (l. Puig) and 1r exit at Prague (l. Brady) • R-Up showing at Charleston (l. Keys) • Reached 3r at Indian Wells (l. Osaka - was first • Posted R16 showing at Miami (l. Hsieh) time facing a reigning World No.1) and at Miami (l. • Made 2r exit at Indian Wells (after 1r bye, l. Alexan- Y.Wang) drova) • Made 1r exit at Acapulco (l. Azarenka) • Withdrew from Doha and Dubai due to viral illness • Part of US team which lost 3-2 to Australia in Febru- • As the defending champion, reached 3r at Australian ary’s Fed Cup World Group tie (d. Gavrilova in sole Open (l. Sharapova) singles rubber) • Opened 2019 season by reaching 2r at Auckland (l. • Made Grand Slam breakthrough at Australian Open, eventual R-Up Andreescu advancing to SF (l. Kvitova); had never previously won a match in five previous Grand Slam appear- ances CAREER MILESTONES • Scored first Top 5 win of her career against No.2 Kerber in R16 at Australian Open • Posted a 41-17 record across 2018, finishing at No.3 • Rose to career-high No.23 following Melbourne run for 11th consecutive Top 20 season and eighth Top (January 28, 2019) 10 finish of career, including six in a row (2009-14) • Earned around $655,000 USD by reaching Australian and back-to-back year-end No.1 finishes in 2010-11 Open SF, taking career earnings past $1 million • Won three titles last season from four finals, winning • Opened 2019 season by falling 1r in Brisbane (l. the debut Slam at the Australian Open, Eastbourne Kvitova) and Sydney (as qualifier, l. Hsieh) and Beijing. Finished R-Up at Auckland • Owns 30 tour-level singles titles (30-25 record in finals) - sits fourth among active players, trailing CAREER MILESTONES S.Williams (72), V.Williams (49) and Sharapova (36) • Won 2017 WTA Finals Singapore, passing $25 mil- • Ended 2018 at No.36, in what was second season lion in career prize money as a professional (finished 2017 at No.167). All 17 of • Lifetime record stands at 4-6 vs. World No.1 players her career WTA main draw wins were posted in 2018 • Has won at least one title in 11 straight seasons (prior to 2018 Indian Wells, had played only three (since 2008), including career-best six titles in 2010 tour-level matches, losing all three) and 2011 • Season highlight in 2018 came at Miami where she • Won first WTA title at 2008 Stockholm, the first ever became first qualifier to reach SF (l. Ostapenko), title won by a Danish woman scoring first Top 10 win over V.Williams en route • Denmark’s flag bearer at 2016 Rio Olympics

DANIELLE CAROLINE COLLINS VS WOZNIACKI

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Earned USD$327,965 by reaching the last four at • Broke into Top 100 on July 9, 2007 and entered Top Key Biscayne, more than doubling her career earn- 50 on January 28, 2008. Debuted in Top 10 on May ings at the time 18, 2009 • Posted first tour-level wins during R16 run at Indian • Rose to No.1 on October 11, 2010 and held No.1 Wells (l. Suárez Navarro), where she scored her ranking for total of 67 weeks; returned to No.1 on first Top 50 win over No.15 Keys in 2r. Also in 2018, January 29, 2018 after Australian Open title for a made SF at San Jose and QF at Monterrey further four weeks, taking career to 71 weeks • Contested one tour-level main draw during 2017 • Qualified for WTA Finals six times (2009-11, 2014, season, at Indian Wells (as WC, l. Puig in 1r). Fell in 2017, 2018) qualifying five times, at Monterrey, Wimbledon, US • Made professional debut aged 15 as a wildcard at Open, Tokyo [Japan Open] and Tokyo [PPO] 2005 Cincinnati • Closed out 2017 season at WTA 125K Series event in Honolulu (l. Vickery in 1r) • Won two singles titles on ITF Circuit in 2017, at $25k GRAND SLAM HISTORY ITF/Bethany Beach, DE-USA and $25k ITF/Norman, OK-USA, taking total tally to four • Captured her first Grand Slam title at 2018 Australian • Enjoyed illustrious college career at University of Open (d. Halep in three sets) Virginia, claiming two NCAA singles titles in three • Also a two-time Grand Slam runner-up, at the US seasons; became only the seventh woman to win Open in 2009 (l. Clijsters) and 2014 (l. S.Williams). two NCAA singles titles Became first Danish player to reach a Grand Slam • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2014 New Haven final since Kurt Nielsen at 1955 Wimbledon • Graduated in 2016 as the top-ranked collegiate play- • Made major debut at 2007 Roland Garros (l. Dechy er in the country with a degree in media studies in 1r). Would go on to play 36 consecutive majors until streak was snapped by withdrawal from 2016 Roland Garros (w/right ankle injury) GRAND SLAM HISTORY • At Roland Garros she is a two-time quarterfinalist, in 2010 (l. eventual champion Schiavone) and 2017 • Best Grand Slam result is SF run at 2019 Australian (l. eventual champion Ostapenko) and has reached Open (d. No.2 Kerber in R16, l. Kvitova) R16 at Wimbledon on six occasions, most recently • Became the fourth American collegiate player to in 2017 reach R16 at a major, joining , Jill • In juniors, won girls’ singles title at 2006 Wimbledon Craybas and Laura Granville, and the first collegiate and was a finalist at 2006 Australian Open major quarterfinalist since Raymond at the 2004 Australian Open • Gained first Grand Slam main draw acceptance at 2018 Roland Garros (l. Wozniacki in 1r) PERSONAL • Also fell 1r at 2018 Wimbledon (l. Mertens) and US Open three times, in 2018 (l. Sabalenka), and also • Coached by father, Piotr Wozniacki; Francesca after entering her home Slam on a in 2014 Schiavone was among coaching team for recent (l. Halep in 1r) and 2016 (l. Rodina in 1r) Charleston run • Ran 2014 Marathon with charity Team for Kids, funds going to New York Road Runners PERSONAL youth programs • Announced engagement to former NBA player David • 2016 Honda Sport Award winner for tennis and can- Lee in November 2017, the ex-New York Knicks didate for Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year forward proposing on holiday in Bora Bora • Introduced to tennis by father aged three • Relaxes by going to the beach, fishing and running • Started her own jewelry line during 2018 offseason • Main coach is Pat Harrison (ATP’s Ryan Harrison’s dad), but he only travels occasionally

MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

BELINDA BENCIC (SUI #15) vs. [12] ANASTASIJA SEVASTOVA (LAT #13)

Head to Head: First meeting

BELINDA BENCIC ANASTASIJA SEVASTOVA 15 WTA RANKING 13 5 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 25 10-03-1997 (22) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 13-04-1990 (29) $1,458,907 YTD PRIZE MONEY $491,451 $5,192,040 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $6,548,394 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 3 0 / 3 0 / 2 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 1-2 3-2 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 25-8 / 124-95 13-11 / 160-125 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 10-3 / 46-27 4-6 / 51-41 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 6-1 / 31-23 1-1 / 33-32 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 8-4 / 17-18 4-4 / 56-37 3-2 / 13-9 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-1 / 9-9 5-1 / 12-7 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-3 / 3-12 7-4 / 20-18 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-4 / 9-22 7-4 / 25-35 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-4 / 17-41 * Updated entering 2019 Rome 1r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration

ROME Tournament History

BELINDA BENCIC ANASTASIJA SEVASTOVA 2015 2018 R1 L - DARIA GAVRILOVA (AUS #78) 6-7(2) 7-5 6-2 R16 L - CAROLINE WOZNIACKI (DEN #2) 6-2 5-7 6-3

2014 2017 R2 L - FLAVIA PENNETTA (ITA #12) 6-2 2-6 6-3 R2 L - ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA (RUS #17) 7-6(4) 6-2

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ROME ROME

• Making third appearance at the Internazionali BNL • Making third appearance at Rome, having reached d’Italia but first since 2015 R16 last year (l. Wozniacki) • Only previous win came during run through qualifying • Faces No.15 Bencic in 1r; last Top 20 wins came to 2r on debut in 2014 (d. Pavlyuchenkova in 1r, l. over No.18 Keys and No.6 Osaka during run to 2018 Pennetta) Beijing final • Faces No.12 Sevastova in 1r; bidding for 26th main • One of two Latvians in draw (also Ostapenko who draw win of the season (only Kvitova, 27, has more) faces Buzarenescu in 1r today) • Has been dominant when facing off against the lead- • Posted 13-4 record on clay in 2018, highlighted by ing players in 2019, compiling the best record vs. Top lifting third career title, at Bucharest. Also won maid- 10 players (7-3) and Top 5 (5-0) en career title on the surface at Estoril in 2010 • Best career results on clay are SF showings at Charleston in 2014 (as a qualifier, l. Cepelova) and last week at Madrid (l. Halep) SEASON

• Coming off R16 showing at Madrid (l. eventual cham- SEASON pion Bertens) • Made QF at Stuttgart (l. Kvitova) and fell 1r at Prague • Coming off SF run at Madrid (l. Halep); victory over (l. Potapova) Osaka in QF improved record over reigning No.1s to • Opened clay court season with 2r exit at Charleston 3-1 (also S.Williams at 2015 Toronto and Osaka at (after 1r bye, l. Pegula) 2019 Indian Wells), only loss came against S.Wil- • Posted showings at Indian Wells (l. ret. w/viral illness liams at 2014 Madrid vs. Kontaveit) and Miami (l. Putintseva) • Posted 2r exit at Stuttgart (l. Bertens) • Fell 1r at Doha (l. Blinkova) and Dubai (l. Hsieh) • Fell in 1r at Lugano (l. Lottner). Reached SF in dou- • Won both singles rubbers (d. Schmiedlova and bles (w/Kuzmova, l. Kudermetova/Voskoboeva) Sramkova) as Latvia celebrated contesting their • Advanced to the QF stage of Charleston (l. Martic) 100th Fed Cup tie by reaching World Group play-offs • Made 2r exit at Miami (after 1r bye, l. Putintseva) for the first time in their history with a 4-0 win over • Also made SF at Indian Wells (d. No.1 Osaka, No.5 Slovakia in February Ka.Pliskova, l. Kerber) • Matched her best result at Australian Open by reach- • Loss to Kerber ended 12-match winning streak - the ing R16 (l. eventual champion Osaka) longest on tour in 2019 - having won two Fed Cup • Opened 2019 season with QF run at Brisbane (l. singles rubbers (d. Errani, Giorgi), six wins en route Osaka) before suffering 1r exit in Sydney (l. Bac- to the Dubai title, four matches at Indian Wells sinszky) • Lifted third singles title of career at 2019 Dubai (d. Kvitova in F), her first since 2015 Toronto • Defeated four Top 10 opponents en route to title, CAREER MILESTONES including No.3 Halep and No.4 Kvitova • Inspired Switzerland to 3-1 World Group II win over • Recorded second Top 20 season in 2018, finishing Italy in Biel (d. Giorgi and Errani) No.11 and posted a career-high number of wins (43) • Fell in qualifying at St. Petersburg • Captured third title of her career on clay in Bucharest • Made SF at Hobart (l. R-Up Schmiedlova) and (d. Martic in F) and reached first Premier Mandatory reached 3r at Australian Open (l. Kvitova) final at Beijing (l. Wozniacki in F); now 3-4 in singles • Opened 2019 season at Hopman Cup, partnering finals Roger Federer to help Switzerland retain the trophy • Also R-Up at Mallorca (l. Maria) and made SF at US Open (l. S.Williams), Brisbane, Charleston and Mos- cow [Kremlin Cup]. Was the second of two singles CAREER MILESTONES alternates for WTA Finals in Singapore and fell in round robin stage at WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai • Finished 2018 ranked No.37 - fourth Top 100 finish • Flushing Meadows run saw her became the first • Was R-Up at 2018 Luxembourg (as qualifier, l. Go- Latvian woman to reach SF there, upsetting No.7 erges) Svitolina and No.3 Stephens en route. Defeat of No.3 • Underwent left wrist surgery in the Spring 2017, Stephens was joint-best win rankings-wise (also d. missing five months – ranking fell outside Top 300 No.3 Muguruza at 2016 US Open and No.3 Ka.Plis-

kova at 2017 Madrid)

BELINDA ANASTASIJA BENCIC VS SEVASTOVA

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Closed out 2017 season by winning 28 of 31 match- • Achieved first Top 20 season in 2017, finishing at es and four titles, two on the ITF Circuit and two WTA No.16 and recording a then-career-high number of 125K Series events at Hua Hin, Thailand and Taipei. wins (37) and winning percentage (.607), improving By the end of the year she was back in the Top 75 on her previous records set back in 2010 • Best wins of career came over No.1s S.Williams in • Captured second career singles title and first in sev- semifinals at 2015 Toronto and Osaka in R16 at 2019 en years at 2017 Mallorca (d. Goerges in F) Indian Wells and QF at 2019 Madrid. At 18 years of • Earned nearly half of career prize money in 2017 age in Toronto became youngest player to defeat after reaching US Open QF for second consecutive S.Williams in a completed match since 2004 WTA year and advancing to SF of WTA Elite Trophy Zhu- Finals, when 17-year-old Sharapova d. Serena in F hai (l. eventual champion Goerges) (Serena also lost at 2007 Charleston to then 17-year- • In 2016, played first full season since 2012, reaching old Chan Yung-Jan via first set retirement at 5-3) two singles finals at Mallorca (l. Garcia) and Bucha- • Struggled with injury in 2016 – advanced to sixth ca- rest (l. Halep), as well as first Grand Slam QF of reer singles final at St Petersburg in February (as top career at US Open seed for first time in career, l. Vinci) but after Charles- • Retired from professional tennis in May 2013 due to ton (April) was sidelined for more than two months – various injuries – mostly muscular and back-related missed most of clay season, including Roland Garros – but returned to competition at ITF level in January • Run to St. Petersburg final saw her break into Top 2015 after body had fully healed 10 (at No.9) for the first time in her career; became • During break from tennis studied leisure manage- 116th player to break into the Top 10 since comput- ment erized rankings were introduced in 1975. In the last • Prior to break from tennis, won first singles title at 20 years, 11 players have made their Top 10 debut 2010 Oeiras – becoming first Latvian to win a WTA before their 19th birthday title in 17 years (since Savchenko at Schenectady in • Reached a career-high ranking of No.7 (February 22, 1993) 2016) • Made Top 100 debut on July 13, 2009, Top 50 debut • Appeared in four finals in 2015, winning first two on October 11, 2010 and Top 20 debut on May 15, career titles at Premier-level Eastbourne (d. A.Rad- 2017 wanska in F) and Toronto (d. Halep in F via ret.). • Played first WTA event at 2007 Istanbul; made Slam Owns 2-5 record in finals, finishing runner-up at 2014 main draw debut as qualifier at 2009 Roland Garros Tianjin, 2015 ‘s-Hertogenbosch, 2015 Tokyo [PPO], • On ITF Circuit, has 13 singles and four doubles titles 2016 St Petersburg and 2018 Luxembourg • Member of Latvian Fed Cup Team 2005-06, 2008-10, • At 2015 Eastbourne, aged 18 years, 109 days, 2018-19 became second-youngest player to win a WTA Pre- mier-level final. Caroline Wozniacki won 2008 New Haven aged 18 years, 43 days • With 2015 Toronto triumph, became first teenager GRAND SLAM HISTORY to win an event at Premier 5 level or higher since • Became the first Latvian woman to reach a US Open Azarenka at 2009 Miami SF in 2018. Across all majors, the only other Latvian • Won second WTA doubles title of career in 2015 at woman to reach this stage is Ostapenko (2017 Ro- Washington, DC (w/Mladenovic), the first coming land Garros – WON; 2018 Wimbledon – SF) earlier in the year at Prague (w/Siniakova) • Fell at QF stage on two occasions, at US Open in • Voted 2014 WTA Newcomer of the Year after rising 2016 (l. Wozniacki) and 2017 (l. Stephens) 179 spots in the rankings to finish season at No.33 • In 2016, became first Latvian woman to reach a • Played first WTA qualifying event at Luxembourg in Grand Slam QF since Savchenko at 1994 Wimble- October 2011, and first WTA main draw 12 months don (since joined by Ostapenko) later at same event as WC (l. V.Williams, 1r); only 15 • Best result elsewhere is reaching R16 at 2011 years, 7 months at the time Australian Open (l. Wozniacki), before her two-year absence from the game GRAND SLAM HISTORY • Made 3r at 2017 Roland Garros; this was the first time a Latvian woman reached 3r in the Open Era • 2019 Australian Open marked 18th main draw Grand (also eventual champion Ostapenko). Latvian-born Slam appearance Larisa Savchenko advanced to 3r in 1984 and 1989 whilst representing the USSR • Has won just one match in five visits to Wimbledon, reaching 2r in 2017 BELINDA ANASTASIJA BENCIC VS SEVASTOVA

GRAND SLAM HISTORY PERSONAL

• Achieved best Grand Slam singles result when she • Trains and resides in Liepaja, Latvia and coached by advanced to QF at 2014 US Open; defeated two Ronald Schmidt Top 10 players en route (No.7 Kerber in 3r, No.10 • Mother is Diana Golovanova (English teacher) Jankovic in R16). At 17 years of age, was youngest • Started playing at age six, introduced to the sport by player through to last eight at Flushing Meadows her grandmother, played for fun until she was 15 since 1997 when Hingis won the title • Speaks Latvian, English, Russian, German • Best result at Australian Open was in 2016, advanc- • Other sports interests are soccer and jet skiing ing to R16 (l. Sharapova); at Wimbledon is R16 in 2015 (l. Azarenka) and 2018 (l. eventual champion Kerber), while best result at Roland Garros is 2r in 2015 and 2018

PERSONAL

• Recently split from coach Vlado Platenik; has worked extensively with Melanie Molitor and Martina Hingis, as well as her father, Ivan, in the past • Also holds Slovak citizenship through her parents INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA MAY 13 – 19, 2019 WOMEN’S TENNIS ASSOCIATION MATCH NOTES

ROME, ITALY | MAY 13 - 19, 2019 | € 3,452,538 WTA PREMIER 5 EVENT

wtatennis.com | facebook.com/WTA | twitter.com/WTA | youtube.com/WTA Tournament Website: www.internazionalibnlditalia.com | @InteBNLdItalia | facebook.com/internazionalibnlditalia WTA Communications: Estelle LaPorte ([email protected]), Catherine Sneddon ([email protected]), Teyva Sammet ([email protected]), Ellie Emerson ([email protected]) INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA - DAY 1 MATCH-UPS [10] SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #11) vs. [Q] (SWE #58) Williams leads 1-0 Williams has won all eight career meetings against Swedish players... Peterson defeated former Roland Garros finalist Stosur in qualifying... Williams is a four-time champion in Rome

SOFIA KENIN (USA #37) vs. [WC] (ITA #202) First meeting Kenin looking for 17th main draw win of season... Paolini one of three players ranked outside Top 200 in draw... Kenin has risen over 50 places in the rankings over past 12 months [WC] VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #50) vs. (BEL #20) Williams leads 2-0 Williams won two career meetings between the two at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2017... Mertens suffered early exit last week in Madrid... Williams owns 33 match wins in Rome [WC] VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #52) vs. SHUAI ZHANG (CHN #45) Azarenka leads 1-0 Azarenka won when the pair met during 2016 Indian Wells title run... Zhang one of three Chinese players in main draw... Azarenka finished runner-up here in 2013 ALIAKSANDRA SASNOVICH (BLR #33) vs. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #32) First meeting Cibulkova bidding for fourth win of the season... Sasnovich making main draw debut here... Cibulkova has reached three clay court finals during her career [13] MADISON KEYS (USA #14) vs. [Q] (SLO #70) First meeting Keys opened clay court season with title at Charleston... Hercog also enjoyed success on the dirt in 2019, triumphing at Lugano... Keys suffered 1r exit to Cirstea last week at Madrid CLAY COURT TITLES ROME MASTER

Serena and Venus Williams are both among the most Four-time champion Serena Williams has won more successful active players on clay: titles and matches in Rome than any other active woman: ACTIVE PLAYER CLAY COURT TITLES

PLAYER CLAY COURT TITLES PLAYER WINS LOSSES WIN % SERENA WILLIAMS 13 SERENA WILLIAMS 43 8 .843 MARIA SHARAPOVA 11 VENUS WILLIAMS 33 13 .717 VENUS WILLIAMS 9 MARIA SHARAPOVA 31 5 .861 SARA ERRANI 7 JELENA JANKOVIC 30 12 .714 SIMONA HALEP 7 MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[10] SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #11) vs. [Q] REBECCA PETERSON (SWE #58)

Head to Head: SERENA WILLIAMS leads 1-0

2019 MIAMI HARD O R2 SERENA WILLIAMS 6-3 1-6 6-1 98 mins

SERENA WILLIAMS REBECCA PETERSON 11 WTA RANKING 58 32 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 77 26-09-1981 (37) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 06-08-1995 (23) $439,796 YTD PRIZE MONEY $153,766 $88,673,097 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $912,193 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 72 0 / 0 0 / 23 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 1 ROME W-L (MD) * 43-8 0-0 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 6-2 / 798-134 6-8 / 25-37 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 2-1 / 156-60 3-3 / 9-9 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 0-0 / 107-52 2-1 / 6-11 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 0-0 / 170-34 4-3 / 8-17 0-0 / 68-13 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 0-0 / 0-4 1-0 / 110-34 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 0-1 1-1 / 173-71 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 0-2 1-2 / 301-96 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 0-4 * Updated entering Rome 1r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration . d. . 0 mins R2-Q R. PETERSON d. S. STOSUR 7-5,7-5 105 mins

R1-Q R. PETERSON d. V. KUDERMETOVA 6-4,6-2 81 mins

ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

SERENA WILLIAMS 2016 F W - MADISON KEYS (USA #24) 7-6(5) 6-3

2015 R16 L - CHRISTINA MCHALE (USA #65) W/O

2014 F W - SARA ERRANI (ITA #11) 6-3 6-0

2013 F W - VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #3) 6-1 6-3

2012 SF L - NA LI (CHN #9) W/O

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2010 SF L - JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB #7) 4-6 6-3 7-6(5)

2009 R2 L - (SUI #20) 6-2 2-6 6-1

2008 QF L - ALIZÉ CORNET (FRA #34) W/O

2007 QF L - PATTY SCHNYDER (SUI #17) 6-3 2-6 7-6(5)

2005 R2 L - (ITA #26) 7-6(2) 6-1

2004 SF L - (USA #9) 6-4 6-4

2003 SF L - AMÉLIE MAURESMO (FRA #6) 1-6 7-5 6-3

2002 F W - JUSTINE HENIN (BEL #8) 7-6(6) 6-4

1999 QF L - MARTINA HINGIS (SUI #1) 6-2 6-2

1998 QF L - VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #9) 6-4 6-2

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ROME ROME

• Making 16th appearance at the Internazionali BNL • Making debut appearance (main draw or qualifying) d’Italia, where she is a four-time champion, in 2002 at Rome (d. Henin in F), 2013 (d. Azarenka in F), 2014 (d. • Defeated Kudermetova and former Roland Garros Errani in F) and 2016 (d. Keys in F) R-Up Stosur in qualifying over the weekend - first • Has also reached SF on four other occasions time in qualifying since 2018 Wuhan • One of four players to win title here four or more • Twelve months ago was ranked No.95 – returns this times (also Evert -5, Martinez - 4 and Sabatini - 4) year ranked No.64, 12 spots off career-high ranking • Victory over Keys in final on her most recent ap- of No.52 (October 22, 2018) pearance here in 2016 saw her become the oldest • Faces No.11 S.Williams in 1r today – a win would be champion in the tournament’s history (34y 234d) best-by-ranking of career, bettering upset of No.28 • Bidding for 44th win here against Peterson today; Pavlyuchenkova at 2018 US Open only other player to post 40 or more wins here is • Only Top 10 opponents she has faced are No.2 Martinez (43-10) Wozniacki at 2018 Wuhan (l. 6-4 6-1) and No.10 • Has won all nine of her career meetings with Swed- S.Williams at 2019 Miami (l. 6-3 1-6 6-1) ish opposition in straight sets, most recently over • Only Swedish women in the singles draw Peterson at Miami in March • Owns 13 career clay court titles - the most among active players (followed by Sharapova on 11) SEASON • Reached R16 on only outing of 2018 clay court season at Roland Garros (withdrew prior to match w/ • On clay so far in 2019, has posted QF run at Rabat Sharapova due to pectoral injury) (l. Tomljanovic) and 2r showings at Lugano (l. Kuder- metova) and Istanbul (l. Arruabarrena) • Reached 2r at Miami (l. S.Williams) and made 1r SEASON exits at Indian Wells (l. Alexandrova) and Acapulco (l. Kenin via ret. w/upper respiratory illness) • During Sunshine Double, made 3r at both Indian • Posted 1-2 record in singles at the Fed Cup Europe/ Wells (ret. vs. Muguruza w/viral illness) and Miami Africa Zone Group I event, as Sweden narrowly (withdrew prior to match vs. Q.Wang w/left knee missed out on a place in the World Group II playoffs injury) • Made QF at WTA 125K Series event at Newport • Reached QF at Australian Open (l. Ka.Pliskova after Beach and then SF at $100k ITF/Midland-USA holding 4mp) on her 70th Grand Slam main draw • Made 2r on Australian Open debut (d. Cirstea, l. appearance – third on the Open Era list, behind Sharapova). Has now contested the main draws of V.Williams (81) and Frazier (71) all the majors, and this year’s appearance at Mel- • Overcame World No.1 Halep in R16 – was first time bourne Park marks fifth main draw at Slam level facing the reigning World No.1 since 2013 Doha (l. • Did not play any events in lead-up to 2019 Australian Azarenka in F) and was first win since 2013 Brisbane Open (d. Azarenka in SF). Aged 37, is the oldest player to defeat the reigning World No.1, bettering sister Venus’s win vs. Kerber aged 36 at 2017 Miami CAREER MILESTONES • Now owns a 17-12 win-loss record vs. World No.1s - only Navratilova has more wins with 18 • Finished 2018 at No.55 for career-high year-end • Began 2019 at Hopman Cup, posted singles wins finish, and debut Top 100 season over Bencic, Sakkari and Boulter as USA made • Posted most main draw wins last year, going 10-11, group-stage exit and peaked at No.52 in the rankings (October 22, 2018) • Advanced to 3r at 2018 US Open, first time at that CAREER MILESTONES stage of a Grand Slam (l. Kanepi); defeated a Top 30 player for the first time when overcoming No.28 • Returned to Top 20 in 2018 year-end rankings (at Pavlyuchenkova in 1r. Fell 2r on debuts at Wimble- No.16) despite playing only seven tournaments don (l. Vekic) and Roland Garros (l. Buzarnescu) • Was R-Up at both Wimbledon (l. Kerber) and US • As qualifier, made first WTA-level SF at 2018 Acapul- Open (l. Osaka) last season, and advanced to R16 co (l. Voegele); scored then-best career win-by-rank- at Roland Garros (withdrew prior to match against ing over No.33 Zhang in QF Sharapova w/right pectoral muscle tear)

SERENA REBECCA WILLIAMS VS PETERSON

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Made her return to tour as a mother at Indian Wells • After missing first half of 2017 season with shoulder in March 2017, falling to sister V.Williams in 3r, hav- injury, reached second WTA QF at Guangzhou in ing defeated Diyas and Bertens in straight sets 2017 (l. Krunic) and lost 1r on Grand Slam debut at • Ended 2017 ranked No.22, despite playing only two US Open. Also fell 1r at Bastad, and in qualifying events all season, and both in January. Broke streak twice, and won one singles title on ITF Circuit of 10 consecutive Top 20 finishes. Overall, has 15 • Advanced to first WTA-level QF at Bastad in 2015. Top 10 finishes to her name – third-most behind Also won one WTA doubles title that year at Rio de Navratilova (20) and Evert (19) – including five as the Janeiro (w/Bonaventure) year-end No.1 • Played first WTA main draw at Bastad in 2012, falling • Won 23rd Grand Slam singles title at 2017 Australian 1r (as WC). Open (d. V.Williams in F) • Contested WTA qualifying for the first time at Bastad • With 72 career singles titles, ranks fifth on the Open in 2010 Era list of most titles, after Martina Navratilova (167), • Winner of 11 singles titles and six doubles titles on (154), (107) and Margaret ITF Circuit Court (92). Also a 22-time singles runner-up • Played first senior tournament in 2009, in doubles at • Holds distinction of being the oldest No.1 in WTA ITF/Stockholm 2-SWE history – set record when most recent streak began on February 18, 2013. Spent her 319th week at No.1 in May 2017. Third on all-time list after Graf’s 377 GRAND SLAM HISTORY and Navratilova’s 332 • Held the top ranking for 186 consecutive weeks • 2019 Australian Open marked fifth Grand Slam main (through 2016 US Open) which equaled the record draw appearance held by Graf (186 weeks, August 17, 1986 through • Made 3r at a Grand Slam for the first time when March 10, 1991) reaching that stage at 2018 US Open (l. Kanepi). • Five-time champion at WTA Finals (2001, 2009, Recovered from 3-1 down in the final set to upset 2012-14) No.28 Pavlyuchenkova in 1r and score the first Top • Has registered 17 career wins over (seven different) 30 win of her career No.1 ranked players, second-most behind Navratilo- • Prior to 2018 US Open 3r run, best major runs were va (18) 2r at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2018 • Among active players, owns the most titles on clay • Made debut at 2017 US Open (as qualifier, l. Allerto- (13), hard (46) and grass (8) va) • Singles gold medalist at London 2012 Olympics, and doubles gold medalist at 2000 Sydney, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London (all w/V.Williams) • Spent eight weeks as co-No.1 in doubles (w/V. Wil- PERSONAL liams); one of six players to hold No.1 in singles and doubles simultaneously (also Navratilova, Hingis, • Trains in Stockholm and coached by father Mart Sánchez Vicario, Davenport and Clijsters) Peterson • Holds single-season prize money record of • Mother’s name is Annelie; has one sister, Berit $12,385,572, achieved in 2013 • Tennis idol growing up was Justine Henin and Kim • At 2014 US Open, received $4 million prize money Clijsters pay out (including Emirates Airline US Open Se- ries bonus); the largest payout in tennis – men’s or women’s

GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• A 23-time Grand Slam singles winner, ahead of Ste- fanie Graf (22) on Open Era leaderboard, and behind only (24) all time • Her titles were won at Australian Open: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009-10, 2015, 2017; Roland Garros: 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon: 2002-03, 2009-10, 2012, 2015-16; US Open: 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012-14 SERENA REBECCA WILLIAMS VS PETERSON

GRAND SLAM CONT.

• Owns a 23-8 record in Slam finals, with losses com- ing at 2001 US Open (l. V.Williams), 2004 Wimble- don (l. Sharapova), 2008 Wimbledon (l. V.Williams), 2011 US Open (l. Stosur), 2016 Australian Open (l. Kerber), 2016 Roland Garros (l. Muguruza), 2018 Wimbledon (l. Kerber) and 2018 US Open (l. Osaka) • Aged 35y 125d at the end of 2017 Australian Open, is the oldest player to win a major in the Open Era • Boasts the longest span of Grand Slam singles glory all-time. Pre-Open Era, Helen Wills Moody won her majors over the course of 15y 9.5m. Serena won her first Slam at 1999 US Open, 17y 6.5m before her 2017 Australian title. WTA legends Evert, Navratilova and Graf all won their Slams over a 12 year span • The 2017 Australian Open final saw Serena and Venus have the oldest combined age of any Grand Slam final match-up in the Open Era (71 years, 351 days), beating the previous record set by Flavia Pen- netta and (66 years, 19 days) at the 2015 US Open. Prior to that all-Italian final the record was held for nearly four decades by Virginia Wade and Betty Stove – who had a combined age of just over 63 years, 11 months at 1977 Wimbledon • In 2015, came within two wins of completing the cal- endar year Grand Slam, having won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon; l. Vinci in SF at US Open. Two women in Open Era had previously achieved the feat: Court (1970) and Graf (1988) • Has twice been in possession of all four majors for a “Serena Slam” (2002 Roland Garros to 2003 Austra- lian Open and 2014 US Open to 2015 Wimbledon) • Has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with sister Venus – most recently at 2016 Wimbledon (d. Babos/ Shvedova in F). Also won mixed doubles titles at 1998 Wimbledon and 1998 US Open (both w/Mirnyi)

PERSONAL

• Coached by father Richard Williams and mother Ora- cene Price; coaching consultant is Patrick Mourato- glou; hitting partner is Jarmere Jenkins • Gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. on September 1, 2017 • Married Reddit co-founder in Novem- ber 2017 in New Orleans • Recently launched her own clothing line, ‘Serena’

MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

SOFIA KENIN (USA #37) vs. [WC] JASMINE PAOLINI (ITA #202)

Head to Head: 0-0

SOFIA KENIN JASMINE PAOLINI 37 WTA RANKING 202 19 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 145 14-11-1998 (20) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 04-01-1996 (23) $253,938 YTD PRIZE MONEY $26,305 $1,135,413 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $225,276 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 1 0 / 0 1 / 1 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 ROME W-L (MD) * 0-0 0-0 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 16-8 / 36-29 1-2 / 4-11 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 6-5 / 15-12 1-0 / 1-0 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 3-2 / 7-4 0-1 / 1-2 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 1-1 / 1-5 1-2 / 4-8 1-0 / 2-2 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 0-0 / 0-0 0-1 / 0-2 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 0-0 0-2 / 2-5 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 0-0 2-3 / 5-12 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 1-1 * Updated entering Rome 1r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration . d. . 0 mins . d. . 0 mins

ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

SOFIA KENIN JASMINE PAOLINI 2018 2015 R1-Q L - (EST #59) 2-6 6-2 6-2 R1-Q L - (ROU #67) 7-6(1) 2-6 6-0

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ROME ROME

• Making main draw debut at the Internazionali BNL • Making main draw debut at Rome, having fallen in d’Italia this year following a qualifying exit in 2018 (l. qualifying in 2015 Kanepi) • One of five wildcards in this year’s singles draw; best • Enters Rome with 16 tour-level wins this season; by result by a wildcard here were SF showings from contrast did not reach 16 wins until September at Pierce in 1995 and S.Williams in 2010 Wuhan in 2018 (17 in total for the season) • Faces No.37 Kenin today; owns 1-7 career record • Faces wildcard Paolini today in their first career against Top 50-ranked opponents, with sole win com- meeting; last loss to a player ranked outside Top 100 ing over No.15 Kasatkina at 2018 Prague was against No.227 Pegula at 2018 Quebec City • Contesting 10th WTA main draw of career (third in • Contesting 2019 Rome ranked No.37. Achieved 2019), with best result a QF run as a LL at 2018 career-high of No.33 on March 4, 2019. This time last Prague year was No.91 • One of three players ranked outside Top 200 in the • One of a tournament-leading eight Americans to draw (also No.779 Cocciaretto and No.284 Errani) begin this year’s draw (also Anisimova, Collins, Keys, Riske, Stephens, S.Williams and V.Williams) SEASON SEASON • Last month, fell 1r at Prague (as qualifier, l. Minella) • Part of Italy team relegated to Europe/Africa Zone • Coming off 1r exot at Madrid (l. Kvitova) Group I after 4-0 loss to Russia (lost day one singles • Scored career first Fed Cup win against Bacsinszky rubber to Pavlyuchenkova) in April at Fed Cup playoff victory over Switzerland • Made 2r at Bogota (as qualifier, l. Arruabarrena) • Defeated Lisicki in 1r at Charleston to score career • On ITF Circuit, won seventh title at this level on clay first tour-level win on clay (l. Puig in 2r) at $25k ITF/Curitiba-BRA and reached three further • Posted 2r showings at Indian Wells (l. Svitolina) and QFs Miami (after 1r bye, l. Andreescu) • Fell in qualifying at St. Petersburg and Budapest • Finished R-Up at Acapulco (l. Wang in F); now owns • Opened the season by contesting qualifying at Aus- 1-1 career record in WTA singles finals tralian Open and 1r exit at $25k ITF/Playford-AUS • Posted R16 showing at Dubai (l. Kuzmova) • Part of US team that lost to Australia in Fed Cup World Group first round (l. only singles rubber to CAREER MILESTONES Barty) • Made 2r at Australian Open (l. Halep after leading • Ended 2018 ranked No.180, with season highlight a 4-2 in final set) maiden WTA singles QF at Prague (d. No.15 Kasatki- • Lifted maiden career title at Hobart (d. Schmiedlova na, l. Zhang) in F) without dropping a set; rose to then career-high • Also in 2018, made 2r at Bogota and fell 1r at Shen- No.37 in rankings following the tournament (January zhen, Acapulco and Bucharest 14, 2019) • Posted first Top 200 season in 2017, finishing at • Opened 2019 season with 2r exit at Auckland (l. Kuz- No.137. During campaign made WTA main draw mova); won maiden WTA doubles title w/Bouchard debut at Bastad (l. Suarez Navarro in 1r) and also fell 1r at Guangzhou and in qualifying a further three times CAREER MILESTONES • Posted career-high ranking of No.130 on June 19, 2017 • Broke into the Top 100 on March 19, 2018 and Top • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2015 Rome 50 on October 8, 2018 • Part of Italy Fed Cup team 2017-19 • Advanced to first WTA level SF in 2018 at Mallorca • Owns seven singles and one doubles title on ITF as a qualifier, also reaching this stage later in the Circuit season at Québec City • Made professional debut on ITF Circuit in Italy in • Represented the USA in the Fed Cup final vs. the 2011 Czech Republic in November 2018 • Opened 2018 with first tour-level QF at Auckland • Holds 2-6 career record vs. Top 10 opponents, hav- ing defeated No.6 Garcia (2018 Mallorca) and No.10 Goerges (2018 Wuhan) SOFIA JASMINE KENIN VS PAOLINI

CAREER CONT. GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• Compiled 47-28 record (all levels) in 2017, finishing • Is yet to appear in a Grand Slam main draw, having at a career-high No.113. Campaign highlighted by 3r fallen in qualifying on nine occasions, most recently run at US Open, 2r at Québec City (l. Safarova) and at 2019 Australian Open one ITF Circuit title • Contested Australian and US Opens as a junior • On ITF Circuit owns four singles and two doubles titles • Played first matches on ITF Circuit in March 2013 PERSONAL • Climbed as high as No.2 in the ITF Junior Rankings • Represented the US at the 2014 Youth Olympic • Father is Italian and mother is of Ghanaian and Games and competed at the 2016 ITF Junior Mas- Polish descent ters, both held in China • Favorite surface is hard

GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• 2019 Australian Open marked eighth Grand Slam main draw appearance • Made Grand Slam main draw debut at 2015 US Open as a wildcard – received for being crowned USTA Girls’ 18s national champion. Fell 1r to Duque Mariño • Reached 3r at 2017 US Open as a wildcard (l. Sharapova), in what was only fourth tour-level main draw outing. Repeated feat in 2018 (l. Ka.Pliskova) • Made 2r at 2018 Wimbledon on main draw debut (l. Diatchenko). Made 2r at 2019 Australian Open (l. Halep) • Other major appearances were 1r losses to eventual R-Up Ka.Pliskova at 2016 US Open and Goerges at 2018 Australian Open • As a junior, reached the singles final at the 2015 US Open (l. Galfi), the semifinals at the 2016 US Open and the quarterfinals at 2016 Wimbledon

PERSONAL

• Born in Moscow, moved to New York as a baby before family settled in Florida. Now resides in Pem- broke Pines, Florida, where she was home-schooled • Known as ‘Sonya’ • Coached by father Alexander Kenin with support Lo- renzo Cava; trains at at ProWorld Academy in Delray Beach, Florida • Best tennis memory is playing idol Maria Sharapova on Arthur Ashe (US Open 2017) • If not a tennis player would be a fashion designer • Dream doubles partners would be Serena Williams and Grigor Dimitrov • Good friends with CiCi Bellis and • Likes rap music, especially Drake • Treat food is Froyo - cookies and cream with Her- shey’s on top MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[WC] VENUS WILLIAMS (USA #50) vs. ELISE MERTENS (BEL #20)

Head to Head: VENUS WILLIAMS leads 2-0

2017 WIMBLEDON GRASS O R1 VENUS WILLIAMS 7-6(7) 6-4 100 mins 2017 ROLAND GARROS CLAY O R3 VENUS WILLIAMS 6-3 6-1 62 mins

VENUS WILLIAMS ELISE MERTENS 50 WTA RANKING 20 38 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 15 17-06-1980 (38) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 17-11-1995 (23) $394,427 YTD PRIZE MONEY $906,851 $41,325,475 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $4,067,097 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 49 1 / 5 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 22 2 / 8 ROME W-L (MD) * 33-13 0-0 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 11-4 / 786-236 13-11 / 94-56 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 5-1 / 181-110 3-4 / 29-18 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 3-2 / 132-94 4-5 / 21-23 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 0-0 / 166-60 2-3 / 31-11 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 2-1 / 73-16 2-1 / 9-3 1-2 / 64-73 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 1-0 / 3-6 1-3 / 135-101 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 3-1 / 6-10 1-3 / 233-147 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 4-5 / 10-25 * Updated entering Rome 1r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration . d. . 0 mins . d. . 0 mins

ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

VENUS WILLIAMS 2018 R16 L - ANETT KONTAVEIT (EST #26) 6-2 7-6(3)

2017 QF L - GARBIÑE MUGURUZA (ESP #7) 6-2 3-6 6-2

2016 R2 L - TIMEA BABOS (HUN #48) 6-7(5) 7-5 6-4

2015 R16 L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #2) 6-2 6-1

2014 R2 L - CARLA SUÁREZ NAVARRO (ESP #14) 6-4 6-2

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2013 R1 L - (GBR #39) 6-3 6-2

2012 QF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #2) 6-4 6-3

2010 QF L - JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB #7) 6-0 6-1

2009 SF L - DINARA SAFINA (RUS #1) 6-7(3) 6-3 6-4

2008 QF L - JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB #4) 5-7 6-2 6-3

2006 SF L - MARTINA HINGIS (SUI #21) 0-6 6-3 6-3

2000 R16 L - (AUS #37) 6-1 6-2

1999 F W - (FRA #8) 6-4 6-2

1998 F L - MARTINA HINGIS (SUI #1) 6-2 3-6 6-2

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ROME ROME

• Making 15th appearance at the Internazionali BNL • Making debut appearance (main draw or qualifying) d’Italia, , as a former champion in 1999 (d. Pierce in at Rome F). Also reached final on debut in 1998 (l. Hingis in F) • A Belgian woman has reached the final here on two • During title run here in 1999, notched second career occasions, Henin in 2002 (R-Up) and Clijsters 2003 win over a reigning World No.1, defeating Hingis in (WON) SF. First win over a No.1 also came against Hingis at • Faces V.Williams in 1r today for the third time, having 1998 Miami lost to the American in straight sets at Roland Garros • Sits in third place among active players for clay court and Wimbledon in 2017 titles, with nine, behind S.Williams (13) and Sharapo- • In 2018, posted tour-best winning percentage on va (11) clay (89%), ahead of Halep (84%). Highlights include • Faces No.20 Mertens in 1r today; bidding for second 12-match winning streaking between Lugano title Top 20 win of 2019 (also No.3 Kvitova at Indian (d. Sabalenka in F), two wins in Fed Cup play, and Wells) Rabat title (d. Tomljanovic in F). Also reached R16 at • Could potentially play sister Serena in 2r Roland Garros (l. eventual champion Halep) • At 38-years-old, is the oldest woman in this week’s field • Last year on clay, posted 1-3 record, reaching R16 SEASON at Rome (l. Kontaveit) and falling 1r at Madrid (l. Kontaveit) and Roland Garros (l. Q.Wang) • Coming off 1r exit at Madrid (l. Schmiedlova) • Reached QF during defense of Rabat title (l. eventu- al champion Sakkari) SEASON • Fell 2r in first clay court event of 2019 at Charleston, (after 1r bye, l. Kanepi in a topsy-turvy battle having • Made R16 at Miami (l. Halep) bageled each other in the first two sets) • Posted QF run at Indian Wells, becoming the oldest • Made 1r exit at Dubai (l. Zhu) following back-to-back player to reach this stage in the tournament’s history 3r showings at Indian Wells (l. Q.Wang) and Miami (l. and at a tour-level tournament since 2014 Birming- Vondrousova) ham when Date reached the last eight aged 43 • Completed ‘Sunshine Double’ in doubles (w/Sabalen- • Beat No.3 Kvitova in 2r at Indian Wells - first Top 5 ka), lifting the back-to-back titles at Indian Wells (d. win since 2017 WTA Finals (d. No.2 Muguruza in RR) Krejcikova/Siniakova) and Miami (d. Stosur/Zhang) • Victory over Barthel in R16 at Indian Wells was 800th • Won biggest title of career at Doha (d. No.3 Halep in (at all levels) of her career. Also signified first time final). Now owns 5-1 record in finals has won four consecutive matches since her run to • Also beat No.8 Bertens and No.6 Kerber in Doha, the SF at 2018 Indian Wells (l. Kasatkina). Has not doubling career total Top 10 wins to six won five matches in a row since the 2017 US Open • Lost both singles rubbers during Belgium’s 3-1 home when she lost in the SF to Stephens defeat to France in Liege (l. Cornet and Garcia) • Lost to then-No.1 Halep in straight sets in the 3r at • Made 3r at Australian Open (l. Keys) the Australian Open • Began season by falling 1r at Brisbane (l. Bertens) • Reached QF at Auckland (l. qualifier Andreescu) and reaching QF at Sydney (l. Barty)

CAREER MILESTONES CAREER MILESTONES • Won three titles in 2018 (Hobart, Rabat and Lugano), • Ended 2018 ranked No.40, down on No.5 in 2017 one of six players on tour with three or more titles to • Season highlights were SF run at Indian Wells (d. their name last year - also Kvitova (5), Svitolina (4), S,Williams in 3r, l. eventual R-Up Kasatkina) and QF Bertens (3), Halep (3) and Wozniacki (3) run at Miami (l. Collins) • Posted 46 main draw match wins in 2018 – only • Winnings at Indian Wells took her career total past Ka.Pliskova (49) and Kvitova (47) registered more. $40 million – S.Williams ($84 million) is the only other By contrast, prior to last season owned only 36 wins player to pass this milestone at this level across entire career • Teamed up with sister Serena at Fed Cup for her first • In doubles in 2018, won four titles and reached QF at competitive match back since giving birth in Sep- WTA Finals (w/Schuurs) tember 2017 (in dead doubles rubber l. Kerkhove/ • Finished 2017 season at No.35, up from No.120 in Schuurs) 2016 – first Top 50 and Top 100 year-end finish VENUS ELISE WILLIAMS VS MERTENS

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Ended 2017 season as runner-up at WTA Finals (l. • 2017 season highlighted by first career singles title at Wozniacki). Oldest player to ever reach the title bout Hobart (as a qualifier, d. Niculescu in F) at the season finale • Also in 2017, advanced to final at Istanbul (l. Svitoli- • Reached two other finals in 2017, at Australian Open na) and made SF runs at Bastad (l. Wozniacki), New (l. S.Williams) and Wimbledon (l. Muguruza) – only Haven (l. Cibulkova) and Luxembourg (l. Puig) player in 2017 to reach two Grand Slam finals • Registered first Top 10 win of career over No.10 • Returned to Top 10 in WTA Rankings by reaching Cibulkova in 1r at 2017 Beijing Wimbledon final. Is the third oldest player to rank in • Made WTA singles main draw debut at 2016 ‘s-Her- Top 10 in WTA history behind (Sep- togenbosch – made QF (as qualifier, l. Mladenovic) tember 26, 1983 – 39 years, 322 days) and Martina • Won first WTA title of any kind in doubles at 2016 Navratilova (December 26, 1994 - 38 years, 75 days) Auckland (w/Mestach). Now has six doubles titles – • 2016 season highlights including winning 49th career also 2017 Guangzhou (w/Schuurs), 2018 Hobart (w/ singles title at Kaohsiung (d. Doi). Is fifth-oldest play- Schuurs), 2018 Lugano (w/Flipkens), 2018 ‘s-Herto- er to win a WTA singles title, after Billie Jean King genbosch (w/Schuurs) and 2018 Wuhan (w/Schuurs) (39) at 1983 Birmingham, (38) at 2009 • Played first tour-level event of career at 2015 Ant- Seoul, Martina Navratilova (37) at 1994 Paris [Indoor] werp (fell in qualifying) and Francesca Schiavone (36) at 2017 Bogotá • Winner of 11 singles titles and 14 doubles titles on • With 49 titles, currently 11th on list of Open Era title- ITF Circuit holders, chasing (53 titles) • Played first events of career on ITF Circuit in Belgium • At Grand Slam level in 2016, advanced to SF at in 2010 Wimbledon (l. Kerber) which was first time reaching that stage at a major since 2010 US Open • At 2016 Rio Olympics won silver medal in the mixed GRAND SLAM HISTORY doubles (w/Ram, l. Mattek-Sands/Sock) • Returned to Top 10 for first time since March 2011 • 2019 Australian Open marked ninth Grand Slam following victory in final of the 2015 WTA Elite Trophy main draw of her career • Was diagnosed with Sjögrens Syndrome in 2011, • Advanced to first Grand Slam SF of career at 2018 missing the end of that season and start of 2012 Australian Open (l. eventual champion Wozniacki) • Won singles gold medal at 2000 Sydney Olympics • Became first Belgian to reach a Grand Slam SF (d. Dementieva in F); won doubles gold three times since Flipkens at 2013 Wimbledon; also the first with sister Serena, at Sydney, Beijing and London Belgian to reach QF at Australian Open since 2012 • Spent 11 weeks at world No.1 in singles (first as- (Kim Clijsters, SF) cended to top spot week of February 25, 2002) and • In 2018, also achieved best result at Roland Garros, topped the doubles rankings for eight weeks in 2010 with run to R16 (l eventual champion Halep), Wim- • Made WTA main draw debut at Oakland in 1994; as bledon, where she reached 3r (l. Cibulkova), and US unranked WC, defeated Stafford in 1r before falling Open where she also reached R16 (l. Stephens) to then-world No.2 Sánchez Vicario in three sets • Prior to making Grand Slam main draw debut at 2016 US Open, fell in qualifying at five majors: 2015 Wimbledon, 2015 US Open, 2016 Australian Open, GRAND SLAM HISTORY 2016 Roland Garros and 2016 Wimbledon

• 2019 Australian Open marked 81st Grand Slam main draw appearance, the most in the Open Era • Is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, PERSONAL winning Wimbledon five times: 2000-01 2005 and • Recently parted ways with coach David Taylor 2007-08. Also won US Open in 2000 (d. Davenport in • Earlier coaching history includes Belgian federation F) and 2001 (d. S.Williams in F) until early teens, as well as a year at the Mourato- • In addition, a nine-time Grand Slam R-Up across all glou Academy four majors: Wimbledon (2002-03, 2009 and 2017), US Open (1997, 2002), Roland Garros (2002) and Australian Open (2003, 2017) • The span between her maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open in 1997 and 2017 Wimbledon is the longest in Open Era history, followed by Navratilova 1975-94 VENUS ELISE WILLIAMS VS MERTENS

GRAND SLAM CONT.

• Owns 14 Grand Slam doubles titles (all w/S.Wil- liams), most recently winning 2016 Wimbledon. Haul includes two US Opens (1999, 2009) • In mixed doubles, won Australian Open (w/Gimels- tob) and Roland Garros (w/Gimelstob, d. S.Willams/ Lobo in F) in 1998

PERSONAL

• Owns interior design company, VStarr Interiors. Also set up clothing line called EleVen, designing her own on-court outfits • In 2015 received Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana University East • Coached by Richard Williams, Oracene Price. Split with long-term coach David Witt during off-season MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[WC] VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #52) vs. SHUAI ZHANG (CHN #45)

Head to Head: VICTORIA AZARENKA leads 1-0

2016 INDIAN WELLS HARD O R3 VICTORIA AZARENKA 6-4 6-3 91 mins

VICTORIA AZARENKA SHUAI ZHANG 52 WTA RANKING 45 42 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 62 31-07-1989 (29) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 21-01-1989 (30) $253,023 YTD PRIZE MONEY $595,944 $29,532,012 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $5,181,842 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 20 0 / 2 1 / 7 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 8 ROME W-L (MD) * 16-9 4-3 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 12-9 / 441-169 6-7 / 129-163 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 3-4 / 84-57 2-2 / 39-41 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 1-2 / 64-44 1-0 / 32-39 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 2-1 / 88-43 0-0 / 20-36 1-1 / 46-14 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-0 / 13-14 2-1 / 30-40 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-0 / 4-12 2-3 / 66-68 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 6-20 2-5 / 117-95 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 15-50 * Updated entering Rome 1r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration . d. . 0 mins . d. . 0 mins

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ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

VICTORIA AZARENKA SHUAI ZHANG 2018 2018 R1 L - NAOMI OSAKA (JPN #21) 6-0 6-3 R2 L - JELENA OSTAPENKO (LAT #6) 6-2 7-5

2016 2017 R2 L - IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU (ROU #35) 6-3 6-2 R1 L - KATERINA SINIAKOVA (CZE #37) 5-7 6-3 7-6(6)

2015 2015 QF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #3) 6-3 6-2 R1-Q L - LESIA TSURENKO (UKR #66) 7-6(2) 4-6 6-2 2013 2014 F L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 6-1 6-3 QF L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 6-1 6-3 2012 2013 R16 L - DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #17) W/O R1-Q L - MADISON KEYS (USA #60) 6-2 6-4 2011 2008 QF L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #8) 4-6 3-0 R1-Q L - ALIZÉ CORNET (FRA #34) 7-5 6-2 2010 R2 L - ANA IVANOVIC (SRB #58) 6-4 6-4

2009 SF L - SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #8) 6-2 6-4

2008 R16 L - TSVETANA PIRONKOVA (BUL #64) 6-2 1-0

2006 R1 L - ANASTASIA MYSKINA (RUS #13) 6-3 3-6 7-6(6)

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ROME ROME

• Making 11th appearance at Rome. R-Up in 2013 (l. • Making fourth main draw appearance at Rome. Best S.Williams) and a semifinalist in 2009 (l. Kuznetso- result came in 2014 when she posted a win over va); also a three-time quarterfinalist No.6 Kvitova en route to QF (l. S.Williams) • One of eight players in the starting field who have • Also fell in qualifying here on three occasions held the WTA World No.1 Ranking • Currently China’s No.2 behind , of five • Coming off 2r exit at Madrid (l. Stephens in 3s) women in the Top 100 • Has won back-to-back matches three times so far • Best win by ranking in 2019 so far was defeat of time this season – at Stuttgart (ret. vs. Kontaveit No.21 Kontaveit at Dubai in QF), Acapulco (l. Kenin in QF) and Monterrey (l. • Coming off 1r exit at Madrid (l. qualifier Kozlova); Muguruza in F via ret.) reached QF in the doubles (w/Stosur, l. eventual • Currently the Belarusian No.3, Behind Sabalenka champions Hsieh/Strycova) and Sasnovich • Played last year’s Rome tournament on a ranking of No.84 – has improved ranking by around 30 places SEASON since then • Won sole clay court title at Marbella in 2011 • Opened clay season with run to final at WTA 125K Series event in Anning, China (l. Zheng) • During Sunshine Double, reached 2r at Indian Wells (l. Ostapenko) and fell 1r at Miami (l. Martic); reached SEASON final of the doubles (w/Stosur, l. Mertens/Sabalenka) • Reached 2r at Dubai (l. Suarez Navarro) • Made QF run at Stuttgart (ret. vs. Kontaveit w/right • Posted a singles win over Putintseva in Fed Cup play shoulder injury). Before that, her defeat of No.4 in February Ka.Pliskova in 2r was her second victory over a Top • Fell 2r at Huan Hin (l. Wang Yafan) 5 player this season, having defeated No.5 Kerber • Advanced to 3r at Australian Open (l. Svitolina in 3s). at Monterrey, and first on clay since 2015 Rome (d. Her 1r win at Australian Open snapped a five-match No.5 Wozniacki in 2r) losing streak, which began with loss at 2018 Hong • Prior to QF run at Stuttgart was part of Belarus Fed Kong SF (l. Yatsremska) and continued at 2018 Zhu- Cup team that fell to Australia in World Group semi- hai (l. Muguruza, Sevastova in RR), 2019 Shenzhen final, in Brisbane. Azarenka went 1-1 in her singles (l. Jabeur) and 2019 Hobart (l. Blinkova) rubbers (d. Stosur, l. Barty) and also lost the doubles • Won maiden Grand Slam doubles title at Australian with Sabalenka Open (w/Stosure, d. Babos/Mladenovic in F) • R-Up at Monterrey with first Top 10 victory of the year • Began 2019 season with two 1r exits, at Shenzhen (l. (d. No.5 Kerber); ret. vs. Muguruza due to lower leg Jabeur) and Hobart (l. Blinkova injury. Marked first final since 2016 Miami • Exited 2r of Miami (l. Garcia) after winning first match ever played on the brand-new stadium court at Hard CAREER MILESTONES Rock Stadium (d. Cibulkova) • Made 2r exit at Indian Wells (l. S.Williams). Faced • Ended 2018 ranked No.35 for third consecutive Top S.Williams in their 22nd career meeting – the only 50 finish player S.Williams has faced more in her career is • Season highlights in 2018 included QF run at Pre- sister Venus (30 meetings) mier-Mandatory level Beijing (l. Osaka), and reach- • Win over Lapko in 1r at Indian Wells marked 300th ing SF at Prague (l. eventual champion Kvitova) and career main draw win on hard courts Hiroshima (l. Anisimova) and Hong Kong (l. Yas- • Recorded back-to-back match-wins at a tournament tremska) for the first time this season when reaching QF at • In 2017 won Guangzhou title (d. Krunic in F); now Acapulco (l. Kenin) owns 2-0 record in WTA singles finals, having also • Also won seventh career doubles title – and first won 2013 Guangzhou since 2011 – in Acapulco (w/S.Zheng d. Krawczyk/ • Posted career-high ranking of No.23 on November Olmos in F) 14, 2016 • Lost to Kvitova in 2r at St Petersburg • Strong end to 2016 (went 21-6 post US Open) • Suffered back-to-back 1r exits at Auckland (l. brought back-to-back semifinals on Asian swing – V.Williams) and Australian Open (l. Siegemund) and Tokyo [Japan Open] and Seoul – and saw her win Auckland (l. V.Williams) 19th ITF Circuit singles title of career at $100k ITF/ Tokyo 2-JPN VICTORIA ZHANG AZARENKA VS SHUAI

CAREER MILESTONES CAREER CONT.

• On February 2, 2019 returned to Top 50 for first time • At last event of season, runner-up at WTA 125K following the birth of her child, Leo Series event in Honolulu (l. Bellis in F) • Highlights of 2018 season included SF at Miami (l. • Enjoyed Grand Slam breakthrough at 2016 Austra- Stephens) and QF at San Jose and Tokyo lian Open, where she advanced to QF (d. No.2 Halep • Made return to tennis in June 2017 following birth of and No.17 Key en route, l. Konta). Run also marked first child in December 2016 first time winning back-to-back main draw matches • Comeback tournament was Mallorca, reaching 2r (d. since semifinal run at 2014 Birmingham Ozaki, l. Konjuh). Prior to 2017 Mallorca, last tourna- • Represented China at Rio Olympics (d. No.15 ment contested was 2016 Roland Garros (1r) Bacsinszky in opening match, l. Siegemund in 2r). In • Followed this up with R16 showing at 2017 Wimble- doubles, also made 2r (w/Peng, l. Hradecka/Hlavack- don (l. Halep). Did not play any tournaments after ova) Wimbledon due to personal reasons • Contemplated retirement after ending 2015 ranked • Ended 2016 ranked No.13, despite missing sec- No.186, her lowest year-end finish since 2008 ond half of season after going on maternity leave (No.212) and down from No.62 in 2014 (announced pregnancy mid-July). Lifted three titles, • Reached 2r at tour-level on only four occasions in at Brisbane (first title since 2013 Cincinnati) and 2015: Pattaya City, Charleston, Prague and Nürn- ‘Sunshine Double’ of Indian Wells and Miami – third berg woman to achieve feat after Graf in 1994 and 1996 • Has won eight WTA doubles titles, most recently at and Clijsters in 2005 2019 Australian Open (w/Stosur) and is a six-time • 2016 Miami marked 20th tour-level singles title of runner-up career (20-17 record in finals) • Winner of 19 singles titles and nine doubles titles on • Posted 26-3 record for first six months of 2016 with ITF Circuit losses coming at the Australian Open (QF, l. Kerber), • Member of Chinese Fed Cup team in 2007, 2009-10, Rome (2r, l. Begu) and Roland Garros (ret. vs. Knapp 2012, 2014-15, 2019; Chinese Olympic Team, 2012, w/right knee injury) 2016 • Limited to total of 23 events over 2014-15 seasons • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2006 Beijing; made due to variety of injuries WTA main draw debut at 2006 Guangzhou • Posted five consecutive Top 10 finishes between 2009 and 2013, qualifying for the WTA Finals on each occasion (l. Kvitova in 2011 final in Istanbul) GRAND SLAM HISTORY • Ascended to World No.1 after 2012 Australian Open and held top spot for a total of 51 weeks • 2019 Australian Open marked 32nd Grand Slam • Began 2012 with 26-match win streak – best start main draw appearance; won first Grand Slam dou- since Hingis went 37-0 in 1997. Went on to win bles title (w/Stosur) tour-leading 69 matches in 2012, season highlighted • Made Grand Slam breakthrough at 2016 Australian by six titles, finishing as WTA’s year-end No.1 Open, where she advanced to QF – first time she • Won two medals for Belarus at 2012 London Olym- had progressed beyond 1r at a major in what was her pics bronze in singles and mixed doubles gold (w/ 15th main draw appearance. As a qualifier, defeat- Mirnyi) ed No.2 Halep and No.17 Keys en route (l. Konta). • Made WTA main draw debut at 2005 Kolkata Ranked No.133, became lowest-ranked player to • ITF Junior World Champion for 2005 – reached first advance to last eight in Melbourne since unranked tour-level semifinal at Guangzhou the same year Henin reached final in 2010, and first qualifier to do so since Gavaldon in 1990 GRAND SLAM HISTORY • By reaching 3r at 2017 US Open, matched her best result in New York, also making this stage in 2016 (l. • 2019 Australian Open marked 46th main draw ap- Shvedova). pearance at a Grand Slam • This was preceded by three 1r exits – in 2008 (as • Is a two-time Grand Slam champion, winning the qualifier, l. Kuznetsova), 2011 (l. Cibulkova) and 2014 Australian Open in 2012 (d. Sharapova in F) and (l. Barthel) again in 2013 (d. Li in F). Also a two-time Grand • At Roland Garros, reached 3r for the first time in Slam runner-up, at 2012 and 2013 US Open (losing 2017, and has never progressed beyond 1r at Wim- to S.Williams both times in 3s) bledon in five main draw appearances • Reached Wimbledon SF in 2011 and 2012, while best result at Roland Garros has been SF appear- ance in 2013 VICTORIA ZHANG AZARENKA VS SHUAI

GRAND SLAM CONT. PERSONAL

• Three Grand Slam doubles R-Up, at 2008 Australian • Hails from a sporting family. Father, Zhang Zhi Open (w/Peer), 2009 Roland Garros (w/Vesnina) and Qiang, was a professional soccer player, and mother, 2011 Australian Open (w/Kirilenko). Two-time Grand Wang Feng Quin, was a basketball player Slam mixed doubles champion, at 2007 US Open (w/ • Coached by Liu Shuo Mirnyi) and 2008 Roland Garros (w/B.Bryan). Most • Started playing tennis aged six, when parents took recently finished as mixed doubles R-Up at 2018 her to local club Wimbledon (w/J.Murray) • Best tennis memory was playing mixed doubles with • Won girls’ singles titles at the Australian Open and Pete Sampras in 2011, winning Guangzhou in 2013, US Open in 2005 and reaching the 2016 Australian Open QF • Relaxes by listening to music, taking photos and PERSONAL exploring the places she travels to

• Hired Wim Fissette as her full-time coach during the 2018 offseason, restarting a successful partnership prior to Azarenka’s pregnancy in 2016 • Formerly coached by Sam Sumyk and Michael Joyce • Gave birth to son Leo in December 2016 • Introduced to tennis at age 7 by mother Alla; father’s name is Fedor and older brother is Max MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

ALIAKSANDRA SASNOVICH (BLR #33) vs. DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA (SVK #32)

Head to Head: 0-0

ALIAKSANDRA SASNOVICH DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA 33 WTA RANKING 32 35 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 225 22-03-1994 (25) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 06-05-1989 (30) $278,185 YTD PRIZE MONEY $135,624 $2,323,005 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $13,595,587 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 0 0 / 8 0 / 0 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 1 ROME W-L (MD) * 0-0 8-7 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 10-7 / 70-65 3-6 / 379-270 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 4-1 / 30-22 1-4 / 120-107 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 1-0 / 18-11 1-0 / 88-66 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 0-0 / 9-14 2-1 / 77-53 1-1 / 7-4 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-0 / 32-29 1-0 / 1-2 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 20-36 2-1 / 5-8 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 37-63 3-2 / 12-19 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-1 / 70-109 * Updated entering Rome 1r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration . d. . 0 mins . d. . 0 mins

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ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

ALIAKSANDRA SASNOVICH DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA 2018 2018 R1-Q L - MONA BARTHEL (GER #107) 7-5 6-2 R2 L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #40) 3-6 6-4 6-2

2017 2017 R1-Q L - DARIA GAVRILOVA (AUS #33) 6-2 4-6 6-2 R2 L - EKATERINA MAKAROVA (RUS #43) 1-6 6-1 6-3

2016 2014 R2-Q L - MARIANA DUQUE-MARIÑO (COL #109) 6-0 4-6 7-6(5) R1 L - CAMILA GIORGI (ITA #54) 6-4 7-6(2)

2013 R16 L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 6-0 6-1

2012 QF L - NA LI (CHN #9) 6-1 7-6(4)

2010 R16 L - MARIA KIRILENKO (RUS #37) 4-6 6-1 6-1

2008 R2 L - MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS #2) 6-2 3-6 6-4

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ROME ROME

• Making main draw debut at Rome, having fallen in • Making eighth appearance at Rome; best result to qualifying the past three years running date is reaching QF in 2012 (l. eventual R-Up Li Na). • Coming off first 3r run at Madrid, where she upset Also advanced to R16 in 2010 (l. Kirilenko) and 2013 No.15 Kontaveit in 1r (l. Osaka); equaled best previ- (l. eventual champion S.Williams) ous result at a Premier Mandatory event – 3r at 2018 • Aiming for just her fourth match win of 2019 following Indian Wells Dubai (d. Arruabarrena in 1r, l. Ka.Pliskova in 2r) and • Now owns four Top 20 wins in 2019, the first three Fed Cup (d. Alves and Haddad Maia) all posted in first month of the season: No.4 Svitolina • Posted 5-5 record on clay in 2018, highlighted by (Brisbane), No.10 Kasatkina (Sydney) and No.20 R-Up finish at Strasbourg (l. Pavlyuchenkova in 3h Kontaveit (Australian Open) 36m final - second longest match of 2018) • Currently the Belarusian No.2, behind Sabalenka • Has reached three other clay court finals during and ahead of Azarenka and Lapko in the Top 100 her career, finishing R-Up at 2008 Amelia Island (l. • Recently announced coaching trial with Vlado Plate- Sharapova), 2012 Barcelona (l. Errani) and 2016 nik until end of clay court season Madrid (l. Halep) • Went 3-5 during spring clay court season in 2018, • Remains the Slovak No.1 of three women in Top 100 reaching 2r at Lugano, Madrid and Roland Garros (also Kuzmova and Rybarikova)

SEASON SEASON • Coming off 1r exit at Madrid (l. Osaka), taking record • In April, travelled to Brisbane as member of Belarus against World No.1s to 5-12 – upset Wozniacki at Fed Cup squad that faced Australia in World Group 2011 Sydney and 2011 Wimbledon, Azarenka 2012 SF but did not play (Australia advanced to final) Roland Garros, Kerber at 2016 WTA Finals and • During Sunshine Double made 2r exits at Indian Halep at 2018 Wuhan Wells (after 1r bye, l. Kozlova) and Miami (l. Wozni- • Made 1r exit at Stuttgart (l. qualifier Minnen) acki) • In her 22nd and final Fed Cup tie helped Slovakia • In the Middle East, fell 1r at Doha (l. Hsieh) and to a 3-1 win over Brazil to retain its World Group II reached 2r at Dubai (l. Hsieh) status (d. Alves and Haddad Maia) • Defeated Maria during Belarus’s 4-0 Fed Cup World • Lost opening match at Indian Wells (after 1r bye, fell Group first round win over Germany in Braunschweig to eventual champion Andreescu in 2r) and Miami (l. • Began season in a rich vein of form, making QF at Azarenka in 1r) Brisbane (l. Vekic) and SF run at Sydney (as qualifi- • Notched first win of 2019 at Dubai (d. Arruabarrena er, l. eventual champion Kvitova), before advancing in 3s before falling to Ka.Pliskova in 2r) to 3r at Australian Open (l. Pavlyuchenkova); Bris- • Withdrew from St. Petersburg w/viral illness bane-Sydney was the first time in her career she had • Opened season with 1r exits at Sydney (l. Stosur) made QF (or better) at consecutive WTA events and Australian Open (l. Zhang) - first time she has failed to post a win in Australia since 2007 CAREER MILESTONES CAREER MILESTONES • Posted career-best season finish in 2018 at No.30 – the first Top 50 finish of her career • Posted ninth career Top 30 finish in 2018 (at No.25), • In 2018, reached second career WTA final and first reaching finals at Budapest (l. Van Uytvanck) and at a Premier tournament at Brisbane, as a qualifier – Strasbourg (l. Pavlyuchenkova). Record in WTA defeated No.11 Mladenovic and No.16 Sevastova en finals now stands at 8-13 (most recent title came at route to final (l. No.6 Svitolina). 2016 WTA Finals in Singapore) • Also made SF at Moscow [River Cup] and first Grand • Held 2mp in Strasbourg final against Pavlyuchen- Slam R16 at Wimbledon kova; match lasted 3h 35m – the longest non-Slam • Played all three ties during Belarus’ run to its first match of the 2018 season Fed Cup final in 2017 – posted 5-1 record, including • Also made QF in 2018 at Sydney, Wimbledon, Wu- win over No.13 Stephens in final han and Beijing and R16 at US Open • Other standout performances in 2017 were SF run at • Owns a 5-12 record against reigning World No.1s, Biel and QF appearance at Premier-level Moscow with wins over Wozniacki at 2011 Sydney and 2011 • Reached maiden WTA final, at 2015 Seoul (as quali- Wimbledon, Azarenka 2012 Roland Garros, Kerber fier, l. Begu) at 2016 WTA Finals and Halep at 2018 Wuhan ALIAKSANDRA DOMINIKA SASNOVICH VS CIBULKOVA

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Made Top 100 debut on September 8, 2015 (after US • 2017 was highlighted by R-Up finish at New Haven Open; rose from No.120 to No.97) (l. Gavrilova). Posted career-high ranking on March • In 2014 season won 11th and most recent singles ti- 20, 2017 at No.4 following run to R16 at Indian Wells tle on ITF Circuit. Also owns seven ITF doubles titles • Won first WTA doubles title of career at 2017 ‘s-Her- • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2013 Brussels; made togenbosch (w/Flipkens) WTA main draw debut at 2014 US Open • Capped 2016 by winning biggest title of career to • Played first event of career at 2009 ITF/Minsk 2-BLR date at WTA Finals in Singapore – went 1-2 in group stage before defeating No.9 Kuznetsova in SF and World No.1 Kerber in final GRAND SLAM HISTORY • At No.7, became lowest seeded player to triumph at WTA Finals since No.7 seed V.Williams in 2008; first debutante to win WTA Finals since Kvitova in 2011 • 2019 Australian Open marked 16th main draw ap- • Won 2016 WTA Comeback Player of the Year award pearance at a Grand Slam – ended 2015 ranked No.38 having been sidelined • Best Grand Slam result is R16 run at 2018 Wimble- for four months with a left Achilles problem, with don (d. No.8 Kvitova in 1r, l. Ostapenko) ranking dipping as low as No.66 in February 2016 • Also posted 3r runs at 2018 (l. Garcia) and 2019 • Won career-high 53 matches in 2016 (previous best Australian Open (l. Pavlyuchenkova) and 2018 US was 42 matches in 2011) Open (l. eventual champion Osaka) • Won a WTA-leading four singles titles in 2016 – qual- • Made 2r at Roland Garros in 2017 and 2018 ified for Singapore by virtue of lifting trophy at Linz (d. Golubic in F) after earlier wins at Katowice (d. Giorgi in F) and Eastbourne (d. Ka.Pliskova in F). In 2016 PERSONAL also reached finals at Acapulco (l. Stephens), Madrid (l. Halep) and Wuhan (l. Kvitova) • Working with Vlado Platenik until end of Roland Gar- • Earlier titles came at 2011 Moscow, 2012 Carlsbad, ros. Previously coached by Aliaksandr Leniuchau 2013 Stanford and 2014 Acapulco • Started playing at age 9; introduced to sport by father • Owns 37 victories over Top 10 opponents (eight com- • Practiced Taekwondo for a couple of years when she ing in 2016) including five over reigning World No.1s: was younger Wozniacki at 2011 Sydney and 2011 Wimbledon, Azarenka at 2012 Roland Garros, Kerber at 2016 WTA Finals and Halep at 2018 Wuhan • Made Top 10 debut at No.10 on March 31, 2014 (after Miami) • Broke into Top 20 on August 4, 2008 • Made WTA qualifying debut at 2005 Rabat and main draw debut at 2006 Istanbul

GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• 2019 Australian Open marked 45th Grand Slam main draw appearance • Best result across the majors came with runner-up finish at 2014 Australian Open (l. Li). Defeated four seeds en route to final at Melbourne Park, including No.3 Sharapova and No.5 A.Radwanska to become first player representing Slovakia (male or female) to reach a Grand Slam singles final • At Roland Garros, advanced to SF in 2009 (l. eventu- al R-Up Safina) and QF in 2012 (l. Stosur) • Also, a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon in 2011, 2016 and 2018, and at US Open in 2010 ALIAKSANDRA DOMINIKA SASNOVICH VS CIBULKOVA

PERSONAL

• In 2019 launched the Love 4 Tennis Dominika Cibulkova Academy in home town of Bratislava • In February 2014 launched her own sportswear and accessories line, ‘Domi’, which incorporates her on- court Slovak catch-cry ‘Pome!’; proceeds go to her foundation which assists athletes and other notables in her native Slovakia who have fallen on tough times • Married husband Michal ‘Miso’ Navara in Bratislava in July 2016, after Wimbledon • Coached by Matej Liptak MATCH NOTES ROME - ITALY | May 13 - May 19, 2019 | $3,452,538 | PREMIER 5

[13] MADISON KEYS (USA #14) vs. [Q] POLONA HERCOG (SLO #70)

Head to Head: 0-0

MADISON KEYS POLONA HERCOG 14 WTA RANKING 70 20 PORSCHE RACE TO SHENZHEN LEADERBOARD 46 17-02-1995 (24) DATE OF BIRTH (AGE) 20-01-1991 (28) $387,723 YTD PRIZE MONEY $159,109 $10,476,401 CAREER PRIZE MONEY $3,004,943 SINGLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 1 / 4 1 / 3 0 / 0 DOUBLES TITLES (YTD / CAREER) 0 / 2 ROME W-L (MD) * 9-4 3-3 YTD / CAREER W-L (MD) * 9-5 / 188-111 7-6 / 142-176 YTD / CAREER 3-SET W-L (MD) * 2-3 / 47-46 3-2 / 41-58 YTD / CAREER TIE-BREAK W-L (MD) * 3-0 / 48-40 3-1 / 29-41 YTD / CAREER CLAY W-L (MD) * 5-0 / 48-26 6-1 / 84-59 0-0 / 17-17 YTD / CAREER Left Hander W-L (MD) * 1-1 / 13-21 0-0 / 6-18 YTD / CAREER TOP 5 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-2 / 0-11 1-1 / 16-28 YTD / CAREER TOP 10 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-2 / 1-22 3-2 / 33-45 YTD / CAREER TOP 20 W-L (MD & Q) * 0-2 / 7-39 * Updated entering Rome 1r

ROME Tournament Performance - 2019 "-Q" Qualifying match

Rnd Result Duration Rnd Result Duration . d. . 0 mins R2-Q P. HERCOG d. V. GOLUBIC 7-5,4-6,6-4 203 mins

R1-Q P. HERCOG d. Y. WANG 6-2,6-4 74 mins

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ROME Tournament History "-Q" Qualifying match

MADISON KEYS POLONA HERCOG 2018 2018 R16 L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #1) W/O R1 L - SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS #39) 6-2 6-4

2017 2016 R1 L - DARIA GAVRILOVA (AUS #33) 2-6 7-5 7-5 R1-Q L - JULIA GOERGES (GER #62) 6-4 6-3

2016 2015 F L - SERENA WILLIAMS (USA #1) 7-6(5) 6-3 R1-Q L - MISAKI DOI (JPN #111) 6-7(2) 6-4 6-4 2015 2014 R2 L - BOJANA JOVANOVSKI PETROVIC (SRB #73) 6-4 1-6 6-3 R1-Q L - BELINDA BENCIC (SUI #96) 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 2014 2011 R2 L - SIMONA HALEP (ROU #5) 5-7 6-0 6-1 R16 L - SAMANTHA STOSUR (AUS #7) 6-3 6-4 2013 2010 R2-Q L - (USA #85) 3-6 6-4 6-1 R2 L - SHAHAR PEER (ISR #21) 2-6 7-5 6-3

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ROME ROME

• Making sixth consecutive main draw appearance at • Making fourth main draw appearance at Rome (sev- Rome, seventh overall. enth overall) • Best result is Runner-Up finish in 2016 (l. S.Williams) • Best result was R16 showing in 2011 (as qualifier, d. – defeated two top 10 players en route to Final (No.9 No.15 Petkovic in 2r, l. Stosur) Kvitova and No.4 Muguruza) • Came from a break down in final set to beat Golubic • Last year, withdrew prior to R16 match vs. Halep w/ in final round of qualifying on Sunday rib injury • Faces No.14 Keys in 1r today; owns seven Top 20 • Faces No.71 Hercog in 1r today; four of her six wins, most recently against No.12 Makarova at 2015 defeats this season have come to players ranked Toronto outside Top 50, including against No.93 Cirstea last • One of two Slovene women in main draw (also fellow week at Madrid qualifier Zidansek) • One of a tournament-leading eight Americans in draw this week • Went 11-4 on clay in 2018, highlighted by SF run SEASON at Roland Garros (l. Stephens) and Charleston (l. Bertens) • Reached 2r at Rabat (l. Peterson) and fell 1r last week at Madrid (as qualifier, l. Stephens) • Won third career title - and first since 2012 - at Luga- SEASON no (d. Swiatek in F). Now 3-3 in career singles finals. • Made 2r at Miami (as LL, l. Halep) • Coming off 1r exit at Madrid (l. Cirstea) • Fell 1r at Dubai (as LL, l. Voegele) and Doha (as LL, • Part of US team that retained its Fed Cup World l. Riske) Group I status thanks to 3-2 win over Switzerland in • Reached SF at $60K ITF/Andrezieux-Boutheon-FRA San Antonio (l. Golubic in sole singles rubber) (l. Sramkova) after 1r exit at Australian Open (l. • Won fourth career title - and first on clay - at Charles- Kerber) ton (d. Wozniacki in F) • Opened 2019 season with 1r exit in Auckland (l. • Coming off 2r exits at Indian Wells (after 1r bye, l. S.Hsieh) and qualifying exit at Hobart (l. Rogowska) No.97 Barthel, having led 3-1 in final set) and Miami (after 1r bye, l. Stosur, having led 4-2 in final set) • In February, was part of US Fed Cup team which lost 3-2 to Australia in Asheville (d. Birrell, l. Barty) CAREER MILESTONES • Began season with R16 showing at Australian Open (l. Svitolina in 3s). Has reached R16 or better at four • Ended 2018 ranked No.82, up from No.102 in 2017 of past five majors • 2018 highlight was R-Up showing at Istanbul (l. Parmentier) – her first final appearance in nearly six years. Also made SF at Bucharest (ret. vs. eventual champion Sevastova w/right thigh injury) and QF at CAREER MILESTONES Auckland (l. eventual champion Georges) • Ended injury-disrupted 2017 ranked No.102. Played • Season highlights in 2018 were SFs at US Open (l. only 10 tournaments, highlighted by 3r run at Wim- eventual champion Osaka) and Roland Garros (l. bledon Stephens) and QF at Australian Open (l. Kerber) • Began comeback in 2017 at Roland Garros qualify- • Also made SF stage in Charleston (l. eventual cham- ing, winning $60k ITF/Brescia-ITA (d. Poznikhirenko pion Bertens) and QF at Cincinnati (l. Sabalenka) in F) in her second tournament back • 2017 season highlighted by reaching maiden Grand • Suffered three injuries following 2016 US Open (l. Slam final in New York, losing out to Stephens in Kerber in via ret.) including a scapula stress fracture, 10th all-American US Open final in the Open Era. At left knee injury and right wrist injury 22, became the youngest Flushing Meadows finalist • Ended 2016 at No.139 – her first non-Top 100 sea- since 19-year-old Wozniacki lost to Clijsters in 2009 son since 2008 (finished No.243) • Also in 2017, won third career tour-level singles title, • Season highlights included a runner-up finish at WTA and first on hard courts, at Stanford (d. Vandeweghe $125k Series event at Bol (l. Minella in F) and QF run in F). Previous two titles were won on grass, at 2014 at Bucharest (l. Siegemund) – her first QF since a Eastbourne (d. Kerber in F; second youngest title year earlier at Bad Gastein winner of season) and 2016 Birmingham (d. Strycova • Represented Slovenia at the Rio Olympics, losing in in F); also a runner-up on four occasions the 1r in singles (l. eventual gold medalist Puig)

MADISON POLONA KEYS VS HERCOG

CAREER CONT. CAREER CONT.

• Enjoyed first Top 10 year-end finish in 2016 (at No.8), • Ended 2015 ranked No.71, for seventh Top 100 sea- as youngest player in the year-end Top 25 son. Best result during the year was SF at Bucharest • Broke into Top 10 on June 20, 2016, becoming 118th (l. Schmiedlova) and QF at Bad Gastein (l. Knapp) player to reach the elite bracket since computer • Won maiden WTA singles title at 2011 Bastad; suc- rankings were introduced. Became first American to cessfully defended title at 2012 Bastad; runner-up at make Top 10 debut since S.Williams in 1999 Istanbul in 2018 Palermo in 2011 and at Acapulco in • Reached a career-high singles ranking of No.7 on 2010 October 10, 2016 • Owns two WTA doubles titles – 2010 Acapulco (w/ • Made WTA Finals debut at Singapore in 2016, going Strycova) and 2010 Seoul (w/Goerges) 1-2 in round robin play • Achieved career-high ranking of No.35 in September • Represented USA at 2016 Rio Olympics, reaching 2011 SF (lost Bronze medal match against Kvitova) • Owns a 1-21 career record vs. Top 10 opponents, • Owns six career Top 5 victories: No.5 Li (2013 Ma- with sole win coming over No.7 Bartoli at 2012 drid), No.4 Kvitova (2015 Australian Open), No.4 Mu- Charleston guruza (2016 Rome, 2017 Stanford), No.4 Svitolina • Breakthrough season in 2011, highlighted by first (2017 US Open) and No.4 Kerber (2018 Cincinnati) singles final. Rose from No.53 to No.37 after title run • Qualified for WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai in 2015 (went at Bastad and duly posted first Top 40 season finish 1-1 in round robin stage) at No.36 • Cracked Top 20 on February 2, 2015 • Slovenian Fed Cup Team, 2007-08, 2010-12, 2015 • Was second-youngest player to win a WTA title in and Slovenian Olympic Team, 2012, 2016 2014, at Eastbourne (after Vekic at Kuala Lumpur); • On ITF Circuit, has won 17 singles and five doubles also youngest American to win a title since Vania titles King in October 2006 (17 years, 254 days, Bangkok) • Played first WTA event (in qualifying, as a WC) at • Made tour-level debut at 2009 Ponte Vedra Beach at 2006 Portoroz 14 years old (as WC, d. Kudryavtseva); was seventh youngest player to win a WTA main draw match at 14 years, 48 days, and youngest since Hingis in 1994 GRAND SLAM HISTORY

• 2019 Australian Open marked 34th Grand Slam main GRAND SLAM HISTORY draw appearance • Best results at the majors were 3r runs at 2010 • 2019 Australian Open marked 26th Grand Slam main Roland Garros (l. Pennetta) and 2017 Wimbledon (l. draw appearance Kuznetsova) • Best result at a major was 2017 US Open R-Up • At Australian Open made 2r in 2010 (l. Bondarenko) finish to Stephens. Best result prior to that was and 2015 (l. Hradecka); at US Open made 2r in 2011 breakthrough SF run at Australian Open in 2015 (l. (l. Petrova), 2014 (l. Makarova) and 2015 (l. Bouch- eventual champion S.Williams) ard) • Before 2015 Melbourne Park SF run, had never previously passed 3r at a major. Became just the third American teenager since 1995 to reach SF at the Australian Open – also (1996, SF) PERSONAL and Sloane Stephens (2013, SF) • Started playing tennis at age 4 • Achieved best result at Roland Garros to date with • Trained in Slovenia until age 14 then moved to Italy SF run in 2018 (l. Stephens) – means she has now to train there before turning pro reached at least QF at all four majors • Speaks Slovenian, English and Italian PERSONAL

• During off-season, hired former ATP coach Jim Mad- rigal; fitness coach is Rodney Marshall • Past coaches: Jesse Levine, Thomas Hogstedt, Diet- er Kindlmann, and David Taylor • Ambassador for Evian and FearlesslyGIRL