Former World No. 7 Nicole Vaidisova returned to professional tennis at the end of last year. The former Reebok endorsed star has been successful and now has a ranking of #594.
Vaidisova qualified at the Midland Michigan ITF event and has rolled through two rounds, beating Japan’s Hibino in 76 75 and then #5 seed Anna Tatashvili 16 64 63.
Vaidisova, who once had a match point to make the Roland Garros final, missed about five years of action. But she’s back now and looking like she means serious business.
The Midland draw is scattered with notable names. Top seed Nicole Gibbs bombed out early, as did second seed Sorana Cirstea, who fired her entire team at the end of last season. Cirstea lost to Jessica Pegula, the young American who was trained for years by Michael Joyce.
Alexandra Stevenson, now 34, had a rough road to qualify for main draw but was ousted in the first round by Sachia Vickery 67 36.
Veterans Asia Muhammad, Lauren Albanese and Sesil Karantcheva were also in the tournament but were eliminated.
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Dan Markowitz · February 7, 2015 at 4:17 am
Dude, how is being No. 594 considered to be having a successful comeback? I know she’s just started back, but I’d wait a while before deeming it successful. Amazing that Stevenson is still playing qualis of a Challenger. Here’s a young woman who had so many other talents and interests and she’s still playing on the back roads of the pro tour?!
Scoop Malinowski · February 7, 2015 at 8:20 am
Vaidisova has played about six events since Sept. last year and won a match or two at each. This is her first foray to a SF, she beat Caitlin Whoriskey yesterday. Vaidisova could be finding her groove.
Harold · February 7, 2015 at 10:43 am
Maybe they should start a Mixed Doubles Challenger tour. Another way to get their confidence and winning ways.
Harry and Vaidosova seeded 1 in Osh Kosh Challenger/Futures
Scoop Malinowski · February 7, 2015 at 11:15 am
I think a mixed doubles event during Indian Wells would go over very well with the fans and media Harold.
Harold · February 7, 2015 at 1:20 pm
Not with the top players.
Lets get crazy. ATP and WTA put in Mixed at all joined events. Force the top 10 in Singles from each gender to have to play Mixed in at least 1 event. Dont think that would go over too well.
Otherwise, it would be taking up space at a one week, or 10 day event
Andrew Miller · February 7, 2015 at 8:19 pm
who wouldn’t want to play a mixed draw with Nicole? You can accuse Steps of any number of things, but poor taste in Czech fems is not one of them.
Those draws have some promising players. I like Sasha Vickery a lot. I also think Joyce has a nice record in training good players. He has a strong tennis mind.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2015 at 8:20 am
Michael Joyce does indeed have a brilliant tennis mind and has a lot to offer any player.
Bryan · February 8, 2015 at 6:54 pm
“Top seed Nicole Gibbs bombed out early, as did second seed Sorana Cirstea”
As a Nicole Gibbs fan I was disappointed she busted in round 2. It’s rare she’s a top 10 seed and that tournament was a great opportunity for her to rake in ranking points.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2015 at 7:04 pm
I’m a Gibbs fan too, she’s off to a slow start in 15 though. Not heading in the right direction.