The competition was fast-paced, the talent was elite and the crowd was lively. The Eisenhower Cup proved to be the perfect way to celebrate International Women's Day as the world's best female tennis player took part in a show at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Tuesday night.
On the eve of the women's main draw for the 2022 BNP Paribas Open, eight of the world's top-ranked players competed in an entertaining tie-break tense format, where players do not play games or sets, just a bracket-style matchup where the first one Win 10 points.
There was a lot of laughter on the night, but the last laugh came from American Amanda Anisimova, who won the $150,000 winner-take-all prize with a 10-7 victory in the championship match over Maria Sakkari.
Not a bad day for Anisimova, who wasn't even in the event at the start of the day, but filled in in the last seconds for Barbora Krejcikova, who withdrew from the tournament with an elbow injury.
"I really enjoyed the event, it was so much fun," Anisimova said. "Personally, I don't like playing too long so this was perfect for me. I'm playing well and most importantly, I'm having fun."
Anisimova credits her participation in World Team Tennis for making her feel at home at Stadium 2, where the entire season was played in 2021. He also vowed to donate some of his prize money to the Ukrainian Relief Fund.
While Anisimova took home the oversize check and crystal trophy, the night was a celebration of the women's game.
About 5,000 spectators watched a group that included defending champion Paula Badosa, 2018 champion Naomi Osaka, 2015 champion Simona Halep, top seed Aryna Sabalenka at this year's event, top-10 talent at Sakkari, Ons Jabur and Leyla Fernandez. . Won in Mexico just two days earlier, and the rise of American Anisimova.
In the first round Sabalenka defeated Halep, Sakkari defeated Jabur, Badosa defeated Fernandez and Anisimova defeated Osaka.
Sakkari defeated Sabalenka to reach the final, and Anisimova defeated Badosa to reach the final.
The players were serious while the game was taking place, but there was a calm atmosphere at the exhibition as the contestants used rock-paper-scissors to decide who served.
Here are some memorable moments:
- Ons Jabeur had fun after losing her first round match, acting as towel girl, masseuse and spin class instructor for the rest of the players as there were stationary bicycles next to the court to keep players warm.
- After Sabalenka defeated Halep in the first match of the night, on-court announcer Andrew Crosney congratulated Halep on her recent marriage and when it came to Sabalenka's turn, she wanted to tell the crowd, "First thing. I'm not married."
- Paula Badosa then gave a very strong signal to her boyfriend that she wouldn't mind getting engaged at this time next year.
- Osaka wore the North Carolina Courage soccer jersey during their match. She is a part owner of the National Women's Soccer League team, and said that whenever she was visiting, she tried to promote female athletes, as did others for her. "It meant a lot to me because people raised me as I was rising through the ranks of women's sports, and it's like giving back what you get," Osaka said. Continental Football.
It is the second edition of the Eisenhower Cup tie-break tense tournament as the lead-in to the BNP Paribas Open. The inauguration took place in 2019 and the all-male Canadian was winning with Milos Raonic.
All ticket proceeds from the event will benefit local women's charities, and they certainly got a good run as the bottom bowl of Stadium 2 was full and long queues of patrons were still trying to get in after the event started. She was
Eisenhower Cup results
First round
Aryna Sabalenka beat Simona Halep 10-7
Maria Sakkari beat Ons Jabur 10-6
Paula Badosa beat Leyla Fernandez 10-3
Amanda Anisimova beat Naomi Osaka 10-3
Semi final
Sakari beat Sabalenka 10-5. defeated by
Anisimova beat Badosa 10-6
Championship
Anisimova beat Sakkari 10-7. defeated by