Barthel is Back in Form, Kirilenko Too

While the men were enjoying 7 hours tennis matches and live 5th rubbers, Mona Barthel and Maria Kirilenko were busy winning titles on the regular tour as the WTA doesn't stop for Davis Cup (though it will stop for Fed Cup this coming weekend).  Paris is a very nice win for Barthel after a disappointing second half of 2012 and it is the biggest title of her young career.  Though a minor tournament, Kirilenko's win in Pattaya has to be confidence boost for her after her efforts to take the next step forward were derailed by injuires at the end of 2012.

Good Stories
-Kiki Bertens (NED) is into the top 50 for the first time after reaching the semis in Paris as a lucky loser.  She had wins over Cibulkova and Safarova.
-Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) taking advantage of her wildcard, reaching the semis in Paris.  She is ranked #3 among players born in '93 (turning 20 this year) and won the '09 girls French Open.
-Christina McHale (USA) getting back in the win column with a win over Parmentier before losing to Bartoli.
-Sabine Lisicki (GER) reaching the final in Pattaya after battling some injuries the past few months.
-Two Thai wildcards getting wins at their home tournament in Pattaya.  Kumkhum is a 19-yr-old now up #148 in the rankings.  Wongteanchai is a 20-yr-old now ranked #903.

Bad Stories
-Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) suffering an early loss in Paris after her early loss at the Aussie Open.
-Ana Ivanovic (SRB) exiting in the first round of Pattaya with a loss to Morita.
-Not many name players showing up for Paris.

WTA Premier: Paris, France
Mona Barthel (GER) def. 1) Sara Errani (ITA) 7-5 7-6(4)
-Barthel wins 2nd career title, last '12 Hobart
Defending champion: Angelique Kerber (GER) - did not play
Quarterfinalists: 2) Petra Kvitova (CZE), 3) Marion Bartoli (FRA), 6) Lucie Safarova (CZE), Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP), Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)-SF, L) Kiki Bertens (NED)-SF

Players reaching QF in '12 and '13: Barthel

Locals performance: 5-5, one win for Bartoli and Cornet plus the 3 from Mladenovic.  Razzano and Parmentier lost opening round matches.

Americans performance: McHale, 1-1

Third set tiebreaks: Mladenovic def. Goerges (R1)

WTA International: Pattaya, Thailand
2) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) def. 5) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 5-7 6-1 7-6(1)
-Kirilenko wins 6th career title, last '08 Estoril (nearly 5-yr drought)

Defending champion: Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) - R2 ret. to Bratchikova with dizziness
Quarterfinalists: 4) Sorana Cirstea (ROU)-SF, 7) Elena Vesnina (RUS), Ayumi Morita (JPN), Marina Erakovic (NZL), Nina Bratchikova (RUS)-SF, Q) Anastasija Sevastova (LAT)
Players reaching QF in '12 and '13: Kirilenko, Cirstea
Locals performance: 2-2 with wins by wildcards Kumkhum and Wongteanchai, over Dellacqua and Beck, respectively.
Americans performance: McHale, 0-2, losses by King and q-Mattek-Sands
Third set tiebreaks: Kirilenko def. Lisicki (F)