[brunof]

I am quite happy to see Kristina has climbed her way back up into the top 100. It seems her planning has been wise, as she has done quite well for herself on the challenger circuit this year. With five wins, she owns the most titles of anyone. (ITF)

Peachtree $25k Sep 14 Brandi(1) d. Allison Bradshaw-Q 6-0 6-1
Louisville $50k Aug 3 Brandi d. Shenay Perry 3-6 6-4 6-4
College P. $25k Jul 13 Brandi(3) d. Lioudmila Skavronskaia 6-1 6-1
Surbiton $25k Jun 8 Brandi-Q d. Yoon-Jeong Cho(1) 6-1 6-3
Ch'lottesv $25k May 18 Brandi(4) d. Christina Wheeler(3) 4-6 6-4 6-2

Some good wins. She started off the year very slowly, but has caught fire. Hopefully it will carry over to the WTA, and she will once again crack the top 50 before she calls it quits. (Top 30 would be nice again too )

 

[Dava]

Its always nice to see a player work hard and get back to the top level of competition. I hope Anna, Daja, and Lucic can do the same.

 

[brunof]

I agree. I expect Bedanova to sink down to the Challenger level hopefully before year's end. (I don't see her getting many WC's) Brandi has played a smart schedule, staying close to the States, gaining confidence with each win. Lucic needs to improve her fitness, and get her butt out on the court.

Although Kristina is no longer American, I would like to see a few more players from her "generation" (Tu, Osterloh) gain similar success. Lilia hasn't done a good job IMO with her scheduling at all, this year, playing several European clay events. Tu, well she is having bad luck. I hope things turn around against Irvin in NM.

 

[Dava]

Tu is so talented, and she is such a nice girl, she was so giving at BMH. I always hope for her to do her best, but still...

 

[narcissus boy]

tu vs. irvin at albuquerque lol

well done kristi

 

[Venus Forever]

I am sooo happy for Kristina.

i'm so glad to see her playing so well again.

I think that loss to a clearly injured Venus at the Australian Open a few years back, is actually what set her back. It went downhill from there.

 

[xcrtbckhnd]

Big congrats to Kristina!!! I've been a fan for a long time and it's so nice to see her getting back on track. Great results and hopefully more to come!!! Keep going Kristina!!!!!

 

[GoDominique]

And she has a very unique style.

 

[Monsters]

smart schedule leading up to Olympics....
it'll be fun to see if she can qualify for that

 

[sylvain]

Interesting news!

 

[ghosts]

Kristina

 

[Task]

Congratulations Kristina

 

[xcrtbckhnd]

Kristina won Albuquerque as well and she has an option to play in the main draw of Luxembourg and Pattaya. I hope she plays both of these tournis and does well.

 

[PatM04]

She also won the Troy Challenger...played very well

 

[viele]

Why did she change from representing the US? And which country is she playing for? Puerto Rico?

 

[brunof]

It will be interesting to see her compete on the main tour. I think she has a chance at the top 50 by next year.

In 10 matches she has dropped 1 set to Angela Haynes in the SF of Albuquerque. Either Kristina will continue her success with all the challengers on the tour, or she will she struggle with the main tour. She is planning excellently I believe; much better than some American's we know.

She is actually committed to playing the Bell Challenge as a qualifier. For Luxembourg, she is second in for the qualifying draw, but I doubt she will make the trip, since she has remained stationed in the US and sorrounding area all year. She is also entered in Payatta, and might actually have a chance of winning that!

Well done Kristina! Keep it up hun!

To answer your question to why she switched from the US to PUR. I believe she wanted to play in the Olympics, and obviously would not be granted a spot in either Singles or Doubles, but is the obvious choice for Puerto Rico, concidering they have her and Vilamarie. (Who can't decide what nationality she is. :lol

 

[xcrtbckhnd]

For Luxembourg, I believe she gains direct entry for winning Albuquerque? It says that in one of the threads for that tourney anyways...http://wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=88961

 

[geoepee]

Congrats Kristina on top 100! Go Puerto Rico/USA!