by ti-amie Tournament: Qatar TotalEnergies Open
Location: Doha, Qatar
Dates: February 13 - February 18, 2023
Level: WTA 500
Total Financial Commitment: $780,637
Surface: Hard
Entries
Seed* Name Current Ranking Entry Ranking
1 Iga Swiatek 1 1
2 Ons Jabeur 2 2
3 Jessica Pegula 3 3
4 Caroline Garcia 4 4
5 Aryna Sabalenka 5 5
6 Coco Gauff 7 7
7 Daria Kasatkina 8 8
8 Veronika Kudermetova 9 9
Belinda Bencic 10 10
Danielle Collins 11 11
Madison Keys 13 13
Beatriz Haddad Maia 14 14
Petra Kvitova 15 15
Paula Badosa 16 16
Jelena Ostapenko 17 17
Ekaterina Alexandrova 18 18
Anett Kontaveit 19 19
Liudmila Samsonova 20 20
Martina Trevisan 21 21
(WC)
(WC)
(WC) Top 20
(WC) Top 20
(SE)
(Q)
(Q)
(Q)
(Q)
(Q)
(Q)
Alternates
Name Current Ranking Entry Ranking
1 Shuai Zhang 22 22
2 Bianca Andreescu 43 22 (SR)
3 Karolina Muchova 133 22 (SR)
4 Barbora Krejcikova 23 23
5 Victoria Azarenka 24 24
6 Elena Rybakina 25 25
7 Marie Bouzkova 26 26
8 Amanda Anisimova 27 27
9 Qinwen Zheng 28 28
10 Kaia Kanepi 29 29
11 Karolina Pliskova 31 31
12 Elise Mertens 32 32
13 Jil Teichmann 33 33
14 Alizé Cornet 34 34
15 Aliaksandra Sasnovich 38 38
16 Anhelina Kalinina 39 39
17 Leylah Fernandez 40 40
18 Bernarda Pera 41 41
19 Sorana Cirstea 42 42
20 Katerina Siniakova 46 46
by ashkor87 Rybakina still doesn't get direct entry?!
by
skatingfan ashkor87 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 5:44 am
Rybakina still doesn't get direct entry?!
Six week entry rankings.
by ashkor87 6 weeks is a bit long in this digital age?!
by JTContinental I would think she would get one of those Top 20 wildcards if she desires
by
skatingfan ashkor87 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 7:02 am
6 weeks is a bit long in this digital age?!
The players need to know whether they are going to be playing at all, whether they will be in the main draw, or whether they might need to play qualifying so they can plan their travel, and travel for their teams.
by ti-amie UPDATED MD Singles Entry Lists
Entries
Seed Name Seeding Ranking Entry Ranking
1 Iga Swiatek 1 1
2 Jessica Pegula 4 3
3 Caroline Garcia 5 4
4 Coco Gauff 6 7
5 Daria Kasatkina 8 8
6 Belinda Bencic 9 10
7 Veronika Kudermetova 11 9
8 Jelena Ostapenko 12 17
Petra Kvitova 13 15
Beatriz Haddad Maia 14 14
Ekaterina Alexandrova 17 18
Anett Kontaveit 18 19
Liudmila Samsonova 19 20
Paula Badosa 21 16
Shuai Zhang 23 22
Madison Keys 24 13
Martina Trevisan 25 21
Bianca Andreescu 37 22 (SR)
Danielle Collins 42 11
(WC)
(WC)
(WC) Top 20
(WC) Top 20
(SE)
(Q)
(Q)
(Q)
(Q)
Alternates
Name Seeding Ranking Entry Ranking
1 Karolina Muchova 121 22 (SR)
2 Barbora Krejcikova 30 23
3 Victoria Azarenka 16 24
4 Elena Rybakina 10 25
5 Marie Bouzkova 26 26
6 Qinwen Zheng 29 28
7 Kaia Kanepi 48 29
8 Karolina Pliskova 20 31
9 Elise Mertens 32 32
10 Jil Teichmann 28 33
11 Alizé Cornet 60 34
12 Aliaksandra Sasnovich 38 38
13 Anhelina Kalinina 31 39
14 Leylah Fernandez 39 40
15 Bernarda Pera 43 41
16 Sorana Cirstea 63 42
17 Katerina Siniakova 47 46
18 Yulia Putintseva 45 47
19 Shelby Rogers 46 51
20 Lauren Davis 49 57
Withdrawals
Name Seeding Ranking Entry Ranking
Aryna Sabalenka 2 5
Ons Jabeur 3 2
by ti-amie UPDATED Qualifying Singles Entry Lists
Entries
Seed Name Seeding Ranking Entry Ranking
1 Elena Rybakina 10 25
2 Victoria Azarenka 16 24
3 Karolina Pliskova 20 31
4 Marie Bouzkova 26 26
5 Jil Teichmann 28 33
6 Qinwen Zheng 29 28
7 Barbora Krejcikova 30 23
8 Anhelina Kalinina 31 39
Elise Mertens 32 32
Aliaksandra Sasnovich 38 38
Leylah Fernandez 39 40
Bernarda Pera 43 41
Yulia Putintseva 45 47
Shelby Rogers 46 51
Lauren Davis 49 57
Alycia Parks 51 78
Anna Kalinskaya 55 59
Claire Liu 56 62
Sorana Cirstea 63 42
Jasmine Paolini 65 66
Ana Bogdan 72 63
Rebecca Marino 74 67
Maryna Zanevska 77 80
Madison Brengle 82 72
Tereza Martincova 88 74
Marketa Vondrousova 89 86
Viktoriya Tomova 101 91
Karolina Muchova 121 22 (SR)
(WC)
(WC)
(WC)
(WC)
Alternates
Name Seeding Ranking Entry Ranking
1 Harriet Dart 108 96
2 Cristina Bucsa 87 100
3 Dayana Yastremska 102 101
4 Magdalena Frech 104 102
5 Moyuka Uchijima 120 116
6 Ana Konjuh 142 124
7 Jodie Burrage 130 127
8 Olga Danilovic 140 130 (SR)
9 Elena-Gabriela Ruse 148 131
10 Lesia Tsurenko 100 134
11 Harmony Tan 162 142
12 Katarina Zavatska 289 145 (SR)
13 Kristina Mladenovic 150 151
14 Despina Papamichail 154 157
15 Laura Siegemund 129 158
16 Leyre Romero Gormaz 173 165
17 Carol Zhao 169 169
18 Kathinka Von Deichmann 279 173 (SR)
19 Vitalia Diatchenko 184 174
20 Sara Bejlek 176 175
Withdrawals
Name Seeding Ranking Entry Ranking
Shuai Zhang 23 22
Amanda Anisimova 36 27
Bianca Andreescu 37 43
Alizé Cornet 60 34
Garbiñe Muguruza 83 73
by ashkor87 that's a strong field, much stronger than Mubadala.. of course, we shall see who actually shows up.. i see Coco is surfacing now.. maybe Anisimova too. she says she likes slow surfaces, which has always puzzled me a bit..
by ashkor87 Oh oh Anisimova has withdrawn. ..wonder what is wrong with her...
by
ashkor87 JTContinental wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 7:09 am
I would think she would get one of those Top 20 wildcards if she desires
How does the top 20 wc system work? Does one really have to be top 20? For those not entered at all?
by ti-amie UPDATED MD Singles Entry Lists
Entries
Seed Name Seeding Ranking Entry Ranking
1 Iga Swiatek 1 1
2 Jessica Pegula 4 3
3 Caroline Garcia 5 4
4 Coco Gauff 6 7
5 Daria Kasatkina 8 8
6 Belinda Bencic 9 10
7 Veronika Kudermetova 11 9
8 Jelena Ostapenko 12 17
Petra Kvitova 13 15
Beatriz Haddad Maia 14 14
Ekaterina Alexandrova 17 18
Liudmila Samsonova 19 20
Paula Badosa 21 16
Shuai Zhang 23 22
Madison Keys 24 13
Martina Trevisan 25 21
Barbora Krejcikova 30 23
Danielle Collins 42 11
Karolina Muchova 121 22 (SR)
(WC)
(WC)
(WC) Top 20
(WC) Top 20
(SE)
(Q)
(Q)
(Q)
(Q)
Alternates
Name Seeding Ranking Entry Ranking
1 Victoria Azarenka 16 24
2 Elena Rybakina 10 25
3 Marie Bouzkova 26 26
4 Qinwen Zheng 29 28
5 Karolina Pliskova 20 31
6 Elise Mertens 32 32
7 Jil Teichmann 28 33
8 Alizé Cornet 60 34
9 Aliaksandra Sasnovich 38 38
10 Anhelina Kalinina 31 39
11 Leylah Fernandez 39 40
12 Bernarda Pera 43 41
13 Sorana Cirstea 63 42
14 Katerina Siniakova 47 46
15 Yulia Putintseva 45 47
16 Shelby Rogers 46 51
17 Lauren Davis 49 57
18 Anna Kalinskaya 55 59
19 Claire Liu 56 62
20 Ana Bogdan 72 63
Withdrawals
Name Seeding Ranking Entry Ranking
Aryna Sabalenka 2 5
Ons Jabeur 3 2
Anett Kontaveit 18 19
by ti-amie Qualifying Draw
Ka. Pliskova (1) vs A. Bogdan
H. Dart vs D. Jakupovic
C. Liu vs D. Yastremska
J. Paolini vs L. Fernandez (7)
M. Bouzkova (2) vs L. Siegemund
T. Martincova vs N. Abduraimova
R. Marino vs K. Zavatska
Y. Putintseva vs A. Sasnovich (6)
J. Teichmann (3) vs S. Cirstea
M. Uchijima vs E. Ruse
D. Parry (WC) vs M. Frech
M. Al-Naimi (WC) vs E. Mertens (5)
A. Kalinina (4) vs L. Davis
M. Zanevska vs V. Tomova
E. Yashina (WC) vs M. Brengle
A. Kalinskaya vs B. Pera (8)
by ti-amie Main Draw Singles Draw
POL I. Swiatek (1)/BYE
Qualifier vs USA D. Collins
TUR I. Oz vs BLR V. Azarenka
Qualifier vs SUI B. Bencic (7)
USA C. Gauff (4)/BYE
CZE P. Kvitova vs CHN S. Zhang
USA S. Kenin vs RUS L. Samsonova
CZE B. Krejcikova vs RUS V. Kudermetova (8)
GRE M. Sakkari (5) vs CHN Q. Zheng
RUS E. Alexandrova vs Qualifier
CZE K. Muchova vs ITA M. Trevisan
BYE/FRA C. Garcia (3)
RUS D. Kasatkina (6) vs Qualifier
ESP P. Badosa vs BRA B. Haddad Maia
USA M. Keys vs LAT J. Ostapenko
BYE/USA J. Pegula (2)
by
JazzNU ashkor87 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 09, 2023 2:29 pm
JTContinental wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 7:09 am
I would think she would get one of those Top 20 wildcards if she desires
How does the top 20 wc system work? Does one really have to be top 20? For those not entered at all?
You can read thru the rules here if you have an interest in them -
https://www.wtatennis.com/wta-rules
Unless they've updated the rules from the last few years, Rybakina wouldn't have qualified for a Top 20 wildcard based on her ranking, they use the entry deadline ranking for wild cards. Her only chance, other than that's just what the tournament wanted to do, would've been to get in as a GS champion, and I'm not sure if she qualifies as one under the rules. I would guess yes, but can't be certain. WTA and ATP sanctions make that a dicier situation. Were points the only penalty? If you don't earn points for an event, does it register as a win? I have no clue.
Her even being on the alternate list makes me wonder if the GS wildcard isn't available to her.
And despite her rise in the last few years, she has more average titles to her name, so she couldn't get in on the other non-ranking wildcard allowances to my knowledge either.
by ashkor87 Thanks..so it is really there for the tournament to induce a top 20 player in, who may not have entered..good to know..thanks @jazznu
by 3mlm Apparently, Rybakina opted out of qualifying and will not be playing in Doha. She's not in the qualifying or main draw.
by ashkor87 It is the game that is the loser..WTA better wake up!
by Deuce Nice comeback win for Leylah over Yastremska in a qualifying match...
Three 6-3 sets, with Leylah losing the 1st.
Ever the good sportsman, Yastremska didn't shake the umpire's hand after the match - and there were no umpire/player conflicts during the match.
Fellow Canadian Rebecca Marino also won her qualifying match - in 3 sets over Sasnovich.
One more qualy match to go for both to get into the main draw, where the qualifier positions are tough (Bencic, Collins, Alexandrova, and Kasatkina). But there may be some last minute withdrawals, of course - notably Bencic and Samsonova, who are currently going to a 3rd set in the Final in Abu Dhabi, after an exhausting marathon 2nd set.
I was watching 3 or 4 matches at once - Leylah - Yastremska, Marino - Sasnovich, Bencic - Samsonova, and the beginning of Sinner - Cressy.
Watching 2 matches at once is a challenge - but 3 or 4 at once is just silly... but I wanted to see what was happening in all of them, so...
Now down to just 2, thankfully...
by
ponchi101 ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:47 am
It is the game that is the loser..WTA better wake up!
It is rather silly indeed. The Wimbledon champion and recent Aussie RU. I understand (and disagreed) with the Wimbledon NO POINTS, but you can't ignore the fact she holds that crown.
The tournament really should make the exception, and hand her the WC. No questions asked.
by ashkor87 maybe the tournament doesnt have the power, sounds like the WTA rules have no exceptions..
by Deuce That's a strange one, as Rybakina was obviously eligible for a 'regular' WildCard...
The WildCards went to Azarenka, Kenin, and Sakkari.
One might be able to argue for Sakkari getting the WC over Rybakina... but not the other two.
I would think that Rybakina was offered a WC, but either refused or hesitated to decide whether she wanted to play the tournament or not.
by ashkor87 i dont expect Bencic to win this one, or the next couple - the field includes some Tier 1 players like Swiatek and Sabalenka..normally, she would not be able to beat them.
by Suliso Doha is out of the question simply because of too short of a turn around. However, I think Belinda is capable of wining a top tier tournament. She has done so twice before. Not a favorite to do so, but a viable dark horse for sure. Let's see at IW and Miami.
by
JazzNU ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 3:53 pm
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:47 am
It is the game that is the loser..WTA better wake up!
It is rather silly indeed. The Wimbledon champion and recent Aussie RU. I understand (and disagreed) with the Wimbledon NO POINTS, but you can't ignore the fact she holds that crown.
The tournament really should make the exception, and hand her the WC. No questions asked.
To be clear about this - the tournament CAN give her a wild card. Think of how many different places Genie Bouchard got them based off nothing but her name being well known and her being marketable looks wise. That they don't may speak to her popularity and/or name recognition there or she didn't make overtures to request one.
There are different rules for giving out wildcards depending on the level of the event, but they all have them and can gift them to virtually any player that they want to.
Just a reminder of where these events are located. They are, understandably to me if you've ever watched a match when they played, more likely to give out a wild card to Mayar Sherif or another Arabic speaking player even if they are ranked in the 200s as a priority. Ons Jabeur used to play most of this swing off wild card entries. And again, you only need to have tuned in to her matches to see why they do it. They do need to try to sell this locally and the crowd is never more engaged than when the Arabic speaking players are there.
by ponchi101 @ Suliso/Ashkor. Abu Dhabi-Doha is a very short hop. So, no issues with the travel. She plays a qualifier in the first round.
So, yes, the turn around is short. But it is not daunting. I say she can make her meeting with Iga (QF's). That will tell us how well she is playing.
(And Iga is going against Collins, not an easy match)
by Suliso It's not the travel I was worried about. More mental exhaustion after such a tough final.
by ponchi101 Don't you think it can cut the other way too? She saved three MP's, and won in a tough 3rd set (it is not as if Samsonova gave her the match). She should be very happy and confident after winning this.
by ashkor87 Oh she can do well but she can't beat Iga on a slow hard court, don't think anyone can..the AO was fast enough, Doha probably isn't.
by JazzNU Would just like to point out that Rybakina's ranking is not just a result of no Wimbledon points, she's also to blame, Don't lose in the first round of the US Open to a player ranked in the 100s, not to mention a whole lot of pre-QFs exits in the last year and she's not even close to being in this position. Many seem to be acting like no Wimbledon ranking points is just the worst thing ever, but honestly, everyone else is dealing with the same handicap. And look at Sabalenka, Medvedev, and Rublev. No possible points from not just Wimbledon, but anything held in the UK, and they qualify for stuff, because they put up a consistent season.
Remember last season how Rybakina played so well at the mandatory tournaments making a few semis? You don't remember it because it didn't happen. Not a single one. It's part of her not being in the Top 20 rankings problem. Yes, she won Wimbledon, but it was an unremarkable 2022 season in many respects, which is partly why that win was somewhat of a surprise. The Wimbledon points would've masked her inconsistency if they were there as GS points have done for many other player thru the years.
She sort of seems to be back to that early 2020 player that was getting talked about so much. But only at the grand slams so far, right? And clearly not at the US Open. She's in the top 10 now. She'll catch up with the entry ranking points soon enough.
by
Suliso ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:18 pm
Don't you think it can cut the other way too? She saved three MP's, and won in a tough 3rd set (it is not as if Samsonova gave her the match). She should be very happy and confident after winning this.
History indicates that title wins in back to back weeks are rare. It does happen, but not sure even every year.
by
Suliso ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:41 pm
Oh she can do well but she can't beat Iga on a slow hard court, don't think anyone can..the AO was fast enough, Doha probably isn't.
It's yet to be seen whether Iga version 2023 is as strong as Iga version 2022. It might not be and if so many other players will have a chance. On slow hard courts at least.
by ti-amie Day 3 Order of Play
Center Court
Starts at 03:30 PM
Round of 32
CZE K. MUCHOVA vs ITA M. TREVISAN
UPCOMING
Round of 32
CZE B. KREJCIKOVA vs RUS V. KUDERMETOVA (8)
UPCOMING
Round of 32
TUR I. OZ vs BLR V. AZARENKA
UPCOMING
Round of 16
USA C. GAUFF/USA J. PEGULA (1) vs SVK T. MIHALIKOVA/CHN Y. XU
Grandstand 1
Starts at 03:30 PM
Qualifying
CZE K. PLISKOVA (1) vs CAN L. FERNANDEZ (7)
UPCOMING
Round of 16
QAT M. AL-NAIMI/RUS E. YASHINA vs POL A. ROSOLSKA/NZL E. ROUTLIFFE
UPCOMING
Round of 16
USA S. KENIN/CZE K. MUCHOVA vs UKR L. KICHENOK/LAT J. OSTAPENKO (2)
Grandstand 2
Starts at 03:30 PM
Qualifying
CZE M. BOUZKOVA (2) vs CAN R. MARINO
UPCOMING
Round of 16
CHN Z. YANG/RUS V. ZVONAREVA vs CZE M. BOUZKOVA/BRA B. HADDAD MAIA
Court 3
Starts at 03:30 PM
Qualifying
ROU E. RUSE vs BEL E. MERTENS (5)
UPCOMING
Qualifying
BUL V. TOMOVA vs USA M. BRENGLE
by
Deuce Suliso wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:14 pm
It's not the travel I was worried about. More mental exhaustion after such a tough final.
It's not only the psychological fatigue, but also the physical. These one week tournaments take a physical toll when you reach the Final - even if you get a first round bye.
Asking someone to play at a high level for 2 weeks straight, often on back-to back days, in different cities, different atmospheres, and against top quality opposition, is a very big ask.
by ashkor87 We will need to see how the court is...too much variety in had courts..if it is slow like AbuDhabi, folks like Pegula will struggle..the one I am tracking is Alexandrova..she has a lot of potential..and a bit of an unknown quantity...I think she can do well here but we shall see..
by ashkor87 I am glad to see people here are considering the speed of courts as a factor..that wasn't the case a couple years ago..! I remember people telling me I was making too much of it.
by
ashkor87 Suliso wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:58 pm
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:41 pm
Oh she can do well but she can't beat Iga on a slow hard court, don't think anyone can..the AO was fast enough, Doha probably isn't.
It's yet to be seen whether Iga version 2023 is as strong as Iga version 2022. It might not be and if so many other players will have a chance. On slow hard courts at least.
I think Iga is more vulnerable on fast courts..on slow courts, I don't think anyone can bear her..she is like Nadal...on a faster court like the AO, people like Collins and Rybakina always had a chance of beating Swiatek, as we have seen .they can make her hurry her shots, push her back, etc. But only on a fast court..I dont see any such courts till the grass season begins..
by ashkor87 Kudermetova vs Krejcikova is an interesting first round match...Usually Krejcikova wins but Kudermetova is playing much better nowadays...I would expect her to win this time...power vs silky smooth ....
by
JTContinental JazzNU wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:43 pm
Would just like to point out that Rybakina's ranking is not just a result of no Wimbledon points, she's also to blame, Don't lose in the first round of the US Open to a player ranked in the 100s, not to mention a whole lot of pre-QFs exits in the last year and she's not even close to being in this position. Many seem to be acting like no Wimbledon ranking points is just the worst thing ever, but honestly, everyone else is dealing with the same handicap. And look at Sabalenka, Medvedev, and Rublev. No possible points from not just Wimbledon, but anything held in the UK, and they qualify for stuff, because they put up a consistent season.
Remember last season how Rybakina played so well at the mandatory tournaments making a few semis? You don't remember it because it didn't happen. Not a single one. It's part of her not being in the Top 20 rankings problem. Yes, she won Wimbledon, but it was an unremarkable 2022 season in many respects, which is partly why that win was somewhat of a surprise. The Wimbledon points would've masked her inconsistency if they were there as GS points have done for many other player thru the years.
She sort of seems to be back to that early 2020 player that was getting talked about so much. But only at the grand slams so far, right? And clearly not at the US Open. She's in the top 10 now. She'll catch up with the entry ranking points soon enough.
Plus, if she flames out early at Wimbledon this year, nbd--she'll still be in the top 10
by
ashkor87 JazzNU wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:43 pm
Would just like to point out that Rybakina's ranking is not just a result of no Wimbledon points, she's also to blame, Don't lose in the first round of the US Open to a player ranked in the 100s, not to mention a whole lot of pre-QFs exits in the last year and she's not even close to being in this position. Many seem to be acting like no Wimbledon ranking points is just the worst thing ever, but honestly, everyone else is dealing with the same handicap. And look at Sabalenka, Medvedev, and Rublev. No possible points from not just Wimbledon, but anything held in the UK, and they qualify for stuff, because they put up a consistent season.
Remember last season how Rybakina played so well at the mandatory tournaments making a few semis? You don't remember it because it didn't happen. Not a single one. It's part of her not being in the Top 20 rankings problem. Yes, she won Wimbledon, but it was an unremarkable 2022 season in many respects, which is partly why that win was somewhat of a surprise. The Wimbledon points would've masked her inconsistency if they were there as GS points have done for many other player thru the years.
She sort of seems to be back to that early 2020 player that was getting talked about so much. But only at the grand slams so far, right? And clearly not at the US Open. She's in the top 10 now. She'll catch up with the entry ranking points soon enough.
Rybakina's win at Wimbledon wasnt a surprise to me, not at all.. she had been been getting there for about a year.. I think.
by Deuce Karolina Pliskova beat Leylah 6-2, 7-5 in the final round of qualifying.
It seems strange to see these two playing a qualifying match - but that's where they are right now.
I think it's good for Leylah to play qualies at these tournaments - and I'd even say that it's good for her to lose in qualies or in the 1st round. She got somewhat too full of herself after playing the 2021 U.S. Open Final - all the attention and endorsements - not to mention the access to main draws, the appearance fees, the free hotels, etc. - went to her head. No more than with most people, but I was still disappointed that she became more of a 'celebrity' than a tennis player.
Now, with having to go through qualies - and losing in qualies at times, it will hopefully humble her and make her realize that she's there to play tennis, not to go to galas and do TV commercials to sell various products, and that you're only as good as your last match.
In another final qualifying round match, Canadian Rebecca Marino beat Bouzkova in straight sets. That's surprising. But Marino has been playing well since last summer... and Bouzkova is seemingly having trouble handling being in the top 30. Since entering the top 30, her results have not been good.
In a main draw match, Muchova beat Trevisan easily. Trevisan had a couple of nice months(?) here and there, but she often loses quite convincingly to players of all levels.
Muchova is coming back from a couple of significant injuries... I hope she gets back into the top 20, as her all-court game is very enjoyable to watch.
by ti-amie ^ I agree about Leylah.
by ti-amie Day 4 Order of Play
Center Court
Starts at 02:00 PM
CZE P. KVITOVA vs CHN S. ZHANG
FOLLOWED BY
USA M. KEYS vs LAT J. OSTAPENKO
FOLLOWED BY
BUL V. TOMOVA vs SUI B. BENCIC (7)
FOLLOWED BY
GRE M. SAKKARI (5) vs CHN Q. ZHENG
NOT BEFORE 8:00 PM
RUS D. KASATKINA (6) vs CAN R. MARINO
Grandstand 1
Starts at 02:00 PM
BEL E. MERTENS vs USA D. COLLINS
FOLLOWED BY
USA S. KENIN vs RUS L. SAMSONOVA
FOLLOWED BY
ESP P. BADOSA vs BRA B. HADDAD MAIA
FOLLOWED BY
RUS E. ALEXANDROVA vs CZE K. PLISKOVA
Grandstand 2
Starts at 02:00 PM
TPE H. CHAN/TPE L. CHAN vs USA N. MELICHAR-MARTINEZ/AUS E. PEREZ
FOLLOWED BY
BEL K. FLIPKENS/GER L. SIEGEMUND vs JPN S. AOYAMA/JPN M. NINOMIYA
FOLLOWED BY
BLR V. AZARENKA/BEL E. MERTENS vs USA D. KRAWCZYK/NED D. SCHUURS (3)
FOLLOWED BY
MEX G. OLMOS/CHN S. ZHANG (4) vs KAZ A. DANILINA/BRA L. STEFANI
by
ponchi101 ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:05 pm
^ I agree about Leylah.
But that is not the path for players that eventually become consistent winners. This is the path of a Chris Lewis, Nathalie Tauziat or Martin Verkerk. Players that reached a slam final, and then simply was proven they were not good enough to maintain such a level.
Currently, look at Podoroska. She made the RG semis, and from there, oblivion. You have to able to build from that, not remain below 50 once your points are gone.
Suliso and I spoke about it when she made it to the USO final. I still wonder if she has the power and size.
Having said that: the qualies for Doha are ridiculous. The level and quality is like a regular 250, which makes me wonder how come there is only one tournament in the WTA this week. I mean, a 250 in both the EU and the USA would be welcomed.
by
JazzNU ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 8:14 pm
Having said that: the qualies for Doha are ridiculous. The level and quality is like a regular 250, which makes me wonder how come there is only one tournament in the WTA this week. I mean, a 250 in both the EU and the USA would be welcomed.
Some qualifying draws are like this for a 500, especially when the tournament pays better.
I would hazard a guess that this is purposely on the calendar by itself and will stay that way. They might pay for that privilege as well. In the last several years, either Doha or Dubai is a Premier 5 event with the other being a Premier event in the same year, now with the 500 and 1000 designations instead. It seems that it's potentially an alternating agreement. And I believe it's typically whichever occurs first that doesn't have competition that week regardless of the designation.
Go back maybe 8 years or so, I believe there used to be more of a South American swing to match the men's side. Rio Open was a combined event at one point and I think there was at least another tournament somewhere in SA too.
Also, and I assume most here remember this, but maybe haven't thought much about it recently - for the last 8-10 years, there has been a well paid and well attended tournament in St. Petersburg, Russia that is no longer on the calendar. There's a second Russian tournament, usually with even higher prize money, that typically took place in Moscow in the Fall that is also no longer on the schedule. There's some shuffling for both being gone most likely along with the missing Chinese tournaments. The Lyon Open appears to have been moved slightly in the calendar from where it used to be and Abu Dhabi was able to happen again (almost certain it's considered the same tournament that kicked off the 2021 season before everyone went to Australia). Last week would've been the St. Petersburg tournament.
Friendly reminder that WTA sponsors don't grow on trees and they face challenges staging tournaments and securing sponsors that the men don't. And why I objected to criticism of the WTA having a 500 event the week before a slam.
by Deuce Nathalie Tauziat can't be put in the same class as Chris Lewis and Martin Verkerk.
Tauziat was a top 20 player for 14 consecutive years. Not too many players throughout history can match that.
Maybe she reached only one Major Final (many very good players never reach a Major Final), but I'd say that she was definitely good enough to maintain a high level of play. And that, for a long time.
She works with Tennis Canada now, by the way, helping the Junior girls and the young women on the tour. I see her at tournaments often.
by
JazzNU ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 8:14 pm
But that is not the path for players that eventually become consistent winners. This is the path of a Chris Lewis, Nathalie Tauziat or
Martin Verkerk. Players that reached a slam final, and then simply was proven they were not good enough to maintain such a level.
His matches on the outer courts were electric with those crowds and they kept coming back when he got moved up to the better courts. That whatever channel was doing coverage at the time was showing should tell you how great the energy of his matches were, because no way would that typically get any actual TV time. Easily among a top 10 times I've been most entertained watching a tennis match.
by ti-amie I'm betting you watched when USA Network broadcast the US Open. They did some of the best ever TV coverage surpassing what we're getting now.
by
JazzNU ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 11:38 pm
I'm betting you watched when USA Network broadcast the US Open. They did some of the best ever TV coverage surpassing what we're getting now.
Oh yeah, and I miss it. So, so much.
by ti-amie Day 4 Order of Play
Center Court
Starts at 02:00 PM
CZE P. KVITOVA vs CHN S. ZHANG
FOLLOWED BY
USA M. KEYS vs LAT J. OSTAPENKO
FOLLOWED BY
BUL V. TOMOVA vs SUI B. BENCIC (7)
FOLLOWED BY
GRE M. SAKKARI (5) vs CHN Q. ZHENG
NOT BEFORE 8:00 PM
RUS D. KASATKINA (6) vs CAN R. MARINO
Grandstand 1
Starts at 02:00 PM
BEL E. MERTENS vs USA D. COLLINS
FOLLOWED BY
USA S. KENIN vs RUS L. SAMSONOVA
FOLLOWED BY
ESP P. BADOSA vs BRA B. HADDAD MAIA
FOLLOWED BY
RUS E. ALEXANDROVA vs CZE K. PLISKOVA
Grandstand 2
Starts at 02:00 PM
TPE H. CHAN/TPE L. CHAN vs USA N. MELICHAR-MARTINEZ/AUS E. PEREZ
FOLLOWED BY
BEL K. FLIPKENS/GER L. SIEGEMUND vs JPN S. AOYAMA/JPN M. NINOMIYA
FOLLOWED BY
BLR V. AZARENKA/BEL E. MERTENS vs USA D. KRAWCZYK/NED D. SCHUURS (3)
FOLLOWED BY
MEX G. OLMOS/CHN S. ZHANG (4) vs KAZ A. DANILINA/BRA L. STEFANI
by
skatingfan Deuce wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:29 pm
I think it's good for Leylah to play qualies at these tournaments - and I'd even say that it's good for her to lose in qualies or in the 1st round. She got somewhat too full of herself after playing the 2021 U.S. Open Final - all the attention and endorsements - not to mention the access to main draws, the appearance fees, the free hotels, etc. - went to her head. No more than with most people, but I was still disappointed that she became more of a 'celebrity' than a tennis player.
Well she had a very good result at one of the biggest tournaments in the sport so that was going to come with more demands on her time from media, sponsors, and fans, and learning to manage that attention is part of being a high level athlete. Particularly in a sport like tennis where the tour is like a travelling circus that arrives in town once a year the demands on player time will be large. She also dealt with a significant injury last year that lost her some practice time, and match play in the middle of the year so that's not ideal. She can't play tennis all the time, and she can't play forever so might as well take advantage of the opportunities that her success presents.
by
Deuce skatingfan wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:34 pm
Deuce wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:29 pm
I think it's good for Leylah to play qualies at these tournaments - and I'd even say that it's good for her to lose in qualies or in the 1st round. She got somewhat too full of herself after playing the 2021 U.S. Open Final - all the attention and endorsements - not to mention the access to main draws, the appearance fees, the free hotels, etc. - went to her head. No more than with most people, but I was still disappointed that she became more of a 'celebrity' than a tennis player.
Well she had a very good result at one of the biggest tournaments in the sport so that was going to come with more demands on her time from media, sponsors, and fans, and learning to manage that attention is part of being a high level athlete. Particularly in a sport like tennis where the tour is like a travelling circus that arrives in town once a year the demands on player time will be large. She also dealt with a significant injury last year that lost her some practice time, and match play in the middle of the year so that's not ideal. She can't play tennis all the time, and she can't play forever so might as well take advantage of the opportunities that her success presents.
When Leylah was 15 years old - before anyone knew of her -, I said to her father "Please be careful to ensure that she doesn't go the Genie Bouchard route".
He replied "Don't worry - we've already had that discussion. I told her that it's up to her to decide - if she wants to show her ass off to everyone, then she can work on having a nice ass. But if she wants to have success in tennis, she needs to work on her tennis. She chose tennis."
After she beat Bencic in Fed Cup in 2020 (still before most people knew of her), her dad told me that she got 'kind of a big head about it' (which is fairly normal for a youngster), and her tennis suffered as a result.
Leylah has an exceptional degree of drive and determination on a tennis court. The only other player I've seen in 40 years of following tennis who has that degree of drive and determination is a guy named Nadal.
Leylah is an extremely fierce competitor - and comes by it very naturally. And, being young still, that determination can be distracted by 'fame' and attention. It's a very delicate balance for everyone - but especially so for someone like Leylah, who is so focussed on the court, and who is naturally more of an introvert off of it.
She needs to remember who she is, and ignore who people want her to be (the latter of which is what 'fame' tries to do to people).
She had a year and a half of enjoying the 'celebrity status' and countless perks that was all a predictable by-product of the 2021 U.S. Open Final.
Now, I hope that having to play qualies now - and sometimes losing in qualies - makes her realize that she's a tennis player first and foremost, and that the endorsements, the galas, and the TV commercials, etc. don't win matches for her (I'd say that they actually do more to help her lose her focus on tennis, and therefore, to lose matches) - and that 'fame' is trivial and superficial - fame only 'loves' you if you win, and it's not YOU that they love, they just want to be associated to someone who wins... 'fame' grabs you and tries to force you to be who it wants you to be - there's no substance to it, and if 'being famous' is the main motivation to win, it will be very fleeting, at best.
I hope playing these qualifying matches, often in front of only a handful of people, makes her remember her roots, and stirs the hunger in her again - the hunger to win and to do her best on the tennis court, not the hunger to be a 'celebrity'.
by
Deuce Qinwen and Sakkari just split the first 2 sets...
Haddad Maia won the 1st set tiebreak over Badosa, who apparently hasn't retired from the match yet - they're on serve in the 2nd.
Ostapenko beat Keys in 2 sets...
And - surprise - Kenin beat Samsonova easily (3 and 1). Samsonova must be tired after reaching the Final last week in Abu Dhabi - and it was a rather gruelling Final (though Bencic won her match easily today over qualifier Tomova)...
Here's one from Qinwen - rarely seen in the women's game, but this one is very nicely executed...
Nice Shot...
.
by Deuce Kasatkina gets by Marino in a tough 2 sets - the first in a tiebreak.
The first service hold of the match was Marino in the 5th game.
The 1st set was as even as it could be.
Kasatkina finally found her game in the 2nd set - but it was still closer than the score indicates. They were on serve at 3-2 Kasatkina.
I still say that there is something not right with Kasatkina this year. She mentions nothing about it in her interviews, but on court, she looks significantly more lacklustre than she normally does. Today, she looked exhausted by the 4th game of the match. If it's not some kind of psychological issue (like a relationship breakup, or worrying about her family in Russia), then maybe it's something physical that's zapping her energy, like mono or something... But she definitely hasn't been her usual self so far this year.
by ti-amie Day 5 Order of Play
Center Court
Starts at 03:30 PM
USA C. GAUFF (4) vs CZE P. KVITOVA
FOLLOWED BY
LAT J. OSTAPENKO vs USA J. PEGULA (2)
FOLLOWED BY
POL I. SWIATEK (1) vs USA D. COLLINS
NOT BEFORE 8:00 PM
CZE K. MUCHOVA vs FRA C. GARCIA (3)
Grandstand 1
Starts at 03:30 PM
BLR V. AZARENKA vs SUI B. BENCIC (7)
FOLLOWED BY
RUS D. KASATKINA (6) vs BRA B. HADDAD MAIA
FOLLOWED BY
MEX G. OLMOS/CHN S. ZHANG (4) vs JPN S. AOYAMA/JPN M. NINOMIYA
FOLLOWED BY
USA C. GAUFF/USA J. PEGULA (1) vs POL A. ROSOLSKA/NZL E. ROUTLIFFE
Grandstand 2
Starts at 03:30 PM
USA S. KENIN vs RUS V. KUDERMETOVA (8)
FOLLOWED BY
GRE M. SAKKARI (5) vs RUS E. ALEXANDROVA
FOLLOWED BY
CHN Z. YANG/RUS V. ZVONAREVA vs RUS E. ALEXANDROVA/BLR A. SASNOVICH
FOLLOWED BY
TPE H. CHAN/TPE L. CHAN vs UKR L. KICHENOK/LAT J. OSTAPENKO (2)
by JazzNU I haven't been able to catch a match this week yet. Not sure if I'm just checking on it too late or it's about TC opting to show ATP instead. I think it must be the latter for when I've checked, I don't think 9 AM - 10 AM is too late to see some of the matches, so might need to stream this week instead.
If anyone actually watched Kenin's match, please report back because that is an absolutely stunning win for her. Did she look like her old self or was Samsonova way off today?
Excellent wins for Sakkari, Haddad Maia, and Alexandrova today as well.
by
martini4me Deuce wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:01 pm
Qinwen and Sakkari just split the first 2 sets...
Haddad Maia won the 1st set tiebreak over Badosa, who apparently hasn't retired from the match yet - they're on serve in the 2nd.
Ostapenko beat Keys in 2 sets...
And - surprise - Kenin beat Samsonova easily (3 and 1). Samsonova must be tired after reaching the Final last week in Abu Dhabi - and it was a rather gruelling Final (though Bencic won her match easily today over qualifier Tomova)...
Here's one from Qinwen - rarely seen in the women's game, but this one is very nicely executed...
Nice Shot...
.
Another one? I think she hit one last week (that was featured in the highlights) as well.
by JazzNU Here it is for easy viewing. WTA posted it, but ESPN picked it up and posted it too! Not very common for them in non-grand slams.
by
Suliso Belinda wins another tough come from behind match. Her first win vs Azarenka actually.
Interested to see how she does vs Swiatek on this kind of court.
by Deuce Very nice comeback win for Bencic over Azarenka... After losing the 1st set 1-6, Bencic fought back to win the 2nd set tiebreak, and then get the break she needed to win the 3rd 6-4.
Azarenka won 9 more points than Bencic overall today - but that's a statistic that is irrelevant in deciding the final outcome in this sport, of course.
It was a long, tough match, and the fact that she won is particularly impressive given that she played a full week last week, winning the Abu Dhabi tournament (which included a long, hard fought, gruelling Final over Samsonova).
In other matches, Gauff over Kvitova in straight sets...
Kudermetova over Kenin, also in straight sets...
Pegula and Ostapenko split 6-2 sets, with Ostapenko getting one early break in the 3rd to go up 3-0.
Kasatkina vs. Haddad Maia up next. This should be interesting, given Kasatkina's poor form so far this year.
by
Suliso Deuce wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:35 pm
Kasatkina vs. Haddad Maia up next. This should be interesting, given Kasatkina's poor form so far this year.
I'd not be surprised with 6-2, 6-2 for Haddad Maia...
by
Deuce Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:49 pm
Deuce wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:35 pm
Kasatkina vs. Haddad Maia up next. This should be interesting, given Kasatkina's poor form so far this year.
I'd not be surprised with 6-2, 6-2 for Haddad Maia...
That wouldn't have surprised me, either (though it would absolutely shock me now, given that it's 5-3 for Haddad Maia!
).
Honestly, no result either way would shock me in this one - though I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if Kasatkina wins it - based, again, on her poor form to this point this year.
by Deuce Pegula came back from 0-3 down in the 3rd to win it 7-5 over Ostapenko.
Sakkari easily in straight sets over Alexandrova...
Haddad Maia won the 1st set 6-3 over Kasatkina; on serve halfway through the 2nd...
Swiatek vs. Collins just beginning now.
I'm looking forward to Garcia vs. Muchova later. Both players are enjoyable to watch - Garcia with her aggressiveness and Muchova with her very fluid all-court game.
This should be a good test of how far Muchova has progressed in her comeback from a couple of tough injuries.
by
ponchi101 Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:34 pm
Belinda wins another tough come from behind match. Her first win vs Azarenka actually.
Interested to see how she does vs Swiatek on this kind of court.
I will actually give her the upper hand. By a tiny bit. 55% she wins.
by JazzNU Haddad Maia is in a competitive match with Kasatkina, but TC insists on showing Iga wax Danielle. I'm not sure what the goal is, but it's only gotten me to change the channel.
by Deuce Haddad Maia tried really hard to blow the 2nd set after being up a break... And she tried hard to blow the tiebreak, as well...
But Kasatkina would have none of it, and tried even harder to blow the tiebreak.
Kasatkina succeeded.
I think Daria should take a month or so off from tennis. Just get her mind occupied with other things in life for a while... because she really looks lost out on court so far this year.
This match having finished, I switched over to Swiatek - Collins, eager to see what was happening there... only to see the handshake.
Collins won one game in the match.
by JazzNU Ostapenko blew her lead in that match. Was up 5-2 in the 3rd and instead of playing as she has been at many times in the last 12 months, she became mistake prone Alona of old and just helped Jessie get over the line. She definitely miscalculated if she thought Jessie would stop fighting and just give it to her.
I'm sure there is someone, but hard to think of a player that gets so consistently distracted and frustrated when calls don't go her way. I remember very few times where it makes her angry and focused and she finishes the other player off in short order.
by Deuce Muchova vs. Garcia is not disappointing - they split the first 2 sets with some high quality tennis on both sides - 7-6 Muchova in the 1st, and 7-5 Garcia in the 2nd.
Good stuff...
Beginning the 3rd now, and it's a toss-up.
by
ponchi101 ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 4:52 pm
Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:34 pm
Belinda wins another tough come from behind match. Her first win vs Azarenka actually.
Interested to see how she does vs Swiatek on this kind of court.
I will actually give her the upper hand.
By a tiny bit. 55% she wins.
After that 0&1 trashing of Iga over Danielle, can somebody fetch me some BBQ sauce to eat these words?
by Deuce 3 hours exactly...
Total points - 114 Muchova, 113 Garcia...
Garcia wins with a late break in the 3rd.
A close, enjoyable, and entertaining match - high quality from both players.
by
JTContinental Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:34 pm
Belinda wins another tough come from behind match. Her first win vs Azarenka actually.
Interested to see how she does vs Swiatek on this kind of court.
We will not find out, as Bencic has pulled out of the tournament citing fatigue
by
ti-amie JTContinental wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:31 pm
Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:34 pm
Belinda wins another tough come from behind match. Her first win vs Azarenka actually.
Interested to see how she does vs Swiatek on this kind of court.
We will not find out, as Bencic has pulled out of the tournament citing fatigue
What?!
by JazzNU There probably won't be a better match this week than the one between Muchova and Garcia. That goes for men's or women's.
A damn shame that Muchova couldn't pull it out, but Garcia's been battling back in this kind of match all thru this short season, so she definitely knows how to do it at this point. Has had to do it much more than she did during her run in the second half of the year. But regardless, great to see Muchova playing this well. Hope this means everything is all better with her injury and she'll be resuming a full time schedule on tour. It's seems like she's had a lot of starts and stops with this injury.
by
JTContinental ti-amie wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:34 pm
JTContinental wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:31 pm
Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:34 pm
Belinda wins another tough come from behind match. Her first win vs Azarenka actually.
Interested to see how she does vs Swiatek on this kind of court.
We will not find out, as Bencic has pulled out of the tournament citing fatigue
What?!
https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3066186/ ... y-walkover
by
JazzNU ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:26 pm
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 4:52 pm
Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:34 pm
Belinda wins another tough come from behind match. Her first win vs Azarenka actually.
Interested to see how she does vs Swiatek on this kind of court.
I will actually give her the upper hand.
By a tiny bit. 55% she wins.
After that 0&1 trashing of Iga over Danielle, can somebody fetch me some BBQ sauce to eat these words?
Danielle has beaten her before and it wasn't in like 2018 either, so not a crazy thought. Her getting beat isn't surprising, but thoroughly thrashed? Makes me think Danielle wasn't feeling quite herself today. Danielle won 4 points in the first set. FOUR. Not on Iga's serve, but in total.
by ponchi101 Gotta admit that it was a majestic jinx. Not only did Iga trash Danielle, Belinda then withdraws.
I am going to Vegas and apply for a job as a cooler.
by
Deuce ti-amie wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:34 pm
JTContinental wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:31 pm
Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:34 pm
Belinda wins another tough come from behind match. Her first win vs Azarenka actually.
Interested to see how she does vs Swiatek on this kind of court.
We will not find out, as Bencic has pulled out of the tournament citing fatigue
What?!
As I've said several times - if you can't commit to playing through a tournament until you either lose, or you win the tournament, or you get injured to the point where you can't play, you should not enter the tournament.
If you enter the tournament and at some point decide that you don't want to continue in the tournament (without injury), and you withdraw from the tournament, you should be punished. Personally, the punishment I would choose is something like banning the player from the next tournament they've entered.
Some might say that fatigue is like an injury. It is not. Fatigue is far more predictable than an injury. In this case with Bencic, fatigue was very predictable, after her run to the tournament win last week.
She knew how much she played last week - and so, if she was not ready to commit to playing another entire week, knowing that there could be some long, difficult matches included, then she should not have entered this tournament, period.
A player must assume that he/she will make it to the final day of the tournament, and assess whether he/she is willing to play all of the scheduled matches along the way. If not, do not enter the tournament.
Because entering a tournament, and deciding part way through that it's no longer comfortable and/or convenient to continue playing is bush league. It would be fine, I suppose, if you live in a vacuum, where no-one but you is affected by your decisions. But in the real world, where fans, tournament administrators, opponents, and the sport itself will all be negatively affected by your deciding that it's no longer comfortable and/or convenient to continue playing, it is unacceptable and should be punished.
by ponchi101 I truly can't remember Chrissie, Martina, Steffi, Monica or Serena ever retiring due to fatigue, at the QF stage of a tournament. Or any stage of a tournament.
by
ti-amie Deuce wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 11:25 pm
ti-amie wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:34 pm
JTContinental wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:31 pm
We will not find out, as Bencic has pulled out of the tournament citing fatigue
What?!
As I've said several times - if you can't commit to playing through a tournament until you either lose, or you win the tournament, or you get injured to the point where you can't play, you should not enter the tournament.
If you enter the tournament and at some point decide that you don't want to continue in the tournament (without injury), and you withdraw from the tournament, you should be punished. Personally, the punishment I would choose is something like banning the player from the next tournament they've entered.
Some might say that fatigue is like an injury. It is not. Fatigue is far more predictable than an injury. In this case with Bencic, fatigue was very predictable, after her run to the tournament win last week.
She knew how much she played last week - and so, if she was not ready to commit to playing another entire week, knowing that there could be some long, difficult matches included, then she should not have entered this tournament, period.
A player must assume that he/she will make it to the final day of the tournament, and assess whether he/she is willing to play all of the scheduled matches along the way. If not, do not enter the tournament.
Because entering a tournament, and deciding part way through that it's no longer comfortable and/or convenient to continue playing is bush league. It would be fine, I suppose, if you live in a vacuum, where no-one but you is affected by your decisions. But in the real world, where fans, tournament administrators, opponents, and the sport itself will all be negatively affected by your deciding that it's no longer comfortable and/or convenient to continue playing, it is unacceptable and should be punished.
by ti-amie Day 6 Order of Play Center Court
Starts at 03:30 PM
CHN Z. YANG/RUS V. ZVONAREVA vs UKR L. KICHENOK/LAT J. OSTAPENKO (2)
UPCOMING
USA C. GAUFF (4) vs RUS V. KUDERMETOVA (8)
UPCOMING
BRA B. HADDAD MAIA vs USA J. PEGULA (2)
UPCOMING
GRE M. SAKKARI (5) vs FRA C. GARCIA (3)
Grandstand 1
Starts at 06:00 PM
USA C. GAUFF/USA J. PEGULA (1) vs MEX G. OLMOS/CHN S. ZHANG (4)
by Deuce Strange match between Gauff and Kudermetova...
Kudermetova won the 1st set rather convincingly, 6-2. Gauff played better in the 2nd set, while Kudermetova's level fell, and Gauff won 6-3.
You'd figure that Gauff has some momentum at this point.
But Kudermetova raced out to a very quick 5-0 lead in the 3rd set, and won it 6-1.
It was quite windy out there, and that certainly had a significant effect... but still, that was a strange match.
by ashkor87 This court is too slow for Coco...she doesn't have the power to hit winners on it, and her speed doesn't help much ...even against Kvitova she only had 4 winners off the ground..on this kind of court, Kudemetova is really the better player, and unfortunately, courts are getting slower all over .a dim prospect ...
by ponchi101 Courts are getting indeed slower for years, and it is all over. At the level that the players are reaching, it is impossible for anybody to pass the opponent.
One of the multiple reasons why S&V is gone, and something that affects the health of the players. When you have a match with 25 rallies that each lasted 20 strokes, the pounding is severe.
by ashkor87 Swiatek is back to monster mode .nobody will beat her on a slow hard court except by sheer luck.
by Suliso Do we think Gauff reaching her first GS final on clay was more of a fortunate draw? If not it would argue against her not liking slower courts.
by
ponchi101 Suliso wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 4:37 pm
Do we think Gauff reaching her first GS final on clay was more of a fortunate draw? If not it would argue against her not liking slower courts.
Indeed. It would seem her greatest achievement has been on a slow court.
(BTW: her path at RG: Marino-Van Uytvanck-Kanepi- Mertens- Stephens-Trevisan- Swiatek. Not that easy).
by Suliso If that's not an easy path what is? One would struggle to find an easier path to this stage of a GS.
by
meganfernandez ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 11:27 pm
I truly can't remember Chrissie, Martina, Steffi, Monica or Serena ever retiring due to fatigue, at the QF stage of a tournament. Or any stage of a tournament.
Fatigue could be a euphamism for "something personal I don't want to discuss." Or it could mean "I don't know why I am this exhausted, but regardless, I shouldn't play." I guess it could mean "I'm afraid of playing Iga right now, on a low tank." Who knows.
by
ponchi101 Suliso wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:16 pm
If that's not an easy path what is? One would struggle to find an easier path to this stage of a GS.
I would say Kanepi and Mertens are good clay court players. Stephens reached the RG final. Trevisan has made it to the RG semis twice.
Ok, not a murderers' row, but also not a sleep walk. She had to break some sweat.
by
ponchi101 meganfernandez wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:19 pm
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 11:27 pm
I truly can't remember Chrissie, Martina, Steffi, Monica or Serena ever retiring due to fatigue, at the QF stage of a tournament. Or any stage of a tournament.
Fatigue could be a euphamism for "something personal I don't want to discuss." Or it could mean "I don't know why I am this exhausted, but regardless, I shouldn't play." I guess it could mean "I'm afraid of playing Iga right now, on a low tank." Who knows.
Sure. It could mean a lot of things. It could also mean "fatigue".
The point being made (and you understand it) is that it was truly a disservice to the tournament. Especially because she is not an unknown, and that IGA/BELINDA match would have been top billing.
Remember, I am the old guard. When I see somebody citing fatigue, I remember the old days of players playing week in, week out, wielding a 15-ounce wood racquet for every stroke. And never pulling out from a tournament citing fatigue.
(Skating is fetching the "old man yells at clouds" meme right now. I know)
by
Suliso ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:38 pm
Suliso wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:16 pm
If that's not an easy path what is? One would struggle to find an easier path to this stage of a GS.
I would say Kanepi and Mertens are good clay court players. Stephens reached the RG final. Trevisan has made it to the RG semis twice.
Ok, not a murderers' row, but also not a sleep walk. She had to break some sweat.
Sure, but still easier than 80% of the time. Kanepi and Stephens are both "washed up". Kanepi because of old age and Stephens who knows why.
by Deuce One could possibly argue that the game is more physically demanding today than it was in those 'old days'...
But the counter argument to that is that today's players are in better physical condition - so these two elements likely cancel each other out.
But the mindset between yesterday's players and today's players is definitely different, with yesterday's players being much less spoiled than today's players (most of that is owing to there being much more money and attention in the game today than there was back then - that has a strong tendency to create players who feel a sense of entitlement).
With Bencic, she played the full week last week, including a rather gruelling Final on Sunday. If she's tired and needs to rest, fine - I really don't have a problem with that. What I have a problem with is her deciding in the middle of the tournament that she needs to rest. In this scenario, her fatigue was quite predictable - yet her decision to not play came suddenly, and at a very bad time.
As I mentioned before - every player should plan on making it to the Final, and assess whether or not they are in good enough physical and/or psychological condition to do so. If not, they should not enter the tournament.
With Bencic, because she played the full week last week, it certainly seems that she decided before this tournament began that she would play only until it became inconvenient and uncomfortable. And that's not fair to the fans, her fellow players, the tournament, or the sport.
by
ti-amie Deuce wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:08 pm
One could possibly argue that the game is more physically demanding today than it was in those 'old days'...
But the counter argument to that is that today's players are in better physical condition - so these two elements likely cancel each other out.
But the mindset between yesterday's players and today's players is definitely different, with yesterday's players being much less spoiled than today's players (most of that is owing to there being much more money and attention in the game today than there was back then - that has a strong tendency to create players who feel a sense of entitlement).
With Bencic, she played the full week last week, including a rather gruelling Final on Sunday. If she's tired and needs to rest, fine - I really don't have a problem with that.
What I have a problem with is her deciding in the middle of the tournament that she needs to rest. In this scenario, her fatigue was quite predictable - yet her decision to not play came suddenly, and at a very bad time.
As I mentioned before - every player should plan on making it to the Final, and assess whether or not they are in good enough physical and/or psychological condition to do so. If not, they should not enter the tournament.
With Bencic, because she played the full week last week, it certainly seems that she decided before this tournament began that she would play only until it became inconvenient and uncomfortable. And that's not fair to the fans, her fellow players, the tournament, or the sport.
This.
by Suliso By the way did you notice how predictable the results in Doha have been? 7/8 top seeds reached the QF's. SF's will be #1, 2, 8 and 3 or 5.
by ponchi101 I had not. That would be fodder for the hypothesis that rankings do say something.
by Deuce ^ It would also partially stifle the argument that there is deep parity in the WTA.
Personally, I don't think it means anything significant. If it happens in 4 tournaments out of 5, then, yes, it is meaningful and indicative... But in one tournament? Nah...
by JTContinental Lol at Coco being a “dim prospect” and not liking “slow courts.” I still maintain court speed on anything other than clay is arbitrary and meaningless.
by Deuce Meanwhile, Sakkari and Garcia are locked in a tight 3rd set battle...
5-4 Sakkari, on serve...
by
ashkor87 ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 4:53 pm
Suliso wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 4:37 pm
Do we think Gauff reaching her first GS final on clay was more of a fortunate draw? If not it would argue against her not liking slower courts.
Indeed. It would seem her greatest achievement has been on a slow court.
(BTW: her path at RG: Marino-Van Uytvanck-Kanepi- Mertens- Stephens-Trevisan- Swiatek. Not that easy).
Except for swiarek, it was .even Sloane is not much of a clay court player, though she did get to the finals one time. In fact, you may remember, when I saw the draw I said Coco is going to the semis!
by ti-amie Day 7 Order of Play
Center Court
Starts at 04:30 PM
Semifinal
GRE M. SAKKARI (5) vs USA J. PEGULA (2)
FOLLOWED BY
Semifinal
POL I. SWIATEK (1) vs RUS V. KUDERMETOVA (8)
FOLLOWED BY
Final
USA C. GAUFF/USA J. PEGULA (1) vs UKR L. KICHENOK/LAT J. OSTAPENKO (2)
by
ashkor87 JTContinental wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:25 pm
Lol at Coco being a “dim prospect” and not liking “slow courts.” I still maintain court speed on anything other than clay is arbitrary and meaningless.
Things are certainly headed that way...all courts are converging to slow...the game will be poorer for it.
by
JazzNU ti-amie wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:11 pm
It'd be great if people would ease the heck up on her. The way she became everyone's go to punching bag last year to make some point was fairly ridiculous.
by
ashkor87 JTContinental wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:25 pm
Lol at Coco being a “dim prospect” and not liking “slow courts.” I still maintain court speed on anything other than clay is arbitrary and meaningless.
Well, Swiatek herself provides the proof..she thrashed Collins yesterday and lost to her at the AO last year,and to Rybakina this year! Why? Only because of the court ..
by Deuce ^ That the victor is always so predictable and such a foregone conclusion makes one wonder why they even bother to play the matches at all, huh?
Sigh...
by
ashkor87 JTContinental wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:25 pm
Lol at Coco being a “dim prospect” and not liking “slow courts.” I still maintain court speed on anything other than clay is arbitrary and meaningless.
Btw I didn't say Coco was a dim prospect, I said the fact that courts are all slow make it a dim prospect for her. I have nothing against Coco! I do have serious concerns about everyone making courts lower..injuries will increase, and we will be robbed of variety..
by ashkor87 Am very impressed with JPeg here. Beat two very diffrent kinds of players, on a court that doesn't really suit her..awesome addptability
by Suliso An excellent tournament for Pegula. Sakkari is not an easy opponent on this kind of court. Garcia couldn't break her at all, but Pegula could 8x!
by ponchi101 Strange score. Very up and down.
My GF showed me a video of Sakkari training in the gym. By now, I have an idea about her. She is indeed an incredible physical person; the level of intensity in the training is off the scale. But somehow, it has not translated into dominance. For example, her training on her upper body is insane, yet she does not have a great serve.
So maybe: do more on court? Drop a bit the gym, extend a bit working on strokes? She is certainly playing very, very well, but there is a little something missing for her to win big titles.
by Suliso If one could become a great champion by being a gym rat alone this sport would be very different indeed. It helps of course, but that's not all.
by
ashkor87 ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:46 pm
Strange score. Very up and down.
My GF showed me a video of Sakkari training in the gym. By now, I have an idea about her. She is indeed an incredible physical person; the level of intensity in the training is off the scale. But somehow, it has not translated into dominance. For example, her training on her upper body is insane, yet she does not have a great serve.
So maybe: do more on court? Drop a bit the gym, extend a bit working on strokes? She is certainly playing very, very well, but there is a little something missing for her to win big titles.
I have noticed she often blows a lead for no good reason .a mental thing, I imagine .
by ashkor87 David foster wallace String Theory chapter on Tracy Austin is relevant here..that pure Presence is necessary to win and keep winning .Sakkari may be too much of a thinker..don't know her of course, so foolish to speculate..
by ponchi101 And it seems that, at least for Doha, we will see no evidence that your "slow court theory" is wrong. Iga just bludgeoning Veronika.
Kudermetova won 7 points in the first set. This is ugly.
(Should make Collins feel a tiny bit better).
by Suliso Iga not looking particularly vulnerable this week.
by
ashkor87 ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:31 pm
And it seems that, at least for Doha, we will see no evidence that your "slow court theory" is wrong. Iga just bludgeoning Veronika.
Kudermetova won 7 points in the first set. This is ugly.
(Should make Collins feel a tiny bit better).
Dont blame Bencic for leaving the battlefield either ...a tired Bencic would have been 'golden set' ted twice!!
by Deuce All this nonsense about the courts being 'too slow'...
If one considers ALL the factors instead of conveniently selecting only the factors which support one's position, the game is much FASTER today than it was up to the '80s and even the '90s.
Today's racquets and strings make the ball travel much faster upon impact than back then.
Today's players are fitter and stronger than the players of the past, as well.
And so, if the courts are moderately slower today than they were before the '90s, it still does not compensate fully for the increased speed of the ball travel, relative to the '80s and '90s.
The result of all of these factors is the game is significantly FASTER today than it was in the past.
by Suliso Both finals are #1 vs #2. That can't be very common.
by ponchi101 So Iga is in a 500 finals after losing two games.
I know that Bencic did not walk onto the court, but that is still impressive.
Problem with the modern game: tennis has always been spectacularly inept at keeping proper stats. We could easily know if the sport is faster, slower or the same if the stats were kept. Golf, for example, has always kept track about the power of the clubs and the speed of the balls. That way, they can regulate those.
Tennis? We keep stats on service speed (those have not increased in about two decades). But nothing else is found.
by Deuce Well, I think that everyone would agree that the newer, larger racquets and the difference in strings - say, from the '90s onward for both - have given the players significantly increased power. This is a large reason cited for the basic elimination of serve & volley (with all due respect to Maxime Cressy)... Serve & volley didn't die because the players were suddenly more precise with their shot making - it died because of the increased power and speed of the game - players no longer have the time to get close enough to the net after serving, because the returns are coming back faster. And even if they do manage to get into a decent volleying position, it's quite difficult to handle a return being hit so hard.
Even any net play (not just s & v) has very significantly decreased since the '90s - again because of the speed with which passing shots are hit with these more powerful racquets. Not to mention that with some of today's racquets, it's also easier to hit excessive topspin. The topspin that Borg or Vilas could achieve with today's racquets would be off the charts.
And today's topspin shots travel faster through the air than the topspin of yesterday, as well.
Finally, I don't think we need statistics of ball speed to know that today's tennis is much faster than yesterday's - all one need do is to watch a clip of tennis from, say, 1985, and a clip from today. Your eyes will tell you that the difference is huge.
In the past, a pro player could get away with not being in great physical shape, because the game was considerably slower than it is today. The increased power and speed of the game since the bigger, more powerful racquets came in has forced all players to get into very good physical shape.
by ti-amie I think that they had to slow the courts down to accommodate the "newer" racquets. For me tennis became unwatchable for a lot of the late 90's because there was no intellect to it. It was all serve, serve, and serve with some net play thrown in for the usual giggles. Tennis for me anyway is much more watchable now.
by
Deuce ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 9:16 pm
I think that they had to slow the courts down to accommodate the "newer" racquets. For me tennis became unwatchable for a lot of the late 90's because there was no intellect to it. It was all serve, serve, and serve with some net play thrown in for the usual giggles. Tennis for me anyway is much more watchable now.
Yes - but, as I said, making the courts slower has not fully compensated for the increased speed and power, in my opinion. The game is still too fast for my liking.
Back in the '80s - and prior to that - THAT was a thinking person's tennis... because there was so little power and ball speed in the game - except for the occasional serve -, players had to use their intellect to figure out how to basically outsmart their opponents, mostly using variety and creativity.
by
ti-amie Deuce wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:11 pm
ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 9:16 pm
I think that they had to slow the courts down to accommodate the "newer" racquets. For me tennis became unwatchable for a lot of the late 90's because there was no intellect to it. It was all serve, serve, and serve with some net play thrown in for the usual giggles. Tennis for me anyway is much more watchable now.
Yes - but, as I said, making the courts slower has not fully compensated for the increased speed and power, in my opinion. The game is still too fast for my liking.
Back in the '80s - and prior to that - THAT was a thinking person's tennis... because there was so little power and ball speed in the game - except for the occasional serve -, players had to use their intellect to figure out how to basically outsmart their opponents, mostly using variety and creativity.
Yes. I still watched but the servebot era was so boring...
by ponchi101 Problem for me is that my two favorite players of all time were from the mid 80's through 2000.
Pete and Stefan made it exciting always. Specially Edberg, hitting volleys for winners from his shoelaces.
by ashkor87 Let us pause for a moment to pay tribute to Iga..we are in the presence of greatness...she will change the game the way Serena did, the way greatness always does
by ti-amie Day 8 Order of Play
Center Court
Starts at 06:00 PM
Final
POL I. SWIATEK (1) vs USA J. PEGULA (2)
by
ponchi101 ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 18, 2023 1:32 am
Let us pause for a moment to pay tribute to Iga..we are in the presence of greatness...she will change the game the way Serena did, the way greatness always does
She is playing great. No doubt about it.
But, change the game is a bit too far. Her game is fairly standard. Very solid from both wings, her serve is good, she is not comfortable at all at the net.
And it is still a bit early to compare her to the great ones. She is still nowhere near those numbers. We have to give her some time.
Right now: she is very much like Monica. Crushing it from both wings, and devouring serves.
by Suliso Regarding Iga - 10 Slams over or under?
by
ponchi101 Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Feb 18, 2023 4:21 pm
Regarding Iga - 10 Slams over or under?
I go for over. Her haul at RG can be around Borg/Chrissie/Steffi numbers. That would mean just a few more others sprinkled here and there for her to reach 10+.
Next week we see a different challenge. For both Aryna and Iga, it may mean something. Aryna, to back up her new Slam Champion status, for Iga to lay down her position as the best. A few others also have to rise (although I don't know who can).
Caveat. A few years ago we did the same for Naomi. A completely different player, but right now that seems a bit difficult. The sport changes so much.
by ashkor87 As you have also remarked, slow courts are the norm now. Nobody from this generation of players seems able to even stay on the court with her, let alone beat her. She is therefore a once-in-a- generation player, as Serena was..
by Deuce Way too early to crown Swiatek as being among the greats. As ponchi says, her game isn't remarkable - she is good - even very good - but her main strength is her consistency - she doesn't win by overpowering or otherwise dominating her opponents, she wins by missing less shots than her opponents. I think that can be exploited.
Also, we have seen her lose matches convincingly - and that tells us that she is obviously beatable, and that there may be a 'formula' that works against her.
Also, I think Swiatek is beginning to have a significant psychological advantage over her opponents, because it seems that her opponents EXPECT TO LOSE. I saw this in both Kudermetova and Pegula this week - you can see it in the body language and facial expressions. I'm not talking about after Swiatek has won the 1st set and is up 3-0 in the 2nd - I'm talking about right from the beginning of the match, her opponents don't believe they can win. And that's a huge advantage for Swiatek. It's happening because of her winning record, of course - so it's a direct case of cause and effect. But let's see how Swiatek does when she encounters an opponent who truly believes she can win. Then Swiatek will feel pressure - and we'll see how she reacts to that.
Finally, the weather conditions in Doha this week were difficult - very, very windy and cool temperatures. Maybe Swiatek simply managed the conditions better than anyone else.
She also had 2 byes...
by Suliso She does win tough matches too, but my question arouse mostly from her dominance on clay. Well proven by now. In some sense she reminds me of Justine. Henin won "only" 7, but there was Serena around.
by Suliso By the way Iga has beaten a very old record held by Evert for fewest games lost enroute to WTA title (7). Also bagel in every match.
by
Deuce Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Feb 18, 2023 6:36 pm
By the way Iga has beaten a very old record held by Evert for fewest games lost enroute to WTA title (7). Also bagel in every match.
That should not count, as Swiatek effectively had 2 byes in this tournament (1st round bye, and a walkover when Bencic suddenly quit the tournament). I doubt that Evert had 2 byes.
It should go by number of matches played. How many matches did Evert play when she set that 'record'? If it's more than 3, Iga's week this week doesn't count.
by Suliso Sure, it's just a funny factoid. Doesn't mean anything in particular and certainly not that Swiatek is better than Evert.
by
ponchi101 The record now stands at 5* (with the big asterisk
)
Perhaps more relevant. Her record in finals is now 12-2. Very impressive.
by JTContinental I like Iga and she is currently a great champion, but she needs to win about 15 more slams to even get to Serena's orbit.
by
JazzNU ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:46 pm
My GF showed me a video of Sakkari training in the gym. By now, I have an idea about her. She is indeed an incredible physical person; the level of intensity in the training is off the scale. But somehow, it has not translated into dominance. For example, her training on her upper body is insane, yet she does not have a great serve.
So maybe: do more on court? Drop a bit the gym, extend a bit working on strokes? She is certainly playing very, very well, but there is a little something missing for her to win big titles.
Sakkari reminds me a decent amount of Mauresemo. But I don't recall this being a regular criticism of Amelie. Do you remember it differently? Mauresmo rarely dominated an opponent despite her physique.
I disagree with your comments about Sakkari's serve. Is it great? Maybe not exactly great, but it's very good for her height and it's one of her strengths, something that has gotten better and helped with her rise to the top 10.
by
JazzNU Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Feb 18, 2023 4:21 pm
Regarding Iga - 10 Slams over or under?
Right now I'd say under. I would say over if she were to pick up a second hard court GS or win Wimbledon by the end of 2024.
by
ponchi101 JazzNU wrote: ↑Sat Feb 18, 2023 9:55 pm
...
Sakkari reminds me a decent amount of Mauresemo. But I don't recall this being a regular criticism of Amelie. Do you remember it differently? Mauresmo rarely dominated an opponent despite her physique.
I disagree with your comments about Sakkari's serve. Is it great? Maybe not exactly great, but it's very good for her height and it's one of her strengths, something that has gotten better and helped with her rise to the top 10.
Uhm, comparing her to Amelie is a bit difficult for me. Amelie had a lot of weapons: the BH (obvious), and her net game was excellent. Also, being from the French school, her mechanics were almost perfect.
I find that Sakkari's service motion does not generate all the power. Then again, I have always had another theory. The reason why Americans and Australians usually have good serves is because American's play baseball, and Aussie cricket (plus the Brits). That allows young players to develop that quick elbow motion (from pitching) and a strong shoulder rotation (cricket throwing). So, I don't know if Sakkari simply does not have that explosion in her arm.
by
Sinner Fan Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Feb 18, 2023 4:21 pm
Regarding Iga - 10 Slams over or under?
This is all up to who come to challenge her. If no one does she can get over 10 slams.
by
patrick Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Feb 18, 2023 4:21 pm
Regarding Iga - 10 Slams over or under?
Under
by
atlpam JazzNU wrote: ↑Sat Feb 18, 2023 9:55 pm
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:46 pm
My GF showed me a video of Sakkari training in the gym. By now, I have an idea about her. She is indeed an incredible physical person; the level of intensity in the training is off the scale. But somehow, it has not translated into dominance. For example, her training on her upper body is insane, yet she does not have a great serve.
So maybe: do more on court? Drop a bit the gym, extend a bit working on strokes? She is certainly playing very, very well, but there is a little something missing for her to win big titles.
Sakkari reminds me a decent amount of Mauresemo. But I don't recall this being a regular criticism of Amelie. Do you remember it differently? Mauresmo rarely dominated an opponent despite her physique.
I disagree with your comments about Sakkari's serve. Is it great? Maybe not exactly great, but it's very good for her height and it's one of her strengths, something that has gotten better and helped with her rise to the top 10.
From a physique perspective, I would agree with the Mauresmo comparison. I've always thought they had similar body types, but I do think Mauresmo had a more fluid, all court game than Sakkari does.
by Sinner Fan Maria Sakkari is a very confusing player. She can play very lights out set and then next set it like watching some other player. I do not think her serve is that bad. Not the best of her weapons but not bad. I agree she might hit courts more than gym to help game more.
by ponchi101 Everything she does is solid. The one outstanding thing is the speed and stamina.
I gather that we will always have the players that make it to the top 5, but can't go forward. The Berdychs, Dementieva's, and those types.
I hope I am wrong. I would really like for Sakkari to win something big.
by Deuce I wish people would stop with the 'Iga lost only 5 games all tournament' crap.
She had 2 byes.
She played only 3 matches.
Granted, losing only 5 games in 3 matches is a nice accomplishment. But the way it's marketed is as if she had to play 7 matches or something. Enough!
I think it's safe to say that, had Bencic not quit the tournament suddenly, Swiatek would not have beaten her love and love - and no-one would be talking about how few games she lost in the tournament.
by
ti-amie Deuce wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 9:49 pm
I wish people would stop with the 'Iga lost only 5 games all tournament' crap.
She had 2 byes.
She played only 3 matches.
Granted, losing only 5 games in 3 matches is a nice accomplishment. But the way it's marketed is as if she had to play 7 matches or something. Enough!
I think it's safe to say that,
had Bencic not quit the tournament suddenly, Swiatek would not have beaten her love and love - and no-one would be talking about how few games she lost in the tournament.
"Had Bencic not chickened out of playing Iga she would have done better than 0-0 or 0-1."
Fixed that for ya!