'25 AO WTA MD Singles and Discussion

[jazzyg]

Very impressive by Swiatek, but it goes to the theory I've mentioned before that she is a bully on the tennis court. Not in her personality, but in her game. When someone stands up to her, she tends to crumble on a hard court.

Her draw has been cake to this point. Let's see what happens when she runs into someone better than that. I'm not making any guarantees about what would happen. Just interested to find out.

[ponchi101]

And who would that be now? Navarro or Keys will not be intimidated, but can't intimidate in return.

[jazzyg]

Keys hits the ball harder stroke for stroke than any woman who ever lived.

If they meet, she certainly could intimidate Swiatek.

[ponchi101]

Harder than any woman EVER?
Ok, I will take your word for it.

[ashkor87]

I agree Keys could push Swiatek onto her back foot, which is what it takes to beat her.. but I dont think the court is fast enough to bother Swiatek. I guess we are all looking at a Swiatek -Sabalenka final.. maybe that is how it should be.

[ashkor87]

Svitolina has come back hitting harder than before, her power on the forehand, especially, is really amped up. I wonder if she is simply swinging more freely - I had never thought of her as a powerful player in her first edition.

[jazzyg]

I have seen Svitolina hit hard. The year Keys lost to Stephens in the U.S. Open final, I watched Svitolina destroy Halep and Wozniacki in Toronto to win the tournament, bossing both of them around the court while barely losing games. But I've never seen her play like that in a slam.

I expect whomever wins the Keys-Svitolina match to beat Swiatek, but I almost always have lower expectations for Swiatek off of clay than everyone else.

[ashkor87]

The year Keys lost to Stephens in the U.S. Open final, I watched Svitolina destroy Halep and Wozniacki in Toronto to win the tournament, bossing both of them around the court while barely losing games.

I didnt get to see that.. but before her temporary hiatus, she was more of a defensive player who was quick and resilient..

[ponchi101]

Has she changed racquets? It is so hard to "learn" to generate new power at her age.

[jazzyg]

She plays very tentatively in slams, which has made it impossible for her to beat or even come close to beating an in-form power player, but she is capable of hitting harder with her regular equipment.

Nerves were always a big issue for her. Maybe the freedom of playing for a cause will help in that department, but people usually are who they are regardless of the circumstances around them, so I have my doubts.

[ti-amie]

It's a valid question no? What am I missing?

[ponchi101]

I am not a fan of her, and we know she takes defeat very badly.
But I think the answer is also valid. Going through that explanation in a language that is not your mother tongue must be difficult

[ti-amie]

[Fastbackss]

Has she changed racquets? It is so hard to "learn" to generate new power at her age.

Yes, she changed to Yonex

[Fastbackss]

Harder than any woman EVER?
Ok, I will take your word for it.

Couple years old. Never seen this site but has some data

https://womenstennisblog.com/2022/02/07 ... forehands/