A forum to discuss all things related to the Women’s Tennis Association.
Copyright © 2024 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes
A forum to discuss all things related to the Women’s Tennis Association.
Copyright © 2024 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes
Gavrilova blog! – Gavrilova pelts Zverev, but gets no kiss from Kyrgios: https://tenngrand.com/2016/01/03/gavrilova-pelts-zverev-but-gets-no-kiss-from-kyrgios/
Sharapova pulled out of Brisbane with a forearm problem – ” it’s precautionary” is what she said about it. Simona Halep pulled out of Brisbane saying that her Achilles tendon was bothering her and didn’t want to play a whole match right now. Hope she’ll be alright for AO.
The good news in Brisbane is that Azarenka is looking strong and fit, as are Bencic, Suarez-Navarro, Kerber, and the plucky Roberta Vinci, who knocked out Cibulkova. Muguruza v Azarenka Brisbane Final is my pick.
Serena had to retire during her Hopman Cup match due to knee inflammation: “However, Williams played down the injury and even refused to rule herself out of Thursday’s Hopman Cup tie against the Czech Republic.” BBC news.
My favorites in Auckland, Ana Ivanovic and Venus Williams were knocked out first round, so that tournament is anybody’s guess.
Shenzhen – Petra Kvitova also retired with an injury 1st round. Genie Bouchard won her match – yay! Agnieszka Radwanska is my pick to win in China.
Ivanovic pulled out of doubles
Not surprising, Ricky.
Correction: Petra Kvitova’s problem isn’t an injury – it was an “illness”, which makes me worry – since she had to struggle with mono issues much of last year.
Auckland,Brisbane and Shenzhen:
Wozniaki v Stephens semi-final (Auckland) has potential. Tennis Channel should broadcast it – I’d be surprised if not. Pazsek v Goerges in the other semi. I’d pick Paszek for her mental fortitude (she had a rough draw) 🙂
In Brisbane, I’ll confess — did not know who Samantha Crawford was! Not sure how I missed her. She’s American, 6’2″, has a huge serve and I can’t wait to see how she fares against Vika Azarenka. Azarenka should win, of course, but it’s a match I hope to catch too. The other semi should be close, Angelique Kerber v Carla Suarez-Navarro.
Shenzhen features WTA #5, Tour Final winner and fan favorite, Agnieszka Radwanska v Anna-Lena Friedsam, a young talented German ranked #95. Then, there’s another American in a semi, Alison Riske! Riske will face Timea Babos. They’ve never met before and I have no clue which one wins. Radwanska to the Final and her first 2016 title!
Paszek, Woz, Vika, Riske, Aga
Vika, Woz, and Aga – agree. I think Paszek too and hopefully, Riske.
Suarez-Navarro/Kerber – I lean toward Kerber but wouldn’t bet on it.
Murray v Zverev on TC starting now!
first set Gools
Sloane on fire! Can she keep that up after the rain delay?
Wow. She looks strong.
Hopman Cup spot in final all comes down to mixed doubles for Australia Green
Team France is missing LaMonf!
Absolutely nothing against KennyD. And Caroline Garcia shines. This is close…. ahh
last week called!
This is gonna be good. Nick and Dasha 🙂 hehe…
Dasha fights of a mp!
what happened?
Yesssss! Great stuff…Nick and Dasha 😀
for the rat – https://vine.co/v/ihtUrZMe3DE
hahaha…I know the feeling! embarrassing…
Ah, Wozzie.
Goerges v Stephens Final.
AO WTA bracket picking coming up 😉
Agnieszka Radwanska starts 2016 with the Shenzhen title and passes Sharapova for the WTA #4. Solid serving day too. http://www.flashscore.com/match/OIcfb4j4/#match-statistics;0
Brisbane –
Congrats to: Victoria Azarenka – winner; and runner-up Angelique Kerber
Auckland –
Big congrats to Sloane Stephens – winner. She defeated Wozniacki in the semi’s and congrats to Julia Goerges, runner-up in the final.
Shenzhen –
Congrats again to Agnieszka Radwanska – winner, sitting pretty for at WTA #4 in time for AO and to Alison Riske, runner-up!.
Unforgettable Hopman Cup win – Australian Green Group. Big thanks to Nick Kyrios and Daria Gavralova – awesome, spectacular performances in Perth!
On to Hobart and Sydney this week.
http://www.hobartinternational.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MDS-1.pdf
Cibulkova, Giorgi, Barthel, Van Uytvanck, Cornet, Nicelescu, Strycova, Brengle, Bouchard, Konta, Gjadosova (Wolffe), and rising stars Hibino and Gasparyan.
Petra Kvitova pulls out of Sydney still ailing. https://twitter.com/hashtag/SydneyTennis?src=hash
Sloane Stephens withdrew.
Not exactly sure why but she did have to play a semifial set and the final in one day in Auckland. Good luck at AO, Sloane!
Aga Radwanska also withdrew.
https://twitter.com/hashtag/SydneyTennis?src=hash
Revised draw
http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/posting/2016/702/MDS.pdf
Tennis Channel schedule says it’s broadcasting ATP Auckland and WTA Sydney – starting at 4:30 pm, MST time zone, US.
For WTA Sydney, that means the big match is WTA #2 Simona Halep v #34 Caroline Garcia. I like Garcia for the upset. She looked strong last week in action at Hopman – and Simona may be off her game, nursing the achilles problem . Kerber, Pliskova, and Bencic also scheduled:
http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/posting/2016/702/OP.pdf
Good luck Eugenie Bouchard in Hobart! She has a tough assignment facing #44, Alison Van Uytvanck.
ratcliff,
You really think that Garcia will beat Halep? Keep in mind that I have not been watching the women’s matches of late. So I am kind of out of the loop as to how some of them are looking at this time. I didn’t know that Halep had an Achilles problem. I don’t envy her, because that can be a particularly nasty injury. You don’t ever want to rupture that tendon, because it takes forever to heal.
I will try to see if I can catch some of the matches, so we can chat about how they look. There’s not much going on with the men’s tennis this week, so it’s a good time to catch up with some women’s tennis!
Great! 😀
Simona v Caroline isn’t scheduled until 6 pm in Sydney, which translates to around midnight here. Not sure I’ll be awake for that one! TC will likely start with Kerber v Makarova, then Stosur v Hantuchova, then work in Fognini v Sousa and of course Sam Querrey v Bedene and end with Simona v Garcia. Any chance of TC tossing in some ATP Sydney along with ATP Auckland? ( I try to predict what they’ll do, lol! )
About Simona, my other thought is that she wouldn’t be playing if she wasn’t reasonably certain about the achilles being good. Still, I think it’s an opportunity for Garcia – she’s someone I believe is going to go places this year – liked what I saw of her at Hopman Cup. She’s match ready – as they say. 5’10” very athletic, exciting Frenchie 😉
(the above post 10:59 pm was meant for Nny)
Caroline Garcia will be pumped if she can get this 2nd set! Just saying, not that I actually want her to beat Simona. Been in the mode for the past three years of really wanting Simona to win every time I see her play, even v Aga, I think. It’s her movement.
Garcia has the momentum now. (Simona moving well though, first set 6-4). Caro G. gets 2nd set 6-2. It’s even. I’m worried about both for AO – sheesh. Always the mother in me.
Simona getting an ankle/leg massage…
Decider will be interesting.
hahhahaa, Fogna v Sousa into a 3rd set decider (following score only). I’d have to go find a stream and Simona/Caroline is compelling at the moment.
Wondering if that British commentator on the TC broadcast is Andrew Castle ???
Not sure how I woke up for this midway through the 1st set. Tennis gods wake me up now? Shoulds be sleeping.
Ah the joy, Paire and Fogna won their matches. Missed both matches – checking score. But I heard it’s possibly going to be 45 C in Auckland later in the week? Maybe dreamt it up? No, that’s too hot – has to be wrong.
These two are going at it. Great athletes, movers. But I find myself wanting Simona off the court…she’s been Andy Murray’ing her leg/calf. From the baseline, Simona is going to win. Caroline needs to move in – get to the net.
Oh no. Simona is going to win. Double break. Simona serving to go up 5-1.
Caro G. seems tired. Maybe she’s over-cooked after Hopman Cup efforts. For a set she was looking like she might beat WTA #2.
Simona makes it 64 26 61. No serve or nerve issues. But she’ll meet Karolina Pliskova next match. No! 🙁
ratcliffe,
I didn’t see the match. So does this mean that Simona’s ankle is okay?
Why don’t you want her to meet Pliskova?
I did happen to turn on the tennis channel late last night and saw RBA and Vesely. I wanted to get a chance to see Vesely. RBA was looking good in that match.
Earlier in the day I tried to watch, but there was a rain delay in Auckland.
Nny, @ 9:30 pm
Simona needed a MTO yesterday – she had a trainer working above the area (ankle/calf) – massaging it – and I think she received a couple pain meds, too. Before the Mto she was Murraying her leg – less so after the meds kicked in. Had mixed feeling about her winning and continuing to play. But…I don’t know everything… 😉
About Karolina Pliskova – I really like her: 23 yr old, 6’1″ moving up ranks – and ranked #11. She’s got a big game. All good – but she could have my girl Simona running all over the place! Not good! It’s just me worrying. I took a nap after work so I can stay up late and watch it – match will start at 2200 but not sure what TC will show. I don’t have TC plus – might need to hunt down a live stream. TC will be focusing on Americans in Auckland and AO qualifying, I imagine.
Sock v Popsicle on TC now – Jack got the 1st set 6-2.
yeah Pliskova (the good one) is promising. and good looking.
That’s the way it goes. Ulla Radwanska – some call her the good-looking one but her tennis is not close to big sister’s. Krystina Pliskova and Karolina – I think they are both good looking. Karolina the star.
Speaking of easy on the eyes, Eugenie and Camila will meet in Thursday – Hobart QF. Love watching Camila Giorgi attack the ball!
They look the same don’t they
Karolina is taller and imo, their faces are very different – nothing at all like trying to tell the difference betweem Leo and Lenny Federer!
ratcliffe,
Thanks for the update. I will check out the tennis channel and see what I can see.
Well – here’s another update – my bold pick Sara Errani is going to lose again to Sveta Kuznetsova – their h2h screamed at me to pick Sveta, but … didn’t listen. I really like the Italian WTA players. and, Fabio! 😀
Congrats Svetlana Kuznetsova! She’s in the semi-final. Her 7th win over Sara Errani. Next up for Sveta:
Simona or Karoline P.
That match is next = Simona/Karo
solid verb
Which is it Ricky?
which is what?
Which one is the solid verb?
Murraying
oh lol, that was the best I could do! It fit.
Ricky, I’m a real sophomore at WTA bracket picking but it has become a passion. Not nearly as many internet posters are into or follow WTA as ATP. I used to be that way but not anymore!
Are you interested in a WTA bracket challenge? I may not be up to speed as I mentioned. Looking over WTA qualifying, my weakness is not knowing the Asian players and lower ranked ones as well as ATP; but top 50 memory is getting better, and top 10 to top 30 is a habit. Very excited for WTA AO draw!
Nevermind the bracket challenge question…WTA is too hard. Maybe by next year.
Sydney quarter finals:
1.Samantha Stosur v Monica Puig – h2h 4-0
Stosur recovered from hiccups to beat Roberta Vinci first round, then dominated Huntachova in straight sets.
Bam Bam Stosur d Puig in 2.
2. Simona Halep v Karolina Pliskova – h2h 2-0
They met twice in 2015 and each time Simona won in 2. Hoping Simona isn’t taking a chance with her achilles. Have not heard of any news of a plan to withdraw after last match so, picking Simona in 2
3. Svetlana Kuznetsova v Sara Errani – h2h 6-1
Sveta has dominated Errani on hc. Sara’s one win over Sveta was at the French Open in 2012. Both are showing good form. Could go either way. Since Sara fought impressively last match, beating Jelena Jankovic in straights, I’ll pick:
Errani in 3
4.Belinda Bencic v Ekaterina Makarova – h2h Never met.
Ekaterina made the quarters when her last opponent, Kerber, retired with illness. Bencic needed 3 sets to beat tough veteran Lucic-Baroni first round; and beat 2014 previous Sydney winner, Pironkova in straights. The Pick:
Bencic in 3.
edit: Sam Stosur recovered from hiccups in her tennis game, not a literal attack of hiccups, which can be most distressing.
Had to go find a live stream. Tennis Channel of course switched to Quisner.
Simona got off to a flyer – 2 breaks up, then Karolina started swinging – blasting winners – nearly evened the set when Simona was trying to serve for it. Simona saved a break point. First set 6-4 Simona!
Simona is not happy. Her opponent has long limbs, weapons and the potential to serve aces and unreturnables…also hits a heavy ball deep. It’s as I suspected. Simona using her speed and defense but it’s hard work.
…agree with Annabelle Croft. Simona is the best mover in the WTA. Also the better player in baseline rallies of the two. Unbelievable defending gets Simona plenty of break chances and finally… got it! 2nd set 2-1 Simona.
Simona refuses to be broken – comes through under pressure and holds serve.
Pliskova has ridiculously easy power – she’s a bit casual about it maybe. Seems like she needs more confidence and to be more aggressive. She could beat anyone. Maybe in a couple years??? If Simona can manage to hold her serve, (which is getting harder by the minute) she’ll win this match; but I feel with Karolina, it’s only a matter of time – and Simona’s brilliant speed, anticipation, and defense won’t be enough.
And there it is…Karolina gets the break! Now what to do Simona…yikes…
Not sure what Karolina was thinking … probably just got tight and Simona took advantage, able to break Karo. And let’s see if Simona can hold serve???
No! don’t do it! Simona can’t serve it out.
Love Darren Cahill with Simona. He calms her… asks her how she’s doing. He tells her stay away from Pliskova’s forehand and keep the match on her terms.
Simona is now going to try and serve for the match again – at least the 2nd time…maybe 3rd. lol, can’t remember now. Another match point for Simona. Brava Simona, that wasn’t easy! Thanks coach Cahill.
Belinda Bencic wins! Croft calls it epic. I didn’t see anything but the last set and I’d agree… (using a different word, have not used epic in years)
Bencic v Puig semi final (yep. my pick, Sam, lost)
Halep and Kuznetsova in the other Sydney semi.