As expected, Iga Swiatek got the job done to the tune of a third French Open title. It was a cakewalk for her most of the way before she was seriously tested in the final this past Saturday by Karolina Muchova.
Now the WTA Tour turns to the grass-court swing, and there are a couple of titles up for grabs this week with top players like Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina taking a short break. The action is taking place in Nottingham and ‘s-Hertogenbosch, and among those getting right back in gear following their exploits at Roland Garros Garros are Veronika Kudermetova, Victoria Azarenka, and Maria Sakkari.
Here is a look at some of the contenders in Nottingham.
Donna Vekic
This grass-court swing is often the time of year when Vekic makes her move. The Croat has secured one of her four WTA titles on grass, and it came at this same Nottingham event in 2017. She also reached the last 16 at Wimbledon in 2018. It’s no surprise that Vekic’s big-serving, power-hitting game works well on the green stuff. She has a favorable draw this week, too, and that was even before Beatriz Haddad Maia bowed out.
Camila Giorgi
Giorgi is an absolute boom-or-bust kind of player. The Italian can lose to anyone at any time, but she can just as easily–or almost as easily–capture a title when she gets hot. Giorgi has impressed on the lawn throughout her career, earning 54 match victories on this surface. She is in the same section of the draw as Sakkari, but Sakkari isn’t in excellent form at the moment and has never been great on grass.
Magda Linette
Linette has found her footing on the slick stuff in recent seasons, compiling a 15-10 such record dating back to 2019. The Pole won an ITF grass-court tournament that year and then advanced to the third round at the All-England Club a few weeks later. Linette would not run into either Sakkari or Giorgi until the semis this week and would not face Vekic until the title match.
You are right, Big Al. Your commies are correct, too. Rublev is a completely different match-up for RBA. Yet, I was surprised at how fine-tuned RBA was for Meddy.
Margot has a better memory than I do at this point. If there are bunches of new names, I have to look them up. A change of court type does that too. I don’t readily recall who was good on grass. And the South American clay swing usually brings new names.
Too much time to pick does sometimes work against me. And waiting to know where the qualies go can prove useless.
At this point, I know the players better, but picking for a GS is never easy unless the winner and last four are redundant, like the ATP has been with the big three or four. WTA is less predictable.
Warm-up tournaments to a GS can be awful.
Sorry to drone on, but you got me on a favorite topic 😀
RBA a real problem for Meddy in the past and I always remember him at his best on grass Wimby semifinals.
I see we’ve a few more hours to pick the other two Brackets.Last night it said all four closed this morning.I find it all stressful trying to keep up with matches and brackets .At least with a Slam we get a bit more time.
I hope your overall feeling about the brackets when the dust clears is it is fun. It’s supposed to be fun, and I get a lot of #$%& from my companion about the time I spend on tennis. But he’s an intelligent bloke who doesn’t get cranky about it for long.
It is fun competition, and a lot of luck , I try to give it my best shot then I enjoy and just accept I wouldnt have seen a lot of the results. I dont have a crystal ball.
Thanks, Big Al.
I am not known for keeping a group together. That was Mira Andi and Alison’s specialty. I am not ready to give up. Maybe I can improve if Andi Mira comes back. She was a guiding light. I am sure many of the missing people have found a different platform; I used to be on Twitter for politics most of my spare time, which fit my personality before Elon Musk took over. When Trump was elected POTUS, I needed to join the “blue wave,” and it worked, but I had to drop my own choice for President since my favorite was considered unelectable by the majority in my party.
That’s enough from me, lol. A good night’s sleep will sort me out; let’s hope! 😀 I submitted Eastbourne brackets – it was fast and easy peasy. One week from now: Wimbledon.
More people play the slams, more interesting than smaller tournaments for sure, unless you are a tennis nut like us!
Petra wins! Fantastic fh to take the match!
I forgot the match was on Prime. Should have watched the whole thing!
Am a bit worried about Petra playing so much before wimby…
God these Germans love to talk!!😀
How many teams/ people do they have to thank! Is it the whole of Berlin!
Petra is due to play Jelena on Tuesday. Are they really both going to play? It’s a lot of tennis just before wimby…
See? I still have to go and find the Berlin final! TC doesn’t bother with these smaller…wait, Brett, what’s his name? They said they would come back and show the trophy ceremony after some lengthy annoying commercials. That’s how it goes. I never get used to it.
It’s a mess, amy. The Eastbourne WTA draw is unbelievable. It’s hard to pick when it doesn’t seem possible for Ostapenko and Kvitova to continue playing. And not ruin Wimbledon’s chances. There are others too. I will be trying to fine-tune the Eastbourne brackets all day and night. There is someone with me who likely will distract me. 😀
It’s a hobby, I say!!
I would like to go fly to London and go to one of the grass lead-up tournaments. Going to Wimbledon is impossible but maybe one of the smaller tourny’s are more realistic.
Eastbourne is a lovely tournament with the gulls crying overhead. I don’t suppose it’s very expensive..
One thing about England is that tennis tournaments always have big crowds…
As for who will play who knows?? It’s pretty risky for Petra and Jelena and Barbora…
You are right, I imagine. I live in Idaho and can hardly imagine the density of the crowd. I would be happy watching tennis through a telescope.
I am thankful that I am not so posh as to have a front-row seat at Wimbledon. It’s not me at all.
You should ask Margot about tennis tournaments here. She has been to many of them I believe…
I won’t pick Kvitova, Ostapenko, or Krejcikova for Eastbourne. But I will pick Rybakina and Ons. I want to see more of them on grass this year. Vekic would be smart not to go to Eastbourne too.
Gotta go to my brackets before someone gets home from the gym.
Nottingham is great too.
There’s a ballot for Wimbledon and overseas fans used to enter a separate one. At least there, there’s cover and stuff to do.
I’ve been to Queens loads of times. Once it was so hot in the stands, no cover, that i felt really ill.Once I went and it rained all day, miserable and nothing to do so I sat in the corridoor Now they’ve really ramped up the seating and its got a lot more expensive I really don’t want to go any more.
Have good memories though, saw Davis cup Uk v France there and Andy played! A rather stuffy, private club had been transformed with live music, food stalls and the French!
And Birmingham is WTA only.
Good to know. Margot.
Maybe a tournament in Sweden would work. With things as they are, I’d be best to give in and purchase the TC plus thing, but there are other problems with TC. The cost is outrageous for far too many! Maybe they could offer it free to a long-time customer.
It’s seriously one day at a time these days. Flying anywhere or moving to a new place is unrealistic.
But, thanks, I love your descriptions of the place, Margot. I did look more into going years ago. Every time I watch Eastbourne, I want to be there. The French would help! But I wouldn’t let on that I’m American. I learned that in Greece in 2004.
B
Andy Roddick, I must say, nails it with his big Sage tips and advice.
Ostaoenkos looks so pretty and young with that trophy. It’s the smiling eyes and smirky smile is what interests me about her. She is special.
Omg TC showed a picture of Rublev and Bublik together as kids – I think it was a trophy ceremony. Andrey was taller that Bubs.
Before I forget the bracket, Congratulations…
ATP London and Halle Big Al is #1
The scores are closer than ever, and I have to mention Cami; great job picking Cami! You won WTA Birmingham. Congrats! hope you stay with us.
Ratcliff somehow won WTA Berlin, but Welshwitch and Backhandpass closely followed her… the scores were tight for our little group. We have lost Kpuppy and Mira Andi again, and others. All are invited into the Jalep_Wildguess group, and it’s a fun hobby for certain people.
In Cami’s case, she got the winner, finalist, and an SF right. Amazing job. Congrats. I had to look at it again. 😀
Overall a significant improvement from Last Week.
Good Luck
Sorry to see Ons lost in straights. Not looking great for her prospects at wimby..
Is Jelena going to win Eastbourne as well?!
Hi amy.
This is the first day I have watched tennis. Needed a short break. Jelena has to play Camila Giorgi next. I am hoping to watch that match!
Iga is beginning to look good on grass, but she has to take on a dangerous Italian, Bronzetti, in the Bad Homburg SF.
I don’t know what to think about Ons. I didn’t see her this week. But I am happy the others: Krejcikova, Rybakina, Kvitova, etc., didn’t play this week. Kasatkina took out Caroline Garcia in Eastbourne. I watched a bit of it and wasn’t sure Caroline was giving her all; it seemed more like she folded or didn’t want to lose to Dasha.
Am watching Jelena. Georgi is trying to break back.
This is the first day I have watched tennis this week!
I too am glad Petra and Barbora didn’t play. But isn’t there a suggestion Elena isn’t great physically…?
Along with Ons and Karolina thses are the 5 players I want to win wimby.
Thanks, I didn’t even know it started!
Jelena fought back and is still up a break.
It really is time Jelena had a big run in a slam.
Yes, Jelena O is due for another slam! We’ll see how her draw looks. Hoping also that Sabs goes out lamely.
Yes to both!!
Jelena is such a huge talent
..
I would of course also love Dasha to win..But think that’s unlikely..
Better shove Jelena onto my list…
The WTA is miles better than the ATP right now…
Dasha is my heart’s favorite, always. But she does not have a big serve. She plays a cerebral game of tennis.
Watching the score, it looks like Siniakova won the first set over Samsonova. Samsonova has a leg taped and taped over the tape. Unless it’s a ruse, I don’t know how she got this far in Bad Homburg
Giorgi breaks back. She has a lot of talent…
Jelena has such a down in the dumps look on her face..
Does she really want to be out there?
Jelena breaks again.
Gosh she looks so incredibly fed up!!
She is very entertaining..😀
Maybe time to challenge some linecalls…
Yes, Giorgi does have a lot of talent. But I can’t see her winning a slam. She should have won one by now but she seems to lose when she gets close.
Is Ostapenko serving well?
She is double faulting quite a lot! She looks very weary to me.
Does she really want to win? Not sure.
I am sure Jelena hates playing Giorgi!
And she is making those faces…not a bad thing, but she has been known to let the match go when playing someone that annoys her.
So who do you want to win wimby??
Truthfully..!?
The truth is, there are many I would love to win. Sabs, Poto, Kiki Vanderweight; it’s easier to pick out the ones I would hate to win.
Who do I want to win? I am conflicted
Haha, Jelena is not having a good time—that face.
Finally, TC is showing Jelena and Camila.
Jelena should get off the court and rest!
Wimby is a few days away..
That is a good guess at what she is thinking. Why do this, Jelena, when you already know your grass game?
Exactly!
Sarcastic applause for the umpire. 😀
Jelena…is done with it.
Oh no, Kasatkina won’t be thrilled to play Giorgi either!
Keys and Gauff: both Americans. I am unsure which one will win. Keys could be good on grass but she is not thrilled to play on it.
You never know with Madison. She has won Eastbourne before..
I forgot about that win.
Not sure she can beat Gauff.
Thank God!!
Now go rest Jelena!
Wimby is far more important..
Samsonova won the second set. I was looking at her leg to see if it was still taped. But they went to commercials.
I see just one band of tape on Liudmilla.
Rain delay…see them tomorrow.
I’m glad you like Jelena, amy!
I’d be so happy if Jelena won Wimbledon.
I would too!! But I do get conflicted because I really like so many of the women. I don’t think I could ever support anyone against Petra!
Meanwhile the ATP is a snorefest by comparison…Apart from Carlitos. Can’t see anyone beating Novak unless he has a huge dip in form…
Exactly. I am more worried one of the names I won’t mention again will win.
Especially Saba!! God that would be depressing…
I have no idea who in the ATP can top Novak in the best of five at Wimbledon.
No one can unless Novak plays rubbish…
Carlitos will beat him one day but not now…
Did you know Marta is raising money for Ukraine via a foundation she set up?
I really like Marta…
I love Marta. Yes, I heard she set something up. Thinking about Ukraine is beyond depressing; I get physically ill.
Yes. I got ill a lot last year.
Also Simona had her hearing over doping today.
I really worry for Simona..She must be under incredible strain…
Simona said the authorities are persecuting her. She may be right…
Simona Halep. She breaks my heart. It must be horrible for her. I keep hoping she comes back.
I have to go, amy. Nice to chat with you here.
I’ll be back in the morning early. Have a good night.
Thanks Elizabeth!
I am very tired…
Looking forward to seeing the wimby draw…!😀
Hello, Amy,
Iga gave Bronzetti a walkover. Not sure what I think about Iga; she needed more grass-court matches, IMO.
Keys won her match, looking good — 6-3 6-3 over Gaiff.
Dasha/Camila match just started. Three breaks of serve already, and Dasha leads 2-1 early.
Dasha makes it 5-1, and our girl looks good Amy.
I hope Dasha can finish this match in 2 sets.
Since Ostapenko left and Iga did, I better get going with this day. I’ll be checking in later.
Hi Elizabeth, Dasha playing very well!
I have just been studying the wimby draw! I can’t understand it!
But it looks like most of our faves are in the same section ie Elena, Ons, Petra, Jelena!!!
Saba gets Giorgi second round.😀 Barbora is in her section.
Iga’s quarter looks routine. Yet again she has Gauff in the quarters. Dasha is in Gauff’s section. I can’t find Karolina!!
Elena and Ons seeded to meet with all our faves in there! Horrible section of the draw!!
Alcaraz gets Rune, Med gets Tsitsi in first half.
Ruud gets Sinner and Djokovic gets Rublev in second half.
Dasha wins!
I found Karolina! She is Saba ‘s fourth round opponent.
Petra is seeded to meet Elena in the fourth round.😠
Karolina Muchova vs. Saba—–Nice. She had no trouble with the Belorussian at FO.
I need to go to look at it!
Dasha vs. Maddy
Not an easy win for Dasha.
Amy,
I agree with your assessment of Iga’s draw – routine.
But I was not sold on Iga’s forehand. Too many forehands went into the net. Her backhand was incredible. Her serve was more ON than off, and her footspeed is ridiculously fast!! 😀
It takes me a long time to look it over, but I love how the bottom bracket might turn out!👍
I misread the draw. Petra is seeded to meet Ons in the fourth round.
Elena has a tough opener against Shelby Rogers and then probably gets Cornet. T!here has been lots of talk about Elena having health issues so Cornet could be a banana skin.
Karolina has Niemeier first round. That’s tough.
Barbora is in Sakkari quarter. Has a decent chance of getting through. If Saba does go through Karolina she would meet Barbora in the quarters.
I think for sure Iga gets to the quarters. Gauff could lose to Kenin first round. Dasha has good chance of making the quarters to face Iga.
It’s a very very good draw for Iga. Most of the threats are in the other half of the draw.
Getting to the quarterfinal is a step in the right direction for Iga. Her strength is her forehand, and it was a bit off.
Amy, (I hope Ricky gives us a new page for Wimbledon)
The TDC bracket is open! Picking the bracket is how I see it better.
The first time through the bracket, I have Kvitova winning.
The whole thing??!!
Petra absolutely has the game to win. But we’ve seen this movie before. She won Eastbourne last year and then lost a match early she should have won.
Don’t know what to think.
Same with Jelena. She underperforms in slams. Loses matches we know she should win.
Who do you see winning the whole thing, amy?
I honestly don’t know.
Iga is actually a good bet because her draw is so good. She has a very good chance of making the final. All the other major contenders are in the other half and have to play each other so it’s really hard to pick from that half.
Petra is having a good year without injury. She doesn’t play as many tournaments as she used to. Her W/L record this year is 22/7.
Rybakina bothers me because she is ill. Or saying she is. She would need to beat Ostapenko. Ryba’s W/L record is
31/8. Only Sabs has a better W/L record. Andy Roddick is picking Sabs; she has a 35/7 W/L record.
Sabs is a good pick (cough, cough) What did she do on grass again?
I do fancy Petra to win. But that’s partly because of all my faves she is the favourite.
I don’t think Saba is going to win.
I do worry about Elena with these health issues. And the one grass match she played to Vekic she lost. OK Vekic got to the final But Elena made a huge number of ues.
I worry that after withdrawing from RG she has dipped in form.
Can you clarify please Elizabeth whether Petra is in Ons’s quarter or Elena-s? I thought she was in Ons’s but read otherwise. I am a moron when it comes to draws.
I have more checking to do, Amy. This is an important Wimbledon. It may be Petra’s last chance. Sometimes that is enough for me, plus she is healthy and playing like the Queen of grass.
One of my posts got lost. It had a good link for a page to check records on grass. Iga runs into Belinda Bencic (another favorite), but it’s been a long time since she had grass season and really went for it at Wimbledon. That’s why I see Iga getting to the quarters. Iga is 35/6 W/L and tempts me to take her to the SF. My bracket is a rough draft. Sometimes I submit the first impression. But not this time.
I see the ATP bracket is open 😀
You are not a Moron when it comes to draws! I love picking a draw with your input. 😀
You know way more about ATP players than I do, and you know the WTA – likely better than me. My memory is terrible at this point in life.
Let me know when you want the TDC link, okay?
Amy, Ons, and Petra collide in the round of 16. I have Kvitova beating Rybakina in the QF.
The dark horse is Donna Vekic. Definitely dangerous, and I might…I don’t know.
Kudermetova is another dark horse. At least the cart horse is in the ATP, and I’ll be damned if I have to pick him!
It’s true about Vekic and Kudermetova. But neither is very reliable…
The top half of the draw is very weak.
The problem frequently for Petra is her asthma.
That’s a big reason why she doesn’t have more slams.
At 2018 wimby by she was favoured to win but went out early. Turned out afterwards she couldn’t breathe…
2018 was very very hot. So triggered the asthma.
Going to be quite cool this week but temperatures are set to rise at the weekend.
I would like to know more about Elena ‘s health..
Seem to be a lot of health issues to consider..
Whys it always about horses?
🐎🐎🐎
Neigh….
Maddie has,come out swinging!!
Where is she in the draw??
She is in Sakkari ‘s quarter.
Really honestly this draw is incredibly unbalanced.
I noticed Alexandrova is in Saba’s quarter. She has been playing very well.
Practically all the dangerous players are in the bottom half.😡😠
I have Sakkari over Madison Keys. Alexandrova is perfectly capable of doing the job. I have her losing to Muchova and Muchova doing the job of sweeping up the bottom bracket. I could go with Alexandria over Muchova. We never hear anything about Muchova until she shows up.
Amy, Ricky has a page up about the WTA!
I am going to post on it.