And another horrible volley from Stoop on their 3rd match point...

Match point saved by Curtis/Smith

That was a fun match to watch, but I suspect the girls will be slaughtered by the real doubles specialists. Court positioning needs a lot of work!

Madeline wrote:

---

That was a fun match to watch, but I suspect the girls will be slaughtered by the real doubles specialists. Court positioning needs a lot of work!

---

i'd agree with that.

Think combination of being sorry for Curtis and Smith ( and as was said earlier I hope they stick together ) and pleased for Robson and Stoop ( good for them to get something here after both putting in good singles performances )

Next up Kuznetsova and Mauresmo, nae problem 

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 24th of June 2009 08:14:13 PM

I dont think you guys saw it on TV as it didnt seem to be a TV court, but I was there and Mel and Joss played AMAZING. Seriously, wow, returns were on point, Mel was bossing around with her groundstrokes and joss was finishing everything at the net - and of course the big serves. They must have gotten carried away in the second and there were a few loose shots but they got themselves together from what I could see (I went off in the middle of the 3rd to watch O'Cav) and closed it out finally. They could be dangerous in the next round, you know what? Mel is SUCH a good doubles player. We saw it in 07 when she was THE strong link in the mixed doubles matches, all of them. Just the combination of big serves, penetrating groundies and good volleys is great, and she knows her way around the doubles court. I remember when she was picking up doubles ITFs like nobody's business! But I guess she stopped. I hope she starts playing again because she does play doubles so well and it can help to give her some confidence in her singles, which is the thing I think is stopping her from doing well right now. It was clear that in the the singles she was afraid to go anywhere near the lines - lack of confidence. And you know, the TV does not do her justice AT ALL. Her legs were toned as hell, arms toned as hell and even her waist was looking pretty slim - she's in good shape, there's still more to do, but she looks great. She'll clearly always have a big frame, though. Which brings me onto my next point...

Similarly, Naomi was looking SO MUCH BETTER than this time last year. She really did look great and was playing AMAZING for a patch. Seriously, im telling you, when she plays well, her serve forehand and backhand are SO good. I defnatly think her forehand is the more erratic of the two which is weird because she uses more topspin on it. However I actually think she struggles with the low bounce a bit. Got to love her serve though, the first serve can be a bullet, the tradmark lefty slice, or a heavy topspin serve in one of those "make sure you get the first serve in" points. Her second serve is so secure as well - barely any double faults, its not fast, it was regularly clocked at 65-75, but when its slow, its always deep and with slice which is obv great on this surface, and she can kick it too. I just think she's a joy to watch and I just hope she can fulfil her potential. I dont even think movement has been a problem, there are so may girls with that limitation in the top 100, 50, 30, even 20 and 10, its always been her consistency, and the "Dont peak in your first round match" unwritten rule of tennis. As long as she continues to work hard and fight hard, I still she could be our best player since Jo Durie. Yes, better than Laura.

-- Edited by Tutu on Wednesday 24th of June 2009 11:46:18 PM

philwrig wrote:

---

Wolf writes Smith/ Curtis should win easily but the players with the better serves and groundstrokes just beat the pair with the better volleys and natural instinct for doubles.

---

Ok better prediction coming up - they will get slaughtered in the next round.

Terrific win for Mel & Joss, the Bodarenko sisters have had some real success in the doubles game.