Week 35 - US Open women's main draw

philwrig · Hall of fame

RE: Week 35 - US Open women's main draw

Julia Carrot · All-time great

5livetennis on Twitter 30mins ago 'Anne Keothavong is taking a medical timeout. Forehand broke down in that third game of the decider.'

Armchair · County player

I didn't get to see this but have followed on livescore for bits of it.
I'm realy sorry Anne didn't make it through . I'm going to look out for consifered
coverage tomorrow and hope to find out a litle more about the circs.

indiana · Tennis legend

Oh real pity cry

Yes, Anne has never really got back to her best this year after what I thought was a promising start, but as said it will be interesting to hear more about the circumstances of this match.

And it means Anne still is carrying 6 very low manadatory scores in her points meaning she's effectively almost trying to rise up the rankings with only able to count 10 significant scores. Doing well in mandatories, especially Grand Slams, is so valuable in every sense.

Clearly she would want to enter the main draw but in a way her PR entry ( when she goes out 1st round ) isn't helping at all in moving her up the rankings. Other players around her current WR 142 spot would have had to qualify, therefore will have good qualifying points and / or will not have to have a mandatory counter in their ranking scores.

-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 31st of August 2010 07:17:25 PM

philwrig · Hall of fame

Just saw the last point on sky and Chan was just looping balls high into the air waiting for Anne to make a mistake. Also Jacqui Beltrao of Sky said she had been talking to Anne's dad Sam who believes that Anne hasn't been right since her operation because of the anaesthetic. He feels Anne tires very quickly during her matches because of this problem, interesting theory.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Anne very emotional after defeat going to contemplate future, feels shes not the player she was two years ago. Bally had some nice words to say about Anne on Five live about 20mins ago.

DallasTone · Social player

Was at the game and It was a crying shame as Anne looked a far more talented player when firng on her cylinders early on. Chang had little in her arsenal but a moonball whenever in trouble and then wait and hope for a mistake or for Anne to open up the court. It was tough to watch. Chang was certainly stronger mentally and Anne got down on herself very quickly. I hope Anne manages to turn it around. And watching her body language and anguish on court she was obviously hugely frustrated by the moonballing and defensive tennis of her opponent.

On the plus side she did have a pretty black and pink outfit.

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

Thanks for the report, but sadly its not what I wanted to hear. I think Anne is being over emotional. It seems to me trying to force herself to be back at your old level is just breaking Anne down mentally. She had a great chance to win that and she didnt, but thats life and there is still a top 50 player underneath the current confusion.

On a happier note, LDL has put out the 30th seed to progress to R2. Heather has nothing to be embarassed of, which is now even clearer! Just wonder what if she had won that match. Never mind!

PS. Anyone know Heathers schedule up til the AO?

Julia Carrot · All-time great

DallasTone wrote:

Was at the game and It was a crying shame as Anne looked a far more talented player when firng on her cylinders early on. Chang had little in her arsenal but a moonball whenever in trouble and then wait and hope for a mistake or for Anne to open up the court. It was tough to watch. Chang was certainly stronger mentally and Anne got down on herself very quickly. I hope Anne manages to turn it around. And watching her body language and anguish on court she was obviously hugely frustrated by the moonballing and defensive tennis of her opponent.

On the plus side she did have a pretty black and pink outfit.

It's nice to hear from someone who was actually there. The few times I've seen Anne play her talent has really been obvious also - knocked spots of her opponent's. However, her self deprecation, whilst quite endearing, was a bit extreme, and probably unhelpful to her game. Very sad, because when she is going well she is such a delight to watch - not sure how to describe her play.....she has a sort of 'elegance' in her strokes 'Federeresque' perhaps.

-- Edited by Julia Carrot on Wednesday 1st of September 2010 10:36:41 AM

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I remember Anne being extremely emotional after losing at Wimbledon I think last year, and going on there about the pressure put on the British players.

Good to hear first hand account. However limited Chan may have been in her play moonballing is a decent tactic if it works, I am afraid to be a little harsh you've got to learn how to deal with such tactics rather than get frustrated about them.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

Moonballing Brits

, its such a sure-fire tactic vs Brits (how many times in the past did Boggo implode vs Moonballers), balls are bouncing pretty high at the USO in the dry air too i think.

I was lucky enough to meet Anne very briefly at Wimby this year. i was with a friend who used to coach her in some form, she basically said she lost the Wimby match cause she wanted it too much. i get the impression she's putting an unbelievable amount of pressure on herself and its too much i think and its causing her to crack.

i can imagine it must be very frustrating for players who know they a better than they are currently performing at and it can become become a vicious circle. maybe she would benefit from a little break, just to try and get things resolved. Its very hard to do that in the midst of tournament pressure.

PockyTastic · Futures level

I was gutted for Anne, if anyone criticises British players for being lazy obviously hasn't met Annie K. I agree that self-imposed pressure might be a big factor in things. Didn't she credit a lot of her success on her sports psychologist? Hopefully she's working with one still and they help her to stop beating herself up so much.

RE: Moonballing. It's not that fun to watch as a spectator, but as everyone has said already it's a legitimate tactic. I would like to see some of our players add more defensive shots to their games (without comprimising their aggressive and more fun styles of play of course....I'm such an arm chair critic, any players reading this please ignore me).

indiana · Tennis legend

Bhupathi & Mirnyi have just won their doubles match on Court 6 so it will shortly be Bally time.

wolf · Tennis legend

Bally holds to 30 in the first game.

And quickly has 15-30 in the next...

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Broken, but breaks right back. 2-2