WeeK 37 - WTA ($220K) Quebec, Canada Hard

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

RE: WeeK 37 - WTA ($220K) Quebec, Canada Hard

chavkev · Intermediate Club Player

Paszek seemed to be struggling in her last match with injury. Her mobility was pretty poor. If Heather can keep moving her around the court I think she can win.

Jan · Hall of fame

Brilliant - keep going Heather! biggrin biggrin

Peter too · Tennis legend

R2: WATSON/WOERLE v KRAJICEK/SAFAROVA 3

4th match tonight after an 11.00 am start so Heather's match should be about 10.30 pm UK time.

indiana · Tennis legend

Great to read. Well done, Heather smile

And really good to see her winning here after her US Open performance.

She should have a decent chance against Paszek, even with no injury. A quarter final win would take Heather to her first ever WTA semi final, would consolidate the GB No 2 position ( which she will already go to on Monday, but does have points coming off the following week ), will almost certainly take her to a new career high and will undoubtably nice and early secure her place in the Aussie Open main draw.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 15th of September 2011 11:52:08 AM

Maza1987 · Challenger level

She served 77% last night, with 6 aces.
Whilst clearly not a big server, she placed her first serves well. But only won 29% behind her second serve.

I look at Li Na and Sam Stosur as long term blueprints for her serve. They are, officially, only 2 cm's taller than Heather. However, their physique is considerably more muscular, whereas Heather is quite slight (to be expected for a 19yr old). So if Heather, like Andy always states in his pressers, gets stronger, that will go some way towards helping.

And a special mention again to her speed and agility as when she was bp down trying to serve for the match, she played a point where she was practically out of the rally for 7 shots or something but kept retrieving the ball and then found a moment to pounce herself. Well done.

Pasek got to Wimby quartes and is somewhat of a pocket rocket herself. She gets a whole day to recover, so fatigue should not be a problem. Would be superb if Heather could win--first ever wta tour semi.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I think Hev's serve is the only part of her game that hasn't progressed over the last 18 months. I remember at Wimby last year she hit serves at 110mph and even when I saw her at Wrexham she was capable of striking quite a big ball for her size. I've no doubt they're working on it, but if she could just get a few more cheap points from it, it would make a huge difference to her chances of winning every match. I compare her with McHale who certainly has been able to add several mph to her 1st serve speed.
A very well known coach was quoted as saying whilst at Nottingham that Hev needs to get alot quicker, and I think most of us were like, thats her biggest strength. I think though having watched her at the US open and here she looks to have gotten quicker and it is making a difference. I suppose if you've got a strength you should just spend as much time on those than on your weaknesses.
Paszek maybe not 100% fit at the moment and won't relish playing a player of Hev's style as long as she can make enough balls back. Paszek is a big hitter but can get frustrated with herself if those big shots don't result in winners. She's very tough mentally though and has won alot of long 3 setters in recent months.