Week 38 - WTA ($220K) - Guangzhou, China - Hard

SMC1809 · All-time great

Week 38 - WTA ($220K) - Guangzhou, China - Hard

Armchair · County player

I think Laura's fitness and movement have improved way beyond what I would have thought possible in a such a short time with her new coach.

I do think her mental stamina was a little adrift today. She gave her all to win the second set, and to see the third drift away was a shame.

Tough losses like that at this stage in a career, are what help you look at your game and make the changes to help you up the rankings. A hard fought win would have been nice though :)

I love the fact that Laura and Heather are making their breakthrough at the same time. A healthy rivalry is good for them both and the British girls in general.

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

Harsh to say her ability hasnt been evident since Junior Wimbledon!! She was youngest player in top 150 and still playing excellently in the events she was in, but I agree at her piecing all the elements together.

indiana · Tennis legend

murray_2k9 wrote:
Harsh to say her ability hasnt been evident since Junior Wimbledon!! She was youngest player in top 150 and still playing excellently in the events she was in, but I agree at her piecing all the elements together.

Err, except Gary replied to me that her ability "has been evident since she won Junior Wimbledon" smile

Julia Carrot · All-time great

tony_orient wrote:
WTA article now has a few quotes from Laura, confirms that tiredness got to her in the end but she also acknowledges the good play of Hsieh:

"She's a really good player," Robson said of Hsieh. "She's very difficult to play. She changes everything so much - sometimes I couldn't tell what she was going to do with the ball. It's very difficult to get any rhythm against her.

"After I won the second set and led 3-0 in the third, she started playing well again and made the rallies longer, while I totally ran out of energy. I kept fighting but just wasn't able to hit my shots as well as I had earlier in the match.

"But the more matches you play the more experience you get, and to play in a really tough final like this one in Guangzhou is a big experience for me."

And from the BBC article:

"All I could do was keep fighting and going for my shots," said Robson. "I was so tired I wasn't even thinking about whether I was a match point down, I was just trying to finish the rallies as quickly as possible."
"It was ridiculously hot for both of us. The heat rule was in so we had a 10 minute break after the second set, and it was tough to have that and start the third set," added Robson, who plays next in the China Open in Beijing, which begins on 29th September.
"They were tough conditions all week and I'm looking forward to getting to Beijing where it will be a little bit cooler."

-- Edited by tony_orient on Saturday 22nd of September 2012 08:25:13 PM

Thanks for this Tony. I might not have found these snippets myself. She is so 'self aware', and honest. Really, no 'bull****'.

I started watching the match during that heat rule break and to me it was evident that she just did not 'pick up' energy wise after that whereas her opponent did. She won the 1st few games of the 3rd set but all the time looked by far the tireder of the two. Last night I watched the trophy ceremony on You Tube and she really looked quite pale and exhausted. Some have suggested she lacked mental strength (maybe not on this board) but I really think the only thing she lacks is physical stamina, and, as Andy as shown that is something that can definitely be remedied. Tiredness affects all aspects of your game,and your demeanour, not just the running (obviously).

I'm sure she is very glad right now she is not playing in Tokyo, although she was probably looking forward to catching up with friends there. (I believe Bouchard is there for one). On that subject does anyone know who travels with her these days other than her coach? I never see Pics of her mum these days. In the past she was always 'there'.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Here is the latest BBC article with Annabel Croft and Jo Durie waxing lyrical about Laura's latest achievements and her future prospects.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19678541

Jan · Hall of fame

I was out all day yesterday, so just catching up.
It sounds as though Laura put up a good fight - she really has come on leaps and bounds in the last few months. Hope she's not too disappointed, she's had a great week and should be proud! More to work on, but she surely must believe that she can hold her own against these top players.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Please has anyone got any links to pressers or any other Laura interviews regarding this run.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

The only one I have found: http://sports.21cn.com/2012gzopen/video/2012/09/22/13068111.shtml

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Thanks Madeline. Short and sweet but better than nothing. Laura looks very non plussed.

indiana · Tennis legend

Madeline wrote:
The only one I have found: http://sports.21cn.com/2012gzopen/video/2012/09/22/13068111.shtml

That was quite interesting, thanks Madeline.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Helen40 wrote:
Thanks Madeline. Short and sweet but better than nothing. Laura looks very non plussed.

Maybe to do with the fact that every answer from her had to be translated back into Chinese.

There was another pre tournament press conference video on the same site, but that the one above was by far the better one.