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

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

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

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Match report (from the tournament website).

Beijing time on September 20, the end of the total prize money amounted to $ 220,000 dollars WTA Tour Open final singles 1/4 finals of the competition, the tournament No. 7 seed - of Jinhua Peng Shuai bitter fight 3 hours 4 minutes 5-7/7-5/2-6 lost to the British nova Laura - Robson photographed, missed the women's singles semi-finals, this point to participate in the singles competition of the wide network of Chinese players have been annihilated. Even cut Jinhua Robson in the semifinals against No. 3 seed Ivan Tia, Romania Sweetheart 6-4/6-3 swept No. 8 seed - the French small babes Konerth.

Harding Park two Chinese player Peng Shuai has become the only remaining singles arena, her opponent, Laura - Robson recent performance is very eye-catching, her online in the United States with Keke Riester Falls and Li Na, the second round of the competition swept the No. 2 seed Zheng Jie. British teenager is fierce offensive play, but also has the inherent advantages of left-handed serve, Peng Shuai can imagine moving slow in this encounter is sure to encounter a lot of trouble.

The first game was first tee by Peng Shuai smoothly to keep the first inning after she sank into a situation of unusually passive, Laura - Robson Lien with break even the next five innings, soon China Jinhua horns of a 1 - behind the woods, Peng Shuai did not give up, but he used the opponent impatient the psychological repeatedly chasing points, to resolve a number of inventory she Bureau points chase became 5-5; Unfortunately Peng Shuai could not make persistent efforts, labor The pull - Robson Board XI again after the break, did not miss his third ball wins disk Bureau opportunities, strong BAOFA to come out on top with a 7-5.

The second set, Peng Shuai adjust the state, Lien start with a break to 2-0; However Rolla - Robson immediately launched a counterattack, Crack two opponents serve points lead 3-2 Bureau; This elimination of both the state He long after the two Councils are Peng Shuai won, the two sides back to the balance of power. Placid of the next game, the score in the rhythm BAOFA alternately rose to Robson 5-6 behind the serve, the British teenager could not withstand the pressure, Peng Shuai 7-5 to regain a successful break.

The final set start two commenced break Wars, the first three innings to break the rhythm, Robson 2-1 lead; Paul issued the fourth inning the British teenager the first to break the deadlock, and Peng Shuai's serve remained passive, so that Robson even 4-1 the next two innings to pull the score; sixth inning, Jinhua and missed a chance to break, Robson extended the lead to 5-1, so the Peng Shuai completely powerless, both to keep their own last serve small British will qualify for women's singles semi-finals 6-2 victory locked, winning streak China Jinhua.

-- Edited by kundalini on Thursday 20th of September 2012 03:53:44 PM

korriban · Challenger level

I think Tokyo have announced 2 wildcards for the MD, both Japanese, with 3 more TBA. However, I believe Laura may have already used up her maximum of 2 WCs this year, so I'm not sure if Tokyo would be allowed to select her as a MDWC even if they wanted to. I may have this wrong, but I believe this is the situation.

Not sure if the Special Exempt type mechanism applies on the WTA. I have a feeling it doesn't.

Just checked. I think there IS now a special exempt mechanism, but it still depends

1. if there are sufficient places left

2. then it is also prioritised according to rankings. So,higher ranked Taiwanese semi finalist would get first dibs at this point. Haven't looked at the Korean tournament and who would be affected.

3. Could be that LR might prefer the rest, although she is on a roll.

-- Edited by korriban on Thursday 20th of September 2012 04:11:32 PM

-- Edited by korriban on Thursday 20th of September 2012 04:19:35 PM

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Having now read a post match interview by TheTennis Space I'm not so worried.

http://www.thetennisspace.com/uncategorized/8205/

Plus interesting what NotAClue says about post match icing.

-- Edited by Julia Carrot on Thursday 20th of September 2012 04:25:31 PM

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Looking forward to this, will be so stoked if she can win this tourney.

philwrig · Hall of fame

A few comments and quotes from Robbo after her match yesterday via WTA site.

Unflustered by a three-hour rain delay and the suitably partisan crowd crammed inside a soggy Centre Court at the Guangzhou International Tennis Center, Robson was a picture of efficiency; early breaks in both sets laying the foundations for a surprisingly routine 63 63 win over the No.2 seed.

"Zheng Jie moves very fast and I had to play really aggressively," Robson said. "I think I am in a good shape today and played well.

"After the US Open people put more pressure and expectations on me, but I just want to focus on tennis and be a better player every time I step on court. I have confidence in myself and I believe I can achieve my goals."

Meeting Robson next will be another Chinese player, Peng Shuai, who booked her place in the last eight with a 62 61 win over qualifier Nudnina Luangnam.

"I practiced with Peng Shuai a few days ago. I feel the way she play is similar to Zheng. So I will continue to play aggressively just like I did today," Robson added.

So sounds like the gameplan will be the same as yesterday, hopefully she can play as well.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Laura missed out on a wildcard for Tokyo, so she will be a busy girl for the next few days - she's on the OOP for Tokyo to play at 8am tomorrow - less than 24 hours away and in a different country! And that's before another match if she wins today.

Miriambee · Futures level

Hopefully in line for SE entry into main draw in Tokyo then.

philwrig · Hall of fame

That's a bit of a shocker, maybe she'll be tempted to stay in China and prepare for Beijing, she is after all also playing the week after Beijing so quite a busy schedule. It's a shame as Tokyo has been very good to her in the past. I suspect if she wins today she'll pullout.

Another interview from the tournament website, you'll have to use google translate unless of course you know your Mandarin.

http://sports.21cn.com/2012gzopen/feature/2012/09/20/13046831.shtml

Peter too · Tennis legend

Laura's match is about to start.

indiana · Tennis legend

Bah, that's a bit of a bummer. Last year they give her a WC, but not this year confuse

MD field must have more depth this year, because I was kind of thinking her ranking would get her in anyway. Last year the whole qualifying field ( except Kerber, who must have been a late entry ) was ranked outside the top 100.

I guess if she goes further this week it may be not the worst thing to have the week off and then play Beijing, but still clearly not what she planned.

murrayman650 · ATP level

Peng to serve

0-15

15-15

15-30

30-30

40-30

1-0

indiana · Tennis legend

SFs :

S-W Hsieh (TPE) WR 53 vs (4) U Radwanska (POL) WR 39

(3) S Cirstea (ROU) WR 30 vs ?

murrayman650 · ATP level

15-0

30-0

40-0

40-15

40-30

40-40

adv Robson

40-40

adv Robson

40-40

adv Peng

40-40

adv Robson

1-1

15-15

15-30

15-40

2-1 Robson

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Laura 'bossing' now

*4-1 but she's having to work very hard to hold some of her service games