Week 14 - WTA Premier ($795,707) Charleston, SC, USA - Clay

steven · Tennis legend

Week 14 - WTA Premier ($795,707) Charleston, SC, USA - Clay

indiana · Tennis legend

Looks a good draw for Laura after sneaking into that seeding. I do think her singles form was picking up ( even without the doubles exploits ). I just hope that she can adapt quickly enough to the surface to take advantage.

philwrig · Hall of fame

So EC-C is in the same predicament as Laura, playing a final at another venue before Charleston. She is in the final of Osprey on the green clay and must be playing well in which is a stacked field, so much tougher that it looks on paper, 2nd round would be much easier.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Hope Laura can get the no 1 spot. still a bigger fan of hers than Hev's although I'm not sure why, and I certainly support Hev too.
I think I'd happier if Hev was playing as it will seem abit 'cheap' to me if Laura does get the no 1 spot due to Hev being injured.

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

I'm with phil - harder than it first looks. Her opponent was the lowest ranked player the Osprey field (apart from a JE) and has reached the final without dropping a set. Admittedly Laura is ranked higher than the entire field, but will be switching surface.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Decent draw for Laura, if tougher than it first appears on paper.

Much will depend on the preparations of both players after their tournament runs this week. Cabeza-Candela will be feeling confident after a good run but could be a bit tired. Tiredness won't be an issue for Laura, but lack of clay practice will be.

It sounds like Laura has played really well in doubles at Miami, so if she can take the confidence into this event the draw offers a decent opportunity to get some wins.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

But she's bottling it right now, and so this might mean that she's still not over playing well under pressure

indiana · Tennis legend

What's all this bottling stuff ??

philwrig · Hall of fame

E C-C has just lost her final as well, so both will have to get over that disappointment, will be played on Tuesday and putting my bookmakers hat on I would make Laura 60-40 to win so I expect nothing other than a tense encounter.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Winner plays either Genie or Burnett who thrashed Barty on her way through qualies.

blob · All-time great

Winner will play Genie, which should be interesting if Laura makes it.

Bouchard was very good on clay in South America on Fed Cup Duty for Canada recently. She went 4-0 without losing a set, against the considerable clay court skills of the likes of Pereiea & Duque-Marino.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Robbo's up third tomorrow, so approx 18.00 our time.

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Classy way to finish though

-- Edited by Julia Carrot on Tuesday 2nd of April 2013 07:39:59 PM

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Well played Laura, shame I couldn't watch the match live.

Looks like Laura played the big points better than in recent matches, which led to a scoreline that looks quite convincing (edit: 73 points to 47 so on second thoughts scoreline doesn't flatter Laura). She was only marginal favourite going into this though so a very good result.

-- Edited by tony_orient on Tuesday 2nd of April 2013 07:36:39 PM

blob · All-time great

The increasingly impressive Madison Keys turned her second set around to win in straights, so Laura is imminent.
Streams available in all the usual places.