Week 26/27 - Wimbledon women's main draw - grass

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Week 26/27 - Wimbledon women's main draw - grass

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I wouldn't put Kanepi as a strong favourite, although she certainly played ten times better in her last match than Laura did in hers. But Laura came through and that might have been a wake-up call for her - she needs her 'Kirilenko' game and mentality to win this match.

Interesting, your point about Kanepi. She most definitely has lost a LOT of weight and dedicated herself to the gym. As you say, the transformation is amazing. There's a lesson to be learned by quite a lot of players, if they wish to . . .

WD40 · Club Coach

For me this match was always going to be not so much about the tennis, they both have very similar games, as about who could tough it out the best and Kanepi, being the much more experienced in this department was always going to be the slight favourite. But in saying that I am very pleased for Laura and the way in which she has managed to come through this Wimbledon.

As for a few days off tony, as far as I can see her next tournament is scheduled to be Carslbad in four weeks time, unless anyone knows any different?

-- Edited by WD40 on Monday 1st of July 2013 03:03:21 PM

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Laura won 34.8% of receiving points today and Kanepi won 35.1% - that's how close it was so if Laura can become 0.4% better she could make a grand slam quarter final!

-- Edited by tony_orient on Monday 1st of July 2013 04:45:28 PM

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

I didn't realise before just how much tennis Kanepi had missed through injury. Her ranking of 46 comes from just 9 tournaments and she has a 17-6 win loss record including Wimbledon. Suggests she would be top 20 given an injury free run. I was initially surprised she was the bookies favourite for this, but understandable looking at those stats. She is still beatable though if Laura can rediscover her timing from last Tuesday back on No. 1 court as I don't think Kanepi has the game to disrupt Laura's hitting by mixing it up.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

So where's all the Laura fans ?

Miriambee · Futures level

watching her I expect!!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Miriambee wrote:
watching her I expect!!

Fair point !

:) :) :) :)

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Sady they might not be watching her for much longer. Kanepi breaks and will serve for the match.

Time for a Robson comeback like the last round.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Frustrating match for Laura, as having won a match where she was outplayed for most of it, today she lost a match that was pretty even the whole way through (Laura edged the first set but couldn't take advantage, and Kanepi was slightly the better player in the second where Laura made a few too many errors and relied on her serve a lot more).

It was a match of small margins and it didn't help that Laura used up all her luck on Saturday and all the net cords / Hawkeye challenges went against Laura today (e.g. an incorrect out call denying her a break point in the second set and a second serve from Kanepi at 6-6 in the tie break that somehow got over the net for a let).

Overall an excellent tournament for Laura which almost guarantees her a seeding for the US Open (I think she might need one win in any of the next tournaments to make sure). The next step will be to try and bring the same level of energy, commitment and fighting spirit to WTA tournaments.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Helen40 wrote:
Gutted, but watching the match, not surprising. Too many UEs surprisingly on her forehand, and Kanepi able to deal with alot of her power.
She was handed the last two matches, and we all knew Kanepi wouldn't blink too much - although it did take her about five match points to win.
I was watching the Serena match at the same time, and it was verry noticable the difference in the amount of movement between the two matches. Laura's done well, but still alot of work to do on that movement. I'm glad she's served well this tourney though. I was worried that the old demons would have got her in that area. Well done Miles!
Onwards for Laura then, I wonder whether she'll play the mixed. I only hope she can take all the positives out of this and do well in her run up to the USO.

-- Edited by Helen40 on Monday 1st of July 2013 01:58:54 PM

I agree 100%. Well done Laura. An excellent tournament. Way better than most people expected. Way better in many areas. You did the UK proud.

As Helen40 says, the difference in movement (especially micro-movement) and dynamism between the two courts was very noticeable and Laura will know that nearly all her unforced errors are because she's off balance and out of position. But it's such a classic area that gets better and better as players get stronger and work more on it - Laura will be fine.

Well done again to her and onwards and upwards.

PS Huge well done to Sabine Lisicki - such a nice girl, such problems with injuries early in her career - thrilled for her.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

One thing that hurt Laura again today was the tie-break and having lost 8 in a row before today (now 9) is not the sort of baggage you want in such a big match. Hopefully it will turn around and she will win a few in a row again.

Laura will be disappointed today but will be really pleased with her Wimbledon once she has had time to put it al in perspective. Mixed doubles first, then probably a few days off after the most hectic part of the season.

briteny · Intermediate Club Player

Well done Laura ! You did well no doubt about it. I give Tara a credit. She fought well against kanepi.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I was pleased with the way Laura played today, unfortunately she lost the coin toss so was always serving second in the first set, that meant that the break still required Laura to serve it out rather than it being the set. I suspect Kanepi would have still have comeback and won it in 3 even if she had but of course we'll never know.
Actually in someways happy she didn't win as the expectations for this tournament and beyond would have gone through the roof. L16 is a step forward and keeps her at a ranking which is more appropriate for now. If she can be top30 at the end of the year that will be a very good year in my book.

With Serena losing can you imagine the hysteria which would have resulted, she's still not ready to get close to winning a slam, so a decent performance today and I go away happy.

philwrig · Hall of fame

WD40 wrote:
For me this match was always going to be not so much about the tennis, they both have very similar games, as about who could tough it out the best and Kanepi, being the much more experienced in this department was always going to be the slight favourite. But in saying that I am very pleased for Laura and the way in which she has managed to come through this Wimbledon.

As for a few days off tony, as far as I can see her next tournament is scheduled to be Carslbad in four weeks time, unless anyone knows any different?

-- Edited by WD40 on Monday 1st of July 2013 03:03:21 PM

I suspect she'll use the time off to put in a midseason training block. Yes thats currently her next tournament.