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

PaulM · Tennis legend

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

Ratty · County player

I do hope that Bartoli doesn't spoil the party.

Fair play to her for maximising her talent, but she is the absolute personification of Winning Ugly.

Jan · Hall of fame

Really pleased for Sabine, as she was the one who knocked Serena out. Hope she wins the final!

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

How? By playing well?

korriban · Challenger level

Ratty wrote:
I do hope that Bartoli doesn't spoil the party.
Fair play to her for maximising her talent, but she is the absolute personification of Winning Ugly.

I couldn't disagree more. For me winning ugly is more around making yourself hard to beat and spoiling things for your opponent. I agree she is no great athlete and is completely unorthodox in her strokes, but the fact she has lightning reflexes and reaction times and takes the ball so early makes for a very aggressive, winner-heavy style. Today was a perfect example, with winner after winner. It's amazing where she stands to receive serve. Not beautiful in a Gasquet/Dimitrov playing style way, but certainly not Winning Ugly.

I really enjoy watching Lisicki, but because Bartoli is a non athlete competing against super athletes with everything she's got in a high octane style, I have a lot of respect for her, and a genuine soft spot. When asked why she was the only female tennis player in the top 20 without a clothing contract, she said she wasn't tall enough, wasn't blonde enough, and wasn't thin enough.....how can you not root for someone with that kind of attitude!!!???

Whoever wins, it's one we can all be happy with.

Ratty · County player

Mervatron wrote:
How? By playing well?

Well of course there are no style points in tennis, but I like to see a bit of grace and athleticism. That serve! That hideous-looking double-handed forehand! I could go on ... but I'd better not!

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

It was a fantastic second semi-final, and whilst I wanted Radwanska to win, Lisicki has been amazing in this tournament and fully deserves a shot at the title. Quite a contrast between Lisicki's fairytale run and Bartoli who has largely gone under the radar in this tournament. For once I was rewarded for lack of conviction, as having picked Radwanska to win I cashed out my bet on her when she was a break up in the third. More luck than judgement though.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Bartoli might just upset the Lisicki fairytale story is my latest prediction.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Hope not, I'm rooting for Sabine, although, I must admit I've lost alot of interest since Robbo and all the big names went out. not really an Aga or Bartoli fan. Has anyone got the odds for this match?

philwrig · Hall of fame

Helen40 wrote:
Hope not, I'm rooting for Sabine, although, I must admit I've lost alot of interest since Robbo and all the big names went out. not really an Aga or Bartoli fan. Has anyone got the odds for this match?

No I want Sabine to, but the odds I think its 2/1 or 33% or 1 out of 3 chance currently for Bartoli, that strikes me as way over the odds given how well she has played in her last 3 matches and that she actually has final experience.

Spectator · All-time great

I'm pleased, too. Great second semi (didn't see any of the first) and two women whom I'd be happy to see win.

Women's doubles are interesting, too. Some nice contrasting stories, with Scheepers making a semi (well, making anything beyond 3rd round) for the first time at 29, Aoyama pretty much completely unknown, Groenefeld in her first SF since her horrendous run of injuries, and Barty and Dellacqua continuing their very successful partnership (all the more remarkable given that Barty could play both this and next year's junior Wimbledon if she wanted). Not to mention the more established Chinese/Taiwanese pairing.

-- Edited by Spectator on Friday 5th of July 2013 05:33:32 AM

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Thanks philwrig, it'll be interesting, but I'm not sure I'm even going to stay in for it, as they're playing reruns ad nauseum at the moment.

markymc1983 · Club Coach

korriban wrote:
Ratty wrote:
I do hope that Bartoli doesn't spoil the party.
Fair play to her for maximising her talent, but she is the absolute personification of Winning Ugly.
I couldn't disagree more. For me winning ugly is more around making yourself hard to beat and spoiling things for your opponent. I agree she is no great athlete and is completely unorthodox in her strokes, but the fact she has lightning reflexes and reaction times and takes the ball so early makes for a very aggressive, winner-heavy style. Today was a perfect example, with winner after winner. It's amazing where she stands to receive serve. Not beautiful in a Gasquet/Dimitrov playing style way, but certainly not Winning Ugly.
I really enjoy watching Lisicki, but because Bartoli is a non athlete competing against super athletes with everything she's got in a high octane style, I have a lot of respect for her, and a genuine soft spot. When asked why she was the only female tennis player in the top 20 without a clothing contract, she said she wasn't tall enough, wasn't blonde enough, and wasn't thin enough.....how can you not root for someone with that kind of attitude!!!???
Whoever wins, it's one we can all be happy with.

Totally agree with you. I've met Marion and she is a very sweet lady. I find her exciting to watch, I like how she's a bit of a rogue out there and I'm always so surprised at how fit she is and how she competes so well in long 3 setters. Pure determination. Wish she fist pumped less though. I like Sabine too so I'm pleased with either outcome.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Thanks, Spectator, for the 'women's doubles in a nutshell'. Appreciated it. Will watch a bit better informed now . . .

Peter too · Tennis legend

The trouble with Andy winning the men's title at Wimbledon is the media will now keep asking when a British woman will win the women's title. Next year it will be 37 years since a British women last won Wimbledon.