Week 37 - ITF ($50K) - Trabzon, Turkey Hard

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RE: Week 37 - ITF ($50K) - Trabzon, Turkey Hard

scottie1 · Futures level

Will Naomi hold on always good first set with her big serve but once opponents read it she struggles in the matches.

steven · Tennis legend

She had break points in the 2nd game of the 2nd set too, but Mestach saved them.

Another bp in the 4th game, also saved ... she could have put the match virtually beyond doubt already and I really hope the missed bps don't come back to haunt her later.

Having said that, if she can keep serving well (as she clearly has been since 2-2 in the 1st) and keep putting Mestach under pressure, she shouldn't have to worry too much.

korriban · Challenger level

I am staggered that Naomi is a set up, 3-2 up second set, and is putting severe pressure on the Belgian's serve every single game with relatively little on her own (15 BP chances to 2). Very surprising.

But the fact she isn't home and dry by now means that I have a very bad feeling about this. Hope I'm wrong: it would be a terrific result.

steven · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
But this tournament looks jinxed - Em loses in the third round and then doesn't even get a lucky loser spot - there were only 4 Qs and 3 LL spots I think - 2 listed and the extra Q to replace Sam - so she had a 75% chance - but no.

Not quite as 'jinxed' as that - there are only 2 lucky losers in so far - the extra one to replace Sam was one of the original too.

Naomi just had another chance to break but now it's 6-3 *3-3 ... starting to get a bit nervous, this could turn around quickly if her serve goes off a bit or Mestach just starts to get hold of it.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

To back up steven's point, Naomi has had 15 (FIFTEEN !) break points - and converted 4.
An-Sophie has had 2 - and converted 2.

steven · Tennis legend

... and now the Belgian has 2 more, and of course takes the first one

6-3 3-4*

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

steven wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
But this tournament looks jinxed - Em loses in the third round and then doesn't even get a lucky loser spot - there were only 4 Qs and 3 LL spots I think - 2 listed and the extra Q to replace Sam - so she had a 75% chance - but no.

Not quite as 'jinxed' as that - there are only 2 lucky losers in so far - the extra one to replace Sam was one of the original too.
Naomi just had another chance to break but now it's 6-3 *3-3 ... starting to get a bit nervous, this could turn around quickly if her serve goes off a bit or Mestach just starts to get hold of it.

OK - I get it (I think !) they did the draw with the 4 Qs and the 2 LL all at the same time ? So a regular Q got Sam's spot (unlike it being given to a LL which it would've done if she'd withdrawn after the draw???)

Well, I'm not taking back the 'jinx' yet though - your crystal ball proves true - An-Sophie suddenly breaks, suddenly holds, and it's all lookign very different . . .

steven · Tennis legend

Yes, the lucky loser places must have come free before the qualifiers were placed, in which case the Qs and the LLs all go into the pot at the same time.

No so much a crystal ball as stating the obvious

After breaking, ASM holds easily for the first time for ages, but Naomi has at least managed to make her serve it out and it's 30-30 ...

steven · Tennis legend

... and another bp ... come on!

Yes!

6-3 *5-5

steven · Tennis legend

30-40 oh please no ...

Mestach hits back right away by getting another bp ... but this time Naomi saves it!

6-3 6-5* and now ASM will have to serve to stay in the match ...

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

steven wrote:
30-40 oh please no ...

Mestach hits back right away by getting another bp ... but this time Naomi saves it!

6-3 6-5* and now ASM will have to serve to stay in the match ...

and oh please yes . . . smile