Week 31 - WTA International ($250K) - Citi Open Washington, USA Hard

Peter too · Tennis legend

RE: Week 31 - WTA International ($250K) - Citi Open Washington, USA Hard

DF · Tennis legend

6 - 1 in the second

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

SF: Hiroko Kuwata & Kurumi Nara (JPN/JPN) CR 1094 (229+865) defeated Jos Rae & Anna Smith CR 221 (111+110) by 6-1 1-6 [12-10] bleh

Surely not nerves this time?

DF · Tennis legend

10 - 12 to the Japanese pair.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Had a match point at 10-9

indiana · Tennis legend

Oh wasn't expecting that ( such are the expectations now ), but still on the broader front, such progress...

Started the year by winning a 10K.

Just moved on from 25Ks in April.

In the last 2 months have won a 75K title, reached a final of a WTA 250, won a 50K title, and now reached the SF of another WTA 250, with a huge win in the QF. These 4 counters totaling 485 ranking points of their ( now same for both ) total of 791 ranking points.

No idea if a few too many nerves here, though clearly a strong second set before the MTB. But I wouldn't be particularly concerned about that longer term. They were serial title winners ( OK, at 25K level ) as they developed their partnership and I recall Joss hugely rising to the occasion when she won mixed doubles gold with Colin Fleming at the Delhi Commonwealth Games. They've had a big leap up in a short time, and the future is looking good.

steven · Tennis legend

It'll be interesting to see whether Judy picks them as a specialist doubles pair for Fed Cup or takes one of them plus a 3rd singles player to keep her options open, given that Hev is very good at doubles too.

philwrig · Hall of fame

steven wrote:
It'll be interesting to see whether Judy picks them as a specialist doubles pair for Fed Cup or takes one of them plus a 3rd singles player to keep her options open, given that Hev is very good at doubles too.

Too big a risk I think given the nature of that comp. It's a long week and assuming Laura is fit, she can play high calibre doubles as well. They both know that as well so they won't be too disappointed if they're not picked as a team. If our number 3 singles player was a weakish link, then you maybe tempted, but too much of a dropoff from say Jo to Anna in singles. I might change my mind if they became an elite team.

steven · Tennis legend

philwrig wrote:
steven wrote:
It'll be interesting to see whether Judy picks them as a specialist doubles pair for Fed Cup or takes one of them plus a 3rd singles player to keep her options open, given that Hev is very good at doubles too.
Too big a risk I think given the nature of that comp. It's a long week and assuming Laura is fit, she can play high calibre doubles as well. They both know that as well so they won't be too disappointed if they're not picked as a team. If our number 3 singles player was a weakish link, then you maybe tempted, but too much of a dropoff from say Jo to Anna in singles. I might change my mind if they became an elite team.

Yes, I agree with you (though I still wonder whether she will be tempted) - as you suggest, the need to play multiple ties makes it even more important to have singles backup. I've often thought it would make sense to have teams of 5 in DC & FC so that those countries who want to field a specialist doubles pair can, while still having singles backup.

indiana · Tennis legend

I agree, Phil.

I see selecting both Anna and Joss as too much of a risk in the group week. Presuming we have at least 3 of Laura, Heather, Jo and a more inform Tara available, we should most certainly go with them plus probably one doubles specialist.

But if in time, GB progress to the 5 match World Group / play off ties, and Anna and Joss improve further, I do think it becomes an option for these knock out ties, just dependant on relatively how good Anna and Joss have become and who the singles / possible covering doubles players are and in what form.

indiana · Tennis legend

Oops, I meant to list Naomi in the options for the 3 possible singles players in the team of 4.

steven · Tennis legend

Despite not playing last week, Joss and Anna continue to rise up the rankings and are now both WR 100=

indiana · Tennis legend

Well done them on making the top 101 :)

Peter too · Tennis legend

Joss and Anna have had a well earned break for the last month, I wonder when they are due to start again. On the 1st there is a $25K in the UK and the start of a succession of WTA events in the far East. On the 8th there is a $50K in France that might be on their schedule.

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

I'd think, and hope, a 'soft' $250K in post US Open week(s), like Quebec City would have been a perfect target.
Not sure there's too much for them to gain now from trying to sustain at ITF level unless it's $75K plus.

Otherwise, yes, building even more of a stable base in several of the upcoming smaller far east events [Hong Kong, Korea, Osaka] (or similar) looks like a good swing; if budget and resolve affords them that sort of a prolonged schedule.