Week 8 - WTA Premier ($731K) - DOHA, Qatar Hard

Julia Carrot · All-time great

RE: Week 8 - WTA Premier ($731K) - DOHA, Qatar Hard

Peter too · Tennis legend

Q2: WATSON, Heather (GBR) 3 43 lost to ZHENG, Saisai (CHN) 76 3-6 3-6

PaulM · Tennis legend

Im sorry to be so harsh but that's a horrendous loss. So, so poor and looks like a pretty pathetic performance as well. Sasai is nothing special and the sort of opponent hev should be dispatching comfortably as a top 50 player.

The Indian Wells and Miami double header are huge for her now. Must win matches there and get her season back on track if she's looking to stand any chances of being seeded for French.

Hugely disappointing given how exciting Hobart made things. Her last 3 tour losses haven't even been close.

Lots of hard work ahead but she'll get there. But can't afford to keep putting in these performances in the biggest events of the year.

Keep the faith and the head up :)

-- Edited by PaulM on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 02:14:17 PM

Jan · Hall of fame

cry

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Agree Paul. That's 3 loses in a row on the main tour that haven't been anywhere where they should be.

The last two weeks have been baffling.

Let's hope Indian Wells and Miami give a better result

philwrig · Hall of fame

The Middle East can produce some strange results, not trying to find excuses, but it has been a very strange season, poor start at HC, then beats CD there and then of course Hobart was special. Since then though, FedCup looked Ok but not her best, ah well be nice to see Laura comeback and hit some form, might help her as she won't be the sole focus.

A131 · Intermediate Club Player

''Sasai is nothing special and the sort of opponent hev should be dispatching comfortably as a top 50 player.''

I think that is a tad disparaging given that she is ranked 77 in the world, aged 21 and only 35 places (approx.) below HW and has scored victories against the likes of Jankovic, Wickmayer, Zarina Diyas - victories which had she been British people would rave about on here and nor would she be described as nothing special given that we place so much emphasis in reaching the top 100. Sure, in theory, Watson at her best and being ranked higher, probably would have won but it could be she perhaps wasn't and Sasai was at the top of her game - I don't know without seeing it. But I don't think it is that bigger surprise.

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

A131 wrote:
''Sasai is nothing special and the sort of opponent hev should be dispatching comfortably as a top 50 player.''

I think that is a tad disparaging given that she is ranked 77 in the world, aged 21 and only 35 places (approx.) below HW and has scored victories against the likes of Jankovic, Wickmayer, Zarina Diyas - victories which had she been British people would rave about on here and nor would she be described as nothing special given that we place so much emphasis in reaching the top 100. Sure, in theory, Watson at her best and being ranked higher, probably would have won but it could be she perhaps wasn't and Sasai was at the top of her game - I don't know without seeing it. But I don't think it is that bigger surprise.

I thought so too.

Even Li Na rates her, and despite being generally delightful, Li is notoriously reticent in her praise acknowledgment of other Chinese players; especially Peng Shuai & Jie Zheng, but also the newer generations, Shuai Zhang, Qiang Wang etc.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I don't think Sasai is rubbish either, but it was more the ease of victory which stands out. 66 points to 51 is very comfortable.

PaulM · Tennis legend

I didnt say Sasai was rubbish but she shouldn't be dismantling Hev.

And she won a single game against Dulhugeru today...

philwrig · Hall of fame

PaulM wrote:
I didnt say Sasai was rubbish but she shouldn't be dismantling Hev.

And she won a single game against Dulhugeru today...

That scoreline certainly puts it into perspective, ouch.

PaulM · Tennis legend

www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/heather-watson-in-disappointing-defeat-to-zheng-saisai-at-the-qatar-total-open-10062730.html

Interesting although it doesn't mention the foot and if she had a fever against Kozlova playing the doubles and doing pretty well seems odd.

Anyway hope she's feeling bett. I think the States will be happier hunting ground.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I suppose with doubles you're not doing as much running around so can get by even if you're not 100 %. Nice to know that there is an explanation.