Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open Women's Doubles

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

RE: Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open Women's Doubles

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Jossanna (easier than 'Big & Little Bird') had decided very often to use a chipped lob service return tactic. In fairness, they executed pretty well, and at least it got them in to a lot of points.
In those points though, the Chan's were ruthless and excellent, missing, I think, one shot in the opening 6 games.
Yung-Jan reading the game excellently, dominated at net, killing point after point with cut offs.
In addition, Jossanna were pretty poor - especially on 'normal' returns both in to net, and way too high over net.
So, after 14 minutes(!) it was...
1-5*

Hao-Ching served for the set, threw in a couple of DF, the Brits took a bit of heart, sharpened up and broke and held, to make things a bit more respectable.
3-5*

Yung-Chan then had a go, and also had a struggle - Joss with some good volleys - but did close it out.
First set took 29 minutes, it looked at one point like it might take half that.
If the Brits can improve some more, and target Hao-Ching - the Chan's normally equal, but the younger sister the weaker link so far today - then they might get some traction.
3-6

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Set 2
Surrendered a quick sloppy break to open the second set, as the first. All rather undistinguished. They can't afford these spells where they almost forget to focus again fully.
Bit of pressure on the Hao-Ching serve, at deuce. Jossanna tried to hit instant winners in the points though and so the Taiwanese held.
3-6 *1-3
Love hold on the back of good Rae serving - Anna's football 'keepy uppy' skills again get an appreciative smattering of applause from an Aussie crowd.
3-6 2-3*
Playing passively to Yung-Jan, keeping good length and pinning her at the back of the court and away from the net is smart - pays dividends.
Nice DTL FH winner from Anna sets up 2 BP on the Jung-Jan serve; they take the serve helped by hawkeye.
Back on serve
3-6 *3-3
Tight game on Anna's serve, went to deuce. A DF (both serves challenged) and a fluffed cut off from Joss, cedes the advantage again.
3-6 3-4*
Quick Taiwanese hold, so Joss serving to stay alive... and holds to love mostly from big serves.
Must break...
3-6 4-5*
Anna's returning has been poor all match, she nets some more routine returns here.
Jung-Chan quality flashing DTL change of direction clean winner sets up 15-40* - 2 MP

GSM The Chan's 6-3 6-4

Respectable enough in the final reckoning.
Jossanna had a couple of spells, notably at the start of each set, where they weren't tuned in, and got punished.
Otherwise, they were OK, definitely got better as the match went on, and much better than they were in Hobart.
Anna's returning is a worry, as is her poor knees, now both sporting increasingly heavy strappings.

Still, in context, a very successful GS and well done for that. Hopefully this can be a platform to build consistency once more.

-- Edited by insomniacfolder on Sunday 24th of January 2016 06:05:28 AM

cwej · Lower Club Player

Watched the second set. Though they lost I thought it was their best performance of the week. The Chans were incredible.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

That was a very decent effort; augurs well for Fed Cup :)

indiana · Tennis legend

Great effort and although Jossanna did have slim pickings in the second half of last year, it does also tend to show not to be too alarmed by extremely early season form.

eg. Jossanna and Jo's initial gambits this year and I recall some alarm at Heather spraying balls in last year's Hopman Cup before winning the Hobart title in the second week.

Very well done, Joss and Anna

-- Edited by indiana on Sunday 24th of January 2016 09:24:31 AM

wimdledont · Challenger level

Very pleased to see Jossanna pick up the biggest paycheck, and biggest ranking points haul of their careers. The extra money would have been small change to either Heather or JoKo, but this cheque is somewhere near 50% of Jossanna's annual prizemoney from 2015.

It also would have been a disadvantage to all 4 players in the Fed Cup had Heather and Jo won here. Undermined the doubles team; putting pressure on the singles players to double up.

Their new ranking should be a career high, somewhere near WR65. Cut off for the next 2 really big tournaments, Indian Wells and Miami, were CR134 and CR140 in 2015, so there's every hope that they've just moved up another paygrade. Fingers

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Very good for Joss and Anna to know there is a plan B should their form dip. I agree good that they won from a team perspective but I would love to see the other three girls team up regularly.

Jo hopefully will be too busy in week 2 of GS to play doubles but all three are better individual players and it gives the team depth and motivation. In favour of pragmatism and empathy around team selection but Judy is building a team to win if it's successful like with the men there will be some tough calls.