Week 9 - WTA International ($227K) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia- Hard

Julia Carrot · All-time great

RE: Week 9 - WTA International ($227K) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia- Hard

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Naomi's effectiveness on return so far is easily her lowest of the year; winning just 19%. Her current lowest is 23% in the loss to Vesnina.
Today's comparatively lacklustre groundstrokes are going to make improving that tricky - being, almost by definition, the cause.
However, if she can get into the Bouchard serve a bit more, ~30%, she usually wins those matches.

Naomi's serve, even on poor days, tends to take care of itself; it's how much she can earn on the return that seems almost more important.

DF · Tennis legend

Lost 4-6 3-6

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Ah well. A good week and a second semi final at this level. She just keeps on going and going.

Indian Wells and Miami next?

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Naomi looked a bit tired in that match which would be understandable after a long and late match yesterday. I think Genie Bouchard was just a bit too strong an opponent anyway, and only Naomi's first serve kept the scoreline close. Still another excellent week for her and beating Lisicki was a superb win.

Jan · Hall of fame

Congrats to Naomi on another good week!

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Is Naomi playing IW?

I hope she's got enough in the tank if she is. It would be gutting to make the effort of getting there to lose to a someone she should beat in Q1.

Another great week from her. I'm incredibly proud

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Naomi's 1st serve % was her best of the year. Her 1st serve % won, the third worst of her year.
Combination of an opponent returning well, and little impact whe returning herself (tied for her lowest % of points won in 2016), meant a tough day for Naomi. I've updated the thing.

But, who cares!
Nothing can diminish the fantastic week, to add to the spectacular start to the year.
Well done yet again Naomi Broady

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

SF: Naomi BROADY (GBR) 96 lost to Genie BOUCHARD (CAN) [6] 52 4-6 3-6

Gary Denton · Intermediate Club Player

Wow, so frustrating to watch.

She clearly can do it and her progression has obviously been phenomenal since Fitzy came on board.

When it all comes together, which was sadly rare v Miss Bouchard, she looks right up there.

The first time I've seen a whole match of hers and there is much to admire, however I'm not so sure how much further she can go up the rankings at present.

Given how much she has come on recently, it would be nice to think she can make steady progression, but first she needs to consolidate where she is, which will not be easy ( as others have already said)

Now for Indian Wells, I hope.

A big well done, Fitzy! Given what I have read over time on here about Naomi's game, it's something of a surprise to be posting this on a WTA thread so soon. Long may it continue :)

wimdledont · Challenger level

A return to old-style (pre-Fitzy) Naomi today.

For all that her serve has improved recently, the most encouraging development that I've seen up to today, is an improvement in her groundstrokes; and particularly the development of an effective defensive backhand. It deserted her today.

Throughout the year, her serve has not been 100% reliable - devastating when its on song, but like the aces tend to come in flushes, so do the DFs. So she's been frequently broken; but broken back.

The basic issue with her groundstrokes is that her natural shot, off both wings, is a slapped/whipped slice. So, opposite to a whipped topsin, the spin gives her less margin for error. She clearly has amazingly good hand/eye coordination, or she could never produce this. But off both wings, it's a very effective attacking shot, and unlike the vast majority of players' style of shot. What she seems to have added recently is a defensive variant on this, a defensive sliced backhand to keep a point going when under pressure, rather than kamikaze-ing a nearly impossible screamer into the middle of the net.

She'll cause some further upsets yet. Should be up 20 ranking places for a new CH of 76 on Monday.

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Very disappointing performance despite an impressive first serve display. Everything else was spectacularly bad. She looked nervous at the start and I suspect she never got to feel relaxed on court; which would go some way to explaining what happened.

Naomi is an erratic player. Normally you'll see some parts of her game working well, while others miss-fire. Clearly at this level she can't afford to have her forehand, backhand and return, all being shocking at the same time. Movement was very poor today. Seemed slow to react to situations.

I thought Genie played well, came up with a few sensational shots, and generally kept the ball fairly deep.

-- Edited by kundalini on Saturday 5th of March 2016 11:17:15 AM

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Bouchard is clearly having a great run of form herself so I'm not too down-hearted by that loss; yes it was not a good returning day for Naomi (albeit with the occasional flashing winner) but it's been a terrific week and she gets an extra day to get to IW :)

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Tennis from both ends of the spectrum - spectacularly good and spectacularly awful!! For me it was about footwork or lack thereof. Whenever the ball was hit straight into her hit zone, she didn't move her feet at all but made space for the shot by adjusting her body and arm usually resulting in a ground stroke error. Better when on the run and already moving. Still, a coach can't be expected to rub all the rough edges of a player in one go. There was so much that was better than just a short while ago, so for me I expect even more to improve over her time with Fitzy.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

vohor wrote:
Bouchard is clearly having a great run of form herself so I'm not too down-hearted by that loss; yes it was not a good returning day for Naomi (albeit with the occasional flashing winner) but it's been a terrific week and she gets an extra day to get to IW :)

Not going to IW (wimbledont posts on the Naomi thread); probably wise after this week's exertions; Miami will come around soon enough :)