Week 17 - WTA International ($500K) - Prague, Czech Republic - Clay

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Week 17 - WTA International ($500K) - Prague, Czech Republic - Clay

GBJ · Club Coach

I have to confess I never followed Naomi much until herrecent good form. What is she like on clay?

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

GBJ wrote:
I have to confess I never followed Naomi much until her recent good form. What is she like on clay?

It's almost impossible to know.
In the last 4 years Naomi has played precisely two matches on the surface, both at qualifying for last years French Open.
That's not really any useful basis to form an opinion. You could interpret that because she got thrashed 1-6 1-6 by Ana. Rodionova in that QR2, that things are less than hopeful. Conversely, in the QR1, she beat Cagla Buyukakcay. The same Cagla Buyukakcay is today in her first WTA final, in Istanbul, on clay! So perhaps Naomi's got pedigree? Perhaps.

Perhaps I'll just leave it by saying that, prior to those 4 years, in fact 4 years and 1 day ago, as number one seed, Naomi was beaten in round one of the Edinburgh $10K on clay by... Sabrina Bamburac!

We'll just let the new found confidence and consistency take it's course, cross our fingers, see what happens, and hope to be pleasantly surprised

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

So Naomi has only lost once on clay in 4 years - I'd say that's a pretty good record!

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

No Jossanna this week, which I thought might be likely, either here, or in Rabat.
Presuming Anna's injury is enforcing hibernation.

DF · Tennis legend

Naomi's match third match on Court 2

scottie1 · Futures level

insomniacfolder wrote:
GBJ wrote:
I have to confess I never followed Naomi much until her recent good form. What is she like on clay?
It's almost impossible to know.
In the last 4 years Naomi has played precisely two matches on the surface, both at qualifying for last years French Open.
That's not really any useful basis to form an opinion. You could interpret that because she got thrashed 1-6 1-6 by Ana. Rodionova in that QR2, that things are less than hopeful. Conversely, in the QR1, she beat Cagla Buyukakcay. The same Cagla Buyukakcay is today in her first WTA final, in Istanbul, on clay! So perhaps Naomi's got pedigree? Perhaps.

Perhaps I'll just leave it by saying that, prior to those 4 years, in fact 4 years and 1 day ago, as number one seed, Naomi was beaten in round one of the Edinburgh $10K on clay by... Sabrina Bamburac!
We'll just let the new found confidence and consistency take it's course, cross our fingers, see what happens, and hope to be pleasantly surprised

Saw the Bamburac match 4years ago it was freezing cold got the impression Naomi wanted to be anywhere but a cold Edinburgh

wimdledont · Challenger level

Naomi to serve first...

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

No stream I fear, as it's the third tier court in Prague, but Naomi's getting underway on some strange red stuff underfoot.
*0-0

brendan · Strong Club Player

stream's undergoing its regular blockage atm anyway till he comes up with a new url

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Red stuff, bad.
2-6

christ · Futures level

Oh well, there's always another set. 2-6.

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

Serving OK (70%), but needs to, as the second serve is being demolished (1/8 12%).

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

I applaud her trying properly on the clay, and this event with it's double usual International pay is a good choice.
However, it's a steep learning curve.
I'm gonna say Naomi stages a mini-recovery, and lasts out the hour; just. 2-6 0-4*

christ · Futures level

AliBlahBlah wrote:
I'm gonna say Naomi stages a mini-recovery, and lasts out the hour; just. 2-6 0-4*

Not looking likely ... (5-0, 50 mins)

-- Edited by christ on Monday 25th of April 2016 01:33:14 PM