Weeks 21-22 - Roland Garros 2016 - Paris, France - Clay

rebel_rebel · Lower Club Player

Weeks 21-22 - Roland Garros 2016 - Paris, France - Clay

murrayman650 · ATP level

15-0

30-0

30-15

40-15

5-1

0-15

15-15

30-15

30-30

40-30

40-40

adv Kuznetsova

6-1

First set Kuznetsova

6-1

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Heather will need Kuznetsova's level to drop to have a chance in this match, but Hev can play better than she is currently.

Peter too · Tennis legend

Svetlana is grunting again, she only grunts when she is worried.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

That was the best game Heather has played so far, but countered by some great play at the end by Kuznetsova and so she couldn't get the break.

murrayman650 · ATP level

2nd set

Kuznetsova to serve first

0-15

15-15

15-30

15-40

30-40

1-0 Watson

0-15

0-30

15-30

15-40

1-1

0-15

0-30

15-30

30-30

30-40

40-40

adv Watson

40-40

adv Kuznetsova

2-1 Kuznetsova

murrayman650 · ATP level

15-0

30-0

40-15

2-2

0-15

15-15

30-15

40-15

3-2

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Two break points for Heather both end with Kuznetsova winners after 20+ shots and it's now 1-6 2-5.

murrayman650 · ATP level

15-0

15-15

15-30

30-30

30-40

4-2

0-15

15-15

30-15

40-15

40-30

40-40

adv Watson

40-40

adv Watson

40-40

adv Kuznetsova

5-2

murrayman650 · ATP level

0-15

15-15

30-15

40-30

5-3

15-0

15-15

30-15

40-15

6-3

GSM Kuznetsova

6-1 6-3

wimdledont · Challenger level

I thought Heather was very good, and provided a stern, and varied, test for a stronger player. She's had some shocking draws in R2 at the French.

Bartholi again brilliant on commentary.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Kuznetsova too good today, but Heather could have made it a much more competitive match if she had started the match like she finished it.

So to sum up, a typical French Open for Heather. Apart from in 2013, when it was her first tournament back from glandular fever, she has made second round every time. Unfortunately her scores in those second round matches have not been close (1-6 3-6, 3-6 4-6, 2-6 4-6, 2-6 4-6, 1-6 3-6).

A mixed clay season for Heather, but given how much she was worried about securing Olympic qualification, it's good that she did enough over the last few weeks to be assured of going to Rio.

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

Yes, Marion, very good at diagnosing the technical reasons behind the problems in Heather's game.
In contrast to wimdledont, I think Heather was not good, apart from a bit at the end of the match. She played some nice points, but her general construction of points, and willingness to pull the trigger today was a bit naive, also too many simple UE or overly high tariff shots at strange times. Tactically she was a muddle. Heather wins a lot of points without actually winning them - she does everything that any other player would then close out the point in any number of situations and ways, but then Heather hits the wrong shot, or a safe shot, or an over-eager shot, and concedes the initiative and most oftentimes points.

The conversation between Sam Smith and Marion about how Heather can progress was interesting, not just because I agree with most of it, but because it helped clarify for me why I'm still so hopeful about Heather despite her poor record thus far against top players. The technical problems that inhibit Heather and undo whatever good work she otherwise does on court CAN be addressed, and if they are, then there is a lot of potential and space in aspects of her game to add simple things that will help her become a more effective player.

Is Marion available for consulting?

indiana · Tennis legend

Pity, but that was a very tough draw for Heather.

Takes her to 12-12 against top 100 players this year, with still a slightly better win ratio against top 50 players (7-6) than against 51 to 100 (5-6).

This along with her Mexican WTA title had her at #42 in the WTA race going into this week, which feels just about right on her year so far with a feeling she can really trouble higher ranked players on her day. She's currently WR 56.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Didn't expect Heather to win today against an opponent whose pedigree on clay speaks for itself; SK saved 6 of the 8 BPs she faced whilst converting, I think, all bar one of the BPs she held. As Indy says, Heather has had a top 50 year so far which ain't shabby; here's hoping she can find another level up on the grass though :)