First set Naomi served ok but rest of her game was non-existent. 2nd set Varvara started to make more errors than Naomi, despite Broady's 6 dfs in the set. Naomi winning fewer points with unreturned serves but producing some good shots in the rallies, lots of forehands winning her points, also several drop shots and volley winners. For most of the 3rd set Naomi looked like she wanted to be elsewhere. Her returning was inept. In the 2nd and 3rd sets, the unreturned serves + aces count was almost level. If she won a point on return it was because Varvara made a careless error or a df.

For most of the match, Naomi's returning didn't trouble Varvara in the slightest. So many of the points went serve, weak return, easy Lepchenko winner into the space. Naomi failed to win a single point with either a return winner or an aggressive return.

Against Monica Puig, Naomi's backhand was impressive at times. Today I counted just 2 winning backhands in the whole match, though I did miss a few points that Naomi won. 

A lot of hard-work required on Naomi's technique if she is to remain inside the top 100 on a consistent basis. 

For what it's worth, Varvara Lepchenko is currently 93rd in the race, with 8 wins over top 100 opponents this year (9 now) of which 3 were players who retired during the match (Naomi has 12 top 100 wins in 2016 with no w/o or retirements). 

-- Edited by kundalini on Wednesday 27th of July 2016 03:43:53 AM

Naomi

Shame as that was a huge opportunity and the game which cost her the match is one she should have held.

Still, a very useful week.

Yes, a chance missed but still a good week's work for Naomi :)
Jo's route to the QFs now against a Q and a LL then...

Nice dubs win for Heather :D

Tara is into the doubles playing with Madison Brengle. They play Groenefeld and Peschke.

While an opportunity missed, still a great week for Naomi and a much needed one with lots of points coming off soon. She did look knackered at the end and it did seem to me that everything about the match was stacked against her. She having played 3 straight days before while Lepchenko due to losing in qualies had the day off, and also having no chance to prepare for her left handed opponent.

I'm not sure I like lucky losers getting spots in the 2nd round when seeded players with byes pull out, it just seems to make them a bit too lucky. Although personally I don't like seeds getting byes anyway surely being seeded is enough of an advantage.

Also in terms of scheduling when the first round is played Mon/Tue and the second round Tue/Wed it doesn't seem much to ask to give qualifiers who win in the first round a day off and to play their second round on the Wednesday.

Not sure I can get on board with 'only' 45 points Indy, in the scheme of what Naomi has to defend that's a fair amount, not to mention the prize money, but absolutely the 90 is a brilliant haul. Definitely agree with LTR that there was a lot stacked against her there, given how few r2 matches were played yesterday it seemed unfair to have had her playing every day really, don't see why they couldn't have postponed the match overnight once Garbi pulled out.

That's nice news for Tara, extra match time in a big event and some cash.

Jo about to start

Naomi on court as well in her doubles with partner Shelby Rogers