week 6 - ITF ($25K) - Launceston, Australia Hard

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

week 6 - ITF ($25K) - Launceston, Australia Hard

the addict · Tennis legend

blob wrote:
Savinykh no substitute for Vania.

I agree. Watched a large part of the second set, and Savinykh was the weakest of the four. Didn't seem to be sure of her positioning or where to hit the ball, and was targeted more and more as the match went on. Laura looked pretty solid today, but it takes two ..........

Michael D · All-time great

Gabi was my real tip for a player to rise well up through the rankings this year. I like her attitude too. She was affected by injury last year, which held her back, so I really hope she can stay injury free this year. Maia is the other person who has a similar attitude, and I hope she can continue to flourish too. Although a year older than Gabi, Maia's physical development seems to have still been evolving, and it will be good to see what she can also put together this year.

Zoe Hives has just won. The match between her and Gabi should be fascinating. The two young pretenders.

Peter too · Tennis legend

QF: TAYLOR, Gabriella (GBR) 280 def GEORGES, Myrtille (FRA) 5 216 6-4 6-4
QF: ROBSON, Laura (GBR) 8 236 lost to KHROMACHEVA, Irina (RUS) 2 192 2-6 2-6

SF: TAYLOR, Gabriella (GBR) 280 v HIVES, Zoe (AUS) 278 =CH
H2H 0-1 Mornington 2017 6-4 2-6 4-6

indiana · Tennis legend

Michael D wrote:
Gabi was my real tip for a player to rise well up through the rankings this year. I like her attitude too. She was affected by injury last year, which held her back, so I really hope she can stay injury free this year. Maia is the other person who has a similar attitude, and I hope she can continue to flourish too. Although a year older than Gabi, Maia's physical development seems to have still been evolving, and it will be good to see what she can also put together this year.

Zoe Hives has just won. The match between her and Gabi should be fascinating. The two young pretenders.

Yes, good to see both Gabi and Maia doing well. I was going to say that they are the same age having followed both for a few years. Checking up, Maia has turned 20 ( born January 1998 ) but Gabi soon will ( born March 1998 ). From comment I read and a few pictures Maia does look very fit at the start of this year, so good that that is pushing on like her tennis.

Anyway, Gabi is clearly a fair bit up the road still and looking good. That's 8 wins in a row, having signed off last year with her India 25K title.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Excellent wins for Gabi here so far :D

indiana · Tennis legend

Gabi is on the schedule as not before 12.30 pm local, 1.30 am GMT, and it's going to be some time after. At 2 am GMT the preceding men's SF between Granollers and Mousley is at 4 all final set, with them having just exchanged a couple of breaks from 3 all.

One finalist is now known. (4) Muhammad beat (2) Khromacheva 7-5 3-0 retired. A day late for Laura with that retirement. Clearly hope though nothing too serious.

indiana · Tennis legend

All the best to Gabi whenever she does get started ...

Peter too · Tennis legend

SF: TAYLOR, Gabriella (GBR) 280 def HIVES, Zoe (AUS) 278 7-5 6-1

F: TAYLOR, Gabriella (GBR) 280 v MUHAMMAD, Asia (USA) 4 272 CH=124 24/4/17

paulisi · Tennis legend

That is a very good win. She looks to have a very good chance of winning the whole thing.

blob · All-time great

First set was very good, before I fell asleep, bith players were playing well. Hives looked in the middle of the set to have the upper hand, repeated;y changing direction quickly with the backhand, to get Gabi on the run. This after Gabi had missed several chance to take leads after setting points up beautifully, and getting over-eager on the subsequent easy put-aways.

I am most struck though by how aggressive Gabi has been on second serve return, moreso than even any WTA tour player that I can think of, except maybe, Giorgi. SHe's several paces inside the baseline to receive, a la Serena & Venus, but then also skipping forward to make the return, meaning the contact point is very close to the service line. Neat trick if you can make it work, and it's pressuring opponents, taking away their time and forcing errors.

Gabi. This is her 3rd $25K final in her last 7 $25K events. She won the other two

Michael D · All-time great

I haven't seen any of the match, but if there is any replay will try and do so. This is a seriously good performance from Gabi, and obviously her aggressiveness in one way or another wore down Hives in the second set. Hives has been on a fantastic run herself, but now Gabi is 9 unbeaten. Next week she is likely to be WR 277 = CH, and then once these so far 30 points are added will go up to around the 256-7 mark.

Asia Muhammad beat the #2 seed by retirement, Gabi should have an extremely good chance here.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Another excellent win for Gabi :D
GL in the final :)

Mervatron2 · Challenger qualifying

Great week for Gabby and a great chance at title #3. She seems very comfortable at the 25k level, and with 2 more in Perth to come.

I would like to see Gabby then give clay a chance. Maybe over in the states?

Peter too · Tennis legend

Gabby 1-0* after saving a break point.