Week 12 - WTA Premier Mandatory $8.6M - Miami, USA Hard

blob · All-time great

Week 12 - WTA Premier Mandatory $8.6M - Miami, USA Hard

blob · All-time great

1-3*
The break came because - and I really never thought I'd be saying this! - Hsieh had too much power on return for Katie.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

KBs had 5 BPs to get back on serve including 3 in a row but not managed to take one.

BP #6 coming up...

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Takes it *3-4.

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Wednesday 21st of March 2018 07:06:25 PM

blob · All-time great

Ack!
Had 40-0* to recover the break there, and just UE on ordinary rally balls to blow them all.
Nice drop change up brings a fourth BP; long off return out wide.
Hsieh dumps a lazy backhand in the net, BP 5
Hitting a lot of very loopy FH, tries to run outside one to flatten it out, and nets.
Sets up a sixth with a good FH into the corner
Great return onto Hsieh's toes on the baseline.
Breaks.
*3-4

Seems worried about her right elbow at the sit down.

blob · All-time great

Pretty good generally. Just needs to cut out the UE.
Has realised that it's a fools errand getting into protracted rallies with Hsieh, and is keeping the points short where possible; taking the attack to her opponent. Handling Hsieh's bag-of-tricks spins better. Vulnerable to the drop shot though, which Hsieh is employing more frequently.
Good hold - multi deuce game.
4-4*

the addict · Tennis legend

Change that net !

blob · All-time great

Set point against set up as Katie had a short ball, hit it right at Hsieh at net, but she was a good doubles #1 and picked it up, Katie missed the second ball.
Saves it as Hsieh misses a sitter put away long.
Second comes, and it's taken. A Hsieh drop from behind the baseline grazes the top of the tape and flops over, unplayable.
Very fine margins. Certainly not outclassed or overwawed in her first ever WTA MD match.
4-6

the addict · Tennis legend

Katie was 1-3* down, but has just broken back for *2-3

But has the trainer on at the change of ends - looks like right elbow

-- Edited by the addict on Wednesday 21st of March 2018 07:46:55 PM

blob · All-time great

As in the first set, recovers a break.
Hitting Hsieh back and taking her time away. She is making more chances than she's taking. A little more, and she'd really put the sustained pressure on.
Treatment on the wrist at the sit down.

Michael D · All-time great

the addict wrote:
Katie was 1-3* down, but has just broken back for *2-3
But has the trainer on at the change of ends - looks like right elbow

-- Edited by the addict on Wednesday 21st of March 2018 07:46:55 PM

Treatment was on the elbow, BT sport confirmed

the addict · Tennis legend

BT sport isn't that reliable ! And they are showing Vika right now - I'm watching via videostream

I must admit, I'm not impressed with Hsieh at all

blob · All-time great

Cracking winner into the corner sets up 3BP to keep the match alive.
And Katie breaks. Come on!
4-6 *4-5

I think Hsieh is sort of there for the taking if Katie can start playing definitvely well rather than just highly commendably.

the addict · Tennis legend

5-5

blob · All-time great

Productive week, and the take-away should certainly be that Katie can operate at this level already, even when playing good, but not great.
Sharpen things up a bit, and it really looks promising.
Very encouraging WTA debut. (could of had more)

Wrist (or elbow) niggle is a worry. those never seem to quite get resolved, as we know only too well. May account for the quite long break earlier in the season?

If fit, International Euro qualifiers ahead of the Roland Garros qualifying tournament would be useful. There are an awful lot of big money ITF's in the next 6 weeks though.

Good work, and a good step forward despite the loss today

4-6 5-7