Week 31 - WTA International ($250k) - Washington DC, USA - Hard

Grachka · Club Coach

Week 31 - WTA International ($250k) - Washington DC, USA - Hard

flamingowings · All-time great

Some tweets around saying that Andy asked the tournament to give Swan a WC as part of the deal for him to play (she is under his management).

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

Very frustrating.
I watched on Sunday as Saisai made the first WTA final of her career, and walked off in tears after having to retire at 5-7 0-4 because she simply was unable to continue.

But, here we are on Wednesday, and Katie is suffering against her, *0-4

PaulM · Tennis legend

Katie looks very out her depth today, which is a shame.

jb288 · Satellite level

In Katie's defence, Zheng has so far landed 21/22 first serves!

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Disappointing first set. Got a bit better after a nightmare start but too many errors and not enough first serves in during the first couple of service games. This was a real chance against a solid but unspectacular opponent who we thought might not be in peak condition. She keeps getting herself in good positions in games but failing to see them out.

Bookies initially had this 6/4 vs 1/2 and pretty much 50/50 coming into the match, probably due to a lot of punters backing Swan thinking SaiSai might not be ready and possibly just here to cash a cheque as she'll be in the States in the coming weeks anyway.

Good start to the second set though, holding to 15 - 2-6 1-0*

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

A good / important hold from Katie after Zheng had held to love 2-1*

flamingowings · All-time great

Katie has got more games than Serena did off Jo...

Sometimes the learning curve is steep.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

A BP saved here but it does just look like a matter of time. *A-40.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Another good hold as SSZ had another BP after the last post. 3-2*

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Wow, break for Katie, out of the blue - *4-2

Can she keep the pressure on and make Zheng ask questions after her recent schedule / condition?

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Zheng breaks back :(

4-3*

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Zheng now calls for the trainer.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

2 BPs saved by Katie 4-4 *40-40, but this lack of first serve is an absolute killer.

Another BP coming...

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Very poor really. 4-5*, Zheng will serve for the match and looks like a massive opportunity missed here.

Katie B will have a great chance of reaching the semi final if she can get past Kiick later on.