flamingowings wrote:

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I'm calling the partnership of Jo and Alona (Jelena) Kontapenko. It's catchy!

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 It sounds like the name of a volcano! (and yes, I like it)

AliBlahBlah wrote:

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Jan wrote:

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flamingowings wrote:

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I'm calling the partnership of Jo and Alona (Jelena) Kontapenko. It's catchy!

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 It sounds like the name of a volcano! (and yes, I like it)

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Yup! Might get one or two volcanic outbursts from somewhere
I 'third' the motion to adopt this pleasingly iambic name.

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 Happily gifted to the board to use

Jo seems to have found a good partner there 6-1, 6-0 against very experienced and accomplished opponents.

Possibly, that could get Jo back into the top 100 doubles, but more likely WR101-103
Just have to win again to be sure!

The good news is they avoided team Bucie in the next round, the bad news is...
R32: Johanna KONTA/Jelena OSTAPENKO (GBR/LAT) 158 (115 + 43) defeated Raquel ATAWO/Anna-Lena GROENEFELD (USA/GER) 66 (36 + 30) 6-1 6-0
R16: Johanna KONTA/Jelena OSTAPENKO (GBR/LAT) 158 (115 + 43) v. Lucie HRADECKA/Ekaterina MAKAROVA (CZE/RUS) [7] 52 (46 + 6)

flamingowings wrote:

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Whilst I agree with the opinion that Joyce seems to be bringing little to the table (at least obviously) and hopeful that there is a coaching change in the off season, all the fault doesn't lie with Joyce. Some of it also lies with Jo. For all we know, Joyce has tried and is trying to add something to Jo's game but Jo herself is reverting back.

Jo's doubles partner, Ostapenko also lost in 3 sets - to Cornet - and the last set was a bagel, so maybe they can do some damage in the doubles draw.

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I would also agree that the responsibility on match day lies with Jo, she is now a seasoned pro, and she should be able to execute more variety in her play as the need arises during a tight match. Recently I've seen Jo playing the same shot twice or more in succession to her opponent on the baseline, that's only going to result in them going for a winner to the corner. Also the players know that they generally can stay on the baseline against Jo, I'd like to see her try to play the sliced inside out drop shop that Nadal played so effectively at Wimbledon, the ball spins off court making it doubly difficult to reach. Jo does play the forehand drop shot across her body, but there's little action on the ball, and if a player runs it down and plays a winner then Jo appears reluctant to try it again. Jo probably can play these types of shots in practice, but she has to trust them in a match setting. It's only by playing the shots and getting comfortable with them will more variety come into Jo's game. It's not easy, especially when she's knows that when she's playing her A game well she can get by with just that.

Jo's game is mainly about pushing the opponent back, and making them play a weak mid-court return. Therefore, when that happens Jo has to be absolutely clinical to finish the point, whether that be with a little dink over the net, or a controlled forcing shot maybe after waiting for the ball to bounce.

There's no doubt that Jo is a fantastic player, and she clearly has the potential to be better than she is currently playing. Sometimes a bit of arrogance, and confidence, on court is necessary to be able to play all the shots she's probably practised over and over again.

 

Kontapenko have finally made it on court and have an early break at 3-0*
But have had to save 6 break points on the way.