Week 1 - (ITF 25k) - Playford, Australia, Hard

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Week 1 - (ITF 25k) - Playford, Australia, Hard

Michael D · All-time great

My gut feeling is that Rybakina should win as her greater power counts when they are rallying... But Gabi keeps digging in and still producing the odd surprise. Has had some good aces down the T with the ball curving away, and Rybakina is still very loose on occasions. But really it is Rybakina's to lose.

Michael D · All-time great

Gabi had one chance to break there and retrieves and retrieves and retrieves, but it's not enough in the end and the chance goes. 2-2 third set.

Errors from both, then Gabi DFs to hand Rybakina a BP which she takes. Feel it's going to be a long way back for Gabi from here 6-3 2-6 2-3*

-- Edited by Michael D on Friday 4th of January 2019 01:21:55 AM

Michael D · All-time great

But suddenly more positivity and focus from Gabi and she manages to breaks back despite an ace being given against her which she (and I) thought was out. She then holds to 15 and its Rybakina's body language that looks negative again (though it really should not be).

But the body language and her error count persist and Gabi holds it together, keeping it together and letting R make the mistakes... Another break. Could Gabi pull this round to win?

-- Edited by Michael D on Friday 4th of January 2019 01:28:44 AM

Michael D · All-time great

A very poor service game from Gabi though. At 30-30 she DFs, hits her racket on the ground, and next point hits a forehand way long. Back on serve 5-4* in the third. This is about who makes fewest errors now.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

I started watching at 2-3*, so it was nice to see the fight back live. Shame she couldn't serve it out there - first serves were a killer, but hopefully Gabi can get her third break in a row and take it. Still very much of a knife edge.

5-4*

Michael D · All-time great

Gabi has a MP, but Rybakina digs her way out with some good serving. Gabi brings it back to deuce but then hits it long and can't return the next serve. 5-5

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

MP came and went. Also an opportunity on the subsequent deuce but put wide, not sure if wind effected.

*5-5 and the pessimist in me thinks that may be the chance gone.

Michael D · All-time great

More errors from Rybakina, including a hard crosscourt forehand that drifts long with the wind. She's done that a few times. Finally a good forehand winner down the line from Gabi - she hasn't had too many winners - and she holds. Important that 6-5*

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Completely missed that hold posting that, ha. Not complaining, hopefully she can break and avoid the dreaded deciding tie break.

Michael D · All-time great

Rybakina serves well and holds to love. Final set TB

Michael D · All-time great

Rybakina turns 4-2 up in the TB. She has been dominating it. Gabi will have to dig deep from her to turn this round again.

Michael D · All-time great

Gabi into the net at the end of a long rally, hands 3 MPs to Rybakina

Peter too · Tennis legend

QF: SWAN, Katie (GBR) 4 176 def MCPHEE, Kaylah (AUS) WC 352 6-4 6-3
QF: TAYLOR, Gabriella (GBR) 2 187 lost to RYBAKINA, Elena (KAZ) 6 182 6-3 2-6 6-7(3)

SF: SWAN, Katie (GBR) 4 176 v RYBAKINA, Elena (KAZ) 6 182 CH=175 10/12/18

Michael D · All-time great

.... who only needs one. Gabi loses 6-3 2-6 6-7(3). Rybakina was always the stronger of the two and Gabi couldn't move her around enough to really threaten her. In truth Rybakina should have won more easily, but managed to maintain sufficient errors to keep Gabi interested. When it counted though Gabi didn't have the weapons to damage her and its Rybakina who will face Katie S in the SF.