Week 41 - WTA International ($500k) - Tianjin, China - Hard

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Week 41 - WTA International ($500k) - Tianjin, China - Hard

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I don't think Jon was trying to take away anything from Hev's great victory.

Just an honest question (which I was wondering too) as to whether Wang had an issue or not, and simply what the dynamics were like in the match, to give such a one-sided result.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Yeah, sorry, that was more me leaning towards all wasn't too well with Wang, and I was trying the best I could myself not to take the credit away from a fine Heather win. Just caught up now, and Wang has seemed flat and miserable right from the get go, and throughout, and almost mentally fried. She did have a fair few BPs in the first set, but only converted one, and made a lot of errors, and then only won 9 points in the second. That said, while Hev can influence an opponents feelings as the match progresses, she has no influence how the opponent enters the court, and it'll always be a top 25 win in the record books, and a very welcome (and these days rare) WTA QF.

She said herself in the post match interview that it was the best she played for a couple of years, so I guess it was a bit of both (but she was definitely assisted). She also referenced the poor crowd and that she hopes a few more turn up tomorrow, but the Chinese players have dropped like flies here, 10 in the main draw, 6 in R2, but only 1 in the QF, so that'll probably be doubtful.

mbturner · Lower Club Player

Well done Heather. She hasn't played that well for years. She was hitting the ball hard and deep, forehand and backhand, dropshots and lobs. She never gave Wang the chance to get on top. Fantastic.

Jan · Hall of fame

That is good to hear!

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

While most will know I never like to be negative on here wink , I do personally think tomorrow againt Magda will be more of an acid test regarding Hev, and whether we (or maybe just I) can be more encouraged going forward, or whether it's back to type, and Wang was there for the taking today.

Wang has had a stop start 2019 with a number of different injury layoffs. Her long time coach Peter Mc died earlier in the year, the heavy 6-1 6-0 (43 minute) US Open Serena defeat Rosamund mentioned won't have helped her confidence, neither would the early 2 and 1 defeat to Riske in Wuhan P5 where she was defending SF points. Throw in that she was 7-5 5-2 up last week against Tomljanovic in Beijing PM R1 (again defending SF points), started cramping, and subsequently had to retire in a wheelchair in the unfortunate position of 7-5 5-4, as well as being in the rare position, at almost 28, of coming into her home swing as a top 15 player, much higher than in previous years, but this time with over 1500 points to defend (she's currently only earned 140 after her 4th and possibly final event), you could possibly see why the pressure and stress may have built up. I admittedly wasn't saying this pre-match, and certainly didn't expect what transpired, or even a Hev win, but there may be a few collective reasons why Qiang might not have been firing on all cylinders today.

Linette really has been in fine form, pretty much since Manchester, and is playing her best tennis, at a CH as Michael say, with a recent WTA title (Bronx) and final (Korea), so if Hev did win, or even lose in 3 reasonably tight sets, or a 6-7 5-7 type match, then I'll be encouraged that she can get back (and stay) in the top 100, but if it's a routine 2-6 2-6 reverse, then maybe this shock welcome win would have just been a one off.

She's 3rd on tomorrow where plays starts at 3.30am, so hopefully it'll be on around 7am and many can watch over breakfast. There was a 4-0 and 5-0 retirement in 2 of the 4 matches today, so 4th on Hev would have been on court much sooner than expected.

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Thursday 10th of October 2019 04:13:59 PM

Mervatron2 · Futures level

Cracking win for Heather in rather a barren year.

Would be nice for her to end the year positively going into 2020.

indiana · Tennis legend

Mervatron2 wrote:
Cracking win for Heather in rather a barren year.

Would be nice for her to end the year positively going into 2020.

Yes, time to rise to say WR 94 by 18/11.

paulisi · Tennis legend

We have seen Heather in the past, just pop up, find a bit confidence and go and win one of these events from nowhere. I wonder if this week will be it.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Should be on soon, the 2nd match has just ended. Petersen vs Jabeur in the top half semi final.

Michael D · All-time great

Heather's started now, down an early break *1-3

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

I've not been able to watch any of it, but Hev has recovered from 2-5* to *5-5.

Make that 6-5*, and 16 of the last 20 points as well.

And now the set! Woah, 5 games in a row. Anyone been able to watch?

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Friday 11th of October 2019 08:46:02 AM

Tennpar · Strong Club Player

Woohoo - 7-5 Hev

seagull · Hall of fame

Amazing!

mbturner · Lower Club Player

1-4 and two breaks down to 7-5. This is a good effort from Heather.