Week 32 - The Top Seed Open WTA International ($202K) - Lexington, USA (Hard)

ROSAMUND · Futures level

RE: Week 32 - The Top Seed Open WTA International ($202K) - Lexington, USA (Hard)

Jajon · Club Coach

AAAAND WERE BAAAAACK...and its raining

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

They've moved the qualies indoors, looks like they have 2 courts running. Not sure if they plan to move the main draw inside later on, and if they'll be televised if so, but they should at least be able to get the qualifying done today.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Jo already needed a medical timeout for breathing issues

1-0*

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

I wasn't expecting Jo on so soon, as she was well down the OOP, and there's still qualies to play, but good timing anyway with the final women's SGH match just finishing about 5 mins ago.

LordBrownof · Futures level

Jo lost the first set 6-4 but is actually playing well. Seems to be striking the ball cleanly. Not much in it.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Jo dropped the first set 4-6, and I hadn't realised Heather had started as well, and she's, just this second, dropped the first set 2-6.

HarryGem · Club Coach

Watson and Konta both look likely to lose. Watson especially looks unfit and playing some poor stuff. Still time but not really showing much quality.

LordBrownof · Futures level

Heather not at the races at all. Jo missing too many returns and isn't playing the bigger points well.

HarryGem · Club Coach

Watson utterly outplayed by Brady.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Heather playing terribly. Really struggling in the humidity and the fast court is suiting Brady nicely. Obviously a different level to BOTB but Heather not playing anything like as well.

Jo is actually playing some nice stuff, should have broken in the sixth game of the first and when that opportunity went the momentum swung. Should have broken in the fourth game of the second too but is definitely playing better against a very useful opponent.

It feels with Jo it's all kind of there but just needs to click into place. I think she'll probably go out here, but if she can play herself into better form she's still got a shot at going deep at the US Open.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Just hearing Annabel and Sam chat about Serena and Venus earlier got me thinking, are these the same grounds as the usual Lexington ITF W60? I remember watching the event quite closely last year as they had really good quality streams, and Katie S did reasonably well, but they don't look the same. I assume they will be though.

It's quite interesting looking back at recent previous editions:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Kentucky_Bank_Tennis_Championships_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_Singles#Draw

Bouzkova played in 2018 and made the QF. Katy Dunne beat Sharma, who's now on the periphery of the top 100, and then lost 5-7 in the decider to Pegula who's now in the top 100 and has a WTA title.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Kentucky_Bank_Tennis_Championships_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_Singles#Draw

Dabin Kim had the week of her life here, but has done absolutely nothing since.

We often seem to get a strong British contingent in those events. Laura was the 3rd seed in 2017. But it's pretty amazing to go from 100-300 type players to then include some absolutely massive names this year.

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Monday 10th of August 2020 09:10:37 PM

seagull · Hall of fame

Why does Watson look so unfit. No excuses for that at this stage of her career. And I really like Heather

the addict · Tennis legend

Yes, that performance by Heather got what it deserved really - 2 & 1 - and could have been worse.

HarryGem · Club Coach

seagull wrote:
Why does Watson look so unfit. No excuses for that at this stage of her career. And I really like Heather

A very good question. She's a professional athlete but frankly looks out of shape and though there's been a lockdown really no excuse.