Week 6 - Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia Hard

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Week 6 - Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia Hard

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Even when Serena tied at 4-4 I had a feeling it wasnt going to turn. Unless she gets a miracle here its over.

Andy Parker · Club Coach

They break each other - 5-4 to Naomi; superb response from her, breaking Serena to love.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Easy service game and Naomi wins 6-3, 6-4.

Poor match in all honesty, poor serving and far too many errors from Serena. It wasnt really a contest in all honesty. Bad day at the office for Serena.

Andy Parker · Club Coach

Great win by Naomi 6-3 6-4 - she kept her focus really well, and after that one tight game when Serena broke her serve to level at 4-4, she played absolutely superbly and Serena never won another point.

I think though that Serena showed guts and spirit to dig in and fight hard, particularly in the second set, and losing to a player as good as Naomi is no disgrace. Margaret Court's record still intact and the sands of time are running out for Serena I think.

-- Edited by Andy Parker on Thursday 18th of February 2021 04:41:24 AM

Andy Parker · Club Coach

Hoping for a really quick second match, but in the immortal words of the Beastie Boys, 'No sleep till bedtime', well I think they said that anyway!

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Yes I think Serenas ship has sailed in that regard sadly. Players like Osaka are way ahead of her now.

Despite it being a mismatch today Naomi hits some great angles and its going to take a super fit player to stop her dominating on this surface.

Great interview at the end there from her to contradict my earlier issue.

Andy Parker · Club Coach

5 am start for the Women's Doubles Final - very annoying, but I'll be there I guess. Krejikova in 2 doubles finals, both Ram and Salisbury still in the mixed and men's doubles.

-- Edited by Andy Parker on Thursday 18th of February 2021 04:54:48 AM

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

So what do we think here? I got the last one more or less correct.

Im going for Muchova in 2 close straight sets.

Andy Parker · Club Coach

I don't want to make predictions really, but just to keep you amused and give you some competition, I'll say Brady, not sure whether in 2 or 3, but Brady to win the first set.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

4-4 first set one break a piece. This one is looking like a close contest.

Meanwhile Serena breaks down in tears after being asked if she was saying farewell to the sport. My feeling is that she doesnt want to but perhaps knows her fitness will never be as it was prior to childbirth at the age of nearly 40.

Andy Parker · Club Coach

Brady wins the opening set 6-4 - very little to choose between these two, but Brady looks a little more solid I think. Will Muchova have any dizzy spells coming up, I wonder?

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Brady looks more solid yes although I think Muchova has the potential to make some better moves.

She breaks and then holds for 2-0. A much better contest and standard than the earlier match Id say.

Andy Parker · Club Coach

I've enjoyed both matches; I didn't think Serena was outplayed quite as much as you did. All credit to these two - there looks to be very little in it and if Muchova holds serve in the next couple of games, it could be a very interesting 3rd set I think.

-- Edited by Andy Parker on Thursday 18th of February 2021 06:02:57 AM

Andy Parker · Club Coach

All square for the 3rd set, 6-3 to Muchova. Muchova has a habit of coming back in matches and momentum is with her, so it will be interesting to see if she can do it yet again.