Week 29/30 - 2020 Olympic Games - Tokyo, Japan - women's tennis event (hard)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Week 29/30 - 2020 Olympic Games - Tokyo, Japan - women's tennis event (hard)

PaulM · Tennis legend

And Hev was in that section, so if she'd been in good form it's a whole other story of what could have been!!

GAMEOVER · Satellite level

In the Sunday Telegraph reporting on the sweltering heat of Tokyo there is a picture of Heather using a portable air conditioner on the tennis court.

GAMEOVER · Satellite level

JonH comes home wrote:
At least Heather in good company, Ash Barty lost her opener and Ons Jabeur lost to CSN.

Ash lost to Sara Sorribes Tormo. She's the player who played the very long singles against Angie Kerber at Wimbledon. She looks like a player who could battle it out for hours if need be. Had a quicker time beating Ash.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

JonH comes home wrote:
At least Heather in good company, Ash Barty lost her opener and Ons Jabeur lost to CSN.

It sure is a weird Olympics.

Did Ash play badly or her oppo a blinder?

Bagel · Lower Club Player

Helen40 wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
At least Heather in good company, Ash Barty lost her opener and Ons Jabeur lost to CSN.
It sure is a weird Olympics.

Did Ash play badly or her oppo a blinder?

There are always lots of 'surprises' in Olympic tennis. I'm far from convinced that many players go flat out to win. For some taking part is all the matters and ,after losing, they have the opportunity of seeing other sports.

emmsie69 · Top national player

Bagel wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
At least Heather in good company, Ash Barty lost her opener and Ons Jabeur lost to CSN.
It sure is a weird Olympics.

Did Ash play badly or her oppo a blinder?
There are always lots of 'surprises' in Olympic tennis. I'm far from convinced that many players go flat out to win. For some taking part is all the matters and ,after losing, they have the opportunity of seeing other sports.

Ordinarily that would be true but I believe that as soon as they're out, they have to leave this year

indiana · Tennis legend

Bagel wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
At least Heather in good company, Ash Barty lost her opener and Ons Jabeur lost to CSN.
It sure is a weird Olympics.

Did Ash play badly or her oppo a blinder?
There are always lots of 'surprises' in Olympic tennis. I'm far from convinced that many players go flat out to win. For some taking part is all the matters and ,after losing, they have the opportunity of seeing other sports.

... except they don't this time, and indeed have to head home within 2 or 3 days of their exit from all competition. So they really are there much more just for the Olympic tennis.

Probably here it's simply more about further 'surprises' in top level women's tennis, aided by these unusual covid times.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Supposedly Iga Swiatek cried for about 10 mins on the court after her shock loss today. Couldn't get her off the court, poor girl.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

She was playing someone who has won 22 of her last 27 matches, now consistently making 2nd weeks of slams, and the pre tournament 9th outright favourite, so wasn't going to be easy, but yes, she was very upset at the end. Badosa did give her a nice, extended hug at the net, and she played a great match, especially her serve - I wasn't planning to watch much tennis these Olympics, but ended up watching the whole of that match. Third on from 3am is just about manageable.

It looks like Iga hasn't entered / pulled out of the mixed doubles, so she probably just wants to get away now. She always does seem to put a lot of pressure on herself, perhaps too much, and will often post long essays on social media to justify a defeat. Still, with a slam, a W1000, and a W500 title all within the past 12 months, I guess her standards are rightly high.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Spain (Badosa) also entered and then withdrew from mixed. It's possible both she and Garbine (who also has doubles with CSN) are wanting to save themselves in the heat, all of which gives Heather and Joe an outside shot, but it's still a few hours until entries close.

Have to say, looking at the way results have gone, Heather and Jo could have done some damage in the ladies doubles here.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Yeah, Paula is also still going in the women's doubles with SST (although they do have Krej and Siniakova tomorrow, so probably not for too much longer), but I'm pleased she's not playing 3 events in a condensed week, especially as she has a winnable R3 singles match tomorrow, and the prospect of a very intriguing QF with Osaka. I was initially not too bothered if she lost both early and got over to San Jose W500 next week, but hoping she can keep going now.

I actually thought Hev and Joe had got in when I saw they were 16th on the list - twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1419714011919228932, but didn't realise it wasn't a final list. Hopefully they get in to make Heather's trip more worthwhile.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Ace Ventura wrote:
She was playing someone who has won 22 of her last 27 matches, now consistently making 2nd weeks of slams, and the pre tournament 9th outright favourite, so wasn't going to be easy, but yes, she was very upset at the end. Badosa did give her a nice, extended hug at the net, and she played a great match, especially her serve - I wasn't planning to watch much tennis these Olympics, but ended up watching the whole of that match. Third on from 3am is just about manageable.

It looks like Iga hasn't entered / pulled out of the mixed doubles, so she probably just wants to get away now. She always does seem to put a lot of pressure on herself, perhaps too much, and will often post long essays on social media to justify a defeat. Still, with a slam, a W1000, and a W500 title all within the past 12 months, I guess her standards are rightly high.

Looks like Iga has changed her mind about the mixed doubles - and re-entered, or never really withdrew anyway. (No place for Hev and Joe)

And, of course, big shock for poor Naomi Osaka who lost her singles rather easily..

That'll be a huge disappointment for her, and the home crowd.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Ace Ventura wrote:
She was playing someone who has won 22 of her last 27 matches, now consistently making 2nd weeks of slams, and the pre tournament 9th outright favourite, so wasn't going to be easy, but yes, she was very upset at the end. Badosa did give her a nice, extended hug at the net, and she played a great match, especially her serve - I wasn't planning to watch much tennis these Olympics, but ended up watching the whole of that match. Third on from 3am is just about manageable.

It looks like Iga hasn't entered / pulled out of the mixed doubles, so she probably just wants to get away now. She always does seem to put a lot of pressure on herself, perhaps too much, and will often post long essays on social media to justify a defeat. Still, with a slam, a W1000, and a W500 title all within the past 12 months, I guess her standards are rightly high.

Looks like Iga has changed her mind about the mixed doubles - and re-entered, or never really withdrew anyway. (No place for Hev and Joe)
And, of course, big shock for poor Naomi Osaka who lost her singles rather easily..
That'll be a huge disappointment for her, and the home crowd.

And actually plays Badosa again, who may have done the same - very busy week for her. Shame for Heather.

Yes, I was proper stunned when I saw that Osaka result, wasn't on my radar at all, and far more than when SST took out Barty earlier in the week, personally.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes, could have been home pressure for Naomi. Must have had a huge expectation.

Of course, could also have been lack of match practice......