Week 40 - WTA1000 Indian Wells, USA Hard

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Week 40 - WTA1000 Indian Wells, USA Hard

GAMEOVER · Satellite level

the addict wrote:
kundalini wrote:
Sasnovich played better against Simona Halep than she did against Emma. Crazy first serve percentage, lots of brilliant shots.
If Sasnovich is playing well enough to beat Halep (who looked pretty good in her previous match) it puts a different perspective on Emma's performance (noting all the comments above about errors etc)

Sasnovich Is now beating Emma and Halep but it was only back in August when Heather was beating her. That was Heather's last win as well. Sasnovich plays compatriot Azarenka next

indiana · Tennis legend

GAMEOVER wrote:
the addict wrote:
kundalini wrote:
Sasnovich played better against Simona Halep than she did against Emma. Crazy first serve percentage, lots of brilliant shots.
If Sasnovich is playing well enough to beat Halep (who looked pretty good in her previous match) it puts a different perspective on Emma's performance (noting all the comments above about errors etc)
Sasnovich Is now beating Emma and Halep but it was only back in August when Heather was beating her. That was Heather's last win as well. Sasnovich plays compatriot Azarenka next

Yes, just emphasising Jon's points above.

I have previously been rather dismissive of the top of the women's game because of that unpredictability and ideally sought 3 or 4 more reliable players who would stand out more consistently but could be targetted.

I must admit I have got more interested in the 'whatever is going to happen next' nature of late. Though that is admittedly probably largely due to Emma's involvement.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

For info, World Team Tennis is playing a single venue season again this year, this time at Indian Wells from November 13 to 28.

Personally I like WTT a lot. Its a bit of fun with a serious edge and just right for watching and enjoying. Has to be room for these types of events to break up the regular routine.

One thing to say , hence posting here, is Leylah Fernandez is playing WTT, I think thats a smart move and Emma could have done that to avoid the chase around the world. Maybe she will post Linz?

wtt.com/teams/

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

So

Azarenka vs Ostapenko
Jabeur vs Badosa

Is the semi final line up. A couple of grand slam champs in the first match (2am UK unfortunately), and a couple of prime YEC contenders in the second (following on). I think that's Jabeur's spot almost secured now, especially if Barty doesn't play, but all to play for with the final spot.

What an amazing last 6 months Badosa has had - Madrid and IW SF, French Open QF, Olympics QF, Cincinnati QF, Wimbledon L16, and a first WTA title as well. For her to start the year with a circa 70 ranking to now be 10 in the live race, despite getting Covid, being in the hardest of hard lock downs in Australia (only getting out for her R1 match), and effectively not getting an Aussie swing, is insane. Still just 23 as well (although nearly 24). Krejcikova will likely get the 'Most Improved Player' award due to winning her slam, but Paula should be right up there.

The bulk of these matches definitely seem to have been far later than usual, which has resulted in some very late nights, or watching in the morning, which isn't really the same.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Most still up on here would have been hoping for an earlier finish to watch Cam, but man, what an outstanding win for Paula Badosa. She's my favourite player, as some will know from my username on TF, and her rise this year has been a joy to watch, definitely in the top 2 or 3 most improved players. So much adversity she went through with her depression and anxiety, and from being a hyped junior to looking like it might not actually happen for her on the tour, but so much hard work, and desire to improve, and now she's topped off her amazing breakthrough year with the biggest title outside of a slam. Can't believe she came back from 4-5 0-30* in the decider.

Absolutely outstanding, and what a match - over 3 hours.

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Sunday 17th of October 2021 11:30:27 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

I thought you'ed be rather pleased, Ace!

And it's looking very good now in the race for Paula, being in a for now very clear top 9 which could well be the Tour Finals top 8 if Ash Barty has wound up her year.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
I thought you'ed be rather pleased, Ace!

And it's looking very good now in the race for Paula, being in a for now very clear top 9 which could well be the Tour Finals top 8 if Ash Barty has wound up her year.

Just a little biggrin

You obviously want as many of the best players to be there as possible, but the easiest way would of course be for Ash to withdraw, which seems half likely, so Paula could then be in a position to withdraw from Cluj, play BJKC cup if she still wants to, and then get over to Mexico, but she would also confirm her spot if Jabeur has an early exit in Moscow, and bar a draw rejigging and her ending up with a bye, at the moment she has a fairly tough R1 match with Alexandrova, who is good indoors and a home player, plus Ons will be not long back from IW herself.

I didn't have much interest in the YECs given the location, more than half of the matches will be on around 3am here, but all of a sudden it's suddenly perked up massively, ha, and she'll be 1st alt at worst, which will still be a great experience for her, and beyond all expectations when she left Miami ranked ca. 70 at the end of March.

Tennpar · Strong Club Player

Badosa v Azarenka was a great watch - what a battle smile