markymc1983 wrote:

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I think Katie had a set point in set 1 and 6 set points in set 2. There is a serious problem in closing out amongst all the GB women - team sports psychologists urgently needed

-- Edited by markymc1983 on Thursday 9th of March 2023 12:00:26 AM

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 Worse than other nations' players?

Although Katie had a lead they were, as I mentioned, loads of breaks,. And only one of her 7 SPs was on her own serve - maybe Bucsa had some good serve points at just the wrong times?

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 9th of March 2023 12:09:32 AM

Katie Swan fought hard in a tight match in which she had one set point in the tiebreak, then served for the 2nd, one set point in that game and another 5 in Bucsa's next service game. No horrible misses on those points but no quality from her either, despite facing three 2nd serves. Cristina dominated four of the Swan set points. By the end Katie appeared to be struggling with at least two different parts of her body.

Indian Wells is a difficult place to play attacking tennis but I felt Katie opted for a safety first approach for too much of the contest. This was understandable as she missed two volleys and a few relatively straightforward attacking forehands down the line in the opening set. Her 2nd serve return could have been better too; several poor returns failed to find the court, including an important one at 6-6 in the tiebreak, though she did manage the occasional return winner. Perhaps going for her shots more often on this surface would simply have resulted in a comfortable win for Bucsa.

Cristina played with more authority throughout, Katie dashing around the baseline trying to extend the rallies; Swan's defence has impressed me throughout this tournament. Cristina's extreme returning position, stood inside the court to receive first and very close for second, seemed to unsettle Swan. Katie never found a way to win a sufficient percentage of 2nd serve points (28%).

Errors from Cristina presented Katie with an early break. Both then held before CB dominated a Swan service game through impressive attacking tennis, winning all four points despite first serves each time. Bucsa errors helped Swan to another break, Swan errors returned the favour, some good aggressive play from Katie to earn another bp, df to break for *4-3. Then a very poor game from Swan, four errors including two volleys, one I'd expect her to make, the other more difficult, as she lost serve once more 4-4. Both players then found a way to hold serve, without facing a bp, until the tiebreak. 

Katie up 3-0 thanks to a volley then two poor shots from Cristina. CB dominated the next two on her serve. F winner from KS for 4-2 but a super slice from CB for 4-3* CB error 5-3, then good play from Cristina after a 2nd *5-4, a deep return off a 1st 5-5, unret 1st 6-5, CB f winner after 1st 6-6, poor unret 2nd 6-7, KS b ue clipped top of net and fell back on her side 6-8

Katie held despite 3 dfs, saving a bp with a super f after a 1st, in the opening game of 2nd set. Two good 1st serves and one generous error from CB helped KS save 3 more bps in her next service game. Another error from Cristina wasted a bp in the following Swan service game. Katie brilliant forehand return winner, super b dtl winner and finally punished a 2nd for the break *4-2. Two Bucsa winners and two Swan errors as CB broke back to 30. Katie contributed 3 attacking points as she broke once more for *5-3. Swan made a careless start serving for the set 0-30, recovered to 30-30 with aggressive tennis, then missed 3 first serves in a row, CB dominating two of the points but wasting a bp with a poor backhand error long. 

Two good first serves unreturned got Katie to set point, only for Cristina to come up with a drop shot, Katie didn't do enough with a routine volley, allowing CB to hit a backhand pass winner. That bp saved with a good T serve. 2nd serve punished then KS backhand error after a rally for the break 5-4*. CB f error after 1st, KS deep return off a 2nd 0-30, Swan forehand winner 0-40, Swan forehand error net after a 2nd, Cristina dominated the next two set points, then handed Katie another with a backhand error, only for KS to make a backhand error after a rally off a 2nd. Similar pattern for the next two points except this time it was forehand errors from both. Finally Cristina held for 5-5.

2 dfs as Katie wilted, Bucsa drop shot winner for the break, then closed out the match 5-7.

My general concern after watching her 3 matches in Indian Wells is that both Dalma Galfi and Cristina Bucsa have more weapons than Katie. Over the course of a season, I suspect the ability to win points in different ways, will give them an edge. I should say that I haven't watched enough of Katie's matches to get a sense of the type of player she typically is. I was excited by her attacking game in Chennai and impressed by her performance in her loss to Madison Keys in the United Cup. 

Anyway, a successful Indian Wells for Katie and she certainly belongs in the relatively large group of players that might get top 100 if things go their way this season. The same rather applies to Katie B and Harriet; top 100 in a good season (right now) but not an average season. Personally, I think Jodie needs another year or two of development before she has a realistic chance.

-- Edited by kundalini on Thursday 9th of March 2023 05:11:50 AM

Lets go glass half full and celebrate a more than commendable showing at a tough tournament and with no visible sign of any injuries during matches. Onwards and upwards for Katie. Hopefully she can atleast consolidate in Miami.

markymc1983 wrote:

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I think Katie had a set point in set 1 and 6 set points in set 2. There is a serious problem in closing out amongst all the GB women - team sports psychologists urgently needed

-- Edited by markymc1983 on Thursday 9th of March 2023 12:00:26 AM

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 Oh please. Have yiu ever tried following French girls, say? Kiki lost a match from being 6-1 5-1 up. With match points. 

 

Garcoa missed 5 or 6 match points and lost in a Fed cup match

 

Clijsters had a mega loss ahainst serena, from 5-1 up with match points. 

 

It's even worse for matches that are tight all the way

 

the list is emdless.....

 

On the other hand, Our own Tara won from being a set and 1-5  and match points down in the second.

 

When people say our players get more injuries or choke more or whatever,  I think they should choose a different nationality and support them for a month. All those girls. Not just the famous one or two. And see there's a long , long ist.......

 

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Thursday 9th of March 2023 07:39:35 AM

markymc1983 wrote:

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Katie B had set points in her last 2 matches, Heather and Emma squanders leads in pretty much all their matches, and from what I saw yesterday Katie S rallied all her set points down the middle of the court passively, not once attempting to be the aggressor. So yes please. Im not on this forum to discuss French players.

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 Right, but if all other countries' players do the same, or worse, then it's not a question of our players being particularly bad. And they do. And they're not. 

What about when Katie Swan was 3-5 down in the third against McNally and came back to win?
What about when Katie was one set down and nearly out against Sloane Stephens last year in Germany and came back to win in three?
Katie Boulter beat Dolehide 7-6(5) in the third set tiebreak this year at the Australian Open - you don't come any more clutch than that, and in a key tournament
There are tons of examples of excellent finishing from the players, as well as tight misses. (As there are for practically all players)

markymc1983 wrote:

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We do have a problem with closing out sets and matches right now. Its every match Ive seen since the BJK Cup pretty much. To deny it is ignorant. Hopefully we can kick this on into the clay where there is not as much expectation.

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 I've just given plenty of examples where it's the other way round. And 'every match 'pretty much' is highly unspecific - look at the stats for the last year and those of other players to see what the norm is and then tell me if there's a significant difference between our players and others.