The Dolls in Dubai

[Duncan Bell]

So Serena is up first tomorrow yet Renka doesn't play until Wednesday. Seems a touch harsh, but I expect Renka is still in flight. Harpies tend to fly slowly, especially with trophies weighing them down.

[Duncan Bell]

Tiebreak time! Lets go Laura!!!

[romeo8880]

lol putz makes no errors. As I say that she airmails one.

[Duncan Bell]

MP Putintseva

[Duncan Bell]

GSM Putin. Another very poor showing from Laura. Deary me. Maybe she only cares about the slams.

[romeo8880]

Sad. I might not watch women's tennis anymore.

[Tanya]

If Serena has her serve this week she should win. I reckon she wouldn't like to lose twice to Azarenka in 1 month, let alone ever (and lets face it, Victoria has the best chance of beating her). Even serving at 50% she was able to overcome Kvitova who was playing probably the best match she played all year, as well as swatting Sharapova out of her way to get to the final (where, had she capitalized on the set point in the 1st set most likely would have ended with the 6-2 second set--anyway that's not the point). So we shall see.

[Relinquis]

does serena play bartoli after her next match? should be interesting.

apart from Serena, bartoli seems the most composed and mentally tough WTA player... thoughts?

[Tafmatch]

Originally Posted by romeo8880

Sad. I might not watch women's tennis anymore.

Everyone who follows the WTA will feel like this so many times. Yet we still come back... It's like a bad habit.

[Roy125]

Originally Posted by Relinquis

does serena play bartoli after her next match? should be interesting.

apart from Serena, bartoli seems the most composed and mentally tough WTA player... thoughts?

I've never seen Bartoli fall apart mentally; however, her fitness leaves a bit to be desired and is her greatest weakness.

[Relinquis]

Errani up a set against Jules Gorgeous...

Sara has, quite possibly, the ugliest grunt I've heard on the WTA...

[Duncan Bell]

So today...it appears I was mistaken that ReRe was up on court today, flashscores was peddling duff information.

(No. 12) Petrova vs (No. 15) Cibulkova
Could be a close one; playing for the supreme honour of stepping on court with The Pastel Trousered One.

Head2Head: 1-1 (1-0 Cib on Hard)

Winner to face: (No.2 ) Renka


(No. 27) Goerges vs (No. 7) Errani
Goerges has a lot of points to defend her after reaching the final last year, and I fancy her to upset Errani here, and you'd fancy either of them against Cirstea.

Head2Head: 1-1 (0-0 on Hard)

Winner to face: (No.29) Cirstea


(No. 8 ) Kvitova vs (No. 80) Hantuchova
Probably a bit early to say Kvitty is back, but she's hitting some good balls and took ReRe close in Doha. Should be a routine one for Petra unless she has an absolute meltdown. Which could happen. Unlikely though, she's never lost a set to Daniela

Head2Head: 5-0 Kvitova (3-0 on Hard)

Winner to face: (No.13) Ivanovic


(No. 36) U. Radwanska vs (No. 42) Zheng J.
Another one against close-ranked opponents. I'm still hoping Urzsula might make it out of Aga's shadow at some point, but she has a way to go...these are the ones she should be winning really.

Head2Head: 1-0 Zheng (1-0 on Hard)

Winner to face: (No.10) Wozniacki/ (No.18 ) Safarova


(No. 17) Vinci vs (No. 48 ) Kuznetsova
Kuznetsova the the clear bookies favourite, but I fancy Vinci in this one. They haven't met for a while and I think Vinci will finish it in 2.

Head2Head: 1-1 (1-0 Vinci on Hard)

Winner to face: (No.6) Kerber


(No. 10) Wozniacki vs (No. 18 ) Safarova
Wozniacki has begun to look a little bit more competent in 2013, and fancy her to do quite well here. Think she'll dispatch Safarova in 2, then beat U-Rad in the next round.

Head2Head: 2-1 Safarova(1-1 on Hard)

Winner to face: (No.36) U. Radwanska/ (No.42) Zheng J.


(No. 19) Makarova vs (No. 9) Stosur
Urg. Stosur. What's left to be said...6-0,6-0 to Maka.

Head2Head: 1-1 (1-0 Stosur on Hard)

Winner to face: (No.22) Hsieh

All rankings are live rankings - not seedings (obvs). All h2h are the last 3 years of matches.

Also, clearly the WTA people have been following my every movement, as they have stolen my title for Renka - Queen of Doha. To those saying she doesn't befit the title of a Queen, you're right, she's clearly a deity. But Queen will do, for now.

[Relinquis]

Goerges wins the 2nd set against Errani... A set each now.

[Relinquis]

Jules loses the third against Errani... Couldn't hold her serve in the final game.

Errani was mentally stronger, more consistent.

[Relinquis]

Azarenka has pulled out of this tournament... Foot Injury.

[axel89]

wanted to see serena maul azarenka

[TERRASTAR18]

Originally Posted by Duncan Bell

The poetically named Dubai Duty Free is upon us.
Why they do another (not so prestigious) 6 day Premier the day after Doha, I have no idea, but they do.

Surprised The Undefeatable Vichka and Female RedFoo are here, but I wonder if it's because the rankings are so damn tight. ReRe currently is 265 points ahead of Victoria, and neither of them have any points to defend !
This is a Sugar-Free tournament, so the gap between 2nd and 3rd (600pts) is about to get wider. AgRad is defending so she's gonna fall even further behind the top 3. Tough life for Female Ferrer.

Points to defend:

Vika 0
Serena 0
AgRad 470
Kerber 0
Errani 130
Kvitova 0
Woz 200
Stosur 120
Ivanovic 120

The Supreme Battle for The Throne of Glory

Serena to keep No.1:

• Make the final.
• Make the QF or SF and Victoria finishes as anything other than Champion.
• Loses her first match but Victoria has a pedicure and does make the final

Victoria to reclaim her (rightful! ) crown:

• Beat anyone but Serena in the final.
• Lose in the final but Serena loses in the first match.

Li Na misses out because of injury, Sugar is being treated for a glucose-overdose (kidding, where is she?).



Another chance for Stephens, Robson, Barthel etc. to impress. Will they take it?

Remember, strong is beautiful.

rightful crown? oh please! she's wozniacki with 2 majors.

[Duncan Bell]

Originally Posted by TERRASTAR18

rightful crown? oh please! she's wozniacki with 2 majors.

You say that as if 2 majors is no big deal...

But nooooo! Renka! I hope she's okay. But that means she beat ReRe while hurt, which makes her even more incredible than we could ever have imagined...

[Goosehead]

Originally Posted by TERRASTAR18

rightful crown? oh please! she's wozniacki with 2 majors.

that makes zero sense

[Duncan Bell]

Originally Posted by Goosehead

that makes zero sense

Haven't you heard? Graf is just Wozniacki but with 22 majors. And German.