Ostapenko a disaster at this point. Can't focus, shaky serving, loses temper(racket throw!). At 21, she needs to grow up fast before she becomes a footnote.
Serena should fire her coach. He fessed up and then claims Osaka was getting instructions from her coach?! Proof? He should have apologized for causing Serena to defend her honor and cause her meltdown for his actions whether she saw the signals or not. Venus noticed. Very sad and glad Serena...
Odd, my stat is different .. JO won 58% of her second serve vs 43% for Townsend. With the DFs and UE, opponents have a downhill battle to win. She is her own worst opponent.
Only saw the last 3 games... Ostapenko had opportunities to come up to the net for the kill shots. Hopefully, a teachable moment for her to up her game and agree she can't continue to play this way.
Granted a 100% Serena would crush Alona. Battle of youth vs veteran. Last meeting the two played against each other will yield the same result(Abu Dhabi-HC).
I see Serena as more methodical vs Alona swinging for the lines.
Put it in the bank for an Ostapenko-Williams final... and someone is going to be run ragged.
Osta's only opponent is herself. Her serves have improved incrementally. Her unforced errors may have be a fact of life given her "paint the lines" power game.