2014 IV SF: Simona Halep vs Agnieszka Radwanska

[flyingboris]

This match has a David and Goliath feel to it

But like an up and coming Goliath.

 

[soyizgood]

Some of these rallies are crazy epic.

 

[Supertegwyn]

Radwanska chokes away an easy put away and goes down a break.
3-1 Halep

 

[soyizgood]

Ouch. Halep breaks thanks to a rather brainless-smash by Aga. 3-1 Simona.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Halep has started to move Radwanska around
but Radwanska remains aggressive at the net and breaks back 3-2 Halep on serve

Great defense from Radwanska and Halep isn't quite inspired
4-3 R

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Radwanska is pretty damn slow. It took her an year to chase that shot down (and she couldn't do much with it when she got there) in the last game. I thought it would be a routine shot on the run.

 

[Supertegwyn]

And break back Radwanska

 

[soyizgood]

Aga breaks back 3-2 Halep.

 

[PeteD]

Rad seems out of shape. If Simona can hang in and cut down the errors she's got this

 

[soyizgood]

Aga evens it up 3-3. Aga is running down just about everything.

 

[Brian11785]

These are pretty quality points. The ones that end with an UE are the exception, not the rule (as with the Li/Cibulkova match yesterday.)

 

[Brian11785]

Sharp CC angle approach from Aga. WTF. She got away with one there. lol.

 

[flyingboris]

Rad seems out of shape. If Simona can hang in and cut down the errors she's got this

Did you accidentally switch the names there?

 

[soyizgood]

Aga is frustrating Halep. She has to be thinking "When will Aga just die?"

 

[Brian11785]

Aga has added a few MPHs to that serve the past couple of years.

 

[soyizgood]

Radwanska needs to work on those put-away shots when running forward.

 

[Brian11785]

Radwanska needs to work on those put-away shots when running forward.

She seems indecisive at times.

 

[Brian11785]

Halep opens the service game with a double fault for her second straight game.

 

[soyizgood]

Aga holds for 5-3. What does Simona have left?

A DF to start that game. Not good.

But evens it 15-15 after yet another epic point struggle.

 

[Brian11785]

Brilliant point from Halep. Had Aga running the whole time.

 

[soyizgood]

Aga hit an aggressive 2nd serve ROS? She's got tons left in the tank. And now match point.

 

[soyizgood]

MP #2 now. Will Aga close this out? Nope, Halep finally found a spot to hit the winner. DEUCE #3.

 

[flyingboris]

Not bad for matchpoint down..

 

[soyizgood]

Ad Halep. If she holds, will it cost Aga?

Halep holds. Aga serving for the match 5-4.

 

[Brian11785]

These two are definitely gamers.

 

[Supertegwyn]

Time for the choke

 

[soyizgood]

2 more MPs..... Aga prevails 6-3 6-4

 

[Supertegwyn]

GSM Radwanska 6-3 6-4

 

[PeteD]

Anyone know what Halep's rank will be after this?

 

[flyingboris]

Awesome play. Not sure if she would have survived a third set!

 

[soyizgood]

Anyone know what Halep's rank will be after this?

I think #5. She could take #4 after Miami.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Radwanska was better today, no question about that, esp physically.
Halep needs more variety, to shorten some of those exchanges.
R was more daring at the net, for example.

 

[Harry_Wild]

If only I had cable.

Ditto that! I wish tennis channel or ESPN would have pay service for event! But the Cable Providers are pretty much contracted that option out until 2018 for ESPN. Not sure about Tennis Channel! I rather have it with no commentary like at the actual event. I hate the American based commentary. All they do is talk! I usually mute it if it is John McEnroe or anyone that keeps talking during the point. I like the British - BBC commentators. They talk only when necessary!

 

[Wynter]

romeo8880, Team10, TrevorTdogR, volleyandfun, Wynter for the match picks

 

[flyingboris]

Remarkably few trick shots from Radwanska. I guess she was too busy scuttling all over the court!

 

[PeteD]

Well I didn't get to use "Haide Simona" but an entertaining match nevertheless. California time has been killing me all week -- goodnight everybody

 

[flyingboris]

Ditto that! I wish tennis channel or ESPN would have pay service for event!

The TennisTV deal is not horrible (minus the commentary). $20 for a month, meaning you get indian wells and miami for $10 each. I can live with that.

 

[counterloop]

I voted for Halep to win the whole thing, but, she made it to the semi's......I'm still very satisfied with the effort.

 

[flyingboris]

romeo8880, Team10, TrevorTdogR, volleyandfun, Wynter for the match picks

I could have sworn this went only two sets.

 

[volleyandfun]

I could have sworn this went only two sets.

I was thinking to put 2. just wasn't sure "which" Radwanska will show up

well, you guessed 2 sets and me Radwanska, so we win as a doubles team

 

[flyingboris]

I was thinking to put 2. just wasn't sure "which" Radwanska will show up

well, you guessed 2 sets and me Radwanska, so we win as a doubles team

Haha. I thought for sure Halep would comfortably beat Radwanska, but I guess I underestimated Aga's power of retrieval. Some of those rallies were insane!

 

[Wynter]

I could have sworn this went only two sets.

Wrong poll option *Facepalm*

 

[volleyandfun]

Haha. I thought for sure Halep would comfortably beat Radwanska, but I guess I underestimated Aga's power of retrieval. Some of those rallies were insane!

Most people underestimate Aga, she does not play "hitting" game, but sure she can hit when required, she kept Halep off balance the whole game and Halep could never got into groove the way she did with other players. Halep never saw 2 of the same balls in a row, different pace, different spin, different depth.
To most people they all look slow and the same, but you cannot hit outright winners from most of them. Look at the last game, you would think Aga would fall apart, and instead she increased the pace and hit few winners to close it.

 

[Ronaldo]

Haha. I thought for sure Halep would comfortably beat Radwanska, but I guess I underestimated Aga's power of retrieval. Some of those rallies were insane!

Sweet rallies but JJ re-defines insane.

 

[volleyandfun]

Sweet rallies but JJ re-defines insane.

hey Ronaldo, you put your predictions after the match, shame on you!

 

[flyingboris]

Look at the last game, you would think Aga would fall apart, and instead she increased the pace and hit few winners to close it.

That last game was really surprising to me. Out of the blue she was hitting straight drives into the corners, completely different than most earlier points in the set. But apparently those types of shots are not her general strategy. Fine by me, I enjoy the wacky shots she produces.

 

[soyizgood]

I made a Li vs Pennetta thread for the other SF.

 

[volleyandfun]

I made a Li vs Pennetta thread for the other SF.

do you think they even need to play that semi?

 

[soyizgood]

do you think they even need to play that semi?

I think the winner of that semi takes the title. Aga will have her hands full with Pennetta and no answer for a semi-decent Li.

 

[soyizgood]

Hopefully Simona can make a few tactical tweaks. She can beat just about anyone not named Serena.