2018 Australian Open - Women's singles.

[Continental Grip]

There's really no use asking for the supervisor. Does anyone actually know any match where a supervisor overturned an umpire's decision? I don't believe it ever happened.

I haven't watch any full Caro matches and was not aware about this side of Caro.

It kinda happened during Radwanska's match against Hsieh. The umpire made a bad call, Aga called for the supervisor, and the ump actually reversed his decision. First I'd ever seen that.

And, Woz is one of the worst behaved players I've ever seen. There's a ton of her antics on YouTube, yet for some reason the media loves to ignore it. There was also that match in Tokyo where she mocked Ivanovic's "Adje!" and there was a match against Bencic where she tried to intimidate Bencic during the warmup by confronting her about "unsportsmanlike behavior." And there's a clip of Wozniacki trying to bully the umpire into cheating her way to an extra first serve against Azarenka.

 

[Zero One Two]

Simona nearly gave me a heart attack in that match, but I still love her so much. So stoked she won.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Another extended 3rd set win for Halep. Was the match quality awesome again?

 

[PDJ]

Another extended 3rd set win for Halep. Was the match quality awesome again?

Patchy over-all. But some great points and obvious drama as the match swung both ways at the end. But Halep served for it at 5-3.

 

[PDJ]

 

[I Am Finnish]

HALEP!!!! Hope she is not to tired for the final


But damn Kerber fought very well in halveway the 2nd set

 

[I Am Finnish]

Damn... I missed a great semis....

Me too im at work

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Patchy over-all. But some great points and obvious drama as the match swung both ways at the end. But Halep served for it at 5-3.

I see Kerber served for it as well and had MPs. Another close escape. Halep has been such a great fighter here, and when not in pusher mode she is awesome to watch as well.

 

[PDJ]

I see Kerber served for it as well and had MPs. Another close escape. Halep has been such a great fighter here, and when not in pusher mode she is awesome to watch as well.

She can be incredible BUT watching her hit incredible approach shots and not approaching is frustrating to watch. She allowed Kerber to stay in so many points because she rarely comes in.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Wow seems I missed a real epic. What a score line and Kerber had match points!

That means either way our 2018 Australian Open champ will have saved match points en route to the title (Halep against Kerber, Wozniacki against Fett).

The only other players to do that at a slam in the 2010's are: Kerber at the Aus Open in 2016 and Li Na (also) at the Aus Open in 2014.

Just something about the Australian Open and saving match points.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

I'd rather see Wozniacki win than Haelp. At least Wozniacki changed her purely defensive game from her early years, while Halep plays the same way over and over again, and up to this day, its failed to win a single majors.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

I'm at a loss to understand your response to points I didn't make, or ignore the points I did make.

Your disconnect comes from focusing on Kerber not winning "a single tournament" when I've consistently, specifically mentioned winning or not winning majors. No one really cared about Wade, Sampras, Connors or Kerber winning other events in their low year(s)--it was all about the majors. Once they reached that level, that--the ability to win the top prize--was the focus of their career (and assessments that go along with that), as it is for any player.

And I don't see why the WTA HAS to be compared to the ATP? Can it not stand alone? Why does it have to come down to "well it's ok if the womens game has problems because the men do to".

Personally I think that's weak.

Its weak to separate a entire sport when the ATP and WTA are part of the same sport. No tennis historian separates talking about (for example) how strong the "Tennis Boom" period of the 70s/early 80s or the 90s were in terms of players or majors victories by WTA or ATP, because it was the same sport, all used to define a period in its history.

 

[PDJ]

Your disconnect comes from focusing on Kerber not winning "a single tournament" when I've consistently, specifically mentioned winning or not winning majors. No one really cared about Wade, Sampras, Connors or Kerber winning other events in their low year(s)--it was all about the majors. Once they reached that level, that--the ability to win the top prize--was the focus of their career (and assessments that go along with that), as it is for any player.




Its weak to separate a entire sport when the ATP and WTA are part of the same sport. No tennis historian separates talking about (for example) how strong the "Tennis Boom" period of the 70s/early 80s or the 90s were in terms of players or majors victories by WTA or ATP, because it was the same sport, all used to define a period in its history.

Fair enough. The ATP is in a much better position currently re interest, marquee names, prestige.
The future may be brighter for the WTA but the two biggest names currently playing are Venus and Sharapova. Difference is they aren't winning majors. Federer and Nadal are.
Tennis is waning generally but only the men have champions still being champions.
I would add the women do themselves no favours from on-court coaching. Making them seem weak, and invariably relying on a male coach. That said, it can provide comedy gold.

 

[boredone3456]

Woz vs Halep...this should be interesting. I am wondering how Woz feels about facing Halep. If I were her I'd probably be jumping for joy because of the two possible opponents she matches up way better against Halep. She is 4-2 against her with Haleps last win being 3 years ago and Woz won their last match 6-0 6-2 just a few months ago making Halep look pretty foolish while doing it. If Woz brings that to this final, this is honestly hers to lose. Funny...the winner of this match gets to be #1...the loser gets to be 0-3 in major finals. lot riding on this for both ladies....but based on the last year overall..I'd much rather see Woz win this match

 

[sportmac]

Your disconnect comes from focusing on Kerber not winning "a single tournament" when I've consistently, specifically mentioned winning or not winning majors. No one really cared about Wade, Sampras, Connors or Kerber winning other events in their low year(s)--it was all about the majors. Once they reached that level, that--the ability to win the top prize--was the focus of their career (and assessments that go along with that), as it is for any player.




Its weak to separate a entire sport when the ATP and WTA are part of the same sport. No tennis historian separates talking about (for example) how strong the "Tennis Boom" period of the 70s/early 80s or the 90s were in terms of players or majors victories by WTA or ATP, because it was the same sport, all used to define a period in its history.

It's his same arguments. He comes here bashing the WTA then cries when anyone brings up the ATP in comparison. It's all he does. I read the exchange between you two and it's exactly the same as I had with him until he threw a fit and blocked me, or so he says. He had no problem bashing me after blocking me though. Don't engage him. It's never going to change.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I would add the women do themselves no favours from on-court coaching. Making them seem weak, and invariably relying on a male coach. That said, it can provide comedy gold.

In boxing, basketball, baseball, football, volleyball and numerous other sports coaches assume a very active role during competition. Never saw that as a sign of weakness on the part of the athlete.

I actually very much like the on court coaching. Particularly when we get to listen in on what the coaches and players have to say during coaching sessions.

 

[WDC]

Two fantastic semi-finals I thought, Woz superb apart from the big lapse serving for the match at 30-0, she did really well to hold and save the second set and the tie break was solid, Mertens will be back and better for the experience, looks a good prospect, an all round package. Kerber/Halep best women's singles game for years, I think Simone deserved to edge it.

As for the final I think if Woz serves as well as she did today she will win, a year ago her slow decline looked irreversible, massive credit to recognise the need to improve and then do so at 26. She is better now than she ever has been and will be challenging for more win or lose on Saturday. The way she played the YEC was a massive turnaround for her.

A fitting final and these two girls will head the pack seeing off the power-lifter lookalike Williams later this year. Hope for the game Williams will not be tanking and spanking her way to any more majors and expect fully that to be the case.

 

[RF-18]

Just watched a 20 minute highlight reel of the halep and kerber match. Kerber has some amazing retrieving skills and unbelievable counterpunching.

But I LOLed at the fact of how halep just refused to go up to the net. Maybe 80% of those points she was smashing from the baseline from side to side she could have finished way earlier by approaching her shots, and also many of them she lost aswell cause she was stuck on the baseline. I wonder what her coach is learning her? I mean that's some amateur coaching.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

I bet Adidas are regretting giving Halep the boot. Won Shenzhen and now is in the Australian Open final. Could've gotten some seriously good promotion. Instead everyone's talking about the cheap red dress that Halep bought online.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis...s/news-story/28d7ce2da03fb00a9ad2bd5a79093156

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Also, very happy we are guarenteed a new slam champ and that it's between Halep and Wozniacki. No chance for either of them to choke it away as they've done before. One of them has to win it and that's that.

 

[boredone3456]

As for the final I think if Woz serves as well as she did today she will win, a year ago her slow decline looked irreversible, massive credit to recognise the need to improve and then do so at 26. She is better now than she ever has been and will be challenging for more win or lose on Saturday. The way she played the YEC was a massive turnaround for her.

I agree. Her serve has improved, as has her offensive forehand and backhand. She has kept the best of the old Wozniacki (Great Wall of Denmark) and made a real effort to improve on the things people have harped on her for. She has made amazing strides.

Not only that, 2 years ago she was a total emotional mess. Mentally she was in the toilet going into the 2016 US Open. Everyone had figured out her game, she had tumbled down the rankings, that idiot Rory also got her head all out of whack when he broke off their engagement, after losing the 2014 US Open final it was like she totally imploded. It was like after he dumped her she put everything into tennis to try and cope and then it all kind of just spiraled. 2016 US Open was her battle cry and she has fought and kicked her way back. A comeback story would be well capped by her finally winning her first major.

However...if Halep wins, good for her as well since I have had her written off since she almost lost to Davis and yet here she is proving me totally wrong haha.

 

[PDJ]

In boxing, basketball, baseball, football, volleyball and numerous other sports coaches assume a very active role during competition. Never saw that as a sign of weakness on the part of the athlete.

I actually very much like the on court coaching. Particularly when we get to listen in on what the coaches and players have to say during coaching sessions.

Boxing aside, they're all team sports.
I like it purely from the voyeur aspect- and it can be so funny.
But I don't think it's a good look for just one gender.. And why don't the ATP do it. I genuinely don't know.

Comedy gold:

Muguruza doesn't want to change a losing strategy.

 

[Fintft]

I'd rather see Wozniacki win than Haelp. At least Wozniacki changed her purely defensive game from her early years, while Halep plays the same way over and over again, and up to this day, its failed to win a single majors.

You are wrong about Halep.

 

[skyline]

Also, very happy we are guarenteed a new slam champ and that it's between Halep and Wozniacki. No chance for either of them to choke it away as they've done before. One of them has to win it and that's that.

Eh, Wozniacki didn’t choke her finals. Clijsters and Serena are simply better than her. Poor luck in having to face them and not, say, Safina or Ivanovic.

 

[bezs]

Just caught the highlights of the Halep/Kerber semi, wow such grit from both players. Well played.

 

[elkwood]

Me too im at work

Same here i missed it !! Hope the Final is not a blow out. Really glad to
see one of my favorites win a slam. Come on Halep !!!

 

[I Am Finnish]

Same here i missed it !! Hope the Final is not a blow out. Really glad to
see one of my favorites win a slam. Come on Halep !!!

Cant watch the final either unless there will be a marathon match

 

[Harry_Wild]

It one pusher vs. another pusher for the woman's 2018 AO title! I find it hard to watch from previous matches! Ugh!

 

[nikdom]

The best women’s match this year for me was Su Wei Hseih vs Kerber.

The WTA has become the league of BBBs - Baseline Bashing Beeyatches

 

[tennis4me]

She can be a "Mean" Girl.

She certainly fooled me.
I'll be rooting for Halepeño

Too bad Adidas only made this available in Romania

 

[speedysteve]

It one pusher vs. another pusher for the woman's 2018 AO title! I find it hard to watch from previous matches! Ugh!

Oh Harry! Cheer up or don't watch

 

[Turbo-87]

My two favorite WTA players going head to head.
I thiiiiiiiiiink I am going to give the edge to Halep and root for her. It's a very tough choice and I'll be happy with whoever wins I guess. They could both greatly benefit from getting a major and I think this one will come down to whoever manages their lapses better. We've seen it from both.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

What a great match it was! I expected it to be great but this was epic. The point at 5-3 in the third set which Kerber won to break back and deny Halep the match had shades of THE epic point of the Fedal final last year. Halep has been refreshingly positive this tournament. Hope she goes on to win in her third GS final.

 

[Continental Grip]

The best women’s match this year for me was Su Wei Hseih vs Kerber.

The WTA has become the league of BBBs - Baseline Bashing Beeyatches

But the semifinalists were Kerber, Halep, Wozniacki and Mertens.

None of them fit that description.

 

[counterloop]

Great tournament this year. Last night's match was an instant classic. I'm rooting for Wozniacki but wouldn't mind if Halep won.

 

[jm1980]

Or mocking Zhang Shuai's grunt

Yeah, Zhang's grunt is pretty annoying

 

[sarmpas]

I picked Kerber to win, so didn't so well played Halep. Sounds like an exciting match from what I've read.

 

[Vanhool]

It started out awful, but ended up being a really fun match.

Too bad Kerber got knocked out, but at least she’s off to a good start for the year. She pretty much always puts on a good show, so many epic matches in her career. Even before 2016, she was always a game challenger. Last year was so sad

At least Halep is looking less passive than the last couple years. I enjoyed watching her during her breakout in 2013. She was was more fun to watch...more like she is now.

I want Caro to win. She got so much abuse for being slamless and she has been trying to improve for a few years now. Hopefully it comes to fruition. I don’t care about stupid stuff she said in the heat of the moment (well, the education one was rude, but the lawsuit threat... meh). And I wish more players would mock their opponents’ shrieks and grunts. LOL. People always bellyache about the grunting and ask why don’t their ooponents complain, and then when someone actually does complain people ***** about that

 

[Tcbtennis]

Some deride the WTA for having many different #1s or slam winners but I think it’s great that the talent pool is so vast. I’m will still be rooting for Serena to pass Court’s slam total but I’m loving all the other WTA players that I can root for when she is not around.

 

[tacou]

real nervous about this final. I think Woz might win ;(;(;(

 

[Bogdan_TT]

I bet Adidas are regretting giving Halep the boot. Won Shenzhen and now is in the Australian Open final. Could've gotten some seriously good promotion. Instead everyone's talking about the cheap red dress that Halep bought online.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis...s/news-story/28d7ce2da03fb00a9ad2bd5a79093156

That cheap red dress is better looking and more quality than all the over-expensive Adidas pyjamas in the last years. She's better without Adidas. That company never respected her... honestly can't expect much from a company with that kind of history...

 

[skyline]

I think it's hilarious that Simo is in a random red dress b/c she blew off Adidas. The dress looks good on her!

 

[sportmac]

Some deride the WTA for having many different #1s or slam winners but I think it’s great that the talent pool is so vast. I’m will still be rooting for Serena to pass Court’s slam total but I’m loving all the other WTA players that I can root for when she is not around.

Same here. I really want Serena to pass Court but I'm excited about how the young talent is progressing. It's going to be an exciting next few years.

 

[mavsman149]

Yeah. Especially because Woz is a chore to watch.

Woz is definitely not a chore to watch

 

[speedysteve]

Yeah come on Woz. Get that slam.
Yes mock the over shriekers and grunters it's a totally forced gameswomanship (or gamesmanship) thing at the volumes the offenders do it at.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

real nervous about this final. I think Woz might win ;(;(;(

Halep is a slight favorite in the betting odds, however she's had a couple of long matches and her ankle issue could come back to haunt her. But it doesn't seem to be bothering her too much at this point. The match could really go either way

 

[Pavla]

Didn't get to watch the Halp-Kerber match live. So many late nights and the damn jobs getting in the way of my tennis I've watched them play several times and it's one of my favorite match-ups. The highlights did not disappoint. Really hoping that Halep can win just one more match. Please, please, please, no repeat of the FO.

 

[elkwood]

Halep vs Woz for the final

I called it !! - To bad i didnt beat on that hunch

 

[Fintft]

It started out awful, but ended up being a really fun match.

Only one player played awful at the beginning the other (Halep) played marvelous, smothering Kerber and running her ragged.

 

[Fintft]

Didn't get to watch the Halp-Kerber match live. So many late nights and the damn jobs getting in the way of my tennis I've watched them play several times and it's one of my favorite match-ups. The highlights did not disappoint. Really hoping that Halep can win just one more match. Please, please, please, no repeat of the FO.

This week I pretended to do a course from home so I could watch AO last night up to 3:30 AM. Don't you at least have a PVR?

While it's true that Simona still chokes occasionally, she seems to recover faster and to make adjustments during the same match, lately.

E.g. when she was down 2 match points and negative against Kerber, not only did she listen to her box advises to:


1. Focus
2. Zip it

But did it joyfully

In the Pliskova match, she all of suddenly relaxed at 0-3 and stormed back, winning 9 games in a row etc.

She is becoming more experienced and more skillful so that she can control the points better (e.g. recently with her deep FHs into the corners, not only with her BH DTL as in the passt).