2019 Australian Open - WTA Thread

[JJGUY]

Well that's kind of depressing. I thought Garbi looked good through the first couple games I saw. Things fell apart kind of fast.

no, you should check their H2H first, which is really depressing. Muguruza only managed one win in the last 8 meetings, and that win was from Cincy a couple years ago, when she was in incredible form, beating both Pliskova and Halep by a landslide.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I simply copied and pasted the Daily Mail headline! I did not change ANYTHING.

So, you posted it (as is) ironically? After all, you did choose to quote a source that is not exactly regarded as highly-respected. Meant to be more critical of DM or of MS? 'Fess up.
.

 

[TagUrIt]

well that's not true, Muguruza certainly not afraid of the power. On the contrary, a powerful Serena would bring out the best tennis of Muguzuza. It's the "crispy" serving and hitting from Pliskova that bothers her, Muguruza's strength suddenly has no use.

But Garbiñe is the better defender. She can be a Nadalesque wall when needed unlike Karolina. So this is def the more favorable outcome for Serena should she make it past Halep imo.

I respect your point of views, but all the power/defense in the world won’t matter if you don’t perform when it’s needed. It’s a moot point now anyways, since she lost. I really did expect a 3-setter from that match.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

I respect your point of views, but all the power/defense in the world won’t matter if you don’t perform when it’s needed. It’s a moot point now anyways, since she lost. I really did expect a 3-setter from that match.

True. Pliskova didn't crack under Serena, so she could serve a match too (This is hypothetically speaking Serena beat Halep) if her serve is crisp and that hitting was like today. Muguruza doesn't have slices, she couldn't mix it up that much to at least disturb Pliskova rhythm today.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

With the amount of good matches that I've watched last week, I felt a little overwhelmed with tennis! I remember 2 years ago I didn't even bothered to watch QF and semis. Anyone also felt like this?

 

[TagUrIt]

With the amount of good matches that I've watched last week, I felt a little overwhelmed with tennis! I remember 2 years ago I didn't even bothered to watch QF and semis. Anyone also felt like this?

It’s been very entertaining on both sides WTA and ATP. Tennis is finally being recognized. The big names and attention be it positive or negative has propelled tennis into the mainstream.

 

[spystud]

Match thread...

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...und-simona-halep-1-vs-serena-williams.635228/

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Slow start for Queen B

 

[clayqueen]

So, you posted it (as is) ironically? After all, you did choose to quote a source that is not exactly regarded as highly-respected. Meant to be more critical of DM or of MS? 'Fess up.
.

What are you talking about? I copied and pasted a headline with the link. I did not express any opinion about the subject. Basically, my aim was to post just the clip of the press conference but I couldn't find the link to it so I just posted the DM link. Whether the DM is a highly respected paper or not is a matter of opinion.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

What are you talking about? I copied and pasted a headline with the link. I did not express any opinion about the subject. Basically, my aim was to post just the clip of the press conference but I couldn't find the link to it so I just posted the DM link. Whether the DM is a highly respected paper or not is a matter of opinion.

Ok, so not ironically posted then.
.

 

[helixx]

Why is Pliskova such a bad match up for Mugu?

 

[TagUrIt]

The longer Halep keeps Serena on the court, the greater her odds are of winning. She needs to try move her side to side though.

 

[clayqueen]

Ok, so not ironically posted then.
.

To be honest with you, when I realised how big the font was I thought of changing it but didn't bother in the end.

 

[I Am Finnish]

The match was good

 

[I Am Finnish]

Why is Pliskova such a bad match up for Mugu?

Good serve, hardhitter

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

'She's a cheat. Pathetic': Maria Sharapova is slammed for dirty sportsmanship after taking a toilet break for SEVEN MINUTES during upset loss to Aussie Ash Barty

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...et-break-SEVEN-MINUTES-against-Ash-Barty.html

While its a matter of record that Sharpaova has a history of cheating (illegal PED scandal, her father, etc.), when you have to go to the bathroom, no one can truly judge that..unless Barty wanted to apply some arbitrary time to Sharapova's waste elimination?

 

[AM75]

'She's a cheat. Pathetic': Maria Sharapova is slammed for dirty sportsmanship after taking a toilet break for SEVEN MINUTES during upset loss to Aussie Ash Barty

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...et-break-SEVEN-MINUTES-against-Ash-Barty.html

That's an impressive journalism. They don't even bother to look at the rule book. But yup it's DM, so whatever.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Serena - Kvitova/Barty final?

Who agrees?

 

[spystud]

That's an impressive journalism. They don't even bother to look at the rule book. But yup it's DM, so whatever.

Not to mention Barty is higher-seeded & was actually favored in that match, so hard to call it an “upset loss”.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

@I Am Finnish

An then there were 5. And this may change in the next few hours. 11 hopefuls for the #1 WTA ranking after the AO final has been cut to less than half at this point. Karolina will likely get past Garbine but Simona will have a tougher time getting past Serena (who is not in the running for #1 in this tournament). Simona still #1 for now but could lose it to 1 of these:

Angelique Kerber: Minimum Round Required - Semifinal
Caroline Wozniacki: Minimum Round Required - Title (eliminated if Halep wins 2R) <== too many pts to defend
Naomi Osaka: Minimum Round Required - Quarterfinal
Sloane Stephens: Minimum Round Required - Quarterfinal
Elina Svitolina: Minimum Round Required - Final
Karolina Pliksova: Minimum Round Required - Final
Petra Kvitova: Minimum Round Required - Quarterfinal
Kiki Bertens: Minimum Round Required - Final <=== lost in 2R
Daria Kasatkina: Minimum Round Required - Title (eliminated if Halep plays 1R) <=== lost in 1R as well
Aryna Sabalenka: Minimum Round Required - Title (eliminated if Halep wins 1R)

Even tho Simona just lost a well-fought match to Serena, she still holds on to the #1 spot, for now, in the Live WTA Rankings (as well as the official WTA rankings). If Naomi & Petra both win their QF, Simona drops down to #3 (live ranking). Doubtful that she will end up any lower than #3. (But, if both Naomi & Petra win QFs and Karolina gets past Serena & make it all the way to the Final, Simona'd be #4). I've not done all the math but Serena could end up #5 if she wins AO '18.

Naomi Osaka: Minimum Round Required - Quarterfinal (#1 in live rankings if wins QF)
Elina Svitolina: Minimum Round Required - Final
Karolina Pliksova: Minimum Round Required - Final
Petra Kvitova: Minimum Round Required - Quarterfinal (#1 or #2 live rank with QF win)

 

[I Am Finnish]

@I Am Finnish


Even tho Simona just lost a great match to Serena, she still holds on to the #1 spot, for now, in the Live WTA Rankings (as well as the official WTA rankings). If Naomi & Petra both win their QF, then Simona drops down to #3 (live ranking). Doubtful that she will end up any lower than #3 (or #4). I've not done all the math but Serena could end up #5 if she wins AO '18.

Naomi Osaka: Minimum Round Required - Quarterfinal (#1 in live rankings if wins QF)
Elina Svitolina: Minimum Round Required - Final
Karolina Pliksova: Minimum Round Required - Final
Petra Kvitova: Minimum Round Required - Quarterfinal (#1 or #2 [live] with QF win)
.

Kvitova and Osaka have the best papers


But Kvitova is the favourite imo

 

[AM75]

Not to mention Barty is higher-seeded & was actually favored in that match, so hard to call it an “upset loss”.

It's just funny how they react to Sharapova. She should really consider to take an American citizenship officially, she pays her taxes in the USA anyway. I bet the moment she will become the US player all the hate will stop.

 

[Pavla]

Would love to see a Williams-Osaka rematch in the semis. Juicy!

 

[I Am Finnish]

Would love to see a Williams-Osaka rematch in the semis. Juicy!

Haha and ramos as umpire

 

[Soianka]

I don't really like the comparison to Tonya Harding, who was all around unlikeable and never grew on anyone. Similar backgrounds and desire to win, but I did see a likable person in Danielle when they had a "ride the shuttle with the player" interview with her last night. She seemed pretty cool and fun off the court. Harding was never like that.

I am really looking forward to watching Halep versus Serena. Halep has been my tour favorite for a while now. There's just something appealing about the Halpena.

I liked Tonya Harding and she most certainly had a fan base

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

The longer Halep keeps Serena on the court, the greater her odds are of winning. She needs to try move her side to side though.

She tried that. It did not work, but that was the least of Halep's problems.

 

[I Am Finnish]

@NaomiKonjuhPotapova we survived the 4th round of the sudden death

We are so lucky

 

[MichaelNadal]

I liked Tonya Harding and she most certainly had a fan base

Nancy slays though

 

[Soianka]

Nancy slays though

Tonya was the better skater (she just needed a makeover and etiquette lessons) between those 2 but Surya was better than both of them.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

 

[luiz_gustavo]

This interview is in another level, Simonas is absolutely gracious! I'm never sure if a player should be smiling or making jokes after a loss because you might think they don't take everything so serious, but at the same time some of them may give everything on court and then be able to chill out on interviews, even after painful losses and I think that's the case with her.

 

[Pavla]

Simona gives delightful interview.

 

[tacou]

Bold face, large font. Really! Don't know about you but I've taken a few toilet breaks longer than 7 minutes.

Aussies really overreacted to that extremely common/benign situation, and I agree, a seven minute bathroom break is not so crazy.
Will have to suspend my support of Aussie players for the time being .. fortunately there aren't many.

I dunno about that, if she can’t handle Karolina, she certainly couldn’t handle the power of Serena. Garbine has gotten super tight and has been on the defense since the first set. It’s a shame, she started off so strong.

I mean, Garbine is pretty consistently trash against Pliskova, but generally plays Serena very well, with two wins in majors and a decent showing in the 2015 Wimbledon Final.

 

[flyingboris]

Simona's version of Veni, Vidi, Vici: "I will go home, I will rest, and I will watch tennis"

 

[skyline]

I mean, Garbine is pretty consistently trash against Pliskova, but generally plays Serena very well, with two wins in majors and a decent showing in the 2015 Wimbledon Final.

Yup, I think this is fortunate for Serena no matter how you slice it. Not that she'd necessarily lose to Garbine or that she's guaranteed to take out Karolina, but I like her chances wayyyyy better against Karolina. Not only does Garbine tend to play her best against Serena, but she's a better defender and more adept at keeping the ball in play than Karolina is. Karolina is a poor mover herself so rallies will be short, and God knows Serena's fine with that.

Re: Simona, the interview is lovely and whoever said that she tends to chill out because she leaves it all on the court is completely spot on. Far from reading it as lack of care on her end, I think that's healthy. And also the right call, if she did give it her best, which she certainly seemed to.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

 

[spystud]

Damn, why did you kids get steve mcenroe banned? No clue if it was shtick or not, but his crazy posts were funny as hell. It's okay to keep one loon around just for entertainment.

 

[Deleted member 293577]

It wasn’t me. But are we sure Steve was a real person?

 

[spystud]

Who knows, but his butchered English was either an amazing troll job or just straight up funny.

 

[Vanhool]

Yup, I think this is fortunate for Serena no matter how you slice it. Not that she'd necessarily lose to Garbine or that she's guaranteed to take out Karolina, but I like her chances wayyyyy better against Karolina. Not only does Garbine tend to play her best against Serena, but she's a better defender and more adept at keeping the ball in play than Karolina is. Karolina is a poor mover herself so rallies will be short, and God knows Serena's fine with that.

Re: Simona, the interview is lovely and whoever said that she tends to chill out because she leaves it all on the court is completely spot on. Far from reading it as lack of care on her end, I think that's healthy. And also the right call, if she did give it her best, which she certainly seemed to.

I favored Serena’s chances over Muguruza. Pliskobot had her software updated recently and they fixed the UE bug. Scary.

 

[Vanhool]

Damn, why did you kids get steve mcenroe banned? No clue if it was shtick or not, but his crazy posts were funny as hell. It's okay to keep one loon around just for entertainment.

I thought it was very overwrought and fake. No subtlety and borderline insulting to people from that region. I give a 4/10 for trollery. To each their own, though. #AngieB was my my peak troll. I know a lot of people couldn’t stand her.

Edit: OK I give 6/10 for he not to cry in gulag can pet goat smile. Many people love him long time so I give the number 2 increase.

 

[muddlehead]

Looking forward to Collins - Pavs in about 3 hours if prior match doesn't go on too long. I like Collins to win the next 2 and get to the final. This one tonight could get testy.

 

[skyline]

I favored Serena’s chances over Muguruza. Pliskobot had her software updated recently and they fixed the UE bug. Scary.

Ha, you could be right. Pliskobot did play a scary clean match against Muguruza (couldn't watch the whole thing last night but caught up a bit on replay today). If she goes that clean again, Serena's gonna have quite the job on her hands.

Still, Pliskobot doesn't seem to be getting nearly as many "free" points off her serve anymore. And more importantly for a player like Serena, she ain't the one to extend rallies. So I really can't see her style as inherently problematic, and if she can seriously go another two sets with under 5 UEs, then hell - she deserves to win the whole damn thing.

As to our second remaining American, I'm so super curious to see how she does against Pavs. Most unpredictable QF match for sure.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Tonya was the better skater (she just needed a makeover and etiquette lessons) between those 2 but Surya was better than both of them.

Agreed, she was powerful af lol

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Huge scalp for Stosur/Zhang in the doubles by knocking out the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champs and the #1 seeds Krejcikova/Siniakova. They’re into the SF at their second straight slam. Stosur looking more and more likely done in singles but always has doubles as a back up. It’s how she started her career, it’ll likely be how she finishes it too.

 

[skyline]

Getting sooooooooo tired but interested in the Collins/Pavs clash. Hurry up, Sam.

 

[JJGUY]

Huge scalp for Stosur/Zhang in the doubles by knocking out the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champs and the #1 seeds Krejcikova/Siniakova. They’re into the SF at their second straight slam. Stosur looking more and more likely done in singles but always has doubles as a back up. It’s how she started her career, it’ll likely be how she finishes it too.

but the sad thing is she is still capable, I have noticed with Zhang covering the court, Stosur is much more relaxed, that makes a big difference to her, she kick serves well and hit the ball beautifully, so it's still her nerves that hinder her single's results.

 

[TagUrIt]

USA vs Russia going to be a good one. Not a Collins fan, but I’ll support her for Murica.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

but the sad thing is she is still capable, I have noticed with Zhang covering the court, Stosur is much more relaxed, that makes a big difference to her, she kick serves well and hit the ball beautifully, so it's still her nerves that hinder her single's results.

Oh for sure, I’ll never be too sad about her career though after she managed to win a slam when so many didn’t. Could’ve been more but I’m still happy. Hope she wins another slam in doubles before she retires.

 

[skyline]

Serena - Kvitova/Barty final?

Who agrees?

Either of those combinations is a real blockbuster. Kvitova and Serena are, well, Kvitova and Serena and Ash being there would be amazing for the locals.