2019 China Open (Beijing) - WTA Premier Mandatory Thread

[James P]

Martin is getting worked by Mertens.

 

[helixx]

Its Bianca time!

 

[helixx]

broken in 1st game. needs to shake off the rust

 

[Beacon Hill]

Who is broadcasting this?

 

[helixx]

Bianca wins in 3. 6:2 2:6 6:1. looking pretty good

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Why did Halep even bother playing. Loses in straights to Alexandrova.

Retired barely a week ago in Wuhan... way to jeopardize her YEC chances.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Very important win for Caroline Wozniacki.

Defending champ knocks out Davis 6-1 6-3.

With her title points coming off she's down 14 spots to #33 in the world. Has 500 points to defend at the YEC, she won't qualify though, she's only at #51 in the race rankings.

 

[mike danny]

Why did Halep even bother playing. Loses in straights to Alexandrova.

Retired barely a week ago in Wuhan... way to jeopardize her YEC chances.

What do you mean by jeopardize? She is already qualified. Only if you are talking about chances to go deep there, but there is a whole month until then to recover, hopefully.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

What do you mean by jeopardize? She is already qualified. Only if you are talking about chances to go deep there, but there is a whole month until then to recover, hopefully.

Simona tried to play the China Open injured in 2018. (Might have been injured as early as the US Open or Cincy final before that). Retired after only 1 set at Beijing last year. Ended up pulling out of rhe Kremlin Cup and sitting out the rest of the year.

1 month might not be enuff time this year

 

[mike danny]

Simona tried to play the China Open injured in 2018. (Might have been injured as early as the US Open or Cincy final before that). Retired after only 1 set at Beijing last year. Ended up pulling out of rhe Kremlin Cup and sitting out the rest of the year.

1 month might not be enuff time this year

From what I've read in the Romanian press, it's not as serious as last year. Also, in this match she had problems with her left thigh. But I hope she skips Kremlin Cup this year and takes full rest.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

What do you mean by jeopardize? She is already qualified. Only if you are talking about chances to go deep there, but there is a whole month until then to recover, hopefully.

Jeopardize as in actually play the tournament. She missed it last year, the way she's going she might miss it this year too.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

From what I've read in the Romanian press, it's not as serious as last year. Also, in this match she had problems with her left thigh. But I hope she skips Kremlin Cup this year and takes full rest.

Hope you are correct. Heard she took an MTO for her left hip (article did not mention thigh). Seems she's has some back issues as far back as 2008. Last year was the worst. Says she has the back worked on daily according to this article:

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tenn...open-beijing-back-problem/article29541535.ece

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Ostapenko shows that the Pliskova win really was a fluke.

Siniakova thrashes her 6-1 6-2.

Reminder that Pliskova lost, despite Ostapenko serving 24 double faults.

 

[spystud]

Belinda serving @ 1-2 in the 3rd against V.

 

[spystud]

V breaks to 4-all.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Wow, that winner from Bencic at 0-15 while serving to stay in it.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Can't believe Venus is 39 hitting shots like that!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

15-40. double MP for Venus.

Venus punishing them winners as Bencic serves to stay in it.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Wow, Bencic saves double MP and hits insane winners to level at 5-5.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Venus is killing me lol

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Venus hits it wide and Bencic breaks at the right time and she'll serve for the win!!

 

[MichaelNadal]

Venus hits it wide and Bencic breaks at the right time and she'll serve for the win!!

She's going to lose with 2 MP's smh. It just looked like she had this wrapped up

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Wow what a match.

Bencic knocks out Venus in 3.!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

She's going to lose with 2 MP's smh. It just looked like she had this wrapped up

Unfortunately yes, if it's any consolation, they weren't on her serve. And she fought valiantly on Bencic's MP's. That was one tight match. Worthy of a SF/Final.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Unfortunately yes, if it's any consolation, they weren't on her serve. And she fought valiantly on Bencic's MP's. That was one tight match. Worthy of a SF/Final.

Yeah it was kinda great

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Curious, does a withdrawal break someones winning streak?

Was trying to work out Andreescu's winning streak and wasn't sure if I count her 1R win at RG as she withdrew in the 2R but she didn't actually lose.

She's won 1 match at RG, 6 matches at the Rogers Cup, 7 at the US Open and now 1 in Beijing so she's on a 15 match winning streak.

WTA saying it's a 14 match winning streak though so I guess the withdrawal does end the streak.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Either way:
Andreescu has won 25 of her last 26 matches.
Hasn't lost a completed match since the 2nd of March at the Acapulco SF.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Some easy straight set wins for the seeds:

Barty 6-4 6-2 over Putintseva
Kvitova over Mladenovic, and
Kenin knocked out Pavs

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sabalenka looking on her way out of the tournament. Man that bottom quarter is weak.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Wuhan champ Sabalenka out in the 2R to Kasatkina.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Man the 3R in the top quarter of the draw is stacked compared to the bottom quarter

3R too quarter:
#1 Barty v #13 Sloane or Zheng
#9 Bencic v #7 Kvitova

Bottom quarter:
Alexandrova v Kasatkina
#16 Wozniacki or McHale v Siniakova

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Wozniacki has an absolute breeze through to the SF as the defending champ if she can capitalize on it.
Playing McHale right now in the 2R
Siniakova 3R
Alexandrova/Kasatkina QF.

No top 30 players for a Premier Mandatory SF is crazy.

 

[PeteD]

The Amazing Kasatkina d. Warrior Princess Sabalenka 64 76. Great match.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Oh Angie, that's just bad.

Loses 2-6 4-6 to Hercog.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sloane looking to join Kerber with a straight sets loss.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Zheng thrashes Sloane 6-3 6-1.

Hasn't won 3 consecutive matches since RG. Hasn't won a title since Miami back in March 2018, hasn't made a final since the YEC last year which she has ZERO chance of qualifying for.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Three of the 8 who played last years Year End Finals can't qualify:

Angelique Kerber (#17 in the race and has lost in Beijing)
Sloane Stephens (#23 in the race and has lost in Beijing)
Caroline Wozniacki (#49 in the race and still active in Beijing)

Additionally, Bertens and Svitolina are on the bubble. Kiki at #10 and Svitolina at #8.
Halep and Pliskova have already qualified and Osaka and Kvitova seem like a lock to qualify too.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

The race to Shenzhen is heating up. Currently the qualifying score is at 4710 pts.

4 players have qualified in their own right:
#1 Barty (5964 pts)
#2 Pliskova (5315 pts)
#3 Halep (4962 pts)
#4 Andreescu (4792 pts)

These are the next in line:
#5 Osaka (4366 pts)
#6 Kvitova (4306 pts)
#7 Serena (3935 pts) (she won't play though)
#8 Svitolina (3900 pts)
#9 Bencic (3705 pts)
#10 Bertens (3600 pts)
#11 Konta (2880 pts) (hasn't played since USO so won't qualify)
#12 Kenin (2615 pts)
#13 Keys (2607 pts)

Nobody else can qualify even if they won Beijing, Linz/Tianjin and Moscow.

Osaka and Kvitova are just about a lock, both still alive in Beijing and have a comfortable lead. Serena won't play so that leaves 2 spots fighting between: Svitolina, Bencic, Bertens, Kenin and Keys. Halep is a question mark if she'll play so it could be 3 spots between those players.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Wozniacki has an absolute breeze through to the SF as the defending champ if she can capitalize on it.
Playing McHale right now in the 2R
Siniakova 3R
Alexandrova/Kasatkina QF.

No top 30 players for a Premier Mandatory SF is crazy.

Kasatkina is 3-1 against Wozniacki including 3 in a row win.
Both not in form of 2018.

I would say Kasatkina needs to capitalise this.

 

[spystud]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1179205538674089984

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Naomi Osaka pays 6.9 million for Nick Jonas Beverly Hills mansion

Robb Report Celebrity Homes | Luxury Celebrity Real Estate and Home Sales

The latest updates from the sale and purchases of celebrity homes, curated by Robb Report editors.

variety.com

 

[PDJ]

Keys, Kerber and Stephens live up to expectations...
Must be agony to be a die-hard fan of any of these players.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Keys, Kerber and Stephens live up to expectations...
Must be agony to be a die-hard fan of any of these players.

Wow, i’m shocked Keys lost, I was watching and turned out when she was up 6-2 3-1 as she had it in the bag. Can’t believe she collapsed from there.

 

[PDJ]

Wow, i’m shocked Keys lost, I was watching and turned out when she was up 6-2 3-1 as she had it in the bag. Can’t believe she collapsed from there.

Along with Muguruza, this quartet can lose from any winning position.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

The race to Shenzhen is heating up. Currently the qualifying score is at 4710 pts.

4 players have qualified in their own right:
#1 Barty (5964 pts)
#2 Pliskova (5315 pts)
#3 Halep (4962 pts)
#4 Andreescu (4792 pts)

These are the next in line:
#5 Osaka (4366 pts)
#6 Kvitova (4306 pts)
#7 Serena (3935 pts) (she won't play though)
#8 Svitolina (3900 pts)
#9 Bencic (3705 pts)
#10 Bertens (3600 pts)
#11 Konta (2880 pts) (hasn't played since USO so won't qualify)
#12 Kenin (2615 pts)
#13 Keys (2607 pts)

Nobody else can qualify even if they won Beijing, Linz/Tianjin and Moscow.

Osaka and Kvitova are just about a lock, both still alive in Beijing and have a comfortable lead. Serena won't play so that leaves 2 spots fighting between: Svitolina, Bencic, Bertens, Kenin and Keys. Halep is a question mark if she'll play so it could be 3 spots between those players.

Keys loss takes her out of the WTA Finals equation.

Now two spots remain between Svitolina, Bencic, Bertens and Kenin. Maybe three spots if Halep does withdraw.

 

[helixx]

great match between mertens and bianca. bianca down 1:4 in 2nd set and mertens with bbs for 5:1 but kept fighting, took it to tb and won. love! 16 matches winning streak

 

[I Am Finnish]

great match between mertens and bianca. bianca down 1:4 in 2nd set and mertens with bbs for 5:1 but kept fighting, took it to tb and won. love! 16 matches winning streak

Touch match but she survived

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Ug.

Terrible breaker from Barty. Lets Zheng race to 6-1, then wins 4 points to almost hit 6-6 but Zheng gets it on the 5th set point.

Going 3.

 

[Rogfan]

Can someone please explain why #1, #7, #12 seed and a unseeded player got byes in first round, not 1-4 seeds?

 

[PDJ]

Can someone please explain why #1, #7, #12 seed and a unseeded player got byes in first round, not 1-4 seeds?

I think it's because of previous week tournaments- they were probably finalists.
Give more time for travel?