2019 Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati) - WTA Thread

[Harry_Wild]

Kenin got broken and Kenin serving at 2-4!

 

[Harry_Wild]

Just switch channels and saw Sarkari finish off Kvitova in three sets. 6-2, 2-6 ,6-3!

 

[spystud]

Sofia reels off 4 in a row from 15-40 to break & get back on serve @ 4-all.

 

[spystud]

Julia holds @ love for 5-all.

 

[spystud]

Breaker time.

 

[spystud]

Julia saves a MP, 6-all.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Kenin wins Second set tiebreaker and moves on to the 2nd round!

 

[spystud]

Sofia wins, this kid can play.

 

[PeteD]

Sofia wins, this kid can play.

where's the like button

 

[spystud]

Think they cancelled it because now there were a couple other options that would only start fights around here.

Julia was very sweaty, I was not mad.

 

[flyingboris]

Think they cancelled it because now there were a couple other options that would only start fights around here.

It’s weird though, they had just expanded the reaction options, and then they take everything away, including like? That doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m thinking/hoping it’s just that something broke in the new system.

 

[spystud]

I don’t follow any ATP threads, but I’m sure there were some massive crybaby fights over the ‘Hate’ option.

 

[flyingboris]

I don’t follow any ATP threads, but I’m sure there were some massive crybaby fights over the ‘Hate’ option.

I didn’t see any. But then again I’ve been hitting the Ignore button with abandon

 

[spystud]

^ ‘Liked’!

Diyas beats Pegula, Serena’s LL, to end the day.

 

[spystud]

Ha, Diyas was the one that beat Pegula in qualies too.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Ha, Diyas was the one that beat Pegula in qualies too.

 

[PDJ]

Petra is looking very skinny

2 Observations:
1) It's really annoying watching 2 players in the same kit - especially one this bland (Kvitova photo above).
2) Spectators- such sparse crowds. Former major champs Kvitova and Kerber playing to so few people. But a bigger surprise (and it's sad) American superstar Venus Williams against defending champion Bertens! Whilst the crowd got bigger from the beginning of the match, still lots of empty seats.
You'd think American spectators would be out in full force to not only support one of their own, but someone they may never see again live.
Very odd, and almost shameful.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I think everyone knew this was coming... my question is, why did she even bother traveling to Cincy? Should've just pulled out after the Toronto final. At least she did so before the match to give someone else a chance to play.

Perhaps it was a ploy. Or maybe she really thought she had a decent chance of recovering by her match time on Tuesday afternoon (evening?). Sunday evening she said that she was frustrated because the back spasms that caused her to retire that day could very well be completely gone in 24 to 36 hrs.

She said she had practiced on Tuesday morning and felt okay. It was shortly before match time (< 2 hours?) She decided that the back would be too much of an issue to play. I'm sure that had the tournament officials scrambling like mad to set up a replacement match for Diyas.

I would hope that Serena did not know all along that she would not be playing that match on Tuesday. Not fair (& not cool) to the tournament officials or other players if she knew that there was really no chance she would be playing

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

No On Demand (replays) for Cincy on Tennis Channel (Plus)??? Have live action access for Cincy and replays for previous tournaments but no content under On Demand for this tournament. What gives?

Got the word from TC that they will put up replays for ATP matches next week -- after the finals. Replays currently available on ESPN??

Replays for WTA on TC should be available about 24 to 48 hrs after the live event. TC needs,to wait for the match videos to be released by the WTA. TC then turns around and does a bit of editing before they post the On Demand replays.

 

[D-Lite]

Saisai vs Sabalenka about to start - R2 repeat of the San Jose final

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Is Halep injured? She wasn't howling when hitting the ball.

 

[SeeingDusk]

Is Halep injured? She wasn't howling when hitting the ball.

Her achilles is probably still bothering her. She’s about to lose the first set to Alexandrova.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Her achilles is probably still bothering her. She’s about to lose the first set to Alexandrova.

Simona aopears to have a lot more tape on her left leg than she did last week. But she said she was feeling okay yesterday. She indicated that she's been doing a lot of lot of physical therapy since last Friday

Monday evening she said she had not yet tested her injury since stopping in Friday.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Her achilles is probably still bothering her. She’s about to lose the first set to Alexandrova.

The same Alexandrova that @ScentOfDefeat criticizing that Serena getting the likes of Alexandrova in 2nd round.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Halepeno finally breaks back (after missed opportunities in the first set). Alexan has just been serving too well and following up those stairs with deep shots up to now

 

[ALEXT]

Does Halep suck today or Alexandrova playing well or both?

EDIT: I see Halep got the second set with few quick games.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Does Halep suck today or Alexandrova playing well or both?

Both for the most part.. Simona has been flat most of this match up until the past couple of games. Ekat had been playing incredibly well but has fallen off as Simona has finally started to put more pressure on her

 

[ALEXT]

Rather poor quality match at the moment (started to watch from 1-1 in the 3rd). Halep doesn't seem to be in playing mood (could be heat and humidity) and Alexandrova is whacking the ball every chance she gets; no wonder the amount of winners/UE she has....

 

[spystud]

EA breaks to 3-all.

 

[spystud]

And a quick love hold.

 

[elkwood]

Both players are flagging from the heat/humidity. Its extremely brutal

 

[Harry_Wild]

Alexandrova has a chance of knock out Halep? LOL!

 

[Harry_Wild]

Now, Halep has the chance to move to the next round, Alexandrova got broken at 4-5! LOL!

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

@elkwood

Rather poor quality match at the moment (started to watch from 1-1 in the 3rd). Halep doesn't seem to be in playing mood (could be heat and humidity) and Alexandrova is whacking the ball every chance she gets; no wonder the amount of winners/UE she has....

Temp in the high 80s in Cincy (but probably higher than that on the court). Humidity about 60% I think. Quite a bit of tape on Simona's left leg. Possibly bothering her a tad

 

[Harry_Wild]

Halep has done it, believe or not, she moves on the the next round! LOL!

 

[ALEXT]

If Halep has any chance to go deep into this tournament she needs to play at night. It's a known thing she doesn't handle well heat and humidity.

 

[Harry_Wild]

@elkwood

Temp in the high 80s in Cincy (but probably higher than that on the court). Humidity about 60% I think. Quite a bit of tape on Simona has left leg. Possibly bothering her a bit

Court is hotter because it is flat, concrete, dark and sunlight reflex back like a enclosed oven!

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Rather poor quality match at the moment (started to watch from 1-1 in the 3rd). Halep doesn't seem to be in playing mood (could be heat and humidity) and Alexandrova is whacking the ball every chance she gets; no wonder the amount of winners/UE she has....

Seemed like Simona was channeling Serena in this match. Took a page out of her book. Played subpar for a set and a half but then managed to take the second set with more ups and downs in the third set before finally dominating last part of the match

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

If Halep has any chance to go deep into this tournament she needs to play at night. It's a known thing she doesn't handle well heat and humidity.

Yeah, DC and AO weather has been unkind to her, and given her style of play. Too many hot days could possibly put her in the hospital again

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

If Halep has any chance to go deep into this tournament she needs to play at night. It's a known thing she doesn't handle well heat and humidity.

She ain't number one, she ain't past winners, she ain't American.
One should think why the hell should she get night matches and preference treatment.

 

[spystud]

Donna takes the first over Vika @ 2, KP breadsticks Wang.

Maria/Ash up now.

 

[helixx]

I dont believe in maria today but gosh she looks beautiful lately.

 

[ALEXT]

She ain't number one, she ain't past winners, she ain't American.
One should think why the hell should she get night matches and preference treatment.

I've never said she should receive any preferential treatment from the tournament. I'm merely saying that if she plays her matches in the heat of the day she may succumb at one point and retire or lose a match. If it happens, so be it. It's part of the game.

 

[Harry_Wild]

I dont believe in maria today but gosh she looks beautiful lately.

I think she trying to find the right guy! I think she has a boyfriend/fiancée but the family is hesitating on their son marriage to Sharapova!

 

[prairiegirl]

Unsurprisingly, Serena is out with a back injury. I wonder if this is just about protecting a possible run at the USO? I really hate how cynical that sounds, but it's how I feel.

 

[ALEXT]

Yeah, DC and AO weather has been unkind to her, and given her style of play. Too many hot days could possibly put her in the hospital again

Yeah I know first hand how the combination of high heat and humidity feels inside a stadium. I was in the stands at the 2015 Toronto final with Bencic when she retired in the 3rd. It was brutal to sit down or walk mind you play tennis. The temp at the court level was in high 40s approaching 50s (Celsius) as it was reported at the time.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Unsurprisingly, Serena is out with a back injury. I wonder if this is just about protecting a possible run at the USO? I really hate how cynical that sounds, but it's how I feel.

Serena want to tied Margaret Court’s GS record! Serena can do that by winning another U.S. Open! It also could be she is still injured!

 

[helixx]

I think she trying to find the right guy! I think she has a boyfriend/fiancée but the family is hesitating on their son marriage to Sharapova!

Source?

 

[Harry_Wild]

If Sharapova can hold, she already has a break over Barty, win the 1st set?

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

Unsurprisingly, Serena is out with a back injury. I wonder if this is just about protecting a possible run at the USO? I really hate how cynical that sounds, but it's how I feel.

Didn't you get the memo?
It's Halep - who won a tough three setter today - we should be suspicious of, not Serena.