2019 WTA - Hertogenbosch and Nottingham Int'l Grass Discussion

[Deleted member 293577]

With so many seeds going out in the French, some of the top players are getting back on the horse and playing again this week.

Hertogenbosch
1. Bertens
2. Sabalenka
3. Mertens
4. Tsurenko
5. Martic
6. Zhang
7. Kuzmova
8. Anisimova

http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2019/822/MDS.pdf

Nottingham
1. Garcia
2. Vekic
3. Putintseva
4. Sakkari
5. Yastemska
6. Tomljanovic
7. Zhang
8. Mladenovic

http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/draws/2019/1080/MDS.pdf

 

[spystud]

Second main draw WTA win for Rus this season, likely gets her countrywoman Kiki next.

Little odd 3 of the 4 Dutch ladies were lined up in the same section.

 

[spystud]

Sounds like Nottingham is gonna be all kinds of screwed by weather. They do have some indoor hard courts they can use in an emergency, but the players ain’t exactly there to play on hards.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Pretty big upset in Hertogenbosch as Aussie Destanee Aiava knocks out 2nd seed and world number 11 Aryna Sabalenka in 3 sets.

Another notable result was Flipkens beating Krunic. Why notable? That match was the final in Hertogenbosch last year with Krunic winning that to claim her first singles title. This year it was a 1R.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

What I want to know is why Aiava got a wildcard into this event. I mean she’s more than justified it with this big scalp but why her? She’s not Dutch and she hasn’t had any noteworthy results in a long time (she lost in ITF qualifying last week!?). Someone on her team have connections?

 

[D-Lite]

What I want to know is why Aiava got a wildcard into this event. I mean she’s more than justified it with this big scalp but why her? She’s not Dutch and she hasn’t had any noteworthy results in a long time (she lost in ITF qualifying last week!?). Someone on her team have connections?

Any chance the tournament has a WC deal with an Aussie tournament? I know it happens with the slams.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Any chance the tournament has a WC deal with an Aussie tournament? I know it happens with the slams.

Hmm good thought but no wildcards this year to any Netherlands players at Brisbane, Sydney or Hobart. Perhaps next year. It’s an interesting one.

 

[D-Lite]

The weather over here in much of the UK is set to be wet all week, probably through to next week. It's really not looking good for the Nottingham event at this stage, because even if they do play a few matches, the rain will likely return soon after. I'm not really sure what the organisers will do..? I doubt many played will want to play indoor unless it's more about points and prize money to them than playing on grass? Perhaps reschedule to after Wimbledon?

 

[Latetothegame]

The weather over here in much of the UK is set to be wet all week, probably through to next week. It's really not looking good for the Nottingham event at this stage, because even if they do play a few matches, the rain will likely return soon after. I'm not really sure what the organisers will do..? I doubt many played will want to play indoor unless it's more about points and prize money to them than playing on grass? Perhaps reschedule to after Wimbledon?

The mens APT Challenger was played inside today No spectators. They may want to for points but the WTA event does look a bit of a wash out.

 

[NaBUru38]

Den Bosch had some round 1 upsets.

 

[spystud]

Alexandrova rolled up Mertens.

Anisimova withdrew with illness after losing in doubles.

 

[Deleted member 293577]

Well, the 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 seeds are out in the Netherlands. Two days in a row rained out in Nottingham. The grass season hasn't kicked off in a glorious fashion.

The weather over here in much of the UK is set to be wet all week, probably through to next week. It's really not looking good for the Nottingham event at this stage, because even if they do play a few matches, the rain will likely return soon after. I'm not really sure what the organisers will do..? I doubt many played will want to play indoor unless it's more about points and prize money to them than playing on grass? Perhaps reschedule to after Wimbledon?

That's interesting, I can't recall off the last time a tournament has been cancelled due to rain. Does anybody?

 

[Aussie Darcy]

The weather over here in much of the UK is set to be wet all week, probably through to next week. It's really not looking good for the Nottingham event at this stage, because even if they do play a few matches, the rain will likely return soon after. I'm not really sure what the organisers will do..? I doubt many played will want to play indoor unless it's more about points and prize money to them than playing on grass? Perhaps reschedule to after Wimbledon?

The mens APT Challenger was played inside today No spectators. They may want to for points but the WTA event does look a bit of a wash out.

Not only were the matches moved indoors and with no spectators but the court surface indoors there is hard so the tournament is playing on a different surface to what players signed up for which is insane.

 

[spystud]

Not looking real good...

 

[D-Lite]

It's bad enough that it's due to rain all of this week - there's not guarantee next week won't be crazy disruptive too in Birmingham.
It seems to be raining in the Netherlands today too, so no play so far today.

 

[PDJ]

Nottingham
No.1 Seed Caroline Garcia

On Thursday I met Caroline Garcia at Lyon airport. I asked her for a photo but she suggested a selfie and which way to take it for the best natural light.
She was absolutely charming and very polite.
And, drop dead beautiful.
I have a new favourite player.
Yes, I'm that fickle

 

[AM75]

Yastemska and Anisimova withdrew

 

[D-Lite]

Play finally underway in Nottingham, nothing in 's-Hertogenbosch so far.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Not only were the matches moved indoors and with no spectators but the court surface indoors there is hard so the tournament is playing on a different surface to what players signed up for which is insane.

And they’ve done it. WTA matches now also being played indoors on hard. Complete disaster for the tournament.

 

[D-Lite]

And they’ve done it. WTA matches now also being played indoors on hard. Complete disaster for the tournament.

This is what you call a British summer - never ever expect sunshine, especially not for a full week in the UK haha. Last year we had an amazing summer, this year we have had a few nice days but now it's back to what we're used to.

 

[spystud]

This looks like a bad college setup.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1138870616277172224

 

[PDJ]

This looks like a bad college setup.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1138870616277172224

Ah, my new bestie.

 

[spystud]

I know quite a bit about college tennis as a Texas fan (national champs), this is truly comical.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Yikes it's withdrawal central in Birmingham.

Withdrawals:
Kvitova
Andreescu
Suarez Navarro
Keys
Muguruza

Still got #1, #2, #3 and #7 (Osaka, Barty, Pliskova & Svitolina) along with Sabalenka, Wang, Konta and Goerges.

 

[Down_the_line]

Yikes it's withdrawal central in Birmingham.

Withdrawals:
Kvitova
Andreescu
Suarez Navarro
Keys
Muguruza

Still got #1, #2, #3 and #7 (Osaka, Barty, Pliskova & Svitolina) along with Sabalenka, Wang, Konta and Goerges.

Wow, what a field that was! Without the withdrawals that's still a great field.

The ones who are withdrawing are probably saying to themselves "Not like I'm going to miss anything anyway" judging by the weather forecast.

 

[D-Lite]

Wow, what a field that was! Without the withdrawals that's still a great field.

The ones who are withdrawing are probably saying to themselves "Not like I'm going to miss anything anyway" judging by the weather forecast.

At this rate the players may as well practice on grass in a warmer/more consistent climate. I bet some players are wishing they'd have entered Mallorca rather than Birmingham, as it's predicted to be rain/overcast most of next week too. In contract, Mallorca is due to be sunny with some cloud with temperatures in the late 20s, even topping 30°C.
Also, has Genie Bouchard made a good decision for once? She seems to be playing on grass in Toronto, hitting with a bunch of dudes - presumably college players? Doesn't seem like a bad decision given the weather over here, especially if she's actually playing serious sets/matches against them. I mean, of course her behaviour makes me raise my eyebrow, especially her obsessiveness over Instagram, but seeing the good in people I do hope she has at least 1 last hurrah cause I love when people who say horrendous things about others online have to eat their own words!

 

[Down_the_line]

At this rate the players may as well practice on grass in a warmer/more consistent climate. I bet some players are wishing they'd have entered Mallorca rather than Birmingham, as it's predicted to be rain/overcast most of next week too. In contract, Mallorca is due to be sunny with some cloud with temperatures in the late 20s, even topping 30°C.
Also, has Genie Bouchard made a good decision for once? She seems to be playing on grass in Toronto, hitting with a bunch of dudes - presumably college players? Doesn't seem like a bad decision given the weather over here, especially if she's actually playing serious sets/matches against them. I mean, of course her behaviour makes me raise my eyebrow, especially her obsessiveness over Instagram, but seeing the good in people I do hope she has at least 1 last hurrah cause I love when people who say horrendous things about others online have to eat their own words!

Maybe, lol. I don't really concern myself with what Bouchard is doing these days, to be honest.

 

[D-Lite]

Maybe, lol. I don't really concern myself with what Bouchard is doing these days, to be honest.

No, I'm no fan of hers, just thought it was a point of note that some players will be choosing to practice on grass in warmer climates before perhaps playing Eastbourne before Wimbledon. I'd much rather be doing that than faffing around waiting to hear if there will even be any grass court play the next 2 weeks.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Looking for Andreescu and Kerber to meet for the 3rd get together match!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Bertens is in with a fantastic chance at making her first grass final and winning her first grass title.

She's the only seed left in Rosmalen and we aren't into the QF yet.

 

[Deleted member 293577]

Nottingham QFs not nearly as battered as Hertogenbosch. Who knows if it will be played on actual grass, I think they are going to try again tomorrow.

(6) Tomljanovic vs. (9) Maria
(8) Mladenovic vs. (2) Vekic
(1) Garcia vs. (Q) Ruse
(4) Sakkari vs. Brady

Anyone up for a Garcia/Mladenovic final?

 

[D-Lite]

So have they just played their first match of the tournament outdoors on grass in Nottingham? Maria beats Tomljanovic in straights. Next up is Vekic vs Mladenovic.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Bertens looking really good, into the Rosmalen SF of the singles without dropping a set and also into the doubles SF.

2017 Nottingham champ Vekic into the 2019 SF with a great win over Mladenovic. Now faces last years Mallorca champ Tatjana Maria for a spot in the final against likely top seed Garcia or possibly Brady.

 

[D-Lite]

Bertens looking really good, into the Rosmalen SF of the singles without dropping a set and also into the doubles SF.

2017 Nottingham champ Vekic into the 2019 SF with a great win over Mladenovic. Now faces last years Mallorca champ Tatjana Maria for a spot in the final against likely top seed Garcia or possibly Brady.

Vekic should handle Maria comfortably if they play indoor on hard, seems like Maria can be a handful to some players on grass with her game.
Hasn't Brady beaten Garcia a bunch of times this year? You have to fancy Brady in that given Garcia had such a hard time against Ruse in the QF.
Hopefully they manage to get out and play on the grass today - the current forecast is looking like it'll rain at 16:00 into the late evening. Tomorrow it's due to be dry after 14:00 so they should be able to fit the final in on grass too. I'm hoping that is the case so they can finish the tournament with a decent atmosphere.

I'm certainly routing for Bertens to take the title at home - that'd certainly be special for her!

 

[AM75]

Kudermetova is so cute, too bad she couldn’t win today. Loosing the match after 5:2 in a tie break would definitely hurt.

 

[spystud]

5-7, 6-0, 6-0 for Vekic over Tatjana Maria.


Garcia up 4-3 in the 3rd against Brady when play was suspended.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Riske has saved 5 match points, some of them with some great serving and play.

All have been on her serve, Kiki looking to get it done in the 2nd set tiebreak now.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Riske forces a 3rd with a great tiebreaker. Gotta hurt for Kiki. Led 6-0 4-1 and had 5 match points throughout the 2nd set.

 

[Raindogs]

Come on Riske, I need you to be better than this.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Bertens led by a break in this 3rd set but Riske just broke back and it starts pouring rain.

Bertens had 5 championship points already. This break is gonna hurt.

 

[PDJ]

Clearly I'm hoping Garcia will win Nottingham....

 

[D-Lite]

I appreciate Bertens is playing at home but she's choked away a huge lead at a small grass court tournament yet she won a premier mandatory, what, last month? WTA is literally mental.

 

[D-Lite]

Clearly I'm hoping Garcia will win Nottingham....

I'm definitely supporting Vekic - she's got a great history at the Nottingham event and I'd like her to reclaim her title.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Bertens serving to stay in the final

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Double championship points for Riske.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Ouch that's gotta hurt for Bertens.

Riske wins the Rosmalen title.

No hometown victory for Kiki.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Awful game from Kiki

 

[Red Rick]

Choke city.

 

[PDJ]

I'm definitely supporting Vekic - she's got a great history at the Nottingham event and I'd like her to reclaim her title.

But Vekic isn't my new best friend....

 

[Harry_Wild]

Allison Riske won the Hertogenbosch tournament over Berten! A long 3 setter - 0-6, 7-6(3), 7-5! This maybe Riske first grass singles title too! Congrats!