2019 Wuhan Open - WTA Premier 5

[Aussie Darcy]

Final Premier 5 tournament of the year.

It's the Wuhan Open, great draw this year as always. 7 of the top 10, 16 of the top 20.

Seeds are:
Barty, Pliskova, Svitolina, Halep, Kvitova, Bertens, Bencic, Wang, Sabalenka, Sloane, Kerber, Keys, Wozniacki, Sevastova, Kenin and Vekic.

Wildcards went to: Venus, Stosur, Rybakina, Wang and Peng.

Withdrawals include: Andreescu, Gorges, Kontaveit, Suarez Navarro, Sakkari and more.

Serena not playing of course. and neither is Osaka(?).

Pretty much every unseeded player is good. We also get the return of Anisimova who unfortunately lost her father last month and missed the USO as a result.

Some real popcorn 1R matches:
Keys v Giorgi
Kenin v Pavs
Vekic v Azarenka
Kerber v Puig
Wozniacki v Hsieh
Stosur v Anisimova.

Juicy potential 2R matches:
Barty v Kasatkina/Garcia (Barty v Garcia was the final 2 years ago, could be a 2R now)
Sabalenka v Venus
Kerber v Riske
Svitolina v Muguruza
Pliskova v Stosur/Anisimova

Sabalenka is the defending champ, Kontaveit the defending finalist. Mertens/Schurrs the defending doubles champs.

Barty and Pliskova battling it out for the #1 spot, Barty needs to win just one match to retain the crown.

So, who do you think will win?

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Draw: https://www.wtatennis.com/tournament/2019-wuhan-china-1075 #draws
OOP: https://www.wtatennis.com/tournament/2019-wuhan-china-1075 #orderofplay

 

[fundrazer]

If Mugu can win a few matches including a demolition of Basiclina then I'll consider it a successful tournament. Although I'm not at all sure about her level right now.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

If Azarenka lost to basicvekic again she's completely done.

 

[PDJ]

Venus out to Collins.
She must just love the game- she doesn't need the money- because surely it must be becoming obvious the chances of winning tournaments are slim.

I wish she'd pair up in the doubles with a decent partner, then she'd not only have a chance of winning titles but also continue playing the game she clearly loves.

 

[PDJ]

If Mugu can win a few matches including a demolition of Basiclina then I'll consider it a successful tournament. Although I'm not at all sure about her level right now.

Her level is so sporadic, but hasn't it always been? Yes, the odd week (or 2 in majors) where she can string the wins together. But not regularly. I can't recall how many tournaments she has actually won, but I don't think it's many?
From memory, she was more successful at singles when she was playing doubles regularly.
Edit: she's won 7 WTA tournaments. Her last being 2017 Wimbledon. Obviously not too shabby, but not great in terms of a player, one of many, to be touted "the next big thing".

 

[MichaelNadal]

Venus out to Collins.
She must just love the game- she doesn't need the money- because surely it must be becoming obvious the chances of winning tournaments are slim.

I wish she'd pair up in the doubles with a decent partner, then she'd not only have a chance of winning titles but also continue playing the game she clearly loves.

The way she gave away the TB was ridiculous. She needs matches, but she picks and chooses tourneys so sporadically, then makes so many mistakes on all the points that matter. 2020 needs to be it sadly as much as im going to HATE not having her on tour and miss her so much, if every tournament is a first round loss, it's not worth it.

 

[PDJ]

The way she gave away the TB was ridiculous. She needs matches, but she picks and chooses tourneys so sporadically, then makes so many mistakes on all the points that matter. 2020 needs to be it sadly as much as im going to HATE not having her on tour and miss her so much, if every tournament is a first round loss, it's not worth it.

But that's my point: clearly she can't walk away from the game (I'm not sure if this is to pitied or admired?) So why not play doubles with someone that can help her lift silverware. I've always thought she is superior to her sister in doubles - it's a pity she didn't play with Hingis when Hingis came back and ruled doubles. They would have had the game/personalities to compliment each other.

 

[MichaelNadal]

But that's my point: clearly she can't walk away from the game (I'm not sure if this is to pitied or admired?) So why not play doubles with someone that can help her lift silverware. I've always thought she is superior to her sister in doubles - it's a pity she didn't play with Hingis when Hingis came back and ruled doubles. They would have had the game/personalities to compliment each other.

Yeah she still says she has no plans to retire. I can understand bc 2017 was recent, and she made the most money on tour that year, and was the only woman to make the second week of 8 straight slams. Idk what happened this year, but I need her to get it together bc I feel she can still do it.

 

[PDJ]

Yeah she still says she has no plans to retire. I can understand bc 2017 was recent, and she made the most money on tour that year, and was the only woman to make the second week of 8 straight slams. Idk what happened this year, but I need her to get it together bc I feel she can still do it.

I'm not sure if I'm right in thinking that she appears to be losing to fellow Americans much more than she used to?

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Edit: she's won 7 WTA tournaments. Her last being 2017 Wimbledon. Obviously not too shabby, but not great in terms of a player, one of many, to be touted "the next big thing".

She won 17 Cincy and back to back Monterrey 18 and 19 (International).
Muguruza simply isn't a factor anymore. I mean she lost 0 & 1 to Andreescu, on 5 losing streaks, get breadsticks more than 5 times this year.
I don't know which one is worse She or SLoane.

 

[PDJ]

She won 17 Cincy and back to back Monterrey 18 and 19 (International).
Muguruza simply isn't a factor anymore. I mean she lost 0 & 1 to Andreescu, on 5 losing streaks, get breadsticks more than 5 times this year.
I don't know which one is worse She or SLoane.

Muguruza is worse in terms that more was expected of her. Sloane is of a similar ilk but has always been sporadic and has been around longer (l think?) and the hype is further away.
Keys makes them both look like over-achievers.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Sloane since coming back with Kamau

 

[D-Lite]

Sloane up a set and a break over Zhang Shuai - let's see if she can finish this match off and attempt to win 2 matches in a tournament.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Sloane up a set and a break over Zhang Shuai - let's see if she can finish this match off and attempt to win 2 matches in a tournament.

reverse tho, she's serving for the match after being leveled up from leading 2 breaks.

 

[fundrazer]

No late night trying to watch Garbi...gonna sleep and maybe catch the highlights before going to work tomorrow.

 

[spystud]

Vika & Keys withdraw.

Kenin/Pavs should be interesting since they’re both coming from finals.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Sloane since coming back with Kamau

Love this song

 

[James P]

Vekic is already out lol.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Vekic is already out lol.

Sevastova about to join her.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Tough withdrawal for Kontaveit who made the final last year in Wuhan.

Drops 540 points and will drop at least 4 spots to #24 but probably lower. She's also withdrawn from Beijing next week so she'll lose 120 points there too.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Last years Beijing finalist Sevastova out 1R. Silver lining for her, she lost 1R in Wuhan last year but went on to make the Beijing final.

 

[James P]

Just noticed Barty is below Pliskova pre-tournament live. She also has a much tougher draw imo. Might see the changing of the guard at the top yet again this season...

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Just noticed Barty is below Pliskova pre-tournament live. She also has a much tougher draw imo. Might see the changing of the guard at the top yet again this season...

Yep Barty's draw is the worst of the top players. I mean her 2R match against Garcia... that was the final here in Wuhan 2 years ago(!) which Garcia won.

If she gets past Caroline she then has any of: Mertens/Pavlyuchenkova/Kenin. Kenin just won a title in China while Pavs made the final in Osaka and Mertens comes off a SF in Osaka as well as a singles QF at the USO and the doubles title there.
Then in the QF Barty could face USO SFist Bencic or Cincy champ Keys.
In the SF it's then Halep, Bertens or defending champ Sabalenka (who beats Barty in Wuhan last year).

Pliskova meanwhile:
2R faces the veteran Stosur or Anisimova who is only just returning to tour after her dads unfortunate passing.
3R: Sevastova is already out so she's got either Yastremska or McHale.
QF is where it gets harder against Kvitova or Sloane but those two haven't been good lately (Sloane had lost 6 of her last 7 matches coming into Wuhan while Kvitova has lost 3 of her last 4).
SF is pretty decent too: Wang, Kerber, Svitolina or Wozniacki. Kerber and Woz aren't themselves at the moment. Wang is a threat, beat Pliskova in both Wuhan and Beijing last year.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Oh Caroline this is just bad. Led 5-1 40-15, 2 set points against Hsieh.

Now it's 5-5.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Well that tiebreak is why Wozniacki was #1 and Hsieh spent a lot of her career being bagelled.

Caroline survives a big choke after leading 5-1 40-15 before being forced to a tiebreaker, wins it 7-2.

 

[spystud]

Martic murdered Mladenovic, 2 & 2.

 

[SeeingDusk]

Martic murdered Mladenovic, 2 & 2.

And Wozniacki got murdered by hsieh after she won first set 7-6. Loses 1-6 second set and will now lose in 3

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Poor sweet Caroline. You'll always have the Australian Open.

 

[PDJ]

And Wozniacki got murdered by hsieh after she won first set 7-6. Loses 1-6 second set and will now lose in 3

Hsieh now 4-1 up final set

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Martic murdered Mladenovic, 2 & 2.

Martic always beat Mladenovic it seems.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Great to see Amanda A back. Don't think she's played a pro match since the start of August in San Jose. Appeared to be injured there and for a while afterward.

Speaking of young Americans... Wondering if we'll ever see CC Bellis return to play? It's been a year and half or so. Four surgeries on her arm I believe. Any other news on her?

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Anyone watch Lauren Davis? Did she sustain an injury in the 1st or 2nd set? She's usually the Energizer (Duracell) Bunny on the court.

 

[PDJ]

Hsieh now 4-1 up final set

And wins 6-2 final set.
Her play makes me so happy. She may never win a major, but much like Radwanska, I enjoy seeing a tennis player do more than wallop a ball.

 

[spystud]

Great to see Amanda A back. Don't think she's played a pro match since the start of August in San Jose. Seem to be injured there and for a while afterward.

Quite a bit more than an injury.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Quite a bit more than an injury.

Injured for most of her time out. I believe that it was a back injury that was bothering her in San Jose & much of Aug. Subsequently forced her to withdraw from both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati tournament. (Set to come back in NY but did not so because of the death of her father the prior week).

 

[PDJ]

This is exactly why I like Hsieh: She can make the quickest players look lumbering, ordinary and heavy footed. Coupled with magical touch. A breath of fresh air.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Anisimova survives the Stosur challenge and wins in 3.

Giorgi retired down a set to lucky loser Peterson.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Katerina Siniakova down a break against Elise Mertens. Katerina is kinda cute in a girl next door sorta way. But her serve has been hit with the ugly atick. Well, maybe not ugly but certainly odd/unconventional. Really surprised that her coach has not fixed this.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Haven't see Puig for a while and she lost some weight.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Lord, who's in worse form? Wozniacki or Kerber.

Geez ladies, both cop a 3rd set demolition.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Wozniacki main focus is her study

 

[I Am Finnish]

Lord, who's in worse form? Wozniacki or Kerber.

Geez ladies, both cop a 3rd set demolition.

neither, Muguruza she hasnt won a match since RG I think

 

[Aussie Darcy]

neither, Muguruza she hasnt won a match since RG I think

Yeah 5 match losing streak.
But, she's won a title this year. Woz and Kerber yet to win one.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Last years WTA Finals qualifiers v where they sit currently in the race to Shenzhen:

2018 - 2019
#1 Kerber - #16
#2 Wozniacki - #55
#3 Osaka - #5
#4 Kvitova - #7
#5 Sloane - #23
#6 Svitolina - #9
#7 Pliskova - #2
#8 Bertens - #10

You've got last years top 2 seeds nowhere near qualifying. Additionally, you've got the runner up last year (Sloane) looking like she also won't qualify.

12 months, so much can change.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Oh how the mighty have fallen:

Jelena Ostapenko retires down 6-3 5-4 to Zavatska in the 1R of Tashkent.

Just over 2 years ago she was winning a slam, now she's losing in the 1R of probably the worst WTA International tournament of them all.

For those thinking maybe i'm being harsh to Tashkent, these are the last few champs of the Tashkent Open:

2018: Gasparyan
2017: Bondarenko
2016: Kristyna Pliskova
2015: Hibino
2014: Knapp
2013: Jovanovski
2012: Begu
2011: Pervak
2010: Kudryavtseva

Not one of those players have been top 20 in their entire careers :/

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Garbie looking good up 6-3 4-2 on Peng.

So she'll somehow lose from here.

 

[ALEXT]

Last years WTA Finals qualifiers v where they sit currently in the race to Shenzhen:

2018 - 2019
#1 Kerber - #16
#2 Wozniacki - #55
#3 Osaka - #5
#4 Kvitova - #7
#5 Sloane - #23
#6 Svitolina - #9
#7 Pliskova - #2
#8 Bertens - #10

You've got last years top 2 seeds nowhere near qualifying. Additionally, you've got the runner up last year (Sloane) looking like she also won't qualify.

12 months, so much can change.

I think you mean the players who played the tournament not the qualifiers because you are missing Halep who qualified but did not play and she will most likely qualify again (6th year in a row).

Pliskova, Kvitova, Halep and most likely Svitolina or Bartens will make it again (expect Serena not to show up even if she qualifies).

It's pretty balanced this year - half older, established players and half young players who won 3/4 GSs.

Kerber and Wozniacki are winding down so no surprise here. Kerber is approaching 32 and Woz started a family plus health issues and now school (!?).

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Garbine snaps her losing streak.

 

[James P]

Sofia Kenin thru her first match.