Yeah, while I tend to think Serena will find a way past Azarenka, it’s by no means a foregone conclusion. Victoria is younger, in better form and seems mentally ready to finally beat SW in a slam. On paper, she should be the favorite.
2020 US Open - Official Thread for Women's Tennis
She wasn’t in her prime fitness at 2007 AO by any means. Mocking articles were written about her weight at the time.
But she WAS younger and she WAS fired up by people calling her over and delusional.
Mark-Touch
Legend
Doesn't it usually work that way?7 matches, 7 names. Well done, Naomi
When was the last time a player played less than 7 different 'names' to win the title?
I can't recall.
That's funny because the experts and tennis fans like yourself were talking about how out of shape Serena was in 2007 and that she was going to lose in the first round, etc.
I guess we'll see what happens.
I think Vika is definitely favoured to win the match based on how she's played the last 2 weeks.
However, Serena should never be written off. I just truly have no idea of how good she is capable of playing at this point.
AnOctorokForDinner
Talk Tennis Guru
Obviously by the time she reached the final things were clear.
People doubted whether Federer was going to even beat Berdych in 2017 AO, then poor Berd got crushed and realisation hit.
Nope, I'm pretty sure experts were still picking Sharapova.
At one point Carillo said Sharapova was the better player of the 2, LOLOLOLOLOL
But Mary may have said that back in 2005.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Did Stupidity lose her the match for Brady ?? What the heck was that ? her coach was Begging her to challenge that BAD call on the baseline. That point would have been hers and she only needed to save one more break point. with her serve really cooking, her chances were good. Duhhh....
Slowtwitcher
Legend
Mark-Out-Of-Touch
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Nah the commentary was very passive aggressive going into the final. You should check it out on YT. All very much in the ‘why, good for old Serena to make it this far!’ style.
She didn’t exactly get there in style. Lots of ugly winning on the way, lol. Decided to save her peak for poor Maria, I guess.
AnOctorokForDinner
Talk Tennis Guru
Yeah but SW winning wasn't really surprising. Destroying Martha 6-1 6-2 was, blame Sharpie for wilting mentally.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
NaomiKonjuhPotapova
G.O.A.T.
It's reference to the mask she wears.
AnOctorokForDinner
Talk Tennis Guru
Don't care about commentating bots tbh.
Anyway, SW beating Aza wouldn't be surprising due to the serve difference but Vika should win, this is her chance. Beating Osaka though, with her great serve, doesn't seem possible unless Osaka's moral heart tells her to choke or something.
Right that’s kind of where I land too except I tend to think Serena will find a way tonight.
It would be better if she didn’t though because a fifth slam final loss is just too much. Semi loss hurts at least a little less, I’m sure.
Fed881981
Hall of Fame
Sadly, there are many7 matches, 7 names. Well done, Naomi
Look, I think the point being made was that no one really saw that demolition job coming. I didn't either and I thought SW was being very underestimated. That is, I thought she had a much better chance than commentators were acknowledging yet I surely didn't think she'd pull a murder like she did. That's what Soianka is talking about.
With that said, I agree that the AO 2007 situation isn't comparable. Serena wasn't in shape when she started AO but she was young enough that she could play herself into shape as GS progressed.( She amazingly retained that ability well into her thirties. It's why her earlier rounds have historically been messier than later ones - she messes around for four matches, then finally plays herself into decent shape, then starts peaking and zoning for later rounds.)
But she's too old now and she just doesn't have the clear sense of purpose she did. What she has is a self-imposed milestone that's hanging around her neck choking her. That's why I can't see her winning in the end.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
Serena hitting and moving much better than she has been this year and also in a lot of her other USO matches.
I've said it before - she's past her peak, but she's miles better than any other time since her return from pregnancy.
Vika flailing a bit - it's a whole different look when you're not dominating. I'm sure she'll settle down.
I've said it before - she's past her peak, but she's miles better than any other time since her return from pregnancy.
Vika flailing a bit - it's a whole different look when you're not dominating. I'm sure she'll settle down.
Victoria needs a better serve. The mental strain is massive when you don't have the best serve and are playing someone whose serve is legendary. She has no room for error if SW's serve is clicking. She knows that and it's got to be a factor bringing her down here.
Fed881981
Hall of Fame
Her easy win yesterday was good and maybe also bad for her. Mertens basically didn’t show up. Serena surely did tonight.
I feel like we dont really know how well Serena can play at this point because it seems that her emotions are the thing holding her back in the last 1-2 years.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
Lol @ Vika's "fuc*ing sh*t."
spystud
Talk Tennis Guru
Guys, here you go. 80+ replies already.
-NN-
G.O.A.T.
Well, splendid signs so far here at least.
Mark-Touch
Legend
It's one thing not to acknowledge a net cord winner.
I have no problems with that whatsoever.
But to immediately turn your back on the player you've just net corded as Serena
did is the ultimate in disrespect!
Never saw that before.
I have no problems with that whatsoever.
But to immediately turn your back on the player you've just net corded as Serena
did is the ultimate in disrespect!
Never saw that before.
Not just emotions, let's be honest. She really can't move like she used to. It's not her fault (I think criticisms of her weight and shape are overblown personally). Father time gets everyone eventually.
Agreed that she could still peak at least here and there in a damn slam final if she could control her nerves, however.
Mark-Touch
Legend
Vika, move the hippo around. Drop shot her to death!
Think out there!
Think out there!
People have been talking about how out of shape Serena is for the last 20 years of so.
I truly don't know how much Serena has lost in terms of speed or in terms of her game because most of the big matches she lost in the last 1-2 years, she was an emotional wreck and that's what destroyed her.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Lol that was way out
Mark-Touch
Legend
Did anyone ever realize that most of Serena's screams are premeditated theater?
Designed to distract/disorient or otherwise annoy the other player.
Designed to distract/disorient or otherwise annoy the other player.
Mark-Touch
Legend
Is it cheating when your screaming continues up until the point your opponent is starting to hit the ball?
Mark-Touch
Legend
Come on Serena, make my day and lose!
Dolgopolov85
G.O.A.T.
Not her weight, it's the ankle. See how much it was strapped up when the trainer came on? As the match lengthens, this must hamper her ability to move.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Osaka v Azarenka for the USO title.
The Cincy final that never happened will now happen at the USO.
The Cincy final that never happened will now happen at the USO.
Mark-Touch
Legend
Thank you Serena!
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
One, I'm loving the final because there's two players who prove the WTA is strong, no matter the ages of the players.
Two, I'm loving it because there's gang of Talk Tennis Warehouse members who hate Osaka because she's not their "little, demure Japanese girl" anymore and is now speaking up about her black identity and Black Lives Matter, and to this group, that's the worst thing on the face of the earth, as they have said about Osaka and the movement on this board. Go Osaka.
Three, I'm loving it because Vika has been relentlessly attacked on this board for years--for her on-court noise (no rational mind cared), to her dancing (...and?), her not being fond of Sharapova (oh, the horror! the crime!) and especially due to her former relationship (his race, and there's no way to deny the that and the posts made at the time), and she has made a stellar comeback when certain people were happy to write her off.
The WTA is the face of great tennis.
Two, I'm loving it because there's gang of Talk Tennis Warehouse members who hate Osaka because she's not their "little, demure Japanese girl" anymore and is now speaking up about her black identity and Black Lives Matter, and to this group, that's the worst thing on the face of the earth, as they have said about Osaka and the movement on this board. Go Osaka.
Three, I'm loving it because Vika has been relentlessly attacked on this board for years--for her on-court noise (no rational mind cared), to her dancing (...and?), her not being fond of Sharapova (oh, the horror! the crime!) and especially due to her former relationship (his race, and there's no way to deny the that and the posts made at the time), and she has made a stellar comeback when certain people were happy to write her off.
The WTA is the face of great tennis.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Didn’t realise that was the first time Azarenka has beaten Serena at a slam!
CrackedRacquet
New User
What time is the final?
Dolgopolov85
G.O.A.T.
Didn't realise the board hated Azarenka that much but must have missed it because I wasn't here in 2012-13.
spystud
Talk Tennis Guru
4:00 Eastern.
Similar threads
- Poll
- Poll
- Poll
