2021 WTA Dubai

[James P]

Nice comeback from Mertens to take the 2nd set.

Me with my SDL pick hanging in the balance

 

[bezs]

Epic turnaround from Mertens, what a collapse by Pegula as well.

 

[romeo8880]

Sabalenka vs Muguruza starting now. Looking for Sabalenka to get some revenge from last week!

 

[romeo8880]

Fast start for Sabalenka! 4-1

 

[SeeingDusk]

saba was up a break (1-0) in 2nd. Had some vision that came in my mind that she would be down 1-3 if i checked the score. I checked and indeed she's down 1-3. Unreal.

 

[spystud]

Now they’re playing 3.

 

[romeo8880]

Seems that Muguruza is just slightly better and tougher mentally.

 

[spystud]

Garbine breaks, will serve for it.

 

[spystud]

And holds at love to end it.

 

[bezs]

Muguruza has got her number.

 

[D-Lite]

Seriously hoping Muguruza can win here in Dubai especially after the drubbing she received the weekend just gone. It would be really nice to see this level of play from her finally rewarded as she's won the most matches on the tour so far this year.

 

[romeo8880]

Coco Gauff has to have the worst second serve on tour. Right up there with Svitolina.

 

[romeo8880]

Didn’t see this coming. Coco laying an egg against a weak player

 

[spystud]

Yep, Coco got worked.

 

[romeo8880]

Wasted opportunity for Coco to make the final as no good players remain in the draw on her half. Now someone named Teichmann or Krejcikova will make the final. Yikes WTA

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Wait What? Not sure I follow here?

Also watching the highlights of Potopova/Keys I had to turn the volume down. I didn't realize she was so loud, reminded a LOT of Sharapova.

Ha. Someone says "Potapova is definitely one of those types to go off court for a medical" and I said it's Dayana instead of her and I'm referencing since you're about all pro sport-womanship, it is questionable you support Dayana.

 

[TagUrIt]

Ha. Someone says "Potapova is definitely one of those types to go off court for a medical" and I said it's Dayana instead of her and I'm referencing since you're about all pro sport-womanship, it is questionable you support Dayana.

Maybe so, but I never said that about Potopova, I actually like the young American/Russian. She yells excessively, but she's got a good game. As far as Yastremska is concerned, I really feel bad for her that she's going through this scandal. I really think she's innocent and hopefully can get back on the courts soon.

 

[spystud]

Garbine up 3-1 early on Mertens.

 

[flyingboris]

Has Mertens bulked up a bit? Her arms look stronger than I recall, but maybe I'm just not used to seeing her sleeveless. Whatever the reason, she looks super fit.

 

[spystud]

I like Elise, she’s always been cool with me.

Good match so far.

 

[flyingboris]

Bit of a rollercoaster that first set, but Mugu takes it with a break and will serve at the start of the second set. Let's see if she starts better than in the first one.

 

[romeo8880]

Good first set. Muguruza takes it as expected

 

[spystud]

Garbine takes the first @ 4, she could not possibly look less happy though.

 

[flyingboris]

Garbine takes the first @ 4, she could not possibly look less happy though.

Doesn't look too unhappy to me, just tense. What grueling first game this was, good lord!

 

[romeo8880]

Great to see Muguruza at the top of her game again though. She disappeared for awhile

 

[flyingboris]

Great to see Muguruza at the top of her game again though. She disappeared for awhile

Agreed! Her backhands down the line are awesome today. Net play could use some work, although in her defense Elise doesn't make it easy.

 

[flyingboris]

Side note, what a soundscape: I think we hear chanting from a distant mosque, and deafening chirping from what seems like a million birds. Definitely different.

 

[spystud]

The birds have sucked all tourney.

 

[flyingboris]

Damn, that match point was intense! Back to deuce. That must have taken something out of Mugu though. Can she finish it?

Edit: not yet she can't. 4-5, back on serve, Mertens to serve. That's also where we were in the first set though.

 

[romeo8880]

Muguruza still has that mental weakness when serving things out though

 

[romeo8880]

In the women’s game, typically it is much more comfortable returning for the match than it is serving for the match lol

 

[flyingboris]

Muguruza still has that mental weakness when serving things out though

Mertens is freakishly tenacious, so some of it is understandable today.

 

[flyingboris]

Another two match points gone. Oh Mugu..

Edit: bad time for her backhand to go off the boil

I'm not sure if I like Mugu's chances if this goes to a third. Does she have the mental strength to keep fighting?

 

[romeo8880]

Muguruza now deserves to lose this match

 

[spystud]

Oh boy, she gonna donk this off.

 

[flyingboris]

Another BHDTL out by a foot. Fatigue?

 

[spystud]

Seriously, what the hell happened to her backhand?!

 

[romeo8880]

It’s so frustrating to see when Mertens is doing nothing but hitting the ball back

 

[spystud]

And buried one in the tape.

 

[flyingboris]

It’s so frustrating to see when Mertens is doing nothing but hitting the ball back

I find it more frustrating that Mugu isn't dominating on her forehand, missing backhands, and hitting shots deep in the net!

 

[romeo8880]

Come on Muguruza. Reset!

 

[romeo8880]

Another easy miss at the net

 

[flyingboris]

Junkballing seems to work well for Elise.

 

[flyingboris]

OK, that BHDTL was decent

 

[flyingboris]

OMG, after than incredible clawback from 3-5*, Mertens hits a double in the tiebreak. WTF

 

[flyingboris]

Boom, three more match points for Mugu

 

[romeo8880]

Love to see it. Great reset mentally to get back into this set.

 

[flyingboris]

Coaching!! (I'll allow it)

 

[spystud]

Thank you Garbine, sh*t!

 

[flyingboris]

LOL, what a weird final point. Hahaha. Congrats Mugu!