2021 WTA Tokyo Olympics - General Discussion

[FakeEmpire]

That schedule for a South European like me combined with work kept me from watching Belinda's matches, but damn if I wasn't happy checking her scores right after waking up or during a work pause mid-morning. I've always had the sense she had the game, but not the mindset to go farther, and this week has (very slightly) vindicated my long fandom and belief, even if she "just" manages to win two silvers. Really hoping she collects, at least, one gold, and that this experience might work as a springboard to even better things for her. If she wins it all, I might or might nor engage in some Titmus' coach-like enthusiasm.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Well that’s a shock, Brazilians Pigossi/Stefani win the Bronze medal. Kudermetova/Vesnina miss out on a medal.

 

[AM75]

Vesnina/Kudermetova blew 4 match points, I wonder if they will ever play together again.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Pigossi has a career high doubles ranking of #247, Stefani’s is #23. I don’t even think Pigossi has played in the main draw of a slam and now she’s an Olympic bronze medallist.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Djokovic/Stojanovic withdraw from the Bronze final so Barty/Peers take home Bronze.

Bronze to Australia

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

Djokovic/Stojanovic withdraws from the Bronze final so Barty/Peers take home Bronze.

Bronze to Australia

Disgusted. He is not injured at all, what a shameless quitter.

 

[Kralingen]

Disgusted. He is not injured at all, what a shameless quitter.

 

[egrorian]

Djokovic/Stojanovic withdraws from the Bronze final so Barty/Peers take home Bronze.

Bronze to Australia

What's the story here? Seems very rough on Stojanovic.

 

[FakeEmpire]

Damn, that was some rough 1st set for Svitolina. 6-1 in 28 minutes, death from dropshots.

Eurosport changed to the Track and Field competition. Really hoping Belinda's match gets broadcasted.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Instead of a first Olympics medal for the Ukraine for Svitolina it looks like it'll be a first Olympics medal for Kazakhstan for Rybakina. Up a set and break.

 

[spystud]

Playing 3 after Elina wins the breaker.

 

[D-Lite]

Djokovic/Stojanovic withdraw from the Bronze final so Barty/Peers take home Bronze.

Bronze to Australia

Frustrating - wanted to see Barty v Djokovic, singles #1s clashing. Also, sad for Stojanovic having that taken away from her. I'm a Novak fan, but I'm bothered by this.

 

[fundrazer]

This 4-5 game is ridiculous.

Svitolina finally wins it after Rybakina saved like half a dozen match points. Rybakina probably going to be extremely disappointed.

 

[Pavla]

Svitolina does it! That last game, jeez.

 

[bezs]

Tough win for Svitolina after the bad start.

Can't believe she plays with that huge diamond on her finger.

 

[fundrazer]

Gold medal match seems fairly high quality so far.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Bencic doesn't look settled out there.

Played a really bad service game to get broken back at 2-0, now finally lost a very long service game with a DF to lose three games in a row, down a break 2-3.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Strange atmosphere to have a title match with no crowd.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Bencic doesn't look settled out there.

Played a really bad service game to get broken back at 2-0, now finally lost a very long service game with a DF to lose three games in a row, down a break 2-3.

This is more like it! Hitting more freely, and unleashing off both wins, Belinda earns two break points. Can't capitalise, but gains another with fearless hitting, and breaks back!

We're back on serve.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Frustration for Bencic as two errors from 15-15 serve up two break points. But she steadies the ship and wins the next four points to hold for 4-3.

This match is finely poised now.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

High quality now from both players! Most games feel as though they could go either way. Bencic holds for 5-4, one game from the first set now!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Haven’t been able to watch the gold final how is it??

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Haven’t been able to watch the gold final how is it??

High quality after both players took some time to settle. Vondrousova serving to take it to a TB.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Bencic breaks to take the first set 7-5!

 

[Kralingen]

Wow, what a time to have a poor service game from Vondrousova. She seems a little overawed by the occasion, she's not playing as smoothly as the previous two matches.

I have to say this is one of the most truly even finals I've ever seen.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

The second set is running away from Bencic, down 1-4 with a double break. She needs to regroup quickly ahead of the third.

 

[FakeEmpire]

The moment I start watching the match, Belinda goes double break down. But kudos to Vondrousova, serving truly well and getting more aggressive while still consistent (specially with the ROS).

 

[mightyjeditribble]

The moment I start watching the match, Belinda goes double break down. But kudos to Vondrousova, serving truly well and getting more aggressive while still consistent (specially with the ROS).

Tbf, this match probably does deserve a third set. Hopefully Belinda can regroup and win the third!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Finally managed to get a stream. Looks destined to go 3 sets now.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Vondrousova does force the 3rd set.

 

[FakeEmpire]

And it goes to three. Rationally, this match deserved a 3rd set. My nerves would have immensely preferred a straight sets win, though, as I don't know if I can trust Bencic's mental composure to hold on now (USO semi flashbacks against Andreescu pilling up on my mind)...

 

[Clay lover]

Man Brazilian ladies are gorgeous...congrats

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Vondrousova gets the break in the final set.

1-0.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Tbf, this match probably does deserve a third set. Hopefully Belinda can regroup and win the third!

So much for that ... Broken in the first game of the third.

Is there still a twist left in this match?

 

[FakeEmpire]

Yeah, there we go.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Yeah, there we go.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Marketa is just in control now, looks set to win this Gold.

 

[Clay lover]

Belinda has such a good BH but a super flat and error prone FH

 

[FakeEmpire]

Don't get excited, don't get excited, don't get excited... (But damn if that break wasn't monumental!)

 

[mightyjeditribble]

So much for that ... Broken in the first game of the third.

Is there still a twist left in this match?

Well there was one more twist at least. Finely poised once again, Bencic leads 3-2 on serve.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Well there was one more twist at least. Finely poised once again, Bencic leads 3-2 on serve.

Whoops got ahead of myself, 2-1. Feels like it was more games already in this set!

 

[FakeEmpire]

I'm super, super cool. I'm not getting excited at all.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Wow, DF on BP. Belinda wins three games in a row; now she's the one with a break.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Nerves from both players. Bencic now 0-40 trying to consolidate her break. Vondrousova swinging freely.

Two BPs saved ...

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Back on serve.

 

[FakeEmpire]

Weee, there we go again!

 

[mightyjeditribble]

3 games in a row for Vondrousova now.

If they're gone to take turns with winning three games in a row, I'm up for Bencic taking her turn to do it now.

 

[abmk]

any good working link?

 

[FakeEmpire]

Phew! Big, biiiiig hold! Might turn out to be a quite important moment.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Bencic holds after saving BP.

Two games from a gold medal ... Would be a good time to break!

Trainer has been called for her though.

Hopefully just a blister?