2021 WTA Western & Southern Open Cincinnati

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

There is this thing about Swiss people, they do not give an inch, you'll have to earn it.
Naomi forgot about that.

Watched 2nd and 3rd. Teichmann really good as I expected. Didn't give any same look twice, coupled with Osaka lack of confidence good recipe.

 

[fundrazer]

Bencic and Muchova has been pretty good so far. Belinda failed to serve out the set but insta broke back and has another go at it at 6-5.

 

[fundrazer]

Muchova retired. Was grabbing at her side a lot and commentators mentioned something about a previous injury or something. I dunno.

Looks like that's it for tonight!

 

[pcft369]

Yeah, Osaka looking like an mid round exit in U.S Open based on past few showings.

Great, good riddance

 

[volleyandfun]

Voted for Osaka hoping she can make this round, no, she is worse than I expected.
She is overweight and has no desire to chase balls.
No confidence on her b/h neither.

 

[Pavla]

Enjoyed that Osaka-Teichmann match. Hope to see more of Teichmann in the future. Love that savvy, scrappy game.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Great, good riddance

Whine all you want, but Osaka will be in the game for some time to come, and her focus is obviously on the majors, where she has been doing exceptionally well.

 

[PhxRacket]

Whine all you want, but Osaka will be in the game for some time to come, and her focus is obviously on the majors, where she has been doing exceptionally well.
[/QUOTE
Her focus is in the wrong places, Instagram…Netflix…collaborations. Those are all fine, but if you want to be a champion, particularly in GS events…you’re gonna have to change some things. Honestly, there are more than a couple women on tour who can beat her now. She is a very talented player…when she is match-ready. That being said, she will prolly land an easy draw and play her way into the USO, a la one of her idols. She will get farther than some may wish, but she’s not a lock to win it.

 

[AM75]

Is anyone here a fan of Ostapenko? She's hard to like.

I am.

 

[fundrazer]

Barty no trouble with Krejcikova so far. Continuing her dominance from yesterday.

 

[zvelf]

The Wimbledon champ solidly defeats the French Open champ.

 

[egrorian]

Karolina Pliskova's good form continues, straight setting bogeywoman Jessica Pegula.

 

[fundrazer]

Kvitova struggling. Think I overrated her form from the Jabeur match.

 

[egrorian]

Kvitova struggling. Think I overrated her form from the Jabeur match.

Kvitova retires - what was the problem?

 

[fundrazer]

Kvitova retires - what was the problem?

Honestly I'm not sure. They had her lying down on a towel with ice towel wrapped around her neck for one of the MTOs. Didn't quite catch what the issue was. Dunno if it was heat exhaustion or some illness.

 

[StifleYourself]

Honestly I'm not sure. They had her lying down on a towel with ice towel wrapped around her neck for one of the MTOs. Didn't quite catch what the issue was. Dunno if it was heat exhaustion or some illness.

It is really hot and humid here today in Cincinnati (88f, 31c). I know that these are professional athletes, but I don't know how anybody is playing outside in the sun today.

I've been out to the W&S Open three times this week (Qualifying Sunday, rain-soaked Tuesday and last night). My highlight on the WTA side was seeing Bedosa win her match last night in a second-set tiebreak. She was truly ecstatic and it's nice to see players not just going through the motions at non-majors. Also, to her credit, she went back out there to play doubles just 1.5 hours later. Both Bedosa and Krejcikova are pretty amazing for not letting their doubles partners down like so many other players do.

 

[jmnk]

It is really hot and humid here today in Cincinnati (88f, 31c). I know that these are professional athletes, but I don't know how anybody is playing outside in the sun today.

I've been out to the W&S Open three times this week (Qualifying Sunday, rain-soaked Tuesday and last night). My highlight on the WTA side was seeing Bedosa win her match last night in a second-set tiebreak. She was truly ecstatic and it's nice to see players not just going through the motions at non-majors. Also, to her credit, she went back out there to play doubles just 1.5 hours later. Both Bedosa and Krejcikova are pretty amazing for not letting their doubles partners down like so many other players do.

Fully agree on Badosa. Although Badosa vs Martic was even better. Multiple match points saved by both girls. Outstanding play. On a smaller court. Win all around for the fans. I hope she wins it all.

 

[Mark-Touch]

I like Bencic but she's just too flaky for me. Disappoints too often.

 

[volleyandfun]

Bencic is getting smoked!

 

[flyingboris]

Bencic is getting smoked!

Yup. Great win by Teichmann, 6-3 6-2. Nice moment at the net, Bencic seemed genuinely pleased for Jil.

 

[Brian11785]

Yup. Great win by Teichmann, 6-3 6-2. Nice moment at the net, Bencic seemed genuinely pleased for Jil.

I've never seen Belinda that warm at the net on a loss. They must be buds.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

I've never seen Belinda that warm at the net on a loss. They must be buds.

Both Swiss and 24 years old so probably grew up together playing tennis and are longtime friends.

 

[jmnk]

I do not think Pliskova is a human being. I've watched her practice and play multiple times this week and she has not cracked a smile once. Or show any signs of any emotion whatsoever.

 

[Devil_dog]

I'm becoming a fan of Badosa's game... I wonder if she has what it takes to win a major, though.

 

[jmnk]

I'm becoming a fan of Badosa's game... I wonder if she has what it takes to win a major, though.

her game is a joy to watch. smart, decent serve, her balls have a nice shape to it. Doesn't get frustrated. Saved multiple match points against Martic in the opening round, had few match points herself before finally winning in 3rd set tiebreak. Best match of the tournament for me.

 

[fundrazer]

@Aussie Darcy how many games does Barty allow against Kerber tomorrow? Small hiccup against Krejcikova today but otherwise she's been fantastic the past two matches.

 

[volleyandfun]

I do not think Pliskova is a human being. I've watched her practice and play multiple times this week and she has not cracked a smile once. Or show any signs of any emotion whatsoever.

Just few days ago I saw her smashing her racquet, final in Montreal against Gorgi.
However, her face was still emotionless.

 

[volleyandfun]

What's up with Badosa? was up 4:0 and is about to lose a set.

 

[Devil_dog]

What's up with Badosa? was up 4:0 and is about to lose a set.

Sadly, looks like a shoulder injury and she eventually retired from the match.

 

[zvelf]

What's up with Badosa? was up 4:0 and is about to lose a set.

And Badosa retires with whatever ailment she had. She was up 4-0 in the first then lost 6 straight and the set.

I do not think Pliskova is a human being. I've watched her practice and play multiple times this week and she has not cracked a smile once. Or show any signs of any emotion whatsoever.

That's Rybakina as well.

 

[volleyandfun]

I guess that's about does it for SDL WTA side.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

I think it's just the face (Pliskova). She definitely get nervous (Watch her USO slams final against Kerber and AO SF against Osaka). She shown some racket smashes, and remember that infamous chair umpire stand smashes in Rome? She is also cracked a smile and jokes in interviews.

Rybakina however, I've never seen her very emotional during matches or interviews.

 

[egrorian]

I do not think Pliskova is a human being. I've watched her practice and play multiple times this week and she has not cracked a smile once. Or show any signs of any emotion whatsoever.

Her post Wimbledon final interview showed she is most definitely human. Made me a huge fan. Her Facebook posts are good and she's often smiling in those.

 

[fundrazer]

Barty not looking nearly as sharp as her last two matches.

Kerber getting good depth it feels like, but not really doing anything amazing.

 

[fundrazer]

Well Barty breaks at love. Kerber with a few errors, Ash with the forehand winner and then a dropshot return winner.

 

[fundrazer]

Kerber's level dipping off a bit, particularly on serve. Barty just doing Barty things, takes the first set 6-2.

 

[fundrazer]

Easy love hold to start the 2nd.

 

[fundrazer]

Kerber sprays a forehand to give up a break to Barty. 2-0

Virtual bagel with 6 games in a row for Barty.

 

[fundrazer]

Barty had that service game all but wrapped up but some crucial mistakes cost her. Still, Kerber been shaky on her own serve and dropped last 3 service games.

 

[fundrazer]

Really gonna drop 3 games in a row now... Wow.

 

[fundrazer]

Barty settles herself, but giving Kerber a love hold? Sheesh.

4-4

 

[fundrazer]

Well Barty says I can do that too. Love hold for 5-4. Business end of the set now with Kerber serving to stay in the match.

 

[flyingboris]

Barty takes it. She looks so comfortable out there, impressive.

 

[fundrazer]

Barty recovers from that hiccup and closes it out with a break 7-5. Woooo!

Spoiler

I bet Barty in straights. lol

 

[James P]

Barty is absolutely crushing it. Wins here (TBD), and very few points to defend at the USO, she could end up 4000 or 5000 points of her nearest competitor in the rankings within a few weeks.

 

[flyingboris]

Barty recovers from that hiccup and closes it out with a break 7-5. Woooo!

I was trying to figure out who the WTA girl in your avatar is. Answer: singer Dave Gahan

 

[fundrazer]

I was trying to figure out who the WTA girl in your avatar is. Answer: singer Dave Gahan

lol... Yeah. Replaced my Benjamin Orr avatar.

Dave was sexy back in the day (before my time) and I think he has a sexy voice. lol

 

[jmnk]

Her post Wimbledon final interview showed she is most definitely human. Made me a huge fan. Her Facebook posts are good and she's often smiling in those.

oh, don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of Pliskova too. I just find it funny that she is so stoic during the match. Off-court she is quite funny indeed.

 

[jmnk]

It is a bit depressing that there are almost no fans left for WTA semifinal.

 

[Mark-Touch]

I've seen many a Pliskova match.
At its core, her game is very brittle and lacks any degree of finesse.
Having said that, I hope she can put Teichmann away.