2022 WTA 1000: Rome

[zvelf]

It is not an odd thing at all actually. The answer is No. ER has never called for an MTO when she was not losing. Her leg was bleeding at the USO, yet she never cared about it, because she was winning. If she had been losing, what do you think?
Also, it’s silly for you to imply that players call for MTO because they are “concern for their health negatively affecting their performance “, like it wouldn’t negatively affect their performance and cause them to lose a lead if they were winning? Concern for health is what it is, whether they are winning or losing. So calling for it is for 1 major purpose, that is to break the rhythm of the opponent. Everyone knows it. You know it too. You are just trying to support your favorite player, no?

Your logic doesn't make any sense. A player may call an MTO to break an opponent's rhythm, but it is the height of cynicism to say that ALL MTOs are for that purpose. You're saying a player never has a legitimate injury for which calling an MTO is appropriate. That's a crazy assertion. In any case, few players who are winning call an MTO because if they are winning, then whatever is affecting them is probably not that bad. If their health is impeding their performance, i.e., causing them to lose, of course, it makes sense to call an MTO.

As has already been stated in this thread, Raducanu is dealing with back troubles. She called an MTO for it, and then she retired from the match because of it. Is it possible that she is faking it all? I guess, but I doubt that's the case. Also, Raducanu is not my favorite player. Among active players, that would be Swiatek and Andreescu. That's right, Raducanu's opponent.

 

[Mark-Touch]

Poor players.
I find the background music annoying simply as a fan watching from a computer.
I feel sorry for Collins and Halep having to listen to that as they play!

 

[Mark-Touch]

That's just how the Danimal rolls!

Just hit about 35 consecutive winners to totally bamboozle Halep and take the first set... spectacular - in every which way. Shame most crowds don't get her.

The Italian crowds get her. They just don't like her.
She's one of my faves, I'm enjoying this rout.
But if she lets Halep back in, I won't be as happy!

 

[jhick]

Collins is just crushing Halep's 2nd serves. Gets the win.

 

[Pavla]

Collins looked so sour even though she won.

 

[Mark-Touch]

Oh no!
Two of my faves face off next round.
Amanda and Dani.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

The Italian crowds get her. They just don't like her.
She's one of my faves, I'm enjoying this rout.
But if she lets Halep back in, I won't be as happy!

Also keep in mind that Halep crowds in Rome are 70% Romanian.

 

[coolcamden]

They both do very well in certain areas.

 

[ktx]

Collins looked so sour even though she won.

This is why we love her.

 

[ktx]

Is Collins currently without a sponsor? I see her wearing random unbranded clothing, and totally different from one watch to the next.

By the way, saw her in person for the first time yesterday and she is quite the sight. Goddess level.

I think she is sponsored by Alo Yoga, she's been wearing their tops and skirts since Australia. But I've seen her in nike and adidas shoes so I guess she's buying those off the rack.

 

[spystud]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1524647453886144513

 

[ktx]

Sabalenka rolled over Pegula. I thought Jessie had a shot towards the end of the second set, but she just didn't seem like she had the energy today.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

This Swiatek/Azarenka match is pretty entertaining. Slow as hell, but entertaining!

 

[ScottleeSV]

1hr 21mins for set 1.....

Good luck trying to win from here, Vika!

 

[I Am Finnish]

Interested in Swiatek/Andreescu QF

 

[zvelf]

Sometimes I wonder whether women's tennis makes sense at all these days. Collins wrecks Halep and now Anisimova is wrecking Collins?

 

[bezs]

Anisimova looking good so far with the 1st set.

That was easy for Amanda.

 

[tennis4me]

Something wrong with Collins? Commentator made some reference of such, but didn’t know what seemed to bother her. I only caught the end games and it almost looked like she threw the match.

She seemed very agitated about something. Might have been about someone in the crowd per commentator. She even looked angry at something after hitting a serve return winner.

 

[ScottleeSV]

Collins' body is sadly as up and down as Raducanu's; any result is possible with her in any match.

Swiatek v Andreescu could be a great match if Bianca plays well.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Sakkari lost weight

 

[flyingboris]

Sakkari lost weight

Gauff lost set

 

[ttwreader]

Ons breaks.

 

[D-Lite]

Sabalenka rolled over Pegula. I thought Jessie had a shot towards the end of the second set, but she just didn't seem like she had the energy today.

Really hope Pegula has a good run at RG. I'd expect she's fairly fatigued after her recent run of form, so she deserves some rest before RG. Would love her to maintain this form and add herself to the mix at the top of players who are at least semi regularly having big results.

 

[coolcamden]

OJ and MS moved on.

 

[ScottleeSV]

If Badosa gets through that would make for a cracking set of q/f matches.

 

[zvelf]

Something wrong with Collins? Commentator made some reference of such, but didn’t know what seemed to bother her. I only caught the end games and it almost looked like she threw the match.

She seemed very agitated about something. Might have been about someone in the crowd per commentator. She even looked angry at something after hitting a serve return winner.

Collins was about to deliver a second serve to Swiatek, who held her hand up to wait as someone in the front row right behind Collins was walking around. The ump asked the guy to sit but the guy seemed oblivious that it was he who was being spoken to. Collins nastily barked at him. He finally sat down. Collins served and it was a double fault. Then the guy, keep in mind he's about 20 feet behind Collins, got on his cell phone and started talking while play continued.

 

[ttwreader]

Collins was about to deliver a second serve to Swiatek, who held her hand up to wait as someone in the front row right behind Collins was walking around. The ump asked the guy to sit but the guy seemed oblivious that it was he who was being spoken to. Collins nastily barked at him. He finally sat down. Collins served and it was a double fault. Then the guy, keep in mind he's about 20 feet behind Collins, got on his cell phone and started talking while play continued.

Are you talking about Arazenka? I remember that guy on the stand too.

 

[zvelf]

Are you talking about Arazenka? I remember that guy on the stand too.

Sorry. You're right. I got the matches mixed up. That was Azarenka I was thinking of, not Collins

 

[Mark-Touch]

Come on Badosa let's kick some serious butt here!
That was a really pathetic drop shot attempt.

 

[coolcamden]

I don’t think DK has a chance, but I think she’s cute. Has a fresh face.

 

[coolcamden]

Daria is making her work for every ball.

 

[coolcamden]

Broke Badosa 3 times to lead 5-4 in 1st set.

 

[coolcamden]

Broke her again direst game of 2nd set. PB is a little rattled.

 

[spystud]

DasKa took the first & breaks to open the second. Almost midnight there.

 

[spystud]

Over, 4 & 4 for DasKa.


I blame @ScottleeSV.

 

[tennis4me]

This match is one of the best match I've seen Kasat play. High consistency, deep, heavy balls with lots of patience before she pulls the trigger.

She completely wore Badosa down during rallies. Badosa couldn't play her game.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Players like Kasatkina and Vondrousova have what it takes to be top 10 but just mad inconsistent. (Von also plague with injuries).

 

[ktx]

Really hope Pegula has a good run at RG. I'd expect she's fairly fatigued after her recent run of form, so she deserves some rest before RG. Would love her to maintain this form and add herself to the mix at the top of players who are at least semi regularly having big results.

Same - some commentators talked about her consistency stats and they were pretty impressive. Ons too tho, ha.

 

[ktx]

That crowd/front row guy in the Swiatek/Azarenka match was bizarre - the spectators were just milling around at their leisure. I think at one point Iga or Vika told the umpire that the ushers were not closing the gates during the points.

TC cut away from their replay of the Collins/Anisimova match. Something is up with DC. She had 2 people in her box who looked like physios or trainers + her benefactor? Marty, but doesn't seem to have an actual coach. I am so fascinated by her tbh. Ill have to see if I can find her post-match interview.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

That crowd/front row guy in the Swiatek/Azarenka match was bizarre - the spectators were just milling around at their leisure. I think at one point Iga or Vika told the umpire that the ushers were not closing the gates during the points.

TC cut away from their replay of the Collins/Anisimova match. Something is up with DC. She had 2 people in her box who looked like physios or trainers + her benefactor? Marty, but doesn't seem to have an actual coach. I am so fascinated by her tbh. Ill have to see if I can find her post-match interview.

DC has rheumatoid arthrisis.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

We'll see if Amanda could stretch to 5-0 against Aryna. Recent matches have been tight.

 

[slipgrip93]

Badosa lost it again. I'm always wondering if she has some effect on her opponents that can often encourage their form, or fire up their game, so she often gets into draining , struggling, or hard fought, matches.

For Andreescu, I'm concerned, that she hasn't lost (more?) weight since her last good showings before she busted her knee, which imo is a major factor to her being injury prone. It's worrisome to me to see her so athletically moving around, and hoping something else doesn't break. Maybe she's strengthened her joints and such still being very young. But if she only slimmed down to optimum, she could make the best of the rest of her young years on the tour.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Sabalenka hold serve after breakfest of 3 games.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Amanda starts grunting to match Aryna.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Badosa lost it again. I'm always wondering if she has some effect on her opponents that can often encourage their form, or fire up their game, so she often gets into draining , struggling, or hard fought, matches.

Carbon copy of Maria, everyone knows already how to play her. I wouldn't say she is particularly good at clay as well.

 

[slipgrip93]

Carbon copy of Maria, everyone knows already how to play her. I wouldn't say she is particularly good at clay as well.

May have a point there. She was looking and playing very much like Sharapova , even a similar black dress in 2020. I'd thought she improved past emulating Maria by the time of her IW performance. Maybe not enough still, now, and feel she needs work on more variety, shots and more (aggressive) shot plays.

Glad to see Andreescu holding her own in power rallies vs. Swiatek , currently, starting first set.

 

[Kralingen]

Bibi sticking with Swiatek which is lovely to see. Up a break now.

The truly most talented young player showing the de facto dominant player what peak level looks like.

Of course knowing Andreescu she’ll retire midway through the second set…

 

[Mark-Touch]

That's it Bianca.
Slowly suck her into YOUR style of play and make her feel uncomfortable!.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Let's go Bibi.

 

[spystud]

Not looking great.