2023 Australian Open - Women's Singles Discussion

[Devil_dog]

Danimal Kali match could go. All. The. Way.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

If she is at her best I think she could. But it’s been a while since she has strung together some matches.

We’d need to see peak Bibi to challenge Iga atm.

Thanks guys! First year in a long time I haven't been able to watch (work) so will be posting and asking about the day results. Appreciate any comments on how the players are going!

 

[Devil_dog]

Danimal holds to 5-4. Pressure’s on Kali…

 

[Devil_dog]

Two double faults dooms Kali and Danimal roars on.

 

[HarveyPitnik]

^^ Not handling the pressure well, two DFs while earlier hardly any (okay, one or two).

...and it's over. Danimal wins after over 3hrs of contest.

Edit. Wrote earlier that two UEs, while it was supposed to be DFs. Well, it's 5.19 am where I live so that explains a lot!

 

[Devil_dog]

Sakkari two points from victory

 

[ihitlikeagirl]

Diversity is the mission statement on sports broadcasts. The Collins match is more compelling.

I agree that they should be showing the most compelling and dynamic matches!

 

[HarveyPitnik]

Lesia Tsurenko seems to be totally "yesterday's news" - can not trouble Karolina Muchova in any way. This will soon be over... (6-2, 2-0 at the moment)

 

[flyingboris]

Mandatory pun: the Tsurenko match looks pretty Muchova.

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Mandatory pun: the Tsurenko match looks pretty Muchova.

That's Gold Boris, Gold!

 

[flyingboris]

That's Gold Boris, Gold!

Kramer? Edit: no, Kenny Bania, I knew it was Seinfeld.

 

[bezs]

Tough loss for Anisimova after the good showing last year.

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Tough loss for Anisimova after the good showing last year.

I want to like her, but she has no mental game.

 

[HarveyPitnik]

Now hitting much ova. (And thus giving at least one game to Tsurenko)

 

[No_Kwan_Do]

Really happy for Raducanu that she got through. A little scrappy at times, but understandable rust given the lack of matches and practice time over the last 10 days due to the injury. Serve was pretty average for most of it, but started to get better towards the end of the match. An in-form Raducanu would have probably won that 0 and 0 as Korpatsch was pretty useless throughout. A win is a win though.

Coco match should be interesting. Had Emma had a few more matches in her legs and came into this fully-prepped, it would have been a very interesting match, but i think Coco might take it this time.

 

[ktx]

Watching a bit of coco vandeweghe play kalinina. Such a funny match up. Coco V is so unlikeable yet fascinating to me. She always seems to make it through qualifying at the slams but isn’t really making money on the tour and barely gets entry into wta events it seems. Guess she has family money that is supporting her?

 

[Aussie Darcy]

That's a thrashing by Muchova 6-2 6-1 over Tsurenko.

Karolina using her PR to get into the event, SFist here in Melbourne just 2 years ago where she stunned Barty in the QF before pushing Brady to 3 sets.

She faces Danielle Collins next and that is sure to be a tight, thrilling contest.

 

[flyingboris]

Brenda Fruhvirtova getting started, for those interested.

 

[HarveyPitnik]

Vandeweghe looked so out-of-shape in the qualies that I seriously doubted that she would be able to go through, but she did and beat amongst other the reigning junior nr.! Marcinko! I checked how she has done during the last year and I'd assume she is getting enough money from the tour (she won one 125k tournament!) She also beat certain Jessica Pegula last April!!!!!

Unexpected result of this very moment is that Kenin leads against Azarenka 3-0!

 

[HarveyPitnik]

Brenda Fruhvirtova getting started, for those interested.

Must sleep a couple of hours now... I will se how the "wunderkind" did afterward...
As there is no players from my own country on WTA side of the draw, I'm rooting for Czech players (mainly)!

 

[Devil_dog]

Vika now serving 2-3 vs. Sofia.

 

[flyingboris]

Qinwen getting started vs Galfi.

 

[flyingboris]

Sasnovich plays a mean dropshot! Brenda had an early break, but lost it, Sasnovich serving at 3-3 first set.

Edit: lots of breaks this first set, but Sasnovich takes it 7-5.

 

[flyingboris]

Yastremska out, Eyesorepenko through in two.

 

[Mark-Touch]

I love similarities and coincidences like this.
Bondar vs. Bogdan playing each other now.
One letter difference in their names. What are the chances?
bondaR vs. boGdan

 

[Mark-Touch]

B. Fruity not quite ready for prime time.
Shows a lot of promise though.

 

[ihitlikeagirl]

Watching a bit of coco vandeweghe play kalinina. Such a funny match up. Coco V is so unlikeable yet fascinating to me. She always seems to make it through qualifying at the slams but isn’t really making money on the tour and barely gets entry into wta events it seems. Guess she has family money that is supporting her?

Very true to the bolded. So impossible to like. I only like that she is from the SD area. Nothing else that likable. And anything that is is quickly ruined by her bad personality.

 

[Devil_dog]

And Sofia is finnish. Vika wins 4&6.

 

[spystud]

Damnit, Sofia.

 

[zvelf]

Interesting that Mertens is not playing with Kudermetova given how dominate they were last year.

That is strange. And I guess Hsieh Su-Wei is unofficially retired now. Sadly.

Coco match should be interesting. Had Emma had a few more matches in her legs and came into this fully-prepped, it would have been a very interesting match, but i think Coco might take it this time.

You're right. Raducanu has too few matches under her belt to beat Coco, and even if she was match-savvy, she'd still probably lose to Coco.

 

[No_Kwan_Do]

Looks like the two wonderkids are out. Brenda Fruhvirtova beaten in straights by Sasnovich and Bejlek comfortably beaten by Krejcikova.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Niemier came to play, hitting right in the middle of the court and frustrating Swiatek. On serve 5-4 but this is surprisingly close.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

And like clockwork Iga steps it up and breaks at the right time to take the first set 6-4.

 

[Lozo1016]

Based on the Swiatek-Niemeier match in NY and this battle here, looks like Jule really presents some tricky matchup issues with Iga. Tough 1st round draw!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Swiatek hitting a second serve return easily into the net. She’s not playing well. Niemeyer saves BP and holds. One game from taking the 2nd set.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Swiatek at a crappy 48% first serve percentage. Her second serve is holding up very well with big serves at clutch points but can’t get a first serve in.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Jesus this is so tense. Double fault to give it deuce, first serve missed, then a good rally and a great shot from Iga to give game point.

Oh my god and she hits an easy shot into the net back to deuce. ****.

Swiatek goes on to hold serve and Niemeier will now serve for the 2nd set.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Swiatek tunes it up when she needs and she breaks Niemeier as she serves for the set.

Back on serve 5-5.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Iga Swiatek does what she’s best at and reigns it in when it matter most, she wins the last 4 games and knocks out Niemeier 6-4 7-5.

That was not an easy match, Iga needs to improve big time if she wants her first Aus Open title.

 

[volleyandfun]

I want to like her, but she has no mental game.

Agree, like she mentally collapsed against Fernandez last year

 

[slipgrip93]

Kostyuk d. Anisimova. too bad only one of them makes it through as I like both of them.
B. Fruhvirtova out. Nice she made it through three qualifier matches at least, but needs more GS experience as her career goes on more WTA matches than ITF now.
Glad Rybakina makes it through first round.
Sorry for Kenin again. Azarenka continues to be a veteran contender.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Oh awesome, Keys was down 1-4 but just tuned in and she won 5 games straight to take the set 6-4.

 

[D-Lite]

That's a thrashing by Muchova 6-2 6-1 over Tsurenko.

Karolina using her PR to get into the event, SFist here in Melbourne just 2 years ago where she stunned Barty in the QF before pushing Brady to 3 sets.

She faces Danielle Collins next and that is sure to be a tight, thrilling contest.

Muchova has been back from injury for quite some time. I've been surprised that's she's not done a huge amount in that time - I'd like to see her return to top form.

 

[D-Lite]

The only way I see Raducanu having a chance against Gauff is if she plays totally freely and is able to exploit the Gauff forehand. I feel like Gauff has too much form and momentum after winning the title in Auckland. Raducanu will do well to win a set, but this is definitely a match I've been wanting to see. I'm hoping after Australia ER's team continue to work on her physicality and she's able to get in an off season's worth of practice before IW and Miami. Her performances on clay last year also show that she could we'll have some good showings on the surface once she's played a few more seasons on it.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

I don't think there's a player who through all the hope they've shown in their career has ever annoyed me as much as Madison Keys. This will sound mean but I hope she never wins a slam. She is truly a pathetic headcase. She probably will get through this match but she does not have what it takes to win a slam. She has no game B, she just bashes the ball, she blows so many chances and she's just not consistent.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Keys completely collapses after fighting herself back into the set. Blinkova breaks thanks to Keys' pathetic unforced errors and they're going 3. Hope the Russian blows Madison off the court now.

 

[optic yellow]

Keys completely collapses after fighting herself back into the set. Blinkova breaks thanks to Keys' pathetic unforced errors and they're going 3. Hope the Russian blows Madison off the court now.

Why do you hate her so much lol? Or is it just your frustration at watching it.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Why do you hate her so much lol? Or is it just your frustration at watching it.

More like watching her entire career for the last 6-8 years and seeing her blow opportunity after opportunity. Biggest headcase we've seen. At least Ostapenko struck together the same game plan long enough to win a slam. Keys just crumbles time and time again.

It's either a winner or a terrible unforced error. Nothing in between for Madison.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Keys with a cute little scream after she hits yet another pathetic unforced error into the net.

Are we looking at our 9th consecutive break of serve?

 

[optic yellow]

Keys with a cute little scream after she hits yet another pathetic unforced error into the net.

Are we looking at our 9th consecutive break of serve?

It's not WTA if more than half the games in a set aren't breaks.