Great hope Halep - How far now?

[Marius_Hancu]

Great hope Halep - How far will she advance at the 2014 USO?

What honor: she starts the tournament on Ashe!

Well, yes, consecrated in rankings in a great place at #2, but still a hope, as she looks forward to better results at the USO, after having lost last year in the 4th round to a Penetta in great form.

Her summer HC season has been perforce quite short after the shortened journeys in Cincy and New Haven, so she might not be yet at her best standards in terms of match preparation. However, she looks to be in great physical shape, and I am sure she's rearing to have another go at each of her rivals, including Sharapova. I am sure the unfortunate accident at Wimbledon could have but sharpened her ambition.

Let's get to HC again!

The dreaming and the reflective
[courtesy newpball]

Seeded (2) and in huge progress in terms of GSs, with a final at Roland Garros, a SF at Wimbledon, but with ground to conquer in terms of USO really -- look at past years.

Simona Halep's path at the 2014 USO:

R1: Collins
R2: Cepelova
R3: Muguruza (22)
R4: V. Williams (19)/ Errani (13)
QF: Sharapova (5)/Wozniacki (10)
SF: Radwanska (4) / Kerber (6)
F: S. Williams (1)

To me, this would be a very challenging draw for anyone, starting even with the match with Muguruza, thus the only strategy is being confident, really thinking one match at a time, full focus, by using the first two matches to accumulate more variety than her typical approach through consistenly more net game, stepping into the ball, or slicing, before meeting the big guns.

The major advantage in it: meeting Serena only in the final.

Lemme see: Tignor of tennis.com sees Wozniacki coming out of Simona's quarter. He was wrong at Wimbledon already )

Her pre-tournament interview
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/interactive/video/index.html?promo=subnav&category=latest

[go lower in the page to select her interview under Video]

How'dya feel about it ?


P.S. Most probably after the tourney, as I don't want to disturb her focus, I'll make Simona aware of this thread. She (herself or her assistants) recently "twitter favored" the other one we had here about her at Wimbledon:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=8664988#post8664988

 

[Avionics]

I am a fan of Halep and I'd love to see her playing the final against Serena. What a great scenario for WTA, having No 1 & No 2 playing in the US Open Final. But I don't see it happening for Simona. Not at this US Open. Considering her HC form so far and her draw filled with big hitters if she makes it to the QF would be great. Beyond that I'll take it as a bonus.

 

[Man of steel]

Us open has been very consistent from the women side in recent years where the top players face each other in the final. Whether halep and serena do well and make it to the final just shows how consistent US open is in not having major upsets early in the rounds.

 

[Wynter]

VIVA LA HALEP

2014 USO Champion <3

 

[Tcbtennis]

I'm rooting for Halep to get to the finals. It would be doubly awesome for her to take down Maria while getting there. Her hardcourt form has been disappointing so far. I feel as though she has gotten away from what made her fly up the rankings. The easy change of ball direction, the controlled aggression. She seems to be grinding more as opposed to going for her shots. I feel that she was more willing to come to the net at least for swinging volleys. It's as though she got to #2 and is just trying to stay there rather than fight to stay there or go even higher. I really like Simona so I hope she's able bring it all together for the Open.

 

[tennisenthusiast]

Halep will have a tough QF and a tough SF if Kerber comes through. If Serena is in the final then the trophy is in Serena's hands unless she has a really BAD day in the final.

My prediction: QF exit for Halep.

 

[coloskier]

I don't think fast hard courts are necessarily good for her game. Venus will probably take her in the 4th round.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

I don't think fast hard courts are necessarily good for her game.

That, I disagree with. Her game is based on quick and intricate movement, and one has the best purchase/traction on this surface.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

More about Halep's 1st round opponent, who is currently unranked, but seems to have been once #550 or so:

Danielle Collins
She earned a berth in the tournament by winning the NCAA women's singles title on May 26.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/tennis/st-petersburgs-danielle-collins-to-play-in-us-open/2194175

She seems to have practiced with Sharapova and said she expects that experience to help her against Halep.

 

[cc0509]

I suspect QF's MAX for Halep. Hopefully somebody like Muguruza will knock Halep out or if not then Venus or Giorgi. Or if not them then Lisicki or Sharapova.

Sorry, I am not a Halep fan. She is a weak number 2 imo and is no real threat vs the heavy hitters.

 

[romeo8880]

QF at best. Obviously will not beat Sharapova.

 

[CrackedRacket]

She's got another easy draw!

 

[Vensai]

If I had to guess, she might get to the QF or SF.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Her pre-tournament interview
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/interactive/video/index.html?promo=subnav&category=latest

[go lower in the page to select her interview under Video]

 

[Marius_Hancu]

What honor: she starts the tournament on Ashe!

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/p_schedule7.pdf

Day 1: Monday, August 25
Arthur Ashe Stadium
11:00am
Women's Singles - Round 1

Danielle Rose Collins (USA)
vs.
Simona Halep (ROU) [2]

I know, much less public than in primetime, but
she gets a slight advantage in terms of recovery
in comparison with the other half.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

The read of the ESPN experts on Halep:
---
5 Women Who Could Become Grand New Champions At US Open

Simona Halep boasts a game far bigger than her diminutive stature, as we saw in both Paris and London. She's a focused player with undeterred resolve. Only Serena has more than Halep's eight titles during the past two seasons. A potential date with Venus Williams in the fourth round of the US Open would be some made-for-TV stuff.

What do you like?

Gilbert: Best mover on the women's tour. She has sneaky power for her size at 5-foot-6. She also has an underrated serve. Her backhand is one of the best in the game.

Shriver Just about everything except her size. I love her footwork, her backhand, her forehand, her tenacity and her improved emotional consistency. I like the way she constructs points. I love the way she embraced the French Open final. The end result wasn't what she wanted, but she was one of the most positively reflective finalists we've had in women's tennis in years.

What don't you like?

Gilbert: She probably doesn't have that one big kill shot.

Shriver: Because of her size, her serve isn't a consistent weapon. She's small in stature but still has decent power. In this day and age in tennis, size does mean a lot. Through footwork and through her court savviness and point construction, Halep needs to make sure she keeps turning her size disadvantage into a positive and not a liability. Most of the women who have won majors in the past 10 to 20 years have done so with power being the main stamp of their game.

What do you expect in New York?

Gilbert: She's the No. 2 seed, so anytime you're the No. 2 seed, expectations have to be high. But she's proved she can win anywhere, against almost anyone. I don't see that changing at the US Open.

Shriver: She could end up winning her first major in New York. She can play really well on all surfaces. Look, all these first-timers are hindered now that Serena has played so many matches and heads into the Open with more confidence than she has in any other Slam this season. That's the way it is, but with Halep on the other side of the draw as Serena, she won't have to worry about that until the last day of the women's draw, if she makes it that far.

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/11393950/5-women-become-grand-new-champions-us-open
---

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Halep is on center!
1-1
Collins seems tough, feisty, but makes errors and is broken
2-1 Halep

 

[jaggy]

I like Collins so far, she hasn t a chance today but has game

 

[Nostradamus]

Halep is on center!
1-1
Collins seems tough, feisty, but makes errors and is broken
2-1 Halep

Danielle Collins playing like Sharapova. ace after ace. this could be an upset

 

[jaggy]

Collins throws in some moon balls too

 

[jaggy]

Mini break to Collins after a double

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

She's a shell of her former self. Knocking off her knockers...uggh!

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Collins played well and won the first set in a TB.
Now Halep is back with 3-1 in the 2nd.
Quite shocking of course.

 

[AngieB]

Danielle Rose Collins has beautiful on-court hair. Her leopard-print wristbands are notable. The "live" USOpen.org stream commentators repeatedly say her full name over and over and over. But it's her hair that stands out for sure.

AngieB

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Collins is good, and if she changes strings and racquet, she might have a tennis future, even with her wrist surgery.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Halep needs to step in, even when she retreats, the last step needs to be a step toward the ball. Too frequently, she executed shots from her heels.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Her and Collins' interviews
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/interactive/video/index.html?promo=subnav&category=latest

[go lower in the page to select the interview under Video]

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Well, Classy Garbine, the one and only, the Regal,

Garbine Muguruza 3 6 4
Mirjana Lucic 6 7 7

is out of Simona Halep's path.

And Venus didn't look great either.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

[edited] And Alexandra Dulgheru might have a chance at making Simona Halep a service by taking out Sharapova in her round 2:

Kristyna Pliskova 3 4
Alexandra Dulgheru 6 6

 

[Marius_Hancu]

On Ashe: hot day, and I'm still getting used to seeing you guys up, up there​

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Perfect court on Wed, 3rd match, thus afternoon, perhaps not as hot:

Louis Armstrong Stadium
Women's Singles - Round 2

Jana Cepelova (SVK)
vs.
Simona Halep (ROU) [2]

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule9.html

 

[Avionics]

And Alexandra Dulgheru might have a chance at making Simona Halep a service by taking out Venus in her round 2:

Kristyna Pliskova 3 4
Alexandra Dulgheru 6 6

Dulgheru is playing Sharapova.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Dulgheru is playing Sharapova.

Right on. Mental block. Edited.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Another bomb on Halep's path, after Muguruza, the most technical player after Halep, IMO, is gone:

Shuai Peng 6 6
Agnieszka Radwanska 3 4

Let's hope she knows how to use the opportunity.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Cepelova beat Serena this year
but is of the same height with Halep

She breaks Halep, who breaks back
1-2 on serve, Halep
Long rallies, Cepelova no pushover

Virginia Wade commentating: Halep reminds her of some of the greatest players, such as Kim, with her very neat hitting off the ground; Fissett thus should be a good coach for her (I am not so sure)

2-2 30-40 on Cepelova, but Halep hits bad from her heels into the net: bad habit
but finally breaks C.
3-2 Halep, 1 break up
3-2 30-15, Halep backs off from net and loses point: another problem (Wade is with me on this one)
but Halep is good enough to go
4-2

Halep looks very decisive at this point,
steps in in several shots (as I've recommended), and breaks again

5-2, Halep serves for the 1st set.
2 aces, good serving
6-2 she's clearly playing herself in great form
but no variety for now: no slices, dropshots, volleys.

Not much of a crowd on Amstrong, disappointing. Great, sunny weather.

Halep: FH problem: "arms" too much the ball, say in reverse FH, doesn't move the body enough into it, the stepping in, the translation motion isn't there enough; you can do that even in open stance
(Wade thinks she advances great into the ball: I don't agree, there's a huge place for improvement there)

Halep opens well the court today, by using both FH and BH for
1-1
then breaks for
2-1, one break up

Great net play, smash, volley, for
3-1 Halep
that's what I want to see much more, not just once in 30 min

Break points won: 5/8 very good
breaks again for
4-1 Halep to serve
this is done and dusted

5 aces (Wade: that's a lot)
service game at love
5-1
Wade: Halep, a very well oiled machine out here; very impressive performance

On court-interview: being #2 is a difficult situation to manage, I just have to do it; happy to finish quickly, as it's hot there.

She's just served a serious notice.

 

[cc0509]

Another bomb on Halep's path, after Muguruza, the most technical player after Halep, IMO, is gone:

Shuai Peng 6 6
Agnieszka Radwanska 3 4

Let's hope she knows how to use the opportunity.

What does Radwanska have to do with Halep? Halep will probably have to face Venus Williams long before worrying about anybody in the third quarter and Halep has never defeated Venus.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Let me get quickly out of this heat!
​

 

[Bukmeikara]

What does Radwanska have to do with Halep? Halep will probably have to face Venus Williams long before worrying about anybody in the third quarter and Halep has never defeated Venus.

Venus never really played peak Halep Its should be 70-30 for the romanian

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Good luck, Roger Federer, go and win the US Open Tennis Championships! Fingers crossed from me!
​

 

[cc0509]

Venus never really played peak Halep Its should be 70-30 for the romanian

Yes, but by the same token, Venus is playing a lot better and is in much better form than she was the last time she played vs Halep a couple of years ago. I think if Venus is not too fatigued Venus should take it. Venus' power should overpower Halep.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Halep should be fine if she can avoid Sharapova.

 

[cc0509]

Halep should be fine if she can avoid Sharapova.

Halep may have to face Venus first though and the fact is that Halep has never defeated Venus in three attempts. Does not mean she won't beat Venus now but h2h's matter as we have all seen time after time.

 

[Midaso240]

Halep may have to face Venus first though and the fact is that Halep has never defeated Venus in three attempts. Does not mean she won't beat Venus now but h2h's matter as we have all seen time after time.

Venus is outdoing herself if she gets to the 4th round. Can't expect much more than that

 

[Djokovic2011]

Halep may have to face Venus first though and the fact is that Halep has never defeated Venus in three attempts. Does not mean she won't beat Venus now but h2h's matter as we have all seen time after time.

Ooh Venus vs Halep, that should be a great match actually.

 

[cc0509]

Venus is outdoing herself if she gets to the 4th round. Can't expect much more than that

Maybe. But something tells me she may get further this time. She is certainly playing better than Sharapova is.

 

[Midaso240]

Maybe. But something tells me she may get further this time. She is certainly playing better than Sharapova is.

Doesn't matter,Sharapova would almost certainly win if they played.

 

[cc0509]

Doesn't matter,Sharapova would almost certainly win if they played.

I am not so sure about that. Their h2h is 5-5. Normally I would say you are right, but Venus' form has been better the past month or so than Sharapova's form.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Doesn't matter,Sharapova would almost certainly win if they played.

Yeah, I'd have to favour Sharapova over both Venus and Halep.

 

[Midaso240]

I am not so sure about that. Their h2h is 5-5. Normally I would say you are right, but Venus' form has been better the past month or so than Sharapova's form.

The H2H is 5-3 Sharapova,4-1 on hardcourts. I don't think you can count on anything with Venus,a 4th round would be a great result for her...

 

[cc0509]

The H2H is 5-3 Sharapova,4-1 on hardcourts. I don't think you can count on anything with Venus,a 4th round would be a great result for her...

Yes, sorry I was looking at this and counting those Hong Kong matches:

http://www.matchstat.com/index.php?...3&Name_Player2=Venus+Williams&Id_Player2=-151

However, I still feel that if Venus is not too fatigued and can make it to Sharapova(if Sharapova makes it that far) it could go either way given Sharapova's iffy form right now.