Mary Pierce returning to the top 10?

[bcslice]

Mary Pierce stands a very good chance of returning to the top 10 within the next two weeks. If she wins the final of the Acura tournament in San Diego tomorrow against either Sugiyama or Morigami, she'll gain 300 points, putting her neck and neck with Clijsters for the #10 spot. Depending on how she performs next week in Los Angeles, with Dementieva (in poor form these days) being the toughest player in her path to the semifinals, she stands a great chance. What a terrific year for Pierce now having won 15 of her last 17 matches.

What do you all think? Will Mary Pierce be able to continue with her momentum and finish 2005 in the top 10?

 

[Cavaleer]

Too soon to tell, so I didn't vote. I enjoy her grit though.

If she gets hot and a few of the other top-ten women stay injured, she could. But if everyone's healthy for the Open and the indoor season, I'm not so sure.

Ask me after the USO.

 

[scotus]

Pierce definitely has the game to be in top 10. Nick Bollettieri even thinks she will win more grand slams.

 

[theace21]

She will, but she is my most unfavorite woman pro...I always hope she loses, but she seems to be getting everything together...

 

[pound cat]

When I watch Mary I would like to stick a pin in her as she prepares to serve, prepares to serve, prepares to serve. But once the ball is in the court she's great. She must drive her opponents nuts whether they admit it or nor.

 

[PierceCheng]

I hope so.

 

[laurie]

I'm pleased to see Pierce back especially having the chance to finally see her play live for the first time this year.

By the way, I can tell you, Pierce is truly the last link from the late 80s till now. When she gets ready to serve, she reminds me of Ivan Lendl. Once the play starts, its real fast and going for broke. But it takes a while for the play to start!! But I quite enjoy this, while I know it drives other people to distraction, like Patty Schnyder on Friday!!

 

[Babblelot]

The absense of players at the top over the past 12 months--Serena, Lindsay, Justine, Sharapova, Clijsters, Venus, Capriati, Molik--has created a vaccuum. I suspect players who've managed to remain injury free, like Mary and Patty Schnyder, will crack the Top 10.

 

[Speedy_tennis]

she is playing very well, she have good chances

 

[laurie]

Boy, she played damn well yesterday in the final of Agura Classic! Thats what you call pure ball striking ability.

 

[morten]

her defence game sucks..

 

[tpduke112]

I hope Schnyder gets in before Pierce.

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

To be honest I could see her getting back in the top 5, if she continues her current level of discipline and focus on her fitness level. Look at what she has done since the French Open. Her run to the French Open final, dismantling Davenport who was playing on her worst surface, but nobody expected this easy a win for Mary over Lindsay even on clay. Her performance at Wimbledon, by far her worst surface, reaching the quarters for only the 2nd time ever, and nearly taking the 2nd set from a very in-form Venus Williams, something you would never expect on grass, especially with Venus playing well. Her performance at this tournament. With the way she strikes the ball, and the tendancy to get injured of about half of the current female contenders, top 5 is very possable for her if she substains her effort level.

It is funny to read the Nick Bolliteri autobiography, and how he describes his two years as Marys coach.

 

[Yours!05]

Boy, she played damn well yesterday in the final of Agura Classic! Thats what you call pure ball striking ability.

First, I have a soft spot for Mary from years ago, for just that ball-striking which was rarer back then, but she tried to give it to Sugiyama at the end. Looks like she has to have at least a 6-0 set to fall back on in case the closing problem goes on too long. Can't be giving that much to the likes of JHH, and how long can this, let's face it, rare burst of fine form continue? But it's good to watch, and a change from the usual faces.