WTA week of 12/31; Brisbane 500 & Auckland 250
- Thread starter spystud
- Start date
Winners or Errors
Legend
Saw the highlights. Radacanu not looking bad. Svitolina has been playing some good tennis. First two sets were very clean and competitive. Let's hope the young Brit can stay healthy.
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
Around 6h on court in 2 matches - not a bad week in terms of match play. Would have liked to have seen her name down to play Adelaide or Hobart next week but I guess she's probably not ranked high enough even with the PR, so at least she seems ready to go to battle in R1 of the AO. My concern is she runs into a big hitter who doesn't let her get into rallies.
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
I wouldn't be surprised if we got Rybakina vs Sabalenka in the AO final again depending on where they fall in the draw. A taster in the final of Brisbane would be extremely welcome.
It may be a bit too early to be highly competitive but I'd also like to see these 2 against Osaka at the AO.
ScentOfDefeat
G.O.A.T.
Is Raducanu playing under a protected ranking?
coolcamden
Hall of Fame
@D-Lite said PR 3 posts above.
ScentOfDefeat
G.O.A.T.
Ok, thanks.
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
In true TTW fashion, you spoke too soon. WAY too soon.
I'm going to say it again... so in a little while I can say, 'I told you so." Andreeva looks awesome so far and will be the story of this season. She might not break the top 5 or win a slam, but she will be the one everyone is talking about.
Indeed, she is back to her third set breakdown (physical and mental) ways. Did you see that third set? She only won that single game because somehow Svitolina didn't realize that Emma could no longer put a simple rally ball in play, and made some silly errors of her own. Emma was out of gas, clutching at her back, uninspired and uninspiring.
Solid indeed. Auckland really got the leftovers...
Did you see her at the end of the match? She hardly looked fit for battle.
Should be a fun watch, plus both of them are beautiful women.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Azarenka just hit 4 consecutive aces from 2 break points down… crazy.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
I don’t think you’ll find that many including myself disagree about Andreeva. She was named the 2023 newcomer of the year for a reason. She’s a beast and looks fantastic and will be a future star of the sport. So I won’t be hearing any “I told you so”
Winners or Errors
Legend
Hmm, I don't know. I think a fitter (and she looks like she's headed that way) Ostapenko is something for the entire tour to fear. She has always been a lovely ballstriker.
spystud
Talk Tennis Guru
Well, Petra didn’t really attend the 2nd set.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
It’s a great match, it feels like Azarenka should be winning this. She’s doing better on serve, better on returns, 11 aces. But we are in a 3rd set now.
coolcamden
Hall of Fame
Of course.
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
That's a good point. I realize that those of you posting in this thread (and similar WTA threads) are likely well aware of her current and potential ability. But there will be others that come along in the future and act surprised, or think she is a flash in the pan...I don’t think you’ll find that many including myself disagree about Andreeva. She was named the 2023 newcomer of the year for a reason. She’s a beast and looks fantastic and will be a future star of the sport. So I won’t be hearing any “I told you so”
I know she is the returning champ, but Gauff looks a little lame playing in Auckland, while all the big names are in Brisbane or at the United Cup.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
This is pretty insanely good by Ostapenko and Azarenka. Wow.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Oh lord, the drama! Ostapenko is sure the ball bounced twice by the chair ump isn’t buying it. Vika holds a crucial game where she was 40-0 up but let it get to deuce. This match has had it all!
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Ostapenko shouting at the chair umpire, I never want you on my match ever again. You have ruined my match.
Bill Lobsalot
Hall of Fame
Penko is a hoot. Never a dull moment with her.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Double match points for Vika. This has been an absolutely brilliant match!
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Ostapenko hits it into the net and Vika reigns supreme! What a fantastic match.
Bill Lobsalot
Hall of Fame
Karma got Penko. Missed five serves in a row and netted overhead. Good match though.
Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
Parry is on court. Let's see.
austintennis2005
Professional
Who is “Sonya”
Subway Tennis
G.O.A.T.
Very sad situation with Potapova. This is the one dark side of players who contribute by being top singles players and also committing to doubles.
She played a big singles match yesterday, then an epic doubles match that same day, and then is playing again the next day and she gets scheduled as an early day match (?) with very little recovery time. Bviously very little they could do scheduling wise because of the need to have big name Rybakina as a daytime showcase but Potapova got screwed big time.
It looks like at the very least she has sustained severe abdominal soreness that has forced her withdrawal against Rybakina but even before that injury / strain / soreness she must have been running on fumes.
She played a big singles match yesterday, then an epic doubles match that same day, and then is playing again the next day and she gets scheduled as an early day match (?) with very little recovery time. Bviously very little they could do scheduling wise because of the need to have big name Rybakina as a daytime showcase but Potapova got screwed big time.
It looks like at the very least she has sustained severe abdominal soreness that has forced her withdrawal against Rybakina but even before that injury / strain / soreness she must have been running on fumes.
Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
First set in TB for Parry, tougher than it should have been at times. Great show now and then, with both of them going for their shots. The Chinese is equally well ranked right now, and won the only previous match. Aggressive lefty, with presence at the net. Will be a fight. Light rain for now.
Parry breaks first in the 2nd, now the match is suspended. There is no cover on the courts.
Back on court. I continue here. Now Parry nets a 2nd 1hbh for 1-1. She's not there yet, so she gets down 1-2, on serve though. She serves well for 2-2. Then 2 1HBHs and a running FH, all great, to break 3-2. Then 3 short BHs (1 slice, 1 top and a drop) and 3-3. break. Wang serves well 4-3. Parry plays grossly out a FH and a BH for 5-3 for Wang. Wang was much more into the 2nd set, more aggressive, allowed into it by Parry's average serving.
Parry starts well the 3rd, at love 1-0. The Chinese gets the yips and 2-0 Parry, who plays longer. Parry no errors for 3-0. 3-1. 4-1 by Parry serving better. But she stops here. 5-4 Wang after returning aggressively. 6-4 Wang, more consistent in the last 2 sets, wins tight match.
Parry breaks first in the 2nd, now the match is suspended. There is no cover on the courts.
Back on court. I continue here. Now Parry nets a 2nd 1hbh for 1-1. She's not there yet, so she gets down 1-2, on serve though. She serves well for 2-2. Then 2 1HBHs and a running FH, all great, to break 3-2. Then 3 short BHs (1 slice, 1 top and a drop) and 3-3. break. Wang serves well 4-3. Parry plays grossly out a FH and a BH for 5-3 for Wang. Wang was much more into the 2nd set, more aggressive, allowed into it by Parry's average serving.
Parry starts well the 3rd, at love 1-0. The Chinese gets the yips and 2-0 Parry, who plays longer. Parry no errors for 3-0. 3-1. 4-1 by Parry serving better. But she stops here. 5-4 Wang after returning aggressively. 6-4 Wang, more consistent in the last 2 sets, wins tight match.
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NaomiKonjuhPotapova
G.O.A.T.
Kenin.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Jude Law is in the crowd watching Sabalenka v Kasatkina. Oh my…
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
This years Aus Open looking so promising. Sabalenka, Rybakina, Swiatek and Gauff all on fire right now. Waiting to see Jabeur. Number of others looking good like Vika, Svitolina, Sakkari. Many stories especially the mums: Osaka, Wozniacki, Kerber, Svitolina and Vika.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Damn wasn’t expecting that. Haven’t caught any Auckland matches but, how would your rate some of the players so far going forward?
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
What an absolute laugh.
Potapova/Sizikova give a walkover to Kasatkina/Saville in the QF. Who then give a walkover to Kichenok/Ostapenko in the SF.
So the doubles final will be:
Minnen/Watson v Kichenok/Ostapenko.
Potapova/Sizikova give a walkover to Kasatkina/Saville in the QF. Who then give a walkover to Kichenok/Ostapenko in the SF.
So the doubles final will be:
Minnen/Watson v Kichenok/Ostapenko.
Dominic & Andrey
Legend
The top 4 has been playing outstanding tennis so far, very promising sight just before the AO.
spystud
Talk Tennis Guru
I’ve really only seen Elina because of the Caro/Emma matches, & of course Coco in America. Navarro keeps getting the early slot, she’ll probably have a decent season but won’t be much of a Slam factor.
Auckland certainly can’t be mad at their final four either.
[1] Coco v. [4] Navarro
[2] Svitolina v. Wang
coolcamden
Hall of Fame
Why play semi’s? Skip to Finals of Coco and ES, then skip to the trophy for Coco. Lol
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