WTA week of 6/19; Eastbourne 500 & Bad Homburg 250
- Thread starter spystud
- Start date
TennisFan436
Semi-Pro
How was Serena looking? I still want 1 additional GS for her, even though I know its near impossible at this stage in her life. A fan can hope, though.
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
Something tells me Serena is back to retire at Wimbledon 2022. I don't think she's coming back after a year out, and going for the Wimbledon title without sharpening her play. Winning a few rounds could be fun, but even if she plays super well in say a 2nd or 3rd round match after some practice and working her way in a bit, I don't think she's going to be at the level to reproduce it and work her way deep into a draw. I hope I'm wrong but I just sense that's how this is going.
She was painting the lines at end of match, her inherent talent carried the team. But she is in terrible shape, No way in hell she does well at Wimbledon.
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
Burrage is on course to take out Badosa (I know this is Badosa's first warm-up tournament though).
Boulter took out Pliskova earlier and Dart is up on Teichmann.
The British players like Boulter, Dart, Burrage and more have played all of the grass warm ups and have actually had some decent results. I think they could all lose on R1 to R3 at Wimbledon but they're doing everything right to set themselves up for potential runs at Wimbledon especially if the draw is kind to them. Actually, an unkind draw may also help as I doubt they'll be dealing so much with an expectation that they'll have a 'winnable' match in front t of them with the prospect of disappointing a home crowd. I'm quietly optimistic for them for the first time in a while and Raducanu's name isn't even required as at this stage Boulter and Dart seem the best prospects after their results and Raducanu appears to be a huge question mark.
Boulter took out Pliskova earlier and Dart is up on Teichmann.
The British players like Boulter, Dart, Burrage and more have played all of the grass warm ups and have actually had some decent results. I think they could all lose on R1 to R3 at Wimbledon but they're doing everything right to set themselves up for potential runs at Wimbledon especially if the draw is kind to them. Actually, an unkind draw may also help as I doubt they'll be dealing so much with an expectation that they'll have a 'winnable' match in front t of them with the prospect of disappointing a home crowd. I'm quietly optimistic for them for the first time in a while and Raducanu's name isn't even required as at this stage Boulter and Dart seem the best prospects after their results and Raducanu appears to be a huge question mark.
Mr.Lob
G.O.A.T.
She didn't choke like the others. Looked heavy and slow. Hit fairly well when able to set up for the ball. Rusty.
ScottleeSV
Hall of Fame
Delighted for Burrage. The last time I watched her she lost in the US Open qualifiers after having a match point. Awful handshake from Badosa.
Baseline_Bungle
Hall of Fame
The WTA is at a point where it's a toss-up every time a top 10 plays a top 300.
Badosa working hard to win the crowded race for worst world number 2 of all time.
Badosa working hard to win the crowded race for worst world number 2 of all time.
Larry Duff
Legend
Burrage has big shots but mentally has struggled. This was a great win for her.
slipgrip93
Professional
Sorry to see Badosa being in frustration throughout her match with Burrage. I noticed her 2hbh was often just defensive and not penetrating on the "faster" grass surface. Even Kostyuk seems to hit a harder 2hbh now and they're using the same Steam racquet.
I'd have to concur with that. And congrats to Burrage.
I'd have to concur with that. And congrats to Burrage.
chicagodude
Hall of Fame
Hm, could be, but I don't think she's likely to retire at WO. More likely at the USO later this year.
If she's injury-free, I suppose she could play herself into form for the USO, but she looks too heavy to me to get even close to fitness required.
Then again, she did win the AO (2007 I think, or maybe it was 2005) in pretty terrible shape as well, so who knows......
zvelf
Hall of Fame
Serena is in 10x worse shape now than during that AO. Serena can't play herself into form with her body being totally out of form. She's looking like she's in the same shape as recent Clijsters. Serena has to lose 30 lbs. at least.
flyingboris
Legend
Kostyuk getting started vs. Dart. Go Marta!
Edit: lots of breaks this first set, but we're back at 4-4.
Edit: lots of breaks this first set, but we're back at 4-4.
Last edited:
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
An all-lefty clash with Kvitova would be cool to see, especially if Kvitova is in form. I wonder if Haddad-Maia will fatigue soon? Also wonder if playing 3 weeks in a row will lead to better rhythm at Wimbledon or more chance of burning out. I suppose if she's feeling fresh still it would make sense to keep the match play going. 3 title wins in a row would be amazing, but I feel it'd be so WTA that she does that and then loses R2 or 3 at Wimbledon!
I really hope she can go deep.
flyingboris
Legend
Marta can't hold her serve to save her life. Thankfully neither can Harriet. Final set, Dart serving at 3-2.
flyingboris
Legend
Marta-Dart back "on serve", whatever that means this match. Marta serving at 4-4. Dart very frustrated being broken back.
chicagodude
Hall of Fame
Lisicki actually won a second match, it would be nice to see her come back the next year to the top 100
flyingboris
Legend
This match is basically Marta's footwork vs. Dart's ability to tee off on all the sitters that Marta gives her. Marta needs to develop a killer shot asap.
Edit: and that's it, 6-4 2-6 6-4 Dart. Not impressed with Kostyuk's groundstrokes. Lots of UE and yet no bite. Too bad, she looks like such a fit player, it's just not clicking.
coolcamden
Hall of Fame
Got killed by Giorgi. Really?!
spystud
Talk Tennis Guru
That would be on the Hologic WTA Tour now, sir!
flyingboris
Legend
..in Eastbourne. I think I'm in the right thread, but I've been wrong before.
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
Who are the top 3 favourites for Wimbledon right now? Mine are:
Swiatek Former junior winner at Wimbledon, but obviously her recent form is undeniable. I think her and her team know what they're doing by not playing a warm up event. I believe she needed a rest but also they are preparing to win the title. Why would she not do so?
Jabeur Major ? around her mentality especially at majors but I feel the R1 loss at RG will force a different approach at Wimbledon.
Haddad Maia I'm super surprised by her form and if she can win Eastbourne she will be on an extremely significant win streak. I don't truly expect her to win Eastbourne but also I've seen who is left in the draw and I'm thinking why not?
Swiatek Former junior winner at Wimbledon, but obviously her recent form is undeniable. I think her and her team know what they're doing by not playing a warm up event. I believe she needed a rest but also they are preparing to win the title. Why would she not do so?
Jabeur Major ? around her mentality especially at majors but I feel the R1 loss at RG will force a different approach at Wimbledon.
Haddad Maia I'm super surprised by her form and if she can win Eastbourne she will be on an extremely significant win streak. I don't truly expect her to win Eastbourne but also I've seen who is left in the draw and I'm thinking why not?
Musterrific
Hall of Fame
She's still playing?? I thought she quit years ago...
Musterrific
Hall of Fame
You just know that she'll explode to blimp proportions once she finally officially retires from tennis...
spystud
Talk Tennis Guru
Cornet ruined that, but Bianca/Simona in the semis should be fun.
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
I am sure Kerber and Halep can go far, say a QF or SF, but I just feel like their time for winning majors has been and gone. Kerber's finding herself in so many 3 setters nowadays that I doubt she won't fatigue by week 2 and Halep just seems prone to losses but in form players, even those who aren't established names. I really hope by the USO we have Swiatek in form, with Osaka, Anisimova and Andreescu all approaching their top level. It feels like we have been unlucky on the WTA side with few of the most talented newcomers peaking at the same time. Then we have the issue of consistency just not providing us with solid rivalries. I just don't feel like the WTA had an established rivalry. We wanted Barty v Swiatek badly. Osaka isn't consistent nor has she seemingly dedicated herself to clay or grass.
Today I'm super excited for Halep v Andreescu and Kvitova v Haddad Maia.
Haddad Maia had a W/O do I'd expect that is something she really needed after playing for 3 weeks now. Petra on grass will be a test, and I think it may help us gauge just how realistic Haddad Maia is as a threat at Wimbledon. She will be seeded I believe which will depend on her draw come R3/R4 for how deep she can go, plus it's a major so mentally it's a different ball game pressure wise. If she wins 3 grass events in a row that is surely a confidence boost but also for such a player who hasn't gone deep in a major in singles I don't know if it could lead to heightened expectations leading to increased pressure from both herself and the media.
Baseline_Bungle
Hall of Fame
Here he is - the greatest mental coach in WTA history. Some would argue he isn't really a coach. But no question about the mental part.
www.instagram.com
Eurosport Italia on Instagram: "Quando tua figlia si sta giocando l'accesso ai quarti del #RolandGarros, e fai fatica a nascondere la tensione... e la sigaretta elettronica #EurosportTENNIS #RG22"
4,725 likes, 35 comments - eurosportitalia on May 30, 2022: "Quando tua figlia si sta giocando l'accesso ai quarti del #RolandGarros, e fai fatica a nascondere la tensione... e la sigaretta elettron...".
www.instagram.com
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
Great result for Kvitova! BHM deserves a rest. Keen to see how they both do at Wimbledon. I would LOVE to see Kvitova grab a 3rd title there and I'm not even a huge fan of hers. It would just be such a cool result all these years later and after her AO RU.
Similar threads
