I never expected for something like this to happen but, last Thursday early morning, tuned on some Rome action expecting to catch the Iga-Coco match from the get-go, just to see how Hurkacz, playing before them, won the 2nd set of his match, only to tumble on the third, thus extending the waiting time for Iga. And I found myself a bit irritated that I would have to wait for an ATP match to finish, so the WTA girls could get it on!
Been following Iga since she basically made the switch to Tecnifibre (Im a Tec fan) and am just in awe of her progress, and how well shes playing, how comfortable shes looking on clay, and let alone that, how DOMINANT she is becoming. After a thrilling 3 setter, 3 hour match final in Madrid (her first title at the high-altitude clay tournament in Spains capital) against the number 2 player in the world, Sabalenka, she goes through Rome not loosing a set and playing even better tennis. That forehand of hers, that MODERN, unusual (for the WTA) forehand is flying, kicking up the court thanks to the spin she is able to put on the ball, and ripping through her rivals. This and her better-than-ever 2hbh that is just so solid now, and that she is using even much more than before, as an alternate weapon (crosscourt, dtl.... acute angles....). The Rome final, was, in fact, against the number two player in the world, yet again. And again a very high tennis quality match, very fast paced, so curiosly matched, heavy spin against hard flat strokes. This match was not as close as the one in Madrid (maybe conditions favored Iga much more this time?), but nevertheles it was GREAT tennis.
On the other hand, I barely watched the ATP matches this time, watched zero of the semis or even the final.
Maybe its the blues, because of the Big 3, all of that, you know, but maybe it is also because of what is going on at the WTA. It is at the very least, worth a shot, to watch a bit, give them a chance. I for sure am.
Are you all watching too? Anyone?
