WTA 500 Doha 2/13 - 2/18 2023

[Suliso]

If that's not an easy path what is? One would struggle to find an easier path to this stage of a GS.

I would say Kanepi and Mertens are good clay court players. Stephens reached the RG final. Trevisan has made it to the RG semis twice.
Ok, not a murderers' row, but also not a sleep walk. She had to break some sweat.

Sure, but still easier than 80% of the time. Kanepi and Stephens are both "washed up". Kanepi because of old age and Stephens who knows why.

[Deuce]

One could possibly argue that the game is more physically demanding today than it was in those 'old days'...
But the counter argument to that is that today's players are in better physical condition - so these two elements likely cancel each other out.
But the mindset between yesterday's players and today's players is definitely different, with yesterday's players being much less spoiled than today's players (most of that is owing to there being much more money and attention in the game today than there was back then - that has a strong tendency to create players who feel a sense of entitlement).

With Bencic, she played the full week last week, including a rather gruelling Final on Sunday. If she's tired and needs to rest, fine - I really don't have a problem with that. What I have a problem with is her deciding in the middle of the tournament that she needs to rest. In this scenario, her fatigue was quite predictable - yet her decision to not play came suddenly, and at a very bad time.

As I mentioned before - every player should plan on making it to the Final, and assess whether or not they are in good enough physical and/or psychological condition to do so. If not, they should not enter the tournament.
With Bencic, because she played the full week last week, it certainly seems that she decided before this tournament began that she would play only until it became inconvenient and uncomfortable. And that's not fair to the fans, her fellow players, the tournament, or the sport.

[ti-amie]

One could possibly argue that the game is more physically demanding today than it was in those 'old days'...
But the counter argument to that is that today's players are in better physical condition - so these two elements likely cancel each other out.
But the mindset between yesterday's players and today's players is definitely different, with yesterday's players being much less spoiled than today's players (most of that is owing to there being much more money and attention in the game today than there was back then - that has a strong tendency to create players who feel a sense of entitlement).

With Bencic, she played the full week last week, including a rather gruelling Final on Sunday. If she's tired and needs to rest, fine - I really don't have a problem with that. What I have a problem with is her deciding in the middle of the tournament that she needs to rest. In this scenario, her fatigue was quite predictable - yet her decision to not play came suddenly, and at a very bad time.

As I mentioned before - every player should plan on making it to the Final, and assess whether or not they are in good enough physical and/or psychological condition to do so. If not, they should not enter the tournament.
With Bencic, because she played the full week last week, it certainly seems that she decided before this tournament began that she would play only until it became inconvenient and uncomfortable. And that's not fair to the fans, her fellow players, the tournament, or the sport.

This.

[Suliso]

By the way did you notice how predictable the results in Doha have been? 7/8 top seeds reached the QF's. SF's will be #1, 2, 8 and 3 or 5.

[ponchi101]

I had not. That would be fodder for the hypothesis that rankings do say something.

[Deuce]

^ It would also partially stifle the argument that there is deep parity in the WTA.
Personally, I don't think it means anything significant. If it happens in 4 tournaments out of 5, then, yes, it is meaningful and indicative... But in one tournament? Nah...

[JTContinental]

Lol at Coco being a “dim prospect” and not liking “slow courts.” I still maintain court speed on anything other than clay is arbitrary and meaningless.

[Deuce]

Meanwhile, Sakkari and Garcia are locked in a tight 3rd set battle...
5-4 Sakkari, on serve...

[ti-amie]

[ashkor87]

Do we think Gauff reaching her first GS final on clay was more of a fortunate draw? If not it would argue against her not liking slower courts.

Indeed. It would seem her greatest achievement has been on a slow court.
(BTW: her path at RG: Marino-Van Uytvanck-Kanepi- Mertens- Stephens-Trevisan- Swiatek. Not that easy).

Except for swiarek, it was .even Sloane is not much of a clay court player, though she did get to the finals one time. In fact, you may remember, when I saw the draw I said Coco is going to the semis!

[ti-amie]

Day 7 Order of Play

Center Court
Starts at 04:30 PM

Semifinal
GRE M. SAKKARI (5) vs USA J. PEGULA (2)
FOLLOWED BY
Semifinal
POL I. SWIATEK (1) vs RUS V. KUDERMETOVA (8)
FOLLOWED BY
Final
USA C. GAUFF/USA J. PEGULA (1) vs UKR L. KICHENOK/LAT J. OSTAPENKO (2)

[ashkor87]

Lol at Coco being a “dim prospect” and not liking “slow courts.” I still maintain court speed on anything other than clay is arbitrary and meaningless.

Things are certainly headed that way...all courts are converging to slow...the game will be poorer for it.

[JazzNU]

It'd be great if people would ease the heck up on her. The way she became everyone's go to punching bag last year to make some point was fairly ridiculous.

[ashkor87]

Lol at Coco being a “dim prospect” and not liking “slow courts.” I still maintain court speed on anything other than clay is arbitrary and meaningless.

Well, Swiatek herself provides the proof..she thrashed Collins yesterday and lost to her at the AO last year,and to Rybakina this year! Why? Only because of the court ..

[Deuce]

^ That the victor is always so predictable and such a foregone conclusion makes one wonder why they even bother to play the matches at all, huh?
Sigh...