WTA 500 Linz 1/27 - 2/2 2025

[ashkor87]

To me, Tauson is a junior Mertens, no real game to beat the great players with..Won't be surprised if Yastremska knocks her off. Tauson does have nice variety, though, not just slam-bang.. nice to watch

Y won 6-1, 6-4 as I expected..she has real power, Tauson doesn't.

[ashkor87]

Yastremska hit 39 winners to Tauson,'s 15.
I am a fan of Alexandrova's (probably the only one here!) but even Iam surprised by her win over Muchova...and the magnitude of it .6-0 in the first set.Muchova couldn't handle her serve at all it is reported. Didn't see the match since such things are not televised here .

[JTContinental]

Well, the bottom fell out of that semi, as the two best players were unceremoniously dumped out in straight sets.

[ashkor87]

Well, the bottom fell out of that semi, as the two best players were unceremoniously dumped out in straight sets.

They weren't the two best...except by ranking, which, well, .....

[ti-amie]

Sunday Order of Play

Center Court
Starts at 8:00 AM

Final
RUS E. Alexandrova (4) vs UKR D. Yastremska (5)
Followed By
Final
HUN T. Babos/BRA L. Stefani (4) vs UKR L. Kichenok/UKR N. Kichenok (3)

[JTContinental]

Ok true, Svitolina and Bencic are better, but lost early. I know you have a thing for Alexandrova, but I don’t agree with you on her talent level.

[ashkor87]

Ok true, Svitolina and Bencic are better, but lost early. I know you have a thing for Alexandrova, but I don’t agree with you on her talent level.

What will it take?! Have you seen her play?

[ashkor87]

Well, the bottom fell out of that semi, as the two best players were unceremoniously dumped out in straight sets.

They weren't the two best...except by ranking, which, well, .....

I did say Muchova and Alexandrova, but unfortunately they ran into each other in the semis ...see post #9 above.

[ti-amie]

Muchova was bagelled in the first set?!

[ashkor87]

Muchova was bagelled in the first set?!

Per the highlights, her serve had nothing on it, wonder if she was not well .

[ponchi101]

Ok true, Svitolina and Bencic are better, but lost early. I know you have a thing for Alexandrova, but I don’t agree with you on her talent level.

What will it take?! Have you seen her play?

Yes, I have. And she is a top 30 player. You are her #1 fan here, which is alright, but the sole thing we have been saying for several years now is that she is ranked according to her skills.
Serious here. What strokes do you think she has that are above the average? Again, for top 30 talent.

And about Muchova. I believe it is time to start looking at the results too. Lovely game? For sure. The BH is a charm, the FH is gorgeous. But she is 28 by now, and the results are not there. Using your unofficial "tier system", I think it is time to admit she is not a top tier player.

[ashkor87]

Oh I don't think Alexandrova is Tier 1 either. But she is in the same class as so many players people think are top tier..Pegula, Badosa, Paolini, Sakkari, Svitolina etc.her service return is very good,her serve too is better than most top 30 players, her defense is excellent too.
.anyway, I don't want to be saying she is great, but she is much better than most people give her credit for. She just won Linz, btw .a 500 level tournament. I am no expecting her to win a major, certainly,or even a 1000 without a good draw.

[ashkor87]

I think Muchova is short of match practice..she will be top of Tier 2 soon. I agree she wont win a major any time soon.

[ponchi101]

Oh I don't think Alexandrova is Tier 1 either. But she is in the same class as so many players people think are top tier..Pegula, Badosa, Paolini, Sakkari, Svitolina etc.her service return is very good,her serve too is better than most top 30 players, her defense is excellent too.
.anyway, I don't want to be saying she is great, but she is much better than most people give her credit for. She just won Linz, btw .a 500 level tournament. I am no expecting her to win a major, certainly,or even a 1000 without a good draw.

Ok, so we are getting to a consensus, because I don't think any of those players are top Tier either.

[ti-amie]