WTA 500 Doha 2/13 - 2/18 2023

[JTContinental]

I like Iga and she is currently a great champion, but she needs to win about 15 more slams to even get to Serena's orbit.

[JazzNU]

My GF showed me a video of Sakkari training in the gym. By now, I have an idea about her. She is indeed an incredible physical person; the level of intensity in the training is off the scale. But somehow, it has not translated into dominance. For example, her training on her upper body is insane, yet she does not have a great serve.
So maybe: do more on court? Drop a bit the gym, extend a bit working on strokes? She is certainly playing very, very well, but there is a little something missing for her to win big titles.

Sakkari reminds me a decent amount of Mauresemo. But I don't recall this being a regular criticism of Amelie. Do you remember it differently? Mauresmo rarely dominated an opponent despite her physique.

I disagree with your comments about Sakkari's serve. Is it great? Maybe not exactly great, but it's very good for her height and it's one of her strengths, something that has gotten better and helped with her rise to the top 10.

[JazzNU]

Regarding Iga - 10 Slams over or under?

Right now I'd say under. I would say over if she were to pick up a second hard court GS or win Wimbledon by the end of 2024.

[ponchi101]

...
Sakkari reminds me a decent amount of Mauresemo. But I don't recall this being a regular criticism of Amelie. Do you remember it differently? Mauresmo rarely dominated an opponent despite her physique.

I disagree with your comments about Sakkari's serve. Is it great? Maybe not exactly great, but it's very good for her height and it's one of her strengths, something that has gotten better and helped with her rise to the top 10.

Uhm, comparing her to Amelie is a bit difficult for me. Amelie had a lot of weapons: the BH (obvious), and her net game was excellent. Also, being from the French school, her mechanics were almost perfect.
I find that Sakkari's service motion does not generate all the power. Then again, I have always had another theory. The reason why Americans and Australians usually have good serves is because American's play baseball, and Aussie cricket (plus the Brits). That allows young players to develop that quick elbow motion (from pitching) and a strong shoulder rotation (cricket throwing). So, I don't know if Sakkari simply does not have that explosion in her arm.

[Sinner Fan]

Regarding Iga - 10 Slams over or under?

This is all up to who come to challenge her. If no one does she can get over 10 slams.

[patrick]

Regarding Iga - 10 Slams over or under?

Under

[atlpam]

My GF showed me a video of Sakkari training in the gym. By now, I have an idea about her. She is indeed an incredible physical person; the level of intensity in the training is off the scale. But somehow, it has not translated into dominance. For example, her training on her upper body is insane, yet she does not have a great serve.
So maybe: do more on court? Drop a bit the gym, extend a bit working on strokes? She is certainly playing very, very well, but there is a little something missing for her to win big titles.

Sakkari reminds me a decent amount of Mauresemo. But I don't recall this being a regular criticism of Amelie. Do you remember it differently? Mauresmo rarely dominated an opponent despite her physique.

I disagree with your comments about Sakkari's serve. Is it great? Maybe not exactly great, but it's very good for her height and it's one of her strengths, something that has gotten better and helped with her rise to the top 10.

From a physique perspective, I would agree with the Mauresmo comparison. I've always thought they had similar body types, but I do think Mauresmo had a more fluid, all court game than Sakkari does.

[Sinner Fan]

Maria Sakkari is a very confusing player. She can play very lights out set and then next set it like watching some other player. I do not think her serve is that bad. Not the best of her weapons but not bad. I agree she might hit courts more than gym to help game more.

[ponchi101]

Everything she does is solid. The one outstanding thing is the speed and stamina.
I gather that we will always have the players that make it to the top 5, but can't go forward. The Berdychs, Dementieva's, and those types.
I hope I am wrong. I would really like for Sakkari to win something big.

[ti-amie]

[ti-amie]

[Deuce]

I wish people would stop with the 'Iga lost only 5 games all tournament' crap.
She had 2 byes.
She played only 3 matches.
Granted, losing only 5 games in 3 matches is a nice accomplishment. But the way it's marketed is as if she had to play 7 matches or something. Enough!

I think it's safe to say that, had Bencic not quit the tournament suddenly, Swiatek would not have beaten her love and love - and no-one would be talking about how few games she lost in the tournament.

[ti-amie]

I wish people would stop with the 'Iga lost only 5 games all tournament' crap.
She had 2 byes.
She played only 3 matches.
Granted, losing only 5 games in 3 matches is a nice accomplishment. But the way it's marketed is as if she had to play 7 matches or something. Enough!

I think it's safe to say that, had Bencic not quit the tournament suddenly, Swiatek would not have beaten her love and love - and no-one would be talking about how few games she lost in the tournament.

"Had Bencic not chickened out of playing Iga she would have done better than 0-0 or 0-1."

Fixed that for ya!