WTA 1000 ATP 1000 Miami 3/21 - 4/2 2023

[mick1303]

Pegula career win-loss percentage is 60%, Gauff is 66%. IMO 6% is a significant gap.

[ponchi101]

...

You're right. I totally overstated the case. What I should have said was Pegula is terminally underrated by almost everyone as a tough competitor who wins with consistency but is not a top talent. She's a lot better than that in my opinion. I believe she is one of the five most talented players on the WTA tour at the moment but not quite good enough to compete with Sabalena, Rybakina and Swiatek when they are in form. She also lacks the creativity to neutralize their power the way Krejcikova can when she's feeling right.

Pegula's ranking of 3 is slightly inflated because of her consistency, but her ability is higher than almost anyone thinks, in my opinion. Better than, say, Bencic or Gauff unless Gauff figures out how to fix her forehand. I will be surprised if Pegula's level dips without an injury. I believe she is here to stay near the top of the game for a few years. It will be tough for her to win a slam, but not impossible with the right breaks.

Exactly. She is in that group of players that, if somebody else takes care of the Iga/Aryna/Elena current top, she can do it. Not saying she will because then we have the USO 2021 and Emma/Leylah reaching the final, but Jessica would be in the mix.

Pegula career win-loss percentage is 60%, Gauff is 66%. IMO 6% is a significant gap.

Agree. The sample size for Jessica is about 550 matches; that is significant. The sample size for Coco is a bit over 200, but that is still significant. So a 6% difference is statistically significant.

[ponchi101]

Sorana doing her best to remind us that this concept of "The Big Three" should really be "The Slightly Larger Than Average Three".

[ti-amie]

Cirstea took the first set but Sabalenka is up 3-2 in the second set after Cirstea raced to a 2-0 lead to open the set. Sabalenka was erratic and tossed in three doubles in that first set.

[ti-amie]

Errors flying off Sabalenka racquet now as Cirstea breaks and consolidates for 6-4, 5-3 lead. Sabalenka serving to stay in it now.

[ti-amie]

Cirstea will serve for the match at 6-4, 5-4.

Sabalenka has 20 UFE's to Cirstea's 9 (the number for Cirstea might be wrong)

[ti-amie]

GSM Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-4 over #2 ranked Aryna Sabalenka. Romanians in the crowd are ecstatic.

[ti-amie]

[nelslus]

GSM Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-4 over #2 ranked Aryna Sabalenka. Romanians in the crowd are ecstatic.

AH. Glad to hear that 35 of the 78 audience members were ecstatic.

.....Too soon to start up The Sabalenka is Washed Up Thread?

[ti-amie]

Clarey has now moved to Mastodon. That's big for #tennis

[ti-amie]

Cirstea will serve for the match at 6-4, 5-4.

Sabalenka has 20 UFE's to Cirstea's 9 (the number for Cirstea might be wrong)

Final UFE count Sabalenka 21 Cirstea 9

[nelslus]

I believe she is one of the five most talented players on the WTA tour at the moment but not quite good enough to compete with Sabalena, Rybakina and Swiatek when they are in form. She also lacks the creativity to neutralize their power the way Krejcikova can when she's feeling right.

LOL, please forgive me in advance as I continue to be The Room Pegula Contrarian.

I mean, even at the combined age of 108, I'd still say that Petra and Mugsy are more talented. I think Pegula's doubles partner is more talented. The list could go on and on.

And, sure, some will give Pegula demerit points for all of the huge monetary advantages she has always had. An arguable criticism. BUT- a billionaire still can't automatically create a #3 ranked player. Jessica has taken all of these advantages, strategically used them, and works her ass off, far more than almost all other players. Playing top-notch doubles gives her further advantages and options during her singles matches. VERY smart player.

[nelslus]

....AND, LOL, IF Petra can somehow win today's Battle of the Unforced Errors....Cirstea has a history of beating Petra at two Aussies (albeit, Petra beat her at Wimbledon and last year's Cincinnati tournament. 6-4 bare advantage Head to Head record for Petra. So- YAY?!?!?

Cirstea is currently being interviewed on Tennis Channel. And, my GOODNESS, her speaking voice is VERY!!!! annoyingly girly and squeaky high-pitched. YEEESH!! SHUT UP ALREADY, PLEASE!!!!

[Fastbackss]

Clarey has now moved to Mastodon. That's big for #tennis

But I suppose he's still posting on Twitter for now?

[ponchi101]

GSM Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-4 over #2 ranked Aryna Sabalenka. Romanians in the crowd are ecstatic.

AH. Glad to hear that 35 of the 78 audience members were ecstatic.

.....Too soon to start up The Sabalenka is Washed Up Thread?

Because when has that ever stopped you?