by ti-amieTournament: Credit One Charleston Open Location: Charleston, South Carolina, US Dates: April 3 - April 9, 2023 Level: WTA 500 Total Financial Commitment: $780,637 Surface: Clay (Green)
LAST UPDATED: 17/03/2023 12:14 PM
PLAYER NATION RANK AGE
ARYNA SABALENKA 2 24
JESSICA PEGULA USA 3 29
ONS JABEUR TUN 4 28
DARIA KASATKINA 8 25
BELINDA BENCIC SUI 9 26
VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA 11 25
VICTORIA AZARENKA 14 33
EKATERINA ALEXANDROVA 18 28
MADISON KEYS USA 20 28
MAGDA LINETTE POL 21 31
PAULA BADOSA ESP 22 25
JELENA OSTAPENKO LAT 25 25
MARTINA TREVISAN ITA 26 29
SHUAI ZHANG CHN 27 34
ANHELINA KALININA UKR 29 26
DANIELLE COLLINS USA 31 29
MARIE BOUZKOVA CZE 32 24 AMANDA ANISIMOVA USA 35 21
IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU ROU 38 32
JIL TEICHMANN SUI 39 25
SHELBY ROGERS USA 41 30
YULIA PUTINTSEVA KAZ 42 28
BERNARDA PERA USA 43 28
ALIAKSANDRA SASNOVICH 44 28
LAUREN DAVIS USA 47 29
SLOANE STEPHENS USA 48 29
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ CAN 49 20
ELIZABETH COCCIARETTO ITA 50 22
KAIA KANEPI EST 51 37
MAYAR SHERIF EGY 52 26
LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA CZE 53 17
ALYCIA PARKS USA 55 22
CLAIRE LIU USA 56 22
ALISON RISKE-AMRITRAJ USA 58 32
XIYU WANG CHN 59 21
ANNA KALINSKAYA 60 24
VARVARA GRACHEVA 66 22
ALIZÉ CORNET FRA 68 33
ANNA BLINKOVA 69 24
JULE NIEMEIER GER 72 23
CATHERINE MCNALLY USA 73 21
SOFIA KENIN USA 127 23
EMMA NAVARRO USA 128 21
RODINA EVGENIYA 427 34
ELINA SVITOLINA UKR 875 28
by ti-amieQUALIFYING PLAYER FIELD
LAST UPDATED: 28/03/2023 12:15 PM ET
PLAYER NATION RANK AGE
SORANA CIRSTEA ROU 74 32
DALMA GALFI HUN 79 24
CRISTINA BUCSA ESP 82 25
MADISON BRENGLE USA 86 32
TAMARA KORPATSCH GER 87 27
JULIA GRABHER AUT 94 26
DIANA SHNAIDER 95 18
ANNA-LENA FRIEDSAM GER 98 29
MAGDALENA FRECH POL 105 25
TEREZA MARTINCOVA CZE 113 28
LAURA SIEGEMUND GER 114 35
VIKTORJIA GOLUBIC SUI 116 30
YUE YUAN CHN 117 24
TAYLOR TOWNSEND USA 123 26
COCO VANDEWEGHE USA 126 31
KRISTINA MLADENOVIC FRA 141 29
BRENDA FRUHVIRTOVA CZE 142 15
ELIZABETH MANDLIK USA 146 21
HEATHER WATSON GBR 147 30
ASHLYN KRUEGER USA 155 18
CAROLINE DOLEHIDE USA 163 24
LOUISA CHIRICO USA 166 26
PAULA ORMAECHEA ARG 168 30
YURIKO MIYAZAKI GBR 178 27
KAYLA DAY USA 187 23
ANN LI USA 190 22
ROBIN MONTGOMERY USA 193 18
SABINE LISICKI GER 307 33
PLAYER NATION RANK AGE
ARYNA SABALENKA 2 24
JESSICA PEGULA USA 3 29
ONS JABEUR TUN 5 28
DARIA KASATKINA 8 25
BELINDA BENCIC SUI 9 26
VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA 11 25
VICTORIA AZARENKA 16 33
EKATERINA ALEXANDROVA 18 28
MAGDA LINETTE POL 19 31
MADISON KEYS USA 21 28
JELENA OSTAPENKO LAT 22 25
MARTINA TREVISAN ITA 24 29
SHUAI ZHANG CHN 27 34
ANHELINA KALININA UKR 28 26
PAULA BADOSA ESP 29 25
DANIELLE COLLINS USA 30 29
JIL TEICHMANN SUI 32 25
IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU ROU 34 32
MARIE BOUZKOVA CZE 36 24
BERNARDA PERA USA 37 28
SHELBY ROGERS USA 42 30
YULIA PUTINTSEVA KAZ 43 28
ALIAKSANDRA SASNOVICH 45 29
SLOANE STEPHENS USA 47 30
LAUREN DAVIS USA 48 29
ELIZABETH COCCIARETTO ITA 49 22
LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA CZE 50 17
MAYAR SHERIF EGY 52 26
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ CAN 53 20
VARVARA GRACHEVA 54 22
ALYCIA PARKS USA 56 22
KAIA KANEPI EST 57 37
XIYU WANG CHN 58 21
CLAIRE LIU USA 59 22
ALISON RISKE-AMRITRAJ USA 62 32
ANNA BLINKOVA 63 24
ANNA KALINSKAYA 64 24
ALIZÉ CORNET FRA 66 33
JULE NIEMEIER GER 67 23
CATHERINE MCNALLY USA 75 21 INANNA BONDAR HUN 80 25
EMMA NAVARRO USA 122 21
SOFIA KENIN USA 164 24
RODINA EVGENIYA 369 34
ELINA SVITOLINA
TAMARA KORPATSCH GER 87 27
ANNA-LENA FRIEDSAM GER 98 29
MAGDALENA FRECH POL 105 25
TEREZA MARTINCOVA CZE 113 28
LAURA SIEGEMUND GER 114 35
VIKTORJIA GOLUBIC SUI 116 30
TAYLOR TOWNSEND USA 123 26
COCO VANDEWEGHE USA 126 31
KRISTINA MLADENOVIC FRA 141 29
BRENDA FRUHVIRTOVA CZE 142 15
ELIZABETH MANDLIK USA 146 21
HEATHER WATSON GBR 147 30
ASHLYN KRUEGER USA 155 18
CAROLINE DOLEHIDE USA 163 24
LOUISA CHIRICO USA 166 26
PAULA ORMAECHEA ARG 168 30
KATHERINE SEBOV CAN 172 24
YURIKO MIYAZAKI GBR 178 27
KAYLA DAY USA 187 23
SACHIA VICKERY USA 188 27
ANN LI USA 190 22
ROBIN MONTGOMERY USA 193 18
MARCELA ZACARIAS MEX 196 29
STORM HUNTER AUS 200 28
GABRIELA LEE ROU 202 27
SOPHIE CHANG USA 227 25
JAMIE LOEB USA 236 28
SABINE LISICKI GER 307 33
ARYNA SABALENKA 2 24
JESSICA PEGULA USA 3 29
ONS JABEUR TUN 5 28
DARIA KASATKINA 8 25
BELINDA BENCIC SUI 9 26
VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA 11 25
VICTORIA AZARENKA 16 33
EKATERINA ALEXANDROVA 18 28
MAGDA LINETTE POL 19 31
MADISON KEYS USA 21 28
SHUAI ZHANG CHN 27 34
ANHELINA KALININA UKR 28 26
PAULA BADOSA ESP 29 25
DANIELLE COLLINS USA 30 29
JIL TEICHMANN SUI 32 25
IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU ROU 34 32
MARIE BOUZKOVA CZE 36 24
BERNARDA PERA USA 37 28
SHELBY ROGERS USA 42 30
YULIA PUTINTSEVA KAZ 43 28
ALIAKSANDRA SASNOVICH 45 29
SLOANE STEPHENS USA 47 30
LAUREN DAVIS USA 48 29
LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA CZE 50 17
MAYAR SHERIF EGY 52 26
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ CAN 53 20
VARVARA GRACHEVA 54 22
ALYCIA PARKS USA 56 22
KAIA KANEPI EST 57 37
XIYU WANG CHN 58 22
CLAIRE LIU USA 59 22
ANNA BLINKOVA 63 24
ANNA KALINSKAYA 64 24
ALIZÉ CORNET FRA 66 33
JULE NIEMEIER GER 67 23
CATHERINE MCNALLY USA 75 21
DALMA GALFI HUN 79 24
ANNA BONDAR HUN 80 25
CRISTINA BUCSA ESP 82 25
MADISON BRENGLE USA 86 32
JULIA GRABHER AUT 94 26
DIANA SHNAIDER 95 18
EMMA NAVARRO USA 122 21
SOFIA KENIN USA 164 24
RODINA EVGENIYA 369 34
ELINA SVITOLINA UKR - 28
by ti-amie This is when you miss the other site that would make it easy to see who is out and who is in. I guess I should show gratitude that unlike many WTA tournament sites they are providing and even updating the lists.
I'm not even sure there's a website for Bogota.
by ti-amie For what it's worth here's the Doubles Players List for Charleston.
DOUBLES PLAYER FIELD
LAST UPDATED: 30/03/2023 11:31 AM ET
PLAYER NATION RANK AGE
ALYCIA PARKS USA 56 22
CRISTINA BUCSA ESP 82 25
LAURA SIEGEMUND GER 114 35
CAROLINE DOLEHIDE USA 163 24
STORM HUNTER AUS 200 28
SOPHIE CHANG USA 227 25
KATARZYNA KAWA POL 235 30
VERA ZVONAREVA 451 38
ULRIKKE EIKERI NOR 481 30
MIRIAM KOLODZIEJOVA CZE 549 25
ANNA DANILINA KAZ 552 27
ENA SHIBAHARA JPN 581 25
ALDILA SUTJIADI INA 617 27
ERIN ROUTLIFFE NZL 851 27
ALICIA BARNETT GBR - 29
GIULIANA OLMOS MEX - 30
NICOLE MELICHAR-MARTINEZ USA - 29
ALEXA GUARACHI CHI - 32
YANA SIZIKOVA - 28
ALICJA ROSOLSKA POL - 37
ANGELA KULIKOV USA - 24
OLIVIA NICHOLLS GBR - 28
by ti-amie
So Alona is withdrawing because she had a bad virus in IW, played Miami, but is now headed home to continue medical treatment. Do I have that right?
by ponchi101
by JTContinental Sabalenka is out with an unspecified injury
by ti-amieUPDATED Singles MD Entry List
LAST UPDATED: 31/03/2023 02:14 PM ET
PLAYER NATION RANK AGE
JESSICA PEGULA USA 3 29
ONS JABEUR TUN 5 28
DARIA KASATKINA 8 25
BELINDA BENCIC SUI 9 26
VERONIKA KUDERMETOVA 11 25
VICTORIA AZARENKA 16 33
EKATERINA ALEXANDROVA 18 28
MAGDA LINETTE POL 19 31
MADISON KEYS USA 21 28
SHUAI ZHANG CHN 27 34
ANHELINA KALININA UKR 28 26
PAULA BADOSA ESP 29 25
DANIELLE COLLINS USA 30 29
JIL TEICHMANN SUI 32 25
IRINA-CAMELIA BEGU ROU 34 32
MARIE BOUZKOVA CZE 36 24
BERNARDA PERA USA 37 28
SHELBY ROGERS USA 42 30
YULIA PUTINTSEVA KAZ 43 28
ALIAKSANDRA SASNOVICH 45 29
SLOANE STEPHENS USA 47 30
LAUREN DAVIS USA 48 29
LINDA FRUHVIRTOVA CZE 50 17
MAYAR SHERIF EGY 52 26
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ CAN 53 20
VARVARA GRACHEVA 54 22
ALYCIA PARKS USA 56 22
KAIA KANEPI EST 57 37
XIYU WANG CHN 58 22
CLAIRE LIU USA 59 22
ANNA BLINKOVA 63 24
ANNA KALINSKAYA 64 24
ALIZÉ CORNET FRA 66 33
JULE NIEMEIER GER 67 23
CATHERINE MCNALLY USA 75 21
DALMA GALFI HUN 79 24
ANNA BONDAR HUN 80 25
CRISTINA BUCSA ESP 82 25
MADISON BRENGLE USA 86 32
JULIA GRABHER AUT 94 26
DIANA SHNAIDER 95 18
EMMA NAVARRO USA 122 21
SOFIA KENIN USA 164 24
RODINA EVGENIYA 369 34
ELINA SVITOLINA UKR - 28
by ti-amieQualifying Draw
T. Korpatsch (1) vs A. Li
G. Lee vs K. Day (16)
A. Friedsam (2) vs L. Hovde
A. Muhammad vs E. Mandlik (9)
M. Frech (3) vs L. Glushko
J. Loeb vs P. Ormaechea (13)
L. Siegemund (4) vs S. Vickery
R. Montgomery vs A. Krueger (11)
V. Golubic (5) vs K. Kawa
S. Lisicki vs Y. Miyazaki (15)
T. Townsend (6) vs M. Zacarias
M. Mateas vs H. Watson (10)
C. Vandeweghe (7) vs E. Kalieva
S. Chang vs L. Chirico (12)
K. Mladenovic (8) vs F. Di Lorenzo
G. Ce vs K. Sebov (14)
by ti-amieSingles Main Draw
USA J. Pegula (1)/BYE
HUN A. Bondar vs RUS A. Blinkova
BLR A. Sasnovich vs USA S. Kenin
HUN D. Galfi vs ROU I. Begu (15)
ESP P. Badosa (12) vs EGY M. Sherif
CAN L. Fernandez vs RUS E. Rodina
USA A. Parks vs RUS D. Shnaider
BYE/RUS V. Kudermetova (5)
SUI B. Bencic (4)/BYE
USA L. Davis vs Qualifier
USA C. McNally vs GER J. Niemeier
USA S. Rogers vs USA D. Collins (13)
CHN S. Zhang (10) vs AUT J. Grabher
Qualifier vs Qualifier
UKR E. Svitolina vs KAZ Y. Putintseva
BYE/RUS E. Alexandrova (7)
POL M. Linette (8)/BYE
Qualifier vs RUS V. Gracheva
CHN X. Wang vs Qualifier
USA E. Navarro vs USA M. Keys (9)
CZE M. Bouzkova (16) vs ESP C. Bucsa
USA C. Liu vs USA B. Pera
EST K. Kanepi vs USA M. Brengle
BYE/RUS D. Kasatkina (3)
BLR V. Azarenka (6)/BYE
USA S. Stephens vs Qualifier
USA F. Crawley vs FRA A. Cornet
RUS A. Kalinskaya vs UKR A. Kalinina (11)
SUI J. Teichmann (14) vs CZE L. Fruhvirtova
USA C. Dolehide vs Qualifier
UKR L. Tsurenko vs Qualifier
BYE/TUN O. Jabeur (2)
by JazzNU
ti-amie wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 8:50 pm
So Alona is withdrawing because she had a bad virus in IW, played Miami, but is now headed home to continue medical treatment. Do I have that right?
I realize this how mean this will sound, but that is making sense to me. I wasn't sure how she could lose to Trevisan in straight sets on hard courts.
by ashkor87 Charleston is a good opportunity for someone like Pegula or bencic to grab 500 points before the clay court season begins in earnest...am actually surprised someone like Coco isn't playing..could have done well here...
by JazzNU I think it's good she's not playing. Players need to figure out a time to take weeks off during the calendar year as well, and I think this is a common week for Coco to do so. She's already at home, can stay there and not worry about traveling this week. She's likely playing in Fed Cup the following week and I'd guess that it is being hosted somewhere in the Southeast, but it's at the end of next week so she'll have almost a two week period to rest and recharge before then.
I think Pegula will skip Stuttgart and so she'll have a break after the Fed Cup matches. All the top players need to adjust their schedules once they start making the latter stages of tournaments more regularly, so they aren't burned out headed into majors.
by ti-amieDay 3 Order of Play
Credit One Stadium
Starts at 10:00 AM
SUI J. TEICHMANN (14) vs CZE L. FRUHVIRTOVA FOLLOWED BY
USA L. DAVIS vs CAN K. SEBOV FOLLOWED BY
UKR E. SVITOLINA vs KAZ Y. PUTINTSEVA FOLLOWED BY
USA S. STEPHENS vs USA L. CHIRICO NOT BEFORE 7:00 PM
BLR A. SASNOVICH vs USA S. KENIN FOLLOWED BY
USA C. DOLEHIDE vs GER S. LISICKI
Althea Gibson
Starts at 10:00 AM
EST K. KANEPI vs USA M. BRENGLE FOLLOWED BY CHN S. ZHANG (10) vs AUT J. GRABHER FOLLOWED BY
USA F. CRAWLEY vs FRA A. CORNET FOLLOWED BY
RUS A. KALINSKAYA vs UKR A. KALININA (11)
Court 3
Starts at 10:00 AM
HUN D. GALFI vs ROU I. BEGU (15) FOLLOWED BY
HUN A. BONDAR vs RUS A. BLINKOVA FOLLOWED BY
USA K. DAY vs USA S. VICKERY NOT BEFORE 4:00 PM
USA B. MATTEK-SANDS/USA S. ROGERS vs RUS Y. SIZIKOVA/INA A. SUTJIADI
Court 4
Starts at 11:00 AM
UKR L. TSURENKO vs ARG P. ORMAECHEA FOLLOWED BY MEX G. OLMOS/JPN E. SHIBAHARA (1) vs CHI A. GUARACHI/NZL E. ROUTLIFFE
by JazzNU Interesting first match back for Elina. One she likely would've handled with ease before, but Yulia's not a pushover, so we'll see. But probably a good player to gauge her form against.
by ponchi101 I would not expect much. It has been a lengthy layoff. It will take time to get that rust off.
Of course, rooting for her.
by JazzNU And Sabine got thru qualifying? Good for her. This first round feels like a match she has a chance in. I don't know what her ranking is at this point after so many injuries, but I'd guess it's at a point where even winning one round of a 500 along with the points from qualifying might jump her up enough to make a substantial difference in where she can get into a qualifying draw, including majors.
by ashkor87
JazzNU wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 9:00 pm
I think it's good she's not playing. Players need to figure out a time to take weeks off during the calendar year as well, and I think this is a common week for Coco to do so. She's already at home, can stay there and not worry about traveling this week. She's likely playing in Fed Cup the following week and I'd guess that it is being hosted somewhere in the Southeast, but it's at the end of next week so she'll have almost a two week period to rest and recharge before then.
I think Pegula will skip Stuttgart and so she'll have a break after the Fed Cup matches. All the top players need to adjust their schedules once they start making the latter stages of tournaments more regularly, so they aren't burned out headed into majors.
Very true...everyone will, and should, manage their schedules differently...and both the 500 pointers now are a good place to take a break.
by ashkor87 Pegula and Bencic are the best players in this draw.. one of them should win..
by ponchi101 Agree.
But we know the WTA. From SHOULD to WILL.... there's a little stretch. And as you say, Har Tru is a peculiar surface. Don't know how much Bencin plays on it.
by JazzNU I would say they are the best in-form players in the draw, not the best pure overall players in the draw.
by JazzNU Timea Babos in Linda Fruhvirtova's box today. Not sure if there's another larger connection, but she appears to be friends with both Brenda and Linda. I think Timea is still an active doubles player, so I don't think she's dipping her toe into the coaching realm just yet.
by JazzNU
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 3:37 pm
Agree.
But we know the WTA. From SHOULD to WILL.... there's a little stretch. And as you say, Har Tru is a peculiar surface. Don't know how much Bencin plays on it.
She'll be fine as long as she's focused. She's the reigning champ here, she's been to the semis in the past. I think this is her best clay court tournament on tour. It's the only title she has on clay, but also, the only final she's made as well. I think only Madrid comes close to having similarly good results for her. If memory serves (and I'm pretty sure I had to learn this the hard way in Predictions), she doesn't do that well in Stuttgart even though hard court players typically perform pretty well there.
by ponchi101 You see? When you were asking if I was WTA fan? I had forgotten she was the DC of the tournament.
Carry on. Nothing to see here (what a mess )
by ti-amie
Svitolina won the first set 7-6(3)
by JazzNU Sebov seems quite likable and she has a nice looking game. Looks to me like she doesn't have a clothing sponsor, hopefully with her rise in the rankings, she's able to secure one soon and that helps her continue traveling to some of these bigger tournaments.
by ti-amie Svitolina lost to Putintseva in three sets 7-6(3), 2-6, 4-6. Of course she's rusty but she moved well.
by ponchi101 Ok. Not unexpected, and a good show. And she was always a player that needed to work a lot. So, not a bad showing.
by ti-amie
by ashkor87
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 3:37 pm
Agree.
But we know the WTA. From SHOULD to WILL.... there's a little stretch. And as you say, Har Tru is a peculiar surface. Don't know how much Bencin plays on it.
Well, bencic is defending champion
by ashkor87
JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 4:16 pm
I would say they are the best in-form players in the draw, not the best pure overall players in the draw.
Of course...on this surface, at this time. ....but who is a better pure overall player in this draw? Badosa? Kudermetova? Jabeur could be, I agree...
by Owendonovan I thought Elina was using Monfils as her last name?
by Deuce
Owendonovan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2023 12:42 am
I thought Elina was using Monfils as her last name?
I think she is - for everything except tennis.
Which makes sense, because she's obviously known as Svitolina in tennis circles, which makes it easier for fans to identify her.
Although I suppose it could be said that Monfils is also a name which is obviously associated with tennis - but people might think it's Gael's sister or something on paper.
by JazzNU
Owendonovan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2023 12:42 am
I thought Elina was using Monfils as her last name?
JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 4:16 pm
I would say they are the best in-form players in the draw, not the best pure overall players in the draw.
Of course...on this surface, at this time. ....but who is a better pure overall player in this draw? Badosa? Kudermetova? Jabeur could be, I agree...
There are many good tier 2 players here, including keys and alexandrova but I somehow don't think they can beat Bencic or Pegula here ..those 2 are Tier 2 players too but at the top of Tier 2...there aren't any Tier 1 players here...
JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 4:16 pm
I would say they are the best in-form players in the draw, not the best pure overall players in the draw.
Of course...on this surface, at this time. ....but who is a better pure overall player in this draw? Badosa? Kudermetova? Jabeur could be, I agree...
If every player in this draw plays their very best on this surface, I'd put money on Madison Keys to win this tournament every time.
She's just nowhere near the player she once was, but you know who used to be excellent on this surface before all the injuries? Sabine Lisicki. It's why I think they've been so good with trying to get her in the draw over the years as a former champ.
by JazzNU
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2023 1:24 am
There are many good tier 2 players here, including keys and alexandrova but I somehow don't think they can beat Bencic or Pegula here ..those 2 are Tier 2 players too but at the top of Tier 2...there aren't any Tier 1 players here...
Alexandrova is a Tier 2 player, maybe she'll get past that soon, but that's where she is now. Keys, based on talent and history, is very clearly Tier 1. I know you're a big fan of Ekaterina, but this is an objective fact. Keys is a former top 10 player, she's a GS finalist, been to the QF or better of every slam, has a 1000 level title, been to the finals of other 1000 level tournaments. I believe the grand majority of the finals she's reached in her career have been at Premier level tournaments or higher. She's a Tier 1 talent. She's injured often and inconsistent, you never know when she's going to play her best tennis anymore even when she's seemingly healthy unlike in years past when her play got shaky because of an injury, but that doesn't change the overall talent, which was what my original comment referenced.
by ti-amieDay 4 Order of Play
Credit One Stadium
Starts at 11:00 AM
ESP P. BADOSA (12) vs EGY M. SHERIF FOLLOWED BY
USA E. NAVARRO vs USA M. KEYS (9) FOLLOWED BY
USA S. ROGERS vs USA D. COLLINS (13) NOT BEFORE 7:00 PM BLR V. AZARENKA (6) vs USA S. STEPHENS FOLLOWED BY
UKR L. TSURENKO vs TUN O. JABEUR (2)
Althea Gibson
Starts at 11:00 AM
USA A. PARKS vs RUS D. SHNAIDER FOLLOWED BY
USA C. MCNALLY vs GER J. NIEMEIER FOLLOWED BY
CAN L. FERNANDEZ vs RUS E. RODINA FOLLOWED BY
FRA A. CORNET vs RUS A. KALINSKAYA FOLLOWED BY
USA S. CHANG/USA A. KULIKOV vs FRA K. MLADENOVIC/CHN S. ZHANG (2)
Court 3
Starts at 11:00 AM
GER A. FRIEDSAM vs RUS V. GRACHEVA FOLLOWED BY
CHN X. WANG vs USA H. BAPTISTE NOT BEFORE 2:00 PM USA C. DOLEHIDE/AUS S. HUNTER (3) vs NOR U. EIKERI/CZE M. KOLODZIEJOVA
Court 4
Starts at 11:00 AM
USA C. LIU vs USA B. PERA FOLLOWED BY CZE M. BOUZKOVA (16)vs ESP C. BUCSA
by JazzNU
ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:54 pm
Svitolina lost to Putintseva in three sets 7-6(3), 2-6, 4-6. Of course she's rusty but she moved well.
I thought she played great. And it was a very long match (close to 3 hours), so I was very impressed with her conditioning. Truly a great first match back, the only thing missing was the win.
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2023 1:24 am
There are many good tier 2 players here, including keys and alexandrova but I somehow don't think they can beat Bencic or Pegula here ..those 2 are Tier 2 players too but at the top of Tier 2...there aren't any Tier 1 players here...
Alexandrova is a Tier 2 player, maybe she'll get past that soon, but that's where she is now. Keys, based on talent and history, is very clearly Tier 1. I know you're a big fan of Ekaterina, but this is an objective fact. Keys is a former top 10 player, she's a GS finalist, been to the QF or better of every slam, has a 1000 level title, been to the finals of other 1000 level tournaments. I believe the grand majority of the finals she's reached in her career have been at Premier level tournaments or higher. She's a Tier 1 talent. She's injured often and inconsistent, you never know when she's going to play her best tennis anymore even when she's seemingly healthy unlike in years past when her play got shaky because of an injury, but that doesn't change the overall talent, which was what my original comment referenced.
I don't agree that Keys is Tier 1..that is reserved for the likes of Rybakina, Swiatek, Sabalenka. .could add Kvitova and Krejcikova..but Keys is not at that level, she is too slow, her footwork is not good enough ..
by ashkor87 Certainly Alexandrova is Tier 2 but mid to bottom...
by ashkor87 Sloane is possibly a Tier 1 player, certainly higher tier than Keys...
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 3:37 pm
Agree.
But we know the WTA. From SHOULD to WILL.... there's a little stretch. And as you say, Har Tru is a peculiar surface. Don't know how much Bencin plays on it.
Well, bencic is defending champion
yes. JazzNu pointed that out to me, so my argument is, at very best, BS
by ponchi101
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2023 3:50 am
Sloane is possibly a Tier 1 player, certainly higher tier than Keys...
Sloane WAS a top player. Right now, her record does not merit that.
Maddie SHOULD be a top level player. But she has always been a mystery to me: with those strokes, only 1 slam final is too little. And I don't agree she is too slow. She is as fast as Petra or Mugu, and those made it to a higher level.
She is the one WTA forehand I would trade for.
by ti-amie Keys, in my opinion, is not a top player. I was watching her play nepo-baby Navarro and she still doesn't think well on court. As has been mentioned her foot work and therefore her speed is not top notch. There were several shots where a deft touch would've won the point but instead she blasted the ball and missed. Yes she won 4&3 but she was playing Navarro.
by JazzNU Everyone seems to be missing my point about Madison. I'm not saying she's in top form right now. I never once claimed that. I'm saying, put everyone in this draw in their top form on this surface, I choose Keys to win this tournament. If she's playing her best, but so is Bencic, Pegula, Azarenka, Svitolina, Jabeur, and Stephens, I'm picking Madison on this surface. And it's because she's played this tournament extremely well over the years.
After Stuttgart, this is my favorite tournament to watch on tour most years. I've seen a ton of matches played by so many players because this was always a tournament that got aired in full on TV, the rare full week coverage even when Tennis Channel didn't exist. Of the many matches that I've watched, there's probably only three players that I've seen on this surface that I'd pick over Madison if everyone plays up to their best level.
by ti-amie
by ti-amie
Rogers is up 3-0 in the third set.
by ti-amie GSM Shelby Rogers 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-1 over collins
by ti-amieDay 5 Order of Play
Credit One Stadium
Starts at 11:00 AM
ESP P. BADOSA (12) vs CAN L. FERNANDEZ FOLLOWED BY
USA H. BAPTISTE vs USA M. KEYS (9) FOLLOWED BY USA J. PEGULA (1) vs RUS A. BLINKOVA NOT BEFORE 7:00 PM
USA C. MCNALLY vs USA S. ROGERS FOLLOWED BY SUI B. BENCIC (4) vs CAN K. SEBOV
Althea Gibson
Starts at 11:00 AM
USA M. BRENGLE vs RUS D. KASATKINA (3) FOLLOWED BY
CZE L. FRUHVIRTOVA vs USA C. DOLEHIDE FOLLOWED BY
USA S. KENIN vs ROU I. BEGU (15) FOLLOWED BY POL M. LINETTE (8)vs RUS V. GRACHEVA FOLLOWED BY MEX G. OLMOS/JPN E. SHIBAHARA (1) vs RUS Y. SIZIKOVA/INA A. SUTJIADI
Court 3
Starts at 11:00 AM
RUS D. SHNAIDER vs RUS V. KUDERMETOVA (5) FOLLOWED BY
KAZ Y. PUTINTSEVA vs RUS E. ALEXANDROVA (7) FOLLOWED BY
GBR A. BARNETT/GBR O. NICHOLLS vs USA N. MELICHAR-MARTINEZ/USA A. PARKS (4) FOLLOWED BY
POL K. KAWA/POL A. ROSOLSKA vs CAN L. FERNANDEZ/USA T. TOWNSEND
Court 4
Starts at 11:00 AM
AUT J. GRABHER vs USA S. VICKERY FOLLOWED BY
ESP C. BUCSA vs USA B. PERA FOLLOWED BY
GER L. SIEGEMUND/RUS V. ZVONAREVA vs CZE M. BOUZKOVA/JPN M. KATO FOLLOWED BY
USA D. COLLINS/USA D. KRAWCZYK vs ESP C. BUCSA/KAZ A. DANILINA
by JazzNU I think getting called out on the high number of retirements/withdrawals is the only reason Tsurenko finished out that match.
by Deuce A little chat with little known Canadian Katherine Sebov, whose main 'claim to fame' up until this year was the on-court 'fight' she had with Alycia Parks (whom I think behaves like a 'diva' on court - without having the results/credentials to back it up).
I've seen Sebov play live several times, and, apart from seeming like a genuinely nice and down to Earth person, I've felt that her tennis is basically Challenger level.
But she is having a very good year thus far this year (note in the interview, she says that the main change in her game has been psychological).
She does the "Come On" yell too often and too loud for my liking - but other than that, I'm happy that she's finally doing well at the top level.
(That said, I do expect Bencic to beat her rather routinely.)
by ashkor87 Jabeur could do well here, hope she is recovered.. she stays low, has great balance, much needed on this slippery surface...and slices and drops are always effective here precisely because it is slippery...
by ashkor87 Getting a bit concerned about Danielle Collins..is it an injury or an autoimmune condition she has?
by ponchi101
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 4:40 am
Getting a bit concerned about Danielle Collins..is it an injury or an autoimmune condition she has?
If I recall well, it had something to do with cramps? She talked about it.
But indeed, her results since that Aussie final last year have been very bad. The descent down the rankings has been steep and fast.
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 4:40 am
Getting a bit concerned about Danielle Collins..is it an injury or an autoimmune condition she has?
If I recall well, it had something to do with cramps? She talked about it.
But indeed, her results since that Aussie final last year have been very bad. The descent down the rankings has been steep and fast.
She has rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis, two separate conditions.
Endometriosis is a painful condition, tissue that is typically in the uterus overgrows outside the uterus. Symptoms like pain, bleeding and fatigue present at any time, not only during menstruation, so it's not just cramps.
Rheumatoid arthritis of course means joint pain.
by ashkor87 Thought so . Autoimmune disorders with no known cure ..
by Deuce Leylah came out of the gate firing vs. Badosa. And Badosa looked lethargic and uninterested.
Leylah went ahead 3-0 and 4-1 in less than 15 minutes, and was in complete control. It looked like the match would be over in less than an hour.
Badosa won the 1st set 7-5.
Badosa is ahead 2-1 with a break in the 2nd set.
Leylah is well on her way to blowing this match that she was in complete control of.
by Deuce Badosa closed it out with a tiebreak win in the 2nd set.
This match was not a bad one in terms of the physical tennis - it was decent quality... but it was a poor match psychologically from both players. Leylah was in complete control of the 1st set, and lost it... Badosa had a break and was in control of the 2nd set, and had to win it in a close tiebreak.
While both players did show some fight in coming back when they were behind, it's the inconsistency - the hot and the cold - which is troublesome for both. Because in tennis, good results come from maintaining a decent level, not from ups and downs.
by ti-amie Kenin is busy losing to Begu 1-6, 2-3...
by ponchi101 Fairly expected. Begu is not a menial foe, and about Sofia, we may have to start considering she will never again be relevant in the sport.
Like Thiem, they just seem unable to regain their previous form.
by ti-amie
by Deuce Caty McNally - who has been playing some good singles since she split with Gauff in doubles - just won the 1st set tiebreak over hometown Shelby Rogers.
by ti-amie I have the match between McNally and Rogers on. It's 3 all in the second set. This would be a big win for McNally.
by Deuce Shelby completely threw the 8th game away - broken at love to make it 3-5.
But then Caty threw the following game away when serving for the match - easily broken at 15.
That's not the way to play important games...
by ti-amie I think these are two women who are at roughly the same level tennis wise and they're having trouble taking control of the match/sets/games.
It's 5 all now second set and I'm not sure who will force the TB.
by Deuce Poor Caty...
I really thought she had it after Shelby's very poor 8th game.
3rd set starting now. I think it'll be a quick set, one way or the other. But Shelby definitely has the momentum. And the home crowd advantage.
by Deuce Rogers won the 3rd quickly, 6-1.
I hope Caty can overcome this one - but it's a major blow, to be sure.
Right now, Bencic is steamrolling Sebov - 6-0 1st set...
by ashkor87 Bencic hitting the ball very hard! Much more than normal..she seems to have decided to be more aggressive ...will serve her well in the clay season ..
by ashkor87
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 4:03 pm
Thought so . Autoimmune disorders with no known cure ..
In western allopathic medicine, that is...we do have cures in Indian traditional Ayurved and yoga..but the world wants pills and shots, not holistic approaches..sigh
by ashkor87 saw highlights of Kudermetova's match - she seems to stand too far back behind the baseline and is not very quick on her feet either (not surprising for someone who was a doubles specialist) - vulnerable to drop shots and short balls.. never realized this aspect of her...
In western allopathic medicine, that is...we do have cures in Indian traditional Ayurved and yoga..but the world wants pills and shots, not holistic approaches..sigh
Western, evidence-based medicine. The one where double blind testing is done, to ensure that proper analysis is achieved and where anecdotal stories are not used as data.
The one that has allowed Japan (84.62), Singapore (83.74) and S. Korea (83.43), the three Asian countries that have adopted this model, to become the #1, #3 and #4 countries with the longest life expectancies in the world (Italy, another practitioner of Western medicine, is 2nd) while China has climbed to #45 (78.08) as it continues to also shift to this medicine but has a considerable tradition of holistic practices, and India is at #129 with an average of 70.15 years-life-expectancy, more than a decade below the other Asian countries and less than any S. American country except Bolivia.
by ashkor87 Read Taleb's Antifragile if you want a 'western' view. But let us leave it at that..too deep a subject for a tennis forum!!
by ponchi101 Ok. And I will put that book in my list. Taleb's Black Swan was an enjoyable read.
by JazzNU
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:07 pm
Fairly expected. Begu is not a menial foe, and about Sofia, we may have to start considering she will never again be relevant in the sport.
Like Thiem, they just seem unable to regain their previous form.
If Thiem is never what he was, that is not surprising and almost expected. His injury was reminiscent of Delpo's early wrist injury. It was almost bizarre when it occurred and just felt like it was going to be a catastrophic injury for his career, unfortunately that is seeming all too true.
But I have no idea what happened to Kenin. I think she's had multiple injuries that have affected her, but I've never been clear on what they were or when they occurred. She had that emergency appendectomy in Australia and it seemed like she would get back to playing, but another injury came up and she shut it down soon after coming back. It's been unfortunate for sure, but a bit of a mystery to me of how she got here. I think her injuries are far worse than what has been let on, like maybe her ankle or foot injury (I recall her being in crutches with a boot) was closer to what happened to Andreescu, but we didn't see it happen on court.
by JazzNU They are so busy talking about Shnaider being an NC State player that I missed that she was Russian.
It is seeming like both Stearns and Shnaider are further along than Navarro. Makes me wonder if the year Navarro played so well at the collegiate level wasn't the strongest of years. Navarro has improved for sure since we first saw her, but I'd expect both Stearns and Schnaider to crack the top 100 before Emma does and they had a later start on getting rankings and haven't been full time the last year like she has and aren't getting a 500 WC several years in a row.
by JTContinental Kenin is definitely better today than she was last year, so maybe there is hope for improvement
If Thiem is never what he was, that is not surprising and almost expected. His injury was reminiscent of Delpo's early wrist injury. It was almost bizarre when it occurred and just felt like it was going to be a catastrophic injury for his career, unfortunately that is seeming all too true.
But I have no idea what happened to Kenin. I think she's had multiple injuries that have affected her, but I've never been clear on what they were or when they occurred. She had that emergency appendectomy in Australia and it seemed like she would get back to playing, but another injury came up and she shut it down soon after coming back. It's been unfortunate for sure, but a bit of a mystery to me of how she got here. I think her injuries are far worse than what has been let on, like maybe her ankle or foot injury (I recall her being in crutches with a boot) was closer to what happened to Andreescu, but we didn't see it happen on court.
A very possible possibility (if I may be redundant).
by ti-amie
by JazzNU
JTContinental wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 5:36 pm
Kenin is definitely better today than she was last year, so maybe there is hope for improvement
Most definitely. She's had some real flashes of her former self in the last two months or so. I was getting excited for her when I watched some of her matches last month because it was so much of what we used to see from her. But it's hard to get a read on where she is and if she's fully rehabbed because those very strong showings she's had against good or great players, have been mostly followed up by a loss like this to a Begu, not a bad player, but not a player she should not just struggle winning against. But I'd say more concerning, given the form had been showing in the previous match or the previous week, a player she should've beaten relatively easy. Hopefully this is about conditioning coming off of an injury and once she gets that sorted out, she'll be able to get back to what she was.
by JazzNU Badosa with a much, much needed good week in Charleston. The best she's played since that Aussie tournament where she was looking near that Top 10 form before she got injured that week.
by ti-amie Begu came from behind to take the second set from Pegula 6-4. Pegula won the first set 7-5.
by ti-amie I'm not sure what is going on with Pegula but she seems uninterested in playing this third set and Begu is up 4-0 after a loooonnnnnggggg bathroom break.
by nelslus
ti-amie wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:22 pm
Begu came from behind to take the second set from Pegula 6-4. Pegula won the first set 7-5.
Came back from a double break deficit. Begu had looked completely defeated, and seemed to be barely trying- until Pegula started hitting so many errors.
Pegula now down 4-0 in the third. I don't recall Pegula's level dropping so severely during a match. Very, very strange. But- it goes to show- let your concentration drop for a little bit, and....(NOW watch, Pegula come back, LOL).
by ti-amie I was thinking the same thing about Pegula coming back. I agree that I've never seen her lose focus like this before.
by nelslus
ti-amie wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:39 pm
I'm not sure what is going on with Pegula but she seems uninterested in playing this third set and Begu is up 4-0 after a loooonnnnnggggg bathroom break.
The loooonnnnnggggg bathroom break strategy. Works well all the time.
by ti-amie Looks like you were right nelslus! Pegula is back to 3-4 and will serve to level the set at 4 all.
by Deuce I haven't been watching that match, but a friend told me that Pegula lost 10 games in a row at one point.
I asked him if she was injured. He said "No - it doesn't appear so."
I see now that Pegula has just won the last 5 games in a row...
Are they following some sort of twisted script?
by nelslus LOL. What a bizarre, at times pathetic match. Up 4-0 in the third, Begu instantly went back to wimping out and hitting errors- it's dangerous when you just do not have consistent ways to be aggressive and put away shots- and Pegula played aggressively and stopped making errors. Not a really enjoyable match to watch. Meh.
by ti-amie That was an impressive come back by Pegula to take the third set 6-4 after being behind 4-0. She did a lot of things well, there wasn't any one spectacular thing she pulled out of her bag of tricks other than the determination not to lose the match.
by ti-amie Begu did what she usually does when the "business end of the set" comes. I just didn't expect her to let Pegula win six straight games. Unreal.
by Deuce I really dislike the on-court interviewer (usually that Andrew guy with the WTA) always prompting the players to thank the crowd.
It's so predictable and so incredibly phoney.
by nelslus
ti-amie wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:49 pm
Looks like you were right nelslus! Pegula is back to 3-4 and will serve to level the set at 4 all.
I am a WITCH, I tell you.
by JazzNU
ti-amie wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:39 pm
I'm not sure what is going on with Pegula but she seems uninterested in playing this third set and Begu is up 4-0 after a loooonnnnnggggg bathroom break.
This is just a guess, but I think Jessie could deal with a few weeks off. I said this with Coco and the same applies for Jessie. It's important to have breaks built into your schedule. And I think for both of them, maybe even more so because of their Doubles play. Jessie has been getting to the later stages of almost every tournament this season. But that's also the case for their Doubles' results. That's a lot of tennis. I think this is the first tournament she's been in where she hasn't played doubles all season.
by ponchi101 Problem is, this is one of those WRONG times to take a break. Too many important tournaments in the radar.
As you say, just drop the doubles, at least.
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 4:03 pm
Thought so . Autoimmune disorders with no known cure ..
In western allopathic medicine, that is...we do have cures in Indian traditional Ayurved and yoga..but the world wants pills and shots, not holistic approaches..sigh
I'm no doctor but have to understand some of this stuff for my work, my understanding is that Ayurvedic methods and yoga can greatly help reduce symptoms of RA, but cannot cure it.
I would say actually what we call "complementary medicine," which includes these, is increasingly considered medicinal in the Western world (vs alternative or "welness") - more insurers and public health systems are covering it.
In western allopathic medicine, that is...we do have cures in Indian traditional Ayurved and yoga..but the world wants pills and shots, not holistic approaches..sigh
Western, evidence-based medicine. The one where double blind testing is done, to ensure that proper analysis is achieved and where anecdotal stories are not used as data.
The one that has allowed Japan (84.62), Singapore (83.74) and S. Korea (83.43), the three Asian countries that have adopted this model, to become the #1, #3 and #4 countries with the longest life expectancies in the world (Italy, another practitioner of Western medicine, is 2nd) while China has climbed to #45 (78.08) as it continues to also shift to this medicine but has a considerable tradition of holistic practices, and India is at #129 with an average of 70.15 years-life-expectancy, more than a decade below the other Asian countries and less than any S. American country except Bolivia.
There is a lot of research into non-Western medicine that has shown there are some treatments that have a proven benefit and some don't, it's not fair to dismiss it altogether (not to uphold altogether, to be fair)
There are also much bigger issues in the Indian healthcare system than interest in Ayurveda. In fact, traditional medicine is probably plugging a hole caused by those issues with at least some minor benefits.
by ti-amie I just want to add that any good practitioner of traditional medicine will probably want to know what diagnosis you've received from "modern medicine" before trying to treat you.
by JazzNU Bencic lost the first set 4-6 to Shelby Rogers after being up 4-1.
by Deuce Leylah/Townsend just lost their doubles match to Hunter (Sanders)/Dolehide.
Leylah/Taylor lost the 1st set 6-0.
This doubles team is a complete enigma.
They can play extremely well... but they completely disappear for a full set every match.
I don't recall ever seeing any individual player or doubles team go missing for an entire set so consistently.
There was no way that they'd be able to continue getting away with doing this for long at this level - it's akin to playing Russian Roulette with their matches.
by JazzNU
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:35 pm
Problem is, this is one of those WRONG times to take a break. Too many important tournaments in the radar.
As you say, just drop the doubles, at least.
I think it's a good time to take a break. Don't really need to be back in the mix until Madrid.
by JazzNU A good win. Pera's best surface is clay.
by nelslus
JazzNU wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 10:39 pm
A good win. Pera's best surface is clay.
It's just very nice to see her win any matches. (See: Thiem, Dominic, even if he had to beat Ben).
by nelslus
JazzNU wrote: ↑Thu Apr 06, 2023 10:20 pm
Bencic lost the first set 4-6 to Shelby Rogers after being up 4-1.
....I should have waited to like this post. Watch Shelby go up 5-3 with match points in the second set, and then lose.
by ponchi101 About Kasatkina. I didn't pick her for my TSiP team because she has been playing terrible tennis of late. But indeed, if she makes me "regret" my choice and goes on a romp for the clay season, I will regret it with joy.
I hope she steps it up.
by ti-amieDay 7 Order of Play
Credit One Stadium
Starts at 11:00 AM
Quarterfinal
GER L. SIEGEMUND/RUS V. ZVONAREVA vs USA N. MELICHAR-MARTINEZ/USA A. PARKS (4) UPCOMING
Quarterfinal
RUS A. KALINSKAYA vs TUN O. JABEUR (2) NOT BEFORE 2:30 PM
Quarterfinal M. Linette (8) or USA M. Keys (9) vs RUS D. KASATKINA (3) FOLLOWED BY
Quarterfinal B. Bencic (4) vs RUS E. ALEXANDROVA (7) UPCOMING
Quarterfinal USA J. PEGULA (1) vs ESP P. BADOSA (12) UPCOMING
Semifinal MEX G. OLMOS/JPN E. SHIBAHARA (1) vs USA C. DOLEHIDE/AUS S. HUNTER (3)
In western allopathic medicine, that is...we do have cures in Indian traditional Ayurved and yoga..but the world wants pills and shots, not holistic approaches..sigh
Western, evidence-based medicine. The one where double blind testing is done, to ensure that proper analysis is achieved and where anecdotal stories are not used as data.
The one that has allowed Japan (84.62), Singapore (83.74) and S. Korea (83.43), the three Asian countries that have adopted this model, to become the #1, #3 and #4 countries with the longest life expectancies in the world (Italy, another practitioner of Western medicine, is 2nd) while China has climbed to #45 (78.08) as it continues to also shift to this medicine but has a considerable tradition of holistic practices, and India is at #129 with an average of 70.15 years-life-expectancy, more than a decade below the other Asian countries and less than any S. American country except Bolivia.
There is a lot of research into non-Western medicine that has shown there are some treatments that have a proven benefit and some don't, it's not fair to dismiss it altogether (not to uphold altogether, to be fair)
There are also much bigger issues in the Indian healthcare system than interest in Ayurveda. In fact, traditional medicine is probably plugging a hole caused by those issues with at least some minor benefits.
Autoimmune disorders are basically the body's immune system gone haywire..attacking your own body instead of the foreign body. The natural intelligence of the body has somehow gotten clouded..yoga, ayurved etc work to restore the body's natural intelligence..which is why they can help with autoimmune disorders...in a way that western medicine cannot because the approach is different. I am not saying ayurved is better for everything, sometimes even I take antibiotics but for some conditions where the key is to restore the body's natural intelligence...btw the body is incredibly intelligent, don't underestimate it,!
by ashkor87 Badosa vs Pegula next..I will be very surprised if Badosa wins, given my belief that Pegula defines the threshold for a tier 1 player, which Badosa is not, for sure. Let us see - how that theory holds up...
by ti-amie Pegula did today what Petra did last week - she decided she wasn't going to lose, at least today. Like I said she just a bit of everything very well and unless you're sitting and watching her play you might think that she's playing above her level. Witt has got her believing that her approach will win her matches and ranking points.
Then again she was playing Begu who can get to the point she was today - 4-0 up in the third set, and wonder what she's supposed to do now.
by ponchi101
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 1:18 am
Badosa vs Pegula next..I will be very surprised if Badosa wins, given my belief that Pegula defines the threshold for a tier 1 player, which Badosa is not, for sure. Let us see - how that theory holds up...
Badosa needs the win more than Pegula, and, as JazzNu pointed out, Jess seems to be a bit off.
Might be close.
by ashkor87 I agree Pegula could have skipped Charleston ..she doesn't need the points..and there are too many, strenuous clay events coming up...Stuttgart, Madrid, Rome ..RG
I suspect she has a sentimental fondness for Charleston, may have played here in her early days? Or for HarTru...
by Deuce Kasatkina's shirt, by the way, is called 'claymouflage' (camouflage with a red clay pattern).
This is the latest genius offering from adidas.
Pegula's last few matches have been quite bizarre in the way they've played out - very unusual patterns.
The cynic in me is wondering if this has any relation to the huge increase in sports gambling lately.
Even if not, there will come a time when gambling directly influences the patterns and outcomes of matches/games in every sport. Not all matches/games, of course, but a significant number. Of course, it will be more difficult for them to control team sports, because there are many players who have an influence on the games, whereas in tennis, only one or two players have control over the match.
But, because sports gambling has become legal now, and because even legal gambling is controlled by organized crime, more and more players in all sports will be 'bought' and/or threatened into influencing matches/games. Just watch.
by Fastbackss Gambling (in other countries) has been available for a long time. I don't think the US will impact the game that much in that regard.
The TIU has been around (and suspending / banning players) since 2008
by Owendonovan
Deuce wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 2:19 am
Kasatkina's shirt, by the way, is called 'claymouflage' (camouflage with a red clay pattern).
This is the latest genius offering from adidas.
Pegula's last few matches have been quite bizarre in the way they've played out - very unusual patterns.
The cynic in me is wondering if this has any relation to the huge increase in sports gambling lately.
Even if not, there will come a time when gambling directly influences the patterns and outcomes of matches/games in every sport. Not all matches/games, of course, but a significant number. Of course, it will be more difficult for them to control team sports, because there are many players who have an influence on the games, whereas in tennis, only one or two players have control over the match.
But, because sports gambling has become legal now, and because even legal gambling is controlled by organized crime, more and more players in all sports will be 'bought' and/or threatened into influencing matches/games. Just watch.
I think getting a whiff of what the odds are that you win or lose a match could influence your play, mentally, as well.
by ponchi101 Wouldn't that cut both ways?
"Oh, the odds say that I have a 65% chance of winning this match. Yeah, let's go!"
"Oh, the odds say that I have 35% chance of winning this match. Hell, no! I will teach them!"
Any given player could see it either way, as both ways could be inspiring.
And, I do not know anything about gambling. But I do know this: the gambling sites are the first ones that do NOT want to fix matches, because that is not how they make money. They make money when people are split down a 50% line. That is the reason they post spreads and odds. So half the people will bet one way, half the other. That is where the money is.
by Suliso You're right about gambling sites, but you as an individual could make a lot of money if you knew for certain that say Kasatkina will lose the first two games of the second set the next time she plays. In some alternate universe "shady ponchi" could try to arrange that.
by ponchi101 And as Fastbackss said above, that is what the TIU has been controlling since 2008. Remember, for example, that Kafelnikov was involved in allegations of match fixing, which were then never proven. And Fastbackss points out well that players have been suspended because of unusual patterns, later proven to have been match fixing.
We also have to remember the most famous tennis bet ever: Riggs betting, illegally and in secrecy, that he would win Wimby in all three categories. Betting has been going on forever; it is almost a human universal. These sites actually make it "better", as it is more controlled.
And don't get me wrong: I understand that gambling can be a very bad habit to pick; who knows how many people have gone into deep trouble because of it. But, to me, prohibitions have never worked.
Also: "shady ponchi" would be so bankrupt. But I do like the ring of it
by JazzNU
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 2:02 am
I agree Pegula could have skipped Charleston ..she doesn't need the points..and there are too many, strenuous clay events coming up...Stuttgart, Madrid, Rome ..RG
I suspect she has a sentimental fondness for Charleston, may have played here in her early days? Or for HarTru...
She might have some fondness for playing Charleston, despite the narrative around her and Buffalo, she mostly grew up in Hilton Head. But this is her best result at this tournament, so not sure she has any major memories tied to playing here.
I think it's more likely that this was a good target for results for her when setting her schedule. Clay is not her strongest surface, so this might be her best showing on clay this season outside of perhaps Madrid, where some of the hard court players do better because of the altitude.
I don't expect her to play Stuttgart. I can't say for sure she's never played it, but I can't recall her playing it recently. I think she tends to play Miami, Charleston and then Madrid. Or Miami and then Madrid. And Fed Cup in between.
by Deuce It's disappointing - if not surprising - to see people here having their heads firmly buried in the sand about the very real negative consequences of gambling (and about other sociological problems). After all, it's much more comfortable and convenient to convince oneself that a problem does not exist than it is to be consciously aware of the problem (and potentially try to help fix it)...
Gambling is 'more controlled' now than previously?
Wow.
It's really much better to NOT 'drink the kool-aid'...
It's obvious that you people don't want to believe what I'm saying, so I'll offer you the views of others. Obviously I don't really expect you to read the contents of these links - because you know that that will threaten the comfortable and convenient illusion you hold that there is no problem with sports gambling - but I feel compelled to at least attempt to lift some heads out of the sand...
This from the New York Times article below: "That relationship came into harsh focus recently following an independent review of integrity in tennis. Among the findings, published last month, was the claim that lower levels of game were awash with a “tsunami” of corruption.
Adam Lewis, a British lawyer, wrote the relationship between the International Tennis Federation and Sportradar was part of the problem, arguing that by providing betting companies with instant scores and other data from thousands of minor matches around the world, there were more opportunities to cheat.
Fastbackss wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 10:23 am
Gambling (in other countries) has been available for a long time. I don't think the US will impact the game that much in that regard.
The TIU has been around (and suspending / banning players) since 2008
^ Yes, legal sports gambling has been available in other countries for longer than it has been legal in North America.
And, as the articles above point out, it has caused significant and grave problems in those countries where it's been legal.
Sigh...
by Deuce If the discussion on gambling/sports betting is to continue, I think it would be best to move it to the 'Serious Issues' thread...
Meanwhile...
Kasatkina is finally looking like a tennis player again, rather than just a teenager in love. Although Keys had an injury issue in the 3rd set, Kasatkina had played decent tennis up to that point. The 3rd set was quite boring, void of any offence, with Keys seemingly unable to go for winners because of a shoulder injury, and Kasatkina merely putting the ball in play, waiting for an error from Keys.
Alexandrova looked lost through 2/3 of the match vs. Bencic. It got to the point where it looked like Bencic was tanking on her own serve because she knew she could break Alexandrova more easily than she could hold her own serve.
Alexandrova gave it a little push in the 3rd set, but it wasn't nearly enough.
Pegula won the 1st set over Badosa 6-3, and is up a break approaching the end of the 2nd now. Nothing noteworthy in this match to this point...
by ashkor87 Pegula vs Bencic in
The semis...too bad..I had said these are the two best players and one of them should win..but the draw has the last word . Good to see Jabeur and Kasatkina back, though...they both have the game to do well here- Jabeur more so than Kasatkjna....Kasatkina did beat Keys but I was unimpressed with Keys in the previous match, missing shots because of her uncertain footwork ..she was late to a few, and was not stable when she made contact ..
by Fastbackss Keys had that match - was interesting to see Kasatkina grab it from her.
Bencic looked on all cylinders.
Pegula looked way better than in last match.
Going to be a fun day...if they manage to get it in (weather). They were pulling ahead some of the doubles matches.
As for the gambling, Deuce - I understand the potential ramifications. And those are solid resources that articulate it.
I will pipe down as I am not as strongly opinionated about it...at least not tonight while watching TV haha
by ti-amieDay 8 Order of Play
Credit One Stadium
Starts at 01:00 PM
Semifinal RUS D. KASATKINA (3) vs TUN O. JABEUR (2) FOLLOWED BY
Semifinal J. PEGULA (1) vs SUI B. BENCIC (4)
by ashkor87 Is Bencic potentially Tier 1? we will soon find out more, when she plays Pegula...
by ashkor87 saw a bit of Keys vs Kasatkina on Youtube.. impressive defense by Kasatkina.. wont help her much against Jabeur but could against Bencic or Pegula.. but she has to get there first... I would bet on Jabeur to stop her..
by ponchi101
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 6:11 am
saw a bit of Keys vs Kasatkina on Youtube.. impressive defense by Kasatkina.. wont help her much against Jabeur but could against Bencic or Pegula.. but she has to get there first... I would bet on Jabeur to stop her..
Uhm, not so sure. Kasatkina is very fast, and Ons relies at times on trick shots. If her drop shot is a bit long, Daria can get there.
I remember how at times we have spoken that Rublev was the "King of the 250's", because he won so many of those. Kasatkina has a bit of that: she wins the smaller tournaments (I now Charleston is a 500). Last year she lost in 1r at all the big summer tournaments (CAN, CINCY and USO) but won the smaller ones in between.
I am calling the upset. I say Daria in three.
by ashkor87 I feel Jabeur is better at everything that Kasatkina is good at..
by ponchi101
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 4:52 pm
I feel Jabeur is better at everything that Kasatkina is good at..
Ons at her best Vs Daria at her best? Sure, you are right.
But I don't think that Ons has reached that level again. She is still working back from that injury.
by Fastbackss This rain delay could help Jabeur. I sense will make Daria tight
by ti-amie
by ashkor87
ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 4:52 pm
I feel Jabeur is better at everything that Kasatkina is good at..
Assuming both are fully back ..which seems doubtful
by JazzNU
by ti-amie Play has resumed and Ons held for 4-5 first set.
by JTContinental The way the ball is bouncing on this court after the rain is insane
by ti-amie That Ons who has dominated the match since they returned from the rain delay was broken serving for the match is insane.
by ti-amie Ons takes it in straight sets 7-5, 7-5
by ti-amieDay 9 Order of Play
Credit One Stadium
Starts at 11:00 AM
Final MEX G. OLMOS/JPN E. SHIBAHARA (1) vs USA D. COLLINS/USA D. KRAWCZYK NOT BEFORE 1:30 PM
Final J. PEGULA (1) or SUI B. BENCIC (4) vs TUN O. JABEUR (2)
by ti-amie Wait it's been raining the entire match and now, in the middle of the second set tie break, they suspend the match? This is Ons right now.
by ti-amie
by Deuce I think the rain started to come down a bit harder... plus, with the mist that's been falling the entire match, the surface does get more and more wet and 'clumpy', which can be dangerous.
by ti-amie
Deuce wrote: ↑Sun Apr 09, 2023 1:24 am
I think the rain started to come down a bit harder... plus, with the mist that's been falling the entire match, the surface does get more and more wet and 'clumpy', which can be dangerous.
Okay
by JazzNU
by Deuce The rain is supposed to stop tomorrow morning, so it should be fine weather-wise to get everything in.
If the doubles can't start at 11am, it should be able to start within an hour or so of 11am.
by ashkor87 Jabeur and Kasatkina are both artists with the ball.. fun to watch both of them... though, of course, I can only see highlights on Youtube.
by ponchi101 A close match. Must have been hard trying to put any power on that ball. It is one thing that is not good about Har Tru: it absorbs moisture like crazy.
by Owendonovan What is a suitable amount of rest if say, Pegula takes the second and then she and Bencic grind out a 1hr 20 min. 3rd set tiebreak?
by ponchi101 Play it tomorrow. Nobody has to be anywhere else, anyway.
(I don't know where and when the BJK starts).
by Suliso They only played 6 more points in that tiebreak. No effect on Bencic I say.
by ponchi101 Actually, a good way to start warming up. Real points, with real pressure, getting ready for real.
by ti-amie
by ponchi101 The trophies are gorgeous.
by ashkor87
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 09, 2023 5:22 pm
Play it tomorrow. Nobody has to be anywhere else, anyway.
(I don't know where and when the BJK starts).
well, it didnt come to that, but good point neverthelesss.. BJK - Switzerland is defencing champion do they dont play this round, and I dont think Tunisia has qualified.. so neither Bencic not Jabeur had to be elsewhere.. it is on the weekend anyway..
by Fastbackss Not to say it isn't possible but moving to Monday isn't practical from an organization standpoint. The event has lots of volunteers that wouldn't be able to come back.
(Not to mention the griping from fans who bought tickets and couldn't return - and would complain/want money back).
by Deuce
Fastbackss wrote: ↑Mon Apr 10, 2023 10:18 am
Not to say it isn't possible but moving to Monday isn't practical from an organization standpoint. The event has lots of volunteers that wouldn't be able to come back.
(Not to mention the griping from fans who bought tickets and couldn't return - and would complain/want money back).
^ Exactly.
It's quite unfair to consider only the players. If the players have 'no where else to be', that's only part of the picture. The fans, the volunteers - even the TV schedules - are just as important as the players' schedules, as the tournament doesn't happen without all of the above.
by ti-amie
by Deuce It looked like she was going to blow this one, too... her nerves were definitely showing at certain times in the Final. But she gathered her composure better than Bencic did in the end.
I had forgotten she was the DC of the tournament.
)
