WTA 1000 Montréal 8/7 - 8/13 2023

[ponchi101]

I started watching the second set of Pegula vs Swiatek and I'm still at a loss of words to understand how Pegula managed to lose the set. If anyone wonders why so many of us question Pegula's ability to win a Slam watch the second set of this match if you can. She literally seemed to forget how to play tennis.

Loss of concentration? Plus nerves? So glad she made good in the third.

Playing against another fine player that is also very tough to beat?
It is not as if Iga was going to just roll over. So, having Jessica lose that set is simply the sign that the other player had also something to say.
I would not make much out of it.
As far as them meeting will be interesting in NY: it seems that, ignoring Novak at the moment, NY can become a memorable tournament. In the WTA, I don't think anybody will go there as any sort of favorite. By Sunday next week we will know if the same can be said about the ATP.

[skatingfan]

They've called it for the night - 2nd semi will be played tomorrow - one of Samsonova or Rybakina will have to play two matches in one day.

[ashkor87]

Did anyone say this court is fast? It isn't.

Based on what the players are saying in their various interviews the courts in Toronto are faster than Montreal, but Montreal is faster than Miami, and Indian Wells. Another factor to keep in mind is the weather. It's been humid, and wet this week, but not that warm which in theory should be making the balls fluff up more slowing them down. Tonight's second semifinal will be in doubt with rain to move in this evening.

Yes, that confirms what my eyes are telling me..ofcourse IW remains the slowest court on the planet..

[ashkor87]

Samsonova and Rybakina are quite similar in playing style..smooth power..S won here in 21 and in Tokyo earlier. But Rybakina is a much better player now then in 21.. so the AI prediction 70% Samsonova seems a bit high to me...I would give Rybakina a 55-45 edge..

Meanwhile, Swiatek seems to be a bit off mentally ever since W..lost to Svitolina there with error after error. I dont know what happened here against Pegula But I hear she was up 4-2 in the third...Swiatek rarely loses from that kind of position. Folks who saw the match should tell us. ?

[ashkor87]

Just from a 4 minute highlights reel, it looked like Swiatek couldn't read Pegula's shots, especially the angled backhand.. interesting..

[meganfernandez]

Samsonova and Rybakina are quite similar in playing style..smooth power..S won here in 21 and in Tokyo earlier. But Rybakina is a much better player now then in 21.. so the AI prediction 70% Samsonova seems a bit high to me...I would give Rybakina a 55-45 edge..

Meanwhile, Swiatek seems to be a bit off mentally ever since W..lost to Svitolina there with error after error. I dont know what happened here against Pegula But I hear she was up 4-2 in the third...Swiatek rarely loses from that kind of position. Folks who saw the match should tell us. ?

I watched from 4-2 in the third. This isn't super technical, but Iga missed often, both long and wide (by a little bit), and her second serve wasn't good enough. Pegula could attack it.

[ashkor87]

In the WTA, I don't think anybody will go there as any sort of favorite.

for once, I agree with you.. Swiatek isnt looking as impregnable as before.. and I expect the court will be too fast for Rybakina and Sabalenka.. if Coco version 2.1 is ready..?

[ti-amie]

Day 9 Order of Play

Court Central Starts at 01:30 PM

Semifinal
KAZ E. RYBAKINA (3) vs RUS L. SAMSONOVA (15)

Final
USA J. PEGULA (4) vs TBD

Court Rogers Starts at 01:30 PM

UPCOMING
Semifinal
JPN S. AOYAMA/JPN E. SHIBAHARA (7) vs TPE L. CHAN/CHN Z. YANG

Final
TBD vs USA D. KRAWCZYK/NED D. SCHUURS (5)

[ashkor87]

Maybe they should play a single set semifinals...it would be too much to play two tough, high pressure matches in a single day...a creative solution is needed ..

[ponchi101]

Specially with another 1000 starting tomorrow, so nobody can simply say "oh, we can play the final on Monday".
I would say: play 3 TB's, the first two to 7 points, if there is a third, to 10. But the chances that Ludmilla or Elena will be competitive in the final, after slugging it out for a couple of hours, are slim.

[JTContinental]

So far, it's looking like a light warm up for Rybakina

[ponchi101]

If she keeps it up, this would actually be helpful. She could end up with, as you say, a warm-up, with a much better session than something in a back court, and be a bit more ready for the final.
But only if the second set also ends quickly.

[ponchi101]

But, of course, I had to open my mouth...

[JTContinental]

Now a light warm up for Samsonova--maybe they'll decide to both participate in the third set

[ti-amie]

And Samsonova, thanks to a crucial double fault by Rybakina holds to love to take the third set 6-2. Rybakina has a good amount of kinesio on her right shoulder.