Talk About Tennis 2.0

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 2:58 pm

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:48 pm The usual pattern is unfolding...Rybakina wins the first set, loses the second..then scraps for the third..Iga is a better scrapper than she is, so it won't work.

Well, well, Rybakina comes through 6-3 in the third. Iga made a few too many mistakes. Rybakina has played okay, served okay, but this is about Iga missing. In the final game, she missed two routine short balls going for the lines and another fairly routine rally ball into the net. She was on her back foot - Rybakina's return landed by Iga's feet, and Iga tried to change directions on it, which was a bad decision.

In the last point, Iga got the short FH she wanted, just behind the service line, and she looped it back safely cross-court - I assume because she missed the previous 2 attack balls in that game. She got tenatively. Should have been more aggressive. That's her game. A few shots later, Rybakina got the ball to Iga's feet on the baseline and Iga hit it long. She should have played a safer rally shot.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 3:04 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 19, 2024 2:41 pm Her margin of error is minimal. With her flat forehand, I really wonder how she can beat players on clay.
But, she does. It is just never routine.
She'll give Iga a good workout, but I don't think she can beat her here.
(Now, watch this go in the same direction as my Raducanu prediction).

I am on a roll this week. That's for sure...
But love that Elena beat Iga. Also glad that I did not see that match because watching Elena makes me nervous.

ashkor87 wrote:Rybakina hitting at Swiatek's feet is anyway a good ploy against a good mover ..they are often not good at getting OUT of the way..that is how Muguruza beat Serena at the French Open first time they played. Didn't work against Sharapova, maybe because Sharapova was happy to stand in one place and whack the ball!

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 21, 2024 3:33 am Absolutely no surprise that Elena has no driver's license.
Just in character.

mick1303 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 3:17 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 2:58 pm

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:48 pm The usual pattern is unfolding...Rybakina wins the first set, loses the second..then scraps for the third..Iga is a better scrapper than she is, so it won't work.

Well, well, Rybakina comes through 6-3 in the third. Iga made a few too many mistakes. Rybakina has played okay, served okay, but this is about Iga missing. In the final game, she missed two routine short balls going for the lines and another fairly routine rally ball into the net. She was on her back foot - Rybakina's return landed by Iga's feet, and Iga tried to change directions on it, which was a bad decision.

In the last point, Iga got the short FH she wanted, just behind the service line, and she looped it back safely cross-court - I assume because she missed the previous 2 attack balls in that game. She got tenatively. Should have been more aggressive. That's her game. A few shots later, Rybakina got the ball to Iga's feet on the baseline and Iga hit it long. She should have played a safer rally shot.

This tournament is a bit unique as indoor clay. In outdoor conditions Elena's shots may lack that crucial bit of precision and Iga will have an advantage.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 21, 2024 3:33 am Absolutely no surprise that Elena has no driver's license.
Just in character.