Saturday, February 24, 2018
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Dubai - Angelique def Pliskova 6-4, 6-3
It was the top part of the draw to play first and there was no story telling for both quarters. In the first, Svitolina disposed of Osaka and on the other match, let's be honest, Pliskova trashed herself against Kerber. Not that I mind an easier win for Angie, but I was expecting a more equal battle - I am sure Angie was expecting something far more complicated as well. She was much more consistant than her opponent, Pliskova made more than 30 unforced errors compare to her only 11. They were two very tight games on Angie's serve but she not only she managed to win the points when it mattered, but never faced a break point, which did keep the momentum on her side all match.
So, Svitolina next. I am intrigue by Elina - I am not sure where she stands in all these top 10 changes. I mean, she plays good, but not so good when it counts. One thing for sure, if Angie could stop her losing streak against her, it could certainly boost her confidence - she has enough mental strengh now to do it. Consistancy will be a key but if both players bring their best game on the court, the advantage goes to Angie and the fans will certainly enjoy that ferocious fight.
I love her comments after the match, see the video below, but i wonder if she finds it annoying that poeple keep bringing back 2017. I understand though, that 2016 was amazing, and to keep bringing back these momeries, you have to bring back what comes after too, but let's move forward like she tries to do, 2018 has started 2 months ago, and it started great for her!
The other quart was held during the evening session between Garcia and Muguruza and could have been much more interesting that it really was. They met last week and Garcia was not able to capitalize on the important points, and the story repeated itself today - you just don't let a 40-15 goes away I hope to break the Spaniard back! If you don't seize all the chances against her, she keeps getting stronger and stronger through a match!
In the last match of the evening, Kasatkina continues her good run and seize the opportinuty to reach the semi by defeating Vesnina in 2 sets.
So, Svitolina next. I am intrigue by Elina - I am not sure where she stands in all these top 10 changes. I mean, she plays good, but not so good when it counts. One thing for sure, if Angie could stop her losing streak against her, it could certainly boost her confidence - she has enough mental strengh now to do it. Consistancy will be a key but if both players bring their best game on the court, the advantage goes to Angie and the fans will certainly enjoy that ferocious fight.
I love her comments after the match, see the video below, but i wonder if she finds it annoying that poeple keep bringing back 2017. I understand though, that 2016 was amazing, and to keep bringing back these momeries, you have to bring back what comes after too, but let's move forward like she tries to do, 2018 has started 2 months ago, and it started great for her!
The other quart was held during the evening session between Garcia and Muguruza and could have been much more interesting that it really was. They met last week and Garcia was not able to capitalize on the important points, and the story repeated itself today - you just don't let a 40-15 goes away I hope to break the Spaniard back! If you don't seize all the chances against her, she keeps getting stronger and stronger through a match!
In the last match of the evening, Kasatkina continues her good run and seize the opportinuty to reach the semi by defeating Vesnina in 2 sets.
Kerber hits the court in Dubai Kids’ Day
“I just love doing Kids’ Days, to play a little bit with the kids and just to meet them. It’s nice to meet kids from all over the world,” Kerber said afterwards.
“I think it’s a great idea to introduce the kids to the game with us players because we can play a bit with them, showing them how great the game is and having a good time together.
“The energy here is amazing; they were cheering and having a lot of fun. For me as a player it’s great to see the kids really enjoying themselves and to see how special it is for them.”
See the full articles and photos on the wta website here.
“I think it’s a great idea to introduce the kids to the game with us players because we can play a bit with them, showing them how great the game is and having a good time together.
“The energy here is amazing; they were cheering and having a lot of fun. For me as a player it’s great to see the kids really enjoying themselves and to see how special it is for them.”
See the full articles and photos on the wta website here.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Dubai - Angelique def Errani 6-4, 6-2
There were moments in this match that it was Angie, the kerbernator playing, we felt that nothing could stand in her way - some wonderful crossed court backhards, glorious forehands down the line and powerful smashes from the backline - you know how confident you have to be to hit those! It was a little bit laborious at the beginning of the match, but the moment Errani broke her serve to lead 4-3, Angie upgraded her game and closed it out at 6-2.
“I think it was a tricky match, especially because she was, of course, playing good,” Kerber said in her post-match press conference. “She had a lot of confidence after her matches here already.
“I was just trying to stay in the match and trying to not think about how she was playing. She was playing with a lot of spin. I was just trying to more go with my game.”
She will meet Pliskova in Quart tomorrow. Head to head shows advatage to Angie 6-3.
Pliskova had a little more problems getting rid of the always combative Carla Suarez Navarro in 3 sets. The other quarter on the top part of the draw will oppose Svitolina to Osaka. Svitolina also had to fight really hard against Wang and Osaka defeated Kontaveit. On the bottom draw, Konta tripped and fall to Kasatkina who was more consistant than the Brit and she will met (and should win) Vesnina in Quart, who disposed of Ostapenko (didn't I mentioned it already). Garcia is gonna fight hard again but it is going to be a really interesting match up against Muguruza tomorrow as they met last week and it was a really tight match - my guess can't guess - but i'd say Muguruza just because she is intimidating on a court.
“I think it was a tricky match, especially because she was, of course, playing good,” Kerber said in her post-match press conference. “She had a lot of confidence after her matches here already.
“I was just trying to stay in the match and trying to not think about how she was playing. She was playing with a lot of spin. I was just trying to more go with my game.”
She will meet Pliskova in Quart tomorrow. Head to head shows advatage to Angie 6-3.
Pliskova had a little more problems getting rid of the always combative Carla Suarez Navarro in 3 sets. The other quarter on the top part of the draw will oppose Svitolina to Osaka. Svitolina also had to fight really hard against Wang and Osaka defeated Kontaveit. On the bottom draw, Konta tripped and fall to Kasatkina who was more consistant than the Brit and she will met (and should win) Vesnina in Quart, who disposed of Ostapenko (didn't I mentioned it already). Garcia is gonna fight hard again but it is going to be a really interesting match up against Muguruza tomorrow as they met last week and it was a really tight match - my guess can't guess - but i'd say Muguruza just because she is intimidating on a court.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Dubai - Angie wins first round match
It is an easy match to describe: Strykova wasn't consistant but when she was trying too, Kerber was dominating the play, most of the time. Some bad mistakes at the net from the German but it didn't really matter today. Some strong smashes from the back line, just to tell you that Angie is confident. A little hard on herself when she was misssing, even if she was ahead in the score, but she should lossen up as the tournament advances. She get Errani tomorrow.
We can't rely on their head to head, Errani is not to be taken lightly but Angie is much more efficient from the Baseline, so, we should expect some rallies, but the question is how long Angie will wait to hit a winner down the line? She could also make her run from one side of the court to the other, but it is going to be a perfect match to use her upgraded agressive play.
On the other matches, lucky loser Wang did make the most of it and defeat Kiki Berten. Stosur started strong but nothing she could really do after Kontaveit decided to play. The always regular Navarro discarded qualifier Zhuk and Bellis continues to impress with a win over AO semi-finalist Mertens. In the last match of the day, Garcia keep going on and get rid of Safarova in 2 sets.
Angie is off tomorrow, but several great matches to follow, and there is YouTube live Stream for Dubai in HD even. Awesome!
We can't rely on their head to head, Errani is not to be taken lightly but Angie is much more efficient from the Baseline, so, we should expect some rallies, but the question is how long Angie will wait to hit a winner down the line? She could also make her run from one side of the court to the other, but it is going to be a perfect match to use her upgraded agressive play.
On the other matches, lucky loser Wang did make the most of it and defeat Kiki Berten. Stosur started strong but nothing she could really do after Kontaveit decided to play. The always regular Navarro discarded qualifier Zhuk and Bellis continues to impress with a win over AO semi-finalist Mertens. In the last match of the day, Garcia keep going on and get rid of Safarova in 2 sets.
Angie is off tomorrow, but several great matches to follow, and there is YouTube live Stream for Dubai in HD even. Awesome!
Monday, February 19, 2018
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Several players moved on to Dubai. The main draw counts 32 players. At first look, Petra Kvitova was in the top part of the draw but she decided not to play. I believe her team told her not too, at some point, her tank needs some refill before Indian Well and Miami. That kinda changed things a bit as now, Samantha Stosur took her place in the draw, which should still give a good match against Kontaveit but make things a bit easier for the defending champ, Elina Svitolina.
While we are at it, can she defend her title? With the change in the draw, she can make it to the semi without too much worries even though she is not as consistant than last year so, she should be stopped in Semi by Angie. The German has Strykova on the first round, even thought her stats are highly positive, it should be a good match, and then she’ll get a qualifier, either Errani or Tsurenko, either way, those two know how to play tennis. Then probably Pliskova, and unless i miss an episode, it should also a be a win. Her more complete game should be the end of the Czech and she should beat Elina for the same reason..
However, the Ukrainien is part of Angie's downfall last year, 3 matches, 3 losses allowing Elina to get positive records against the German but my guess is that this year, she will turn things around. Keep your heart on the court Angie and anything can happen.
Wait, let see who is on the bottom draw first?
The Spanish princess should make it to the quart, unless Bellis has some more tricks up her sleeves! Garcia has proven she is tough, so she’ll reach the quart by beating and Safarova and Sevastova and anything can happen between the French woman and the Spaniard. For the remaining quart, there is a lot of incertitude. Konta has played good tennis last week, but she has Radwanska in her path and even thought the Pole is not the player she was, she is still a very strong opponent, that is of course, assuming that she will win her prior round. Ostapenko just have one match to win to make it to the quart, so with a little bit of luck she shoud make it, but I won't be surprised if she doesn't. She will probably meet Vesnina, who is another player that we are not too sure what kinda of tennis she'll play.
Let say what happen...
Main while, Angelique was part of the Dubai kids day.
While we are at it, can she defend her title? With the change in the draw, she can make it to the semi without too much worries even though she is not as consistant than last year so, she should be stopped in Semi by Angie. The German has Strykova on the first round, even thought her stats are highly positive, it should be a good match, and then she’ll get a qualifier, either Errani or Tsurenko, either way, those two know how to play tennis. Then probably Pliskova, and unless i miss an episode, it should also a be a win. Her more complete game should be the end of the Czech and she should beat Elina for the same reason..
However, the Ukrainien is part of Angie's downfall last year, 3 matches, 3 losses allowing Elina to get positive records against the German but my guess is that this year, she will turn things around. Keep your heart on the court Angie and anything can happen.
Wait, let see who is on the bottom draw first?
The Spanish princess should make it to the quart, unless Bellis has some more tricks up her sleeves! Garcia has proven she is tough, so she’ll reach the quart by beating and Safarova and Sevastova and anything can happen between the French woman and the Spaniard. For the remaining quart, there is a lot of incertitude. Konta has played good tennis last week, but she has Radwanska in her path and even thought the Pole is not the player she was, she is still a very strong opponent, that is of course, assuming that she will win her prior round. Ostapenko just have one match to win to make it to the quart, so with a little bit of luck she shoud make it, but I won't be surprised if she doesn't. She will probably meet Vesnina, who is another player that we are not too sure what kinda of tennis she'll play.
Let say what happen...
Main while, Angelique was part of the Dubai kids day.
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