2024 Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome, Italy - WTA 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

I like Collins a/k/a Banshee!

You can thank Kskate for that nickname it suits her to a tee

 

[kskate2]

I like Collins a/k/a Banshee!

she's a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stuck up top 20. She tells you exactly how it is whether you want to hear it or not...

 

[don_fabio]

she's a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stuck up top 20. She tells you exactly how it is whether you want to hear it or not...

She is destroying the competition lately, 19 out 20 match wins. That's impressive. Wasn't she talking about the retirement a few months ago? Maybe needs to reconsider it.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

She is destroying the competition lately, 19 out 20 match wins. That's impressive. Wasn't she talking about the retirement a few months ago? Maybe needs to reconsider it.

Collins wants to start a family she is challenged in that area sad to say, also she has other interests apart from tennis she wants to pursue

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play, Thursday, May 16, 2024

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Seeing Madrid and Rome are shared tournament with the men
I feel the women have outshone the men in power and also in highly contested matches and especially the final in Madrid, which went to a 3rd set TB with a tight ending between Swiatek and Sabalenka the No 1 and No 2 ranked players, meanwhile the men have had shock loses and sidelining injuries

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

(1) Swiatek vs Gauff (3) H2H Swiatek 9-1

(2) Sabalenka vs Collins (13) H2H Sabalenka 5-0

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

That was a good hold from Coco being down 15-40 on serve, at least she is trying different approaches in this match up with Iga, quite frankly she has to, as Coco has only won one match in their H2H 9-1

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oh Coco you were up in that service game and DFs cost you? and Iga breaks and will serve for the 1st set 5-4
Iga wins 8 of the last 9 points of the 1st set 64, still it was a highly contested 1st set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A much better showing from Coco in this match, her serve let her down in pressure points of the match,to make a SF in Rome is good preparation for RG

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Swiatek d Gauff for the 10th time in 11 meetings 64 63 to reach a 12th WTA1000 final and 3rd in Rome. 11 consecutive wins for Iga!
Sabalanka will arrive at RG as the world No 2

 

[kskate2]

That serve is still a hot mess and it will be to her detriment this year unless she straightens it out. Any of the top 5 will eat her alive w/ all those donations she makes on serve.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

That serve is still a hot mess and it will be to her detriment this year unless she straightens it out. Any of the top 5 will eat her alive w/ all those donations she makes on serve.

Agree it is still a mess, Coco stands steadfast and said she will continue to 'go big' on her serve, I did post her thoughts on her serve on this post, after she was asked the other day, her struggles with her serve.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The Banshee will serve to force a TB for the 1st set 5-6,, she has been finding the lines well at the back of the court, and using the slice to Saba's feet on returns, making it difficult for Saba to return actually using her head well

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Saba stepped up her game and broke the serve of Collins to take the 1st set 75

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

My link started and stopped in the 2nd set

Sablalenka d The Banshee 75 52 and extends her H2H 6-0

We have a rematch of the Madrid final with the No 1 seed and No 2 seed

Well done Saba you have found your game later in this Rome tournament and deserve to be in the final

Well done to The Banshee had a great run in Rome tournament making the SF have a rest and you are well prepared for RG!

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play, Friday, May 17, 2024

 

[the AntiPusher]

I have never seen Saba hit soo many drop shots in a match 'Ever'

I'm curious about what @kskate2 Keli felt about this encounter. Elena have really improved her game.I saw Arya take her game to the highest level especially during the final set tbr. I would consider Mrs Monfils a RG slight dark horse if she can stay at her current level

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'm curious about what @kskate2 Keli felt about this encounter. Elena have really improved her game.I saw Arya take her game to the highest level especially during the final set tbr. I would consider Mrs Monfils a RG slight dark horse if she can stay at her current level

I think I know what Keli will say regarding Elina at RG

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Good to see the unseeded Italian doubles pair Errani/Paolini making the final of the Ladies Doubles, in their home tournament, defeating the American pair of Dolehide/Krawczyk (8) 61 62 they will play the winner of Wang/Zheng v Gauff/Routliffe (3) their match is now in progress