2024 WTA News & Gossip

[MargaretMcAleer]

In Auckland,
Coco Gauff (1) d the 16 year old Brenda Fruhvirtova 63 60, Coco seems like a 'veteran' on the tour in comparison, I must say Brenda has a unusual grunt

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ostapenko 62 1st set over Pliskova, she set the tone for the 1st set, with bullet like returns from the fhand , Karolina just watch them go by, she has her eye in today and her UFE count which can be 'rather high' is under control so far in this match.Ostapenko is also moving Pliskova around the court, to her advantage.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I just saw Ostapenko's first outfit for 2024 " I Have No Words!
Ostapenko (3) d Giorgi 61 64 in Brisbane

I don't think we will see Ostapenko EVER posing for ESPN the Body issue ..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I don't think we will see Ostapenko EVER posing for ESPN the Body issue ..

Not in her current out fit we wont!....I dont know where she finds these hideous outfits from

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Pliskova held her nerve and her serve and won the 2nd set 64
Going 3 sets in Brisbane
Ostapenko having a MTO it is very hot and humid in Brisbane today, had the trainer and doctor out, checking blood pressure etc, Jelena's face very read, I think it is just a heat factor, players need to hydrate well, beginning the night before, especially coming from Europe to our Australian Summer
Play continues on serve early in the 3rd set Pliskova serving 2-3
Ostapenko came out after her MTO and broke Pliskova's serve with fhand returns and now has consolidated the break and leads 5-2 in the 3rd set
Ostapenko (3) d Plsikova the 3 time Brisbane champion 62 46 63 to move into the QFs

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Earlier in Brisbane today,
V.Azarenka (8) d C.Burel 75 62
L.Noshova d J.Riera 16 76(4) 63

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Brisbane WTA500 Tournament,
QFs Friday 5th January,
J.Ostapenko (3) vs V.Azarenka (8)
E.Rybakina (2) vs A.Potapova (11)
A.Sabalenka (1) vs D.Kasatkina (5)
M.Andreeva vs L.Noskova

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

ASB Classic Auckland
Friday 5th January QFS,
E.Navarro (4) vs P.Martic (7)
C.Gauff (1) vs V.Gracheva (8)
X.Wang vs D.Parry
E.Svitolina (2) vs M.Bouzkova (5)

 

[tossip]

Where is Taylor Townsend,I just hope that she doesn't have a bun in the oven.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Madison Keys has just withdrawn from the AO she has been struggling with a shoulder injury and has been advised by her medical team to withdraw
AO Update:
Out: Madison Keys
In: S.Errani
Next: Kava Juan

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Where is Taylor Townsend,I just hope that she doesn't have a bun in the oven.

All I have read about Taylor Townsend for 2024, she is teaming up with Beatriz Haddad Maia as a new doubles partner? I dont know if this is a long term arrangement, as Haddad Maia usually plays doubles with Azarenka and Taylor has played a lot of doubles with Fernandez in 2023

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The first match of the QFs in Brisbane,
Ostapenko v Azarenka, players warming up on court
Azarenka 1st set 63, UFE was the downfall from Ostrapenko 18 UFE compared to Azarenka's UFE 4
We are going the distance as Ostapenko has tidied up her UFE and wins the 2nd set 63, still a close contest
Ostapenko having a Hissy Fit complaining to the umpire she is Blind and
you will never be on one of my matches again!, the ball didnt bounce twice at all Osta maybe time to get your eyes checked .lol!
Still anyone's game 4 all 3rd set
One stat that has impressed me today is Vika's 1st set 16 aces so far and her 2nd serve which is usually her weaker serve has stood firm
Osta will serve to force a TB for the 3rd set 5-6
A great overhead smash from Vika brings up 2 MP
Osta does a Novak Smash into the net and Vika wins the match!
Azarenka the 2 time champion of Brisbane d Ostapenko (3) 63 36 75! Well done Vika one of the best matches you have played in a long time into the SFs, where you will play the winner of Sabalenka v Ksatkina

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In the 2nd QF bad luck to Potapova who suffered an 'ab injury' and had the trainer out, she put tape on the area, you could see Potapova was in pain
She came out to serve and could barely serve, she let Rybakina serve out the 1st set 61 and retired from the match.With the AO just around the corner it was a wise decision
Rybakina wins by retirement 6-1 over Potapova
I must say after watching Rybakina in her last 2 matches she is playing very well, such easy power of both wings, a great serve and keeps her head still, well balanced
Rybakina will play the winner of Noskova or Andreeva in the SF

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Some QF results at the ASB Classic tournament in Auckland today
C.Gauff (1) d V.Gracheva (8) 61 61
E.Navarro (4) d P.Martic (7) 64 63
Due to previous rain delays, the night session has been delayed, the officials will keep updated when play times become available

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

SFs Auckland Tournament,
Saturday 6th January,
Gauff (1) vs Navarro (4)
Svitolina (2) vs Wang Xiyu

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

SFs Brisbane Tournament,
Saturday 6th January,
E.Rybakina (2) vs L.Noskova
A.Sabalenka (1) vs V.Azarenka (8)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

United Cup SFs
Sydney, 6th January,
Poland vs France
Germany vs Australia

In the day session SF Poland v France
Poland take a 1-0 lead Hurkacz d Mannarino 63 75 It was a close match, Hubi good returns broke Mannarino and had no trouble serving out the match
In the ladies singles tie Garcia took the1st set 64, it was close then Iga came back out and won the 2nd set 61, going 3 sets now.Iga too good coming back from 46 61 61, she has really improved on the HC, I remember last year when Pegula routed her off the HC in Sydney and made her cry, well done Iga
Team Poland are into the final of the United Cup winning 2 rubbers...surprised they are playing the mixed doubles, though I guess this is the day session and they want to give the fans their money's worth It was a clean sweep to Poland winning the mixed doubles

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

First SF Brisbane has just started between
Rybakina and Noskova ( I am still watching also the Swiatekv Garcia at the United Cup,)
Solid 1st set from Rybakina 6-3
Rybakina now up a double break on Noskova, leading 4-1 2nd set, I was just looking at the draw for Adelaide WTA 500, where Rybakina is one of the top seeds? she looks like she will be in the final at Brisbane, I hope she decides to withdraw from Adelaide, she has enough match practice before the AO, she also has finalist points to defend? and dosent want to pick up an unwanted injury from over playing.
Rybakina d Noskova 63 62 Rybakina has been impressive all week, has not lost a set, and deserves her spot in the final tomorrow, she awaits the winner of Sabalenka - Azarenka
A good tournament from Linda, this tournament has had a top quality field of players, she has done herself proud making the SF, she is talented and keep working hard and the results will come your way in tournaments!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I was quickly looking at Coco Gauff's SF match in Auckland why do they put all the SFmatches on at the same time she had no trouble in making the final defeating Navarro 63 61, one thing impressed me has been her serve all week, apparently in the off season she and coach Gilbert have been working on it
Coco waits for the winner of the 2nd SF between Svitolina and Bouzkova

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In the 2nd SF in Auckland Tournament between Svitolina and Wang Xiyu going 3 sets, as Svitolina wins the 2nd set 64, Xiyu 1st set 62
After a slow start Svitolina finally found her game and defeated Xiyu in 3 sets 26 64 63 she will face Coco Gauff tomorrow in the final, she cant have a slow start against Gauff or it wiill be over in straight sets