Aegon Classic - Birmingham

[kskate2]

Well well well... Halep and Suarez Navarro in the QFs. They seem eager to right their ships after RG letdowns. I hope Halep isn't becoming an "anywhere but slams" player.

Not quite. Both go out to lower seeds. CSN rather meekly and Simona eats a bagel in a 3-setter.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Well well well... Halep and Suarez Navarro in the QFs. They seem eager to right their ships after RG letdowns. I hope Halep isn't becoming an "anywhere but slams" player.

Not quite. Both go out to lower seeds. CSN rather meekly and Simona eats a bagel in a 3-setter.

Kristina's culinary sklls have improved. She served one to Genie and then now to Simona.

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgvyVz8Tv6Y[/video]

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play & Scores for SF Saturday, June 20

Ann Jones Centre Court

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12:00 - [6] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) d. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6-2, 7-6(6)
14:00 - [4] Angelique Kerber (GER) d. [8] Sabine Lisicki (GER) 6-3, 6-3
16:00 - Andrea Hlavackova / Lucie Hradecka (CZE / CZE) d. Michaella Krajicek / Barbora Strycova (NED / CZE) 6-2, 6-2
18:00 - [4] Garbiñe Muguruza / Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP / ESP) d. Yung-Jan Chan / Jie Zheng (TPE / CHN) 7-5, 6-3

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Kristina produced three upsets in a row. How many more will she produce?

I think she should now cut down little bit on doubles and focus on singles as she appears to be reaching her prime.

 

[Calvy]

It just hit me who Sabine Lisicki reminds me of, not necessarily stylistic, but she's this generations Brenda Schulte McCarthy.

All serve, okay groundies, but probably will never win a major.

 

[sk310]

Well well well... Halep and Suarez Navarro in the QFs. They seem eager to right their ships after RG letdowns. I hope Halep isn't becoming an "anywhere but slams" player.

Not quite. Both go out to lower seeds. CSN rather meekly and Simona eats a bagel in a 3-setter.

Well it seems the rise of Simona Halep has ended. Depressing. I kind of have a theory that each time you make it to the finish line if you don't cross first it becomes more and more difficult. Her chance was 2014 RG Finals. After that the pressure and expectations rose.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I don't know that we have seen the end of Simona. She is a crafty player, I think having a mediocre year after a banner year can be expected. I think she is someone who can right the ship. I mean look at Serena she won her first slam in 1999 and didn't win another until 2002. Anything is possible. I think she just needs to learn to find that fight gear and work through on court issues better.

 

[10isfan]

Most don't cross the line the first time they make a final. That is why people were shocked when Petra did against Pova.

Grass is not Halep's surface. I think she wins one or two FO.

 

[sk310]

I don't know that we have seen the end of Simona. She is a crafty player, I think having a mediocre year after a banner year can be expected. I think she is someone who can right the ship. I mean look at Serena she won her first slam in 1999 and didn't win another until 2002. Anything is possible. I think she just needs to learn to find that fight gear and work through on court issues better.

I hope you're right. I do like her. To me she feels more like a Woz. She's a good player, a smart player, but not a champion. She'll stay consistent in smaller events but won't really be able to put it together in the big.

 

[tossip]

Halep seems to have back injury..I noticed during her match that she was wearing a brace.

 

[Front242]

27 aces! Holy Moley!

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qooaroPxqc[/video]

Looks like I missed a fun match :snicker

 

[tossip]

27 aces and still lost to Kerber....this girl only comes alive at Wimbledon...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

A record for Aces was set both in WTA and ATP in the same week. Sabine for WTA with 27 aces and Dr. Evil for ATP with 45 aces. What a coincidence!

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play & Scores for Finals Sunday, June 21

Ann Jones Centre Court

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13:00 - [4] Angelique Kerber (GER) d. [6] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4)
15:00 - [4] Garbiñe Muguruza / Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP / ESP) d. Andrea Hlavackova / Lucie Hradecka (CZE / CZE) 6-4, 6-4

 

[sk310]

Most don't cross the line the first time they make a final. That is why people were shocked when Petra did against Pova.

Grass is not Halep's surface. I think she wins one or two FO.

Since 2010 only Bartoli, stosur, clijsters, and Li na didn't win their first final and won a slam after. Serena, Maria, Vika, Schiavone, Kvitova all won on their first attempt.

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QByt-UEu0g4[/video]

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyhhPXrZCt0[/video]

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXbyF8Qaiws[/video]

 

[10isfan]

Most don't cross the line the first time they make a final. That is why people were shocked when Petra did against Pova.

Grass is not Halep's surface. I think she wins one or two FO.

Since 2010 only Bartoli, stosur, clijsters, and Li na didn't win their first final and won a slam after. Serena, Maria, Vika, Schiavone, Kvitova all won on their first attempt.

I was lumping in male players when making my statement. It is surprising that this happens on the WTA.