Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara, 2021, Mexico

[MargaretMcAleer]

Quite frankly I do not think Sabalenka should be playing the WTA final,her game is not there,she said she still feels the after effect of COVID......Swiatek wins the 1st set 62
Sabalenka has finally found her range in the 2nd set and wins 62,going to a decider,that means that Paula Badosa has clinched a semi final spot.
Sabalenka breaks 6-5 in the final set,much more competitive set between both players,serves out to love and wins 26 62 75 over Iga Swiatek

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Day 5,

Day Match,

Barbora Krejcikova (2) vs Karolina Pliskova (3)......H2H Pliskova 2-0

Night Match,

Garbine Muguruza (6) vs Anett Kontaveit (8)........H2H 2 all.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Actually apart from a couple of matches,the quality of tennis so far in this tournament has been 'scratchy',quite frankly I think the WTA could have picked another country to host the end of year finals.The high altitude is causing balls flying all over the court,these players are not used to playing in 'high altitude',I understand players have to adapt to conditions.I cannot understand why they decided not to hold these finals in Prague?...The WTA hopes to go back to China next year to hold their end of year finals.

They should consider Chicago. Heck they played 3 tournaments there this year. I think I will text Kamau Murray to plant that thought to the WTA.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Goodness me this is Pliskova's 2nd bagel in this tournament.....Krejcikova 60 1st set
It would be good if Karolina's shots found the court for starters.Hopefully the tennis improves in the 2nd set,as I am also keeping an eye on the Mens finals in Turin,Matteo playing Sasha.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

They should consider Chicago. Heck they played 3 tournaments there this year. I think I will text Kamau Murray to plant that thought to the WTA.

China have a 5 year contract I think to have the WTA finals,good luck with Chicago

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Krejcikova was up 4-2 in the 2nd set and then fell apart? Pliskova wins the 2nd set 64
Off to a decider

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Krejcikova really 'lost the plot' from the 2nd set and she loses the match 60 46 46 against Pliskova
Not a good match overall.....hopefully the night match improves.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done to Garbine Muguruza who stopped the 12 match win streak of Anett Kontaveit 64 64 and books her spot in the WTA finals semi finals.Anettt Kontaveit did push her all the way in the match.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Day 6,

Day Match,

Iga Swiatek (5) vs Paula Badosa (7) H2H Badosa 1-0

This singles match won't affect the standings in the group, Badosa is through to the semi finals,while Swiatek is out.There is 250 points to the winner of the match.Badosa is now on an eight match winning streak.Badosa will not want to have a dip in her intensity in this tournament.
Iga Swiatek (5) defeated Paula Badosa (7) 75 64

Night Match,

Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Maria Sakkari (4) H2H Sabalenka 4-1

Maria Sakkari (4) defeated Aryna Sabalenka (1) 76(1) 67(6) 63.

Aryna and Maria will battle it out for a semi final spot.


( As I will be working tomorrow I will check the results when I get home).

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Day 7,..........Semifinals,

Day match,

G.Muguruza (6) vs P.Badosa (7)............first meeting

Night match,

A.Kontaveit (8) vs M.Sakkari (4)...........H2H Sakkari 6-5

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Garbine played controlled aggressive tennis and won the 1st set 63...Paula seems quite jaded,shed some tears in the sit down

Well done to Garbine defeating Paula 63 63 the first player through to the final!

Paula seemed jaded just not physically,also her usual good composure was not in today's s/final,that is not taking away from the good,solid performance of Garbine.

 

[Moxie]

I enjoyed the Sabalenka v Sakkari match a lot. I've watched them play a few times, and it tends to be an emotional affair, and full of drama. Today did not disappoint. Sakkari prevailed today.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

On her 4th SP Sakkari levels the s/final one set all,winning 6-3,Kontaveit winning the 1st set 61...Maria turnaround her game in the 2nd set.....onto a decider.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

What a 3rd and final set this has turned out to be,Sakkari got a break and then Kontaveit broke her to love,back on serve,then Kontaveit finally broke with some great returns and will now serve for a place in the final 5-3

Congratulations to Anett Kontaveit who overall was the better player throughout the match defeating Maria Sakkari 61 36 63 to play Garbine Muguruza in the WTA final....( Anett was my dark horse to win this tournament,also the best thing she ever did was to cut ties with Nigel Sears and replace him with Tursanov,her game has improved out of sight and confidence as well).

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ladies Doubles Final....starts at 5.00pm local time.

B.Krejcikova/K.Siniakova (1) vs S.Hsieh/E.Mertens (3)

Ladies Singles Final,

G.Muguruza (6) vs A.Kontaveit (8).........H2H Muguruza 3-2.

Garbine Muguruza is the first Spanish woman since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicaro in 1993 to make the WTA Finals title match.
Garbine ended Kontaveit's 12 match win streak 64 64 in their previous match in Mexico.Garbine will be ranked No 3

Anett Kontaveit will play for the biggest title of her career.If Anett wins,which would be her third consecutive title and fifth this year,she will tye with Ash Barty (1) for the most titles this season.Anett currently ranked No 8,she would finish the season ranked No 6 if she can win the title.

 

[Ellentonboy]

I have to admit I enjoyed Hsieh and Mertens winning their doubles semifinals last night. It wasn't really in question. However, against Siniakova and Krejcikova it may be a different story. Krejcikova had really underperformed in the singles, so I am sure winning the titles will give her some solace. I think it all depends on Hsieh, she is a notorious slow starter. So if they drop the first set it will be tough for her team to overcome that. Either way, I am looking forward to an exciting match.

 

[Moxie]

I'll be rooting for Muguruza to win and put herself in a good place to kick off a great 2022.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Congratulations to the Czech doubles team of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova (1) seal an underfeated run,defeating the No 3 seeds Hsieh/Mertens 63 64 to win the final.
Titles at Roland Garos,Madris,WTA Finals and Olympic Gold medal ....a great year!

 

[Moxie]

Krejcikova made an emotional speech about the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, having Martina in tears, behind her on the podium.

 

[Moxie]

First break to Mugu.