Apia International Sydney 2015

[MargaretMcAleer]

Petra with SP

Petra wins the 2nd set 6-3 we are going the distance in this q/final match

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoehMyizZ6E[/video]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jarmila stop directing your shots down the middle of the court,that is right in Petra's strike zone

Jarmila is a good returner of the ball,she should be concentrating on returning Petra's 2nd serve more.

2 games all,3rd set.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Petra breaks as Jarmila fhand long,Jarmila's is now getting down on herself,body language tells it all

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Seriously Petra getting broken,when you got the early break?

Good to see Jarmila mental state improving though and maybe her belief

Jarmila has won 7 of the last 8 points

Jarmila leads 4-3,3rd set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

2 great ROS from Jarmila on Petra's 2nd serve gives her BP

Good 1st serve from Petra..deuce

Nice hands at the net from Petra with a half volley..add to Petra

Petra holds serve,4 games all,3rd set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Wow incredible ROS cross court winner from Petra with ease

Petra with 3 BPs as Jarmila double faults

Petra breaks as Jarmila fhand finds the net

Petra will serve for the match 5-4

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kvitova d Gajdosova 46 63 64

Well done Jarmila you did push Petra in this match,you have played some good tennis in this tournament Good luck in Melbourne.

Conditions for this match was difficult as the wind swirls around the main stadium

Petra will meet Pironkova in the s/final,the defending champion from last year,who had to play qualifers this year.Petra looking for sweet revenge I would imagine.

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35EwfVIR8iU[/video]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I didnt watch this match,I will wait for Pavlik89 to post it,

Kerber d Muguruza 60 16 64

Seeing Kerber didnt finish her match yesterday until 3.10am in the morning,it was a good result,as I thought Garbine going on her previous performance against Radwanska would win the match

Well done Kerber!

 

[Hoergren]

Semifinals

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Ken Rosewall Arena
17:30 - Karolina Pliskova (CZE) V [5] Angelique Kerber (GER) 63 62
19:00 - Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) V [2] Petra Kvitova (CZE) 57 16

Grand Stand

15:30 - [1] Raquel Kops-Jones / Abigail Spears (USA / USA) V Timea Babos / Kristina Mladenovic (HUN / FRA) 67 76 10-8
17:30 - Kimiko Date-Krumm / Karolina Pliskova (JPN / CZE) V Bethanie Mattek-Sands / Sania Mirza (USA / IND)

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_AqQZoXpgo[/video]

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

It must be Magical powers assisting Piro in this event, she won it last year, played qualies this year and still made the semis, who says Piro is a grass specialist? One must add Sydney to her specialties.

Here is a reminder from last year:

I think Pliskova will be one too many hard hitters for Angie to overcome as she must be exhausted, played 3 setters twice during the last 48 hours. Mugu fed Angie a bagel to start things and that must have energized her...

Did you notice Pliskova's score against lucky loser Nicole Gibbs?

I am leaning towards the Czechs cleaning this place up.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ I tend to agree with you Kiu,we will probably have a Czech Mate Final at Apia International,Sydney,maybe a first for the tournament.

I have been impressed with Karolina,especially her win over Azarenka in Brisbane,she has kept that form here in Sydney.As I said previously I still believe that it is Petra's tournament to lose,watching some of her incredible fhands and bhands in her match against Jarmila,I just sat back gobsmacked,Petra just hits those shot's with ease.

 

[rubydo]

Enjoyed your commentary Fashionista on the Jarmila/Petra match. Not much to chose between the two there, except as you say on a few occasions Jarmila hit the returns right into Petra's wheelhouse. Nevertheless, a fine tourney for the Aussie. I sense a good year coming up for her. I was very impressed with her play when I watched her in Vancouver last August.

 

[Hoergren]

Here the stats from first set - who knows what sort of bird that interupted or tried to the game all the time in most of first set? And who will checkmate

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93VCSn52Vg4[/video]

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

I am leaning towards the Czechs cleaning this place up.

What do you know? the Czechs are in the final!

Pliskova versus Kvitova
Power versus Power
Right versus Left
H2H 1-0 in favor of Petra. A tough 3 setter in Wuhan last year.

As usual, I am picking the underdog.

 

[Hoergren]

Friday, January 16, 2015 - FINALS

Ken Rosewall Arena
19:30 - Karolina Pliskova (CZE) V [2] Petra Kvitova (CZE) 67 67
21:30 - [1] Raquel Kops-Jones / Abigail Spears (USA / USA) V Bethanie Mattek-Sands / Sania Mirza (USA / IND) 36 36

Underdog it is Pliskova is sharp.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am looking forward to attending the final of both the ladies singles final and the doubles final

I picked Petra from the start and I am not changing my opinion now.I have been impressed with Karolina,it will be a close contest,still I feel the experience of Petra will get her this win.

I am also delighted that Bethanie Mattek-Sands has made the doubles final,with her partner Sania Mirza,Bethanie has returned to the tour,after having hip surgery last year.I love doubles,this ladies finals match should be a beauty.I am going with Bethanie Mattek-Sands/Sania Mirza to win.