Australian Open Day 4: Thursday, Jan 16 - Order of Play

[Correspondent Kiu]

I feel like Maria is just bashing balls trying to get off court....more so than usual. I guess I wouldn't blame her with 107 degrees

This may backfire on her.
We are into overtime, tied at 6 games a piece, we are getting close to the third hour in this match.

 

[golds girl]

Knapp looks sunburned...it must feel terrible.
I like her grit she could have easily given up when Maria was serving for the match but kept on keepin' on

 

[Moxie]

Knapp looks red as a beet, but I'd give her the edge, the way things are looking. Maria doesn't seem to be handling the heat and adversity as well.

 

[kskate2]

I seem to remember another match Maria survived the inferno. It went to 8-6 or 9-7 in the decider.

 

[sk310]

Man Maria's coach has to be thinking: damn I'm totally getting fired if she loses this...

 

[sk310]

I think Knapp is getting tight when she has REAL chances to close and she's playing amazingly well when her back is against the wall. If she can dictate enough to get the ball to Maria's backhand she can win otherwise Maria's experience will win out.

 

[kskate2]

Knnap holds. 8-7. 15-15

 

[kskate2]

30-30

 

[kskate2]

Big hold for Maria 8-8

 

[kskate2]

0-30 on Knapp's serve

 

[tented]

Can Maria do it this time? It's unfortunate for her that she couldn't break to win this.

 

[kskate2]

Maria breaks at 30-40 and will serve for it at 9-8

 

[kskate2]

oh my. 2 DF's. 15-30

 

[golds girl]

Ugghhhh...

 

[kskate2]

make that 3. BP for Knapp

 

[kskate2]

she saves w/ a line clipper

 

[kskate2]

good serve out wide. MP

 

[kskate2]

Maria is through. 10-8 in the triple digit heat.

 

[tented]

Maria's a fighter. Congrats on a huge win, in ridiculous heat.

 

[askh]

Good-ness. Maria certainly likes to live dangerously. That was excruciating.