China Open Beijing 2014

[sk310]

Has Kvitova finally broken the mental spell? Is she finally ready to come into her renaissance? Too soon to tell but I really truly hope.

One factor in the match against the slicer Vinci,when Petra was down 1-5 in the first set,Petra was spraying her shots all over the court ufe etc,I liked the way she came back and won the 1st set,I have seen over the years with Petra when she gets behind in a set,she keeps slugging away,this time she adjusted and turned her game around.That was a pleasing sign to me.

Yep that's a champion's mindset. That's something we see kind of uniquely in Serena. I can't tell you how many times I've seen her come back in a set that seemed gone. I think a champion has to see every set as winnable. On the contrary I think Maria often gives up a set if she has a slow start and gets really far behind. She almost looks at the next set as a reset. I think that's dangerous. I think for a player like Petra who relies so much on her power if she goes out there on a given day and the shots aren't landing she has to find a way to eek it out. That for me is what will say if she has turned a corner. I think that is why we've so many puzzling losses by her in the past two years. She's a gifted player but she must have a plan B.

Serena is one of a kind in turning matches around I agree with your thoughts.Maria with her current game,can count her blessings,she wins 3 set matches,it can be dangerous and it is a recurring pattern of late for Maria.

Petra to me has never had a 'middle game plan eg, B plan to go to,when her A game isnt working,I have been so frustrated over the years with Petra unable to adjust her game,to me that is a very important element.Another factor with Petra is,being such a hard flat hitter of the ball,she leaves little margin for error,on her shots,another reason why we often see a high ufe in Petra's matches.

I wonder if Maria knows that about her game. It's at least been happening since around the time of her shoulder surgery comeback. Perhaps this is thinking too much into it but I wonder if she counts on her players easing into a second set after boosted confidence from winning a first set.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I have to post this tweet from a fan to Petra,

PaulWTATennisfan.....Where's P3tra been recently?seems P2tra is making more regular appearances

Petra answers this tweet

@Paul_WTAtennis p3tra is resting;she's tired.

 

[sk310]

Has Kvitova finally broken the mental spell? Is she finally ready to come into her renaissance? Too soon to tell but I really truly hope.

One factor in the match against the slicer Vinci,when Petra was down 1-5 in the first set,Petra was spraying her shots all over the court ufe etc,I liked the way she came back and won the 1st set,I have seen over the years with Petra when she gets behind in a set,she keeps slugging away,this time she adjusted and turned her game around.That was a pleasing sign to me.

Yep that's a champion's mindset. That's something we see kind of uniquely in Serena. I can't tell you how many times I've seen her come back in a set that seemed gone. I think a champion has to see every set as winnable. On the contrary I think Maria often gives up a set if she has a slow start and gets really far behind. She almost looks at the next set as a reset. I think that's dangerous. I think for a player like Petra who relies so much on her power if she goes out there on a given day and the shots aren't landing she has to find a way to eek it out. That for me is what will say if she has turned a corner. I think that is why we've so many puzzling losses by her in the past two years. She's a gifted player but she must have a plan B.

Serena is one of a kind in turning matches around I agree with your thoughts.Maria with her current game,can count her blessings,she wins 3 set matches,it can be dangerous and it is a recurring pattern of late for Maria.

Petra to me has never had a 'middle game plan eg, B plan to go to,when her A game isnt working,I have been so frustrated over the years with Petra unable to adjust her game,to me that is a very important element.Another factor with Petra is,being such a hard flat hitter of the ball,she leaves little margin for error,on her shots,another reason why we often see a high ufe in Petra's matches.

I agree with your second part also. After her Wimbledon win (first time around) I was SO wanting her to be the leader of a new generation. I love her strength on court and her timidness off. After her game started breaking down around the Australian Open the following year I really couldn't put my eggs in her basket. It's too hard to hope and hope and hope and be let down. For a while I thought the problem was physical. I thought perhaps its her asthma and her fitness training. Now I think it has a lot more to do with mental confidence and having a plan b when her power doesn't land on a given day. I'm happy to see her coming through in tough moments. I hope it continues.

 

[sk310]

I have to post this tweet from a fan to Petra,

PaulWTATennisfan.....Where's P3tra been recently?seems P2tra is making more regular appearances

Petra answers this tweet

@Paul_WTAtennis p3tra is resting;she's tired.

I LOVE THAT! See and we're really seeing more of her personality this year from things like this to her friendship with Li Na. I love the new Petra.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Has Kvitova finally broken the mental spell? Is she finally ready to come into her renaissance? Too soon to tell but I really truly hope.

One factor in the match against the slicer Vinci,when Petra was down 1-5 in the first set,Petra was spraying her shots all over the court ufe etc,I liked the way she came back and won the 1st set,I have seen over the years with Petra when she gets behind in a set,she keeps slugging away,this time she adjusted and turned her game around.That was a pleasing sign to me.

Yep that's a champion's mindset. That's something we see kind of uniquely in Serena. I can't tell you how many times I've seen her come back in a set that seemed gone. I think a champion has to see every set as winnable. On the contrary I think Maria often gives up a set if she has a slow start and gets really far behind. She almost looks at the next set as a reset. I think that's dangerous. I think for a player like Petra who relies so much on her power if she goes out there on a given day and the shots aren't landing she has to find a way to eek it out. That for me is what will say if she has turned a corner. I think that is why we've so many puzzling losses by her in the past two years. She's a gifted player but she must have a plan B.

Serena is one of a kind in turning matches around I agree with your thoughts.Maria with her current game,can count her blessings,she wins 3 set matches,it can be dangerous and it is a recurring pattern of late for Maria.

Petra to me has never had a 'middle game plan eg, B plan to go to,when her A game isnt working,I have been so frustrated over the years with Petra unable to adjust her game,to me that is a very important element.Another factor with Petra is,being such a hard flat hitter of the ball,she leaves little margin for error,on her shots,another reason why we often see a high ufe in Petra's matches.

I wonder if Maria knows that about her game. It's at least been happening since around the time of her shoulder surgery comeback. Perhaps this is thinking too much into it but I wonder if she counts on her players easing into a second set after boosted confidence from winning a first set.

I am certain that Maria know this about her game.She has been on the tour long enough.I feel with Maria's present game,she is slower,needs more time to set up her shots,her serve is always under pressure,to me her game suits slower surfaces,eg Clay.Just my personal thoughts with Maria's present game.

 

[10isfan]

I hope P2tra is here to stay. The sports psychologist must be helping. She has a good chance to win the title.

Serena's knee sounds worrisome. I think she may have to withdraw from Singapore. If she does, what happens to her year end ranking? I will be disappointed if the screamer takes it. Ana will have to stop Pova from reaching the final here, although that would be tough. Pova is playing well. She seems inspired now that her biggest hurdle is gone.

 

[sk310]

One factor in the match against the slicer Vinci,when Petra was down 1-5 in the first set,Petra was spraying her shots all over the court ufe etc,I liked the way she came back and won the 1st set,I have seen over the years with Petra when she gets behind in a set,she keeps slugging away,this time she adjusted and turned her game around.That was a pleasing sign to me.

Yep that's a champion's mindset. That's something we see kind of uniquely in Serena. I can't tell you how many times I've seen her come back in a set that seemed gone. I think a champion has to see every set as winnable. On the contrary I think Maria often gives up a set if she has a slow start and gets really far behind. She almost looks at the next set as a reset. I think that's dangerous. I think for a player like Petra who relies so much on her power if she goes out there on a given day and the shots aren't landing she has to find a way to eek it out. That for me is what will say if she has turned a corner. I think that is why we've so many puzzling losses by her in the past two years. She's a gifted player but she must have a plan B.

Serena is one of a kind in turning matches around I agree with your thoughts.Maria with her current game,can count her blessings,she wins 3 set matches,it can be dangerous and it is a recurring pattern of late for Maria.

Petra to me has never had a 'middle game plan eg, B plan to go to,when her A game isnt working,I have been so frustrated over the years with Petra unable to adjust her game,to me that is a very important element.Another factor with Petra is,being such a hard flat hitter of the ball,she leaves little margin for error,on her shots,another reason why we often see a high ufe in Petra's matches.

I wonder if Maria knows that about her game. It's at least been happening since around the time of her shoulder surgery comeback. Perhaps this is thinking too much into it but I wonder if she counts on her players easing into a second set after boosted confidence from winning a first set.

I am certain that Maria know this about her game.She has been on the tour long enough.I feel with Maria's present game,she is slower,needs more time to set up her shots,her serve is always under pressure,to me her game suits slower surfaces,eg Clay.Just my personal thoughts with Maria's present game.

I couldn't agree or disagree. I RARELY watch her matches. I find her boring to watch. It's not that I don't respect what she's accomplished, I just don't really find anything particularly compelling about her game. Even a few years ago when people suggested players like Woz were just retrievers, for me that's more interesting. At least there is consistency there to watch. I guess the annoying part of Maria's slow start, lose the first set, then win the match game is that there is no narrative there. If she's losing the first set and starting really slow it really doesn't say much about how the match will go. It's predictable in all the wrong ways.

 

[Hoergren]

Order of play Saturday 4 October 2014

NATIONAL TENNIS STADIUM SEMI FINALS

Not Before 2:30 pm
Samantha STOSUR (AUS) vs Petra KVITOVA (CZE) [3] 36 75 26
followed by
Maria SHARAPOVA (RUS) [4] vs Ana IVANOVIC (SRB) [9] 60 64

ca. 8:30 pm DOUBLES FINAL
Andrea HLAVACKOVA (CZE)/Shuai PENG (CHN) [5] vs Cara BLACK (ZIM)/Sania MIRZA (IND) [2] 64 64

Results from Friday on page 16

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I would love to see Peng/Hlavackova win the doubles final,Peng is the only Chinese women left in the draw,they have been playing well so far in this tournament,considering they are a new combination

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Petra won the 1st set 63 over Stosur good performance from Petra,taking 43 minutes

Stosur took a bathroom break,rain has started to fall,play is suspended until they close the roof,Petra has also gone to the locker room.

 

[10isfan]

Closed roof should give Petra an extra edge. I like her focus. She seems calmer than she used to be.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Both players are back on the court and they are doing a warm up before they commence the 2nd set

 

[10isfan]

It is 1 AM here. The rain delay will cause me to sleep even later. Fashion, what time it is there?

Petra looks nauseous. She might withdraw or lose. What a shame.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ Petra had the trainer out on court complaining of feeling dizzy?
Petra started rather slow in the 2nd set,one service game she saved 6BPs,I thought it might of been the 1/2 delay when they had to close the roof.
It is 4.30pm in the afternoon at Beijing
Petra picked up the pace slighty in her last service game

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

We are going the distance in this match
Sam finally converts one of 8BPs she had in this 2nd set
Petra committed too many ufe during the 2nd set and her 1st serve let her down when it counted.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Stosur 75 2nd set stats for the 2nd set

Petra 11/15 Sam 13/9 BP 1/8

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This is the 1st set Petra has dropped in this tournament
P3tra is needed now.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kvitova d Stosur 63 57 62

It was a very up and down game,in ways.
2nd set Petra had dizzy spell,she wasnt on her game at all.Sam kept the pressure up and won the 2nd set.3rd set Sam could not keep the momentum going in the 3rd set and Petra played well when it mattered.

Well down Petra in making the final and I hope you can get over your dizzy spell and be able to compete well in the final

Stats for the match won by Kvitova 63 57 62

Petra 28/39 Sam 23/37 BP 3/16 which was a poor conversion rate,Petra played those BPs well in the match.

 

[kskate2]

A toasty bakery product for Ana, not like she doesn't need it (a little thin to me), but she's definitely not helping herself w/ these errors. :nono

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Stats for the 1st set won by Maria Sharapova 6-0

Maria 5/8 Ana 1/14