Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome - WTA 1000

[Moxie]

Oh no, defending champion Simona Halep (3) forced to retire in her match against Kerber 61 33
Halep grabbing her left calf as the physio applies treatment.Hopefully this injury won't be major,as her favorite tournament RG is looming.Halep has had Achilles problems before hopefully it is not another Achilles injury.

Darren Cahill.Simona Halep's coach,said Simona popped her left calf muscle.That could mean she could miss RG this year.

Just an update on Halep's injury,she will get a MRI tomorrow on her left calf to understand the injury in more detail,but at the moment unsure of recovery time.

BTW Jen Brady (13) withdrew no reason given,so E.Alexandrova gets a walkover to the next round.

I don't think this can be good news for Simona's French Open. By all accounts, a slow injury to heal.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I don't think this can be good news for Simona's French Open. By all accounts, a slow injury to heal.

Lets see the results of the MRI scan,still it does not look good.

 

[Fiero425]

Lets see the results of the MRI scan,still it does not look good.

If she comes back stronger and better than ever, we'll know it was BS & she just wanted to pull a Nadovic & drop a match to get outta there!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

If she comes back stronger and better than ever, we'll know it was BS & she just wanted to pull a Nadovic & drop a match to get outta there!

I watched the match she was in pain,Kerber helped her to a chair and waited with her for the physio to appear.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Yup. She used to cry a lot when playing badly and get very nervous.

Miss Drama Z had some "demons" that she was battling.Vera is older and a parent now. Maybe her she has conquered her demons.

 

[Front242]

Miss Drama Z had some "demons" that she was battling.Vera is older and a parent now. Maybe her she has conquered her demons.

Maybe less drama now but tbh I watched the highlights and Kvitova threw away the last game with a pile of crap errors but that's nothing newwith her and still a good win all the same.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Standout matches for me Thursday 13th May,

E.Svitolina (5) vs G.Muguruza (12)
A.Sabalenka (7) vs C.Gauff
A.Barty (1) vs V.Kudermetova.

I also think Naomi Osaka should play another clay tournament before RG,if she is really serious about one day winning a title on clay,apart from her foot issues her UFE was way too high today in her match against Jessica Pegula,she seemed frustrated as well,clay really tests your mentality and physicality in every match you play.

 

[Fiero425]

Standout matches for me Thursday 13th May,

E.Svitolina (5) vs G.Muguruza (12)
A.Sabalenka (7) vs C.Gauff
A.Barty (1) vs V.Kudermetova.

I also think Naomi Osaka should play another clay tournament before RG,if she is really serious about one day winning a title on clay,apart from her foot issues her UFE was way too high today in her match against Jessica Pegula,she seemed frustrated as well,clay really tests your mentality and physicality in every match you play.

I don't like that little hop thing she does to supposedly help keep in mind to "stay on your toes," but Osaka's footwork needs work that's for sure!

 

[Fiero425]

Trying to watch the Serena match now against Podoroska! Williams was being caught totally flat-footed on some of the shots coming her way! Her anticipation is out of whack because the girls are able to change direction of the ball better! In the 3rd game Serena nailed a ball down the line at her opponent's backhand and the return was sliced deftly back down the line with Serena anticipating a crosscourt! It was almost embarrassing at times to see! IDK why Venus and Serena are doing this? They think they can hang on as long as Martina?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Trying to watch the Serena match now against Podoroska! Williams was being caught totally flat-footed on some of the shots coming her way! Her anticipation is out of whack because the girls are able to change direction of the ball better! In the 3rd game Serena nailed a ball down the line at her opponent's backhand and the return was sliced deftly back down the line with Serena anticipating a crosscourt! It was almost embarrassing at times to see! IDK why Venus and Serena are doing this? They think they can hang on as long as Martina?

Podoroska was a hard match up first for Serena,she is very good on the clay,yes Serena footwork wasn't the best in that match
I am glad she is going to Parma,she needs more match play on clay.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I disagree with this. Serena was once the Queen of laying off, then winning a Major. Her issues can be fitness, though as Margaret says, she is back to better shape, and the incalculable problem between the ears in late career. The elusive #24 is an albatross. I do so hope she gets it, though.

Unfortunately I was accurate and all the commentators at TC echoed the same sentiment, conditioning/fitness is not going to replace being match tough from playing alot of matches. The ladies on the tour are excellent movers and alot of them besides Madison hit with a lot of variety. They're seen way too many of Serena's matches and know what Halep, Kurber, MA strategy was to make Serena uncomfortable by making her move. This is what is not being either addressed by her team or not being executed by the GOAT(Serena).

 

[Hoergren]

Well what a roller coaster match - but Swiatek survives after nearly 3 hours and a bunch of UFE

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well what a roller coaster match - but Swiatek survives after nearly 3 hours and a bunch of UFE

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Ugly but a win is a win

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Okay just got home but have kept scores on my phone

Shout out to Coco what a win over Sabalenka way to go Coco your reward playing Ash Barty for the 1st time!

 

[kskate2]

Unfortunately I was accurate and all the commentators at TC echoed the same sentiment, conditioning/fitness is not going to replace being match tough from playing alot of matches. The ladies on the tour are excellent movers and alot of them besides Madison hit with a lot of variety. They're seen way too many of Serena's matches and know what Halep, Kurber, MA strategy was to make Serena uncomfortable by making her move. This is what is not being either addressed by her team or not being executed by the GOAT(Serena).

She needs both: great fitness and match play. In all honesty if Serena is serious about winning 24, she will need to do what BJK said. She has to devote herself to the entire season. That means playing enough tournaments and matches to stay relevant. The more matches she plays, the more reps she will get and can alter her defense to combat these youngsters. She's a step and half slower, she has to make up for that with tactics and anticipation. She's one of the smartest players on tour. She can adjust her game mid-point if she wants. Not many players have the arsenal of shots to do that. And believe me, Patrick is addressing it, but Serena thinks she can win another slam "doing it my way".

 

[the AntiPusher]

I would like to see Svitolina win a major. She is playing with that big rock on her finger. Playing great today.

 

[kskate2]

I would like to see Svitolina win a major. She is playing with that big rock on her finger. Playing great today.

It's mental for her too just like it was for Kerber and Halep until they got over the hump. She needs to develop a weapon or get more aggressive, so when crunch time happens she has a successful goto execution. Also, her window is closing ever so slightly. These youngsters are fearless and will take her defensive game to task.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Results from Thursday matches (with a few upsets)

A/Barty (1) d V.Kudermetova 63 63
J.Pegula d E.Alexandrova 62 64
C.Gauff d A.Sabalenka (7) 75 63
P.Martic d N.Podoroska 36 61 62
I.Swiatek (15) d B.Krejcikova 36 76(5) 75
K.Pliskova (9) d V.Zvonareva 75 63
E.Svitolina (5) d G.Muguruza 64 62
J.Ostapenko d A.Kerber 46 63 64.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Q/Finals Friday 14th May,

Center Court,
Starting at 10am,

J.Pegula vs P.Martic

Not before 6pm,

I.Swiatek (15) vs E.Svitolina (5)

Grand Stand Arena
Starting at 10am,

K.Pliskova (9) vs J.Ostapenko
A.Barty (1) vs C.Gauff....their first meeting

 

[kskate2]

Happy Anniversary @MargaretMcAleer. Hope you had an enjoyable day. What's the latest news down under regarding the pandemic? Will Aus open up for tourists soon? Do you know what restrictions are in place for cruise ships that depart from Aus?