Miami Open, Miami, FL, 2023 - WTA 1000

[tossip]

Potapova is improving a lot.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A. Potapova (27) defeated C.Gauff (6) 67(8) 75 62

Coco's UFE count cost her in this match 34 to 20 W....also her BP was 6/12
Potapova W25 UFE 29 her BP 3/13

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Magda Linette (20) defeats the 14th seed Victoria Azarenka 76(3) 26 64
The Polish fans stuck around to give their support for Magda, ( with the withdrawal of Iga Swiatek) good to see

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Paula Badosa wins the 1st set against Elena Rybalina, surprising factor at present Elena cannot hit through Paula on this court, so far, also rushing her shots resulting in UFE. Badosa 63 1st set
Paula gets the early break in the 2nd set, again strange shot selection from Elena and she is still rushing her shots, Paula is playing a more balanced game and making Elena play one more shot. Paul leads 4-2 2nd set

 

[kskate2]

Elena doesn't appear to be able to succeed in back-to-back tourneys. She does well in one, but cannot get it together for the next. She did well to get past Kalinskaya, but that level of play won't cut it for the duration of this event.

 

[kskate2]

Potapova is Pova 2.0 on so many levels:
- Tall Blonde Russian
- Hits the cover off the ball and makes a ton of noise while doing it
- One thing she lacks is Pova's mental toughness. Maria played to win and you couldn't tell her she would ever walk off the court with an L

 

[kskate2]

I have no words for Coco. That FH is a complete mess. Everybody and their mama targets it because they know it will break down. It's been this way for 3 years. I don't know what kind of loss it will take before they address it. It affects her whole game. She loses confidence in her other shots and becomes too defensive.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Elena broke back and has consolidated 4 games all 2nd set
I must say this is the best match I have seen from Paula in sometime
Gutsy play from Paula she holds and leads 5-4
Elena with a DF. MP for Badosa
Snuffed out....Elena with 2 good serves and net play
5 games all 2nd set

 

[kskate2]

Elena broke back and has consolidated 4 games all 2nd set
I must say this is the best match I have seen from Paula in sometime
Gutsy play from Paula she holds and leads 5-4
Elena with a DF. MP for Badosa

It's good that Paula is playing well tonight. She's been at sea for the last 8 months and ranking has really suffered

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's good that Paula is playing well tonight. She's been at sea for the last 8 months and ranking has really suffered

Agree this is the best I have seen her play in a long time, she has played some gutsy shots and held firm, a really balanced match from her, sad to say I cannot say the same for Elena, who has been all over the place with her shot selection, rushing shots, too many UFE

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rybakina has been returning the 2nd serve of Badosa well and has broken and will serve for the 2nd set 6-5
Rybakina's tee serve working well in her service game and she wins the 2nd set 75, saving a MP along the way so far in this match

 

[kskate2]

Rybakina has been returning the 2nd serve of Badosa well and has broken and will serve for the 2nd set 6-5

Even if she levels the match, I don't like her chances in the decider.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Even if she levels the match, I don't like her chances in the decider.

They have been on court for 2 hours, also Elena had that long 3 setter in her previous match

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rybakina consolidates her break, good strong ball striking and a serve to back it up she leads 5-3 3rd set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Good offensive lob from Rybakina!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rybakina has ice running through her veins, upped her game when it mattered, she also survived a MP, where Paula could have defeated her in straight sets, defeats Badosa 36 75 63!
This was the best match I have seen Paula play in a long time, she made Rybakina earn it...!

Rybakina W 60 UFE 56 BP 6/15 Badosa W 16 UFE 31 BP 5/15

BTW Rybakina has hit 100 winners in her 2 matches in Miami so far!

 

[Moxie]

I'm sorry, but Rybakina bores me. If she's the way forward, i'll be rooting for the crazy ones.

 

[kskate2]

I'm sorry, but Rybakina bores me. If she's the way forward, i'll be rooting for the crazy ones.

Welp you're not a fan of Elena and I would rather watch paint dry instead of watching Sakkari.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Interesting comments from Coco Gauff after her match,

"Have to involve a more aggressive mindset, Coco thinks her defensive which is good, should be used more as a tool in a tool box than as a weapon, has to change her mentality in the game, not relying on her defense too much, she also thinks at times she is too passive"

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Gotta feel for Mertens v Martic they should be playing in their PJs it is 12.30am in Miami due to the fact the last match went to 3 sets, noone in the stadium, shame

Mertens won the 1st set 64, just started the 2nd set, Mertens does lead their H2H 3-0.
Mertens up 4-1 2nd set, Elise has more overall variety than Petra in her game, she has some tape high on her right shoulder, which might explain the DFs in her game, still it has not affected her bhand,fhand, or drop shots
Why would be two fans in the stadium at 1.00am in the morning be wearing big dark sunglasses lol!
Mertens serving for the match 5-2 , Mertens serve lets her down and is broken serving for the match
Mertens leads 5-3., Mertens breaks Martic and wins 64 63 and stay perfect against Martic in their H2H 4-0
Match finishing at 1.20am in the morning by the way!.