Miami Open - WTA 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done Bianca you were tested,you seem to like 3 set matches defeating Sara 64 36 63.
Sara has been playing well since she won her first WTA title a few weeks back and to make a q/final of a WTA 1000 is a great result for her.

Sara has been granted a WC for Madrid I just read.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

You and those of the delicate ears that you can't stand noise-making. And you're a Nadal fan. I don't know what to do with you people. Try getting over it, I say.

Rafa does not make as much noise as Sara....I have been up close many times live watching Rafa at tournaments....though Sara Errani takes the cake on both of them

 

[Moxie]

Rafa does not make as much noise as Sara....I have been up close many times live watching Rafa at tournaments....though Sara Errani takes the cake on both of them

Or Sharapova. But there is the notion that woman have a higher pitch, which is generally less genial, and not their fault. I didn't think Sara was that bad.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Or Sharapova. But there is the notion that woman have a higher pitch, which is generally less genial, and not their fault. I didn't think Sara was that bad.

Sharapova was the worst agree.,forgot about her now she is retired,I always muted her matches.

 

[kskate2]

Errani sounds like a wounded animal. It is horrible. Sabalenka is loud and so is Michele Larcher de Britto.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Errani sounds like a wounded animal. It is horrible. Sabalenka is loud and so is Michele Larcher de Britto.

I walked out of a live match in Rome I could not take Errani's noise any longer.

 

[Fiero425]

Sakkari breaks the serve of Osaka and will serve for the match 5-4
I just don't think Osaka can serve in windy conditions,she needs to take some power of the 1st serve and maybe use some slice on her serve in these conditions? first and foremost she has to fix her ball toss which has been wayward all match.

I watched a minute or 2 of the repeat! Sakkari was quite impressive! Someone tell her to lay off the weights! Her arms and shoulders looked like Michael Jordan's in his basketball prime! WOW!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I watched a minute or 2 of the repeat! Sakkari was quite impressive! Someone tell her to lay off the weights! Her arms and shoulders looked like Michael Jordan's in his basketball prime! WOW!

Regardless of her arms? I hope you were impressed with her tennis and tenacity she showed throughout the match which is the most important factor.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

S/Finals Thursday 31st March,

Not before 3.00pm,

Ash Barty (1) vs Elina Svitolina (5)

Elina leads their H2H 4-1 on Tour level, 5-1 when Fed Cup is included.

Their most recent match up was the final of the 2019 Shiseido WTA Finals,Shenzhen which Barty won 64 63 over Svitolina who was the defending champion.

Barty defeated Sabalenka 64 67(5) 63 to qualify for the s/final
Svitolina defeated Sevastova with a straight sets win 63 62.

Not before 8.30pm local time,

Bianca Andreescu (8) vs Maria Sakkari (23)

Bianca is coming off three consecutive three-setters,with a grueling match against Sara Sorribes Tomo to qualify for the s/final
Maria required a little over one hour to defeat Naomi Osaka in straight sets 60 64 to qualify for the s/final.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am going to pose a question regarding Naomi Osaka,
I was talking today to another friend of mine who has watched the women's tour for many years,she said to me she thinks Osaka is only turning up for Grand Slam events? and does not put in the same amount of focus and energy for WTA 1000 tour tournaments?
I read today she is planning on playing Madrid before Roland Garos this year and would like to win a clay title.Osaka needs to improve her footwork on the clay for starters,I guess we shall see.
Does anyone else think she only turns up for Grand Slam events? or am I being too tough on her.

 

[kskate2]

I am going to pose a question regarding Naomi Osaka,
I was talking today to another friend of mine who has watched the women's tour for many years,she said to me she thinks Osaka is only turning up for Grand Slam events? and does not put in the same amount of focus and energy for WTA 1000 tour tournaments?
I read today she is planning on playing Madrid before Roland Garos this year and would like to win a clay title.Osaka needs to improve her footwork on the clay for starters,I guess we shall see.
Does anyone else think she only turns up for Grand Slam events? or am I being too tough on her.

Sure she is. And even there, she's selective about which slams she focuses. I think she's trying to track down
Serena's record.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I had to record this match between Barty vs Svitolina for the 1st set which Ash won 63
Just watching the highlights....one thing I have always loved about Ash the many shapes she can get on a ball.,one has to have great hands to be able to do this,also her backhand slice.

Just started the 2nd set.

A very solid win from Ash Barty defeating Elina 63 63 she served well,returned well she will be pleased with the way she played.Ash likes the conditions in Miami they are very similar to Brisbane where she lives.
Ash now awaits the winner of the other s/final to see who she plays in the final
Well done Ash!

 

[Moxie]

Hard-fought first set between Andreescu and Sakkari, but Bibi takes it in the TB. I still think this goes 3.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Bianca has such self belief one of the main reasons she won that t/break 76(7)
Bianca had a early break and to Maria's credit broke back,on serve to the t/break
Really enjoyable match.I just love watching Bianca play.

 

[Moxie]

That was a helluva point. These 2 are fun to watch. Total commitment.

 

[Moxie]

This match is bordering on classic. I was just thinking, what if they were #1 and #2 in the world, and this were a final? I hope this turns into a great rivalry.

 

[Moxie]

And it will go 3. Bibi dropped her level a bit, and Maria kept up her intensity. I have no idea who wins this one now.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This match is bordering on classic. I was just thinking, what if they were #1 and #2 in the world, and this were a final? I hope this turns into a great rivalry.

Have you checked Sakkari's ranking she is way off becoming No 2.....just ask Osaka?

 

[Moxie]

Regardless of her arms? I hope you were impressed with her tennis and tenacity she showed throughout the match which is the most important factor.

I missed this post earlier. Leave it to the old Barcalounger warrior @Fiero425 to complain about Maria's arms. Maria has a gorgeously strong athlete's body. I don't see what there is to complain about. Why should she leave off of weights and conditioning? She's an athlete, FFS. Her strength is her job and an asset to her game.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Okay Bianca you have to pick yourself up for the final set,you should be used to 3 setters by now