Mutua Madrid Open, Madrid, Spain, 2023 - WTA 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Women's QFs,

(1) I. Swiatek vs P.Martic (27)
(3) J. Pegula vs V. Kudermetova (12)
(9) M.Sakkari vs I.Begu (31)
(2) A. Sabalenka vs M.Sherif

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

There are 2 Womens QFS on Tuesday 2nd May,

A. Sabalenka (2) vs M. Sherif This is their first meeting

M. Sakkari (9) vs I.Begu (31) H2H Sakkari 2-1

 

[tented]

There are 2 Womens QFS on Tuesday 2nd May,

A. Sabalenka (2) vs M. Sherif This is their first meeting

M. Sakkari (9) vs I.Begu (31) H2H Sakkari 2-1

The problem with Sabalenka winning this much, is that Sabalenka wins this much.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

The problem with Sabalenka winning this much, is that Sabalenka wins this much.

Good thing that Sherif is totally dominating the match so far.

 

[tossip]

Good thing that Sherif is totally dominating the match so far.

Saba should win because this a ball basher's playground .

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done to the 2021 champion Sabalenka who is back in the SFs defeating Sherif who made her work, the score line in ways didnt at times indicate the match play!
Sabalenka defeated Sherif 62 26 61
This fast court in Madrid does favor a player who is aggressive and takes the ball 'on' different to the other clay courts in Europe, Saba does have an advantage, also Pegula runner up last year at Madrid, saying the court suits her, she feels when she is playing well, she can also be aggressive on this court in Madrid

 

[tented]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The last QF match today between Sakkari v Begu
Sakkari played a good match against Badosa, which I was surprised, in her previous match against a WC Masarova she was lucky she won, Begu is no slouch on the clay.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Important match for Sakkari. A win gets her into the Top 8 of the world rankings, which would mean avoiding the top seeds until the quarterfinals.

 

[tented]

Important match for Sakkari. A win gets her into the Top 8 of the world rankings, which would mean avoiding the top seeds until the quarterfinals.

Huge opportunity for her today, then. Will she handle the pressure?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sakkari has gone back to her old ways so far in this match
She needs to stand firm on the baseline for starters, when she gets the opportunity come in and put away the shot, like she did in her match against Badosa, she needs to stay aggressive.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Huge opportunity for her today, then. Will she handle the pressure?

She is not known to handle pressure well

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This match?
Begu again tried to serve for the 1st set, broken TB in play for the 1st set

 

[kskate2]

Huge opportunity for her today, then. Will she handle the pressure?

History says no, she chokes on it.

 

[kskate2]

Speaking of headcases MM, we are watching the eternal Greek headcase who happens to be worse than her male counterpart by the way

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Begu finally wins the 1st set 76(3) after 2 attempts previously of serving for the match., Begu dominated the TB
I feel for Sakkari's coach Tom Hill, she takes no notice of what he says to her at times.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Which ever player, Sakaari or Begu can hold their serves will win this match, breaks of serve already in the 2nd set
Considering this is a QF match, the standard is low I am afraid to say.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well apparently Sakkari has listened to her coach,playing this 2nd set, like she did against Badosa, aggressive and standing on the baseline, not going backwards, coming forward when the play arises
Sakkari leads 5-3 2nd set
LOL! I should have known better, she just got broken while serving for the 2nd set
Here we go again Sakkari serving for the 2nd set 5-4
Sakkari wins 6-4 we are going 3,

 

[the AntiPusher]

History says no, she chokes on it.

Athena is playing aggressively..she has dropped a few pounds she said because she was under the weather in the early part of the Spring..she is serving harder. I don't think she is gonna choke today @kskate2

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Athena is playing aggressively..she has dropped a few pounds she said because she was under the weather in the early part of the Spring..she is serving harder. I don't think she is gonna choke today @kskate2

The match is not over as yet, she has been playing aggressive more in the 2nd set she won, still this match has been a 'breakfest' and a poor level from both players
Sakkari level this year has been poor, she nearly lost to a WC in this tournament, she is lucky she is still in the tournament,