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

[MargaretMcAleer]

Veronika has come out with strapping on both upper thighs after having a MTO, though it dosent appear to restrict her movement
Veronika has come out strong after a dismal 2nd set, broke Jess and has consolidated the break leads 2-0,
Breaks of serve seem to be the order of the day in the 3rd set, like the 1st set, Jess broke, and now an immediate break back from Veronika
Veronika with a easy fh put away over plays and gets broken.
Who ever can hold their serve will win this match
5th break of 7 games in this final set with Veronika breaking Jess to love?
This Match???
Praise The Lord, Veronika held serve with good serving and leads 5-3 final set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Veronika will serve for the match 5-4, after her dismal 2nd set effort, though it could be due to physical problem she had, after taking the MTO ,came back out with strapping on both upper thighs her movement has not been restricted., trying to be aggressive, where she could and has returned well.
An Ace to seal the deal
Kudermetova d Pegula 64 06 64 to reach the SF
Too much of a up and down level from Jess in this QF
Good turn around from Veronika well done! Veronika has defeated 2 Top 10 players so far in this tournament! she will face either Swiatek or Martic in the SF
( I am going to have a Nanna Nap before the last women's QF)

 

[kskate2]

Another tap out in the QF for Jess in a winnable match. Too much of the same from her. @tossip I don't think she skates by unscathed re the doubs play. I believe it affects her just as much as Coco. Both need to do what Saba did in 2021 and either limit it to just the slams or completely shutdown doubs for awhile.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Another tap out in the QF for Jess in a winnable match. Too much of the same from her. @tossip I don't think she skates by unscathed re the doubs play. I believe it affects her just as much as Coco. Both need to do what Saba did in 2021 and either limit it to just the slams or completely shutdown doubs for awhile.

Again Jess and Coco need to ask themselves Do want to be the world best doubles team or win GS singles titles

 

[tossip]

Another tap out in the QF for Jess in a winnable match. Too much of the same from her. @tossip I don't think she skates by unscathed re the doubs play. I believe it affects her just as much as Coco. Both need to do what Saba did in 2021 and either limit it to just the slams or completely shutdown doubs for awhile.

I think they should limit the doubles ,unless if they are aiming for the Olympics.Doubles and singles on clay is not easy.I hope they skip Rome in doubles...

 

[kskate2]

I think they should limit the doubles ,unless if they are aiming for the Olympics.Doubles and singles on clay is not easy.I hope they skip Rome in doubles...

We would like them to, but something tells me they will continue to play doubs until somebody pulls the ripcord (i.e. injury, etc)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I dont know if Jess loss today can be a factor she has played doubles, she has played doubles a lot in other tournaments
It was her overall 'Level' of play that let her down in this match, she stopped being aggressive, and was content just to hit the ball back in the court, Veronika was the player, that was the aggressor, even though she had physical problem in the 2nd set, she can back out in the 3rd set strong, where Jess who gave her a bagel, did the opposite. Yes on paper it was a winnable match for Jess, going on ranking, and the fact Jess was the runner up last year, and was playing well up to this match. This court rewards ' the aggressor player' being fast with altitude

I must say some of these QFs matches, the overall level has been sub par.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Iga and Petra just arrived on court and will begin their warm up, it is their first meeting on clay, Iga beat her 2 years ago on a HC
An added bonus The Voice is the umpire!
I love Petra's kit in navy very chic
Iga has come out very fast, dosent want Petra to get into any rhythm, she does have tools to upset Iga., though you have to do that on a constant basis against Iga on clay
Not a good start from Petra, broken to love from Iga, though could be a sign of nerves as well
Iga dialed In from the start of this match, breaks Petra again, leads 4-0
Iga leads 5-0 , hoping Petra can get on the board in the 1st set, Iga hasnt allowed her into the match thus far
Iga opened her bakery and gave Petra a bagel for the 1st set, 6-0 in 30 minutes, Iga has just been unrelenting.

Iga W 4 UFE 4 Petra W 1 UFE 9

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Crowd showing support for Petra, she gets on the board in set no 2, aggressive and stayed firm on the baseline and did not allow Iga to boss her around the court
Petra using more variety, using her heavy shots, against Iga in the 2nd set
Iga did a great return broke Petra's serve, Iga one of the best returners in the womens game
Iga 5-2 2nd set, Iga's movement on clay is just one of her many strengths a delight to watch
A good love service game from Petra
Iga will serve for the match 5-3
Swiatek d Martic 60 63 and will play Kudermetova in the SF, a powerful display from Iga!
Petra had a better showing in the 2nd set, she was on the back foot early as Iga came out firing in the 1st set, Iga was dialed in from the start of the match

Iga W 11 UFE 8 Petra W 8 UFE 17

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Semi Finals are set

(1) Swiatek vs Kudermetova (12) H2H Iga 3-0 all on HC, this will be their first meeting on clay
(2) Sabalenka vs Sakkari (9) H2H Sabalenka 5-3

 

[tented]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Saba and Maria both have arrived on court,will start their warm up soon
I am hoping for a competitve SF, so far some of the QF matches have been a blow out or sub par
Jill Craybas is an annoying commentator, her winy voice is over the top to me at times lol!

 

[tented]

Saba and Maria both have arrived on court,will start their warm up soon
I am hoping for a competitve SF, so far some of the QF matches have been a blow out or sub par
Jill Craybas is an annoying commentator, her winy voice is over the top to me at times lol!

I’m listening to Chanda Rubin — one of my favorite commentators.

Sakkari finally won a game, but Sabalenka is up a break, 3-1.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Falling backwards an impressive overhead from Saba

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I’m listening to Chanda Rubin — one of my favorite commentators.

Sakkari finally won a game, but Sabalenka is up a break, 3-1.

Lucky you I love Chandra Rubin, Saba has come to play, impressed with her opening games so far in this match

 

[tented]

Lucky you I love Chandra Rubin, Saba has come to play, impressed with her opening games so far in this match

Sakkari breaks back, after — you guessed it! — a DF.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Of course the minute I say how impressed I am with Saba she gets broken and a DF lol!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sakkari breaks back, after — you guessed it! — a DF.

LOL! who knew that was coming

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Saba cannot get sucked into the physical game of Sakkari she will come undone
Watch her margins in this match up

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Maria upset with a man chatting, I have to laugh her coach Tom Hill continues to talk to Maria non stop in all her matches