Western & Southern Open, New York City, US - WTA Premier 5

[MargaretMcAleer]

Watched Jo Konta's match she is playing well on these fast courts defeating qualifer Vera Zvonareva 64 62 she will play the winner of Serena-Sakkari.

E.Mertens d V.Kudermetova 62 63
A.Kontaveit d M.Bouzkova 63 63

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Impressed with Qualifer Jess Pegula so far this tournament with wins over Brady,Anisimova and now defeating the No5 seed Sabalenka 62 26 63.Jess will now play Elise Mertens in the q/finals.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Impressive match from Osaka (4) defeats (16) Yastremska 63 61.Osaka will play Kontaveit in the q/fnals.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In a tightly contested match between Azarenka vs Cornet,Azarenka wins 64 75,she was serving for the match 5-4,got broken,I love the fight and determination she showed for the win.
Azarenka will play the winner of McHale vs Jabeur

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ons Jabeur continues her great form defeating Christina McHale 63 60,she will play Azarenka in the q/finals.

Ons record so far in major tournaments this year,

AO QF
Doha QF
Cincinnati QF

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Play has been suspended.....do not know for how long next match is Serena Williams vs Maria Sakkari

Rain and strong winds is the weather forecast for NYC.

I am off to the dentist,I will check scores later and watch Serena's match on replay,hopefully they will be able to finish the match.

So far Osaka has impressed me the most,she does love the fast courts here,suits her game.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Damm Serena got broken again serving for the match,this is becoming a bad habit

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

T/break for the 2nd set,Serena won the 1st set 75
Sakkari is not going away in this match.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Going 3 sets.Sakkari was down 1-4 in the t/break and came back to win 76(5)

Serena I have been to the dentist and I am in no mood for this,credit to Sakkari as I said she is tough and not going away.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Not so long ago Serena was serving for the match 5-3 she is now down 0-4 in the final set.....I have no words
Make that 5-0.....Serena is in tears and she is soo slow to the ball.Quite frankly this is hard to watch.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Maria Sakkari (13) defeats Serena Williams (3) 57 76(5) 61 to reach the q/finals,Sakkari will play Konta.
The final set from Serena was just dismal,there was no fight at all.
I will be interested to read her press conference after this match.Credit to Sakkari who did not go away in the match.,evenwhen she was down in the 2nd set and came back from 1-4 to win it.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Q/Finals,

E.Mertens (14) vs J.Pegula
N.Osaka (4) vs A.Kontaveit (12)
J.Konta (8) vs M.Sakkari (13)
O.Jabeur vs V.Azarenka.

 

[Moxie]

Maria Sakkari (13) defeats Serena Williams (3) 57 76(5) 61 to reach the q/finals,Sakkari will play Konta.
The final set from Serena was just dismal,there was no fight at all.
I will be interested to read her press conference after this match.Credit to Sakkari who did not go away in the match.,evenwhen she was down in the 2nd set and came back from 1-4 to win it.

I only saw some, in between watching to political convention. Sakkari was definitely valiant in winning that 2nd set TB. I don't know what happened in the 3rd. Next I saw it was 5-0 Sakkari, and Serena seemed to be favoring her right arm. I like Sakkari and am happy to see her prevail, but I hope Serena isn't injured and will go into the USO 100%. It was a hot, humid day, so maybe just fitness.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I only saw some, in between watching to political convention. Sakkari was definitely valiant in winning that 2nd set TB. I don't know what happened in the 3rd. Next I saw it was 5-0 Sakkari, and Serena seemed to be favoring her right arm. I like Sakkari and am happy to see her prevail, but I hope Serena isn't injured and will go into the USO 100%. It was a hot, humid day, so maybe just fitness.

Serena has got into a habit of not serving out her matches,another factor is playing back to back 3 set matches takes a toll on her.
Serena was not moving at all well in that 3rd set she said she was cramping.The only 'silver lining' is at the USO she does get a day off between matches.

Serena losses so far this year,

AO Wang (Q) 64 67(2) 75
Fed Cup Sevastova 76(5) 36 76(4)
Lexington Rogers 16 64 76(5)
Cincinnati Sakkari 57 76(5) 61.

 

[Moxie]

Serena has got into a habit of not serving out her matches,another factor is playing back to back 3 set matches takes a toll on her.
Serena was not moving at all well in that 3rd set she said she was cramping.The only 'silver lining' is at the USO she does get a day off between matches.

One thing I've noticed about these greats of our era, as they age, is that they definitely don't close as well as they used to, and sometimes it costs them. It's not just Serena. It definitely didn't help that it has been really hot and humid here the last few days, and that everyone is just getting back to match play. I'm going to take heart with you that the days off in between at the USO will help Serena. I'd like to see her get her #24 in a few weeks here in NYC.

 

[Moxie]

 

[Moxie]

Q/Finals,

E.Mertens (14) vs J.Pegula
N.Osaka (4) vs A.Kontaveit (12)
J.Konta (8) vs M.Sakkari (13)
O.Jabeur vs V.Azarenka.

You said that Pegula is the surprise in this package. I hope to see her play tomorrow. Of those on offer, I'd like to see Osaka win. I like both Konta and Sakkari and that could be a good match, though I guess I'd root for Sakkari. Most I know of Jabeur is that she keeps coming up on the list of winners, but I'll be hoping to see Vika keeping her streak going.

 

[Hoergren]

I just saw Serenas match on demand and that was not a beautiful sight - 58 UFE and 7 DF - players have no respect for her in the open

 

[Moxie]

I just saw Serenas match on demand and that was not a beautiful sight - 58 UFE and 7 DF - players have no respect for her in the open
View attachment 3873

@Hoergren You're such an Eeyore. Do you really think that players have lost all respect for Serena? Based on what, exactly? An imperfect return from maternity and pandemic? Who's been handling that better, at 38, would you say?

 

[Hoergren]

@Hoergren You're such an Eeyore. Do you really think that players have lost all respect for Serena? Based on what, exactly? An imperfect return from maternity and pandemic? Who's been handling that better, at 38, would you say?

Well first you have to explain the expression you use. Next - this is not the only match I've seen with Serena. GOOD players like Sakari and others can see they have a chance and are playing for it - just remember how close Rus was - it was only in the final of her gsme nerves came. I don't say Serena is a bad player but I think she''s a bit surprised that she has to work this hard. Age - well don't use that excuse. And as a regular commentator in a Danish tennis mag I have to look a bit neutral on the players and point on ups and downs in their playwise - so it was with Wozniacki too and I was not always popular with her fans - even if I was one of her biggest