Will Maria reach 10 Slams? More?

[10isfan]

Pova's best chance to beat Serena is to play her style of tennis and hope Serena has an off day. That can happen, but Serena raises her level whenever she plays Pova so the probability is not high. If Pova tries anything outside her comfort zone, eg throw in variety, the score will be even more lop-sided. On an average day, there are only two women who can beat Pova. She has to accept that and be happy about it. Being third best in the world is quite an achievement. I think this is proof that Pova does not have a mental block against Serena. She believes she can win. It only takes some luck. If she truly believed she has no chance of winning, she would try something different. Pova is in a good spot. The two players who give her trouble are prone to injuries. In a typical tournament, the chance of facing one and the other withdrawing is not insignificant.

 

[El Dude]

I haven't read the thread, but while Maria has played some very high level tennis the last year or two, I don't see her winning more than 2-3 more, maybe 4.

That said, she already has an interestingly broad range of years in which she's won Slams - a nine year span (2004 to 2012). She's also never won a Slam more than a year in a row, which is unique, I believe, with 4+ Slams on either side of the gender divide.

 

[Billie]

I think that Maria's biggest problem lies in her head. She needs one big win against Serena to actually believe that she can do it. Just like playing on clay, remember in 2007 or 2008 when she said she was moving like a cow on clay. And look at her today, the force on clay.

I think that Maria's biggest problem against Serena is that Serena is just the better player. I'm not saying that because I prefer Serena (I'm a bit of a Masha supporter actually) but because I believe it to be true. But yes, part of her problem may be mental as well. Maria is mentally arguably one of the strongest players in history, but it's hard to keep believing when you keep losing from someone time after time after time. It's true on the mens side as well. Rafa is also a mental giant, but after he had all those losses against Novak in 2011 I bet he also started thinking, "Oh no, not him again" when he saw Novak standing at the other side of the net. But I hope that one of these days Maria will beat Serena - both because I like Maria and because I think it would be good for the game. The interest of the public goes up when they don't consider the outcome of a match a foregone conclusion.

At that level of competition the differences are mostly mental. Since you brought Nadal and Nole into conversation, you might remember that prior to 2011 Nole lost most of the important matches to Rafa and Federer, but once he turned the corner and had one big win (vs Federer in USO 2010 and Rafa in IW in 2011) then he had many more. He did not drastically change his game, just corrected yips in his serve and stopped eating what was bad for him. I am positive that Maria has a sort of a mental block when playing Serena, but it might happen that she gets one win and that will help her. Yes she is mentally tough, but you know sometimes people just have that little worm of doubt in them despite acting and being tough.

KSkate, it's fine if you instist that Azarenka has better volleys than Maria, but the difference is so slight and it is never a reason when Maria loses to her or Serena. The main reason is her serve. After her surgery that is still her weak shot and the one that needs most of the work. And frankly she will never be a mover like Serena or Azarenka, but it is normal as she is much taller, yet Maria works on that aspect as well.

 

[10isfan]

Billie, you do realize that Pova's serve is better than Vika's, even after that life-threatening shoulder injury, don't you? So the losses cannot be attributed to the serve.

 

[Billie]

Billie, you do realize that Pova's serve is better than Vika's, even after that life-threatening shoulder injury, don't you? So the losses cannot be attributed to the serve.

Well it is my opinion that as far as serving goes it is Serena, then Vika and then Maria.. Maria's serve is not as consistent as Vika's. No, the losses cannot be attributed to the serve only, but it is a bigger factor than let's say volleying.
If you can hold your serve, your chances of winning are greater, right? All three girls are great returners, so serving is much bigger factor, IMO.

And just to add, how many of you think that if you take away Serena's serve from her and give her Maria's serve and vice versa Serena would have won all these majors that she did?

 

[jhar26]

^^
In my opinion Maria has a better serve than Vika. True, she sometimes makes a few too many DF, but that's because she goes for more. Both have fantastic returns of serve, but I have to give a slight edge to Vika in that regard. I think she's the best returner in the womens game.

People should stop talking as though Vika somehow owns Maria though - she doesn't. 5-7 makes for a competitive h2h.

 

[Arnold Bolang Indonesia]

I will say she will get 10 Grand Slams. Let us see and let us become the nice of sport supporters. Time will proof it!!!

 

[MashaFan]

Hi there Arnold Bolang Indonesia - I'm glad to see that you've found your way here - welcome!!! - Hey - let's hope that we'll see these gestures many many times in the future
BTW let me know if you are in need of an avatar and I can make you one OK?

-

---

That said, she already has an interestingly broad range of years in which she's won Slams - a nine year span (2004 to 2012). She's also never won a Slam more than a year in a row, which is unique, I believe, with 4+ Slams on either side of the gender divide.

Yeah - odd isn't it? - She has won all of the 4 slams in even years - she has won them in order and she was always dressed in either white or black during the finals - Coincidences? - I dunno? - Masha's specialty seems to be to do odd records - like for example being the tenth woman winning a career grand slam during the open era - one of the few who has won at least one title for 11 straight years dating to 2003 - Note - this in spite of the fact that she was away for 8 or 9 months (2008 - 2009) due to her shoulder operation - or that she's the only woman who has won IW twice without dropping a set in both occasions

 

[Arnold Bolang Indonesia]

Thank you MashaFan. Are seeing the match now? Serena vs Anabel? It's really impressive game, Anabel is playing very well

 

[MashaFan]

Thank you MashaFan. Are seeing the match now? Serena vs Anabel? It's really impressive game, Anabel is playing very well

Hi Arnold
Yes I saw the match and felt sorry for Anabel - she was so close to a sensation - But hey - she played the #1 in the world and taking it to 3 sets in which she bageled Serena in the second is not bad at all - She can be proud of herself

I also saw the Masha match and I'm so happy that she has reached the semifinals and hoping that she can reach the finals tomorrow - Hold your fingers crossed for her Arnold!!

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Time to Bump!
Double slams coming up...

 

[my sherona]

By the end of day Maria would have a total if 12 slam (8 more) Serena will end up with 10 measly slam....

 

[Moxie]

By the end of day Maria would have a total if 12 slam (8 more) Serena will end up with 10 measly slam....

Now, Sherona, we all know where your heart lies, but Serena has 17…I'm pretty sure you know that. I think Maria getting 8 more is a big stretch. That she "only" has 4 I do find surprising, but injuries have been an issue, too. To get to 12, she'd have to win pretty much 2/year for the next 4…which would bring her to age 31. Or 1/year until she's 35. She hasn't yet won a Slam in two consecutive years. That I do think she'll yet do, but to dominate the field enough to get 8, she'll need Serena to retire, and pretty much no one else step up for at least 4 years. It's hard to see all that coming together.

 

[golds girl]

In the middle of the thread Tented asked for folks to vote and give a brief explanation.

I voted no because the obstacles have increased even from the time this poll was originally posted. This time last year the obstacles were seriously only Serena, Vika and Li. A year later she must now contend with Cibulkova and Genie in a R16 or quarters. To predict a finals appearance, one must be confident that to-be Slam Winner can successfully navigate the obstacles on the way by simply elevating her game.
I'm unsure whether Maria can do this 6 more times. I think with a fortuitous draw, she can do this once more.

Regardless she has her spot in Newport.

 

[Raul Car Uri]

MS will never win a GS title anymore. Her 4 GS is the total number of GS destined to her and she should not aspire for more.

 

[Front242]

By the end of day Maria would have a total if 12 slam (8 more) Serena will end up with 10 measly slam....

Now, Sherona, we all know where your heart lies, but Serena has 17…I'm pretty sure you know that. I think Maria getting 8 more is a big stretch. That she "only" has 4 I do find surprising, but injuries have been an issue, too. To get to 12, she'd have to win pretty much 2/year for the next 4…which would bring her to age 31. Or 1/year until she's 35. She hasn't yet won a Slam in two consecutive years. That I do think she'll yet do, but to dominate the field enough to get 8, she'll need Serena to retire, and pretty much no one else step up for at least 4 years. It's hard to see all that coming together.

Whatever my sherona meant there, it means Serena finishes with 27 slams. Also about out as likely as Oleg MacNoLeg's chances in the NYC marathon

 

[RJD11]

Billie, you do realize that Pova's serve is better than Vika's, even after that life-threatening shoulder injury, don't you? So the losses cannot be attributed to the serve.

even after that life-threatening shoulder injury?????????

Maria:
On the morning of October 15 Dr. Altcheck performed a minor arthroscopic surgery that lasted 22 minutes on my right shoulder.The procedure was successful and very simple. I left the hospital a few hours after the procedure and flew to my home in Florida for 3 days and then I flew back to Phoenix to start working on my shoulder. The 10 weeks of shoulder strength before the procedure really helped the shoulder heal quicker. Dr. Altcheck thought my recovery would be very fast and he was right. I had full range of motion after 14 days, after 6 weeks I was throwing a foot ball and after 8 weeks I was back on the court where I belong. I know this entire process has made me stronger and more hungry


I have been hearing about the Pova's serious and career threatening

shoulder surgery for years now and its getting old.


http://www.downthelinetennis.com/2008/12/low-down-shrieka-reveals-surgery-on.html

 

[Front242]

^ I agree. The commentators are especially pathetic about it. 6 years later if she loses a match it's because of her shoulder. Give me a break.

 

[my sherona]

i say it before i'll say it again...Maria will have her 12 Slam before her day is done.. if not for her injured shoulder she'll be winning more than 12.

 

[my sherona]

Billie, you do realize that Pova's serve is better than Vika's, even after that life-threatening shoulder injury, don't you? So the losses cannot be attributed to the serve.

even after that life-threatening shoulder injury?????????

Maria:
On the morning of October 15 Dr. Altcheck performed a minor arthroscopic surgery that lasted 22 minutes on my right shoulder.The procedure was successful and very simple. I left the hospital a few hours after the procedure and flew to my home in Florida for 3 days and then I flew back to Phoenix to start working on my shoulder. The 10 weeks of shoulder strength before the procedure really helped the shoulder heal quicker. Dr. Altcheck thought my recovery would be very fast and he was right. I had full range of motion after 14 days, after 6 weeks I was throwing a foot ball and after 8 weeks I was back on the court where I belong. I know this entire process has made me stronger and more hungry


I have been hearing about the Pova's serious and career threatening

shoulder surgery for years now and its getting old.


http://www.downthelinetennis.com/2008/12/low-down-shrieka-reveals-surgery-on.html

you're no tennis GS champ rj.. stop comparing yourself to the Greatest. i could still chugged beer after beer on my newly repaired shoulder (both shoulder) you been posting since espn days ..its getting old.