WTA Brisbane 2015: Count-down begins!

[MargaretMcAleer]

I don't know anything about an "Aussie Curse" for Stosur, she is just a head-case plain and simple. I am not a fan of her game. How many times has she been up in a match only to lose it for inexplicable reasons? She has the tools but but mentally ...........? For a woman who has been on the tour for so many years, it is still hard to believe that she only has a hand-ful of titles (yeah I know she has a slam) with all the tools that she possesses.

Well one has to look at Stosur's poor results in Australia compared to her results overseas.Sam feels too much pressure I feel playing at home,the expectation weighs too heavy for her,especially after she won the USO,many people felt then she could go on and win the Australian Open.Most people in Australia feels she has a Aussie Curse...also from some media sections here.

Fashionista, her results are not great anywhere she plays in terms of titles or finals. Yeah, she sucks in Australia, but with the exception of that USO championship and 1 or 2 FO finals she sucks everywhere else. I know that I sound harsh but her lack of results just annoy me, especially since she has been on the tour for quite a while and has an astounding athletic form.:nono

Well seeing we were discussing her Aussie Curse,I think we are on the same page.Sam's major problem has always been 'belief' in herself and her game.I was live at RG when she played lights out tennis got to the final and Froze against Fran,Fran deserved her win that day.Clay to me has always been Sam's best surface,it suits her game to a tee,how stunned was I when she defeated Serena at the USO,she was in total control of that match from start to finish,pity she has never played like that since.I dont think you sound harsh.Sam should have had more GS titles to her name,she also has GS titles in doubles and mixed doubles.I feel now at her age,the tour as really caught up with her.Sam will be playing at Apia International in Sydney which starts on the 11th January,I will be most interested to see how she performs there,I also remember the year she had MP on Serena Williams and lost the match in Sydney.

 

[special700]

Well one has to look at Stosur's poor results in Australia compared to her results overseas.Sam feels too much pressure I feel playing at home,the expectation weighs too heavy for her,especially after she won the USO,many people felt then she could go on and win the Australian Open.Most people in Australia feels she has a Aussie Curse...also from some media sections here.

Fashionista, her results are not great anywhere she plays in terms of titles or finals. Yeah, she sucks in Australia, but with the exception of that USO championship and 1 or 2 FO finals she sucks everywhere else. I know that I sound harsh but her lack of results just annoy me, especially since she has been on the tour for quite a while and has an astounding athletic form.:nono

Well seeing we were discussing her Aussie Curse,I think we are on the same page.Sam's major problem has always been 'belief' in herself and her game.I was live at RG when she played lights out tennis got to the final and Froze against Fran,Fran deserved her win that day.Clay to me has always been Sam's best surface,it suits her game to a tee,how stunned was I when she defeated Serena at the USO,she was in total control of that match from start to finish,pity she has never played like that since.I dont think you sound harsh.Sam should have had more GS titles to her name,she also has GS titles in doubles and mixed doubles.I feel now at her age,the tour as really caught up with her.Sam will be playing at Apia International in Sydney which starts on the 11th January,I will be most interested to see how she performs there,I also remember the year she had MP on Serena Williams and lost the match in Sydney.

You are kidding when you said that she should have more GS titles to her name.....Right. Sam got lucky and won against Serena at the US open and that's all it was luck. Same should go back to what she knows best and that is playing doubles. Her back hand is like a club member's back hand and as for that serve that the commentators claim to rave about....wow to me it's a horrible serve with more double faults than ever. She's not a singles player.....period.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

WTA Brisbane 2015: first day scores.

I have today's scores:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 04, 2015

SINGLES - FIRST ROUND
[7] Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) d Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) | 3 - 6 | 6 - 2 | 6 - 1 |
Kaia Kanepi (EST) d [5] Andrea Petkovic (GER) | 6 - 4 | 5 - 7 | 6 - 4 |
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d Samantha Stosur (AUS) | 4 - 6 | 6 - 4 | 7 - 5 |
[WC] Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO) d [6] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) | 7 - 6 (6) | 6 - 0 |
Elina Svitolina (UKR) d Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) | 6 - 0 | 6 - 2 |

Not a good day for seeded players, only one survived.

Order of play here:
http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/posting/2015/800/OP.pdf

Vika gets night duty. Domi goes against Maddie early, Domi has never beaten Maddie in 2 attampts.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ To me Sam should have won the Roland Garos title in 2010,I was there live for that tournament,Sam defeated Henin,Serena and Jankovic along the way to the final against Fran,it was the best I have seen her play on clay,she Froze in that final,sad to say,Fran deserved her title.

In regards Sam having luck by defeating Serena at the USO,we will have to agree to disagree there,sometimes 'luck favors the brave',Sam deserved her victory.Sam has a good kick serve to me,her bhand has always been her weaker shot.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Sam continues her poor showing in home soil by going out in 1st round.

 

[colleen66]

Well one has to look at Stosur's poor results in Australia compared to her results overseas.Sam feels too much pressure I feel playing at home,the expectation weighs too heavy for her,especially after she won the USO,many people felt then she could go on and win the Australian Open.Most people in Australia feels she has a Aussie Curse...also from some media sections here.

Fashionista, her results are not great anywhere she plays in terms of titles or finals. Yeah, she sucks in Australia, but with the exception of that USO championship and 1 or 2 FO finals she sucks everywhere else. I know that I sound harsh but her lack of results just annoy me, especially since she has been on the tour for quite a while and has an astounding athletic form.:nono

Well seeing we were discussing her Aussie Curse,I think we are on the same page.Sam's major problem has always been 'belief' in herself and her game.I was live at RG when she played lights out tennis got to the final and Froze against Fran,Fran deserved her win that day.Clay to me has always been Sam's best surface,it suits her game to a tee,how stunned was I when she defeated Serena at the USO,she was in total control of that match from start to finish,pity she has never played like that since.I dont think you sound harsh.Sam should have had more GS titles to her name,she also has GS titles in doubles and mixed doubles.I feel now at her age,the tour as really caught up with her.Sam will be playing at Apia International in Sydney which starts on the 11th January,I will be most interested to see how she performs there,I also remember the year she had MP on Serena Williams and lost the match in Sydney.

I absolutely agree about the USO final. I was waiting for her to fold but she remained focused and played the best match of her career. Everyone was waiting for her to carry that type of play over to other tournaments. Instead she was only able to get 2 or 3 more minor titles after that USO victory. Age is now a factor and belief has always been a factor with one exception.

 

[rubydo]

The game has passed Samantha by. What worked a few years ago marginally, does not work anymore. Physically capable(maybe) mentally not. Never a big fan of hers, the one match I do remember very well was at the USO against Maria Kirilenko in that marathon tie breaker, 17-15 MK and then Sam won the third set. Besides that, she has never caught my imagination. Yes, do doubles or hang up the racquet.

 

[tented]

Order of Play for Monday, January 5:

http://www.tennisfrontier.com/news/atp-tennis/brisbane-international-monday-january-5-order-of-play-scores/

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done to Madison Keys who defeated Cibulkova 75 62

You could tell Madison has worked hard in the off season,her movement on court has improved,I loved the controlled aggression on her shots from both wings,she knew when to pull the trigger,I am certain Davenport will be proud of her game today.

Well done Madison.

 

[kskate2]

^ I saw that too. Well done indeed.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Dominika has a ton of points to defend this January and I just don't see her doing it. If Domi couldn't hang on to 100 points she scored in Brisbane last year how can she defend 1300 points she scored in AO 2014?
Makarova took the number 10 ranking from her already, she will fall further. Come by February, Domi may not be in top 20.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Azarenka being truly tested in this match,Pliskova just broke Azarenka when she was serving for the match 5-4.5 games all in the 2nd set.

Lovely bhand down the line from Pliskova and she now leads 6-5,Azarenka will serve to force a t/breaker in the 2nd set.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

6 games all t/break to commence in the 2nd set between Azarenka and Pliskova

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Closely fought t/break Azarenka has MP 6-5 on Pliskova's serve...Azarenka's bhand long
6 all..Great first serve from Pliskova straight down the tee
Pliskova with SP 7-6 on Azarenka's serve
7 all,Pliskova fhand long
SP for Pliskova on her serve,Azarenka's bhand long
Pliskova has served well throughout this t/break

Pliskova wins the 2nd set 76 (9-7) Azarenka's bhand long

1 set all,Azarenka won the 1st set 64,onto a third set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Pliskova with a wonderful weighted lob gives her 2 BPs
Azarenka with a good bhand on the line,one saved
Gutsy play from Azarenka went for another bhand on the line and made it..Deuce
Another BP for Pliskova as Azarenka fhand long
Net Cord was Azarenka's best friend there,as Pliskova had the point under control
Gutsy hold from Azarenka saving 3BPS
Azarenka leads 4-3 3rd set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Pliskova was down love 30 on serve,fights back and holds serve
4 all now in the 3rd set.This has been a highly competitive match from both players,credit to Azarenka who has been off the tour,she is showing her trademark of hanging tough,though will it be enough to win the match,I have been impressed with Pliskova all match,her serve has been outstanding.

Pliskova now has 3 BPs
Azarenka with a timely Ace down the tee,saves one BP
Pliskova challenges a call that was out? it was good,point to be replayed
Pliskova bhand long,Azarenka saves another BP
Great fhand from Pliskova and she breaks Azarenka and will serve for the match 5-4

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Azarenka with 2BPS,she is stepping it up and going for her shots
Pliskova with a great first serve,30-40
Wow a great bhand down the line from Pliskova...deuce,great response
Great angle bhand from Azarenka her ad
Great first serve from Pliskova back to deuce
Wowser passing bhand down the line from Pliskova on the stretch!
MP for Pliskova
Pliskova d Azarenka 46 76(9-7) 64 in over 3 hours

Credit to both ladies,Pliskova just a outstanding match,came up with some incredible passing shots when serving for the match.Well deserved win!...

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Stats for the match won by Pliskova 46 76 (9-7) 64

Aces/Dfs

Pliskova 9/3
Azarenka 2/9

Winners/Ufe

Pliskova 55/39

Azarenka 42/44

This means that Azarenka will go to the Australian Open unseeded,she however,will be a dangerous player.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

WTA Brisbane 2015: Day 2

Vika was not the only one leaving, Sabine did too, another bad day for seeds!

Scores:

MONDAY, JANUARY 05, 2015

SINGLES - FIRST ROUND
[Q] Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d Sabine Lisicki (GER) | 0 - 6 | 7 - 5 | 6 - 4 |
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) d Christina McHale (USA) | 6 - 3 | 6 - 0 |
[WC] Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) d Shuai Zhang (CHN) | 6 - 4 | 6 - 1 |
Madison Keys (USA) d [4] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) | 7 - 5 | 6 - 2 |
Karolina Pliskova (CZE) d Victoria Azarenka (BLR) | 4 - 6 | 7 - 6 (7) | 6 - 4 |
[L] Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) d Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) | 6 - 4 | 6 - 2 |
[Q] Daria Gavrilova (RUS) d Alison Riske (USA) | 7 - 5 | 6 - 3 |
[3] Angelique Kerber (GER) d Caroline Garcia (FRA) | 6 - 4 | 6 - 3 |
[Q] Madison Brengle (USA) d [Q] Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) | 7 - 6 (6) | 6 - 3 |

 

[sk310]

I take upsets at the first tournament of the year with a grain of salt. A lot of players have a pretty hard time with the quick turnaround from the holidays to Australia.

I'm sad to see Vika lose. She's my favorite and I just want to see her back at the top. I think the best sign yet is her excitement. She's really feeling good and the main thing for her now it to get match play under her belt and keep her body healthy.