WTA Madrid 2014 Final: Halep vs. Sharapova

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ Simona has improved BP conversion from yesterdays match against Kvitova

 

[kskate2]

Yes. But now she needs to make adjustments since Maria has started to play better. She had to know this would happen.

 

[kskate2]

5-2 Maria. Serving to send this match to a decider

 

[Front242]

Best way to beat a one dimensional ball basher who moves poorly is run them ragged with sharp angles. Not hitting 2 double faults in your own service games helps a lot too.

 

[kskate2]

Well Simona had the right game plan in set 1. She went away from her game plan when Maria started to play better. She has to get back to serve well first and then worry about the rest of the point afterwards.

 

[Front242]

At least she didn't eat bread for lunch.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Simona has to go back to moving Maria around the court,with angles and to take the ball early.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Regarding Simona's serve she should mix in that wide serve on the ad side more often

 

[kskate2]

and depth Nista. Too many short balls from Simo. She's not as explosive w/ her shots (angles) and it's revealed a vulnerability I'm sure Maria will exploit

 

[Front242]

Just holding serve as obvious as it sounds is key too for Halep as there's always a strong chance of Sharapova serving up a gunkfest of double faults.

 

[kskate2]

I agree Front. And w/ Maria serving down in the set, if it gets to the end of the set Simona coud pressure a break. We'll see. I voted Simona in 3 because I believe she has the mentality to push through, but she has to be smarter w/ serve placement and shot selection.

 

[Front242]

40-0 to break point :nono

 

[kskate2]

40-0 to break point :nono

That can't happen in the deciding set of a final. Not if you want to be a contender at top tournaments and slams.

 

[Front242]

^ Nope. Major choke.

 

[kskate2]

That's a huge hold for Maria. 3-1

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Simona had her chances in Maria's service game too....

 

[kskate2]

Double break for Maria now 4-1. Simona has really gone away, much like Ana did in Stuttgart and that's surprising.

 

[rubydo]

A great turnaround for Maria, have to admire her intensity and her capacity to bring her game back to a higher level, after that poor first set. A learning curve for Simona.

 

[Moxie]

I'm surprised, too. I figured Maria when she got the 2nd, but I thought Halep would fight for it.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Mean Maria is shredding Simo into pieces.
Simo will learn a lot from this match.