Li Na kicked ass! I am so happy for her, it was a much closer match than the score indicates but she really came through when she needed to. Looks like the change in coaching really paid off.
Li Na kicked ass! I am so happy for her, it was a much closer match than the score indicates but she really came through when she needed to. Looks like the change in coaching really paid off.
I thought she might waver closing it out, but she showed real resolve all match.
So both Maria and Serena, a string of easy victories behind them, fall to the first spirited opposition that they face. Some adversity early on is usually better than no adversity at all.
First Sharapova match I watch this year, and she loses. Li Na just won the points at crucial spots. Sharapova lost like 4 games on her serve where she had the game point. She also had a lot of opportunities to break, but couldn't. Strong game by Li Na. Her shot making was incredible!
Hopefully, my favorite men's player doesn't have a let down like Maria did.
EDIT: As for second semi-finals, who should I cheer for? Murray or Federer? Help me out guys.
Not even three games in and I'm already sick of the Sloane hype. I wish I could mute the commentators but I like hearing the sound of the ball being struck.
Don't care much for the hype, but I love the variety in Stephens' game. Vika looks to be too solid on this day though... too bad.
That little inside out forehand when she takes it early is a sweet stroke.
Funny thing is, despite the first set woes, Sloane grabs another service break here, all of a sudden it could get interesting....but Vika's having none of that....but, then again...
Great tournament for Sloane, headed inside the top 20 next week, hopefully she buys herself something nice with the check she is getting.
Like a service game.
But she sure has a lot of the other skills. She's no Melanie Oudin; I think Stephens has a very bright future. I certainly hope she's coming to Toronto this year, as I would be more than happy to pay to see her play.
But she sure has a lot of the other skills. She's no Melanie Oudin; I think Stephens has a very bright future. I certainly hope she's coming to Toronto this year, as I would be more than happy to pay to see her play.
She couldn't get that first serve in at all it seemed, and Vika was crushing the second serve. Think Oudin was just a two week miracle run, Sloane actually has game, already was seeded coming into the tournament so she had a solid year last year. Will be interesting to watch her progress.
Listening to the interview and no sign of any injury, just nerves. Well that was quite cheap Vika. Definitely cheering for Li Na in the final.
Nadal's been doing that for years, and most players know, some even spoke up against it (Ljubicic, Nalbandian, Del Potro).
Basically, every time he's in a jam, he'll call a medical time-out.
And more often than not, it calms him and annoys the opponent enough so that he gets back in the match.
Pretty much another clinic from Nole. Such a pleasure to watch, 5-2 in the first...and seals the set with an ace. Wow. Nole began playing well, but after winning a spectacular long point in mid-set that led quickly to his first break, he became even better. There really wasn't much David could do about it, either.
Early in the second Ferrer is game but the onslaught shows no signs of lessening....another brilliant, punishing break of serve. David is running miles and making some incredible gets but to no avail, 2-1...this is just crazy, Nole is absolutely on fire and now has a second break. Talk about being in the zone. David has won all of two return points so far in the match....another 6-2 beauty.
The third set starts with yet another break of David. Ferrer doing the lion's share of the running, Nole winning the lion's share of the points....Nole so confident, like he can do anything with the racket that he wants; point total for the match currently 67-33....just ****ing relentless, another break, and again at love, as Novak is just ripping point after point past David, 3-0...another love service game moves the set to 5-1....and utilizing drop shots and touch lobs along with everything else, Nole closes the match 6-1. Wildly impressive performance; almost had to be seen to be believed.
Even the stats--losing only 7 points on serve for the match, winning 55% of receiving points off Ferrer's serve, scoring 85 points to David's 41--don't begin to do justice to his performance. Breathtaking form.
Before the match, I went "all-in" with my vCash points on Nole in this match. Turns out that was a really good decision.
Li Na just won the points at crucial spots. Sharapova lost like 4 games on her serve where she had the game point. She also had a lot of opportunities to break, but couldn't. Strong game by Li Na. Her shot making was incredible!
