tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post3506628071086928332..comments2024-03-11T05:26:34.143-05:00Comments on Women Who Serve: 2015 may defy predictionDianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-64323356610330786112014-12-22T23:01:00.665-06:002014-12-22T23:01:00.665-06:00Interesting thing about Diyas, whom I started watc...Interesting thing about Diyas, whom I started watching a few years ago: She used to play more aggressively than she does now. I think her game is still evolving. She's fun to watch, for sure.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-15733509049663398112014-12-22T22:16:25.444-06:002014-12-22T22:16:25.444-06:00Oh no worries Diane - like you tennis is my love a...Oh no worries Diane - like you tennis is my love and life and I love keeping up with women's tour :)<br /><br />I think the telling thing for Bouchard is 2015 - she does have a huge amount of points to defend in 2015 - she will have to really step up to the plate - she will definitely lose points from all her international tournament escapades (because of her current ranking within the top 10) so it will be interesting to see how she goes.. I just believe right now that Genie is defined more by the "hype" that surrounds her rather than her game.. I believe that everyone talks her up to be such an amazing star player.. yet her performance against the women's elite has been far from satisfactory.. The only reason she did go as far as she did was because she did only end up playing players within the top 20 (outside the top 10) - whilst there are some big guns in that section of the rankings (Pennetta, Lucie and Venus) I'm pretty sure she didnt come up against them - I just had a look at her results and the majority of the time she did lose out many times to people outside the top 10 - the only time she did get anywhere was in Nurnburg which was her sole title this year.<br /><br />Right now she doesn't have the game that impresses me that much - maybe in the future once all the elite have passed on sure but I don't believe in the hyped up version of Bouchard because in reality she has had a quite a disappointing year.. She may just turn out to be a Sloane Stephens.. (Although I do wish that Sloane picks up her game in 2015 - I love her a lot and I'm a big fan of her so I hope she has some sort of resurgence in 2015)<br /><br />Yeah that is true - Serena may last a few more years - i'd say that she may last till 2017 but who knows - she may pull a Kimiko Date-Krumm..<br /><br />I really hope Alex really works some magic into Petra's game - 2012 and 2013 were really unfit years for Petra and she has really only started to get her fitness back together in the second half of this year really since Wimbeldon - Yeah I suppose he is a "gift" from her dear friend but as you said he may help her to get to the next level in her game - Petra's limitation has always been her fitness and her consistency - but I believe both of the facets of her game are sort of linked - hopefully if she is more fitter it could add a dimension/variety to her game - I know that she is an all-out powerhouse but if she had some defensive capabilities from Alex's fitness regime (like the ability to run down more balls) she could really be a threat to anyone - it could also serve as something to fall back on if she is having one of her "poor form" spots - I suppose we will find out come 2015 :) :)<br /><br />I haven't really paid much attention to Svitolina this year - I suppose she's had a quietly confident year slowly sneaking her way into the top 30 (kudos to her) - she is definitely at the level to push the top 20 this coming year - but question marks for me is that if she is capable in the coming year to break into the top 20 considering the caliber of the women - maybe she is bound for a "well known" international title (because I believe that Baku - the titles that she did win are during a slump in the WTA season - considering many of the contenders were outside the top 30.. I haven't watched her game enough to see the character you talk about but i'll try and pay more attention to her next year<br /><br />I'm really more keeping my eyes pealed for Karolina Pliskova and Zarina Diyas - I don't know why but I've just taken a fancy in both of their games :)<br />Ryan:)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05393336672200234250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-10493103299039029002014-12-22T09:06:35.111-06:002014-12-22T09:06:35.111-06:00Ryan, thank you so much for your insightful commen...Ryan, thank you so much for your insightful comments. It has occurred to me that Bouchard's 2014 draws did indeed place her in a "too much too soon" position. She definitely had a second half slump. I haven't quite "figured out" Bouchard.<br /><br />Tragedy, injury and near-death didn't get Serena, but I suppose age is another matter :)<br /><br />Petra's hiring of Alex Stober is the best news! Obviously a "gift" from her dear friend, Na, Stober is the one who can get Petra to another level of fitness. Maybe even help her transcend the respiratory problems that have caused her so much trouble.<br /><br />As for Svitolina--I want her to do well because she is such a character.<br /><br />Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-4023803810667382182014-12-21T07:54:00.551-06:002014-12-21T07:54:00.551-06:00Everyone has said that Genie is at the forefront o...Everyone has said that Genie is at the forefront of those "rising stars" but I believe that the accolades should definitely go to players like you said - Garbine, Belinda, Elina (maybe), Karolina (definitely) and maybe also Zarina Diyas.. I'm sure all these athletes will have definite success in 2015 - especially Pliskova because she did win 3 titles in 2014 - will 2015 bring her a berth into the top 20?<br /><br />I agree - I will also be keeping an eye out for Camila in 2015 - I believe 2015 will be a time for her to maybe gain some stability (although I doubt it with her volatile, high stakes game style) and venture into the top 30 - I believe she has the potential to for sure - but the whole thing with her is just consistency and mental strength.. a title may be bound for her in 2015..<br /><br />Im sure Flavia will stay for maybe a year or two more due to her successful 2013/14.. but I'm sure Schiavone may have reached the her last stop in 2015 also..Ryan:)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05393336672200234250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-61023113424994696432014-12-21T07:53:31.421-06:002014-12-21T07:53:31.421-06:00I believe you are bang on the money with all those...I believe you are bang on the money with all those comments Diane - <br /><br />I am a BIG petra fan - have been since she beat Dinara in the US open in 2009 - I believe that she may keep her form going into 2015 (but by judging her start to 2014 after her sort of resurgence in 2013 I'm no so sure).. (Well i want her to play really fabulously in the Australian summer next year) - I would really like her to see her step up and win maybe the Australian open sometime in her career (because I know that she's not a clay court queen (more like a giraffe on ice skates) nor likes the over publicised US open) - maybe 2015 could be something good for her...<br /><br />Although I do disagree a little bit with your thoughts on Serena - while she is dominant force on the tour, I believe that she is starting to lose that edge that she had over the majority of the WTA players - like for example Alize Cornet having beaten her 3 times this year and being less dominant within the slams (like losing in the early stages of Australian, French and Wimbeldon this year).. the past couple of years - I remember her winning the majority of the slams for a few years in a row but the past couple of years has only able to get an average of 1 per year.. Idk - I just believe that being her age that she is starting to fade a little bit <br /><br />I also agree with you with Masha - she had quite a good year this year - although I'm not her biggest fan i believe that she'll hopefully put together another good year in 2015<br /><br />I also agree that Halep is starting to become a formidable opponent on the tour - she's definitely come into her own - while she's starting to blossom I believe that she did take full opportunity to go deep do to her easy draws in the majority of tournaments during this year.. I believe she can definitely go all the way at the French considering that I believe her game is more suited to the clay than anything else but question marks (in my opinion) lay over her ability to ascertain any other success at the other slams.. <br /><br />The success of both Ana and Caro this year was fantastic - both players deserved all the accolades that they received this year due to their ability to re-invent their games to achieve success in the game - I also believe that more success in 2015 is looming - maybe a grand slam for either of them who knows..<br /><br />I've also always had my eye on Lucie Safarova - this year has probably been her best year - and I will also be looking out for her in 2015 - her partnership with her new coach is doing wonders for her (evidenced by that deep run to the semis at Wimbeldon - which i believe is her worst surface) - I hope that 2015 will bring her some accolades to prove how much hard work she is doing..<br /><br />Makarova may have a good season who knows - she's on the precipice of the top 10 but I don't believe that she's grand slam (singles) material - maybe premier tier worthy (who knows) - I definitely hope she has success next year in her doubles though.. and maybe also bring her an international title(s).. I suppose for her its just mental strength that she needs to ascertain - she has the game (and maybe also needs some consistency) to be able to beat players within the top 10 - so I hope that she may have a successful 2015<br /><br />Bleh. Genie Bouchard - I don't think she will have a really successful year next year - I believe that she definitely made the most of her easy draws this year - she never really came up against anyone formidable and so because she went so deep into tournaments she got all this praise.. the real telling thing about Genie was her blowout against Kvitova in the Wimbeldon final and her horrible performance at the WTA finals in Singapore - it just says to me that Genie really shouldn't be in the top 10 just yet - I feel like its a bit pre-mature for her - in the future (maybe 2016 onwards) I believe that she deserves a place there but not now.. I don't think she's got a handle on her entire game to be a formidable opponent within the top 10..Ryan:)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05393336672200234250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-49025384621584017572014-12-15T08:24:56.227-06:002014-12-15T08:24:56.227-06:00I like the idea of the Aga/Martina combo but I do ...I like the idea of the Aga/Martina combo but I do agree it's not a match up I had imagined. Petra/Martina is one I'd like to see.Sabeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-21271182108429077062014-12-11T11:26:49.331-06:002014-12-11T11:26:49.331-06:00I was surprised by that, especially since I didn&#...I was surprised by that, especially since I didn't know Martina had ever coached anyone before (one of the "hints" was--a former coach). <br /><br />I'd like to know what she plans to add, since I think Aga's regular coach has obviously done a very good job. MN is a master at reading the court, but Aga is <i>the</i> master at that. <br /><br />Aga needs a better second serve (her first one has improved a lot) and she needs, imo, more confidence when she plays big hitters; she tends to just fold. Maybe Martina is there to help with Aga's mindset?<br /><br />Don't know about Halep's coach, but Halep, as I understand it, is very focused about what she wants and doesn't want. I hope that doesn't end up hurting her.<br /><br />I'm most excited about a new physio, not coach. Kvitova has hired Alex Stober! I kind of wanted Halep to hire him, but I'm happy that Petra has him.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-87177060218239243192014-12-11T11:09:44.677-06:002014-12-11T11:09:44.677-06:00Hi Diane, what are your thoughts on some of the ne...Hi Diane, what are your thoughts on some of the new coaching situations? The Martina/Aga combo is the most exciting to me.Sabeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-62649691656877738802014-12-08T16:13:50.753-06:002014-12-08T16:13:50.753-06:00Hoping Halep Healthy
Predicting Petko Prevails
Wis...Hoping Halep Healthy<br />Predicting Petko Prevails<br />Wishing Wozniaki Wins<br />Suspecting Serena Supreme.billnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-72486333395202172762014-12-05T14:34:08.918-06:002014-12-05T14:34:08.918-06:00Yes to both!Yes to both!Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07124489754017593105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-46919086969810715002014-12-05T10:35:25.792-06:002014-12-05T10:35:25.792-06:00I hope Caroline will get her first Grand Slam titl...I hope Caroline will get her first Grand Slam title in 2015.Sabeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229616072187725718.post-56144425434332970622014-12-05T03:43:04.494-06:002014-12-05T03:43:04.494-06:00I sure hope Giorgi can get her first title in 2015...I sure hope Giorgi can get her first title in 2015 -- losing two finals after holding match point in BOTH can be a big burden to lug around if it lingers for too long.Todd.Spikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16455101522360257651noreply@blogger.com