The rain came down, the Centre Court roof went up, and Aga Radwanska--again looking lost when she should be at her most cunning--won a total of three games off of Ekaterina Makarova. For all our talk about Sloane Stephens and Tsvetana Pironkova and their ability to bring their best tennis to majors, it's really Makarova who reigns in this unusual category. If you follow women's tennis seriously, you knew the Russian was going to take it to Radwanska.
It was more of a mercy killing than anything else, I think. Radwanska just hasn't been herself since--well, you know--since she lost in the semifinals to Sabine Lisicki last year. Makarova's 6-3, 6-0 victory (interrupted by rain when Radwanska was down 0-5 in the second set) ended what was yet another unpleasant step in the 4th seed's 2014 progress.
Speaking of Lisicki, she defeated Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. Yaroslava Shvedova didn't have to resume her tiebreak against Madison Keys; Keys was still in too much pain to go on. All of the players from the USA (on the men's side, too) are out now.
As expected, Lucie Safarova ended her young countrywoman's run, defeating Tereza Smitkova 6-0, 6-2. It was, however, a really good run. 2011 champion Petra Kvitova defeated Peng Shuai in straight sets, and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, riding on a wave of Czech confidence, defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 7-5.
Serena-slayer Alize Cornet is out, too. Cornet failed to take advantage of a less-than-sharp Genie Bouchard, and lost to her in straight sets (7-6, 7-5). Bouchard was all over the place, and Cornet had a lot of opportunities, but she was unable to take them. Also, the Canadian seems to have that special instinct that propels her to victory even on a bad day.
Genie Army--you are spineless! Haven't you learned anything from Genie?
The Kerber vs. Sharapova match and the Halep vs. Diyas match were postponed because of the rain. Also to come in the third round--Lisicki vs. Shvedova.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Lucie Safarova, who saved nine match points yeseterday against Cara Black and Sania Mirza, were a set up on Flavia Pennetta and Sam Stosur, and at 4-all in the second, when play had to be suspended. Also, the Kichenok sisters were leading Errani and Vinci by a set (7-5), but were down 2-4 in the second when play had to be stopped.
The Middle Sunday thing really, really bothers me and I know not to expect much but......Halep seems to be an after thought-she was held back after her third rd and even her 1st rd initially had TBA next to it-as they didn't have a court in mind yet. I know she hasn't done the best at W but she won Den Bosch last year and she is the no 3 seed.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, ARadwanska has not been the same since last yr's W.
Roland Garros can handle rain better because they start on a Sunday and play the middle Sunday. W has to change things just like the USO is going to do with the men.
I don't like the institution of W but I like grass for a change and for the talent that is seen which is different than clay.
Sogn was happy to see Azarenka's shorts as I was. Now to check her underwear did they pull the shorts down? This is crazy, creepy (as Wozniacki said) stuff.
I think, if you're wearing shorts, there's no danger of showing an undergarment, so Vika was probably not "inspected." However, I keep waiting for them to ban shorts.
ReplyDeleteSimona, bless her, probably likes being under the radar, though they're quick to notice ner if the subject is breasts or bras.
I like having a grass major, too, but I wish it could be played in another country.