Tuesday, July 31, 2007
"I always thought I'd be quite good playing maybe 100 years ago"
Douglas Robson took on the task of persuading some WTA and ATP tour players to have a go with a wooden racquet, and the results were interesting. He made the offer at both the Pacific Life Open and the Sony Ericsson Open, and he got varied results. For those of us who rue the day wooden racquets became obsolete, this experiment is especially interesting.
Both Ana Ivanovic and Maria Kirilenko refused to so much as touch the wooden racquet Robson offered. Svetlana Kuznetsova got totally into it, and said that she could win with the racquet. "I don't think it's a big difference. It's the same control, but [the difference is] the power. You have to hit it harder but it's also bigger control." Vania King, on the other hand, declared that it would be "almost impossible [to win a match on tour] unless your opponent misses every single shot."
Martina Hingis said "It didn't feel that bad. You'd have to get used to it and find out the strength and weakness of the racket because the strategy would definitely have to be a little different." And I agree with Robson that if players still used wooden racquets, Hingis would probably be number 1 in the world again.
The best response came from Daniela Hantuchova: "It was coming off the racquet pretty well....I always thought I'd be quite good playing maybe 100 years ago."
Both Ana Ivanovic and Maria Kirilenko refused to so much as touch the wooden racquet Robson offered. Svetlana Kuznetsova got totally into it, and said that she could win with the racquet. "I don't think it's a big difference. It's the same control, but [the difference is] the power. You have to hit it harder but it's also bigger control." Vania King, on the other hand, declared that it would be "almost impossible [to win a match on tour] unless your opponent misses every single shot."
Martina Hingis said "It didn't feel that bad. You'd have to get used to it and find out the strength and weakness of the racket because the strategy would definitely have to be a little different." And I agree with Robson that if players still used wooden racquets, Hingis would probably be number 1 in the world again.
The best response came from Daniela Hantuchova: "It was coming off the racquet pretty well....I always thought I'd be quite good playing maybe 100 years ago."
Thanks for nothing, ESPN
Last weekend, I was surprised and disappointed to find that only one of the Stanford semifinal matches was shown live on ESPN2. The other was shown late at night, and I already knew the outcome, though I did watch it. I just checked the ESPN schedule, and that is going to be the pattern throughout the U.S. Open Series.
The Tennis Channel, which my cable company cannot get, is showing a fully live schedule, as is CBS, with its tournaments.
ESPN2 has always shown the U.S. hardcourt season live, even before the U.S. Open Series was established in 2004. The Series is obviously paying ESPN a busload, shall we say, of money, and in exchange, we get one live match per day.
The Tennis Channel, which my cable company cannot get, is showing a fully live schedule, as is CBS, with its tournaments.
ESPN2 has always shown the U.S. hardcourt season live, even before the U.S. Open Series was established in 2004. The Series is obviously paying ESPN a busload, shall we say, of money, and in exchange, we get one live match per day.
Davenport to play in Bali
Yesterday morning, I heard a rumor that Lindsay Davenport would be playing singles in the Commonwealth Women's Tennis Classic in September, but I didn't want to report it until it was confirmed as fact. On the Baseline has now confirmed it.
Davenport is scheduled to play doubles with Lisa Raymond in New Haven later this month.
Davenport is scheduled to play doubles with Lisa Raymond in New Haven later this month.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Ivanovic gets wild card to East West Bank Classic
She says she's healthy and ready to play in Los Angeles, where she will be seeded third.
And now for some good news...
Martina Hingis says her hip injury is now 100% healed. The nagging injury has given her problems for months, and it's great to hear that she is healthy again.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Acura Classic offers some tasty first round matches
Qualifying is complete in San Diego, and play begins tomorrow. Some first round matches of particular interest:
Gisela Dulko v. Tatiana Golovin--Golovin should win, but on those occasions when Dulko can still find her form, she can be dangerous.
Kateryna Bondarenko v. Sybille Bammer--Bondarenko's game has improved a whole lot; this should be a good one.
Alla Kudryavtseva v. Julia Vakulenko--This should go to Vakulenko, but Kudryavtseva gave Venus Williams a lot of trouble at Wimbledon. Can she be just as troublesome on a hard court?
Alona Bondarenko v. Peng Shuai--A match I wish I could see. Bondarenko has become a very solid player, but when Peng is on, she can take down almost anyone.
Michaella Krajicek v. Yuliana Fedak--Fedak's game has improved a lot this year, though she hasn't been so lucky lately. Still, the match could be interesting. Fedak had to win two qualifying rounds to get into the main draw, but she will have her hands full with Krajicek.
And finally...Shahar Peer v. Sania Mirza--It is quite unfortunate that the two some-time doubles partners must meet in the first round. Mirza just finished as a finalist in Stanford, and Peer, though inconsistent, has the ability to hang in and play very tough.
Gisela Dulko v. Tatiana Golovin--Golovin should win, but on those occasions when Dulko can still find her form, she can be dangerous.
Kateryna Bondarenko v. Sybille Bammer--Bondarenko's game has improved a whole lot; this should be a good one.
Alla Kudryavtseva v. Julia Vakulenko--This should go to Vakulenko, but Kudryavtseva gave Venus Williams a lot of trouble at Wimbledon. Can she be just as troublesome on a hard court?
Alona Bondarenko v. Peng Shuai--A match I wish I could see. Bondarenko has become a very solid player, but when Peng is on, she can take down almost anyone.
Michaella Krajicek v. Yuliana Fedak--Fedak's game has improved a lot this year, though she hasn't been so lucky lately. Still, the match could be interesting. Fedak had to win two qualifying rounds to get into the main draw, but she will have her hands full with Krajicek.
And finally...Shahar Peer v. Sania Mirza--It is quite unfortunate that the two some-time doubles partners must meet in the first round. Mirza just finished as a finalist in Stanford, and Peer, though inconsistent, has the ability to hang in and play very tough.
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