2013 women's tennis thread....

[shivfan]

Just to offer a little variety, on a forum where the focus seems to be primarily on men's tennis....

Who do you think will be the main contenders for the first Slam of the year? Serena Williams? Vika Azarenka? Maria Sharapova?

[lydian]

Hard to see beyond Williams all things considered...but she doesn't tend to do as well down under, don't think it's her primary focus...I'd go for Aza or Shazza as you mention...Wozniacki is also starting to play better...maybe Errani or Kerber as outside bets.

[ALPanorak]

I think Serena, Azarenka and Sharapova will cement their positions at the top of the women's game and I'd expect to see them split the slams again next year. (I predict Azarenka to defend her title at Aus 13)
I don't believe Wozniacki has potent enough groundstrokes nor the consistency or belief on the Grand Slam stage to win one yet. I do expect Kvitova to bounce back and potentially contend for the slams as she really does have a lot of great weapons . And obviously it'll be interesting to see how Watson and Robson progress after their great improvements this year...

[The Special Juan]

My poor prediction is a fully fit Serena to do the Grand Slam. If she is injured/not playing well then Aggy will get a major, as will Azza (2) and Shazza.

[User 774433]

I think Serena and Azarenka will share the Grand Slams.

But WTA has always been unpredictable- I wouldn't be surprised by anything imo.

[LuvSports!]

laura robson up and running with a thumping two set win in Shenzhen 6-2 6-1
i hope this comes true and I love it when the rowing commentator says it,
"THE BRITISH ARE COMING!"

[The Special Juan]

Laura is seeded 7th for the event. She is in the same half as Bartoli (seeded 2nd) and same quarter as Jankovic (5). Li Na is the top seed.

Laura plays Niculescu next.

[The Special Juan]

But more shockingly Keothavong qualified!!

[Guest]

I hope that a new lady comes up, one who can play with some deft slice, some volleys and has a serve that isn't a shut up and hit me for a winner, one who can give the army of power hitters a run for their money.

[Danny_1982]

The most interesting bit if 2013 for me will be seeing how Heather and Laura progress. I'm hoping to see both if them in the top 20 this time next year, which I think is realistic. In fact I wouldn't be that surprised to see Laura in the top 10.

The idea of watching a slam with potential British winners in both the mens and womens side is foreign to most, but is just around the corner I think and I can't wait.

[LuvSports!]

haha thats quite a list! maybe asking a bit too much falzy!

[The Special Juan]

Laura beaten by Niculescu :/

[shivfan]

Serena destroyed Cornet at two and two in Brisbane, while Venus battled health issues to come from one set down against Mathilde Johanssen in the Hopman in Perth...a good day for the Williams sisters.

[gboycottnut]

I hope that a new lady comes up, one who can play with some deft slice, some volleys and has a serve that isn't a shut up and hit me for a winner, one who can give the army of power hitters a run for their money.

What about Maria Kirilenko then?

[LuvSports!]

watson out as well

[shivfan]

Sloane Stephens giving Serena a fight in the first set...level at 3-3 so far.

It was interesting to hear commie David Mercer saying something his colleagues are not prepared to admit. He said the Williams sisters had to overcome quite a bit of prejudice not just in the tennis establishment, but in their home country as well, to pave the way for other black Americans like Stephens to get into the sport, to the point where two black Americans are now playing each other in the quarter-finals of a WTA tour event.

Finally, a break of serve, and Serena takes it 6-4!

Only one break of serve in the second set too, and Serena takes it 6-3...a high quality match.

[The Special Juan]

Ha, Azarenka bottled it big time v Serena as she pulled out blaming a "bad pedicure".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/20908457

[gboycottnut]

Ha, Azarenka bottled it big time v Serena as she pulled out blaming a "bad pedicure".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/20908457

Well she did mention something about being with somebody who gave her an infection. Now what are we to incur from this I wonder?

[dummy_half]

Ha, Azarenka bottled it big time v Serena as she pulled out blaming a "bad pedicure".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/20908457

Well, we have an early contender for excuse of the year

[gboycottnut]

Ha, Azarenka bottled it big time v Serena as she pulled out blaming a "bad pedicure".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/20908457

Well, we have an early contender for excuse of the year

Nadal beat her to it as he made his excuse as a new year's resolution!

[newballs]

Serena's already talking up her chances of winning all 4 slams this year and, barring injury, who'd bet against it?

Stephens though definitely has a game to watch out for in the future. Great forehand and athleticism for starters and is only going to get better given time.

[gboycottnut]

Just to offer a little variety, on a forum where the focus seems to be primarily on men's tennis....

Who do you think will be the main contenders for the first Slam of the year? Serena Williams? Vika Azarenka? Maria Sharapova?

Just Serena Williams. The others are only there to make up the numbers.

[shivfan]

Pavlyuchenkova is putting up a good fight, but she can't touch Serena's service game...one break of serve is all it takes for Serena to go 5-2 up in the first set of the final.

An easy break in the eighth game, and Serena takes the first set at two....

Another break, and Serena goes 3-0 up in the second set.

And takes the final set at one....

[The Special Juan]

An interesting match in prospect tomorrow where Robson takes on Sloane Stephens. I'm sure we'll see more of that over the next 10 years.

[shivfan]

I hope that a new lady comes up, one who can play with some deft slice, some volleys and has a serve that isn't a shut up and hit me for a winner, one who can give the army of power hitters a run for their money.

Like Aggie Radwanska and Li Na?

The former is in the top ranks, while the latter reached the Australian Open final....

[shivfan]

Serena came from behind yesterday to beat Kvitova in three sets in an emotion-charged quarter-final at Qatar....

[shivfan]

Azarenka and Serena beat Radwanska and Sharapova in straight sets in their respective semis....

[carrieg4]

Williams leads the Head 2 Head 11 - 1. If she is fully fit I can't see Azarenka troubling her.

[carrieg4]

Shows what I know

[djlovesyou]

Must have been injured then.

[The Special Juan]

Serena was injured (apparently) I heard she did her back in during the 2nd set.

[djlovesyou]

She always is. She's the Nadal of the women's game. Never a defeat without an injury. (or other good reason rather than the other person played better.)

[User 774433]

She always is. She's the Nadal of the women's game. Never a defeat without an injury. (or other good reason rather than the other person played better.)

What a load of nonsense.
There are many games that Nadal has played fully fit and lost.
As I said earlier, I have a list of these instances.

[djlovesyou]

Oh come on. Injuries are the only reason why Nadal hasn't gone his whole career unbeaten.

It was a bit sore, no? I couldn't move, no?

[User 774433]

Injuries are the only reason why Nadal hasn't gone his whole career unbeaten.

Wrong.
As I said, I have a list of defeats when Nadal was fully fit; from 2007-current.

So I can confirm you are mistaken.

[djlovesyou]

You've honestly made a list?

You genuinely love this guy, don't you?

[User 774433]

You've honestly made a list?

You genuinely love this guy, don't you?

Don't be ludicrous, I am impartial when it comes to tennis.

Everyone knows that

[sirfredperry]

With Serena returning to the top - albeit losing to the girl she displaced in yesterday's final - we have a really genuine top-class top three for the first time for ages in women's rankings.
Serena, of course, is an all-time great, while Aza at two has won a couple of slams. Third is Sharapova who has won all the Slams.
This heavyweight trio follows the slamless wonders at the top such as JJ, Safina and Caroline W. OK, it was not their fault that Maria S was recovering from injury and that Serena was in and out of the game.
But you can't help thinking that the current situation is a much better order of things and sets things up nicely for a highly-competitive season on the women's tour.
Chuck in British interest with Robson and Watson and 2013 looks promising.

[The Special Juan]

Putintseva has served for the match twice against Robbo and failed. Big Robbo has clawed it back from 5-2 to 5-5 in the 3rd.

[shivfan]

I agree with those comments sir fred....

Robson and watson need to move to the next level now. Robson should not be struggling against players like putintseva.

[Danny_1982]

Laura looks absolutely sublime at times. Her DHBH cross court is a dream when she nails it.

She's inconsistent, as most youngsters are... But when it all comes together - which it surely will over the coming years - she'll be right at the top of the game. Potential slam winner I think.

Anyway, she hasn't even won this match yet so maybe I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.

[The Special Juan]

Never mind Laura, at least you've still got the Junior Wimbledon title

I suppose it's better she lost. I'd rather she lost to a nobody rather than a dismantling by Aggie in the next round.

[Danny_1982]

She'd probably have given her a good match Juan. She always plays better against top players.

Never mind though. Just a hiccup. She's destined for great things in sure.

[The Special Juan]

Apparently she has a chest infection. Someone's been listening to Serena

[shivfan]

Serena won an interesting final at Miami....

Sharapova competed with her, sharing the first two sets, and then Serena went up a level to win the final set at love!

[lydian]

Maria went 6-4 3-2 up with a break.
It was the last game Maria won, Serena took the next 10 games.
Were a wasn't playing S good near the start - when she plays to her level the other women cannot hardly touch her. Great win. Hated hearing the Sharapova grunting on full volume too.

[laverfan]

I am surprised at the last set bagel.

[The Special Juan]

Robbo's playing an event on green clay in Charleston. With the draw she's been fortunate to receive, she has to be looking at reaching the quarters at least!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Family_Circle_Cup_%E2%80%93_Singles

[The Special Juan]

Sorry, not the quarters. I misread it. The 3rd round with a chance of the quarters.

[The Special Juan]

Robbo's doing well. Since I last saw her live (The USO) her movement and forehand have improved.

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