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Tokyo final: Wozniacki d. Pavlyuchenkova 6-0 7-5

10K views 111 replies 67 participants last post by  RobertJon 
#1 ·
After a perfect first set for the Dane (only two unforced errors I think), Pavlyuchenkova made it more competitive in the second, trying to turn the match her way (basically keeping more her powerful strokes in the court). But Wozniacki was rock solid to hold her serve for a 4-3 lead despite being down 0-30, answering with two aces and another excellent first serve followed with a strong, deep crosscourt forehand. That's how you keep an opponent from turning the match around.

Caroline never let it go and even held for a 5-4 lead after a crosscourt forehand winner (against Pavlyuchenkova, whose forehand is one of the best of the tour, that's saying something).

Basically, Wozniacki kept more balance than Pavlyuchenkova during competitive and powerful rallies, which explains her far best percentage of unforced errors, and her best chances to win when both are in the zone.

The rally at 5-4 and 30-15 on Nastia's serve illustrates this very well. Wozniacki got to 30-30 and forced the Russian to a mistake during very strong rallies. Same to get a match point at 30-40. But Pavlyuchenkova pulled out her best game to stay with the Dane at 5-5. Also did her best trying to break Wozniacki in the following game (that got to 30-30), unsuccessfully as Wozniacki kept serving strong and stayed rock solid.

In the end it's Wozniacki who broke the Russian for the victory, keeping Pav's powerful shots in the court. :worship:

Bravo Caroline! :cheer:
 
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#6 ·
The first set was a murder. Caroline when she hits through her forehand is so good. Her backhand was amazing as always.
 
#8 ·
This was the junior class of 2006, only Pavlyuchenkova was the #1 junior and the brighter prospect then. She still has yet to even be top 10.

Didn't Karolina play well after MP down against Cibulkova. Really flipped the switch with some brilliant play. Bring on Wuhan and why not? Who is gonna stop her like this.

Want to see her back at the top of the rankings where she belongs.
 
#14 ·
Pavs is a talent, but her head is not good. She is one of the players who is happy to earn millions but doesnt want the big stage. Never made a slam SF or a big mandatory final
So much is mental and even for Caroline, she could have closed this 2 games sooner. Then look at the bad error Pavs made to give her 2 more championship points
 
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#7 ·
10 straight years with at least one title! Now she has 26. Three at this Premer.
Moves to #5 in the race. Still 870 points from her 3rd YE #1
 
#11 ·
Very pleased for Caroline - congrats! 7th time lucky.

Pavs woke up in the 2nd set and kept it close but she didn't have a single BP on Caroline's serve and as she was serving 2nd, I suspected Caroline would break at either 5-4 or 6-5 as Pavs is often vulnerable then.

Not that overexcitable on court interviewer again! Caroline looks like she's gritting her teeth through this.
 
#17 ·
Congrats to Sunshine! Finally!!!

Solid serve and BH. FH looking sharp in the first set and she held herself together when Pav raised her level in the second.

Although in theory Caro can still finish YE No.1, it would probably a slap to women tennis' face since her best slam record this year is QF at FO. So, I'd rather she finish YE top 5 and try to get the YEC title like Pome did last year.
 
#26 ·
RIP "Wozniacki vs final" jokes
February-September

:woohoo:
 
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