[Fighterpova]

Good luck Mashenka Hopefully she can have some serious matches here unlike at the AO and I'm hoping for another SF at least

She's undefeated in Doha so far and 2008 was

[Fighterpova]

As for the dress, I really hope she wears the green version

And Angelpova, your sig

[dsanders06]

Originally Posted by Cecig

But she played in Paris last year

Yes, and by her own admittance she was there to do some shopping and played some tennis (in semi-tank mode) on the side

Originally Posted by Pavstry.

Doha isnt Paris or Moscow to have -10-20C...
And wind was least of her problem in last 13 months.
The pessimism is on point though.

I was referring more to her going from the Australian climate to the States, rather than going to Doha. It's not just something exclusive to Maria either -- I've heard a lot of players get ill after the AO, because their immune systems are run down after a Slam anyway and it's compounded by the sudden change in climates and jetlag.

**

I just don't see what she has to gain from playing Doha tbh Even if she wins, it's a relatively meaningless title, it's not like this is a warm-up for anything. (And that's even ignoring the wind factor which probably means she wouldn't win it anyway.) Plus, let's not forget how gassed she was at Wimbledon last year -- obviously ideally we all want her to have as good (and therefore as tiring) a claycourt season as last year, so imo it would be a good idea to conserve as much energy as possible now, seeing as from March onwards it's pretty much nonstop until July I dunno, just if I was in her shoes it would seem to be to have quite a lot of drawbacks with not even much of an upside in a best case scenario.

[heavyhorse]

Originally Posted by AnnieIWillKnow

How did it ever get to the stage that Maria fans are excited for the clay court season

[dsanders06]

Also, Angelpova, please be on the lookout for Miffedtwat attempting to ban you because of your signature

[AnnieIWillKnow]

Originally Posted by dsanders06

Yes, and by her own admittance she was there to do some shopping and played some tennis (in semi-tank mode) on the side

When did she say that?

[Mexicola]

I think expectations are way too high for Maria to perform well again on clay. If you asked her right now, I'd bet she'd still say it's her weakest and least favorite surface to play on. Everything just seemed to come together perfectly for her last year in those 3 tournaments. All aspects of game were on, especially her serve in Stuttgart. And she had that great draw unfold for her at the French, which, like Vika this year in Melbourne, she took advantage of. Plus, I think Maria was extra determined and motivated after those 3 finals losses to start the year. If she wins just one clay court title this year, I'd be ecstatic.

But hard court remains her bread and butter and she needs to end this drought on it as soon as possible. It's still the surface that suits her the best. Now if Maria goes out there and proves once and for all that she really is Claypova, Dirtballer Extraordinaire, then I'd gladly admit I was wrong. It would be one of most incredible transformations and stories in the history of tennis if Maria did actually become strictly a clay court specialist at this stage of her career.

[AnnieIWillKnow]

Originally Posted by Mexicola

I think expectations are way too high for Maria to perform well again on clay. If you asked her right now, I'd bet she'd still say it's her weakest and least favorite surface to play on. Everything just seemed to come together perfectly for her last year in those 3 tournaments. All aspects of game were on, especially her serve in Stuttgart. And she had that great draw unfold for her at the French, which, like Vika this year in Melbourne, she took advantage of. Plus, I think Maria was extra determined and motivated after those 3 finals losses to start the year. If she wins just one clay court title this year, I'd be ecstatic.

But hard court remains her bread and butter and she needs to end this drought on it as soon as possible. It's still the surface that suits her the best. Now if Maria goes out there and proves once and for all that she really is Claypova, Dirtballer Extraordinaire, then I'd gladly admit I was wrong. It would be one of most incredible transformations and stories in the history of tennis if Maria did actually become strictly a clay court specialist at this stage of her career.

I really have to agree. I never really bought the 'Claypova' thing to begin with.

[Stonerpova]

I'm excited for her to get out there, get her hands dirty, and play some matches. I don't really care how she does in Doha or in the spring US tourneys (I'd love an Indian Wells title because apparently she's allergic to winning Miami), I just want her to have a lot of matches under her belt when she has to defend everything during the clay court circuit.

[SilverSlam]

Well looking at her clay titles and defending them I think she'll struggle the most with Stuttgart, it's not like the other clay tournaments, and if she didnt have her serve working she wouldn't have won last year. Rome has been pretty good these last few years, particularly in that she's also had some good serving performances, she had her first 0 DF match since surgery in 2011 there. Also it's proper red clay, so a lot of her main competitors will struggle like Radwanska and Azarenka to make the F. RG is also a pretty good chance for her to go deep too, despite the wind which she dealt with pretty well last year.

For me ranking wise, Serena is the only one who'll gain until clay events begin, then Azarenka won't suddenly be a clay GOAT so she won't gain any points, maybe lose some considering she has Stuttgart and Madrid F points.

Then is where it gets interesting. Maria has Wimbledon where she can improve a lot, and her and Vika also have the American HC events to gain points on Serena too. Of course from then on it'll be pretty much the same as last year, so it should be interesting who will end up no.1

[gc-spurs]

I reckon dsanders is on point with the climate change reasoning, I would suggest something similar. Not to mention a hefty travel session which would wear a lot of people down.

As for clay expectations, once Maria is noted as 'the best at...' or 'best chances of winning', the flopeth cometh. Always better as a Bambi.

[Angelpova]

Originally Posted by dsanders06

Also, Angelpova, please be on the lookout for Miffedtwat attempting to ban you because of your signature

[SilverSlam]

omg the rainbow peasant is in the now too

[Fighterpova]

Originally Posted by Mexicola

I think expectations are way too high for Maria to perform well again on clay. If you asked her right now, I'd bet she'd still say it's her weakest and least favorite surface to play on. Everything just seemed to come together perfectly for her last year in those 3 tournaments. All aspects of game were on, especially her serve in Stuttgart. And she had that great draw unfold for her at the French, which, like Vika this year in Melbourne, she took advantage of. Plus, I think Maria was extra determined and motivated after those 3 finals losses to start the year. If she wins just one clay court title this year, I'd be ecstatic.

But hard court remains her bread and butter and she needs to end this drought on it as soon as possible. It's still the surface that suits her the best. Now if Maria goes out there and proves once and for all that she really is Claypova, Dirtballer Extraordinaire, then I'd gladly admit I was wrong. It would be one of most incredible transformations and stories in the history of tennis if Maria did actually become strictly a clay court specialist at this stage of her career.

I have to agree with this.

[Fighterpova]

Angelpova, your sig