[heavyhorse]

Vinci is very classy.

[H0barthel.]

Vinci

[heavyhorse]

So the Marion match is tomorrow?

[Setsuna.]

Yes.

[heavyhorse]

I'm nervous for Barthel. I know Mona has beaten Bartoli before but that was on clay + in her home town of Germany. However this is a relatively fast court and in Marion's home town of France.

[Hartson]

Originally Posted by heavyhorse

I'm nervous for Barthel. I know Mona has beaten Bartoli before but that was on clay + in her home town of Germany. However this is a relatively fast court and in Marion's home town of France.

Mona also likes fast court more, than clay

[Tecumseh]

Originally Posted by heavyhorse

I'm nervous for Barthel. I know Mona has beaten Bartoli before but that was on clay + in her home town of Germany. However this is a relatively fast court and in Marion's home town of France.

Bartoli had a lot of problems with her movement on that slippery clay court in Stuttgart. So i think it will be a different match tomorrow with even chances. On the other hand this fast hard court goes very nicely with Mona's game and if she is in her clean-hitting mode tomorrow she will have a good chance of winning. The crowd will clearly be in favour of Bartoli but i also have the feeling that they like Mona's game there.

The greatest difficulty will be to close out the match against such a mentally tough player like Marion.

[KatjaS]

The key will be the serve, like with all matches in Paris. If Mona can reliably get first serves in and doesn't get distracted by Bartoli's antics I think she has a great shot at winning this.

[joy division]

Originally Posted by Tecumseh

Bartoli had a lot of problems with her movement on that slippery clay court in Stuttgart. So i think it will be a different match tomorrow with even chances. On the other hand this fast hard court goes very nicely with Mona's game and if she is in her clean-hitting mode tomorrow she will have a good chance of winning. The crowd will clearly be in favour of Bartoli but i also have the feeling that they like Mona's game there.

The greatest difficulty will be to close out the match against such a mentally tough player like Marion.

In about this.

Marion will be looking for revenge and it`s in front of her homecrowd. That could also mean a lot of pressure for her. Let`s see how she can handle it esspecially when Mona really gets it going.

Quite possible it goes similar as with Wickmayer at Auckland who Mona also could easily beat a year before.
But with the better end for Mona this time. Would be a great win.

[heavyhorse]

One thing about Marion is that she's very mentally tough. She doesn't give up until she hears 'game, set, match' and I may be mistaken but I've never actually witnessed her choking a match away or caving under pressure - she always seems like she's giving 110%.

[Bino]

Originally Posted by Patrick345

It has to be. With her defensive technique she has to be and stay positive once she has control of points. She has all the tools to play a dominant attacking game (serve, ros, net game, power) and thereby minimizing the exposure of her defensive liabilities.

This is it. She has a good timing with her net approaches, playing not only chip and charge (like sometimes Radwanska) but preparing points very well and finishing it very straight.

With these focussed attacks she gives the pressure to her opponent that is particulary effective aggainst players with a strong defense.

Finally that was not annoying ball bashing but more strategic power play from the baseline, too. Well done.

[Bino]

Originally Posted by heavyhorse

One thing about Marion is that she's very mentally tough. She doesn't give up until she hears 'game, set, match' and I may be mistaken but I've never actually witnessed her choking a match away or caving under pressure - she always seems like she's giving 110%.

Thats right but in my opinion Mona has to stay focussed on herself. She has to keep a clear strategy and maybe Mr Coach can help her in this.

[joy division]

It starts at 19.00

[H0barthel.]

Phew, I will have a time to watch it

[Mary Chain]

Starting soon!

Is Team Barthel ready?