[TrollPova]

Did anyone notice any changes to her game/approach since Kiefer came around? It's probably too early for there to be some noticeable change, but I'm curious to see if there is in the coming weeks

[Stonerpova]

Originally Posted by mreiter

Did anyone notice any changes to her game/approach since Kiefer came around? It's probably too early for there to be some noticeable change, but I'm curious to see if there is in the coming weeks

Isn't he just a hitting partner?

[dsanders06]

Originally Posted by Asherahpova

Yeah I assume that means the Final won't be until Sunday either. I'm not complaining too much though cus it means if she gets that far at least I'll definitely be able to watch SF and F.

Oh I don't MIND when the final is, it's just I assumed it would be Saturday because Muslim countries usually do that because that's the last day of their weekend (therefore maximum crowds).

**

I don't know much about Kiefer's game, does anyone know how good his serve is/was? I've thought for a while that Maria would really benefit from regularly practising returns against a top-serving ATP player simply so that her reactions are dialled in when she faces Serena's serve (I believe Voltchkov had an average serve, so he wouldn't've benefitted Maria much in that one particular aspect....I have no idea whatsoever how good Hogstedt's serve was).

[Monzanator]

Originally Posted by dsanders06

I don't know much about Kiefer's game, does anyone know how good his serve is/was? I've thought for a while that Maria would really benefit from practising returns against a top-serving ATP player simply so that her reactions are dialled in when she faces Serena's serve (I believe Voltchkov had an average serve, so he wouldn't've benefitted Maria much in that one particular aspect....I have no idea whatsoever how good Hogstedt's serve was).

Kiefer was an aggressive baseliner turned typical serve & volley player later in his career.

[Pavstry.]

I dont think she played well, maybe at the first 3 games and the end.
Serve made biggest difference. And that a patch of mold in a dark moisty alley has more mental toughness than Garcia.

[Tennisvampire]

Originally Posted by Pavstry.

I dont think she played well, maybe at the first 3 games and the end.
Serve made biggest difference. And that a patch of mold in a dark moisty alley has more mental toughness than Garcia.

Dead

[dsanders06]

Originally Posted by Pavstry.

I dont think she played well, maybe at the first 3 games and the end.
Serve made biggest difference. that a patch of mold in a dark moisty alley has more mental toughness than Garcia.

Really? I can't say I've seen Garcia play much, but I actually thought she competed pretty well today..she edged a couple of the tight games, and even in the 2nd set, even when it was obvious she was going to lose, she still kept fighting for every game she could (rather than some of the pathetic displays we saw from Maria's and Serena's opponents at the AO, where, as soon as they dropped the first few games, they seemed determined to flee the court as quickly as possible).

[Stonerpova]

Originally Posted by dsanders06

Really? I can't say I've seen Garcia play much, but I actually thought she competed pretty well today..she edged a couple of the tight games, and even in the 2nd set, even when it was obvious she was going to lose, she still kept fighting for every game she could (rather than some of the pathetic displays we saw from Maria's and Serena's opponents at the AO, where, as soon as they dropped the first few games, they seemed determined to flee the court as quickly as possible).

Did you see the first match between Pova and Garcia? Garcia's collapse in that one was jaw-dropping

[SilverSlam]

Originally Posted by Pavstry.

I dont think she played well, maybe at the first 3 games and the end.
Serve made biggest difference. And that a patch of mold in a dark moisty alley has more mental toughness than Garcia.

STAHP OMG

[Andy.]

Im such a fail fan. I didnt even know she was playing. Great to see her start with a straight sets win.

[doomsday]

Originally Posted by Pavstry.

I dont think she played well, maybe at the first 3 games and the end.
Serve made biggest difference. And that a patch of mold in a dark moisty alley has more mental toughness than Garcia.

I think she served well and like I said in GM this is what it matters most considering Serena will probably there in the semis.
First and second were well disguised especially the second one.
Anyway hopefully she'll improve.

[Abuttons]

I only saw a few games but it seemed to me that she played well when it mattered most. Her serve is definitely "on" and that's promising if she can keep it like that.

[Pavstry.]

Originally Posted by dsanders06

Really? I can't say I've seen Garcia play much, but I actually thought she competed pretty well today..she edged a couple of the tight games, and even in the 2nd set, even when it was obvious she was going to lose, she still kept fighting for every game she could (rather than some of the pathetic displays we saw from Maria's and Serena's opponents at the AO, where, as soon as they dropped the first few games, they seemed determined to flee the court as quickly as possible).

wasnt counting but I dont think she even won a game that went to deuce...
I dont think Garcia is some no-future scrub like Puchkova or Gallovits was at AO, she has alright technical and physical skills, wouldnt surprise me if she makes top20 in a few years. I wouldnt compare her with those others.

To me, she really looks like who lets the scoreline into her head too much. In every close situation she was flopping, every time there was a momentum or the momentum changed she couldnt carry on.
- starts 1st set DFing like a boss.
- 0-3 down she starts hitting freely.
- serving to stay in 1st set, folds.
- starts 2nd set hitting freely cause "she cant lose anythign" at the moment.
- when the 2nd set was a bit tighter... she goes 2-5 down and couldnt hold serve to stay in match.
Of course Maria was stepping up for some points, but Garcia could have also done it. Instead she only had the "I just brush my shoulder off" kinda body language...
Well, maybe I just expect too much from her.

Originally Posted by Griffin.

Did you see the first match between Pova and Garcia? Garcia's collapse in that one was jaw-dropping

and since that match she also had 10-20 other choke when she was set and break up, serving for match, sometimes even had matchpoints... and still lost. Just search GM for some of her match results. She is a notorious case.

[TrollPova]

Just watched a bit of Aga () before Ivanovic started, and it's SO windy . But she handled it before, so we'll see. Excited for tomorrow!

[Mr.Sharapova]

I just love how determined she looked and was out there. She reproached herself so much when she once hit a DF, as if she was angry that she didn't make the right adjust to avoid the DF.

She'll be super motivated to face Sloane if that match happens.