[Stonerpova]

Originally Posted by dsanders06

This is actually a misconception. Maria at her very best actually rarely hits MASSIVE (90mph+) shots in terms of pace.

What makes Peak Maria so brilliant is that she gets such fantastic length on her shots and can land every ball within centimetres of the baseline - the type of control that Peak Ivanovic could only dream of getting with her forehand (even if she'd occasionally hit a pacier shot than Peak Maria could, her average rally ball would be far more innocuous and land much shorter than Peak Maria's rally ball). And that's before you even consider that Peak Ivanovic would be hitting more shots out than Peak Maria would.

Yup. Plus Maria's best shot is her backhand crosscourt, which would drive Ivanovic nuts. Ivanovic is actually a pretty good junkballer, but Maria would just smother her from the baseline.

I actually still think this match would be close, but still NID.

[Cajka]

Originally Posted by Griffin.

Yup. Plus Maria's best shot is her backhand crosscourt, which would drive Ivanovic nuts. Ivanovic is actually a pretty good junkballer, but Maria would just smother her from the baseline.

I actually still think this match would be close, but still NID.

If we're talking about their peaks, we wouldn't see junkballing or long rallies at all IMO (except for clay), they would both try to dictate the points after a big serve or after taking the ball early on return (mostly after second serves), whoever serves better - wins. And it should be Maria, her first serve was slightly better and second serve was significantly faster (if she doesn't make tons of dfs). Defense or junkballing wouldn't ba a huge factor at all (it would be a factor against the best counterpunchers in the world, but those two can't hurt each other with junkballing and defending if they're at their peaks)

[gc-spurs]

Did I read a post in this thread saying Ivanovic hasn't peaked yet???

[Cajka]

Originally Posted by gc-spurs

Did I read a post in this thread saying Ivanovic hasn't peaked yet???

It's incorrect to say that she hasn't peaked yet, but she never actually peaked because when she was on her best there was some room for improving, but instead of that she got worse. The same could be said for Maria because she got injured when she was at her best. And the same could be said for 99% of players because there are very few players who maximized their potential.

[dany.p]

Peak Pierce beats everyone. Anything else is irrelevant.

[forehand27]

The only surface this is an interesting topic is clay, so the title should be changed to on clay, as that is the only surface worth debating. On any other surface it is Maria in straight sets every single time, with the best Ana managing being the odd 7-5 or 7-6 set, and is pure trolling to even bring up as a serious attempt of a topic.

[NashaP]

Originally Posted by forehand27

The only surface this is an interesting topic is clay, so the title should be changed to on clay, as that is the only surface worth debating. On any other surface it is Maria in straight sets every single time, with the best Ana managing being the odd 7-5 or 7-6 set, and is pure trolling to even bring up as a serious attempt of a topic.

2012 claypova would definitely beat 2008 clayanovic

[forehand27]

Originally Posted by NashaP

2012 claypova would definitely beat 2008 clayanovic

I actually agree with this, my point is clay in the only surface you could even argue between the two short of being insane. Outside of being one of the better clay courters of a super weak clay era, Ana was NEVER an elite contender even at her peak . Talk about Ana possibly winning Wimbledon or the U.S Open at her 06-08 peak and everyone laughs outloud.

[Material World]

Masha. Not even competitive.

[Tag]

the only things ivanovic has peaked at are tears and trauma

she certainly hasn't peaked at tennis