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mikireturns · Jan 19th, 2013, 05:55 AM

Well, well ... a walkover win for Mirjana and Jelena. Sad, of course, to presume that one of their opponents was too ill or injured to take the court, but this is sport. We'll take it. More good prize $$$ for Mirjana and a nice boost for her doubles ranking, too.

This ought to help mitigate the close losses and hopefully inspire her strong singles play going forward.

GL, ladies.

croat123 · Jan 19th, 2013, 06:05 AM

the draw has really opened up. honestly, this is probably the best chance miki will get for a slam quarter/semis. she needs to focus and take it...she has a great partner

mikireturns · Jan 19th, 2013, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by croat123

the draw has really opened up. honestly, this is probably the best chance miki will get for a slam quarter/semis. she needs to focus and take it...she has a great partner

Yes. I hope they play loose and focused and really fight for it. Jelena has to want some bit of redemption, too; she really should have won her match against Ana. Nothing to lose, girls. Serve bombs, return big, and poach mightily.

ajmo! · Jan 19th, 2013, 09:49 AM

It's a good chance yes, but I believe you expect to much. Pavljuchenkova is in great form this year and Safarova already beat Mirjana. They are both good at net and it's always good team in doubles with one lefty and one right handed player.
We'll see how it will work.. it could be good match to watch, they are all out of singles and will be focused on this match.

But yes, for SF draw is wide open. Considering this is a Slam.

SERVivor · Jan 19th, 2013, 02:32 PM

I also think it will be tough. Pavly and Safarova have already beaten a seeded team Spears and Kop Jones who play together all the time. I just hope its on a streamed court It won't happen today according to the schedule, must be Monday.

Hele. · Jan 19th, 2013, 03:25 PM

Good luck in doubles!

mikireturns · Jan 19th, 2013, 10:41 PM

Hopefully, Pav and Saf will feel a little self-conscious of the "upset bug" ... Seeded doubles girls are not immune from getting their butts kicked, as we have seen (except maybe for Venus and Serena, who will surely win it all, barring miracles or acts of voodoo performed against them).

Mirjana and Jelena are not favored, for sure. But as mentioned before this is her best shot at ~some~ return to a Grand Slam quarterfinal or semi "format". Her chances for that in singles are certainly escaping. (If you have an opening against big players in the first round of a major, you either take it or you don't ... the opportunities come only once a year in each Slam.) Still, given her desire to work hard and maybe find that "missing link" in her game, I totally believe Mirjana can reach at least one Grand Slam final-16 or win some WTA-level tournament, before she is done. In fact, I expect she will do at least one very significant result before she says a well-deserved sayonara.

So maybe she is not going to become a Top 20-30 "regular." Big deal. She can still win a WTA-level event in singles. But first she and JJ need to pounce on this dubs chance. Practicing together for a few days should help. Hope good things come to them.