[Stonerpova]

Originally Posted by blistering

That Vinas-Jankovic QF at the 2007 USO sure made for one hell of a highlights reel but it was a shitfest for the most part. Jankovic was having a blast.

Yup. What a lot of people on here don't realize is that a 15 minute highlight reel does not equal a great match. The 2005 US Open QF between Clijsters and Venus was a shitfest of epic proportions but some people on here have made it out to be some sort of classic.

[mikepails]

The Venus-Clijsters U.S Open quarterfinal in 2005 was a pretty good match. Not great but pretty good. Both had similar W-UE stats with the way those two defend is very good and quite rare in their encounters.

[The Dawntreader]

Originally Posted by Griffin.

Yup. What a lot of people on here don't realize is that a 15 minute highlight reel does not equal a great match. The 2005 US Open QF between Clijsters and Venus was a shitfest of epic proportions but some people on here have made it out to be some sort of classic.

It's not a classic, far from it, but the sporadic passages of play when the athleticism and shot-making was at a ridiculous high, is well worth recognition.

[frenchie]

Myskina losing 76 in the third to JHH, Eastbourne Final 2006

Nastya was hitting huge during the grass season that year.
That was some of the best tennis I've ever seen her play.

[@danieln1]

Woz

[Brad[le]y.]

Hingis-Pierce Canadian Open 1999. Pierce hit 41 winners and 12 UEs and Martina still won

[@danieln1]

Originally Posted by Brad[le]y.

Hingis-Pierce Canadian Open 1999. Pierce hit 41 winners and 12 UEs and Martina still won

Brad peak Pierce NEVER loses.... She was just a level below her peak

[JarkaFish]

Originally Posted by Brad[le]y.

Hingis-Pierce Canadian Open 1999. Pierce hit 41 winners and 12 UEs and Martina still won

In straights at that. Oh my, maybe I should watch that match some day.

[Nalby fan]

Originally Posted by frenchie

Myskina losing 76 in the third to JHH, Eastbourne Final 2006

Nastya was hitting huge during the grass season that year.
That was some of the best tennis I've ever seen her play.

Glad someone mentioned this match.Having previously thought that Nastya was a non-factor on grass due to her dodgy serve,I was in awe of how well she played.

She looked damn sexy as well.

[frenchie]

Originally Posted by Nalby fan

Glad someone mentioned this match.Having previously thought that Nastya was a non-factor on grass due to her dodgy serve,I was in awe of how well she played.

She looked damn sexy as well.

Nastya was always at her best on fast surfaces : grass and indoors

[JCTennisFan]

Originally Posted by @danieln1

Woz

The very first point on the highlights shows whats wrong with Woz.

Loopy forehand from Woz opens up the point for Li and she closes it out.

The story of Woz's career in a nutshell.

[starbucks27]

Wozniacki has probably played about 100 peak matches and still lost.

[H0barthel.]

Cadantu vs. Sharapova FO 2012.

[Queen_Vee_92]

Originally Posted by dsanders06

Venus's W-UE differential was about -20 or something in that match, iirc.

I don't think her match against Kim in '09 was particularly great, but their '10 match was definitely as well as she's played away from grass post-2003. Her ballstriking was unbelievably crisp, and it was one of those rare matches where her defence was an asset. Her so-called "choke" has also been overstated -- apart from those 2 DFs in the 2nd-set tiebreak (and, let's face it, how many big matches has Venus actually had where she hasn't thrown in some DFs at crucial times), it's not like she collapsed in a mountain of unforced errors at all.

No offense, because i actually agree with your original post that Vee/Clijsters 05 QF is (for 2 sets anyway) a peak loss by Venus Williams post ab injury, but the 2010 match was so far removed from peak Venus it's not even funny.

Look back at the 2010 Open and look at who Venus played to reach the semi. In the Vinci, Marino and Minella matches the gulf in class was too much regardless of Vee's form, and tbf she actually looked better early on anyway, playing a good match against an inspired Marino in R2. Then she plays Peer and Schiavone, 2 opponents who if Venus fans were cherry picking R4 and QF opponents would be first choice! Basically it was a cakewalk if ever Venus had one, Clijsters in the semis would have been the only tough match she had to play.

Now look at the highlights of the match and honestly tell me that Venus movement is anywhere near her best, she hadn't played since Wimbledon and went on to have surgery straight after the tournament because of a knee issue and it shows, there are a couple of times where she can't chase down basic shots from Kim. The only reason her defense looked good is because Kim herself was playing average tennis and was hitting with little width to move venus around.

Still on the highlights, look at the length and pace Venus is getting on the ball and compare it with the 05 match or most other hard court matches she's played 03-10. There are a handful of big winners, and one point near getting the first break in the opening set that she consistently hits big from the baseline. Apart from that the length is poor, she's not actually dictating but rallying with Kim, and in the third when she's forced to attack more her approach shots are mediocre. No way is this a good performance from Venus, and that doesn't even take into consideration the enormous choke.

[Break My Rapture]

So many Jankovic matches TBH.