[DownInAHole]

Originally Posted by Protoss

Caro is now 1-4 in 3 set matches this year and 2-3 in tiebreaks.

Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve.

[Jorn]

We can move on...

[Jorn]

Aga is IN as replacement.

[goldenlox]

Originally Posted by DownInAHole

Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve.

To win 3rd sets against Pervak & this player, its more effort level than just serve.She didnt serve poorly vs Petra, but gave away the last 2 points with backhand errors in a close match

[DownInAHole]

Originally Posted by goldenlox

To win 3rd sets against Pervak & this player, its more effort level than just serve.She didnt serve poorly vs Petra, but gave away the last 2 points with backhand errors in a close match

I agree that the serve is not the only problem but it may be the biggest problem. When a set is 5-5 or in a tiebreak she wins virtually no cheap/easy points in her service games and very often has to fight off break points. Until she corrects that it will be extremely tough for her to be a top five player and a contender at the bigger events.

[bruce goose]

Just read a post from a Petra fan who watched Caroline's match-----Even if he weren't saying something distinctly cordial,most of you would agree that this poster was a decent fellow.However,he mentioned that Caro appeared to be fairly sick or something and wasn't able to give it her all.Perhaps the appearance of sickness was merely a pained expression caused by her ankle.

I disagree with those who say that the injury was insignificant b/c it's NEVER been in Caro's nature to fake or exaggerate injuries.If she ever starts copying one of her Adidas mates who's known for that,then we'll realize that the end is near.It might've looked bad--like a touch of arrogant indifference--for the #1 seed to default in her only match at a smaller tourney,so Caroline likely took the calculated risk that she could finish the match as long as she didn't overexert herself with her ankle.

Things were quite a bit better in Dubai,so let's not rush to final judgment as I almost did earlier;if Caroline looks sharp in IW/Miami,then that'll virtually prove that Koala Dung-Pure was a fluke

[goldenlox]

Originally Posted by DownInAHole

I agree that the serve is not the only problem but it may be the biggest problem. When a set is 5-5 or in a tiebreak she wins virtually no cheap/easy points in her service games and very often has to fight off break points. Until she corrects that it will be extremely tough for her to be a top five player and a contender at the bigger events.

If she plays every set the rest of this year like the 2 sets she lost to Petra, I think she will be okay.
Caroline used to be a great fighter. Hard to stop then get it back. Thats the biggest battle she has to fight.
She lost 5 of her last 10 matches at majors, which is not good. In 4 of the 5 losses, she started terribly, gave away the 1st set, and in a few of them, also way behind in set 2.
She needs that focus & intensity every set. That is why IW & Miami should tell a lot, because its obviously not easy for Caroline to bring it the way she used to

[bruce goose]

Originally Posted by DownInAHole

I agree that the serve is not the only problem but it may be the biggest problem. When a set is 5-5 or in a tiebreak she wins virtually no cheap/easy points in her service games and very often has to fight off break points. Until she corrects that it will be extremely tough for her to be a top five player and a contender at the bigger events.

Well,I'm reluctant to give you too much credit after you and so many other lazy Canadian sports fans forced poor Rebecca Marino into retirement by failing to encourage her enough

Still,I agree with your primary plank above;during closely-fought games,sets and matches vs. top players at Slams(especially when those opponents are in good form),you need to make your job simpler by getting a few quicker,easy points,and Caroline is getting very few of those gimmes off her serve against quality foes...in SOME matches,she gets barely above ZERO points on her serve vs. better ROS'ers.Evert used to have matches like that,but the game wasn't quite as powerful back then,plus Chris had such intense focus that she could effectively play long rallies forever w/o losing patience....Am not sure if Caro could replicate such success now when facing a tougher opponent

[marineblue]

Originally Posted by Jorn

Aga is IN as replacement.

Even though it's an exhibition it would be nice if Caro managed to win against Aga. It would certainly encourage her before the IW and Miami events.

[Mitten Kitten]

we will see how does she cope with this Exho...if she's healthy again I think she should put the same focus of a real match for once and try playing as she played against Marion and Petra. If she can get her level to this one and Aga plays at hers it could finally be a real test for this new motivated and slightly more aggressive Caroline

[marineblue]

Yes, it will be a real test if she takes it seriously. This is the perfect chance for a warm up. As far as her play hopefully she will be smart and won't just try to go for shots which are too risky at all costs. Better net play could help as well.

[Mitten Kitten]

I still don't think she'll play fully focused, not even for moments...I can't even remember the last exho were she gave a fuck about her tennis

[marineblue]

I don't think she'll play at her highest level. It's an exhibition after all, they never invest all their effort into these events. Plus, she's not well it seems.

She will begin to play well at IW& Miami when it can make a difference. We'll see how that goes.

[Chrissie-fan]

I would prefer it if she would just cancel the exho. Go straight to Indian Wells, recover there from whatever it is she's suffering from and prepare for the important events that are coming up. Exho's are so meaningless. I'm sure that the money is good, but she doesn't need it.

[goldenlox]

Originally Posted by Chrissie-fan

I would prefer it if she would just cancel the exho. Go straight to Indian Wells, recover there from whatever it is she's suffering from and prepare for the important events that are coming up. Exho's are so meaningless. I'm sure that the money is good, but she doesn't need it.

Aga won Miami last year. Both of them want to do well at IW/Miami. So they are probably going to train before the exo, then go to IW together.
I dont think this will hurt her. Her inability to focus and play complete matches hurts, not a random exo