Re: AO 2013: The Bridesmaid-Bride Double. The Sequel.
In her 1st round match, I felt like Maria was going more for her shots, like before surgery and I do not know how to explain but I just loved the way she hit her backhand in this first round, it was different from other years. Also, serve motion has changed a bit, but again, I could not explain how... Can anyone help me ?
Re: AO 2013: The Bridesmaid-Bride Double. The Sequel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mexicola
Isn't that what we've all been hoping for the past few years? I realize that in 2010 and 2011, Maria had more important things to worry about, like finding a way to improve that serve and build fitness and confidence. But, overall, there hasn't been any evolution to Maria's game since coming back from the shoulder injury. It continues to be baseline, baseline, baseline. We only see off-speed shots out of desperation, trips to the net only when she has a distinct advantage in the point, and the occasional just-for-the-heck-of-it drop shot or lob.
You need intelligence and creativity to win those semis and finals against the very best players. You can't bludgeon your way to titles. So I don't think it's an accident that Maria has a considerable losing record in finals since the surgery. She just hasn't shown the variety needed to win the big points in the biggest matches.
But even with her limitations and stubbornness, I still think she's the second best player. So if she ever did finally go back to doing more of the little things, like in her younger days, she could really be an even bigger force.
I disagree. Most of these Finals Maria just never showed up. It wasn't about her game not being there, it was her mind. I would also like to see her come to the net more often, but she doesn't just smack the ball from side to side. Usually I feel she really is looking for a short ball, the right angle, finding depth or trying to pull her opponent off the court with her shots.
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Re: AO 2013: The Bridesmaid-Bride Double. The Sequel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig.
And since Venus is playing the night match tomorrow, does this mean if Maria and Venus were to play in the 3rd round, they wouldn't get the night match?
Re: AO 2013: The Bridesmaid-Bride Double. The Sequel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig.
And since Venus is playing the night match tomorrow, does this mean if Maria and Venus were to play in the 3rd round, they wouldn't get the night match?
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Re: AO 2013: The Bridesmaid-Bride Double. The Sequel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MiiMo
In her 1st round match, I felt like Maria was going more for her shots, like before surgery and I do not know how to explain but I just loved the way she hit her backhand in this first round, it was different from other years. Also, serve motion has changed a bit, but again, I could not explain how... Can anyone help me ?
I actually agree with this. I thought her service motion, backhand and particularly the forehand looked much more dynamic and fluid than they had in 2012 - especially the latter part of 2012. She looked like she was swinging through the ball more rather than going up on it and she definitely looked more comfortable taking things off the bounce. But then again, Puchkova's shots were soft enough that doing that just wasn't a challenge for her like it is when she plays the top girls.
Re: AO 2013: The Bridesmaid-Bride Double. The Sequel.
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AO 2013: The Bridesmaid-Bride Double. The Sequel.
she was coming to the net, her backhand was on fire and that "That's the way" scream at the end 
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