Cici is clearly still understandably a bit rusty in the match-play department, with the tightness closing this out, but regardless of what happens next, 3 wins in 3 days in her first tournament back is a HUGE victory, given the length and severity of her injury.
Now she'll finally get a day off, before playing Baptiste or Flipkens in the third round. Keep it going, Cici!
I know she can use her PR, but how cool would it be if she went all the way here and snatched the AO MD WC?
Ahead for much of the match, but Lepchenko kept coming back, and she was even 3-1 up in the deciding tie break. Would have been disappointing had she lost from the position she was in, but the most satisfying part is that she managed a 2 and a half hour match after so long out.
Wow... impressive comeback so far for Miss Cici. Her defense is still clearly a strength, but not hitting the ball hard at all. Hopefully that can only improve, as I imagine it will. Can't complain about this week, more than I was expecting. Hoping for her wrist to stay healthy, and she has a productive off season.... which, having been off for so long probably feels weird for her to come back, play a tourney, then be out again for 2 months.
Very supportive of CC Bellis win today, but I have constructive criticism of of match strategy
The last good tournament CC had was Doha in Feb of '18 where she went thru the qualies and beat Kasatkina, Keys, and Ka Plis, before losing to Halep in the semis. But that was almost 2 years ago, before all the injuries.
Lepchenko had a fine career and was basically in the top 100 for ten years. Leper made it all the way to the top 20 at one point, but at 33 y/o she has lost her foot speed and can no longer get to wide shots. Leper has been ranked in about 150 for the past two years, probably due to loss of foot speed.
In this match Bellis, was playing practice ball while Leper was playing match ball, but Leper might have run out of energy in the last set tie-break.
Bellis kept hitting down the middle into The Lepers strength, which was power hitting. CC refused to hit wide to Leper weakness, which was running.
CC's strategy for the match appeared to be hit hit to the opp's strength, while not hitting to her weakness.
Bellis problems in this match was not having played competitive match play for almost 2 years, and she is still playing practice ball.
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Bellis, with this win has zoomed up 9000+ ranking positions to #825!!!!!
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As mentioned above, she meets The Flipper #89 next on Thursday.
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