I have mixed feelings. I agree that it's felt like she has underperformed (other than Sydney). But again we should remember that she had been a journeywoman for years before her sudden rise last year. Even before Indian Wells last year, people were buzzing about her potential but the top ten seemed a long way off. So even with the low bar (which admittedly is quite low
That’s just the thing though. The tour is incredibly week right now. Mandlik showed it this week. She’s a 25-60k level player, and beat some tour “regulars.” Gauff, to her credit, is consistently better than player outside the top25, but also consistently worse than the tour’s top25. She’s grossly over ranked due to her lucky draw at RG, which has extra weight due to there being no points at Wimbledon.
Badosa isn’t a big hitter. She’s a serve - pusher; does everything fine but nothing special (someone on TF has a good name for it but I can’t quite remember it). Her consistency causes Gauff trouble the same way Kerber Halep etc do
Paula or Coco?
Once fragile and rusty Osaka had the crowd try to uplift her down 5-1 in the 2nd her facial expressions changed and she began spanking Coco. She ran out of time down 5-4. The rusty part timer would have obliterated Gauff if she was in the right mental state all match. Thats how big a joke Gauff is.
I dont think American tennis is in the depth of despair, I dont think you can rule out Coco and Amanda just yet as GS champs in this era, I am with the consensus that Gauff is over-hyped but both her and Amanda are still young and have loads of time to improve. I think in about 18 months we will have a better idea of where they are both heading. There is also the possibilty of Kenin returning to her 2020 form (unlikely at this point though)
To me shes overperformed all year. She was 28 in live rankings pre French Open & that cupcake draw opened doors for her. 28 is more accurate regarding her current level.
Haven’t watched the match yet.
That was the problem early on; she was CRACKING them but still fairly safe placement so Cori was absorbing them no problem. But she stuck with it and the strategy worked. I have also seen her in person at Roland Garros and she's one of the most powerful women I've seen; I had actually forgotten and then was quite blown away watching her this year. I agree that she usually plays too safe but my objection was to you saying she "isn't a big hitter" because she actually does have tremendous power.
Most of the richest countries seem to have serious issues producing talent. I feel like they over coach and coddle the players too much to make them really hungry. The USTA especially basically tries to make all its players fit a certain mold. But France has been stalling for years, Australia got lucky to have once in a generation talents with BARTY and KYRGIOS but otherwise hasn't had much, and Sweet Emma is the only notable player to have come through the LTA system (and even she is becoming very notorious for doing things her own way).
I tend to agree…nothing in her game stands out yet she keeps on winning.
Somebody has to Win when Iga takes the week off...
