I’m disappointed, but I can’t be too upset about this. Laura didn’t play a smart match, she seemed to respect Sam’s game too much, which caused her to over press and make silly errors, and she looked emotionally & physically spent.
In fairness Sam is the defending champ, so I guess Laura’s respect was justified, but she really wasn’t that good off the ground today, Laura didn’t have to be smacking winners off every ball to win this (like she seemed to think). If she’d gone for more spin and margin and constructed the points the result may have been different, she was winning most of the rallies after all.
Have to say, Sam did serve fantastically, selection was superb. Laura’s best chance in this match slipped away when she through in that dud game right at the start to give away the break. As the match went on she obviously lose more and more faith in herself. That’ll come with experience though.
But, you know Laura’s young and Sam is a tough opponent to play, you have to be a very good match player, which is a lot to ask for someone as young as Laura. Regardless, she’s made huge steps this week and answered some major questions. Everything’s a learning curve and she fought right to the end.
Let’s hope she realises what she’s done this week and can go onwards and upwards. She still has some clear things to work on, footwork and serve mainly. If she irons out those flaws she’s going to have an absolutely huge game.
Gave Stosur a scare at the end! :lol:
