Western & Southern Open, New York City, US - WTA Premier 5

[MargaretMcAleer]

Elise Mertens (14) d Jess Pegula 61 63....she will play the winner of Osaka vs Kontaveit

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Anett Kontaveit wins the 1st set 64 over Naomi Osaka,who is the only Top 10 player left in the women's draw.
Down 0-2 in the 2nd set,to this stage of the match being hit off the ground by Anett,Osaka picks up her game and wins the 2nd set 62
Interesting to see what evolves in the 3rd and final set.
Great fight back from Kontaveit who was down 1-4 in the final set to level the match 4 games all

Noami Osaka d Anett Kontaveit 46 62 75 this match went down to the wire,especially in the final set,where Osaka was leading 4-1,great fightback from Kontaveit.Osaka will play Mertens next.

 

[10isfan]

I’m relieved to read Serena was cramping. I had feared an injury. Sad to say I don’t see her winning another major. I very much hope I’m wrong, but several players can beat her now.
I miss Andreescu. Her frail body is preventing her from becoming a big star.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

T/break for the 1st set between Jabeur and Azarenka,Jabeur was broken serving for the 1st set 5-4,both players lost their serve in the 1st set.

Great shot making in the t/breaker,both ladies had their chances to win,both saved SPs,Azarenka just edged out Jabeur to win 76(9)

 

[Jelenafan]

I think Serena has one more Major run in her, but she has gotten match yips. She’s having a hard time keeping her mental concentration, and yes, as ChRis Evert used to say that is a function of aging.

Chris said that with time even her vaunted concentration wavered and it was hard to maintain focus throughout a match, with Serena I see that happening also.

 

[AnonymousFan]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vika into the semis without dropping a set so far (I hope I did not jinx her

Good to see her fight.determination this week and her tennis which has improved out of sight

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

T/break for the 1st set between Jabeur and Azarenka,Jabeur was broken serving for the 1st set 5-4,both players lost their serve in the 1st set.

Great shot making in the t/breaker,both ladies had their chances to win,both saved SPs,Azarenka just edged out Jabeur to win 76(9)

Azarenka d Jabeur 76(9) 62 to make the semis without dropping a set

Well done Vika!

Azarenka will play the winner of the Konta vs Sakkari q/final

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Another efficient performance from Johanna Konta defeating Maria Sakkari 64 63.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sfinals,

(14) Elise Mertens vs (4) Naomi Osaka

(8) Johanna Konta vs Victoria Azarenka.

 

[AnonymousFan]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just got back home and read that on Twitter

I could be not be more proud of this young woman quite frankly.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Per Jon Weitheim on Twitter,

Hearing 'strong possibility of a full boycott tomorrow,USTA statement coming.Will be interesting to hear the framing,let's not forget Naomi Osaka's role here.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Statement On Pause Of Play at the Western and Southern Open,

As a sport,tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inquality and social injustice that once again has been thrust to the forefront in USA.The USTA,ATP Tour and WTA Tour have decided to recognize this moment in time by pauzing tournament on Thursday August 27th.
Play will resume Friday August 28th.

 

[Hoergren]

It will be interesting to see if the Americans change their minds about coloured people - and this time I'm very pessimistic. To me USA has developed (might be the wrong word) into a full scale banana republic. You Americans have to do a lot of rethinking about: Guns, social laws, tax, education, health care -and a good way to do that is to look at the Scandinavian countries and how they have built up a society -THAT works.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Statement from Naomi Osaka,

"However after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA,I have agreed at their request to play on Friday".

Naomi will compete in her rearranged s/final against Elise Mertens Friday August 28th.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Bummer,

Both ladies s/finals will be played at the same time,starting at 11am Friday 28th August,

Grandstand

Naomi Osaka vs Elise Mertens

Court 10

Johanna Konta vs Victoria Azarenka.

 

[Moxie]

I think my favorite final would be Osaka v. Azarenka.

 

[Moxie]

 

[Moxie]

So, what's wrong with the above schedule? First, as @MargaretMcAleer rightfully complained, the women's matches are being played simultaneously. Second, neither is being played on Armstrong. It can't be about the way they're selling tickets, because they have no tickets to sell. Why can't they play the women's and men's SFs one after the other, and all on Armstrong? I don't see an issue with suitable rest. And aren't they crowding the lorckerrooms, with this schedule, which is non-COVID safe?