AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2019 - Ladies Singles and Doubles discussion thread

[Sallydaisy]

Thread for discussing the Ladies Events at the Australian Open 2019.
So, that's singles and doubles.

[Hawkeye]

Harriet gets double-bagelled...

[Alis]

Oh dear - poor Harriet. That won't do her confidence much good.:sad:

[Sallydaisy]

First shock is Danielle Collins beating 14th seed Julia Goerges.

Harriet Dart and Heather Watson both lost their R1 matches.
Katie Boulter won hers though so that's a bit of decent news.

[JAMES4578]

Surprise at Georges going out, though Collins had scalps before. Katie Boulter beat Makarova in final set breaker,good win! Dart and Watson heavily defeated unfortunately, Harriet had tougher ask but bit of a demoralising defeat against Sharapova.

[patlowe]

I see Ostapenko lost today too. Beaten by Sakkari. Osta not really done much since she won her first slam in Paris in 2017.

[cazza99]

The Age (https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-fans-evicted-after-tussle-over-sweaty-headband-20190117-p50ru4.html) - 'It went on for about five minutes': Australian Open fans evicted after tussle over sweaty headband

[goldfish]

Well done Harriet winning R1 doubles with Kontaveit

[JAMES4578]

Defending champ Caroline Wozniacki went down 6-3 in 3rd to Sharapova, though more surprised that Sabalenka who many tipped to go far was drubbed 6-3,6-2 by Anisimova.

[patlowe]

Amanda Anisimova has really been a surprise this week. On Twitter she called it her 'dream week'. Kvitová next for her though! Another American doing really well is Danielle Collins, who will be facing Kerber next.

[patlowe]

Kvitová just too much for Anisimova. However, Danielle Collins! Wow! What a tournament she is having, taking out Kerber for the loss of only 2 games. I wonder what happened to Angie? And kudos to Ash Barty for taking out Shrieky. When I saw that result I fairly let out a big whoop. Shrieky not too pleasant in her post match presser either, refusing to answer some of the questions, though for me the jury is out as to whether some of the questions asked were silly. She had taken a 7 minute bathroom break and on her return to the court, she was booed. She was asked how she felt about being booed; no answer. She was then basically asked how she felt physically without taking meldonium (ouch! journo no survival instincts asking that one?) and of course no answer.
Stephens and Pavlyuchenka still playing!

[RoastLamb]

Really pleased for Ash Barty. She's my fave player on the ladies' side. Love her style of play, love the fact she doesn't scream or go crazy, and she's not a robot like Shriekapova. AND I adore the pink and white dress she's wearing. It reminds me of the balloons scene in Mary Poppins Returns.

[banskogirl]

Really pleased for Ash Barty. She's my fave player on the ladies' side. Love her style of play, love the fact she doesn't scream or go crazy, and she's not a robot like Shriekapova. AND I adore the pink and white dress she's wearing. It reminds me of the balloons scene in Mary Poppins Returns.

Agree with everything you're said RL!! The outfit reminded me of that too :)

[JAMES4578]

Certainly some result for Danielle Collins, though wonder just what happended to Kerber that she made so little impression. Angie was not defending champion though as that was Wozniacki, good win for Barty over sharapova even if fav on rankings (with Maria not able to follow up the upset) and do like her style. She wil next face Petra kvitova next (good to see the czech in the latter stages of a slam again). Disappoointed Sloane Stephens out though, fell away somewhat after taking first and went down to Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 in 3rd.

[patlowe]

Certainly some result for Danielle Collins, though wonder just what happended to Kerber that she made so little impression. Angie was not defending champion though as that was Wozniacki, good win for Barty over sharapova even if fav on rankings (with Maria not able to follow up the upset) and do like her style. She wil next face Petra kvitova next (good to see the czech in the latter stages of a slam again). Disappointed Sloane Stephens out though, fell away somewhat after taking first and went down to Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 in 3rd.

Oops! Silly me! Of course it was Wozniaki who won last year. Sorry folks, and thanks for reminding me James. Don't know where my head was!

[JAMES4578]

Simona Halep made it a battle after first set drubbng but Serena Williams puts out the current world no1 6-1,4-6,6-4. Was hoping Simona could do it but not really surprised-halep only has 1 win over her now in 10 meetings, Osaka beat Sevastova 6-4in the 3rd whilst Pliskova crushed Muguruza 6-3,6-1.

[Sallydaisy]

LADIES SINGLES 4TH ROUND

Monday 21st January
Osaka (4) d Sevastova (13)
Williams (16) d Halep (1)
Svitolina (6) d Keys (17)
Pliskova (7) d Muguruza (18)

Sunday 20th January
Kvitova (8) d Anisimova
Barty (15) d Sharapova (30)
Pavlyuchenkova d Stephens (5)
Collins d Kerber (2)

OOP - Tuesday 22nd January, QUARTER-FINALS
RLA n/b 2.30pm local time
Pavlyuchenkova v Collins
RLA n/b 7pm local time
Kvitova (8) v Barty (15)

[patlowe]

So if Serena and Naomi O both win their QF, we will have another Williams/Osaka match. Cool!

[Sallydaisy]

So if Serena and Naomi O both win their QF, we will have another Williams/Osaka match. Cool!
Yes. It'd be a Semi-Final ...
On Wednesday the QF matches are:-
Osaka (4) v Svitolina (6)
Williams (16) v Pliskova (7)

[Alis]

Oh, crikey - Williams v Osaka in the semis - that could be explosive! I really hope facing Serena on the other side of the net doesn't faze Naomi too much.

[david1610]

Oh, crikey - Williams v Osaka in the semis - that could be explosive! I really hope facing Serena on the other side of the net doesn't faze Naomi too much.
I normally enjoy watching Serena when she is on form, but if this happens, part of me would love Naomi to soundly beat Serena. I felt so sorry for Naomi because what happened last time meant that one of the best days of her life was spoilt through no fault of her own and she did not deserve that.

[Hawkeye]

Danielle Collins' amazing run continues, after she comes from losing a one-sided first set to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

[Hawkeye]

Collins will face Petra Kvitova in the semis after the Czech knocked out the last of Australia's singles representatives, Ashleigh Barty.

[JAMES4578]

Kvitova with convincing 6-1,6-4 win and into her first Grand slam semi since Wimbledon in 2014, should be fav against Collins though obviously American with great run and their only previous meeting in Brisbane recently resulted in a tight win for Petra.

[RoastLamb]

Sigh. Sad Ash lost but I do like Kvitová. Would be great to see her win the whole thing actually.

[Hawkeye]

Four match points weren't enough for Serena as she loses to Karolina Pliskova, 6-4 4-6 7-5. Pliskova came back from 5-1 down in the decider, after Serena had come from a set and a break down.

Naomi Osaka easily won the other quarter, 6-4 6-1.

[JAMES4578]

Pliskova played some great tennis to fight back with 6 successive games-well done! Williams rolled her ankle on the first match point at 5-1 though played it down later on, Serena's serve though fell apart somewhat in the vital stages. Straightforward for Osaka ,Svitolina had injury time out for shoulder at 3-0 down in 2nd.

[patlowe]

I'm so very very happy for PlÃ*Å¡ková! (And me!!) :swingin:

[patlowe]

There is a fascinating women's doubles SF on court now. Stosur and Zhang took the first set after trailing 1-5, much to the delight of the crowd.

[karanga]

Well done Pliskova and Kvitomva. :swingin:

[JAMES4578]

There is a fascinating women's doubles SF on court now. Stosur and Zhang took the first set after trailing 1-5, much to the delight of the crowd.

Stosur/Zhang won 7-5 in 3rd,put out top seeds Krejcikova/Siniakova in QF and will face 2nd seeds Babos/Mladenovic in final .

[RoastLamb]

Ugh, well, I went to bed when it was 5-1 Serena funnily enough. Basically I just couldn't stomach Chris Evert slobbering all over Serena etc. Imagine my surprise this morning. :lol:

[Rosalind]

Ugh, well, I went to bed when it was 5-1 Serena funnily enough. Basically I just couldn't stomach Chris Evert slobbering all over Serena etc. Imagine my surprise this morning. :lol:

Just catching up. I fast forwarded at 5-1 and then re-wound when the recording went on and on. I had always enjoyed watching Serena from time to time due to her undoubted talent until the final of US open. Never again.

[Hawkeye]

After winning a close first set, Petra Kvitova runs away with the second set to reach the final. 7-6 6-0.

The second semi is currently into a deciding set.

[Hawkeye]

Naomi Osaka reaches the final with a 6-2 4-6 6-4 win over Karolina Pliskova.

[JAMES4578]

Well done to Petra and Naomi! Kvitova with chance to take 3rd slam and Osaka 2nd consecutive one and the winner will take over as world no 1! Petra admitted to being nervous in opening stages whilst Collins kept under pressure, however once the czech took breaker stormed away to victory. Collins was not happy that the roof was closed at 4 all due to heat at 4 all and became to err too much whilst Kvitova moved up a gear. Osaka had battle with Pliskova after winning first fairly comfortably,however far stronger overall in the winners/errors ratio.

[patlowe]

For a change, what a super match the women's final promises to be. Love them both and really don't mind which one wins. Each has her own case to be the winner. Really looking forward to this one.

[JAMES4578]

Whilst I'd be happy enough with either winning think I'd prefer Kvitova to take it (Petra might have more chances but Osaka likely has a long career ahead of her)

[Jan]

Whilst I'd be happy enough with either winning think I'd prefer Kvitova to take it (Petra might have more chances but Osaka likely has a long career ahead of her)
Agreed!
And this is definitely one I'd choose to watch, as opposed to some others I could mention!

[suttontennis]

Agreed!
And this is definitely one I'd choose to watch, as opposed to some others I could mention!

Petra is one of the few players who can match Osaka's power. Petra also seems fitter than she has been in the past, normally by the 3rd set her asthma causes her problems. Should be a good match between two of the (apparently) more engaging personalities on the ladies tour.

[RoastLamb]

Awww I was so hoping for an all-Czech final. Oh well! I really hope Petra wins!

I must say it was nice not hearing so much screaming. None of the semi-finalists made too much noise at all except Petra after winning a game. So refreshing. See! It CAN be done!!!

[banskogirl]

Looking forward to the ladies final and don't say that very often!

[goldfish]

Very torn -would like Petra to win because of her history, would like Naomi to win so she could enjoy winning a slam without controversy. Good luck to both lovely ladies.

[patlowe]

Stosur/Zhang won 7-5 in 3rd,put out top seeds Krejcikova/Siniakova in QF and will face 2nd seeds Babos/Mladenovic in final .

And Stosur/Zhang (unseeded) won the final. Sam's (and Zhang's) first Aussie slam title. Well done them.

[JAMES4578]

Great for Stosur and Zhang, took the totle with a convincing 6-3,6-4 win-well done!

[RoastLamb]

Really enjoyed the women's dubs final. Such high quality! Nice to see an Aussie win. And there's an Aussie in the men's dubs final too.

[patlowe]

Really enjoyed the women's dubs final. Such high quality! Nice to see an Aussie win. And there's an Aussie in the men's dubs final too.

And there are 2 Aussie wildcards in the mixed final too! Sharma and Smith who beat Jamie and Bethanie.

[lynne]

The Very Best of Luck Petra!!!:thumbup:

[supergran]

Really like them both but I'm Team Petra today.

[lovetennis]

Oo this is turning into a real battle. Love them both but would really like Petra to win. One set all

[JAMES4578]

certainly entertaining contest and was great fightback from Kvitova to take 2nd but Osaka ultimately stronger in the end as she takes decider 6-4. Pity for Petra but gave it best shot, well done Naomi in winning 2nd consecutive slam!

[RosieBear]

Congrats to Naomi including the no 1 ranking, she did so well to re-group and nice that she can enjoy this moment properly. Bad luck to Petra, flashes of her A-game but couldn't keep the momentum going into the decider. For me it was a gripping encounter, but too patchy to be a classic match as moments when they both playing peak tennis at the same time were rare.

[JAMES4578]

Both players said they were not thinking too much about the no1 ranking but obviously great for Osaka and proved to be tough mentally. Just pity that Petra could not quite find the level to match Naomi in crucial stages of 1st and 3rd. Hopefully she will have a shot in other slams but anyway still done well to reach final here (after poor slam results in 2018 even though she won 5 titles)

[Jan]

Well done Naomi!!! :bravo:

[patlowe]

Intriguing match. A few twists and turns here and there. Gallant Petra; she hung in there but just couldn't find the level she needed and indeed is capable of. However, a great comeback this year winning Sydney and reaching the final of the AO and I believe she will win another slam soon. I'm glad it went to a third set. I was really curious to see how Naomi would react after the setback of losing the 2nd set. I think she really proved herself today in the manner she took the 3rd set by the scruff of the neck; she didn't crumble as she did a bit when serving for the match in the 2nd. That young lady has a glorious future ahead and should go a long way. She has all the attributes. Thank you Petra and Naomi for giving us an entertaining match played in a very sporting manner with no histrionics and no ugly shrieking.

[lovetennis]

Glad it went to 3 sets. Petra did so well to take the 2nd but Naomi showed real character to finish it in the 3rd. Really happy for her to be able to cement her grand slam status, after her US victory was spoiled by you know who. Well done to Petra too, she could surely win another GS

[Alis]

I really enjoyed the match. For once I didn't care who won - they both have intriguing back stories. Well done to both ladies and I totally agree with you about the lack of screeching and histrionics, Pat - so refreshing!

[RoastLamb]

That was a great match!!! Sad that Petra lost but Naomi has nerves of STEEL! Glad that Petra took the second set when Naomi had so many match points. Good going, ladies! AND NO SHRIEKING!!! :yahoo: