Lead-up to the Australian Open

[Moxie]

I just read that Serena has a knee injury, Sharapova pulled out of her tune-up with an arm injury, and Halep also pulled out of hers with a niggling Achilles injury she's been nursing.  Seems that Maria's and Simona's withdrawals are preventative.  Not sure what the word is on Serena, though she doesn't always seem to need a tune-up to be ready for a Major.

 

[Billie]

It doesn't bode well for players to start the new tennis season with injuries.  Hopefully they'll heal in time for AO.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kvitova also picked up a stomach bug and withdrew,she is set to play at Apia International,Sydney where she is the defending champion.

 

In regards to Halep she has been battling achilles tendon problem late last year,she is also set to play Apia International,Sydney,she had a MRI scan,where there was no serious damage.Still she stated she could not run a lot,seeing her game is based around defense,I feel she should skip Sydney and really concentrate for the AO.Halep withdrew last year at Sydney due to injury.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Garbine playing at Brisbane withdrew citing a foot injury,another player also committed to play at Apia International,Sydney next week.

 

[Moxie]

Garbine playing at Brisbane withdrew citing a foot injury,another player also committed to play at Apia International,Sydney next week.

I was wondering what happened.  Thanks for that.  I hope it's nothing serious.  I like her and am hoping she has a big year.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ Garbine said later in her press conference,she may miss playing Sydney,which I feel is a good idea.

 

BTW Ana Ivanovic has accepted a WC into Apia International,Sydney.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Madison Keys withdraws from Sydney,due to a forearm injury she sustained on holiday

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Petra Kvitova.defending Apia International,Sydney defending champion,withdraws,still hasn't fully recovered from the Gastro Bug she picked up in a previous tournament,hopes to come back next year to Sydney.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Aga Radwanska retires from Apia International,Sydney,citing a left leg injury.

 

[Billie]

Not the greatest way to start the season, with all the injuries.

I was able to catch a bit of Brisbane final and Vika seems to be playing well.  She beat Kerber handily.

 

 

[britbox]

Hope Aga's injury is only minor. She's made a good start to the year winning Shenzhen... will be the fourth seed in Oz.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-3391563/Agnieszka-Radwanska-secures-Shenzhen-Open-crown-emphatic-victory-Alison-Riske.html

 

 

[Billie]

^^ It makes sense to be a bit sensible and rest a week before a major.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I cannot remember in the WTA soo many players retiring with injuries before a Major.In saying that I believe many players still have niggling injuries from last year and they have not have the required time to heal them.Remember tennis players do not have a huge off season compared to other sports.Quite frankly looking towards the AO the first Grand Slam of the season,I feel at the present moment,it may be the player who is physically fit,compared to a player that has all the shots that could win the AO.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kerber withdrew from Apia with a Gastro Bug,which did not surprise me as the weather conditions were Hot around 100F on court,she had to take a MTO in her match yesterday against Elina,she won the match in 3 sets.Daria our young Aussie player also withdrew citing a muscle tear in her stomach,she pulled the muscle when competing at the Hopman Cup,she has had issues with this type of injury late last year.

 

[britbox]

Simona Halep had a tough assignment this evening. Came through in the end.

 

[britbox]

Hobart Quarter Finals:

(Q) Kiki Bertens (NED) v (3) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) v (2) Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Winner of Niculescu/Watson v Johanna Larsson (SWE)
(9) Mona Barthel (GER) v (7) Alize Cornet (FRA)

Watson leads 3-1 in the deciding set of the previous round match.

I'm hoping the Pocket Rocket (Cibulkova) can come through and take this title.

 

[britbox]

Sydney Semi Finals:

B.Bencic v M.Puig
S.Halep v S.Kuznetsova

I haven't seen any matches but reports suggest Simona Halep is hitting the ground running in preparation for the AO. Was a little surprised Puig took out Stosur but Sam can't seem to put it together in front of her home fans in Oz.

 

[britbox]

Are you attending any matches in Sydney @MargaretMcAleer ?

 

[Billie]

Are you in Sydney Margaret?  Please post your impressions if you went to see live tennis.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I have attended some matches in Sydney.I really enjoyed the match between Halep v Pliskova last year's finalist at Sydney.There was a big concern regarding Halep who still feels pain in her achilles tendon though so far her movement has been great,she creates great angles on court off both wings,her bhand I feel is her best shot.Pliskova who is a tall player needs to work on her overall court movement,though she has a great fluid serve,I would like her to introduce some spin,she is a very strong flat hitter of the ball,having spin in her game,gives her more variety,especially on her serve.

I wanted to watch Grigor v Dolly,then Halep v Sveta though Sydney experienced violent thunderstorms,which halted play many times in their match,both players decided they will continue their match on Friday morning.Conditions improved for the Halep v Sveta match,I have always been a great fan of Sveta,though the weather gods had other idea's and their match was suspended.

Grigor v Dolly match,Halep v Sveta will continue their matches on Friday morning around 10.30am Sydney time,Tomic's q/final match will also have to be played,his match was due after Halep v Sveta's match.Tomic could be looking to play 2 matches on Friday.

 

It is raining very heavy at the moment in Sydney,Friday 15th of January,if the rain dosent ease,quite frankly I cannot see any of the suspended matches being played.This will be a nightmare situation for the organizers at Sydney,as the AO starts on the 18th of January,I also feel the players cant be too happy either.In saying that we cant control the weather.I feel for the organizers and the players in their present predicament.