Madrid 2013 03-12May

[SingleBackhand]

Useful links:

Mutua Marid Open

Womens Single Draw

Madrid, key in deciding the WTA No.1 spot.

The best clay courts in the world

The WTA Players

Discuss the tournament and the matches

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Yay!

The one we have been so patiently waiting for.

Should I remind you all who the defending Champion is?

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I am excited to see the draw for this event. The fun one will be where Vika lands and how she will return in regard to form. Li will also be the other one to watch in terms of placement.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Here is how Masha can overtake Serena as #1

If Serena.....Maria Needs
1r------------------3r

2r------------------1/4

3r------------------1/2

1/4-----------------1/2

1/2-----------------F

F-------------------W

W------------------ No Chance

---

Serena better not lose early.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Or show the list to Masha lol ! Serena has been on the red clay practicing since April 25th, so she should be feeling good about her movement at the very least from what she tweeted.

 

[Calvy]

Here is how Masha can overtake Serena as #1

If Serena.....Maria Needs
1r------------------3r

2r------------------1/4

3r------------------1/2

1/4-----------------1/2

1/2-----------------F

F-------------------W

W------------------ No Chance

---

Serena better not lose early.

---

If she loses early, aside from the ranking, doesn't change much in the whole scheme of things.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Yeah Maria and Serena will still be on opposite sides of the draw for the French. Serena will also probably regain the ranking after the French anyway. I fully expect her to do better than the first round this year, and Masha has to defend.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

If she loses early, aside from the ranking, doesn't change much in the whole scheme of things.

Obviously that's your opinion, don't tell that to Masha!

---

Yeah Maria and Serena will still be on opposite sides of the draw for the French. Serena will also probably regain the ranking after the French anyway. I fully expect her to do better than the first round this year, and Masha has to defend.

You are going too fast there, there is Rome in between, 900 point event that Masha is defending.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I hate the layout for this tournament's website!

---

If she loses early, aside from the ranking, doesn't change much in the whole scheme of things.

Obviously that's your opinion, don't tell that to Masha!

---

Yeah Maria and Serena will still be on opposite sides of the draw for the French. Serena will also probably regain the ranking after the French anyway. I fully expect her to do better than the first round this year, and Masha has to defend.

You are going too fast there, there is Rome in between, 900 point event that Masha is defending.

---

I know, but again like I said before I trust Maria to make it farther in a clay tournament before I trust Serena to do it. She should definitely reclaim number 1 after the French for sure as Maria is defending and can't really add from here on out until Wimbledon. Serena definitely needs a strong showing this clay season as well as at the French. I trust her to repeat Wimbledon and perhaps defend a title or two this summer. The big one will be the US Open and will she keep her focus that long.

 

[Hoergren]

Another high on the WTA tour - Madrid. As Serena so is Caroline practising on red clay - here photographed with Manolo Santana - a former Spanish tennis icon - to the left - don't know who the other guy is. Caro looks fine I think:

[/u]

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Ugh, hurry up with the draw already!

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

If she loses early, aside from the ranking, doesn't change much in the whole scheme of things.

So, losing the #1 ranking in early clay season doesn't matter!

It will matter if Serena loses early in FO 2013...

 

[Calvy]

If she loses early, aside from the ranking, doesn't change much in the whole scheme of things.

So, losing the #1 ranking in early clay season doesn't matter!

It will matter if Serena loses early in FO 2013...

I'm sure her main objective is winning the FO. I'd bet if you asked her, what's more important, holding on to number 1 after Madrid or winning the FO, she'd choose the FO.

Unlike other former number 1's, her main objective is slam accumulation.

 

[10isfan]

I am excited to see the draw for this event. The fun one will be where Vika lands and how she will return in regard to form. Li will also be the other one to watch in terms of placement.

Vika's injury was ankle tendinitis which typically takes many weeks to subside. I am not sure she will get far at this tournament. In addition, clay is not where she shines. I think Serena, Pova, and Li are the top contenders here.

 

[jhar26]

If she loses early, aside from the ranking, doesn't change much in the whole scheme of things.

So, losing the #1 ranking in early clay season doesn't matter!

It will matter if Serena loses early in FO 2013...

I'm sure her main objective is winning the FO. I'd bet if you asked her, what's more important, holding on to number 1 after Madrid or winning the FO, she'd choose the FO.

Unlike other former number 1's, her main objective is slam accumulation.

Well, she can't win the FO in Madrid, so while she's there I'm sure she'll try to win that one as well.

 

[Calvy]

If she loses early, aside from the ranking, doesn't change much in the whole scheme of things.

So, losing the #1 ranking in early clay season doesn't matter!

It will matter if Serena loses early in FO 2013...

I'm sure her main objective is winning the FO. I'd bet if you asked her, what's more important, holding on to number 1 after Madrid or winning the FO, she'd choose the FO.

Unlike other former number 1's, her main objective is slam accumulation.

Well, she can't win the FO in Madrid, so while she's there I'm sure she'll try to win that one as well.

I agree, but, I think Kui is confused at what is her main objective. Number 1 is great, but in the end she most covets winning that French.

 

[10isfan]

The draw is out.

http://www.wtatennis.com/singles-draws/tournamentId/1479/round/1/rangeStart/1/rangeEnd/16

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

The draw is out.

http://www.wtatennis.com/singles-draws/tournamentId/1479/round/1/rangeStart/1/rangeEnd/16

Vika ended up in Serena's half along with Li, Caro, Venus and Sara

Masha's half has Kerber, Aggie, Stosur, JJ and Ana.

Score board here:
http://www.wtatennis.com/singles-draws/tournamentId/1479/type/LS/title/mutua-madrid-open

Qualifying rounds already started.
Petko and BMS are going at it.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

It is pretty top heavy! Though this is the exact type of draw Serena will have to play through if she wants to win the French again!

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

It is pretty top heavy!

I think so too.
I see many(Li, Vika, Venus, Caro) in the top of the draw that can bother Serena but only Petra and Sabine in the bottom that can bother Masha.

We have a potential Li vs Venus second rounder.
And we have some juicy first rounders like Vesnina vs. Bartoli and Vika vs. Pavly.
I will not be surprised much if Sara loses in the first round.