THE LATEST TENNIS NEWS FROM SINGAPORE – KVITOVA BEATS SAFAROVA 7-5,7-5, MUGURUZA BEATS KERBER 6-4,6-4 GLOBAL CHICK’S SINGAPORE SCENARIO NOODLING – WEDNESDAY WONDERINGS AT THE WTA FINALS

It really was one of those days. Would the Czech leftie, in the white and purple, wielding a Wilson please step forward… oh… wait!

 

That’s right – we started with the battle of the Fed Cup Team-mates, dressed in identical kit, waving Wilson racquets… thank heavens last night was not Singapore Sling night….We really would have thought we were seeing double!

 

Let’s be under no illusions – for both, already sporting first round defeats this really was a must win. With the pair matching each other (and we mean matching each other – lefties, outfits, racquet sponsors) blow for blow, it was going to be a slim margin that separated them in the first set. As it turned out, it was just a tiny breakthrough that made the difference as Kvitova edged the first set 7-5.

 

As we rubbed out eyes in surprise watching her break out a Coke (remember, other cola brands are available… they just taste horrible), she proceeded to watch the next three games go adrift, and for a spell it looked like we were heading for another three setter.

 

It was an impressive turnaround for the No. 1 Czech though as she ran off four games on the bounce and was suddenly the one piling on the pressure, eventually breaking again for the match for a 7-5 7-5 win.

 

Acknowledging that even their practices can be quite tight, Kvitova summed up what had made the difference:

 

“I think in the last game she missed two forehands down the line. I think that’s her best shot. So probably that helped me in that game. But really tough to say. I mean, always when it’s really tight, the sets, you going to try to keep to putting as many balls in and just try and wait what going to happen.”

 

Both admitted it was tough to play each other, but they at least will join forces when they face Russia in the Fed Cup.

 

Meanwhile, after Singapore Fried Rice for dinner, it was time for Garbiñe Muguruza and Angelique Kerber. This really had all the groundmarks of being a three set epic. Add to that the fact that new-improved-recipe Muguruza has really turned the tables on Kerber this year owning her in their last three encounters, we thought we’d be having late nights, raiding the hotel snack bars – the works.

 

The result – the mini-bar bill is intact as the German was dispatched in two albeit squeaky-tight sets, but Muguruza is looking very good to come out of this group on top.

 

Things started well for Muguruza, and although she lost her early break advantage, she picked up the pressure again at the end of the set, nudging the lead.

 

Kerber never stops fighting though, and even after dropping a game in the second set, she clawed her way back, and Muguruza decided to toy with her a little, throwing in a double-fault, as you do, with three match points behind her. She was excellent at the net today – and there is a quiet buzz that we are cruising for a potential Muguruza/Sharapova final if the tennis gods care anything for us at all, as she rounded out her 6-4 6-4 win over the German.

 

Kerber said: I think it was a good match from both of us. It was a close one in the first, and in the second set I had my chances. I couldn’t take it in the first set and as well in the second set.

 

“I was coming back in the second set. I was trying to play until the last point. Again, I was fighting, like I’m always doing. But she was more aggressive in the important moments. I think that was the key at the end for the match.”

 

She continued: “I think she played a good year. I mean, she reached the top 10, top 5 right now. But I think right now she had a lot of confidence from the last few weeks, and I think that helps her like to be very confident in the important moment and just go for it. I think that’s why she is so dangerous right now.”

 

Muguruza said: “I’m feeling very good. You never know how it’s going to go here when you come first time. For sure I’m very happy of how is it going.

 

“Hopefully I can keep playing like this. It’s great to be here in singles and doubles. I’ve played all the year singles and doubles, singles and doubles, so it’s great to have this payoff being here.”

 

Here comes the science – going into the final matches, there are scenarios for everyone to win, but in reality we are looking at Muguruza and Maria Sharapova being the most in form and the most likely to pick up three wins, with probably Kvitova and Simona Halep rounding out the field… but you never know!

 

It really is still all to play for in both groups but let’s not get all crazy and try and make some fancy league out of this format – we have to resort to shoes and socks off to work this stuff out, and the security have been asked to escort me from the premises if I so much as reach for my Converse laces again.

 

Oh… and one more day to the Great Global SINGAPORE SLING HUNT of 2015. See Ya Soon Tommy ….

Topics: 10sballs.com, Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza, global chick, Lucie Safarova, Petra Kvitova, Singapore tennis, Sports, Tennis News, WTA Finals

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