posted Jan 21, 2008

promotionabc, honestly most of the Williams games have been boring and really poor tennistically, that's the main reason for me to hope that it won't be a sisters affair

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posted Jan 21, 2008

ShatteredHand

Thanks for the photos!
I watched Marta's match with Venus and her pre-match interview and I'm a fan!I hope she will further progress.She just didn't have enough experience to capitalise on the free points that Venus was dishing out.
Yes ShatteredHand,Marta,from what I've seen may be a part of that sparkling future!

Andy1073

I really don't see why we cannot have a combination of exceptional talent and ' nice smiles ' without being accused of ' lusting '.
If your intimation is that I find beautiful women attractive and pleasant to look at then I plead guilty!
The specific women to which I refer,Daniela Hantuchova,Maria Sharapova,Ana Ivanovic,Jelena Jankovic and Agnieszka Radwanska all happen to be in the last eight ,as the title of this thread states,of the AO.
If it were down to me to pick the last eight I would have included Maria Kirilenko,Nicole Vaidisova and Elena Dementieva and withdrawn Justine,Venus and Serena.
Neglectfully,the powers that be didn't approach me for my point of view so,tragically, we only have five of my preferred final eight.
Andy1073,thats the way it has worked out and no matter how many accusations you throw my way I didn't set it up!
I repeat,if I had there would be other competitors in the final eight.Adversaries who can undertake amazing tennis and at the same time smile and look totally gorgeous!

I will not apologise to you or anyone else for finding great pleasure in viewing exceptionally talented,professional,beautiful women undertaking their highly competent business.
So in many cases there can be a superb combination of ' nice smiles and quality tennis '.
If its beautiful women who can provide this combination, then I say bring it very much on and the more the merrier,the sooner the better!

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posted Jan 21, 2008

Andy1073, totally agree with what you’re saying about conosu2. On the QF match-ups there seems to be some exciting matches coming our way. I wouldn't write off Jankovic just yet. Serena could punish her serve, but Jankovic gets a lot of balls back which could prove tricky for Serena. The Maria vs. Justine match is going to be good. Sharapova seems to be in good shape, whilst Justine doesn't look quite at her best, however I still think Justine will win. I expect Venus to beat Ivanovic in three tough sets. Hantachova will beat Radwanska. I will most probably be wrong, oh well...

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posted Jan 21, 2008

****
I really don't see why we cannot have a combination of exceptional talent and ' nice smiles ' without being accused of ' lusting '.
If your intimation is that I find beautiful women attractive and pleasant to look at then I plead guilty!
****

Nothing at all against you finding beautiful women attractive - I find them attractive myself (though I personally find Sharapova phenomenally overrated in the beauty stakes)

What I do object to is you trying to dress up your desire to have only players you fancy in the final as being for the future development of tennis

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posted Jan 21, 2008

Henin Vs Sharapova - this match will be decided on whether Sharapova can get the big hit in early in the rally. if so it will be us open 2006 - 6 - 4, 6 - 4, if not then i fancy justine henin's stamina to take it to a 3 setter and win.

Jankovic vs S Williams - there really only going to be one winner here i think. Serena has too much power for jankovic although with her defence she may push it to a three.

Ivanovic vs V Williams - the younger serb takes on the elder williams. this is similar to the henin sharapova match but both need to serve well and get the first big hit in. (whats the strapping about on Venus thigh? does anyone know?) too close to call this one. but based on previous results. williams in 3

Hantuchova vs Radwanska is interesting as both are the surprise packages, but Radwanska has been more convincing so i go with her in straight sets.

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posted Jan 21, 2008

Henin v Sharapova: Henin to win in 3 sets
Serena v Jankovic: Serena in straight sets
Venus v Ivanovic: Venus in straight sets
Hantuchova v Radwanska: Hantuchova in straight sets

Tip for final:
Venus v either Serena or Justine

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posted Jan 21, 2008

A Serena/Venus final would turn the clock back to 2002/03 when all we seemed to have,all the time at all the majors was that line-up final.
Justine Henin? And the same applies over the last few years.Justine's invariably appeared in a major final.
I believe in moving forward and looking to the future.
I perceive,no matter how well they may be playing,Justine,Serena and Venus to represent the past.Perhaps not so far back as the recently clamoured for by many posters,Lyndsay Davenport,but of that ilk.
Thats as I see it, a mentally sterile and psychologically passe generation.
I'm yearning for a change, especially as these young players are so close to the prize.
I'm not alone.Check out 'The best looking female tennis player' thread! Almost 100 contributions last time I looked.
Underpinning that thread is a need,recognised by the posters or not,for what I am explaining on this thread,
I believe there is simply no comparison between the attitudes of say, Ana Ivanovic and Serena Williams.
One is without a scrap of baggage,sparkling,full of optimism,open,spirited,full of life!
The other isn't.
Serena,Venus and Justine know in their heart of hearts this major,is for them ,one of the last throws of the die.
And of course credit to them,using every part of their considerable experience to see them through.Staving off for maybe the very last time,inevitable progress.
For be in no way under any misapprehension:What I am writing here today may be previous,the next few days will confirm that or not, but what I am writing here today I can guarantee I will be writing the very same words, with maybe two or three extra young people included, over the coming months for the following majors and as sure as eggs are eggs eventually it will happen!
The players I've mentioned have got this far by great talent and I simply want to see them go those extra few kilometers and make a final and win!
Such an eventuality would start to move matters on from the repetitive nature of these last few years and perhaps partially open the floodgates and be a great incentive for more of the younger players like Caroline Wozniacki, Marta Domachoweska and many others.
These are but some of the reasons I wish to see a final bereft of the 'old school', no matter how talented and deserving many posters believe them to be.
I'm looking for a start,a foundation and Maria, Ana, JJ, Agnieszka, Daniela, Anna Chakvetadze and the rest will sooner or later deliver.

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posted Jan 22, 2008

Here were my notes on the Sharapova versus Henin 1/4 match. Firstly, i don't think that Henin has looked at all impressive in Melbourne and she has only had one quality opponent (imo) - Schiavone. Henin's ragged form
goes back to Sydney. Though Justine normally raises her level in the Slams, i haven't seen such
an extended run of (comparatively) weak performances from her for years. Some the serving has been terrible, to be honest.
It's just that Henin's opponents have not been able to fully take advantage of these weaknesses. Sharapova, though, is like a shark when it comes to exploiting weakness - and especially brittleness on serve. I can't see Henin getting away with with poor serving versus Maria. And continually breaking Maria (who has been serving extremely well) is going to a big ask,
imo.


Sharpova, i feel, is the form player of the tournament, and by a margin. I've said it before - even with the shoulder problems, her overall game had
already *improved* last year - her movement (see Tour Championships final) has improved out of sight since 2004/2005, and forehand had become far more secure - and powerful. It seems that Michael Joyce and her team worked hard these two parts of her game during 2007, even though her shoulder was limiting the effectiveness of her serving (not at San Diego, it has to be said).


I don't quite agree (as is often claimed) that Sharapova lacks variety (now).... critically, she uses (acute, short) angles far more when hitting off the ground, rather than simply hitting with depth (i.e. down the length of the court). Sharapova's use of angle repeatedly took Hnein out of the court in the Tour
Championships final, and prevented Henin from getting the first strike on the ball (a very common feature of their previous matches), thus repeatedly neutralised rallies. I get the feeling that knows how to play Henin far better now. Also, Sharapova is far more confident moving forward and finishing the point off on the (drive or conventional) volley. Maria used to look rather nervous, fearful of the passing shots when playing Henin and Serena, specifically.


Technically, Sharapova has improved her game more than Henin has imoroved hers in the last three years - but she (Sharapova) had a weaker base from which to work. Henin's greatest improvement has been playing points better, which i think is one Sharapova greatest (and instinctual) strength. Sharapova gives you very little for free - you have to earn it. Unless Henin wakes up a new player today, i see Sharapova edging the match,
maybe as straightforwardly as 6-4 6-4.

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posted Jan 22, 2008

Sharapova is indeed playing much better than she did a year ago. Henin seems to be on her way out!

Maria leads 6-4, 3-0....

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