Could it really be …

… that dootsiez, the ultimate WTA-ranter, dismissive of the utter neurosis that defines women’s tennis these days, is actually enjoying, no, loving(!) the WTA?

 

Having had a full day to ponder over last night’s thrilling semifinal between Safina and Venus, I’ve come to a realisation that all is not lost on the women’s tour. In fact, things are just starting to spice up. 

 

We’ve already seen the names of a few newbies floating around: the mentally questionable Caroline Wozniacki, the biggest server not named Williams – Sabine Lisicki, and of course the much raved Sharapova No 2 – Victoria Azarenka. Hell, let’s throw in Suarez Navarro too. I missed her run at the Aus Open because of my vacation, but after watching her through the early clay court season, I do admit the girl has the potential to wow. Though she doesn’t do it consistently enough.

 

After much of the initial excitement has passed, it’s sobering to realise that these newbies are still babies, and babies with flaws and unrealised potential at that. Take Caroline Woz for example, I’m concerned about her ability to perform on the big stage. She’s failing to live up to her potential even in Tier II finals this year, let alone at the grand slam level. Victoria Azarenka, on the other hand, does look like the kinda player who performs well on the big stage, but she’s faced with a unique dilemma of her biggest potential also being her biggest downfall, and that is – her rage. When Vika gets angry, two things may happen: 1) she converts her rage into productive energy and starts pummeling her opponent into oblivion, 2) she alienates the crowd, sulks like a moody teenager, and let the match slip away in a fit of mental explosion. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how she manages her anger over the next year or so. 

 

Doubts aside, newbies, the fact that they exist, makes life exciting. Things could happen. Possibilities abound. And the WTA is all the better for it. Bring on the newbies I say.

 

Image Credit: Taipei Times

 

And what about the current generation of contenders? Safina, our much vilified World No 1, played to a level of tennis worthy of the No 1 spot yesterday against Venus. Venus, in all honesty, played quite well, but Safina just rose to a whole new level of mental toughness. It was the kind of stuff we saw from her at Roland Garros last year – the fighter Safina, not the pathetic escape artist of the Australian Open. After going down 5-2 in the first set, Safina called on her coach, a little episode which has been a regular feature of her matches these days. “Vot are you doinggg?” scolded Zejlko. His advice was simple (or the bits I could make out from the on-court mics was anyway) – play aggressive, don’t try to hit winners from the back of the court, start stepping into the baseline, and clear the net more on her groundstrokes. Miraculously, Safina walks back on the court and executes exactly that. Like the click of a finger – Zeljko says, Safina does. Can’t be that simple, can it? 

 

Perhaps all this talk over her being undeserving of the No 1 spot has injected some sense of purpose into Safina’s game, in any case, keep playing like that and she could very well win Roland Garros. As I am writing this, Safina is putting on a dominating performance in the Rome final, and looking set to win (5-2 second set). Other Roland Garros contenders should be glad that on-court coaching is not allowed at grand slams. 

 

And on the other player in the semifinal – Venus Williams: Not known for her clay court prowess generally, there is much to be said about the idea that Venus is a ‘dark horse’, if she could ever be considered as such, on this red stuff. Here are some revealing stats, courtesy of Fangirlandia, also known as TennisForum/MTF.

 

(08) Venus ——- 0 RG, 1 RG final, 2 T1, 4 T2, 2 T3
(03) Serena —— 1 RG, 0 RG final, 1 T1, 0 T2, 0 T3
(02) Ivanovic —- 1 RG, 1 RG final, 1 T1, 0 T2, 0 T3
(03) Safina —— 0 RG, 1 RG final, 1 T1, 0 T2, 0 T3
(05) Jankovic —- 0 RG, 0 RG final, 3 T1, 0 T2, 1 T3
(01) Kuznetsova — 0 RG, 1 RG final, 0 T1, 1 T2, 0 T3

 

So that brings the total number of clay court career titles for Venus to 8 (most of those won after 2004), compared to Jankovic 4, Serena and Ivanovic with 2 each,  Safina and Kuznetsova on 1 each, (excluding tournaments lower than Tier III). Still think she’s not much of a clay courter? A clay courter she may or may not be, but Venus Williams is one hell of a tennis player. that’s for sure. Congrats on rising to No 3 (oh yeth..) this week!

 

And what of the finalist in Rome this week – Kuznetsova? Is this the sudden return to form we’ve all forgotten to wish for? In a freaktastic world, we would watch the likes of Davydenko and Kuznetsova play amazing tennis, win major titles, and appreciate them thoroughly. These two underrated, and often-forgotten players. But knowing that the tennisworld ain’t actually as freaktastic as it appears to be, I won’t get my hopes up. Still, nice to see her back in the winner’s circle. 

 

Ayee, too long a rant. More on the WTA another day. Now that you know where my premature optimism is flowing from.

 

Tada my loverlies.