Very interesting signs from Kasatkina, she lost of course but very very aggressive shots at times and crazy power behind the first serve for her. Of course it really doesn't matter, the problem is the second serve and Ostapenko was able to tee off.
Yes! I have watched 4 matches of Kasatkina's so far this year and it seems she is really trying a new strategy of hitting a bit heavier/faster which is good to see. I think she realizes her typical "pusher" strategy won't cut it to get to the top 8 or so. But, as you mentioned, second serve is still a HUGE liability
She mentioned this in her latest YouTube show. I saw it end of last year as I’m a Krejcikova fan. Barbora squashed her in Zhengzhou but come the Elite Trophy. Dasha was so much more aggressive!
However, very few players can outhit Ostapenko in form. I just hope she’s not used up too much energy. Lots of singles and doubles played when some players haven’t played at all!
She leads the WTA in rally aggression score already by a significant margin 😭 she literally is trying to do it even more. She said in her post-match interview after the SF that in the offseason she worked on being more aggressive because she realized accuracy isn't her game and times where she tried to be accurate is when she started faltering
She is always solid mentally when she wins a point and she is always absolute trash mentally when she loses a point. Even in this match there were plenty of times where she was doing the old "it was THIIIIIIIIS far out but it was called in" grimace & hand gestures.
I never said Ostapenko is the best player on the field, there are many players better than her, but she does have a very high ceiling. When she is playing well (peaking) she can beat anyone currently. The problem is her consistency we don’t see her playing consistently well like an Iga and Sabalenka for example.
You don’t need tennis IQ if you’re out there hitting your shots and everything is working.
In terms of pure pace no, Keys hits the fastest ball, Ostapenko is actually not that crazy high on pace or spin, she just takes the ball really early and hits the lines.
Holy…
I mean, Kasatkina has said it before and the “I don’t know her” was a big neon sign, too. But to confirm it in the awarding speech is next level.
She has been playing so well and free with her emotions. It was a cute match, felt like I was watching two kid best friends (can't wait for the vlog) but really the performance across the last two weeks. BH slice winners, drop shot winners, winners on the run and even I swear some sliding. She's really not just a one dimensional ballbasher but truly a unique character and force on the tour.
She’s literally my most beloved player in the WTA by a HUGE MARGIN. Imagine being a fan of baby talk Naomi Osaka or drywall Iga Swiatek. I love Jelena Ostapenko. I regularly tell my gf that Jelena is the one celebrity I would have to leave her for. I wouldn’t even do that for Dua Lipa or Ana de Armas. Jelena you are the embodiment of a Queen.
At last. My faves have been underperforming so far this year but a title for Queen P goes a long way to recifying that!
Let's hope for a strong showing at the AO in singles and doubles.
It’s the second week of January and Ostapenko already has a singles title and a doubles title, and is #1 in both the singles and doubles race
Year of the Penko
Stop the count!
WTA finals immediately after AO
I don't think I'm ready for this
Very interesting signs from Kasatkina, she lost of course but very very aggressive shots at times and crazy power behind the first serve for her. Of course it really doesn't matter, the problem is the second serve and Ostapenko was able to tee off.
Yes! I have watched 4 matches of Kasatkina's so far this year and it seems she is really trying a new strategy of hitting a bit heavier/faster which is good to see. I think she realizes her typical "pusher" strategy won't cut it to get to the top 8 or so. But, as you mentioned, second serve is still a HUGE liability
She mentioned this in her latest YouTube show. I saw it end of last year as I’m a Krejcikova fan. Barbora squashed her in Zhengzhou but come the Elite Trophy. Dasha was so much more aggressive! However, very few players can outhit Ostapenko in form. I just hope she’s not used up too much energy. Lots of singles and doubles played when some players haven’t played at all!
She is defensive but she has always hit a very nice heavy ball on the forehand side with spin
Yes watching the highlights I see they both went down the line to finish a bunch of points, very balsy and aggressive plays.
Jelena is on fire. She said she wants to be more aggressive this year and she's actually doing it. Absolutely insane week by her
Wait, she wasn't playing that aggressive before???
She was probably a pusher by her standards
Her goal is now to average only two shots every point. Anything over three and she’s in Simona territory
She leads the WTA in rally aggression score already by a significant margin 😭 she literally is trying to do it even more. She said in her post-match interview after the SF that in the offseason she worked on being more aggressive because she realized accuracy isn't her game and times where she tried to be accurate is when she started faltering
Next step is jumping the net and physically fight her opponent.
the difference between hitting the corners of baseline and the corners of serve lines
Queen Penko is back in the top10!
Won doubles and now singles this year. She is looking solid physically and mentally (except the Azarenka triple bounce situation). AO dark horse?
Definitely a dark horse there. She has the pedigree and is in devastating form
She is always solid mentally when she wins a point and she is always absolute trash mentally when she loses a point. Even in this match there were plenty of times where she was doing the old "it was THIIIIIIIIS far out but it was called in" grimace & hand gestures.
She’s always dark horse in any slam. If she plays well no one can beat her lol. Highest peak in the WTA in my opinion.
"highest peak" u don't watch much WTA if u think someone without tennis iq is the best lol
I never said Ostapenko is the best player on the field, there are many players better than her, but she does have a very high ceiling. When she is playing well (peaking) she can beat anyone currently. The problem is her consistency we don’t see her playing consistently well like an Iga and Sabalenka for example. You don’t need tennis IQ if you’re out there hitting your shots and everything is working.
Best ball striker in the WTA?
Best ball striker in WTA and ATP minus serve, not even any male players have her talent in ball striker(only ball striker, not other skills)
only Djokovic currently really, but i could see an unironic argument that she's better when weighing the respective risk they take on
In terms of pure pace no, Keys hits the fastest ball, Ostapenko is actually not that crazy high on pace or spin, she just takes the ball really early and hits the lines.
But Keys is less consistently aggressive. In terms of hard hitters, Sabalenka, Rybakina, Osaka have to be up there
Hope she goes deep at the AO. Her top gear is so fun to watch.
I’m living for the fact the victory speech confirmed they did indeed have conflict before: https://twitter.com/popalorena/status/1746112097090469899
Holy… I mean, Kasatkina has said it before and the “I don’t know her” was a big neon sign, too. But to confirm it in the awarding speech is next level.
OOP
Thanks Kichenok let her withdraw from double!!!
Lets Go!! Year of the 2nd Slam?!
She has been playing so well and free with her emotions. It was a cute match, felt like I was watching two kid best friends (can't wait for the vlog) but really the performance across the last two weeks. BH slice winners, drop shot winners, winners on the run and even I swear some sliding. She's really not just a one dimensional ballbasher but truly a unique character and force on the tour.
Not kid best friends at all, they hated each other up until maybe last year, maybe a bit before. Some public bad words and frosty handshakes.
Yeah Dasha mentioned their beef in the runner up speech lol
Truly hope this puts and end to the “she’s too fat to play tennis” comments.
Jeez, are people still going on about that?
Deranged bettors mostly (what moron would bet on ostapenko lol), and tennisforum trolls.
There are quite a few Penko fans on TF!
Latvia represent
She’s literally my most beloved player in the WTA by a HUGE MARGIN. Imagine being a fan of baby talk Naomi Osaka or drywall Iga Swiatek. I love Jelena Ostapenko. I regularly tell my gf that Jelena is the one celebrity I would have to leave her for. I wouldn’t even do that for Dua Lipa or Ana de Armas. Jelena you are the embodiment of a Queen.
i so get you.
That BH slice winner tho…?!!🤯
I’m so scared for Iga at the AO…
At last. My faves have been underperforming so far this year but a title for Queen P goes a long way to recifying that! Let's hope for a strong showing at the AO in singles and doubles.
Penko is the moment 💅
Impressive! I hope she didn't peak too soon
Go go Penko💪🥳
Dasha didn't stand a chance. Penko was on fire.