Tag:

Poland

2023 Roland Garros Tennis, tomorrow’s women’s singles final are set after two unreal semi-final matches from Day 12 yesterday

by Sports Benches June 8, 2023

Tomorrow’s women’s singles final in this year’s Roland Garros has been set between Karolina Muchkova & Iga Swiatek after two excellent semi final matches yesterday. One match was the best of three where Muchkova was held back by Aryna Sabalenka at 1-1 before she found her way out with patience for the win (7-6 (7-5 tie), 6-7 (5-7 tie), 7-5). And another looked a bit different where Swiatek got away with an easy first set, but that 2nd stage was really competitive where Beatriz Haddad Maia made some lost time along the way. But it was Swiatek who stood tall once again that ended for Brazilian’s fairytale run from the semi-finals in straight sets (6-2, 7-6 (9-7 tie)).

Gotta feel sorry for Sabalenka there who not only fired off really well but also showed some excellent fightback including that 2nd set tiebreak that led into a 3rd set decider. However, she just couldn’t hold on under pressure while leading briefly before she fell short to Muchova. Speaking of Muchkova, she kept it simple by taking her time all along when facing the current Aus Open champ in Sabalenka. She might have been held back following the 2nd stage of tiebreaks when the pressure began is on Muchkova to turn things around. But she has stuck to the approach that was working & here she is finding her way out unscathed en route to her first grand slam final – unbelievable.

Then we look back at the other semi tie now as Haddad Maia got away with a good start, but then was largely behind throughout the first set. Although her 2nd set run was improving where she threw the pressure back at Swiatek at times, but just couldn’t get the job done under pressure, even though she fell short from setting up a 3rd set decider in the tiebreak. And hats off to Swiatek who was class all along with the win. She got away with an easy first stage before she took her time with patience to grasp more of her opponent’s game while leading the 2nd set. Yes, it wasn’t easy but she credits that tiebreak as her lifeline where she went on to stand out on top.

Now we turn our attention to the men’s singles last 4 later tonight (or today over in Paris) – first up Carlos Alcaraz v Novak Djokovic then straight after this opening semi is Casper Ruud v Alexander Zverev.

June 8, 2023 0 comment

Tennis

2023 Roland Garros, Beatriz Haddad Maia makes history for Brazil into the Final 4 after her win v Ons Jabeur as she’s set to face Iga Swiatek who def. Coco Gauff in straight sets

by Sports Benches June 8, 2023

Tonight’s women’s singles semi-finals (or later today over in Paris) are all set at Court Phillipe Chatrier where four players will become two for a shot on Saturday’s big final – it’s Karolina Muchkova v Aryna Sabalenka followed by Iga Swiatek v Beatriz Haddad Maia. We saw Beatriz Haddad Maia rise up from the opening set down to beat Ons Jabeur after she held on really well that went all the way through the tiebreak as not only she set up the 3rd set decider, but she too has won as well (3-6, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreak) & 6-1). And not too long later, Iga Swiatek got away with a competitive opening stage battle v Coco Gauff before she was being too good in straight sets (6-4, 6-2).

Jabeur is disappointed with the loss there after an easy start. However, she struggled to build on that good start where not only she couldn’t find the sweet spot going into the 3rd set decider, but was also easily run down by Maia in the end as well. Speaking of Maia, she had a great game to turn this around from the 1st down. She might have built that momentum that late before Jabeur had that 1-0 lead, but grasped her opponent’s game well to stay in the fight before these two lifelines gave Maia the better pull towards punching that semi-finals ticket.

Meanwhile, Gauff showed some excellent response from the beginning to keep Swiatek in check, especially when facing such a difficult opponent who is the top-ranked seed of this draw. But then her momentum began to go downhill where not only she fell short ahead of Set 2, but just couldn’t hold on under pressure before it was too late. Meanwhile, Swiatek was really patient along the way that allowed her to find some time before she found that checkpoint with the opening set lead. And that puts her in a great position with the 1-0 advantage going into the 2nd set where she was good in the end.

June 8, 2023 0 comment

Tennis

2023 Australian Open Tennis: Magda Linette’s fairytale run has came to an end in the 2nd semi final as Aryna Sabalenka is through to tomorrow’s final for the first time v Elena Rybakina

by Sports Benches January 26, 2023

Joining Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) as the other opponent for tomorrow’s women singles final is Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus.

She too responded to Magda Linette’s brilliant fire off really well, having closed in on her semis opponent that went all the way with the first set tiebreak win before Sabalenka was just too good in the end via straight sets – 6-7 (1-7 tiebreak) & 2-6.

We’re so gutted for Linette as her fairlytale campaign at the 2023 Aus Open has came to an end just outside the Final two places. She got away with a really good start against another of the rising stars right now in Sabalenka. But when it comes to the fightback and execution though, she just couldn’t keep the momentum that

let her slip up as this other semi final goes on. Sadly, Sabalenka saw a great opportunity to pick up the pieces & build an extended lead on Linette where she eliminated her comfortably. Let’s hope Linette will continue to build on her unreal run here in her prime right now at age 30.

And congratulations to Sabalenka on her breakthrough into the Final for the first time on her fourth attempt following the 2021 Wimbledon & 2021-22 US Opens beforehand. The response and fightback she did on Linette in the opening stage was so good to watch, which made her make up lost time that went into the tiebreak and came out on top with a 1-0 lead. Then the pressure began to alleviate where Sabalenka wasted no time with the patience needed on the run home & she did it just that to collect the 2nd & last Main Event ticket for tomorrow as a player alongside Rybakina. Well done as a grand slam singles’ title here would be her next best breakthrough moment yet at age 24.

January 26, 2023 0 comment

Tennis

2023 Australian Open Tennis from Day 10 yesterday: Poland’s Magda Linette’s dream tournament continues at Melbourne park following a straight sets win v Karolina Pliskova, with Aryna Sabalenka in sights for tonight’s Final 4

by Sports Benches January 25, 2023

And rounding it off earlier from Day 10 of the 2023 Australian Open yesterday was one of the last women singles’ Quarter-Final match ups between Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) v Magda Linette (Poland).

Both players were side by side from the beginning but one player has to end up first as this tie goes on, and it turns out that Linette’s fairytale campaign here goes onto another day after she closed out Pliskova in straight sets. Now she’s set for another huge test that could see Linette step into Saturday’s main event for the trophy ahead of her next meeting in the semi-finals later tonight v 5th seed Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus.

The final score here at Rod Laver Arena was 3-6 & 5-7.

Pliskova has been in good form lately over the last few months with back-to-back last 8s off the back of the US Open last year to now onto the next grand slam here at the Australian Open. Her next semis opportunity will have to come next time though, having last made the semis here a four years ago plus the Wimbledon final two years ago to the now-retired Ash Barty. She fired off not bad in the early stages through both sets; she just wasn’t consistent when trying to connect the other half momentum & arrest Linette there, which allowed her opponent to shut out Pliskova before it was too late.

And how good was Linette with another amazing victory in the QF to continue her breakthrough campaign here at Melbourne Park. She read Pliskova’s game well with an easy bridge towards the opening set lead before Linette responded to her opponent’s next set performance under pressure that was enough to land her past the finish line first. Well played by the 30-year-old as it will be interesting to see what Linette has to offer against a 3 x semi finalist in Sabalenka. If she can get def. Sabalenka tonight, then playing in Saturday’s Final & even taking home the women’s Aus Open title will cap off one of the most incredible campaigns ever seen in women’s singles grand slam history.

January 25, 2023 0 comment

Uncategorized

2023 Australian Open Tennis: Magda Linette demonstrated tremendous fight from a slow start to a Quarter-Finals ticket she deserved after defeating 4th seed Caroline Garcia in straight sets

by Sports Benches January 23, 2023

We just saw another top seed crashing down so far on Day 8 of the 2023 Australian Open as Poland’s Magda Linette has just punched her ticket in the last 8, after she came from behind following a slow start to eliminate Carolina Garcia (France) in straight sets – 7-6 (7-3 tiebreaker) & 6-4 here at Rod Laver Arena.

She came off from a breakthrough Final 4 last year at the US Open with a brilliant opening week up until this point here at Melbourne Park. Garcia has got the build-up base going as seen during both 1st half stanzas. But then she lacked the other half momentum when it comes to staying ahead under pressure that allowed Linette to catch up to her with both set wins before it was too late. Her quest towards another grand slam Finals appearance will have to wait next time at Roland Garros (Paris) now in late May-early June.

And congrats to Linette who just earned her first-ever grand slam singles’ finals appearance here at the age of 30; she will be up against Karolína Plíšková (Czech Republic) for a spot in the Final 4 come Wednesday. She’s so good at making up these responses, especially where she was so behind in both sets from the beginning. And the way she looked at her opponent’s game during the 2nd half run has not only allowed her to close in on Garcia, but managed to pull out the execution every time Linette needed to close out her opponent. Now Iga Swiatek may be out the running following her shock exit yesterday v Elena Rybakina in the last 16, but there’s still a Pole in the mix as this could be Linette’s week if she can go all the way to Saturday’s big final.

January 23, 2023 0 comment

Tennis

2023 Australian Open Tennis: Sebastian Korda caps off another amazing show that puts him into the last eight after a long afternoon out v Hubert Hurkacz

by Sports Benches January 22, 2023

What an afternoon it has been of grand slam tennis here at Rod Laver Arena, having witnessed such a long five-set showdown that went down the wire between 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz from Poland & 29th seed from the US in Sebastian Korda – the son of 1998 Australian Open Men’s singles’ champion Petr Korda.

Hurkacz got ahead earlier on with the opening set lead before S. Korda tied the 10th seed following the 2nd set at 1-1 apiece. Now Korda was closer to getting the job done at the first attempt in the 4th stage with a 2-1 lead, but this game wasn’t over just yet when Hurkacz fought back easily at 2-2 all, which sets up a sprint towards the finish line for the 5th & final set decider. They were both side-by-side all along, even though it went into a deciding tiebreak (best of 10) & it’s Korda who has done it with another sensational performance for the win. The final score was 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-1 & 6-7 (7-10 tie).

Hats off to both players on playing such a high standard of tennis that wowed the whole Rod Laver Arena crowd throughout this afternoon. Hurkacz had a great start & fightback including the 4th set restart in a bid to advance into Week 2 of the Aus Open as one of the last eight players remaining, but then he just couldn’t hold off until the very end against a youngster who has a high-ceiling like his father in Sebastian.

Speaking of Sebastian, love how he responded to his opening set loss with back-to-back stage wins (2nd & 3rd sets). Although he would’ve loved to tie another straight stage in the 4th stanza to wrap it up early, but S. Korda never gave up where he found a way at least to hold off Hurkacz past the finish line. Now let’s see if he can go all the way on his first-ever grand slam finals’ singles appearance ahead of his next meeting v Karen Khachanov in the last eight on Tuesday.

January 22, 2023 0 comment

Tennis

2023 Australian Open Tennis: Iga Swiatek’s hopes of winning here will have to wait another year after being eliminated by defending Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina during 4R in straight sets

by Sports Benches January 21, 2023

Wow!! This is huge as the defending Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina (Kazakstan) has just eliminated World No.1 Iga Swiatek (Poland) from the women’s singles’ draw going into the last eight on Tuesday v Jeļena Ostapenko (Latvia), who also just defeated Coco Gauff (USA) in straight sets at the same time,

Both players fired off well with plenty of fight to offer, but it’s Ryabakina who has the better pulling power out of this tie in straight sets here at Rod Laver Arena – 4-6, 4-6.

It’s not been the tournament she wanted to end like this today, having made up some lost time from the beginning including a good 2nd set restart. Sadly, she just wasn’t on top of her game where her lack of finishing allowed Rybakina to swoop up both sets before it was too late in the end. Swiatek’s biggest achievement up to date here was the semis last year, so she will have to wait another year if she wants to take home the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy for the first time at some point in her grand slam singles’ career.

And congratulations to Rybakina with the win today. She too was brilliant all along – such as a brilliant start, as well as being disciplined & patient that helped her every when responding to these fightbacks under pressure v Swiatek. It’s something she has ticked all these boxes before Rybakina got the job done with great execution in just around 90 minutes (1 1/2 hours). Now she’s a quarter-finalist here for the first time in search of her 2nd grand slam tire, having bested her previous result here of 3R three years ago.

January 21, 2023 0 comment

Tennis

Two Australian Open men’s singles’ finalists won’t be in contention again this year as Daniil Medvedev joins Rafa Nadal out of the running following his defeat to Sebastian Korda in the 3rd Round

by Sports Benches January 20, 2023

Can you believe it? American Sebastian Korda has eliminated Daniil Medvedev (Russia) last night after he got away with the upset win in straight sets here at Rod Laver Arena – 7-6 (9-7 tie), 6-3, 7-6 (7-4 tie).

Looks like we won’t be seeing both last year’s finalists battling for this grand slam prize again for 2023; one is defending champ Rafa Nadal after 2R when he had experienced some strain before he was eliminated by Mackenzie McDonald (USA), and another is Medvedev where he couldn’t get on hold of Korda all along from start to finish.

Medvedev didn’t have a great start but it took a while for him to get the ball rolling – such as a couple of games being fought back that gave him the chance to redeem himself via these tiebreaks (1st & 3rd set).

Sadly, he just wasn’t consistent that not only saw Medvedev easily lost the 2nd set but also couldn’t find the execution needed to get on top of Korda or at least restart a 2nd half comeback.

Meanwhile, how good was Korda where he showed so much courage & strength that helped him upset one of the elite grand slam players right now. That strong start being followed up by an opening set tiebreak win allowed Korda to take advantage with an easy 2nd stage, as all he had to do it close this 3R tie in straight sets.

He was closer to losing the 3rd set at one stage to Medvedev at 5-6, but again he never gave up by putting it into a another tiebreak & here it is – Korda has found the finish line first ahead of his 4R meeting with 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz from Poland tomorrow. Sensational stuff as he looks to follow his father’s footsteps in Petr by winning a grand slam here, having seen him done so back in 1998.

January 20, 2023 0 comment

Tennis

Ajla Tomljanovic – the only Aussie left standing in the Wimbledon Ladies Singles’ 4th Round after she went from the 1st set to a comeback win v Barbora Krejcikova

by Sports Benches July 2, 2022

Apart from the three Aussies being confirmed in the men’s singles fourth round with Alex De Minaur, Jason Kubler & Nick Kyrgios; We do only have one player left over at the women’s singles side – also in the fourth round – in none other than Ajla Tomljanovic. She too came from behind to eliminate the 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova from Czech Republic – 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 at Court No.12.

It’s not the exit the Czech wanted following a great start to this tie with an easy first set spell. She just couldn’t build on to bring herself home first ever since with two missed opportunities being taken away. She struggled to bridge that 2nd half consistency before Tomljanovic stepped in to tie at 1-1 apiece, brought it to a 3rd set decider where she later lost the lead & now it’s too late. She also hasn’t had a great grand slam record lately following her 1st round elimination recently at the French Open. But she’s 26 having made the Quarter-Finals earlier this year at the Australian Open, as it’s still possible for her to end her 2022 grand slam season on a high just like it was last year in the Final 8 at the US Open.

Meanwhile, Congratulations to Tomljanovic with the win she deserves against one of the past grand slam champions on-display. She may be disappointed with the poor start there by Krejcikova. However, she never gave up when Tomljanovic began to make up lost time as this tie goes on. Not only she was better than her opponent when it comes to the 2nd half pull, but also the persistence & fightback that helped gave herself another lifeline going into the 3rd set decider. From there, it allowed her a bit more time to read about Krejcikova’s on-court approach/body language before Tomljanovic smashed her way past the finish line first for the win.

It will be interesting to see if she can get past Alize Cornet from France on Monday – who just eliminated World No.1 Iga Swiatek from Poland – also in the third round tie – 4-6, 2-6. Should she win once again, it will be back-to-back Final 8s for another year here at Wimbledon.

July 2, 2022 0 comment

Tennis

Ons Jabeur enters this year’s Wimbledon as the 3rd seed with an easy win v Mirjam Bjorklund in straight sets

by Sports Benches June 27, 2022

It was a very easy start to this year’s Wimbledon campaign from Tunisian Ons Jabeur who was too good against Sweden’s Mirjam Bjorklund in straight sets – 6-1, 6-3 during the Opening Round at the No.1 Court.

It’s not the quick exit Bjorklund’s gone through after the opening day of this competition. She responded well on occasions – especially later in the 2nd set when Bjorklund tried to save this tie going into the 3rd & final set decider in an outside shot to knock out Jabeur. Unfortunately, she just couldn’t match the all-round momentum that Jabeur has set up from start to finish where she fell way behind off the pace following the 1st set before she couldn’t catch up ever since.

Meanwhile, it’s good to see Jabeur firing up who just entered Wimbledon as the 3rd seed in this Women’s Singles’ draw. She showed plenty of optimism & fight with a balance of consistency that helped her wrap up an easy win v Bjorklund; She will now advance into Round 2 v Poland’s Katarzyna Zawa for Day 3 tomorrow.

There’s still a long way to go though if she wants to get past her best result at the Quater-Finals, having last made the last eight 12 months ago here which was her second grand slams finals appearance since the 2020 Australian Open. Should this happen, she can go on & have a stab in her first Semis before Jabeur hopes to capture her breakthrough moment with a grand slam trophy on her hands at age 27.

June 27, 2022 0 comment