A nice little weekend for tennis, I thought.
Let's start in China. Where it was 57 degrees at the start of the match. But JJ summoned the power of Burberry to steamroll Sveta, 63 62. Was there any doubt that JJ would win? As loyal Forty Deuce commenter CMS said, "Well since JJ can't get #1 with the title here, my money's on her." So true, CMS. So true.
There's nothing flashy about JJ's game to me, but it's just solid. Her game consists of getting balls back and not missing. She figures out how to get it done and one thing that I will always tip my cap to her for is her ability to read the game and construct points (unless under stress in which case she loses it a bit). JJ never looks like she's actually that fast but before you know it, she's on the ball. She anticipates really well in, in the way that Roger's quickness is very much tied to his anticipation.
Back to back finals for Kuzzie, so that's gotta feel good. But her finals record now goes to 1 and 11 over the past two years.
As for Andy, a really solid performance, winning 64 67 63. He was tested but he was serving well and playing his weird "power pusher" game. As for Dudi Sela, dude (hah!), you hung with the big boys this week. Good on you. Hope this win gives Andy some momentum going into the indoor season and the YECs.
Over in Thailand, revenge is sweet (though, I don't know WHAT is going on in that pic), as Jo won 76 64. Isn't it hard to believe that this is Jo's first singles title? Ever? I didn't see the match but given the scoreline, it looks like it was a really tight one that was probably decided by 2 or 3 key points.
Another tough runner-up loss for Nole, who is still working to recapture that swagger on the court that got him his first Grand Slam title. He's playing well, he just doesn't have that X-Factor that allows him to kick it up a notch. But it's always nice to see that smile (standing there with good buddy Paradorn Schiripan). Does anyone get the sense that Nole doesn't mind losing to people he likes? Maybe I'm just making it up in my head, but his recent losses to Muzzah and Jo come to mind.
Finally, in Seoul, the ugly Stella dress that hangs off Maria Kirilenko threatened to tag her with its bad mojo (though it looks great in that pic), but MaKiri recovered from dropping the first set to dominate the rest of the match, winning 26 61 64. Yay, Lil Mash!
Bonus: Ski Boots won a doubles title!
