WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM???
Hisense Arena claimed the tennis lives of two more Serbs this afternoon, as JJ and Bojangles went down to Peng and Bepa, respectively. That's another early-round loss for JJ, who's gotta be concerned about the state of her game and her ranking. She's got Indian Wells, Rome and RG SF points to defend over the next 6 months and it wouldn't be a shock to see her ranking plumet into the 20s if she can't get it together. She just doesn't look like she knows what she wants to do out there tactically and the frustration sets in quite quick.
JJ was up 4-1 in the first set and seemingly cruising before she lost her way and let Peng back into the set. JJ began to back off a bit and Peng stepped up, hitting low and flat and keeping the ball out of JJ's strike zone. Once Peng got into the match JJ retreated, playing more passively and either refusing to step in to attack when she needed to, or pulling the trigger too early and missing the shot. It's the same old story for her really. I feel like I've written up that match analysis at least five times by now.
With JJ and Ana out, Bojangles was the last Serb standing. Stand she did for 45 minutes, as she quickly showed her solid game of finding angles and hitting near the lines. I was feeling pleased as punch (as much as I could as she was beating up Bepa) that Bojangles was proving me clairvoyant. She took the first set easily, 6-2.
But then Bepa, being the nerd that she is, got figured Bojangles' game and started to add a bit more variety to her shots. She also used her legs, running down everything she could to put pressure on Bojangles to hit harder and closer to the lines. The legs worked, and Bepa was able to come back and virtually cruise to a three set win.
A really solid win for Bepa and a lot to be positive about for Bojangles after her Australian swing. She's going to bag her first title this year. I just know it.
But back to Hisense. Nole and Viktor are the only two Serbs left in the singles main draw and WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT, they're playing each other tomorrow and they're scheduled for Hisense. My prediction? The building collapses and they're both out of the tournament.
Do NOT go near Hisense tomorrow. You've been warned.
(Pics: Getty)
