Week 1 - WTA International ($227K) - Auckland, New Zealand Hard

thejester · Satellite level

RE: Week 1 - WTA International ($227K) - Auckland, New Zealand Hard

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Sentiment on all commentary channels is very much with Naomi here, finding it hard to find anyone that thinks that Ostapenko should have been allowed to continue.

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

This is some match. The quality is patchy but the drama is ridiculous.

Naomi saves bp with an ace. 6-5*

-- Edited by kundalini on Wednesday 6th of January 2016 03:47:10 AM

Bruce · Lower Club Player

Another break point against Broady but she held 6-5

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

the eventual handshake is certainly going to be 'interesting'

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Ostapenko DF
Naomi match point at advantge on the Latvian serve...

Bruce · Lower Club Player

Broady wins 4/6 7/6 7/5

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Naomi with a huge forehand return winner off a short, slow 2nd serve, precisely the shot that's been failing her all match, breaks for the win.

A poor quality contest, packed with drama. Personally I don't think Naomi should be getting involved in the appropriate punishment for Jelena throwing her racket.

As for the tennis, Naomi looked painfully slow around the court, her 2nd serve return was terrible, her own serve was poor to start with but much better in the 2nd half of the match. A few impressive backhands down the line though her forehand was distinctly poor. To her credit she did fight hard, several of her best shots coming when Ostapenko served for the match 3 times. Also worth mentioning probably the best tie-break I've ever seen Naomi play, 4 aces and one other winner; easily forgotten in amongst the drama.

Jelena is clearly far more talented; many of the rallies she basically tormented Naomi, sending her from side to side, then an easy winner into the space. With a more reliable serve, Ostapenko would have won easily. By the end Jelena's game was unravelling, making basic errors on her normally reliable groundstrokes.

Looking back on the contest, Naomi had 6 holds without facing a bp, 5 holds in which she saved a bp and she was broken 6 times. Jelena also broken 6 times but just 2 holds in which she saved a bp, with 9 holds without facing a bp.

-- Edited by kundalini on Wednesday 6th of January 2016 08:59:53 AM

Jajon · Club Coach

I'm so glad I stayed, well done miss Broady! That match was just a rollercoaster of "what???"

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Get in!
That is some true Stockport grit right there. from 2-5 in the third, 5 straight games, having done the same in set 2!
Wow!

GSM Broady 4-6 7-6(4) 7-5

indiana · Tennis legend

Darn that Naomi Broady just wouldn't go away and has kept me awake following the score. Well, at least it didn't go to another TB.

Oh yes !!!!

Long time reader · Lower Club Player

What a match, worth staying up till 4 am for.

In the circumstances probably even more impressive than yesterday.

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Should be a new CH ~111

R2: (Q) Naomi BROADY (GBR) 122 defeated (WC) Jelena OSTAPENKO (LAT) 84 4-6 7-6(4) 7-5

QF: (Q) Naomi BROADY (GBR) 122 vs. Sloane STEPHENS (USA) [5] 30 (CH 11 10/2013)
H2H: 1-1
2011: Birmingham, UK, Grass, Q2, NB won 6-1 6-4
2015: Eastbourne, UK, Grass, R64, SS won 3-6 6-3 7-6(4)

Edit: add Q's & WC

-- Edited by insomniacfolder on Wednesday 6th of January 2016 04:28:12 AM

emma · Strong Club Player

excellent - well done Naomi :)

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

Again, just superb Naomi. Well done.
Her coach knows a thing or two about the next opponent, too, which might help.
Best of luck.