Martina moves on to the quarters in Zurich

Well, thanks to a member on hingis.org I was able to watch all of Martina's matches so far. So thanks again for the upload;). Anyway I'll get on with the summery now. The best way I can describe this match is in two words totally weird . And you'll understand why I say that later on.

The first set started out ok, if not a bit sluggish with no long rallies and both players slowly finding their rhythm. There were no breaks in the first 4 games of the match. Though surprisingly it was Dechy who won the opening point, it's usually the opposite.

At 2 all Natalie Dechy made a bunch of unforced errors giving Hingis the break, Martina followed up with some unforced errors of her own (on her serve) allowing Dechy to even things out at 3 games a piece. There was a sea-saw effect through out the first set actually.

Hingis finally got the break on the 3rd deuce (lost a 40/0 lead). She then held her serve and went up to 5/3 closing the set out at 6/3.

I was actually really surprised how little she came to the net in the first set, especially since Dechy is not great in that area. It's something that she remedied in the second set along with mixing up her game a lot more which she also wasn't doing before. The second set is when things really got going.

Hingis won her service game and the break to go up 2/0. After that she totally got into a groove and cruised to a 5/0 lead. But instead of closing the match out, she made a bunch of unforced errors and seemed to have lost a lot of her concentration. Which allowed her opponent to break and win back 3 games. She had trouble closing out the 2nd set, but was finally able to do it on the 3rd match point. Winning the whole thing in two 6/3 6/3.

So a shaky performance at the end but a win is a win and she moves on. Her next real challenge could be Svetlana Kuznetsova. That should be a hell of a match if it happens.

Also I don't think I have mentioned this yet, but as I was watching the match I noticed some key changes between Martina circa 1990's and the Martina of now. Her ground strokes have gotten a lot deeper and when she wants to she can use a lot more power on them. Her serve (at least her 1st serve) has also improved slightly, I've noticed she bends her knees a lot more now. Those are just little things I forgot to mention so I thought I would just throw it in here;).

I have to also add that I am a bit concerned she's still having these lapses in concentration, and is unable to close out matches cleanly. Hopefully we won't see that in her next match because frankly that's something she cannot afford against any of the remaining players. I do think however that part of it is the lack of challenge so far in this tournament.

I know that when she's pressured from the get go she does a lot better and doesn't have these lapses. I can't wait to see her play someone like Kuznetsova because I'm certain that's when she'll really raise her game. It's something she always does the bigger the challenge the better her game.

I'm wishing her all the luck in her next one, should be a lot more entertaining then these 2 have been.

Martina Hingis' Zurich Blog

Found this through hingis.org apparently it's something Sony Ericsson does for all the players playing in their home country. I had no idea, but I'll be checking it out regularly from now on. It's a very interesting read about Martina's daily routine and life in general. Also another piece of good news is that Patty Snyder and Nicole Vaidesova are out of Zurich, they lost in their first rounds on Tuesday.

Which of course increases Martina's chances of winning and of qualifying for the Madrid tournament coming up. I should have a summery of Martina's second round match up sometime tomorrow or the day after.

Click here to read her blog.

I've also added it to the links section under Martina's Blog.

Hingis successful in first round at Zurich Open

Pics from hingis.org


Very impressive performance for her first time back in Zurich after 6 years. She beat German Anna-Lena Greonefeld in 75 minutes. The first set she won easily 6/0. But her opponent raised her game in the second and evened things out at 3 all. She had trouble closing out the match at 5/4 but was finally able to do it in the 12th game winning it 7/5. Next Martina will face either Nathalie Dechy or Jarmila Gajdosova.

Things have really opened up with people like Williams, Ivanovic, Safina and Chakvetadze withdrawing. I'm not saying it'll be easy because there are still lots of good players left but I think Martina's chances have greatly increased. Especially since many of the remaining players are suffering from injuries All in all I hope this win is a sign of good things to come.

Oh, and I love that the orange outfit is back again that seems to be her good luck charm.

Here are a couple of articles on the match:
http://www.eurosport.com/tennis/wta-zurich/2006/sport_sto986983.shtml

http://www.sportsline.com/tennis/story/9732739

Happy Birthday Julius Tapert!!

I couldn't call myself much of a Xena fan if I didn't remember all the important dates. In this case it's the Birthday of Lucy Lawless 's oldest son Julius Tapert. Julius turns 7 today so a very Happy Birthday to him!!. All the best to the proud parents as well. Time really flies I still remember him as a cute chubby little toddler lol.

Pics of Martina in Zurich

All pics are from hingis.org


I'm guessing she's either laughing at the ridiculous size of the cup she's drawing names from or laughing at the name she drew. Or maybe she's just really happy to be back in Switzerland lol.

From what I read the first name she drew was Anna-Lena Groenefeld, who's not a tough opponent so things should go pretty smoothly. Her 2nd opponent Dechy or Chankvetadze could prove to be a little tougher but we shall see.

Friday the 13th

Ok, I will admit I am a total superstitious person, and I thread very carefully on this day lol. Oddly enough though since I came to Canada this day has a reverse effect instead of bad luck I have good luck. Go figure lol.

White stuff in October!

What the hell!. Crazy Canadian weather, it's snowing outside right now. The good news is it's not the type of snow that sticks it's more a combination of snow mixed with rain and gusty winds. Even the best meteorologists couldn't predict this crazy weather. Either way I am so glad I don't have to be anywhere today.

ETA: And now it's sunny outside again lol, you'd think after living in Canada for 12 years I'd be used to these kinds of things. But after 12 years it still surprises me lol.