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Post by sasha on Nov 15, 2007 16:53:42 GMT -5
If Jelena finishes top 10 next year, I'll be very surprised.
Improved Mariabot to where she can create a rivalry with Justine = very good thing. Anything else wherein Mariabot makes finals = UGH.
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Post by corswandt on Nov 15, 2007 16:59:17 GMT -5
Anything else wherein Mariabot makes finals = UGH. UGH to Ivanovic reaching #2 sometime next year, which is inevitable. But if she replaces Kuznetsova, then it might actually be an improvemenent. Kuznetsova as the year end #2 is pure comedy.
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Post by Edna Krabappel on Nov 15, 2007 17:04:34 GMT -5
I think JJ will either have a good season and be ranked #7-8, possibly with a Slam SF along the way, or she'll totally fall apart and finish ranked outside the top 30.
Princess Masha will be making a lot of finals next year, but I still expect her to lose to Justine and Ree more often than not.
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Post by corswandt on Nov 15, 2007 17:15:39 GMT -5
I just found your rankings discussion thread, and the "real #2" poll, but I really shouldn't be discussing rankings, since they only matter to players who never win a GD thing, such as Vaidisova. "One more QF and she'll return to the top 15!" Actually, rankings matter only in the sense that they're used for seedings. For instance, Bartoli's bloated ranking will allow for a lot of lopsided/messed up draws next year. I bet either Kuznetsova or Ivanovic will draw her every single fucking time. Jankovic on the other hand will always be in Henin's 1/4.
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Post by Grarliner on Nov 15, 2007 20:03:44 GMT -5
I can't see Jankovic slipping outside the top ten unless she gets hurt. The enforced break she's about to have now should help her for next season. Plus, she's legitimately good.
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Post by R. Black on Nov 15, 2007 20:38:21 GMT -5
And Steffi in 88 not that dominant? Let's see: - Grand Slam + Olympics + Key Biscayne. - 11 titles. - Only 3 losses. - 6 titles without losing a set, 5 titles losing only 1 set. (!) I mean comparatively to the rest of her career, and the other dominant players in that time period. And the general perception of that magical year. Which was obviously very good since Stefanie won every important title. How many matches did she lose in 95? 2. And those 2 were both 1st round injures/tanks. I'm not bothering to argue the rest with the gays that only accept each other. Comparatively to the rest of her career, it's still THAT dominant. She won 11 tournaments losing 5 sets, including the Grand Slam, when Navratilova, Sabatini (who you think highly) and other good players were around. That's absolute, complete, total, magical dominance. In 95, well... 1) She didn't play AO. 2) The other dominant player of that period was out of the game, so no one can seriously claim the competition was that much stronger then, even with Novotna, Sanchez, Martinez, Pierce around. (PS: I did see the match against Coetzer and it wasn't a tank.)
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Post by lexpretend on Nov 16, 2007 2:44:28 GMT -5
If JJ stays healthy and plays a less fucked-up schedule, I can see her staying top 5, maybe even top 3. And if someone else takes Justine out, maybe even winning a Slam.
However, I fear a repeat of Kimmie '04.
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Post by Maeby Fünke on Nov 16, 2007 3:09:46 GMT -5
I'm going to predict Jankovic won't win a slam.
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Post by sasha on Nov 16, 2007 10:19:30 GMT -5
After the horrible Toronto final, Jelena was not the same for the rest of the year.
This only gets worse next year. Jelena is stuck in a rut. She can't improve from where she is now unless she starts making finals of slams and such. Which I don't see happening. Not that I doubt her talent, but she's not that good. She is completely dead vs. Justine. In-form Willies beat her. In-form Top 10 bashers probably beat her.
Jelena isn't dedicated like most players. With a few months of lesser results, probably dropping out of the top 5 by mid-year... I don't see her still fighting. I hope she still does, since I love watching her, but I doubt it.
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Post by corswandt on Nov 16, 2007 17:23:05 GMT -5
This only gets worse next year. Jelena is stuck in a rut. She can't improve from where she is now unless she starts making finals of slams and such. Which I don't see happening. Not that I doubt her talent, but she's not that good. Ja, but thing is in the coming years you won't have to be "that good" to win Slams. Imagine if Henin misses out on a Slam because of injury or heartbreak or if she suffers another freak loss. It's bedlam. "Up for grabs" doesn't even begin to describe it. I mean, even now a player like Ivanovic is #4 and you can't even say she's overranked.
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Post by greenhitop on Nov 17, 2007 2:10:29 GMT -5
There is a door of opportunity for Ana and JJ to win a slam next year. The schedules are really %$*&$( up next year. The Olympics final is played with only a week's break between NYC and the US OPEN.
Justine and Carlos are targeting the Olympics, and not a repeat of the US OPEN. Emotionally- it's draining, and she'll go to New York, but might be flat for it. If it comes her way - then fine, but as I know it and my notes/memo's for our site, the clear goals stated are Australian Open 2007 and Olympics. RG is well grooved, but percise schedules to peak for Melbourne and Beijing.
Wimbledon is a goal too, but that's really something you can't plan for because of the weather. There will no warm-up tournament before SW1.
A first grand slam is there for the taking in September for someone.
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Post by corswandt on Nov 17, 2007 7:00:50 GMT -5
Justine and Carlos are targeting the Olympics, and not a repeat of the US OPEN. Favouring the Olympics over a Slam is just about the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
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Post by Edna Krabappel on Nov 17, 2007 11:11:03 GMT -5
Maybe Justine wants to be the first player to defend the Olympic title... But I agree, Slams are way more important, especially since she's already won the gold medal once.
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