Stuttgart: Player Bakes Iga a Bagel for a Change.

[jimlosaltos]

Iga Świątek is morę used to handing out bagels than swallowing them, but one player has the recipe.

Oon the WTA side, the ever quixotic Jelena ( aka Alona aka Penko) Ostapenko remains undefeated, now 6-0 against Iga Swiatek, winning their Stuttgart semifinal in a great example of how much matchups matter in tennis. Iga has arguably the best forehand in tennis, at least on clay. But Ostapenko's go-for-broke, hard flat strokes turn Iga's strength into a liability. Swiatek simply can’t overwhelm Penko like she does almost anyone else. As we've noted before, Iga has no defensive forehand. So, when Ostapenko rushes Iga, her angles are gone, and Iga can't bully her on serve or return, even on clay. Note: Stuttgart is indoors where timing Ostapenko's shots is easier. No wind, no sun. I suspect it would be harder to repeat at Roland Garros.

[jeffreycounts]

Iga Świątek is morę used to handing out bagels than swallowing them, but one player has the recipe.

Oon the WTA side, the ever quixotic Jelena ( aka Alona aka Penko) Ostapenko remains undefeated, now 6-0 against Iga Swiatek, winning their Stuttgart semifinal in a great example of how much matchups matter in tennis. Iga has arguably the best forehand in tennis, at least on clay. But Ostapenko's go-for-broke, hard flat strokes turn Iga's strength into a liability. Swiatek simply can’t overwhelm Penko like she does almost anyone else. As we've noted before, Iga has no defensive forehand. So, when Ostapenko rushes Iga, her angles are gone, and Iga can't bully her on serve or return, even on clay. Note: Stuttgart is indoors where timing Ostapenko's shots is easier. No wind, no sun. I suspect it would be harder to repeat at Roland Garros.

That is a remarkable record. Wow.

[jimlosaltos]

Ostapenko just beat Sabalenka in straight sets.
So, Penka beat the world's number 2 and number 1 players, back to back on clay.
It's been a long time since Penko won the French Open in 2017 at 20 years old, beating Simona Halep, who would have become number one with a win.
Could she possibly make a run at the French?
Why not?