Simona and Coco sail while Serena and Eugenie fail
The Prague Open and Lexington Open this week featured the big guns of the WTA. The Williams sisters, and Coco Gaugh graced the lineup in Lexington. And, Simona Halep, Eugenie Bouchard, as well as Elise Mertens battled for the prize in Prague. Simona and Serna were, more or less, expected to win the respective events. And Eugenie, Coco, Venus, as well as Elise, however, expected to put up a fight for the crowns. At the end of the quaters, however, we see Simona and Coco sail while Serena and Eugenie fail to make the semis.
Serena lost to the 116 ranked Shelby Rogers
Serena Williams signed up for the Lexington event to get match tough before the US Open. She wants to win her 24th and equal Margaret Court, and reaching that milestone, in her country, at the US Open would be amazing.
“I have only good things to take,” Serena said. “I can play a lot better.”
The flip side, however, Serena’s 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) loss to a player ranked outside of the top 100! Serena’s last lost to France’s Razzano, ranked outside of 100 at the 2012 French Open.
Also read – About Serena Williams and Aryana Sabalenka
Shelby Rogers meets the Swiss left hander Jill Teichmann in the semis. Jill dispatched the American Cici Bellis 6-2, 6-4 in the quarter.
“It’s every kid’s dream growing up to be able to do something like that,” Shelby said. “Weird circumstances. Weird surroundings. But a win is a win.”
Simona and Coco sail through their quarters
Coco Gauff prevailed over the eighth seeded Ons Jabeur in the quarters at Lexington. She had dispatched the second seeded Aryana Sabalenka 7-6 4-6 6-4 in the 2nd. She faces the in-form Jennifer Brady in the semis. Jennifer defeated Heather Watson 6-2, 6-1 in the first round. She then routed Magda Linette 6-2 6-3 in the pre-quarters, and Marie Bouzkova 6-1 6-2 in the quarterfinals. And we expect fireworks in the semis between Gauf and Brady.
Simona Halep’s hard work in the off period during the pandemic is paying off. She dominated the lucky looser, Magdalena Frech, in a one sided 6-2, 6-0 route. Halep awaits the winner between the countrywoman Irina-Camelia Begu or Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo.
“The whole game… was better today,” Halep said after the match. “I’m happy that I can play better and better day by day. It was a good one and I’ll take it.”
Elise Merten, the third seed at the Prague Open, dispatched Eugenie Bouchard in a thrilling 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 quarterfinal clash. Elsie will meet Kristyna Pliskova for a place in the finals.
Our picks for the finals at Prague and Lexington
Simona Halep, based on the current form, would be tough to write off as the favorite in any tournament. And, we expect Elise Mertens to prevail in three over Kristyna Pliskova and meet Simona in the finals.
Jennifer Brady, based on her current form, should oust Coco in the semifinal in Lexington. Coco, however, is a fighter and will not make it easy for Jennifer who can easily lose, if she takes the foot off the pedal. The other semifinal is even more tough to call, as both Jill and Shelby played quite well in their respective quarters. Shelby’s powerful serve and aggressive net play will be put to test against Teichmann’s forehand and ground shots variety.