π¦πΊ Tennis twitter with a bit of other sports (football, cricket, AFL, NRL, NFL). Swansea | Geelong | Maroons | Miami 'fins. Proud founder of Rodionova Nationβ’
FLASHBACK: 2019 Hua Hin F - Yastremska d. Tomljanovic 6-2 2-6 7-6
Tomljanovic won 5 games in a row for a 5*-2 final set lead, Yastremska then used a blatant fake MTO, coincidentally won 4 games in a row, and ultimately won the match. Ajla remains without a WTA title to this day.
In the final round of qualifying, Blinkova beat Vekic and went on to play Raducanu in R1. Because Vekic lost and got the lucky loser spot instead, she avoided playing Raducanu. Instead, they meet in the final π
FLASHBACK: 2018 Nottingham F - Barty d. Konta 6-3 3-6 6-4
After a missed out call at 4-4 Ad-40 final set went against Konta, the famous "we are out here busting our chops" words were spoken π€ Konta made 3 UEs in the next game & was broken immediately to lose the match.
FLASHBACK: 2019 Hua Hin F - Yastremska d. Tomljanovic 6-2 2-6 7-6
Tomljanovic won 5 games in a row for a 5*-2 final set lead, Yastremska then used a blatant fake MTO, coincidentally won 4 games in a row, and ultimately won the match. Ajla remains without a WTA title to this day.
FLASHBACK: 2016 French Open QF - S Williams d. Putinseva 5-7 6-4 6-1
Putinseva played a brilliant first two sets and was centimetres away from serving for the match at 7-5 4-4 Ad-40, when Serena clipped the net. Once Serena found another gear just in time, the match was over.
Sabalenka's most recent slam losses:
6-3 4-1 30*-0 vs Shnaider
3-0 30-30* 3rd set vs Rybakina
2-1 40-30* 3rd set vs Anisimova
4-1 40*-15 1st set vs Gauff
5-5 30-30 3rd set vs Keys
Sick vs Andreeva
6-2 40-15* vs Gauff
7-6 4-2 vs Jabeur
5-2 40-30* 3rd set vs Muchova
FLASHBACK: 2020 French Open R2 - Bertens d. Errani 7-6 3-6 9-7
Errani served for the match 3 times, had a match point, severely struggled with her serve all match, mocked Bertens' cramps, & yelled "f*** you" while Bertens was taken off the court in a WHEELCHAIR. So iconic π
FLASHBACK: 2017 French Open R4 - Mladenovic d. Muguruza 6-1 3-6 6-3
Mladenovic pulled off a big upset with the help of a vocal French crowd (yelling forza), and Muguruza was visibly upset all match. After the match, Muguruza said "I heard she speaks like 25 languages" π€
It is my firm belief that Tennis Australia have been secretely conspiring with tournaments to give Arina Rodionova the hardest draws possible ever since her outburst against the establishment, a thread:
FLASHBACK: 2022 French Open R1 - Kerber d. Frech 2-6 6-3 7-5
Just 2 days after the epic Strasbourg final (see previous tweet), Kerber played another classic, saving 2 match points on Frech's serve from 4-5 15-40* down. Once again this was trademark grit from Angie.
FLASHBACK: 2022 Strasbourg F - Kerber d. Juvan 7-6 6-7 7-6
In one of the matches of the season, both players hit an incredible 83 winners EACH. Poor Juvan was so close. Kerber's match point will forever be iconic, as she won her first and only outdoor red clay title at age 34.
FLASHBACK: 2023 Aus Open R4 - Azarenka d. Zhu 4-6 6-1 6-4
Zhu had a breakout tournament and January with several big wins, and she matched it here with Azarenka before a narrow defeat. Both played brilliantly in one of the matches of the tournament.
FLASHBACK: 2021 French Open R3: Swiatek & Mattek-Sands d. Hsieh & Mertens 5-7 6-4 7-5
As an unlikely pairing, Swiatek & Mattek-Sands (calling themselves tek tek boom) came back from 1-5 down in the 3rd set & saved 7 match points in an epic. They then went on to reach the final.
FLASHBACK: 2016 Rio Olympics F - Puig d. Kerber 6-4 4-6 6-1
Puig was unseeded heading into the tournament, but played the best tennis of her life, beating players such as Muguruza (6-1 6-1), Kvitova and Kerber to win Puerto Rico's first ever gold medal π₯
FLASHBACK: 2021 Doha QF - Azarenka d. Svitolina 6-2 6-4
Azarenka injured her back during the warmup, could not bend down & could only serve slowly, but showed extraordinary fight to somehow win in straight sets. On the other hand, this was an embarassing loss for Svitolina...