The quarter-finals of Madrid are in the books. The last eight came together on Wednesday with the two remaining seeds progressing to the semis but arguably the tournament favourite exiting. This post covers Jabeur-Halep and Pegula-Sorribes Tormo. I’ll be back at the weekend to wrap up the semi-finals and final of Madrid. Willing for Ons to win it all!
QF Stories 📚
Ons Jabeur d. Simona Halep, 6-3 6-2
Well… I thought Jabeur’s win over Bencic was her best display of the year but she well and truly topped that! I’m sorry I underestimated you, Ons! I was very surprised with the result and scoreline as Jabeur produced a marvellous display to topple Halep in straights.
Halep went up an early break in the first set but seemed unsettled. She changed her racquet a few times and lost four games on the trot. The second set was a quick one and Halep couldn’t gain any traction with Jabeur playing super fast and pretty much lights out. One of those dreamy days for Jabeur where everything was working. The drop shot was ON. Quite a feat how successful it was considering Halep’s movement on a clay court.
After a disrupted start to the season due to COVID and injuries, Jabeur is now rounding into form. For Halep, three excellent wins and should be fresh for Rome next week which I think is more important for Rolly G preparations.
Jessica Pegula d. Sara Sorribes Tormo, 6-4 6-2
On the whole, I thought Pegula got her tactics spot on as she ended the brave run of Sorribes Tormo. I think the match was tougher than the scoreline suggests. Pegula seemed to have a clear gameplan from the start as she targeted the Sorribes Tormo backhand and was winning many of the backhand to backhand exchanges. Pegula was extremely patient, and resourceful too, throwing in some slices and drop shots and almost giving Sorribes Tormo a taste of her own medicine with different shots to contend with.
Pegula led 4-0 and then 5-1 in the first set. 5-1 became 5-4 after some longgg drawn out games. I don’t think it was a choke from Pegula, more just losing energy as Sorribes Tormo extended the rallies. Pegula managed to break to win the first set and then had a big hold at 1-1 in the second set. It felt like Pegula had a bit of a second wind in that second set and she became much more aggressive. Of course, there was a standard late surge from Sorribes Tormo. Once again, Pegula broke for the set and the match.
Pegula will be up to a new career high ranking next week. One more win and she should crack the top ten. I really hope she does it because it would be richly deserved!
Best of the rest 🏸
The qualifier, Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Amanda Anisimova, 6-4 6-3 to reach the last four. I’m sorry, Ekaterina. Another player I dimissed in my previews from yesterday’s post 😂.
Jil Teichmann is still yet to drop a set as she beat Anhelina Kalinina, 6-3 6-4. It was a pretty quick turnaround for Kalinina who finished gone 10pm the night before in a gruelling third set with Raducanu. Teichmann was definitely the fresher of the pair.
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Best point 🎾
A cracking set point.
Press highlights 📰
I love this quote from Ons.
SF Previews 🤔
Ons Jabeur vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova: Erm Alexandrova leads Jabeur, 6-1 in their H2H. Where did that come from?! They haven’t played a completed match since 2018. I think it will come down to who holds their nerve because this is a hugeee match for both players. I’m going for Jabeur.
Jessica Pegula vs. Jil Teichmann: Ding ding ding first time meeting. Honestly can’t call this one. I would guess Peggy opens as the favourite but Teichmann has been brilliant so far this week.
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