tennis, life and a few things in between

We’re here again for the Open.

… more pix & videos on Google Maps

Last year we attended the regular game on day 1. This year we tried the qualifying round, which I like more – less people.

On serve: here are some slowmo of Venus, Caroline Wozniacki, Paula Badosa & Simona Halep

… since I’m in the process to overhaul my serve, I took many slow-motion serves of the female players:

Pre-paid parking is better than pay at entrance: $35 for SunPass and $40 for cash or credit card.

The projected quarter final; the pinky Santa Margherita Rosé Giardino garden and the Sunset Terrace arch.

Lacking corporate heavy hitters, such as Amex and Chase that are stables at US Open, La Roche-Posay passes out mini size suntan lotion here. At Amex corner at the US Open, they offered at least two different full sizes botles.

USTA offers qualifying rounds for free, but Miami charges a fee, which is fine.

Lockers. Clear bag policy. People do bring their own bottled water. The stadium provides free WiFi, with decent connectivity.

Bathrooms have no ac, if I remembered right. USTA do. The ground is nicely groomed and laid out. I enjoyed the different seating areas, bars and eateries.

One men and five women singles matches we watched, 99% trading baseline ground strokes, with 100% double hand backhand – out of the same cookie cutter, which is boring.

We watched the last three matches in full at the Grandstand:

1. V Kopriva def J.J. Wolf (1998-): 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 @ Court 5
2. Wang Xinyu (王欣瑜, 2001-) defeat Hailey Baptiste (2001-) 7-6, 6-3 Court Butch Buchholz
3. Yue Yuan (袁悦, 1998-) defeat A. Blinkova 6-4, 6-2 @ Court 7
4. Venus Williams lost to Diana Shnaider 3-6, 3-6 @ Grandstand
5. Caroline Wozniacki def C. Burel 6-1, 6-4 @ Grandstand
6. Paula Badosa def Simone Halep 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 @ Grandstand

A lot more Chinese women players are on tour now. Two or more decades behind the Russia.

The first 3 matches, we only watched the ending. The last 3 were all excellent. Especially seeing Venus.

I’m happy to see her but also sad at seeing her not able to return so many shots that used to be a cake walk for her. Venus lost to 19 years old Russian Diana Shnaider (2004-), 6-3, 6-3. The result is better than I anticipated: her opponent isn’t good. Love the sisters but at 43, many shots Venus used to brush aside with ease, now she couldn’t even get to it. It must be the love of the game that keeps her on tour. Seeing her play is A treat.

 

Caroline Wozniacki (1990-; Denmark) mom of two, defeat 22 years old French woman Clara Burel (2001-) 6-1, 6-4, an easy day at work.

They wear almost identical Adidas out fit – Caroline in one piece and the French in two. CW looks very fit after two children.

Their match was chair by Chinese chair umpire Jennifer Zhang Juan.

 

The last match: Paula Basosa beat Simona Halep 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
A lot of Romanian fans cheering for Halep. But the funny thing is, the blue color of the flags have different shades – this is a first. Did they buy from a discount store who cheated on color?

Surprisingly, she didn’t scream like her old self, like an animal. The level of grunt is acceptable; making watching her play not a bad experience.

Theirs is the last one on the Grand Stand. By then, the Open ground is basking under the setting sun. With very few people around, it’s very enjoyable.

Two Romania flags’ blue have different shades. Both their outfits, Simone in two pinkish blue Badosa in one, a black dress have different color neckline: blue has yellow and black with deep pink. Both are nice.

… Miami Grand Prix is coming up shortly