Well... the forum seems quite dead! I've been crazy-busy this week and not had the time to post really.

However, I did watch the semi finals today at Hasselt... and really enjoyed the matches.

Firstly, Kaia Kanepi became the first Estonian player to reach a tour final by upsetting Michaela Krajicek in straight sets... was the first time I've ever seen her in action, and I was impressed. She hits a big, heavy ball, serves hard, and generally plays in a sort of Davenport-esque mode. I think (and her ranking and achievements thus far in her career would seem to agree) her usual problem is being unable to pull off the ambitious style on a regular basis. However, in the match today (and against Schiavone in the round before, according to the commentators) she was firing on all cylinders.

The second semi was the real gem, however... Clijsters just pulled out a clutch 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory against an inspired Zvonareva. The match was a total peach... Vera's match stats were something like 48 winners to 26 unforced errors... and she *lost* with those stats. Amazing rallies throughout, both showing their athletic powers and ability to hit a good shot on the run. Ultimately, it was Kim's big match nerve that got her through... she was able to save the crucial break points with better results than Zvonareva. A real shame for Vera to lose this match, in which she really held her nerve and focus, despite facing an exceptionally vocal and partizan crowd, and generally terrible line officials (both players had bad calls, but you naturally expect Kim to deal with them better than the volatile Russian.) Seeing Zvonareva play like she did today, and like she did in the mixed final at Wimbledon (where she outplayed both guys on court, hands down) makes you wonder how the hell she can play such awful, self-loathing tennis so frequently. I won't tempt fate, but I see no physical or technical reason that Vera cannot be a singles force in the future if she can only pull her head together better as she grows up. I noticed two things about her game that I hadn't really noted before... 1) she actually has a nice, solid serve (in my head I think of it as being a weakness... but did not at all seem like one today) and 2) she hits a mean blocked/chipped defensive moonball, can't think of watching any woman since Conchita or Aranxta who hits that shot so accurately to the baseline when returning or trying to get back into position. Anyway... I am rambling a little, since it was only one match... but it was really great to see such a good contest.

B

Interesting observations. I wonder if she's improved her serve, because I also recall her second serve at least as a significant weakness, though I don't think I've actually seen her play since 2004. She always had a lot of ability. I don't recall her moonball particularly, but when she's playing well she hits very precisely in general.

Offtopic, but your comment about the defensive moonball reminded me that when I was watching Baghdatis/Agassi at the US Open, I remember thinking that Baghdatis couldn't seem to land one of those in the court to save his life.

I, for one, am delighted to see Clijsters back and playing well. I would love for her to come out of nowhere and win the YEC (and then, in my dreams, have a great and injury-free 2007 and change her mind about retiring). But something tells me it's going to be Sharapova.

And B-Boy, thanks for the report on Kaia Kanepi. That's another great tennis name (sounds like a Yiddish name for a dish served at a Seder).

Meanwhile in Quebec City, Bartoli has won her third title of the season. She should finish in the top 20 this year. A good season for her. I would like to see her play more "top" tournaments though.

Clijsters wins in 3 tough sets... Kanepi seems to have played well (I missed the match today, was out working) although Kim noted in her blog that she didn't manage to play as well as she had to yesterday against Vera. But nevertheless, a good result all round for both women. Kanepi should get the belief that she can compete with top players and not be blown off the court, and Kim should have a nice boost ahead of Madrid.

And wow... Bartoli double bageled the interesting youngster Poutchkova in the Quebec final. First double bagel in a final since 1993 according to the WTA reports. Bartoli can demolish people who play to her strengths and into her hitting zones, but I'm surprised at the severity of the scoreline. Can Bartoli move these performances up to the bigger tournaments? She's still horribly injury prone, so perhaps some more fitness work is needed for her. Poutchkova seemed very stoic and sane in defeat from her press comments... despite the two tough losses in her first two finals (to Hingis in Kolkatta and then to Bartoli today) she seems to have quite a bit of promise, having come from nowhere to a projected top 40 spot next week. I've still never seen her play as far as my memory can recall... hopefully I'll get the chance early next season if she continues her upward climb.

B

Bartoli also slaughtered Shenay Perry 6-1, 6-0 earlier in the week. I think part of it is that she's extraordinarily aggressive on return of serve--practically stands on the service line, if I recall correctly. I think for players who don't have a big serve it really rattles them.

She seems very fragile, though.