WTA Prague: Genius Bouchard convinced, Simona Halep before return and US Open decision
The first main field day at the WTA tournament in Prague fell largely through the water. Before that, however, Genie Bouchard celebrated an impressive victory. The top seed Simona Halep intervenes on Tuesday.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Aug 10, 2020, 09:22 pm
Genie Bouchard was the big winner on day 1 at the WTA tournament in Prague. On the one hand, because otherwise it could hardly be played - on the other hand, because they, currently only 330 in the world rankings, came up with a smooth victory.
Against the eighth seeded Veronika Kudermetova (WTA No. 40) Genie did not allow anything at all, 6: 0 and 6: 3 it was in the end for the Wimbledon finalist from 2014. Afterwards, she was “proud to have been so focused "and referred to the many close games in set 1. "The best part today was that I stayed focused and continued to play well." Your participation in the invitation tournaments "helped me mentally to be ready for the competition."
Bouchard, in Prague with new coach Rennae Stubbs, will face the winner of the match between Tamara Zidansek and Katerina Siniakova in round 2.
The remaining main field games fell victim to the bad weather, only Kristyna Pliskova was able to play a 3-2 lead against Linda Fruhvirtova. Continuation: on Tuesday.
Halep listened to Darren Cahill's advice
Then the return of the top seeded Simona Halep is on the program, she is scheduled for the third game from 10 a.m. against Polona Hercog. And it should also be curious how the first appearance after the corona shutdown will go. Because Halep had temporarily not touched a bat, as she confessed in an interview with the WTA . "Darren said if I was focused I should train as if there was a tournament going on next week. But if not, when I got on the field and didn't feel the fun at work, I should take the day off. So I had not the stress of playing every day. I took days out when I felt like it. Otherwise, I was tough. "
Everyone is in the same position, Halep said. But she knows that she will stumble a bit, "because my style and personality are geared towards playing matches. I need matches to get into the rhythm."
Halep and the US Open: decision to Prague
Ultimately, it is also a matter of feeling when it comes to the decision for or against a start at the US Open. After the tournament in Prague, she wanted to commit. "I have to see what the US Open organizers spend in terms of travel and Co. Then I'll make a final decision," Halep is quoted by the Reuters news agency.