[Old-old-Ivy]

from Cronin:

Petrova's own mind is fixated in scratching her way back toward the game’s upper echelon. Stymied by a series of injuries earlier this year, she’s been grinding on court and off to get her body into perfect shape and to feel the ball like she did when she reached two Grand Slam semifinals and won six titles.
“It all about getting as many matches as possible and building up a base for next year,” she said. “Hopefully I can get back in top 10 and get to the place where I belong.”

However, Petrova won’t completely count herself out of a title run in Cincinnati or deep march into the second week of the U.S. Open.

“I wouldn’t be surprised because of the hard work I'm putting in now and I don’t think any of the other players are doing what I am,” she said. “I have to do double what others are doing because I have to catch up.”

Also from the article - she's more impressed with Jankovic than Ivanovic, since she doesn't believe Ana has a "Plan B". And she speaks highly of Dinara.


Full article: http://www.tennisreporters.net/petrova_081008.html

[Old-old-Ivy]

Wasn't it last year in the one interview she talked about tossing it all aside and just going fishing? Nice to see she's dedicated to rehabing all the injuries and making a run at the top again. My guess is that she peaked in 2005, but it would be nice seeing her contend again. There was a stretch where I thought she had about the best serve in the women's game.

[georgshult]

Thanks Moose!

[Old-old-Ivy]

Thanks Moose!

You're th reason I posted it, Charlie.

Well that, and the fact that she tips Jelena over Ana. She's one of the few people I ever remembering reading who thought Jelena had the bigger up side.

[georgshult]

Wasn't it last year in the one interview she talked about tossing it all aside and just going fishing? Nice to see she's dedicated to rehabing all the injuries and making a run at the top again. My guess is that she peaked in 2005, but it would be nice seeing her contend again. There was a stretch where I thought she had about the best serve in the women's game.

I don't think she'll ever get back to #3, but I think she could get another slam semi. Heck, she almost did at Wimbledon. If she really is working hard she could get back into the 8-12 range. I won't hold my breath for anything more.

Good luck Nadia!

[georgshult]

You're the reason I posted it, Charlie.

Well that, and the fact that she tips Jelena over Ana. She's one of the few people I ever remembering reading who thought Jelena had the bigger up side.

I also think Jelena has the bigger upside. She hits the ball just as hard as Ana, but with a lot more margin for error. I think she's more mentally stable, too. (On the court, at least. )

[indianstory]

You're th reason I posted it, Charlie.

Well that, and the fact that she tips Jelena over Ana. She's one of the few people I ever remembering reading who thought Jelena had the bigger up side.

Where do you stand on the two Serbs? Just when I think you like one, you say something that makes me think you like the other. A Bea gets confused.

[georgshult]

Where do you stand on the two Serbs? Just when I think you like one, you say something that makes me think you like the other. A Bea gets confused.

Yes, inquiring minds want to know.

[BuyCheapest]

I'm biased admittedly, but I do believe she has a Top-10 game.

[Zpxbawtz]

I'm biased admittedly, but I do believe she has a Top-10 game.

Sure. But there are at least 20 players with a top 10 game...

[BuyCheapest]

Sure. But there are at least 20 players with a top 10 game...

I think you're being too generous.

Or maybe I'm being too stingy.

[Old-old-Ivy]

Where do you stand on the two Serbs? Just when I think you like one, you say something that makes me think you like the other. A Bea gets confused.

Yes, inquiring minds want to know.

Love them both. Though Jelena probably has just an extra small piece of my heart, because she was my first Serb. Saw her play at Villanova in 2003, and came away with a severe case of the likes. She plays my favored style of tennis, with those great retriving skills. And she's got beaucoup personality.


But I honestly think that Ana has the bigger, and better game, which has made her a true fave.

[Andoror]

I don't see her back to 10. And Jelena doesn't have more upside than Ana, although her game is definitely more pleasing on the eyes.

[indianstory]

Nadia is in the top 20 with all her injuries. If her body cooperated and allowed her the same momentum the other girls get, she for sure would be top 10 again. For sure.

[georgshult]

Nadia is in the top 20 with all her injuries. If her body cooperated and allowed her the same momentum the other girls get, she for sure would be top 10 again. For sure.

Although there are plenty of other women in the top 20 with lots of injuries and roller coaster momentum. There's room for the whole top 20 to get a lot deeper.

[Zpxbawtz]

Nadia is in the top 20 with all her injuries. If her body cooperated and allowed her the same momentum the other girls get, she for sure would be top 10 again. For sure.

Yeah, but then you also have to analyze the current top 10. If she gets in who would drop out? Not that many obvious candidates other than Anna C. who will be replaced with Vera very soon.

[Old-old-Ivy]

Although there are plenty of other women in the top 20 with lots of injuries and roller coaster momentum. There's room for the whole top 20 to get a lot deeper.

The argument can also be made that a lot of today's Top 20 doesn't even belong in the Top 10. Bartoli and Vaidisova haven't won a tourney in 2 years, Schnyder in 3 years. Azarenka's never won a title. Szavay's a mess.

[georgshult]

Yeah, but then you also have to analyze the current top 10. If she gets in who would drop out? Not that many obvious candidates other than Anna C. who will be replaced with Vera very soon.

Venus after Wimbledon next year. Also Vera around April or May of next year. She had a blistering start to 2008 and has petered out since.

[georgshult]

The argument can also be made that a lot of today's Top 20 doesn't even belong in the Top 10. Bartoli and Vaidisova haven't won a tourney in 2 years, Schnyder in 3 years. Azarenka's never won a title. Szavay's a mess.

Although it's been a while for Nadia, too. Her last win was February of last year.

[indianstory]

The argument can also be made that a lot of today's Top 20 doesn't even belong in the Top 10. Bartoli and Vaidisova haven't won a tourney in 2 years, Schnyder in 3 years. Azarenka's never won a title. Szavay's a mess.

What he said. There'd be room for her because she'd be beating all those players (save perhaps Azarenka, who's also due for some top 10 loving).