Monkey off her back - 5/21/2011

Date: 5/21/2011
Result: Brussels F, Caroline Wozniacki def. Peng Shuai, 2-6 6-3 6-3
Why it matters:
- Wozniacki finally has her red clay title. But what does that mean? Pro: she ground down Peng with her consistency and ball movement; con: she got pounded in the first set when Peng was on form.   Pro: she's coming in "hot" with a winning streak into a wide-open major; con: she's won four titles the week before a major previously (three times at New Haven before the US Open; once at Eastbourne before Wimbledon) and she's still major-less, so it might not be enough of a boost.  Pro: she showed her mental toughness by grinding out some hard matches back to back; con: she played a lot of tennis right before a major, and is probably going to be scheduled for a Monday start at Roland Garros against a feisty and very fit 40-year-old Kimiko Date Krumm, who is no stranger to some big first round upsets at the French.  All in all, good for Wozniacki to prove to herself that she can win on clay, but it doesn't change the fact that I think she's at best fourth favorite for the title.
- Peng had a great week regardless, but her fitness really let her down.  To be successful on clay, she'll have to figure out how to hit several big shots in succession without getting tired or out of position.  She was doubled over after a lot of the long rallies, especially late in the second set through the end of the match.  If she wants to take this strong run of form to the next level, especially in the heat of the American summer, she should work on her off-court training for a few weeks post-Wimbledon.  But on the grass where points are shorter and the conditions are usually cooler, she should be able to keep things up.

Honorable Mention:
-Dusseldorf F, Philipp Kohlschreiber/Philipp Petzschner def. Juan Ignacio Chela/Maximo Gonzalez - 63 76 - I'm not sure I get why there needs to be a week long World Team Cup other than a free chance to get some guaranteed matches before the French, but with the comparatively long lead-in season for Roland Garros there has been ample opportunity for players to get used to clay courts, wouldn't a round-robin providing guaranteed matches make more sense pre-Wimbledon so players get grass court experience?  Nonetheless, for many players, the chance to play for their country is exciting no matter the circumstance, and more so for the Germans, who got to prove their merit in front of their home crowd.  Argentina was pumped - check out @picomonaco  juan monaco No se cumplio el objetivo que era defender el titulo, pero se llego a la final y estamos orgullosos de jugar para nuestro pais !! - but fell a little short.  I have to admit that although a format like this, or Fed Cup, which puts doubles as the last match obviously can then make the doubles obsolete, it is probably preferable because then when the doubles does matter, it is incredibly exciting.  This is probably a plus for doubles on the whole.