Patience is key - 4/9/2011

Date: 4/9/2011
Result: Charleston SF, Caroline Wozniacki def. Jelena Jankovic 6-4 6-4
Why it matters:
- Jankovic just can't seem to win the matches against other top players.  She's 3-6 in the last 12 months against the top 10.  Where she used to buckle down and really work the point when she needed it the most, she seems to take chances on opening up the court at marginal times, and just making too many errors.  Last year in Indian Wells, Jankovic picked apart Wozniacki with precision.  Today, it seemed like she just wanted to outhit Wozniacki, always being the first to try to break open the court, even when ill-advised.  Jankovic needs to remember what got her to #1, which was unbreakable determination, incredible movement, and intelligent play.  Jankovic also needs some of her diva swagger back.
- Wozniacki has basically stolen the mantle from Jankovic in playing that solid tennis that is so tough to break through against.  Many are asking Wozniacki to be more aggressive (including me, at times), but she would be wise to learn from Jankovic, who tried to beef up her game and her body to compete with the power-players more effectively, but ended up losing her most powerful weapons.  Wozniacki should stick with what she does best.  It is so effective day-in, day-out that the law of averages should mean that eventually it'll work for the 7 of 14 days needed to take home a Grand Slam title.  As long as she stays patient, her crowning moment will come.

Honorable Mentions:
- Casablanca SF, Potito Starace def. Victor Hanescu - 61 67 76 - Another solid win for Starace.  What was most impressive was that he kept it together after blowing a solid lead in the second set (including match points) and was able to win a tight third.  For Hanescu, Monte-Carlo awaits just across the Mediterranean.  Sometimes I wonder if there are "strategic" losses by players trying to make sure they are ready to try to qualify or perform well in the next event.  Hanescu's effort to try to comeback here shows that he was fully committed.
- Marbella SF, Irina-Camelia Begu def. Svetlana Kuznetsova - 36 76 64 - Begu finished what Mona Barthel couldn't.  Given the field in Marbella, Kuznetsova losing in the semifinals wouldn't have been shocking at the start of the week, and given the form she displayed, it's not shocking either.  But all things considered, she should not be losing this match, especially to someone who had never won a tour match previously (let alone barely played any).  But for Begu, she's got no pressure in the final.  It should be interesting to see how she handles things.