Also, look a little bit deeper and the clay could give Gauff as many benefits because it takes away. At 5-foot-9, Gauff is across the common top amongst prime gamers as of late, however she has lengthy legs. That will help her cowl numerous floor with just some fast steps, however it could actually make balls that keep low on grass and hardcourts a tad harder for her.
If there was a standard thread in Gauff’s first three matches, it’s how properly positioned she has so typically been. The balls hit the clay and bounce proper into her strike zone, giving her a collection of belt-high fastballs that she will be able to tee off on, whereas making the most of the additional cut up second the clay offers her to set her toes or slide into place.
Always aggressive and looking for forehands, she is going to inevitably make her share of errors, however to this point she has hit extra winners than unforced errors, which is at all times a very good signal for any participant. She has additionally not often appeared off steadiness.
“I really enjoy sliding,” she stated. “I think it helps me recover faster after I get to the ball. Then also, I mean, I play pretty heavy on my forehand, so I think that clay bounces the ball up even higher.”
For her half, Anisimova, 20, additionally spent most of her childhood in Florida, however she stated she grew extra comfy on the clay largely by enjoying numerous junior tournaments in Latin American nations, the place pink clay can be way more widespread than it’s within the United States.
Anisimova is a harmful returner, capable of punish the slower serves, particularly together with her near-lethal backhand. She additionally is aware of her footwork and motion would be the weakest a part of her still-developing recreation, and the longer factors on clay inevitably require her to cowl extra floor. The clay makes her weak point rather less weak.
“It gives me more time,” she stated of the clay after her win over Muchova. “Hard courts sometimes can be a bit too quick.”
