Former New Zealand Davis Cup representative Sebastian Lavie joins Weekend Sport to discuss the ASB Classic women's tournament so far.
Lavie provides expert analysis of the tournament for Sky Sport and offers his assessment of the performances that have seen some of the top names and high seeds drop from the competition.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And so to the ASB. In fact, they've just lost
a third wicket. Just as I speak, they've just lost
a third wicket. Sam Constance is out so in further
trouble Now Australia thirty five for three More details on
that coming up to the Tennis ASB Tennis Classic. Top
seed Madison Keys knocked out by fifth seed Clara Towson
(00:34):
in the quarterfinals a short time ago. The Danish fifth
seed held her nerve in a second set tiebreak for
a six to four, seven to six win. She will
play American Robin Montgomery in the first semi from three
this afternoon. It also means Tauson could play three times today.
She's had her quarter finals, she's got the semifinal, and
she's also in the semi finals of the doubles. It's
(00:55):
a busy old day for her. Americans Katie Volnett's and
Alicia Parks currently playing the last of the singles quarter
finals before the semis a bit later on. You can
watch ASB Classic Women's semi finals live on Sky Sport
one and stream on Sky Sport Now from around two
forty five this afternoon and Sky Open we'll also have
free to air coverage of the first semifinal from three
(01:19):
this afternoon. Let's bring in the former New Zealand Davis Cup, representative,
director of the Lavy Tennis Academy, and expert analysts during
Sky Sports coverage of not only the women's tournament, but
the means tournament to follow, Sebastian. Sebastian, thanks for taking
the time. The last of the quarterfinals, Let's go there,
Alicia Parks Katie Volnets. Can you compare and contrast these
(01:41):
two players for us?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Yeah, no, definitely. I mean, look, first of all, I
think the tournament sourfar has been really entertaining. I think
obviously there's a lot of big seed up front, former
Grand Slam champions. They got knocked out quite early, so
it really opened up for a few other players who
ofstin don't get the chance to play in a semi
final or a quarter final of this level. I've really
enjoyed watching both Volinettes and Parks. Actually they bring very
(02:04):
different game styles. Vily NEETs is much more of an
jack CounterPunch a type player, and Parks is really a big,
powerful server and is trying to take her initiative as
soon as she can, So I think it'll be a
really interesting matchup. It's very hard to pick. I think
that Parks has probably got a little bit too much
for power if she is firing, but Vollinatz has just
been really, really relentless on everything. It'll be really interesting
seeing how this goes.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
You mentioned the fact that we lost a few of
the bigger names earlier in the week. We almost lost
Naomi Osaka yesterday too, didn't we She was a set down,
came back to beat Haley Baptista sixty seven six one
sixty two. How have you assessed her performances across the week?
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Look, I think I think she's actually been performing really well.
She obviously hasn't played a lot of tennis in the
last few years. This is her first match since September,
so for her to come through three rounds against some
tricky opponents that weren't necessarily the highest rank, but they're
still players with some matches under the belt is always
a good feeling. I think the first set of the tournament,
she played exceptionally, won't really really set a high standard
(03:03):
of play and then she's been able to get through
the next ones. I think first set against Baptiste probably
had a few too many ERA, isn't it. Baptista has
got a really difficult game. Star was able to mix
it up with some slices and hit a few great
passing shots. But then she recovered really well and was
playing really well at the end. And I know she
was stoked with that one as well.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
We know less, I guess about Robin Montgomery. The US
left hand are currently ranked outside the top one hundred
in the world. What have you liked about her? Tell
us a bit about her game.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Yeah, look, I think we're going to see plenty more
of her in the future. She's a real big she's
a real big hope for American tennis. She's a huge
left handed serve. She can swing it left right, she
can do anything with it, and she's got a really
good head on her shoulders. I think she's going to
be pally a top fifty player by the end of
the year. I wouldn't be surprised if she's in the
top twenty in the next year. So again, it's another
player that we're able to see before they make it.
(03:52):
I think Auckland has attendancy in really finding these stars
before they become stars, so I've been really enjoying her match.
I think that whoever she plays later on will be
really interesting.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Surely Osaka and Montgomery would be favorites for the semi five,
and was given the facts of Bastian, they heaven't have
to play today. The Rhine delay helps them, doesn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
It definitely does. It definitely does. Having said that, if
those players managed to get their matches done reasonably quickly,
they might not have too much tennis in their leagues.
Sometimes playing in the conditions on the day, if it
doesn't get you too tired, it is actually an advantage.
So look, I would say in theory they should have
an advantage, but it doesn't necessarily mean so the other
(04:33):
players will have to be waiting around little day. Hopefully
we don't get too many showers coming through today, but
it could be a long day. So look, it's really
anyone's match. I think at the end of the day
will just come down to those who really compete the
best and able to play tennis and big points.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
How much of a disappointment was it to see Lulu
Sun eliminated so early.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Look, I think I think as a key we obviously
would have loved to see her play more in the
center court. I know that she's obvious had an incredible
year last year. She's had some big performances, but the
reality of tennis is you don't win every week. Obviously,
we've seen her quarter final run at the at Wimbled
and we've all seen some other big results she's had.
But the rest of the year players do end up
losing a lot of matches first and second round, so
(05:12):
it's not incredibly surprising. But obviously, as a Kiwi and
as a real marquee player for the event that we'd
love to see her go far.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Do you still predict that she will have a big
twenty twenty five even given what you've said. You're right,
you know you don't win every week, But have you
seen enough from Lulusun over the last twelve months or so.
Let's not forget she was only a qualify here last year.
Have you seen enough from her to suggest that she
has has more gas in the tank in the next
few years?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
One hundred percent. I mean, look, she's got a really
big game style. She can hit a powerful ball, so
she can now hit a lot of players on tour
again at the end of the day. The way the
ranking system works is you don't have to win matches
every week. You just have to really peak at the
big ones. She's going to have a lot of points
to defend at Wimbledon, but she's got plenty of time
until then to really wrap up the points. She'll be
playing the lasts series now, should be getting a lot
(05:59):
of opportunities to compete against higher ranked players. And she's
still relatively young. I mean, she's only I think twenty
two to twenty three, and she's just firing up the ranking,
so I would be surprised if she didn't at least
get top fifty or maintain top fifty by the end
of the year, and then I'd really hope to see
her back here next year as one of our top seeds.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
And you alluded to it slightly before as well, around
the standard of the week. If you were, you know,
to recap the tennis that you've seen, if you know
spectators are turned up, they'd be relatively happy with the
value for money they're getting.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
One hundred percent. I mean, look for me, for me,
the match of the week, well, one of the matches
the week was probably the Ale versus Sloan Stevens match.
Early on we had some really other great matches with
Sophia Kennon and Clarotos and those were not necessarily the
biggest Thames in the drill, but the matchup just created
some incredible tennis. So look, I think watching pass lives
(06:52):
and really up twice like we're able to do it
as spig basic is just an experience that it's almost
one that you don't get anywhere else, to be honest.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Yeah, no, I mean I know that the intimacy of
the of the spectators and the players is a real feature.
Just befo before you go, obviously we cross over now
or we start to cross over. Qualifying underway for the
men's tournament with the round one main draw proper starting
on Monday. I'm no doubt you've had a look at
the at the men's draw. Are you excited about the
(07:20):
tennis you'll see in the week A hit from the men.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
One hundred percent. I mean, look, every year we get
some amazing surprises. This year we've got some really very
very strong young players coming to Auckland, probably Giovardi, chi Perry,
karrave Is one player who's just I mean, he's incredible,
he's big, care ofous, he's big for just this week
loan in Brisbane. So to have a player like that
coming to Auckland, we'll just be really exciting. Person. No,
(07:43):
I'm looking forward to seeing my finness back in action
in doubles. He's got a new partner, Nicola mctitch, who's
performed really well here in the pass and then we've
also got Marcus Daniel will be hanging up as rackets
at the end of the tournament, so there's plenty of
keys to support and I'm sure there're this in great
tennis coming up.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Brilliant to get your analysis, Sebastian, thanks so much for
joining us across New Zealand this afternoon. No thank you, No,
thank you, Sebastian and Sebastian Levy. He's part of the
sky Sport coverage of the asp Classic, both the women's
and the men's tournament. The ASB Classic Women's semis live
on sky Sport one and streaming on Skysport Now from
just before three this afternoon. Sky Open will also have
(08:22):
free to air live coverage of the first semifinal from
three this afternoon.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And so to the ASB. In fact, they've just lost
a third wicket. Just as I speak, they've just lost
a third wicket. Sam Constance is out so in further
trouble Now Australia thirty five for three More details on
that coming up to the Tennis ASB Tennis Classic. Top
seed Madison Keys knocked out by fifth seed Clara Towson
(00:34):
in the quarterfinals a short time ago. The Danish fifth
seed held her nerve in a second set tiebreak for
a six to four, seven to six win. She will
play American Robin Montgomery in the first semi from three
this afternoon. It also means Tauson could play three times today.
She's had her quarter finals, she's got the semifinal, and
she's also in the semi finals of the doubles. It's
(00:55):
a busy old day for her. Americans Katie Volnett's and
Alicia Parks currently playing the last of the singles quarter
finals before the semis a bit later on. You can
watch ASB Classic Women's semi finals live on Sky Sport
one and stream on Sky Sport Now from around two
forty five this afternoon and Sky Open we'll also have
free to air coverage of the first semifinal from three
(01:19):
this afternoon. Let's bring in the former New Zealand Davis Cup, representative,
director of the Lavy Tennis Academy, and expert analysts during
Sky Sports coverage of not only the women's tournament, but
the means tournament to follow, Sebastian. Sebastian, thanks for taking
the time. The last of the quarterfinals, Let's go there,
Alicia Parks Katie Volnets. Can you compare and contrast these
(01:41):
two players for us?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Yeah, no, definitely. I mean, look, first of all, I
think the tournament sourfar has been really entertaining. I think
obviously there's a lot of big seed up front, former
Grand Slam champions. They got knocked out quite early, so
it really opened up for a few other players who
ofstin don't get the chance to play in a semi
final or a quarter final of this level. I've really
enjoyed watching both Volinettes and Parks. Actually they bring very
(02:04):
different game styles. Vily NEETs is much more of an
jack CounterPunch a type player, and Parks is really a big,
powerful server and is trying to take her initiative as
soon as she can, So I think it'll be a
really interesting matchup. It's very hard to pick. I think
that Parks has probably got a little bit too much
for power if she is firing, but Vollinatz has just
been really, really relentless on everything. It'll be really interesting
seeing how this goes.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
You mentioned the fact that we lost a few of
the bigger names earlier in the week. We almost lost
Naomi Osaka yesterday too, didn't we She was a set down,
came back to beat Haley Baptista sixty seven six one
sixty two. How have you assessed her performances across the week?
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Look, I think I think she's actually been performing really well.
She obviously hasn't played a lot of tennis in the
last few years. This is her first match since September,
so for her to come through three rounds against some
tricky opponents that weren't necessarily the highest rank, but they're
still players with some matches under the belt is always
a good feeling. I think the first set of the tournament,
she played exceptionally, won't really really set a high standard
(03:03):
of play and then she's been able to get through
the next ones. I think first set against Baptiste probably
had a few too many ERA, isn't it. Baptista has
got a really difficult game. Star was able to mix
it up with some slices and hit a few great
passing shots. But then she recovered really well and was
playing really well at the end. And I know she
was stoked with that one as well.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
We know less, I guess about Robin Montgomery. The US
left hand are currently ranked outside the top one hundred
in the world. What have you liked about her? Tell
us a bit about her game.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Yeah, look, I think we're going to see plenty more
of her in the future. She's a real big she's
a real big hope for American tennis. She's a huge
left handed serve. She can swing it left right, she
can do anything with it, and she's got a really
good head on her shoulders. I think she's going to
be pally a top fifty player by the end of
the year. I wouldn't be surprised if she's in the
top twenty in the next year. So again, it's another
player that we're able to see before they make it.
(03:52):
I think Auckland has attendancy in really finding these stars
before they become stars, so I've been really enjoying her match.
I think that whoever she plays later on will be
really interesting.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Surely Osaka and Montgomery would be favorites for the semi five,
and was given the facts of Bastian, they heaven't have
to play today. The Rhine delay helps them, doesn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
It definitely does. It definitely does. Having said that, if
those players managed to get their matches done reasonably quickly,
they might not have too much tennis in their leagues.
Sometimes playing in the conditions on the day, if it
doesn't get you too tired, it is actually an advantage.
So look, I would say in theory they should have
an advantage, but it doesn't necessarily mean so the other
(04:33):
players will have to be waiting around little day. Hopefully
we don't get too many showers coming through today, but
it could be a long day. So look, it's really
anyone's match. I think at the end of the day
will just come down to those who really compete the
best and able to play tennis and big points.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
How much of a disappointment was it to see Lulu
Sun eliminated so early.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Look, I think I think as a key we obviously
would have loved to see her play more in the
center court. I know that she's obvious had an incredible
year last year. She's had some big performances, but the
reality of tennis is you don't win every week. Obviously,
we've seen her quarter final run at the at Wimbled
and we've all seen some other big results she's had.
But the rest of the year players do end up
losing a lot of matches first and second round, so
(05:12):
it's not incredibly surprising. But obviously, as a Kiwi and
as a real marquee player for the event that we'd
love to see her go far.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Do you still predict that she will have a big
twenty twenty five even given what you've said. You're right,
you know you don't win every week, But have you
seen enough from Lulusun over the last twelve months or so.
Let's not forget she was only a qualify here last year.
Have you seen enough from her to suggest that she
has has more gas in the tank in the next
few years?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
One hundred percent. I mean, look, she's got a really
big game style. She can hit a powerful ball, so
she can now hit a lot of players on tour
again at the end of the day. The way the
ranking system works is you don't have to win matches
every week. You just have to really peak at the
big ones. She's going to have a lot of points
to defend at Wimbledon, but she's got plenty of time
until then to really wrap up the points. She'll be
playing the lasts series now, should be getting a lot
(05:59):
of opportunities to compete against higher ranked players. And she's
still relatively young. I mean, she's only I think twenty
two to twenty three, and she's just firing up the ranking,
so I would be surprised if she didn't at least
get top fifty or maintain top fifty by the end
of the year, and then I'd really hope to see
her back here next year as one of our top seeds.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
And you alluded to it slightly before as well, around
the standard of the week. If you were, you know,
to recap the tennis that you've seen, if you know
spectators are turned up, they'd be relatively happy with the
value for money they're getting.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
One hundred percent. I mean, look for me, for me,
the match of the week, well, one of the matches
the week was probably the Ale versus Sloan Stevens match.
Early on we had some really other great matches with
Sophia Kennon and Clarotos and those were not necessarily the
biggest Thames in the drill, but the matchup just created
some incredible tennis. So look, I think watching pass lives
(06:52):
and really up twice like we're able to do it
as spig basic is just an experience that it's almost
one that you don't get anywhere else, to be honest.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Yeah, no, I mean I know that the intimacy of
the of the spectators and the players is a real feature.
Just befo before you go, obviously we cross over now
or we start to cross over. Qualifying underway for the
men's tournament with the round one main draw proper starting
on Monday. I'm no doubt you've had a look at
the at the men's draw. Are you excited about the
(07:20):
tennis you'll see in the week A hit from the men.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
One hundred percent. I mean, look, every year we get
some amazing surprises. This year we've got some really very
very strong young players coming to Auckland, probably Giovardi, chi Perry,
karrave Is one player who's just I mean, he's incredible,
he's big, care ofous, he's big for just this week
loan in Brisbane. So to have a player like that
coming to Auckland, we'll just be really exciting. Person. No,
(07:43):
I'm looking forward to seeing my finness back in action
in doubles. He's got a new partner, Nicola mctitch, who's
performed really well here in the pass and then we've
also got Marcus Daniel will be hanging up as rackets
at the end of the tournament, so there's plenty of
keys to support and I'm sure there're this in great
tennis coming up.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Brilliant to get your analysis, Sebastian, thanks so much for
joining us across New Zealand this afternoon. No thank you, No,
thank you, Sebastian and Sebastian Levy. He's part of the
sky Sport coverage of the asp Classic, both the women's
and the men's tournament. The ASB Classic Women's semis live
on sky Sport one and streaming on Skysport Now from
just before three this afternoon. Sky Open will also have
(08:22):
free to air live coverage of the first semifinal from
three this afternoon.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
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