Croft: Bianca Andreescu is the Most Talented Player I've Seen Based on Overall Game
Former British tennis star and current expert commentator Anabel Croft says that US Open champion Bianca Andreescu is possibly the most talented player she has seen in terms of an overall game, comparing her to a female version of Roger Federer.
In a column for Tennishead where Croft talks about the top women and their play in 2019, Croft says, "(Bianca) Her tennis is mesmerizing. I loved watching her befuddle so many opponents this year with her imaginative play, her flair and her artistry. With the way she moves around the court and sets up her shots, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the US Open champion feels like a female version of Roger Federer. When you consider what she has achieved during a year in which she climbed 174 places to finish at No 4 in the world rankings, a great future beckons for the 19-year-old."
On Ashleigh Barty, Croft says, "She’s a great thinker who constructs points with admirable intelligence. Having taken her much-publicized break from the game, she returned a more mature person, which has helped her to become a better player. Barty’s backhand slice is a major weapon and her volleys are outstanding. It’s rare that you see a woman volley as well as 23-year-old Barty, who extends a great tradition in that Australians have always been the best volleyers."
Croft says that Naomi Osaka is another wonderful player but a bit unpredictable. "Osaka had an extraordinary 2019. She won a second successive Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, parted company with two coaches as her form dipped, but then ended the season with 11 successive victories in Asia. She’s a wonderful ball striker, but every time she walks on the court you never know what to expect. She might blow her opponent off the court or go into meltdown."
Finally, speaking about the upcoming teenagers on the tour, Croft pointed out that 18-year-old Amanda Anisimova and 15-year-old Cori Gauff were the ones to watch out for. "We didn’t see much of Anisimova in the latter half of the year following the tragic death of her father, but she’s an amazing ball striker and has real star quality. Gauff announced herself as a future champion with her outstanding performances at Wimbledon. A great athlete with the perfect physique for tennis, she can shrink the court for opponents because she tracks down so many balls and defends so well. Her serve is already a significant weapon which can only get better and she never wastes an opportunity to finish off points at the net."
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2rAUE6o
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