In the past, Zhenya would probably not have got that 3T called. It really was a borderline call. To be honest, I saw more of an UR on the flip than the toe, the latter looked fine to me. There definitely were jumps that were more obviously UR and not called.
I‘m very happy with how Zhenya and the other two Russian ladies performed today. Russia should keep its spots easily. Alina is pretty much a lock for the podium after that SP and her score and Sofia is really consistent and could move up. Zhenya is in the middle somewhere, she seemed pretty confident today and I hope she can continue like this in the FS. However, I do see a problem with that UR call in the SP, especially given how many other ladies weren’t called, because it means the judges won‘t overlook anything anymore for her. I expect ! or even e on her lutz and since her combos are new and she doesn’t have muscle memories on them yet, she might UR and get calls, even if it‘s borderline like today. I hope for her to have great skates and post a season‘s best and I‘ll definitely root for her. I think she‘ll be 5th or 6th overall, Rika will very likely move up in the FS and round out a podium with Alina and Elizabet.