Well - I said she was one to watch and today, on the less than prestigious number 2 court at Eastbourne, Guernsey's finest Heather Watson did it again. Won that is, and handsomely 6-3 6-2 against the top 50s ranked Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada.
That should take her at least into the top 250 and tomorrow comes her biggest challenge yet. World number 15 Victoria Azarenka is the next hurdle and I wouldn't want to bet that she won't continue her run a bit further, such is her calm, unfazed determination.
Azarenka has just beaten Agnieska Radwanska and other big names to fall today have included Caroline Wozniacki, Francesca Schiavone and Shahar Peer. So let's dream a little longer and speculate on her reaching at least the quarter-finals. Her stated goal has been to reach the top 200 by the end of the year - wouldn't it be great if she achieved it six months early.
It really does look as though she has the temperament not to buckle under pressure, as so many Brit women (and men) have in recent years when close to some kind of consistent performance. British number one and a top 50 placing within the next two years? I hope that is the least she can achieve.
Believe, Heather, believe!
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Sunday, 13 June 2010
..a qualified success?
Looks like the Brits have a young player to celebrate at last - but one who gets on with playing rather than mouthing off about her fellow players.
Heather Watson of Guernsey (so the French may claim her if they ever take possession of L'Isles Normandes) has just beaten Tsvetana Pironkova 26 63 64 in qualifying on Centre Court at Eastbourne. Now it was Pironkova who suffered a first round defeat to Justine Henin in the French Open less than three weeks ago. She is ranked 81, Watson is 346, so you can imagine who will be celebrating tonight.
As I write it is not confirmed who Heather will play in the final round of qualifying tomorrow at Eastbourne but it's good to see a player with a powerful forehand, a fiercesome back-hand not yet in Henin's class but effective nevertheless and a no-nonsense approach to getting on with the game even when trailing by a set.
Watson is 18 years old so has almost a couple of years seniority on that other Brit prospect Laura Robson, who has chosen to play abroad immediately pre-Wimbledon, possibly to avoid too much press interest after her outspoken remarks about her fellow professionals. I think the Guernsey girl is the better prospect over the next five years and she may well reach a Wimbledon semi at least in that time.
Heather Watson of Guernsey (so the French may claim her if they ever take possession of L'Isles Normandes) has just beaten Tsvetana Pironkova 26 63 64 in qualifying on Centre Court at Eastbourne. Now it was Pironkova who suffered a first round defeat to Justine Henin in the French Open less than three weeks ago. She is ranked 81, Watson is 346, so you can imagine who will be celebrating tonight.
As I write it is not confirmed who Heather will play in the final round of qualifying tomorrow at Eastbourne but it's good to see a player with a powerful forehand, a fiercesome back-hand not yet in Henin's class but effective nevertheless and a no-nonsense approach to getting on with the game even when trailing by a set.
Watson is 18 years old so has almost a couple of years seniority on that other Brit prospect Laura Robson, who has chosen to play abroad immediately pre-Wimbledon, possibly to avoid too much press interest after her outspoken remarks about her fellow professionals. I think the Guernsey girl is the better prospect over the next five years and she may well reach a Wimbledon semi at least in that time.
Sunday, 6 June 2010
...and so to grass
As the sun sets over Roland Garros and the clay courts get a post-final brush-up, the Internationaux de France is over for another year. In the Women's singles, glorious Latin unpredictability has triumphed over New World power-play whilst in the Men's the King has been restored to the throne.
If it wasn't for Francesca Schiavone's sheer exuberance I would feel a little more sorry for Sam Stosur. But the brilliance of the Italian's winning smile and her almost perfect game-plan banished any concerns for the loser - the better player on the day won and not even the most fervent Aussie could deny it.
The Men's final was wholly predictable despite the pre-match hype for Robin Soderling. A mis-match between the King of Clay and Canute, with the Swedish pretender trying in vain to turn back wave after wave of baseline bombardment from an invincible Rafa Nadal. Not a set dropped, hardly a shot wasted. How long will the Matador hold on to his regained number one ranking? We will soon know - the grass-court season, short though it is, is upon us. Four weeks is a short time in tennis and by the end of Wimbledon Federer could be back on the top of the pile.
I hope to see some of you at Eastbourne from 12-19 June and say a passing hello to my good friend Charlotte....
If it wasn't for Francesca Schiavone's sheer exuberance I would feel a little more sorry for Sam Stosur. But the brilliance of the Italian's winning smile and her almost perfect game-plan banished any concerns for the loser - the better player on the day won and not even the most fervent Aussie could deny it.
The Men's final was wholly predictable despite the pre-match hype for Robin Soderling. A mis-match between the King of Clay and Canute, with the Swedish pretender trying in vain to turn back wave after wave of baseline bombardment from an invincible Rafa Nadal. Not a set dropped, hardly a shot wasted. How long will the Matador hold on to his regained number one ranking? We will soon know - the grass-court season, short though it is, is upon us. Four weeks is a short time in tennis and by the end of Wimbledon Federer could be back on the top of the pile.
I hope to see some of you at Eastbourne from 12-19 June and say a passing hello to my good friend Charlotte....
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Dazed Dementieva...Super Stosur
An unbelievable turn of events at Roland Garros today which could have major implications for the entry list at the AEGON International at Eastbourne. Elena Dementieva capitulated against Francesca Schiavone after one tie-break set without calling for the physio, claiming a persistent calf injury.
Sadly she also announced withdrawal from the pre-Wimbledon Eastbourne tournament at the post-match press conference: will we perhaps be graced by the presence of Justine Henin in her place?
Then the fact that Italian Schiavone and Aussie Stosur are now first-time finalists at the French Open. Both are currently entered for Eastbourne but will they opt for rest and practice after the Grand Slam event or get competitive on the seaside grass-courts?
One thing is for sure - the possible presence of Henin alongside Wozniacki, Stosur and Schiavone will keep the ticket office busy. A surprise wild-card entry from the Scottish player aka Andy Murray in the Mens tournament could ensure a sell out.
On the other hand further withdrawals from the current entry list would seriously disaffect those who have already bought tickets and strengthen the hand of those (some within the LTA) who would like to move the whole tournament to somewhere more central.
Watch this space...
Sadly she also announced withdrawal from the pre-Wimbledon Eastbourne tournament at the post-match press conference: will we perhaps be graced by the presence of Justine Henin in her place?
Then the fact that Italian Schiavone and Aussie Stosur are now first-time finalists at the French Open. Both are currently entered for Eastbourne but will they opt for rest and practice after the Grand Slam event or get competitive on the seaside grass-courts?
One thing is for sure - the possible presence of Henin alongside Wozniacki, Stosur and Schiavone will keep the ticket office busy. A surprise wild-card entry from the Scottish player aka Andy Murray in the Mens tournament could ensure a sell out.
On the other hand further withdrawals from the current entry list would seriously disaffect those who have already bought tickets and strengthen the hand of those (some within the LTA) who would like to move the whole tournament to somewhere more central.
Watch this space...
Monday, 31 May 2010
To allez or not to allez...
I've been away for the weekend in beautiful Normandy (except the weather was not good!) so I caught up with the Roland Garros action via Eurosport today. What struck me most was the collapse of Justine Henin's game in her match with Sam Stosur: a downfall of Murray-like proportions. Which is unusual because she has much greater grit and will-to-win than the wearisome Scottish player.
What seemed to finish Henin off was her war-cry of "Allez..." when leading 4-3 and 0-15 against Stosur's serve in the deciding set, following Stosur's mis-hit backhand beyond the base-line. She had already used the exhortation twice in the set after previous errors by her opponent. Sam gave her a look of steely Aussie disdain at what she seemed to consider unsporting verbal gestures on Justine's part and proceeded to dismantle Henin's lead to take the set and match 6-4.
Now it's difficult to say how much impetus this apparent gaffe gave Stosur and whether Henin felt psychologically demeaned by the Oz ace's reaction. But I bet Carlos Rodriguez had a few words to say as his protégé went tumbling out and that 'Allez' was not one of them.
What seemed to finish Henin off was her war-cry of "Allez..." when leading 4-3 and 0-15 against Stosur's serve in the deciding set, following Stosur's mis-hit backhand beyond the base-line. She had already used the exhortation twice in the set after previous errors by her opponent. Sam gave her a look of steely Aussie disdain at what she seemed to consider unsporting verbal gestures on Justine's part and proceeded to dismantle Henin's lead to take the set and match 6-4.
Now it's difficult to say how much impetus this apparent gaffe gave Stosur and whether Henin felt psychologically demeaned by the Oz ace's reaction. But I bet Carlos Rodriguez had a few words to say as his protégé went tumbling out and that 'Allez' was not one of them.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
A wet day in Paris...
What a wet and windy day in Paris. Some would say typical weather for the up-coming AEGON International in Eastbourne. That's a bit unfair on the south coast resort which in recent years seems to have been blessed with wall-to-wall sunshine and fewer rain delays than Roland Garros.
At least the frequent stoppages at the French Open allowed time to reflect on the performances of those entrants for Eastbourne currently slogging it out on the damp clay in Paris. Caroline Wozniacki looks the pick of the current crop lined up to appear on the verdant grass of Devonshire Park. Let's hope she doesn't win in Paris and then decide to take a rest from competitive play before Wimbledon...though maybe she might then turn up to practice on the hallowed Sussex turf and breathe in the bracing sea air.
Alisa Kleybanova has just beaten Ana Ivanovic, Dementieva marches serenely on to the 3rd round, Schiavone has demolished S Ferguson (no, not her - the prize money isn't high enough...) and Na Li similarly crushed France's own Stephanie Cohen-Aloro. That's not an exhaustive list of winners so far entered for the AEGON International but it does show how strong the Women's entry is for Eastbourne.
As for the Men's list, that's in a different and lower league but it will be interesting to contrast the power and physical presence of John Isner with the guile and craft of Julien Benneteau on the grass courts in a couple of weeks time. I hope to see you there!
At least the frequent stoppages at the French Open allowed time to reflect on the performances of those entrants for Eastbourne currently slogging it out on the damp clay in Paris. Caroline Wozniacki looks the pick of the current crop lined up to appear on the verdant grass of Devonshire Park. Let's hope she doesn't win in Paris and then decide to take a rest from competitive play before Wimbledon...though maybe she might then turn up to practice on the hallowed Sussex turf and breathe in the bracing sea air.
Alisa Kleybanova has just beaten Ana Ivanovic, Dementieva marches serenely on to the 3rd round, Schiavone has demolished S Ferguson (no, not her - the prize money isn't high enough...) and Na Li similarly crushed France's own Stephanie Cohen-Aloro. That's not an exhaustive list of winners so far entered for the AEGON International but it does show how strong the Women's entry is for Eastbourne.
As for the Men's list, that's in a different and lower league but it will be interesting to contrast the power and physical presence of John Isner with the guile and craft of Julien Benneteau on the grass courts in a couple of weeks time. I hope to see you there!
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Venus and other confections
I don't know about you but I found Venus's black and red lacy see-through outfit a trifle too distracting today. Just as well red-blooded French males were absent from the opener in an empty Chatrier stadium at Roland Garros since they don't get up before mid-day for anyone, even the outrageous Ms Williams.
By the way, she beat her positively demure Spanish opponent Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2 6-4 but sadly will not be present at the Aegon International in Eastbourne while Santonja would have to qualify or get an unlikely wildcard. These are normally reserved for the posse of British no-hopers supported by the LTA who hope to make the Wimbledon qualifiers after losing in the first round at Eastbourne.
I wish the LTA would concentrate on getting a couple more men or women into the top fifty rankings or at least give Team Brit some hope of beating Turkey in the post-Wimbledon Davis Cup match which also takes place in Eastbourne. We all know we are light years behind France and even (God help us!) Belgium in achieving this aim but hey, which is more important - massaging under-performing egos or giving British tennis fans something to be proud of?
As an old boss of mine used to say - Proper Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performance...
By the way, she beat her positively demure Spanish opponent Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2 6-4 but sadly will not be present at the Aegon International in Eastbourne while Santonja would have to qualify or get an unlikely wildcard. These are normally reserved for the posse of British no-hopers supported by the LTA who hope to make the Wimbledon qualifiers after losing in the first round at Eastbourne.
I wish the LTA would concentrate on getting a couple more men or women into the top fifty rankings or at least give Team Brit some hope of beating Turkey in the post-Wimbledon Davis Cup match which also takes place in Eastbourne. We all know we are light years behind France and even (God help us!) Belgium in achieving this aim but hey, which is more important - massaging under-performing egos or giving British tennis fans something to be proud of?
As an old boss of mine used to say - Proper Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performance...
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