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...
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