Orange 25K - 2007.

Sheddie · administrator

RE: Orange 25K - 2007.

Sheddie · administrator

I asked Naomi a bit more yesterday about the experience of practising with Vaidisova, I wondered whether it felt like Vaidisova was hitting at an extra level pace-wise... after playing Ivanovic at Wimbledon last year, Sarah Borwell said she'd never played anyone who hit it anything like as hard as Ivanovic.

Naomi said "Nicole does strike the ball really well. I don't think that her pace differs much from mine but its the depth that is the difference. She has incredible depth on every single ball which puts her opponent under pressure and there is no let up."

Apparently Felgate is still working with Malisse at the major tournaments which is great for Naomi as she gets to be around the top players at events like Indian Wells and hit with people like Vaidisova

VSandhi20 · Futures qualifying

In the final, Cavaday will play 4th seed, Karin Knapp, a clay courter from Italy. Aged 19 and currently ranked 122 in the world, 2 places below from her career high, Knapp was not having a good start to the year until this week.She lost in the first round in 5 tournaments (including WTA qualies). This week, She beat a wildcard, recieved a walkover into QFs, thrashed 5th seed, Kristina Barrois 6-1 6-1 in the quarters and comfortably beaten the top seed, Tatiana Poutchek of Belarus in the semis. Her last title win was on clay back in July.

Hopefully, with Cavaday having a much tougher route in to the final, i hope she wins her first 25k in style. Come on Naomi!

Sheddie · administrator

Knapp will be tough, yet to drop a set this week...that result against Poutchek was hugely impressive. She made 3 challenger finals in 2006, at 25K and 50K level plus she qualified for a number of WTAs beating players like Camille Pin and Anna-Lena Groenfeld. In Palermo, she went on to reach the quarters.

It's going to be another step up for Naomi, probably a totally different type of match.

I spoke to her after the semi-final win yesterday, she said Tedjakusema is very difficult to play as she has very good defensive skills. In the match she often defended high but very deep which made it tough for me to dominate the points. I had to be very patient and comfortable in a neutral situation which is something that I feel I have done really well this week. She played a good match and hardly missed, but I waited for the oppertunities and then took advantage of them. I am really happy that I get another chance to compete against another good player in the final as that is the experience I need to progress further."

"I have worked very hard on my movement in the last 6 months and that is a huge part of how my game has changed. I have always known that it was a major area in my game that can improve, it was just getting a situation where I could have a training block and make it a big focus. I did this at Bollettieri's in December; for 4 weeks I was on court, 4 or 5 hours a day and in the gym for 3. Every drill I did emphasised the movement and I came away with a good base that I try to maintain during tournaments and improve a little whilst preparing for tournaments.

I am more comfortable now with the ball in play. I am not only getting to more balls, I can get a good hit on them without worrying about being out of position. I don't have to go for outright winners early in the rallies and I can actually be more effective by taking pace off the ball. I am constructing points now, rather than trying to blast people off the court. I am coming to the net, and generally have more variation in my game. This means that my results will be more consistent as I can still be effective when I am not playing well."

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Naomi!!!!!!!!!! The quality of this tournament I'm just gutted its only 25K

Sheddie · administrator

Yeah it's normally a 50K, no idea why it's changed this year

VSandhi20 · Futures qualifying

Cavaday beat Knapp 6-1 6-1

BUT thats according to WTAworld! So i dont know whether thats official

So im not going get carried away yet until its official

Michael · Pro player

ah you just beat me to it. I saw that result there as well. Awesome results from Noami, really hope this brings on her game to play at a higher level as she knows she belongs there at 50ks.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Wow if thats true thats bloody amazing, to destroy a top 120 player who hadn't dopped a set.

Shes right on the heels of Georgie again now.

If she can keep up this level of play for the whole tour she'll easily be top 250 prob even close to Sarah B and Amanda!

johnnylad · Tennis legend

get in!

Happycynic · Pro player

Great week for Naomi. Hope the last result is real-fantastic stuff.

Top 250 by the summer.

Salmon · Tennis legend

If 'statto' is the person who posted it then it's true. I think that I know him from another forum, but I am not sure if it's the same statto.

I can't log into WTAW right now.

Top 100 can't be too far away if this result is true. Naomi should attempt Tier IIIs and IVs in the second half of the year.

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Stunning result!

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

I think she should aim for top 200 at least by wimbledon now, if she gets to the QF in her other 3 tournaments thats another 21 points to her ranking and should see her into the 240's, anything better and she could be up there with Sarah and Amanda.

I think WC's at Birmingham, Eastbourne and Wimbledon are a certanty now.

Sheddie · administrator

Speaking afterwards Naomi told britishtennis.net "I played really well today, it was definitely the best match of the tournament for me. She was the best player I've played this week and I knew it was going to be tough. She has a very good serve and forehand and covers the court well. I wanted to get off to a good start and take an early lead but that didn't happen when I got broken in the first game of the match. However, I didn't let it affect me as I knew I had been playing well throughout the week so I brought my margins in and accepted that she was going to make me work hard for every point."

"I tried to attack her backhand with my crosscourt forehand and lefty serve to open up the court which worked well and took me to a 4-1 first set lead. It was very effective against her so I kept doing it. I didn't need to change anything at the start of the second set but she took a toilet break and came out much more aggressive to try and make an impact. I had to work and fight harder for points but still managed to come out on top and broke her in the first game. The next game was the biggest of the match as she stepped up a level on my serve and forced me to save 2 break points. I played some good points and held to go 2-0 up. That gave me so much momentum and confidence that it was impossible for her to get back into the match, and I wrapped it up 6-1 6-1."

"Overall it has been a fantastic week for me. I feel like I have come on so much in the last month and I am excited about the rest of my time out here."

Naomi is reaping the rewards from a gruelling training regime which she put in during her stay at the Nick Bollettieri academy in December. We asked her about the fitness work she does during tournaments;

"During tounaments I do a lot less training. I don't hit after my matches unless there is a major problem with something in my game. And I have put in all the hours fitness-wise in preparation for the tournament so it is all about being fresh and maintaining that level. This week I didn't do much apart from a 20 minute run every couple of days which I use more for recovery. It differs depending on how I'm feeling and how the tournament is going. It's up to me essentially."