Am I the only one who wasn't that impressed with Baltacha today?

She showed great fighting spirit to comeback and win the match, and hit some big winners, but she is just so frustrating to watch.

I lost count of the number of times she missed return after return so put herself under pressure - she was hitting second serve return after second serve return either into the net or long, off 70 mph serves landing in the middle of the box, errors that a club player wouldn't be expected to make, let alone a top 150 player.

She won and fought well to do so, but if Kerber had any kind of game she'd have won the match easily as Baltacha just made too many easy errors for the most part (and the obligitory choke in a women's match)

South though was far more impressive as she hit some ridiculous winners and at times played some outstanding tennis, and was very unlucky to lose the match as from what I saw she was the better player (don't know how she went 2 breaks down in the 3rd though as I was watching Nalby), and time and time again hit Bondarenko off the court.

Maybe experience let down a bit as a better player would have made all the returns at 5-4, especially the 30-30 one which she blasted into the bottom of the net on a 2nd serve, but a very good effort from her.

Only problem she has is she only has 1 gameplan and that is to hit the ball hard, and if it doesn't work, hit it harder. Without the variety she'll struggle to beat some players as they'll get used to it, or on a day where it isn't all working, she won't win

Really enjoyed watching Mel play. Such a shame that she lost in the end but you can see the improvement in her game this year which as been backed up by results in lower events. She can take a lot of positives away from that match.

Bally Mel looked a much improved player, but too many unforced errors were her undoing. You can't say either woman lacked fight and determination. Just a shame they both couldn't have found a way into the next round.

Listened to the last set....what a fighter Bally !!!

I was also very impressed by Mel - the best I have seen her play. Bondarenko has a superior technique, but Mel adopted the only approach which would give her a chance (using her power to dominate as many points as possible), and it was uplifting to see her have a real go. Difficult to see her beating top 50 opponents on hard or clay courts though unless she is able to improve her technique and movement considerably.

The decision to schedule Katie as the one singles match TBA is really irritating. Peer will have a big advantage (in terms of playing matches in big arenas) if that goes on Centre as the organisers hope. So we now need Naomi to nick a long 3 setter to thwart their plans!

I was very impressed by both of our girls yesterday. Each of them took the game to their respective opponents, as witnessed by the comparative winners/unforced errors figures. I believe that indicates two things - firstly, the right attitude to our great game, and, secondly, room for improvement - becoming more controlled in not making unnecessary errors is much easier than developing new winning shots.
Commiserations to a brave, but very talented, Mel; congratulations, and good luck in round 2, to Elena.

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