Sarah is in Stockholm for the Nordea Nordic Light Open primarily as a doubles specialist. That is just as well, as qualifying for this Tier 4 is arguably harder than the Tier 1 in Montreal - and Sarah has drawn the top seed, who has beaten Anne and Katie (twice) this year. Qualifying is over 2 rounds, starting tomorrow.
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova [1] vs Sarah Borwell Sophie Lefevre vs Jarmila Gajdosova [8]
I read an interesting piece in the Sunday Times written by Margot's father:
"I want to know how the LTA manage to spend such massive amounts achieving so little. My daughter Margot is a tennis player whose doubles ranking has risen swiftly to 451, but she is thinking of quitting because she gets no support except from us, her parents. She sees a handful of 'elite' players being sent around the world with a coach, a physio and accommodation paid for, while the other 20 or so British world-ranked girls are ignored. Margot has been entirely self-motivated, which is just one of the things that makes the present situation so disheartening." ~ Anthony Carter
I'm not sure I agree with what he says, but it is interesting to read especially since Margot is probably an overlooked player when it comes to funding, I notice that her singles results are less than stellar but perhaps she is more of a doubles specialist and is trying to make extra money so she can persue that. Obviously I have no basis for this speculation, it just does make you wonder...
I definitely disagree with the nub of what he says, despite being a namesake! While there is always likely to be some issues of perceived favouritism with regards to resource allocation, Margot's doubles results at present do not back up any claim for equal treatment with our 'elite' players. She is 23, and has won only a smattering of matches, so needs to demonstrate much more with her results - starting tomorrow perhaps. The oop is:
Court 1 Matches start. 11:00 (10 am BST)
Barbora ZAHLAVOVA STRYCOVA (CZE) vs. Petra CETKOVSKA (CZE) Marina ERAKOVIC (NZL) vs. Maria Elena CAMERIN (ITA) Vera DUSHEVINA (RUS) vs. Lucie SAFAROVA (CZE) Maria Elena CAMERIN (ITA) / Anastasia PAVLYUCHENKOVA (RUS) vs. Sarah BORWELL (GBR) / Courtney NAGLE (USA)
Court 2
Anastasia PAVLYUCHENKOVA (RUS) vs. Ekaterina BYCHKOVA (RUS) Ekaterina MAKAROVA (RUS) vs. Mariya KORYTTSEVA (UKR) Virginia RUANO PASCUAL (ESP) vs. Maria Jose MARTINEZ SANCHEZ (ESP)
Iveta BENESOVA (CZE) / Barbora ZAHLAVOVA STRYCOVA (CZE) vs. Kristina ANDLOVIC (SWE) / Margot CARTER (GBR)
