There are no Tour events this week, so the top women's event is a strong Challenger in Mexico, where Katie O'Brien and Melanie South should be in the main draw. However, judging by the discrepancy between the entry list and qualifying seeds there have been a number of late withdrawals. As a result Sarah Borwell surprisingly finds herself seeded to qualify. If other Mexican challengers are anything to go by results will take some time to filter through.
(2) Sarah Borwell Bye Liga Dekmeijere (Lat) Bye Dominika Dieskova (Svk) v Alexandra Riley (USA) (8) Tamaryn Hendler (Bel) Bye
QR2: Sarah BORWELL (GBR) (2) 297 defeated Liga DEKMEIJERE (LAT) 6-1 6-4 QR3: Sarah BORWELL (GBR) (2) 297 Vs Tamaryn HENDLER (BEL) (8) 449
R1: Katie O'BRIEN (GBR) 140 Vs Jorgelina CRAVERO (ARG) 219 R1: Melanie SOUTH (GBR) 136 Vs Magdalena RYBARIKOVA (SVK) (5) 102
Hendler will be a tough as for Sarah, as will Rybarikova for Mel. Cravero is a tricky customer, but seems a slightly easier draw for Katie. At least neither of them drew Ula Radwanska or Wickmayer.
It may not be a good time to play Cravero. She plays mainly clay tournaments, but moved to hard courts last week, and easily won a weak 25K, only dropping a handful of games.
Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience
Sarah's loss means that Mel will reclaim the British number 1 spot if she wins her QF
From the report I read Katie produced one of the best performances of her career to edge Wickmayer at the Australian Open. The rematch will be even tougher as Wickmayer has clearly moved up a level since then.