For the first time in a decade there is British representation in the US Open main draw, thanks to Anne Keothavong's top 100 ranking. Tomorrow evening sees the draw for qualifying, as 4 Brits try to end an 11 year sequence without a qualifier. As can be seen from the historical records below only Naomi Cavaday has a good record here, and she needs wins to avoid tumbling to around 250 in the rankings. Some or all of Bally, Mel and Katie should obtain a low seeding.
US Open qualifying W-L records
Elena Baltacha 1-5 Mel South 0-2 Katie O'Brien 0-2 Naomi Cavaday 2-1
But don't the losing finalists get qualies wild cards only? That's what happens with boys.
Anyway, let the Americans spoil their kids in whatever way they want. I'll be happy as long as she doesn't get wild cards in Britain anymore.
Coco is very interesting, no doubt about it. She got her first main draw wild card in 2006 when she was a 14 year old but lost to Kat Bondarenko by only 4 and 2. Unbelievable from someone who started tennis at 11. I mean... if you've been playing for only three years and face a top 150 player, after the match you should feel lucky that 0 and 0 is the worst score that can achieved in tennis.
But she hasn't progressed that much in the last year, so I don't know if it's all hype...
Bad draw for Katie - shame as with nothing to defend a little run here would have been a big boost. But with Katie I guess you never know.
Mel should be looking to qualify.
Bally has a good chance to make round 3 but is hopeless on US hardcourts so will probably go out in round 1 (maybe we can get her and Katie to swap draws?!).