wolf wrote:

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I think Anne can win a tour event this year, you never know this might be the one.

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Talking of which, this 'Road to Bali' thing seems like an interesting innovation, and perhaps a perfect target for Anne to aim to qualify for this year.
 
When I first heard about it, I assumed it was the new location for the main year-end championship, but it turns out to be a year-end event that is aimed more at those who don't get automatic entry to all the biggest events and spend most of their year playing in the 'International' 220K events (equivalent to the old Tier III/IV, I think)

http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2845

It might turn out to be mainly players in the 10-20 range who qualify, but most of them should be too busy playing in the premier events to play in lots of the 220K tournaments.

-- Edited by steven at 13:39, 2009-01-07

The 'Race to Bali' seems like an interesting idea - Although I think the format needs a little work - Think some sort of points system would have worked better than this based purely on ranking (Provided you have won 1 tourney from the series)

Good start to the year for Anne - Either a Final here or a good result next week should get her into top 50 (SF here would bring her tantalisingly close)

From Anne's website:

I felt I was the more aggressive player today in tricky conditions. The wind picked up towards the end of the first set and there were several breaks of serve in the second set.

Im not sure I agree with the on-court coaching that is now allowed at WTA tournaments but I made use of it and got my coach Nigel Sears to run on court for his daily bit of exercise. He assured me that what I was trying to do was right.

Tomorrows match will be completely different to todays. Ive played Morita before but shes obviously got better with each match here and is playing with a lot of confidence.

I just need to stay focused on myself and what I have to do and hopefully the result will take care of itself.

Anne#'s on now, the bet365 stream seems pretty good. According to the interviewer, she has "yit to drup a sit" in the tournament. (kiwis!)

Morita tamely gives away a break.

Anne *2-0

*4-0 to Anne. She's got 67% 1st serves in and has won 17/25 points so far. Hope she can keep it up! (or Morita can keep playing a bit rubbish)