fab wins for tara and lisa.

Got there about 12 yesterday.

Just caught the end of Elliot's match, she saved a match point with an ace at 3-5 and she held and recieved a medical time out at the change of ends for an ankle (she had strapping on the other as well). She had chances to break Ricketts in the next game but wasted them some wild strokes and Ricketts held on.

Searbone did a lot of moonballing against Ozegovic and was 4-1 up, but the top seed began to counter it and soon took control.

Whybourn played well against Townrow, and was impressive off both sides. Lauren had a nice single handed backhand and perhaps deserved a bit more out of the match.

George v Banos-Gregorians was a big hitting contest with groundstrokes being pounded back and forth.

Tash Khan failed to keep the ball in court enough to beat Richards, there was not much margin for error on her shots which went very low over the net. Richards would get slaughtered for her fitness if she ever made it into the public eyeline.

Tara Moore hits the ball very, very hard and absolutely slaughtered Share's serve, who was far too lightweight to cope with the power.

The Rocket was struggling to win points against Brozda, maybe she needs a plan B because at this level you can't expect to hit winners every shot. She's won a few junior ITF's this year but this is a step up.

Liz Thomas unfortunately was just edged out. She went a break ahead in the first set but was broken for 4-4 before winning the next eight points to take the set. Besser then started to get more success hitting to her backhand. After the cruising the second set Besser broke straight away in the decider and that proved to be the only break of the set. Liz had two break points at 3-4 down and Besser hit a second serve on one of them that looked out to me. While it is true Liz's game is a bit lightweight, it is a a nice change from all the ballbashing, and on her forehand she does use the pace off the other player's shot well. She made some silly errors at times today which cost her.

Whybourn hitting the ball even better against Ozegovic, she was a break down early but came back. Despite some dodgy calls from the umpire she kept her cool and edged a TB. Had to leave it there I'm afraid.

My sister freaked out poor Tara Moore at the weekend by going up and asking for her photo. They were staying at the same hotel (along with a variety of other tennis players) for unrelated business. I don't know who else was there but I'm sure Tara was surprised to be singled out. We saw her playing a couple of Wimbledons ago and warmed to her because she's mental - I'm impressed that my sister recognised her.

Singles Main Draw

(1)Lucie Hradecka (CZE) v (Q)Mona Barthel (GER)
Jade Curtis (GBR) v (LL)Leonie Mekel (NED)

Lina Stanciute (LTU) v (wc)Jocelyn Rae (GBR)
(7)Camille Pin (FRA) v Stephanie Foretz (FRA)

(4)Angelique Kerber (GER) v (Q)Tara Moore (GBR)
Karolina Kosinska (POL) v Giulia Gatto-Monticone (ITA)

Mervana Jugic-Salkic (BIH) v (Q)Nicola Geuer (GER)
(6)Katie O´Brien (GBR) v Johanna Larsson (SWE)

(8)Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) v Melanie South (GBR)
Naomi Cavaday (GBR) v Katalin Marosi (HUN)

Yulia Fedossova (FRA) v (wc)Anna Smith (GBR)
(3)Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) v Andrea Hlavackova (CZE)

(5)Elena Baltacha (GBR) v Nikola Hofmanova (AUT)
(Q)Lisa Whybourn (GBR) v (wc)Stephanie Cornish (GBR)

Georgie Stoop (GBR) v (wc)Jade Windley (GBR)
(2)Kristina Barrois (GER) v Teodora Mircic (SRB)

Good draws for all, to be fair.

Thanks for the report Wolf. Nice draw giving realistic opportunities for several to progress.

I'm off to shrewsbury tomorrow and very excited about it. 1st chance ever to see Naomi cavaday play and haven't seen the other british gaals in a good few years. Well i saw Bally at wimbledon 2008 but i was straining to look over peoples shoulders as the court was so full.