Week 44 - ITF ($50K+H) - Ismaning, Germany

Peter too · Tennis legend

Week 44 - ITF ($50K+H) - Ismaning, Germany

DavidC · Tennis legend

That's a very welcome and unexpected win for Mel - one of the best of her career rankings wise outside the UK - so it looks as if her first final of 2009 in Glasgow has given her confidence. She needs to go deep here though to get decent points.

philwrig · Hall of fame

The matches don't really get any easier.

alex03maccy · Grand Slam Champion

Mel 0-3

alex03maccy · Grand Slam Champion

0-4

philwrig · Hall of fame

0-6 1-2 ouch

philwrig · Hall of fame

0-6 2-5 must be an explanation for this as Chalova isn't that good.

Peter too · Tennis legend

R2: SOUTH, Melanie (GBR) 160 lost to CHALOVA, Elena (RUS) 156 0-6 2-6

steven · Tennis legend

That scoreline is even more shocking than yesterday's win confuse

philwrig · Hall of fame

When Mel joins up with Laura next week they will both be able to reminisce how they have been bagelled by Chalova in recent times.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Bad day getting even worse Katie down 4-6

indiana · Tennis legend

Katie has often shown herself to a fighter of late. Keep the faith smile

C'mon, Katie !

alex03maccy · Grand Slam Champion

lost 4-6 4-6 :(

indiana · Tennis legend

Ah, a little disappointing, combined with Mel's result. I really did have the feeling she might turn this match around. Pity.

It would have been really good if Katie could have had a really good run this week, especially given she becomes GB No 1 on Monday.

But she has really advanced these last few months, and is maybe almost ready for a few weeks off where she can hopefully reflect positively on her progress and work on areas of perceived weakness.

DavidC · Tennis legend

Mel said afterwards that Elena played some amazing tennis. I understand it's Katie's last tournament of the year, so she will have more time than usual to focus on off-season work and seeking improvements before she has to defend a lot of points early in the new Year.