Hey great minds think alike.  I had been thinking in the last couple of days of some sort of top 10 prediction contest, particularly for the women, which I think could be very interesting with how different players are coming through at different paces.  I'd purely been thinking of predicting British ranking top 10 in order ( which I'd be very imprsssed with anyone who managed that ! ) , i.e.  simply 1 to 10 rather than additionally put a WR to them. 

Anyway, jb, keeping with the original post, how is your league scored ?   Is it just cumulative lowest amount away from year end WR of your named players or say some additional credit for predicting players in the top 10 and / or their British ranking or what ?

Mine would be :

1.  Bally   -  75
2.  Anne   -  90
3.  Katie  -   95
4.  Mel  -   130
5.  Naomi B  -  155
6.  Naomi C  -  170
7.  Georgie  -  220
8.  Laura  -   240
9.  Jade C  -  260
10.  Heather  -  285 

Thanks for that.  Anyway, shhh I don't really want to reveal my reasonings, but between you and me...

Re Naomi C, I have actually got her going to a career high of 170.  For whatever reason after a very decent first half of the season after her break, she most certainly did not kick on but seemed to fall back in the second half of the season.  It was L16's second half rather than even QFs in these later months.  Yes, if she started getting to semis or more in 25K's she'd very much be on her way.  It's the"only has to" bit that I've a problem with since I'm not convinced she's going to do that sufficiently to rise much higher than my prediction.  I think the talent is there, but something maybe coachingwise or other things, is not.  It could all click, in which case I will have underestimated her ranking and be delighted for her. 

Re Jade C, after being really hailed in her very early days she did maybe tread water a bit for a year or two.  But this year she has risen 186 places to 334, and I see someone who will fight to try make the most of herself.  In these circumstances I feel a further rise to 260 is quite within her capabilities.  As actually one of the biggest ranking place risers this year, and until Naomi B's recent crazy spell GB's top ranked teenager, I did suggest in another thread that I thought she was maybe a little overlooked among other up and coming players.

Lisa is a very good prospect by she has only really made the break through senior wise this year and apparently still has quite a few temperament issues in matches.  I see her still  taking another couple of years to really begin to make the most of her talents and yes personally I fully anticipate Jade C heading her in the ranking at the end of 2010.

Yes, let's indeed see what the year brings and how silly this game of tennis will maybe make some of our predictions ultimately look.  But that will be the players' fault, not mine    

I won't do ranking, but I guess the order will be:

Bally
Anne
Naomi C
Katie
Naomi B
Mel
Laura
Jade C
Heather
Tara

I've put Tara on the end more out of hope than expectation, but I think Naomi C is due a goodun.

Cav certainly seems to be the main player dividing opinion for the coming year.

We have two thinking she's really going to kick on next season and two thinking only limited further progress in the rankings.

This is one time I'd really like to be on the wrong side.

Cav broke the top 200 at 18 years old, 2 years ago, and looked like she would really kick on and head towards the top 100 so its sad that 2 years later shes ranked lower than she was and I think shes gonna correct things this year.

Heather won her 4th event whereas Cav won her third, however Heather debuted higher in the rankings and I dont think its outside Heathers potential to emulate Cavaday and break the top 200 by the end of a full season next year.

If they all stay healthy:

Bally 40
Anne 45
Katie 60
Cavaday 85
Broady 100
Mel 105
Georgie 160
Heather 190
Laura 220

Im clearly an optimist, however I do feel that next season will see huge climbs for the girls.
If Tara, Joss and Lisa all play full, healthy seasons too I see them around 300-350.

Cavaday has the potential to reach where jb and redcabbage suggest she will, i just don't think it's likely the way she's been playing at the moment

I've been keeping my powder dry untill now.

1. Bally 70
2. Anne 80
3. Katie 150
4. Broady 180
5. Cav 200
6. Mel 210
7. Laura 240
8. Stoop 250
9. Heather 280
10. Whybourn 310(let's go for it)