R1: WATSON, Heather (GBR) 93 v JOHANSSON, Matilde (FRA) 65
R1: WEBLEY-SMITH, Emily (GBR) WC 247 v ZAKAPLOVA, Klara (CZE) 38
R1: BALTACHA, Elena (GBR) 61 v Q
R1: ROBSON, Laura (GBR) WC 257 v KERBER, Angelique (GER) 77
R1: KEOTHAVONG, Anne (GBR) 113 v BROADY, Naomi (GBR) WC 216
R1: OBRIEN, Katie (GBR) WC 218 v DATE-KRUMM, Kimiko (JPN) 63

Here's a bit more detail about the R1 opponents and the days they are most likely to play, weather permitting. Quite decent draws really given the alternatives!

Mon: Anne Keothavong WR 113 v (WC) Naomi Broady WR 216

H2H 2-0, including 7-5 in the 3rd at Nottingham 2 weeks ago

Mon: (WC) Katie O'Brien WR 218 v Kimiko Date-Krumm JPN WR 63

KDK - CH 4 in 1995, W 13 L 7 at Wimbledon in the 1990s including 1996 semi-final, W0 L2 at Wimbledon since comeback

H2H 0-1, KDK 0&2 Montréal Q 2010

Tue: Elena Baltacha WR 61 v Qualifier

Tue: (WC) Heather Watson WR 93 v Mathilde Johansson FRA WR 64

MJ - CH 59 in 2009, W1 L2 at Wimbledon, the win was against Melanie South

Tue: (WC) Emily Webley-Smith WR 247 v Klára Zakopalová CZE WR 38

KZ - CH 27 in 2006, was W1 L6 at Wimbledon until she reached R4 last year

Tue: (WC) Laura Robson WR 257 v Angelique Kerber GER WR 77

AK - CH 45 in Jan, W2 L3 at Wimbledon, the wins both came last year when she reached R3

H2H 0-1, AK 6-7(8) 6-4 6-2 Barnstaple 50K 2008

I'm going on Monday, so typically the three Brits I most wanted to see (Hev, Bally and Wardy - even more so since seeing their draws) are all due to play on Tuesday (and they'll probably put Anne v Naomi on Court 2 so I can't see that either LOL - though if so, maybe I'll be able to find some non-Brits to swap C1 tickets for C2 tickets with), though since I saw the weather forecast for Monday I've been thinking I'll be lucky if there's any play at all that day! LOL

Edited in the H2H for Laura v Kerber - no idea why that didn't show up when I checked on ITF earlier, I must have done something stupid!

-- Edited by steven on Friday 17th of June 2011 07:24:37 PM

Quite remarkable to go a full year without any Brit drawing a seed in a Grand Slam. These things even out though, and needs to be balanced with a series of tough Wimbledons not long ago when more than an average number of Brits drew seeds.

It's good that the three strongest Brits have clear opportunities to progress (though Heather's match is only 50-50 and there are a few very good qualifiers such as Tamarine Tanasugarn, who has won 27 matches at Wimbledon).

The other three are definite outsiders though. Kimiko more than makes up for her age with savvy play, and Katie doesn't have the game to seriously trouble her.

Em would have a good chance with her game on grass against an inexperienced player, but Klara reached the 4th round last year, and has twice been a finalist (once winner) in S'Hertogenbosch. Klara has lost her last 3 matches easily, but her experience should enable her to come through.

Laura doesn't have a good record against other decent lefties, and lost to Angie at Barnstaple 3 years ago. Both players have improved since then, but Laura has been held back of late by injury so Angie is a clear favourite.

2 winners (including the 1 guaranteed) would be par, but let's hope for more.

I have never been to Wimbledon. I have a strong wish to go on Tuesday. Anybody have first hand experience of queuing for a ground ticket? Are any of our girls likely to be on a show court this year? All the tickets on line seem to be for pairs only and horribly expensive.
Any advice would be appreciated

Last year I got there at 8am and was number 5 thousand and something in the queue. We were told that about 8500 people would get in. I think we were through the gates just after 11. There are toilets and there is some food on sale. Once you have your number in the queue, which is not along the road any longer, you can wander off for short periods if you need to. You can't save a place for someone else as each person is given a number as they arrive. It is very well organised and good fun.

Bally could be in trouble depending on who the qualifier is. It's not yet an "easy draw". I think she would struggle against Tanasugarn, Erakovic or Pliskova. I'm sure won't bottle it after what happened last year, but all 3 are superb on the grass.

I think Naomi will take Anne here.

I'd love EWS to win, but can't quite see it.

It's a must win match for Hev, and LKaura needs to step it up big time from what she's done on the grass so far.

Whilst I'd love Katie to have her day versus Venus, I can't see her beating Kimiko. SHe got 2 games last time, and grass will suit Kimiko down to the ground. But you can bet Katie will be fired up and fighting her heart out, and we all know she can't be discounted.

Article on Emily from local Gazette: http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/sport/thornburysport/9086741.Tennis__Emily_is_relishing_return_to_Wimbledon/

-- Edited by DavidC on Saturday 18th of June 2011 09:40:44 AM