Eleanor Dean is seeded to reach the quarter-finals here, and as it is a Grade 1, rather than last week's Grade 2, another quarter-final would give her a rankings boost Her doubles partner Antonia Lottner is a possible quarter-final opponent.
I hope this is an indication that she's going to play junior Wimbledon this year. Can't see how it wouldn't be anything but beneficial to her development as a player.
The round 3 match looked less tricky on paper and proved so, securing good points and a crack at the 3rd seed, who beat her doubles partner today, and Katy Dunne in the Mexico Grade A
R3
(8) Eleanor Dean (GBR) d. (11) Gabriele Pantuckova (CZE) 6-1 6-4
I think this should see Eleanor break into the top 100 at long last
Certainly will after today's barnstorming performance. In the semis she will have the unusual experience of playing a fast rising player from the year below her in an ITF. Belinda Bencic is the former Tennis Europe No.1 part coached by Melanie Molitor (Martina Hingis's mother)
QF
(8) Eleanor Dean (GBR) d. (4) Elena Maltseva (RUS) 6-2 6-0
SF
(8) Eleanor Dean (GBR) v Belinda Bencic (SUI)
Doubles SF
(5) Bogoliy/Tarasova (UKR/RUS) v (4) Dean/Lottner (GBR/GER)
