Onward into the third circle of Hell then, or, Set 3 as you might know it.
Heather serving first
Game 1: A good re-group, and hold to 15. Well done.
1-0*

Game 2: 30-30*, BP at 40-30*, but... gone. Chang holds from deuce - the first set in which Heather didn't take a 2-0 lead.

*1-1

Game 3: Always a point behind, Heather concedes a BP at *30-40, but draws level again despite a 2nd serve. The second deuce brings another BP for Chang, again saved. The pressure is consistent now though: deuce 3, another BP Heather can't save a third. 

Chang favourite now if she continues her vastly improved serving, this might be over in a hurry.

1-2*

 

Game 4: Chang holds to love. This next game feels a bit like a last stand. 

*1-3

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,

Game 5: Heather holds to 30.

2-3*

Game 6: Heather, of course, still fighting, 30-15*, 30-30*, 30-40*, Game Chang. Time running out.

Again, Heather is serving consistently, but not decisively - 58% won off 83% in. Whilst Chang has greatly raised her consistency and get's more penetraion with her serve: 67% won off 75% in.

*2-4

-- Edited by insomniacfolder on Sunday 14th of October 2012 05:41:22 AM

That match was the most beautiful torture.

Today's Guardian has a timely article about young girls flocking to Tennis inspired by our girls achievements. Now set I'm sure to become a raging torrent.
Also, a picture of an absolutely beaming Heather leads the 07:30 BBC Breakfast Sports News - The Formula 1, for once, relegated.

The positive effects of our Ladies exploits are set to reach new grounds.
Glad it's the off season now, a perfect send off.
Can't wait for next year!

Additional: Oh, and in a typically British manner, whenever I see Kai-Chen's name on a drawsheet, I'll be rooting for her - unless she's playing our girls! She contributed so much to make that match what it was.

-- Edited by insomniacfolder on Sunday 14th of October 2012 06:44:05 AM

BritInMilwaukee wrote:

---

Speaking of Heather's titles and the possibility of a 3rd doubles title of this year, looking at the worst source ever, Wikipedia, it appears that should Heather manage to win, she would become only the 7th woman to win at least 3 doubles titles this year. Errani and Vinci have 8 together, Raymond and Huber have 4 together, and their opponents Kops-Jones and Spears have 3 together. (BZS also has 2 and is in the Linz doubles final)

Just an interesting little factoid (assuming wiki is correct) about the possibilities that could also come later after Heather has recovered from that grueling last three hours.

---

 

Very interesting, thanks, and actually I'd tend to believe wikipedia over most media outlets  It's an absolutely tremendous source of information ( and yes, you always have to beware, knowing what it is, but... )

-- Edited by indiana on Sunday 14th of October 2012 07:04:35 AM

I actually do really ike the Grauniad for sport, but it's error capacity is no myth, for such as typos, stats and what I notice so often is great diagrams showing pictorially some statistical information, but then they get something clearly wrong in it  - DUH !

( PS :  before anyone comments, I don't have a proof reader facility    ) 

-- Edited by indiana on Sunday 14th of October 2012 07:24:34 AM

I went to watch them both play each other at barnstaple last year. Something tells me they wont be showing up to many challengers for a while now. Also, was thinking of going again this year but the line up doesnt have as much glitz to it. Though joko is there..

-- Edited by Maza1987 on Sunday 14th of October 2012 08:50:14 AM

Good luck Heather.

Thanks for all the updates IF ... I've been lazily following this from in bed since halfway through the 1st set so haven't been able to type.