Tough on the face of it, but expectantly so at this level.
They met on clay last year, though Laura retired after a 6-1 first set to Rybarikova so this tells us nothing. Rybarikova, though, certainly doesnt chose to play on clay where she can avoid it, with only a handful of wins on the surface at WTA level.
This will also be her first clay match of the season as she hasnt played since Miami at the end of March. Perhaps there is a chance for Laura after all!
-- Edited by murray_2k9 on Friday 3rd of May 2013 02:49:33 PM
R1: Laura ROBSON (GBR) 41 vs. Magdalena RYBARIKOVA (SVK) 48 Winner to play either A-Rad or Pironkova
Slovakian opposition in the doubles too: R1: Laura ROBSON/Lisa RAYMOND (GBR/USA) 103 vs. Janette HUSAROVA/Sabine LISICKI (SVK/GER) 84 Winners to play #2 seeds Petrova/Srebotnik
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Data I post, opinions I offer, 'facts' I assert, are almost certainly all stupidly wrong.
I would make Rybarikova a solid favourite as she's having a stellar year, just hoping really for a surprise result. Scheduled for tomorrow at around 2.30p.m onwards our time, no streams until Sunday from what I can see.
Sloanes Oz Open run is the strange result, not everything that has followed to be honest. I think she's struggling with unrealistic expectation and is over ranked.
Laura doing much better now, just hoe she can hold the momentum and keep believing in herself.
-- Edited by PaulM on Saturday 4th of May 2013 05:30:00 PM
Clay is playing very sticky and wet as well due to the cool weather, another reason to not like Laura's chances, I'll actually be quite happy if it is competitive.
I look at it this way Tony if you have a bet on Rybarikova ,whatever the result you will be a somewhat happy man.
Clay is playing very sticky and wet as well due to the cool weather, another reason to not like Laura's chances, I'll actually be quite happy if it is competitive.
I look at it this way Tony if you have a bet on Rybarikova ,whatever the result you will be a somewhat happy man.
That's the option I went for though I didn't bet enough to not still want Laura to win