Week 23 - ITF $75k - Nottingham, UK - Grass

wolf · Tennis legend

RE: Week 23 - ITF $75k - Nottingham, UK - Grass

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Monday OOP - features Tara then Mel then Bally then Anne/JoKo doubles on centre: http://www.lta.org.uk/NewWebsite/LTA/Documents/Fans%20News%20and%20Major%20Events/Results/2013/Aegon%20Trophy/Order%20of%20Play.pdf

It seems a bit harsh to me that Mel is scheduled as one of the few singles matches tomorrow after she has played 9 sets in 2 days to qualify (that's 2 more sets than Rafa played in consecutive days at the French Open wink ). Her best chance has to be to make a fast start against an opponent without grass court matches under her belt so I'm hoping Mel is feeling fresh.

Spectator · All-time great

Nice to see so many GB doubles teams making it in by right. The WCs look really strong, too - particularly will be interested to see how the Broady/Smith combination works out.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Tara seems to be ok after the fall which is a relief.

Majeric is so there for the taking, she is so uncomfortable on this surface. Tara is going for the right shots at the right times, she's just going for too much. So many times she's just missed the sidelines when the shot didn't need to be that good. Also, Tara seems to be hitting every short ball straight back to Majeric, I don't know if she's not looking, or if she just thinks going back behind her is the right play (to be fair on grass it usually is). However because Majeric isn't moving well on the grass, she's basically totally stationary, so any ball that would be back behind her is actually just right into her hitting zone again. It's cost Tara several points she would have taken hitting into the massive space.

-- Edited by PaulM on Monday 3rd of June 2013 11:18:49 AM

PaulM · Tennis legend

Falconi is the type of player who does all the basis very well, and constructs and thinks points out. As a result, she is fairly successful on the ITFs, where she can outsmart girls with bigger games and who perhaps don't move all that well.

However she struggled on the main tour because the better girls can basically just pick her off and hit through her.

The grass seems to be playing very slowly.

Leaving aside the double faults, Mel is winning pretty much all points on her first serve, because she gets the first strike in. Behind her second, Falconi dominates because she is quickly able to get Mel on the move, hitting low risk shots from side to side into the wide space until she draws an error or Mel just can't get there.

If Mel can step in and get on top of the rally, and keep trading for long enough without making a mistake, she can turn this around but it will be tough.

-- Edited by PaulM on Monday 3rd of June 2013 12:57:40 PM

blob · All-time great

Will try to do it here:
2-6 4-5

*30-40

GSM Dolonc

2-6 4-6

-- Edited by blob on Monday 3rd of June 2013 03:23:28 PM

PaulM · Tennis legend

That's a rough one for Bally.

Disappointing start to her grass season. I hope she drops down to the $50k next week and play qualies if she doesn't get into the main directly. She needs match time and wins, against anybody.

I don't see what benefit she would get from an early exit at Birmingham. I mean she's playing some nice stuff (today was a good quality match I thought), but you just feel that if she could get some momentum going it would really make a difference.

-- Edited by PaulM on Monday 3rd of June 2013 03:41:47 PM

alex03maccy · Grand Slam Champion

Blinding day in Nottingham, pumped to watch Tara live for the first time!

korriban · Challenger level

Well judging by the standard on show for the first 4 games, let's hope both players start playing better soon!!

Extraordinary that both players are top 200 based on this: got to remove the rust soon, surely.

wales1994 · Club Coach

Are there links? :O

korriban · Challenger level

wales1994 wrote:
Are there links? :O

try livescorehunter. Beware any dodgy links - I wouldn't try any unless you have good antivirus software.

korriban · Challenger level

The standard HAS improved significantly, although a bonkers number of DFs from both sides of the net. Tara serving at 5-5 40-30 has fallen VERY badly. Fingers crossed here.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Looked sore.

Majeric doesn't have a clue what to do on grass. Catching everything late, not bending her knees. Such a shame if Tara has to pull out here (DON'T RISK WIMBLEDON) as she should be winning this.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes, I agree.

Majeric looks like she's hating every minute of it (reminds me of Nadal and his 'grass is for cows' remark).

But Tara must be a bit shook up - she's definitely been the better player since I tuned in. Hope she can re-group.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Sad face.