Week 24 - WTA International $235K - Birmingham, UK - Grass

steven · Tennis legend

Week 24 - WTA International $235K - Birmingham, UK - Grass

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Melanie Oudin has gone from tournament champion last year to first player out this year, so Anne should be starting soon.

Spectator · All-time great

I was sorry to see that Ms Erakovic had left her partnership with Ms Watson to partner with Ms Black ... though I can't imagine many people would turn down the chance to partner regularly with Ms Black! Ms Watson and Ms Dushevina should, one would think, have a decent shot. Ditto Robson/Raymond. The others look unlikely, but one never knows.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Anne has been broken twice already, but she did win the 3 games in between so leads 3-2*

PaulM · Tennis legend

is anyone watching the stream? what happened on set point?

PockyTastic · Futures level

Riske has just broken to go 7-5 4-1 up... Anne is not moving her feet very well at the moment (result of the injury she's carrying or just bad footwork?)

PockyTastic · Futures level

PaulM wrote:
I kind of wish I hadn't put the stream on. It's not pretty viewing and Anne looks absolutely miserable

-- Edited by PaulM on Monday 10th of June 2013 12:51:24 PM

Same. I had to stop watching as it was too painful.

korriban · Challenger level

PockyTastic wrote:
PaulM wrote:
I kind of wish I hadn't put the stream on. It's not pretty viewing and Anne looks absolutely miserable

-- Edited by PaulM on Monday 10th of June 2013 12:51:24 PM
Same. I had to stop watching as it was too painful.

Last week was almost unwatchable at times as well. She played well when behind and wilted at every pressure moment. she will be given a Wimbledon WC I'm sure, but I don't see why any more.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Likewise.

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

As a matter of interest, Jovanovski is sometimes standing six inches behind the service line to receive Genie's second serve!
I've never seen someone so far inside the court to receive serve.

wales1994 · Club Coach

Melanie's game looks awful..... At this rate I see this being her last grass season as a singles competitor.

PockyTastic · Futures level

I know Mel is defending 2nd round points from last year, but it might have been better for Mel to play qualies in Nottingham and get more wins under her belt and more confidence.

When Mel gets her 1st serve in and gets the early strikes in, she is actually fairly competitive, but when Rybarikova moves her around it's not such a good outcome.

Mel 2-3*

PockyTastic · Futures level

6-4 to the Slovak

korriban · Challenger level

wales1994 wrote:
Melanie's game looks awful..... At this rate I see this being her last grass season as a singles competitor.

I don't agree. Her serve is very good. And her groundstrokes are very good when she's in position.

Unfortunately her speed, movement and footwork are exceptionally poor for a pro player, so if she has to move for the ball, she mostly loses the point. It's very frustrating becuase there is clearly talent there.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

korriban wrote:
wales1994 wrote:
Melanie's game looks awful..... At this rate I see this being her last grass season as a singles competitor.
I don't agree. Her serve is very good. And her groundstrokes are very good when she's in position.
Unfortunately her speed, movement and footwork are exceptionally poor for a pro player, so if she has to move for the ball, she mostly loses the point. It's very frustrating becuase there is clearly talent there.

I'm not watching (can't bring myself to, especially after seeing a few balls of Anne's match this morning) but, yes, that's the Melanie that we know and love - your description is a perfect 'bio' of Melanie South, good and bad.