Almost simultaneously, Nic & Lisa take the first set from the 3rd seeds 6-3, and Naomi and partner take the first set, from a break down, from... Ormaechea & Partner 7-5
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Data I post, opinions I offer, 'facts' I assert, are almost certainly all stupidly wrong.
Yeah, at one stage it was going to be the perfect day for Lisa but that doubles match just got away at the vital moment.
I've just got in, finally so thought I'd post up my thoughts on Lisa's two matches, the only ones I saw as I had other work to do for the rest of the day.
The doubles was a great shame, but that should not detract from an excellent performance in the singles. The first thing that leapt out in terms of improvement was her serve. Not only reliable but a useful weapon too and although she didn't need them too often, her second serves had a fair bit of zip as well, she wasn't just rolling them in.
I always felt the match was on her racket. Lisa always looked in control and once she got her eye in on the returns there wasn't really a lot the other girl could do.
Luangnam didn't play badly but Lisa had a heavier shot and was just too strong for her in the end. Great to see and I'm really looking forward to seeing her match against Stephanie Dubois on Thursday. I expect it will be a tough one but on the evidence of today I don't think Lisa should fear anyone in this draw.
On to the doubles - well, she and Nic really should have won. Nic slipped at the net during a rally at 5-4 and while it didn't look as though she did anything serious, her net play wasn't the same after that and I wonder if her movement might have been hampered slightly.
She and Lisa were by far the better pair up to a set and 5-4 up but some late errors and, to be fair to their opponents, some decent play from the other side of the net, kept the match in the balance.
Still, there some really good signs there of a good partnership, they seem to complement each other well and with a few more days to work on it there are good reasons to be positive for Wimbledon, whether it's wildcard, qualifying or whatever.
The article for Wednesday's paper should be online soon so I'll post up a link when it's up there.
A strong 1st serve and a controlled backhand slice off of a short ball from Doi save 2 BPs on the Baltacha serve. Another big serve and a wayward forehand from Doi take Bally one game away from victory.
Baltacha 6-4 5-3*
-- Edited by PockyTastic on Wednesday 12th of June 2013 01:29:03 PM
Thanks, embee. I've tweeted a link to your article. Most of the nationals have stuff about Queen's and Birmingham but it's very hard to find any decent coverage of Nottingham!
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Having dominated the first set, and then gone a break down in the second, I worried that this match might turn the way that the one in Midland against Samantha Crawford did.
But, all credit to Sam, she worked herself back in and finished that off nicely. Well done.
Zahlavova Strycova next, who progressed easily against Erika Sema today.
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Data I post, opinions I offer, 'facts' I assert, are almost certainly all stupidly wrong.