Starting with the losses, and just my view (which, for instance, not really the same as Pat's but there's always two sides to things):

Gabi played well, the match was a lot tighter than the score reflects (long games) but Tara was always the better player and deservedly won.

Our 'Spanish' Mandy was beaten by a Luxembourg Mandy who outgunned her, with a lovely game on grass - no real contest but not a bad showing.

Naomi Cav's score was fair - again she played well but Vogt was just that bit better balanced, solid, deeper balls - the result wasn't really in doubt.

Lucy put up a cracking effort. It's true that Sanchez was not playing that well but Lucy really made her dig deep. Lucy played some lovely tennis, had quite a lot of break back chances right to the end, and just mismanaged a couple of key points. The US bench were very anxious throughout, trying everything they could to galvanise their girl, and were mightily relieved when their player managed to come through, which is a credit to Lucy.

Emily should be furious with herself. She was the better player for one and a half sets, without having to play on cloud nine. And just had to carry on. But out of nowhere she threw in some nasty DFs, some soft errors and some daft chip shot choices which set up easy winners for her opponent. You couldn't have given the second set away more easily....She never stopped fighting, of course, but Grace had the confidence now and the third set was always going to be tricky....

And onto the good news

Tara, as said above, played well and deserved to win (true she had an easy draw but still good tennis)

Katy D did extremely well, rather Heather-esque. Weakish serve and not much force in the armoury but distributed the ball really well, especially on the forehand, with real terrier-like fighting spirit, and quickly recovering from each shot to be ready for the next. (And I think the near-disqualification will do her good - it was a close thing, she really whacked the ball at the line judge (not on purpose, obviously, but certainly carelessly and in anger) - she won't do it again without looking first). Really impressed with the fight and focus in the third set. The girl did well!

And, obviously, the young lady of the moment was Katie Swan. Lots of people round the court, a lot of noise. And she was a calm as a cucumber (at least on the outside). And the match was quite easy - Katie was always in charge - served very well, some super winners off the ground, great acceleration and timing. A really good performance.

Coup Droit wrote:

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Starting with the losses, and just my view (which, for instance, not really the same as Pat's but there's always two sides to things):

Gabi played well, the match was a lot tighter than the score reflects (long games) but Tara was always the better player and deservedly won.

Our 'Spanish' Mandy was beaten by a Luxembourg Mandy who outgunned her, with a lovely game on grass - no real contest but not a bad showing.

Naomi Cav's score was fair - again she played well but Vogt was just that bit better balanced, solid, deeper balls - the result wasn't really in doubt.

Lucy put up a cracking effort. It's true that Sanchez was not playing that well but Lucy really made her dig deep. Lucy played some lovely tennis, had quite a lot of break back chances right to the end, and just mismanaged a couple of key points. The US bench were very anxious throughout, trying everything they could to galvanise their girl, and were mightily relieved when their player managed to come through, which is a credit to Lucy.

Emily should be furious with herself. She was the better player for one and a half sets, without having to play on cloud nine. And just had to carry on. But out of nowhere she threw in some nasty DFs, some soft errors and some daft chip shot choices which set up easy winners for her opponent. You couldn't have given the second set away more easily....She never stopped fighting, of course, but Grace had the confidence now and the third set was always going to be tricky....

And onto the good news

Tara, as said above, played well and deserved to win (true she had an easy draw but still good tennis)

Katy D did extremely well, rather Heather-esque. Weakish serve and not much force in the armoury but distributed the ball really well, especially on the forehand, with real terrier-like fighting spirit, and quickly recovering from each shot to be ready for the next. (And I think the near-disqualification will do her good - it was a close thing, she really whacked the ball at the line judge (not on purpose, obviously, but certainly carelessly and in anger) - she won't do it again without looking first). Really impressed with the fight and focus in the third set. The girl did well!

And, obviously, the young lady of the moment was Katie Swan. Lots of people round the court, a lot of noise. And she was a calm as a cucumber (at least on the outside). And the match was quite easy - Katie was always in charge - served very well, some super winners off the ground, great acceleration and timing. A really good performance.

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Obviously I wasn't there but I have always been impressed by Katy Dunne when I have seen her so glad she won today

CD what did you make of Carreras on grass I saw her at Roehampton about 2 years ago I think lost to Periera I thought she struggled on the grass 

So Tara and Nik have a doubles Q WC.

And Katy D and Harriet have the other one

Coup Droit wrote:

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Scottie, I saw Carreras play on grass at Surbiton (in R1 against Fran) and that was not pretty - agile and good attitude, and moving better than I'd expected, but not really what it's all about (very clay-ish and rather unimpressive)

But today she was really going for it - far more pace on the ball, more power (probably helped of course by the fact that Minella's balls were arriving so blinkin' fast compared to Fran's and so she could use the pace already on the ball). And still moving well. She looked a good player. But Minella was probably the most impressive of all the opponents that our players played today - she didn't really have any chance.

And, yes, PaulM, I agree - in fact, I think Em IS playing better now than I've ever seen before - which makes the loss more of a shame but obviously makes it more encouraging too.

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 Still a huge well done .

Q2 singles action today sees Katie 3rd up on court 13; Tara 2nd up on court 15; Katy 2nd up on court 16; GL all :)

Tara warming up; and Katy won't be far behind as prior match has just ended...