Looks like Fran was making a good job of it until injury or sickness got in the way...... :(

Francesca Jones lost to Ellie Douglas (USA) 4-6 6-4 3-1 retired

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Monday 29th of February 2016 10:55:19 PM

Ali had a conventional win, Emily a more peculiar scoreline

R1 (L32)

Emily Appleton d. (Q) Lea Ma (USA) 7-6(9) 0-6 6-1
Ali Collins d. Sabrina Dadaciu (USA) 6-4 6-4

R2

(7) Ayumi Miyamoto (JAP) v Emily Appleton
Ali Collins v (2) Lara Escauriza (PAR)

A good test for Ali next up against a 17 year old turning 18 in October but still not quite in the world junior top 50. I feel given Ali's new training set up this is probably the weight or rank at which she is now punching at 15, intrigued to see how things go but a good match up.

In contrast the boot is on the other foot with Emily turning 17 in September probably paradoxically facing a psychologically more difficult challenge up against a young lady ranked 70 places above her who is a very late 2000.

Strikes me as a well planned trip in terms of the level of tennis they have to play ie not chasing easy points but some tennis challenges that should develop them both and how many 15/16 year olds get exposure to South America in any shape or form.

Excellent; well done both :D

Oakland2002 wrote:

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Nice wins, they must both be very pleased. Taking a broader view it's exciting to see a run of consistent performances on which to build.

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Absolutely. Judy Murray's advice serving Ali very well ..... she's such an exciting prospect (and born 2000)

This is her best tournament (biggest counter) so far.

It won't have (yet) all that much impact as she was RU in Costa Rica last year and so has 45 points coming off (60 to be added here so far.)

And has 30 the week after to come off, and 40 the week after (last year's S.American jaunt).

But it's great to see the progress from RU in a Grade 3, and Winner and RU in G 4s, this time last year, to now moving through the G1 draw. It's just the way it should be.

Her family are knowledgeable 'sports' people and some sensible people around her too.

 

Emily Appleton though has 40 points to add (and counting) (the 60 will knock off a 20 in her best counters) - which is going to get her pretty close to the top 100.

It's been a huge jump for her in terms of ranking (adult and senior) and visibility (now those pesky exams are out the way).

Exciting times for her.

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 09:54:11 AM

Interesting to see that both Fran and Ali are not staying on after this week(Fran is playing a G1 in Croatia), so Emily stays for the grade 1 and grade A events. The grade A event looks loaded, as it should do.

-- Edited by paulisi on Thursday 3rd of March 2016 04:18:29 PM

No joy in the singles
Ali made in to the doubles semi final before losing out.