Week 17 - WTA International ($250K) - Rabat, Morocco - Clay

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Week 17 - WTA International ($250K) - Rabat, Morocco - Clay

Priesty · Challenger level

Great smile

indiana · Tennis legend

Should do, must do, will do ...

WavenNarsam · Lower Club Player

I wouldn't even consider her potential second round opponent to be much of a worry either. This however is a first round she should comfortably win. With no disrespect to her opponent, a junior career high not even in the top 400 is really not good enough for WTA level.

I thought Jo was originally down to play here as well. Does anyone know why she has withdrawn, or have I just made it up?

-- Edited by WavenNarsam on Saturday 23rd of April 2016 03:44:15 PM

Michael D · All-time great

Yes, this must rate as one of the most lopsided draws of the year to pick up 30 points. Having an unranked player in a WTA event, how often does that happen (especially given it is not someone returning from injury)?!

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Fair to say Laura won't get a better chance to win a WTA main draw match - she was playing tougher opposition in the $25k qualifiers earlier this year.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Agree with all the above.

That said, Ghita and her friends must be thinking 'well, at least you've got a chance, that's not a bad draw, considering'.

WavenNarsam · Lower Club Player

Just looked up the junior profile of Laura's opponent. Last season, she competed no higher than a G3 level and the furthest she got to in singles was a couple of semifinals at tournaments in Zimbabwe (one at G3 and one at G4). I don't know if she herself has been hampered by injury like Laura, but I really question why she is in this draw given her record in juniors.

Michael D · All-time great

WavenNarsam wrote:
Just looked up the junior profile of Laura's opponent. Last season, she competed no higher than a G3 level and the furthest she got to in singles was a couple of semifinals at tournaments in Zimbabwe (one at G3 and one at G4). I don't know if she herself has been hampered by injury like Laura, but I really question why she is in this draw given her record in juniors.

She also played for their Fed Cup team this year, telling you they don't have many other women to give a WC to! Rita Atik is the only ranked player in their Fed Cup team from earlier this month at 953, but she is in neither the main nor qualifying draw.

-- Edited by Michael D on Saturday 23rd of April 2016 05:35:56 PM

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

11:00 UK tomorrow, Centre Court, and so covered/streamed.

philwrig · Hall of fame

The bookies have Laura as a 1/100 favourite which seems a bit ridiculous even given Ghita's ability and form, she warmed up today by playing a highly competitive doubles match . Knowing Laura's ability to play down to an opponent and the fact that she knows she simply has to win this match, I'm expecting Ghita to win more games that most people think, I wouldn't be surprised if it was 2 & 3 or something like that. Winner will play Babos who won today.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Sadly I wouldn't be surprised if Robbo lost. Her results at 25k and WTA have been comparable, so if Ghita has a good day and Robbo a bad one.. Well I'll be depressed.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Bizarrely I have seen this girl play when I was on holiday last year. I had to
Double check the name. There is almost no chance of Laura losing this and if she does she should retire. Bakery products to be expected. Trust me on this the girls serve makes Tara seem like Serena Williams. It is joke these types of players get full WC main draw entries.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Nice to see Tara (sort of) compared to Serena Williams! The odds on Laura winning today are normally reserved for Serena's matches too.

Grachka · County player

Benhadi is very ordinary indeed...I'd be disappointed if this was at all close.

Laura Robson GBR *1-1 [WC] Ghita Benhadi MAR