Gold star obviously goes to the Pitak family today.

Young Ola takes pride of place with three points and two super wins (although I think Mia, the Finnish girl, was threatening to quit tennis for life after she lost).

But both Pitak girls (and their parents) deserve credit  - great attitudes on court, fit, good hitting (Ola has some super shots for her age, although she's pretty slight), pleasant -bravo to all !!!

Georgie Axon did well too although I haven't changed my mind - paying Colin Beecher a full day's salary to sit and watch her matches seems money misspent (not to mention the thousands in LTA coaching etc). She has some good qualities but it's more junior tennis to me, and not the best junior tennis at that. However, well done to her on two good results today.

Gemma Heath impressed. I know a couple of people have been more of the opposite opinion, and that it was her height for her age that was largely behind her success, but I thought she showed a lot of promise, not just one-dimensional, an excellent first serve, moved well for a more well-built girl, good attitude. Very positive all round.

Elise van H is still one of my favourites to watch : who cant love seeing a string bean sort of girl crack her single-handed backhand? She has a lot of natural talent, out of the ordinary, should play better than she does really - will be interested to see how US college shapes her up.

Anna P should thank Emily W-S - nice way to take advantage of an ALT position and get a point.

Saw a good bit of ALL the other matches too, so a fair number of players I hadn't seen before.

Not bad to see a Wimbly semi-finalist either.

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Sunday 5th of June 2016 10:30:47 PM

Thank you, Coup Droit, for the interesting report.
Alex Stevenson, must really love tennis to still be grinding it out at her age - its not as though she needs the money, is it!

I must admit to getting a tiny bit misty-eyed at Dommie Covington finally getting her ranking, after all those countless tries at getting her first point. She's come a long way, and perseverance has paid off. Well done.

Excellent report from CD. One of the last chances to see Georgina before she goes stateside

Pitak the Younger does seem one to watch.

Am going to try and get along today too.

My guess is that Ola will get well beaten by Stevenson - the American's got some class on grass there (should be a catchword, no? 'Class on grass' )

And Ola doesn't have anything amazing that stands out - but the whole is more than the sum of the parts - and, as said, a really excellent attitude - she seems to enjoy her tennis, and play with a lightness, not weighed down (although she is so young sometimes that changes). She lost her first MP yesterday (at 5-4?) when she hit a horrid return, really froze and hit a beginner shot. And lost two MPs in the tie-break - not her fault, but lost them all the same. And then won the third with a cracking backhand winner down the line, a really brave shot, given the circumstances.

I would expect Gerogie to beat her sister.

But I'm hoping Beth can cause a minor upset. The Polish 18 year-old will be favourite, and rightly so, she plays well, but Beth has made good progress at Soto - this is a good chance for her to put down a marker.

As before, given the club's attitude to wildcards, don't know about injuries but I'm betting on Emily Appleton getting one.

Maybe see you today CD, must have been within a few yards of you yesterday by the sound of things. I'm currently sat in stand on court A, just about the only person who isn't a ball boy! Back row, light blue shirt

SB 1-6, 6-1

Ola broken, breaks back 2-2

Sarah Beth let it slip 1-6, 6-1, 3-6

Ola 2-6, 2-2