Yes.

Although the tournament took place two weeks later last year it is the start of a period of defending 308 points over August and September ( 48 from here last year ).

It is a pity that she has so seemingly lost her mojo over the last 3 or 4 months when she had much much less to defend, but has relatively marked time in the rankings with only 110 of her current counting points being added in the last four months. While the clay season went as well as she probably hoped the grass season was very disappointing. There actually seemed more talk and messaging re the clay season and pushing herself than the grass, so hope the eye wasn't taken off the ball there and rather expected it to just happen.

Let's hope that she can pick things up again and that this is a good period for her again.

Astonishingly weak doubles draw. Naomi is seeded two with Kato and they have a bye.

Em and Ksenia are seeded 4(!) but luck was not on their side, as they got the worst draw possible against top 30 doubles player Niculescu and Wickmayer, the highest unseeded pair (and two best singles players in the doubles field).

Frustrating one as there are so many very beatable pairs in here but I suppose you never know, fingers crossed!

-- Edited by PaulM on Monday 18th of July 2016 08:41:18 AM

Already much better form shown than on the grass at all; first set secured, 6-3

Phew! Good to get back on the winning road 6-3 6-4
As Peter mentions, serve effective, but not as reliable as might otherwise have been hoped. Still, the streak of 'L' is now capped with a lovely 'W'.
R2 opponent will be either Sloane, or Risa Ozaki, to be decided in one of the matches late tonight.

Exactly one point per game deficient, and the first set is gone, 1-6

They have managed to get there!
MTB a struggle so far
1-6 7-5 [4-8*]