It will be fascinating to see how Laura goes this week, I've just caught up on all of her matches at Landisville in the last few days, and can't believe how good she looked. If she plays at that level she could easily qualify. I had her contemplating retirement only a week before that tournament, but something clearly happened to her psychologically before she started that tournament. She was very determined, thus she was tracking down every ball with maximum effort, her serves had much more power on them, and physically she looked in very good shape, not affected by the extreme heat, and not fading during the latter part of matches. She then grew hugely in confidence as she started to rack up the wins, and her game/timing started to improve massively. Her net game stood out with lots of crisp/ well timed volleys. Her movement just got better and better too. You've obviously still got the ball toss issues, which I suspect are 50% nerves 50% technique. I had a quick look at her match against Kim at the US open in 2012 to compare service actions, and then it was much more side on and a more efficient looking action, but even then there would be the odd ball toss issue. The serve now has much more spin on it, which may be due to trying to cut back on the DFs. Her level wasn't a million miles off the one 4 years ago which I find quite incredible given the build up to that tournament. If she can keep in the same head space and continue to grow in confidence, and stays injury free, she should get back in the top 50 I would say at the very least, here's hoping.

Tara's draw looks decent as well, assuming she's fully recovered from that awful over heating issue in Landisville, she could easily qualify too.

Mrdeza has played a limited schedule this year (presumably through injury) and this is only her 9th tournament. She has a 10-7 season record, but has lost the last 6 so not in form.

Jang has played exclusively in the Asia-Pacific this year until now, and mainly ITFs. She did win a round of the WTA event in Nanchang but her draw against a WC ranked 878 might have had something to do with it. In fact, probably only Laura has had a better draw in WTA events this year!

 

Both Tara and Laura will be kept waiting to get there qualifying campaign started; Laura is 5th on Court 13 and Tara 5th on Court 16. Looks like it will be a late night tomorrow...

-- Edited by tony_orient on Tuesday 23rd of August 2016 09:38:25 PM

Both our girls are due on at about 22.00.

So tempted to head there tonight (I work in Soho, Manhattan so it's accessible) - has anyone been to the US Open Qs before?

First match on Laura's court was a 3-0 RET affair, so may bring Laura's ETA forward.

Excited to see how Laura goes this week

LordBrownof wrote:

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So tempted to head there tonight (I work in Soho, Manhattan so it's accessible) - has anyone been to the US Open Qs before?

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 For those of us in the UK the late scheduling of Tara and Laura is a bit annoying, but could work out perfectly for you. I'm pretty sure it's free to get in so why not turn up for the evening matches.