At Exeter, Tier 2, this week, there's some interesting youngsters taking part.

The quarters are:

Ola Pitak v Anna Popescu
Gemma Heath v Sofie Woon
Olivia Elliott v Summer Yardely
Charlotte Russell v Jodie Lawrence-Taylor

Gemma took three hard sets to beat Jojo Bach (also 2001) whom I've mentioned several times here, as a British youngster doing a lot of her tennis in France but has possibly switched nationality to be French (she was coming up on a lot of sites as French) BUT moved back to the UK and is at school here now, I believe. Anyway, a very 'tennis' family, and a good player. Impressed that she did that well against Gemma.

Charlotte Russell (2002) is another interesting case - daughter of coach, Peter Russell, and mum who had a tennis scholarship to the States. Concentrating more on studies at the moment but may well jump up very quickly when/if she starts playing more competitions. (Charlotte beat Frankie Wilkes in three tight sets in the previous round).

Olivia Elliott (2001) is the girl that paulisi rates highly.

And Ola is knocking on the door of getting a WTA ranking and has a lot to like about her game, with a committed dad. Jodie L-T beat Kasia, the older sister.

Coup Droit wrote:

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At Exeter, Tier 2, this week, there's some interesting youngsters taking part.


Olivia Elliott (2001) is the girl that paulisi rates highly.

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 Do I? I saw her play at Liverpool a few years ago(3?) and there was talent, but I haven't seen her play for some time and I've no idea where she is ability wise at the moment.

I'd heard Olivia had missed a long period with some sort of viral illness so maybe not moved on as far as we were all expecting.   A very athletic looking girl, a bit immature tactically but wonderful, wonderful timing - especially on the forehand - a real class shot.

The quarter-finals in the end were all very quick. No joy for Olivia or Charlotte but Ola, Gemma, Jodie and Summer all made very quick work of their opponents:

Ola Pitak def. Anna Popescu 6-0 6-1
Gemma Heath def. Sofie Woon 6-3 6-2
Summer Yardley def. Olivia Elliott 6-1 6-2
Jodie Lawrence-Taylor def. Charlotte Russell 6-0 6-1

Tightest match ever between Gemma and Ola, and the sun continues to shine on Summer:

SF:

Gemma Heath def.Ola Pitak 6-2 6-7(4) 7-6(4)

Summer Yardley def. Jodie Lawrence-Taylor 7-6(3) 4-6 6-0

paulisi wrote:

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I have only seen Summer play once and wasn't that impressed.

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 I haven't seen Summer. But I've seen Jodie L-T play once and wasn't that impressed be her either.