Managed to get down to Surbiton for a large chunk of today:

British Player of the Day: Harriet

I think I may be her good luck charm (wouldn't that be nice ) as whenever I see her play, she plays really, really well. She must have lousy matches too, or she wouldn't be ranked where she is, but I've never seen them....

Her opponent was that 'classic' Spanish player (need emoji for tongue in cheek) - she's very tall, huge serve, flat heavy ball and tons of net play. I kid you not - obviously some genetic abnormality somewhere.... And Harriet completely took her on - very aggressive, really hitting through the ball and going for depth and placement. She didn't manage to get to the net much herself (not really possible off the Spaniard's balls( but when she did she was effective. And she kept her head together wonderfully - it was very close but she deserved to win.

Disappointing performance of the day: Tara

I know I vigorously defended her right to a MD Wimbly WC recently, and I've always been a fan, but, frankly, and given her ranking, there was very little of any value that she put out on the court today - she looks a little out of shape, which is probably one of the reasons for the unforced errors, and shouting to your Dad when you get a dodgy line call is just immature - deal with the zillion of points you've thrown away from your own bad play and get over the dodgy call. I know Naomi is not an 'easy' opponent on grass, and maybe that was partly it, but I expected better.

Others:

Hev - started really poorly. K was by far the better player for all the first set (bar the tie-break). Was lucky to get a 'freeby' point (wrong call) when K was serving for the set at 5-4 and leading 15-0. But she hung in well, got a bit better, putting more on the ball and looking less nervous, K played a lousy tie-break, Hev played a decent one, and that was the first set. After which, K sort of lacked the will to fight and Hev capitalised nicely.

Katie B - a decent showing but she was always a little behind and M looked in control. Katie made a match of it, played some decentish tennis, and gave herself a chance. But the result was definitely fair and you never got the feeling that M was going to lose.

Laura - Difficult to say, really. There's a lot to like in her leftie serve and placement she gets in some of her ground shots. But she's like a rabbit in the headlights - there's very little conviction to hit through the ball, to step in - she tries sometimes but I guess it's a confidence thing - she goes back to pushing it and pays the price. And, yes, Korriban wherever you are, movement is definitely a big issue. I felt for her though - you sort of sense that she's close to playing a LOT better - but I doubt that is much consolation.

Naomi - it gives me stomach ulcers watching Naomi, but she has undeniable weapons on a grass court and, given the stomach acid-inducing shots won't change, I obviously just have to go with the flow and wish her well.