I only got there just after one today so only saw the second half of the final set of KS/KD and Harriet who was losing 4-1 at the time. Harriet managed to win the next two games playing well but at 4-3 complained bitterly about a decision that didn't go her way[it looked right to me]. She obviously lost her concentration and thus the match with 2 or 3 more [wrong in my opinion]complaints before the end.Somebody I don't know spoke to her in the middle of the court after the match finished and she then came off with a face like thunder and not looking where she was going,bumped into me[well her bag did]-she DID apologise before carrying on.
When she reappeared for the doubles shortly before I left at 5-15,she looked much happier.

Katy D and Katie S played a few very competitive games at the end of their match,but Katie D's length of shot was much better-she was the better player in that period-thus won. It was very odd that the match points in both games were at virtually the same moment and they finished within seconds of each other. The doubles match on court 3 also finished within a minute or two of those two games too.

Thanks, Hoots. And Owen again too.

And well done to the dubs winners.

Sorry, Naomi, two Brits beat one Brit so had to support Katy and Harriet.

And Katie x 2 certainly dispatched the third seeds with aplomb !

Priesty wrote:

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Anyone likely to be there on Wednesday? Was going to go to Nottingham in the hope of watching Evo, Robbo or Jay but that won't be happening now.

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I'll be there 

Excellent days tennis - not bad for £8.50
Walked in at 10.30 and Richard Joyner is in front of me on crutches and in a boot. Turns out he ruptured his Achilles last week playing tennis - tough being tournament director in that state.

To clarify a few things regarding coaches - Felgate is with Katie Swan and Gabby Taylor. Jeremy Bates with Katie Boulter, Richard Hawkes with Katy Dunne. Beechy is with Harriet.

Like Owen I was on the top row, trying to follow both matches.

Katy Dunne deserved to win - very solid game, court coverage was excellent and just more consistent. Katie has a big serve, but very inconsistent and more erratic. The serve speeds were quite interesting - Katie 105-115mph, Katie 85-95mph. I can see the talent Katie has, but just needs to put it together consistently. To be fair Katie gave her very little to attack.

Harriet's match was a strange match - Harriet was on the verge of going a double break down in the first set and came back to win it 7-5. Second and third sets Harriet was always chasing, but you felt she could get back into the match at any stage. It was a good match, full of long rallies and excellent defence. Harriet's backhand is excellent and you can see why she has climbed up the rankings this year. She did twist an ankle at the start of the set, but after treatment, played through it with no ill effect of note. Harriet lost it with the umpire, accusing her of being the worst umpire ever. I agree with Owen, that Harriet was in the wrong on most objections in the final set, although there were a few dodgy calls during the match.

Of the remaining matches - Chang, the top seed, has a big serve, but wasn't that impressive. Rodionova cruised through the first set against Jang, the eight seed and I was surprised to see her win in 3.
The player of the day however, was a girl I had never heard of before, Aryna Sabalenka - just turned 19, but looked a lot older. Tall, big shoulders, huge serve - 117mph was her best and was hitting winners from everywhere. Kuzmova, who is a very good player didn't know what had hit her. I think she will win the tournament if she can maintain that sort of form.
All three Brits on at the same time wasn't great scheduling - never get to see Beth and Olivia.... Had to disappear at 5pm so missed the doubles

Tomorrow should be good - never seen EWS or Gabby Taylor play live and the OOP suggests that I will.

Nice write up. Yeah Sabalenka is very good, has helped put Belarus into the FedCup final. KD playing well is good to hear, fine time of year to be doing so. KS is now post hype, and we'll see how she can develop. She can do plenty worse than having Felgate guiding her.

Yes, very good to see Katy D in such singles and doubles form at this time of year

It would ge great if she could really break beyond the hovering either side of the WR 300 mark where she has essentially been for over two years. Her CH is 265 from February this year.

Sabalenka left an impression on me-the new Sharapova with all the very loud noises she was emitting. I thought at one stage that she was a fan of a Norwegian pop group as she kept on saying Aha quite loudly.

 

It only cost me £7 not £8-50.

-- Edited by hoots on Tuesday 13th of June 2017 10:40:30 PM