Week 25 - ITF ($100K) - llkley, Great Britain Grass

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Week 25 - ITF ($100K) - llkley, Great Britain Grass

Nix · Futures level

Definitely feel these tight matches are what she needs to win just to build up her confidence. I mentioned at Surbiton that she just didn't seem to believe she could get through once she went behind. These matches provide evidence that she can battle back and win. If I were her coach/sports psychologist I'd be showing her these results and banging on about how she's got both the skill and character to win through.

Although it's not the blast through the rankings she experienced first time round, she's steadily improving and rebuilding her game. It's good to see and I'm willing her to carry on. Luckily there's a few British players of similar ages playing these tournaments, and there certainly seemed to be a strong camaraderie amongst them at Surbiton - all chatting together and watching each other's matches. Let's hope this all helps to make the comeback at challenger level more enjoyable for Laura and takes some of the pressure off. Well done, her.

Michael D · All-time great

Maybe Laura is gradually getting back into the groove again. She's off to a very fast start against the WR119, though has just dropped her serve whilst serving for the set. So 5-2* at the moment.

Jan · Hall of fame

Laura now down a break in the final set. cry

the addict · Tennis legend

Laura loses the last four games and the match. What a pity, the draw was opening up nicely.

Jan · Hall of fame

cry cry cry

Michael D · All-time great

A pity. The way Laura started the match I really thought she was starting to show more flashes of her old potential, so to see her falling away like this again is disappointing.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Joss and Maria did a good job, winning their QF 6-4 6-4

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

A shame Laura couldn't build on yesterday's win. First serve stats are interesting for Laura, 67% 1st serves in but no aces and only 58% of points won. Suggests she was playing in too safe on first serve and not winning free points. On second serve Laura won nearly half (14/30) so maybe it doesn't need as much protecting as she thinks.

Canda · Junior player

tony_orient wrote:
A shame Laura couldn't build on yesterday's win. First serve stats are interesting for Laura, 67% 1st serves in but no aces and only 58% of points won. Suggests she was playing in too safe on first serve and not winning free points. On second serve Laura won nearly half (14/30) so maybe it doesn't need as much protecting as she thinks.

Laura was struggling with her ball toss in the gusty conditions. Her ground strokes were not far off her true game but she showed little variety in choice of shot and seemed to get down on herself too readily, even when she was a set up. Still, when it all flowed she was lovely to watch.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Until 5-1 in the 1st Laura was brilliant ( top 30 level ) in horrendous conditions 20/25 mph winds, both players engaging in long rallies, high quality stuff, but slowly Laura started to fret more and more, ball toss, a few bad bounces, started to miss a few easy balls, and she was a tad lucky to win the 1st set. To me she gave away this match mentally, her opponent was useful for sure, but Laura's footwork faltered making the errors more pronounced. Still Laura is playing ALOT better, she's not going all out on 1st serve, which means she's having to work for a lot of her points. I'm not sure why she's getting dejected so quickly, but plenty of positives.

the addict · Tennis legend

Thanks for the reports Phil and Canda - always good to get first-hand knowledge

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Yes, thanks for the reports. You guys are our eyes and ears

. There was not even a radio commentary today, which I believe there was for her earlier match though I missed it.

Shhh · Challenger level

Thanks from me for the reports too, a welcome to Canda as well. Almost snuck in there without being noticed

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

philwrig wrote:
Until 5-1 in the 1st Laura was brilliant ( top 30 level ) in horrendous conditions 20/25 mph winds, both players engaging in long rallies, high quality stuff, but slowly Laura started to fret more and more, ball toss, a few bad bounces, started to miss a few easy balls, and she was a tad lucky to win the 1st set. To me she gave away this match mentally, her opponent was useful for sure, but Laura's footwork faltered making the errors more pronounced. Still Laura is playing ALOT better, she's not going all out on 1st serve, which means she's having to work for a lot of her points. I'm not sure why she's getting dejected so quickly, but plenty of positives.

Great to hear Laura was initially playing so well, but then disappointing that she allowed it to fall away. Confidence seems to be the big ongoing thing for Laura but it seems she is making gradual improvements this year. Laura could do with a bit more luck with the weather too, she has ended up playing mainly on days/places where it's been colder and windy, and not in the hot and sunny weather that suits her game.