Week 8 - WTA Premier ($2,623,485) - Dubai, UAE

adz1983 · Intermediate Club Player

Week 8 - WTA Premier ($2,623,485) - Dubai, UAE

blob · All-time great

Good luck to Eden.
That is a hell of a WC for a GB player barely ever inside the top 500 to be given. A very useful minimum of $2,108 (comparison: Eden got $2,352 for her $15K title last year).

Whilst an excellent opportuniy for Eden, I can't really see any reason for the gift, and it's almost without any precedent I can see - to a non-national with no ties to the organisers or sponsors, and no notable junior or senior record or history

I have to start clutching at conspiracies to find any reason to it: are UAE looking to tap players up to change nationalities the way they did in athletics? That sort of wackiness - it's all a bit random and I'm far too cynical

Anyway, hope Eden can take the chance; Diyas after a period of falling form, had a good 2017, including a productive Asian swing, and has got back close to the player that she was a few years ago at her best.

QR1: Eden SILVA (GBR) 498 v. Zarina DIYAS (KAZ) [q6] 54 (CH 31, Jan. 2015)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well, she's been tweeting nicely about it recently, thanking everyone and saying how excited she is

(as is a smart move, as I'm sure she knows.....)

As you say, good luck.

the addict · Tennis legend

Well fingers crossed for Eden - if she could pull off an upset it would be worth 13 points, which is better than winning a $15k

I see the last DA is WR229 - around the level of Katie B and Laura R

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Hmmm, call me cynical too. I can't see any obvious connection in the bit of digging I've done. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes. Well good luck to her anyway.

Samson · Lower Club Player

Jo has been given a WC, seeded 7 and faces Pavlyunchenkova in the first round. Probably trying to maximise points in case of a poor Indian Wells/ Miami.

blob · All-time great

Eden's time has come, *0-3

PockyTastic · Futures level

Eden finding it tough going so far. Regarding her wild card... I guess there arent many local players, maybe its a simple case of her / her agent asking for one?

indiana · Tennis legend

Jo should add a minimum 55 points next week whatever. She has been carrying a zero penalty score since Dubai last year for her late withdrawal then. So she should be back to a full 16 'proper' counters, well as long as she doesn't get penalised again!

Anything more than 55 points next week will additionally add to her total.

blob · All-time great

All rushing by a bit quick for Eden.
But, focus on little targets. She just avoided a bagel, now can she avoid the breadstick, and build from there?
1-5*

blob · All-time great

Breadstick it is, but winning slightly more points generally as the match progresses.
Get eveything you can from the experience.
1-6

Second set bagel already avoided
Eden has actually now had the same number of BP in the match as Diyas (3)
1-6 *1-1

Double bakery avoided
1-6 *2-2

-- Edited by blob on Saturday 17th of February 2018 01:15:11 PM

Michael D · All-time great

There are 4 Alts in the field... Maybe Eden just happened to be in the right place at the right time as they scrambled to fill the Q draw.... Clutching here

blob · All-time great

Bit of understandable stage-fright, or shock and awe, at the start, but acquitted herself better as the match wore on.
5 other matches in this qualifying round, with better ranked players losing, were all less competitive.
Hopefully Eden learned some things that can drive her forwards in the coming months.

QR1: Eden SILVA (GBR) 498 lost to Zarina DIYAS (KAZ) [q6] 54 1-6 3-6

indiana · Tennis legend

Michael D wrote:
There are 4 Alts in the field... Maybe Eden just happened to be in the right place at the right time as they scrambled to fill the Q draw.... Clutching here

On a Dubai holiday maybe

At least overall as blob says, however, whatever, she has ultimately acquitted herself not too badly.

HowardDubai · Junior player

I watched Eden's match. Competitive second set after a very one-sided first set. Actually had a break point to lead 4-2 but Diyas hit a second serve ace. Eden never really recovered after that. I was impressed how she fought but she very rarely hits down the line which made it all too predictable. Good experience though for her which I hope she benefits from.