Week 26 - ITF ($100K+H) - Southsea, GBR Grass

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Week 26 - ITF ($100K+H) - Southsea, GBR Grass

Michael D · All-time great

Peter too wrote:
QF: BOULTER, Katie (GBR) WC 144 def SCHMIEDLOVA, Anna Karolina (SVK) 91 6-2 6-0

SF: BOULTER, Katie (GBR) WC 144 v BRADY, Jennifer (USA) 75 CH=60 16/10/17

Brady beat Magda Linette today, who beat Petra Martic the top seed yesterday, almost as easily as she beat Gabi in the first round yesterday. It will be interesting to see how Katie B gets on against Brady tomorrow therefore.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Wow, great win by Katie B :D
GL against Brady :)

Thanks for the insights pat51 :D

Nix · Futures level

Whats lovely to see is that shes just moved up a level this season. Im sure it helps having a group of them all pushing each other but supporting each other too. Gabi, Harriet, Katie B and Katie Swan all seemed to be moving forward. Bit worried for Freya who seems to have stalled a bit. But generally on the womens side it looks pretty positive for the future as theyre a long way from what is now considered their prime years.

Michael D · All-time great

Nix wrote:
Whats lovely to see is that shes just moved up a level this season. Im sure it helps having a group of them all pushing each other but supporting each other too. Gabi, Harriet, Katie B and Katie Swan all seemed to be moving forward. Bit worried for Freya who seems to have stalled a bit. But generally on the womens side it looks pretty positive for the future as theyre a long way from what is now considered their prime years.

Katie B has almost moved up a double level, Harriet too, Gabi, Katy D and Katie S just the one so far. Of course there are different ways of looking at it, but if you take five elements - power, consistency, mobility, variety and confidence/ determination - Katie B and Harriet have stepped up with all of these. Gabi is not quite there yet. I noticed against Brady that her power was off and on, but not as consistent as the other two to put Brady under pressure with any regularity. Gabi's mobility also needs stepping up another notch, her returning game is not yet good enough for the stronger hitters on grass, she is still a fraction slower getting to the ball again compared with Katie B and Harriet. But what's important is that all these players do have variety in their games, and do have the confidence and determination that is currently absent in Heather for example, and even Jo fails on both consistency and variety at the moment. Gabi is still a year or so younger than Katie B, Harriet, and Katy D. Of course, Katie S is a year younger again, and so both these two have a little more time to grow into their games as it were and make that next level up again that Katie B and Harriet have been bridging on grass (the ability to compete equally with players in or near the top 100).

As for the group that's following/ been left behind, I think the confidence/ determination factor is huge. It's limiting Freya and Eden, probably Maia too at the moment. The one who has it in spades is Fran, and probably Emma too. They seem likely the pair to carry on through and eventually make the kind of progress the other 5 have this year, but it would be good so see something clicking in 2-3 more of those currently in the 400-600 range.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Hey dont forget Fran and Emma behind that. We could be looking at some real British depth in the top 100. 3 is satisfactory, 4 a realistic target. 5 punching above our weight. Exciting times.

Michael D · All-time great

Oakland2002 wrote:
Hey dont forget Fran and Emma behind that. We could be looking at some real British depth in the top 100. 3 is satisfactory, 4 a realistic target. 5 punching above our weight. Exciting times.

Yes, it was Fran and Emma I singled out in my second para, I agree Oakland! smile

the addict · Tennis legend

Katie trying hard to get the break. It's 2-2* deuce, and Brady has had 43 service points in three games so far.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Blimey, this is the last game where Katie broke. Great resiliance, just hope she can back it up with a hold.

15:0, 30:0, 30:15, 30:30, 30:40BP, 40:40, A:40, 40:40, A:40, 40:40, A:40, 40:40, 40:ABP, 40:40, 40:ABP, 40:40, A:40, 40:40, A:40, 40:40, A:40, 40:40, 40:ABP

Jan · Hall of fame

Looks as though it's very windy down there!
And as I type KB gets the break!

the addict · Tennis legend

Yes, the flags are really stretched out - must be very difficult serving.

Jan · Hall of fame

KB takes the first set 6-3

the addict · Tennis legend

Katie holds finally at the end of a 20-point game, saving 5 break points in the process.

On one serve, she tossed the ball up, the wind took it, and it bounced in the tramlines !

wales1994 · County player

Katie takes the second 6-3. Another new career high win? Well done Katie, and good luck for the final!!

Jan · Hall of fame

Brilliant!!