Hmm, Bates. Katie B's most rapid advancement seems to have come after looking elsewhere. I recall one forum member observing from close hand the less than fulsome encouragement Bates was giving Katie and his "she's so negative" remark to a colleague which did seem rather ironic.
Sam up early against Lissey, now a double break at *4-1. Sam playing very well, catching Lissey by surprise with the ferocity and accuracy of some of her shots, especially when against a couple of shots Lissey thought were probably likely winners! Seems to have panicked Lissey a bit, who subsequently overhit a couple of shots going for it, and then telling herself to 'calm down'. Slipped when wrong footed by Sam to concede the second break. Impressed by Sam's play so far. Some forceful hitting, excellent retrieving and more dominant than I expected. A good challenge for Lissey to get back into this match.
Between the shrieking next court and the planes flying low overhead to land at Heathrow, not quite sure how the players can concentrate. Lissey far too many errors at the moment, and has to tighten up if she wants to make any fist of this.
Sam leads 6-1 *2-0
-- Edited by Michael D on Wednesday 8th of August 2018 11:20:14 AM
Lissey gets the early break back in the second set on the second deuce. Sam miffed by a good passing shot by Lissey being called in, but she had only herself to blame for two basic errors early in the game, including ballooning an easy volley long, when I thought she was just going to drop it over the net, Lissey way behind the baseline. After that Lissey tightened up and played better in the game, which she needs to continue. Sam ahead 6-1 2-1*
But Sam mixing up her game well, including coming to the net to cut off returns, and Lissey staying too deep - I think CD mentioned Sam doing the same to Freya in qualifying. Sam regains the break, but then has a poor service game, and gives Lissey one more chance to bring it back to parity this set. 6-1 3-2*
Yes, the planes are very annoying - the BA 747's were by far the worst yesterday, drowning out the umpires calling the scores ! But they switched to (presumably) using the other runway early afternoon, so weren't flying directly overhead.
Sam played a very attacking game yesterday (from the few games I saw), and I would have expected today's match to go the way as it has.
Sam gets there very comfortably in the end 6-1 6-3. The quality of the last quarter of the match was poor the bits I watched, every point in the last game for instance was lost on an error, Sam winning it game-30 mainly on second serves. Some useful rallies, but Lissey couldn't keep in them long enough. She will be very disappointed that she did not run Sam much closer, and especially with her very high UFE count. Not her best day, whilst Sam also had her sloppy moments and I suspect will need to reduce those too tomorrow if she wishes to proceed further than the QF. Sam had too much on the day, and Lissey could also do with some of Sam's variations in tactics and play.