But ultimately lost the set 4-6 unfortunately.

Michael D wrote:

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Harriet got it back to 4-4 but then lost her next serve to love for Kuwata to take the first set from her 4-6

Harriet's first serve percentage at 46% with 2nd serve win % of 27% not helping her at all.

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Kuwata won 70% of her second serve points, so Harriet won 30% of these and 27% of her own. One way of looking at second serve points as was brought up in the US Open final is as an indication of who is generally playing better away from serve, these often being much more serve neutral points and the figures there are not good for Harriet whoever's second serve it was.

She held for 4-2 and it's 30-30 on the Japan women's serve, so in a decent position here.

Anisimova made it through to the 2QR so it will be a tall order to reach the main draw, but would be great if she could at least get to the FQR here and then who knows - may well be a LL spot opening up which obviously won't be an issue if she goes out here.

I'm guessing Harriet will be having a large spell in that region.

Dart broken to 30 so back on serve at 4-4* - the same position they were in the first set - let's hope for a different outcome this set.

Kuwata held to love so Harriet will now be serving to save in the match. 4-5*

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Sunday 9th of September 2018 10:50:27 AM

Lost 4-6 5-7 :(

Big fan of Harriet and she's probably my favourite out of the current young crop but it has been a bit of a disappointing couple of months for her since the grass season, some of it out of her hands though.

Did so well to get to *5-2 against Bencic at Washington in the first place, but it's been down hill a bit since then - going on to lose that match in straights (although as I say no disgrace given Bencic's stature), but then a missed opportunity of significant points at Landisville (out of her hands), to losing a winnable 1QR match at US Open and then today struggling with a wildcard and going out here to someone circa 300.

She has been quite fortunate that she has gained some decent points for recent wins over the #363 (now 427), #378 (now 422) and #682 to maintain her ranking. That said, it's still been a fantastic year so far and she herself was around the 300 mark just 9 months ago. She's had decent success in Japan and the Far East already this year, so hopefully puts this behind her and continues that for the rest of the year, assuming she is staying here for more WTA quals / ITFs.

I suppose at least now I can hope Anisimova reaches the main draw as she looks a special talent.

Shame