Ace Ventura wrote:

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There's been so many breaks and momentum shifts, but it looks like Allertova is on her way now. *3-5.

Assuming it doesn't happen, it's been very encouraging for Tara. She could well (and probably will) find herself in Glasgow qualifying directly, but if not, a QWC would be nice after the effort this week.

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 Sorry, but I don't agree with giving the likes of Tara and Naomi B wild cards.  The only reason they aren't in the draw as of right is because their form has been so awful. (I made a similar comment in the Shrewsbury thread so there's nothing personal here).  With the new transition tour making it so difficult for young and inexperienced players to get into tournaments, I believe any wild cards should be used to give them a helping hand. If there are WCs to spare I'd prefer them to go to the likes of the Pitaks or Sasha Hill.  I wouldn't object to Laura or Mandy getting them as they are both trying to return after lengthy periods of injury. 

Ace Ventura wrote:

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SuperT wrote:

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Ace Ventura wrote:

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There's been so many breaks and momentum shifts, but it looks like Allertova is on her way now. *3-5.

Assuming it doesn't happen, it's been very encouraging for Tara. She could well (and probably will) find herself in Glasgow qualifying directly, but if not, a QWC would be nice after the effort this week.

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 Sorry, but I don't agree with giving the likes of Tara and Naomi B wild cards.  The only reason they aren't in the draw as of right is because their form has been so awful. (I made a similar comment in the Shrewsbury thread so there's nothing personal here).  With the new transition tour making it so difficult for young and inexperienced players to get into tournaments, I believe any wild cards should be used to give them a helping hand. If there are WCs to spare I'd prefer them to go to the likes of the Pitaks or Sasha Hill.  I wouldn't object to Laura or Mandy getting them as they are both trying to return after lengthy periods of injury. 

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No need to apologise, we're all entitled to our opinions. I do generally agree with your sentiment and if the likes of Fran, Maia and others weren't already sorted, then I definitely wouldn't be putting her forward.

However, as it stands:

Fran and Maia should be in the main draw.

Jodie will likely get a (fully deserved) MDWC, and it looks like Laura and Emma will also get MDWCs. Freya and Alicia should be in Qs by right, so that would leave one MDWC and 4 QWCs to hand out and I don't really see too many stand out options, given a lot will already be taken care of.

You're looking at the likes of Sam (no better suggestion and older), Ella, Emily, Victoria again as well as well as some of the younger ones you have suggested. I can't remember what thread, either her 15k one this week or Glasgow, but I already suggested Sasha as a QWC candidate given her fine efforts this week. Ali Collins is on the entry list and I think would be quite likely to get something given she's young, did quite well in the 25k's late last year and is of course Scottish.

But at the same time, while youngsters do need to get on the ladder in this ever changing environment, you do still want players with a realistic chance of qualifying and Tara beating the top seed in Qs, qualifying, beating a higher ranked player in the main draw (even if Tara 'should' be at a similar ranking) and then pushing a 2018 Aussie Open L16 player to 3 close sets would suggest she would have a good chance next week, and it's not as if she is an absolute veteran who is just clinging on. Seeing the likes of K Pitak (who is 6 months older than Jodie) losing 7 of her last 8 matches at 15k level with 6 of those in straight sets, doesn't fill me with too much confidence that she'd have much chance next week and you don't really get points just for turning up now either. In an ideal world, they'd be playing 15ks in Sunderland or Chiswick and putting runs together, but I'd rather they showed a bit more promise in overseas 15ks first since we can't get those events on over here.

Mind, all this said, Tara may well get in too quals directly which would obviously free up a QWC.

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I can't fault any of your logic here AV - your case is compelling.  it's just that, to me, it feels wrong that players of proven ability who lose consistently over a period of many months, should be rewarded with free entry into a tournament which they should have earned by right.   But I've said my piece and will now wait with interest to see who is in by right and where the WCs go.  And we'll all still enjoy following all the Brits, regardless of how they get in.