paulisi wrote:

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Coup Droit wrote:

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Jodie's always had a really strong game. Like Freya. Like Laura. Similar physiques so not surprising.

But the control, footwork and strategy has been a bit lacking (in all of them). Control is often sacrificed to power, which is fine, and sometimes the desire for control is counter-productive too (Katie B used to play too conservatively) but there is a balance.

That's hopefully what Alex is bringing to Jodie's game.

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 As a junior, Jodie relied on her big serve and big forehand.

I suspect her coaches tried to improve her all round game and some of the weapons were dumbed down.

She now seems to be back to utilising her big weapons and developing them, which is probably the right move.

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Its incremental isnt it, there is a lot to be said for hitting it in. Not my words but Evos. Only when you are hitting it hard and consistently in in practice would you begin to transfer it to match play. There were a couple of impressive tweets of the Britush mixed performance group in the off season showing Katie Boulder hitting the skin off the ball on her forehand. 

Not rammed, but quite a healthy crowd in for the semi finals. Wickmayer leads Tan *5-3 (there's been a few breaks).

Wickmayer 7-5 6-4. Possibly a final between the top 2 seeds, although Bolsova (like Diatchenko) has had some impressive looking wins this week. Could be a good one that other semi final.

nickw811 wrote:

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I've done a little piece on Maia Lumsden in case you're interested in some evening reading! thebigracket.co.uk/2019/02/14/maia-lumsden-can-the-brit-push-on-from-shrewsbury/
All feedback greatly received :)

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Yes, interesting article Nick, and the question we all have for Maia! She was showing more strength and consistency this week, probably the big positives for her. but to anywhere near emulate her run to the final again next week in Glasgow would still be an amazing achievement give that she seems destined only to just make the MD. You mention the last 12 months as being significant for Maia, but it's really the next 12 months that is really going to count in her career, as to whether she can continue to make upwards progress or not. Like Gabi who has stalled at the moment (in her case in part because she seems to struggle to put together a succession of tournaments, but Maia does too), Maia has a good all round game but no special weapons, and to get into the top 200 and beyond consistency is a start but in itself not enough. She will need to hone her game more and find a few more weapons, even if those are simply variation. We all will look forward to seeing.