Kounosuke wrote:

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We have some Brits competing in the 3rd Grand Slam of the year.

 

L128: Francesca Jones WR 321 v. (WC) Barbora Palicová (CZE) WR 1054 (=CH, JCH 52)

L128: (23) Samantha Murray Sharan WR 180 v. (PR) Sabine Lisicki (GER) UNR (CH 12 in 2012)

L128: Seone Mendez (AUS) WR 275 (CH 270 in March) v. Amanda Carreras WR 332

H2H 1-1, both straight sets. Mandy won a $10K R1 in 2014 but Mendez won a $25K semi-final last year

L128: Yuki Naito (JPN) WR 194 (CH 175 in February) v. (3) Harriet Dart WR 147

-- Edited by Kounosuke on Friday 28th of August 2020 05:52:23 PM

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 Our friends at tennis abstract rate Harriet and Mandy to win their openers, with Fran a 50/50 shot. 

2.5 wins in total predicted. Let's hope we beat that. 

Mandy 2-6 0-1*
Fran *4-5 Having just saved set points and broken back

This seems a great innovation to me which they should continue for the future. A "Europa League" slam to be held alongside the "Premier League" slam giving twice as many players a shot at the big time rather than the arbitrary qualifiers where for instance many top seeds at Wimbledon will be clay courters having climbed the rankings in the clay season and ending up as a lame duck when they're supposed to be the best on grass. And finally no more wildcards.

the addict wrote:

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Enhanced prize money this week, mainly for the early rounds.
R1:- 2 points and $11,000
R2:- 20 points and $18,000
R3:- 30 points and $32,000
After that the increments are pretty small up to $48,000 for the winner.

Fran, Harriet and Mandy all play tomorrow. First matches at 10 am local.

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 Yes, the increments on money and points are very...random...and dont really make sense. But at least it is welcome money.