Ace Ventura wrote:

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Marni loses 3-6 3-6, and Eliz is currently 4-6 2-3* down (but live scores seems to have stopped).

They were deemed our best two chances of a win outside of Jodie and the guaranteed one. Eliz was made the betting favourite, and Marni around evens, so we probably will do well to get 3 in round 2, unless Eliz can turn that around. Sonay might have had a good chance against more than half of this field, but the luck of the draw wasn't with her, but a good chance to show what she can do (even if we can't see it).

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This backs up the point re 15ks, IMO

Of course, the Bath 25k was quite different but that was a bit of an anomaly (IMO).

But, net net, Marin and Eliz should be playing a 15k home event (Marni would still need a wildcard). 

They'd have opponents ranked about 700, say, and would have the chance to make their mark, get a run together, actually stand a chance. 

There's always the chance of a good draw, or a dodgy result, in a 25k, it's true. But playing players in the top 400, say, is just daft really as a strategy for development. 

 

Jaggy1876 wrote:

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Id say there is a fair chance our only winner today will be from the Sam v Tara match.

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Oh Lordy, surely Jodie will manage to beat Tess 

Coup Droit wrote:

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Ace Ventura wrote:

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Marni loses 3-6 3-6, and Eliz is currently 4-6 2-3* down (but live scores seems to have stopped).

They were deemed our best two chances of a win outside of Jodie and the guaranteed one. Eliz was made the betting favourite, and Marni around evens, so we probably will do well to get 3 in round 2, unless Eliz can turn that around. Sonay might have had a good chance against more than half of this field, but the luck of the draw wasn't with her, but a good chance to show what she can do (even if we can't see it).

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This backs up the point re 15ks, IMO

Of course, the Bath 25k was quite different but that was a bit of an anomaly (IMO).

But, net net, Marin and Eliz should be playing a 15k home event (Marni would still need a wildcard). 

They'd have opponents ranked about 700, say, and would have the chance to make their mark, get a run together, actually stand a chance. 

There's always the chance of a good draw, or a dodgy result, in a 25k, it's true. But playing players in the top 400, say, is just daft really as a strategy for development. 

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I think there's no doubt a string of W15s would be a big help generally, and many players GB would benefit from that, although I don't mind Eliz playing home W25s, whether that be via a MDWC, or coming through quals. Bath was pretty much a glorified W15, and her run through to the final was kind of typical W15 level, but she has generally been doing better recently, a good end to the year, that Bath run, additional matches at the UKPL (now against a more variety of opponents), and then a solid win yesterday. She maybe still does need to prove herself more at W15 level, but I don't mind someone of that age and current ranking having a go at a home W25 event, and today was a very good opportunity. The likes of Pigato and Kempen could easily have been (high seeds) in W15 events, and the points discrepancy between the two levels is so stark (a win today would have been the same as a W15 final), that I think it's worth giving the next level a go, especially at home, where some conditions may be more favourable - routine, occasional crowd support (where applicabe) maybe the odd line call etc.

Marni could definitely do with W15s at this stage of her career. I'm not sure what happened, whether it's those injuries issues holding her back, but her results are so different to the period when she just turned 17 to just prior to her 18th birthday. She was giving Jodie and Emma R very good matches at W25 events, I've no idea what Kasatkina was like during their match, but certainly on paper, taking a set off her is a big accomplishment, wide wins over Eden and Sam at BT tour level, and a cracking win at Sunderland W25 (where I was there) vs someone who is now ranked 232, so while still very young, you would have hoped, 2 years on, W25 would have been where she was at, but it does look like that is a bit beyond her for where she is at the moment.

But yeah, the vast majority of the players we've seen over the past few days would have been more suited to W15s.

 

 

 

Coup Droit wrote:

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Jaggy1876 wrote:

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Id say there is a fair chance our only winner today will be from the Sam v Tara match.

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Oh Lordy, surely Jodie will manage to beat Tess 

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 Apologies I forgot about Jodie 

Isabelle takes the first set 6-3

Coup Droit wrote:

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Freya has lost 1 & 0

Which is no great surprise.

Such a shame there's no livestream - would have liked to see how Isabelle was playing at adult level (she's won her first game), and the close bit now in Lauryn's match

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Absolutely. They used to be hit and miss, but most of the recent GB W25s have been streamed, so you kind of expect it these days. I'm not that familiar with Isabelle, but certainly the way thst first set went, I'd have loved to have seen it.

Great that Jodie came through in two.

It sounds no great shakes, given the rankings, but for her, there must have been a few anxious moments in that second set......

Only seen Isabelle Lacey in juniors, and only once.

A very elegant game, a lot to like.

Allez, youngster - this second set is going to be be close....

Lauryn's opponent (I assume) has just had an MTO - looks quite like there'll be a third set in this one.

Dont really care who wins between Sam and Tara - as long as they don't exhaust each other and keel over in the next round