Some of the comments about Harriet are a little odd. Yes it was an ugly match, but why?

Harriet's predominantly a counter puncher (not a pusher, that's different although anyone who isnt booming forehand winners off their second ball every time seems to be increasingly lumped into that category), a style which works by soaking and redirecting the pace from your opponent, great movement and being able to occasionally pull the trigger yourself (which she tends to do down the line). If your opponent gives you no pace, like Brengle (who these days I'd say really is a pusher, although that's partly because of her shoulder), it's very difficult as a counter puncher to bring your best tennis to the court. It wasn't that she played badly (other than the first set when she made a lot of mistakes), it's that this particular match-up in styles didn't facilitate her being able to do what she does best, and so it got a little scrappy.

But as Crispy says, the fact she dug in, found a way and didn't get frustrated is a great thing.

PaulM wrote:

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Some of the comments about Harriet are a little odd. Yes it was an ugly match, but why?

Harriet's predominantly a counter puncher (not a pusher, that's different although anyone who isnt booming forehand winners off their second ball every time seems to be increasingly lumped into that category), a style which works by soaking and redirecting the pace from your opponent, great movement and being able to occasionally pull the trigger yourself (which she tends to do down the line). If your opponent gives you no pace, like Brengle (who these days I'd say really is a pusher, although that's partly because of her shoulder), it's very difficult as a counter puncher to bring your best tennis to the court. It wasn't that she played badly (other than the first set when she made a lot of mistakes), it's that this particular match-up in styles didn't facilitate her being able to do what she does best, and so it got a little scrappy.

But as Crispy says, the fact she dug in, found a way and didn't get frustrated is a great thing.

-- Edited by PaulM on Tuesday 21st of June 2022 09:07:59 AM

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 This pretty much sums up my views on the matter. There is more than one way to skin a cat. David Ferrer made a pretty good career out of doing this but I think everyone treated him with the respect he deserved...

foobarbaz wrote:

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Brengle didn't have quite the potency on her ground strokes, in the match against Dart, but no one could fault her for effort. She kept getting the ball back, and making Dart do more to win the point. It was quite a tough match physically for both players, some of the rallies were very long. Dart kept her focus, and closed the match out, so well done to her and another match won in what's been a strong few weeks on the grass.

Regarding some of the comments, who's to say what level a player can reach, there are so many variables. What's more important for a player is to play as well as you can, play shots that you can be proud of, control the emotions at the critical moments, put into practice the coaching you've been given, and have fun whilst playing. If you've done that and had some notable success in matches against your peers, then job done. Even better, if you've represented your country and whilst doing so you've inspired others and brought a lot of enjoyment to spectators and the like.

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 Ditto. Harriet is a role model for anyone with a dream in any capacity.  She has been utterly focussed on being a pro tennis player since childhood.  She's never listened to anyone that told her she couldn't do it. She's done whatever she's needed to do to realise her dream.  Yes she comes from a stable, comfortable home where she has had encouragement and opportunity but you can't force that drive onto anyone, regardless of their circumstances, it's innate.  I suspect she would've achieved no matter what her background.

Katie missed 7 break points in the first set - 2 or 3 in every game. Looks much closer than the score line suggests, is she really being destroyed?

Barefoot wrote:

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Katie missed 7 break points in the first set - 2 or 3 in every game. Looks much closer than the score line suggests, is she really being destroyed?

-- Edited by Barefoot on Tuesday 21st of June 2022 01:02:13 PM

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 I'd say so. set took only 26 minutes. Doing  better now though.

PaulM wrote:

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0 for 13 though...

*3-3

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 surely now! 2 more