Ostapenko out, so the winner of this plays Tatjana Maria. With Niemeier live ranked 108 (currently 97), there'll be a 100+ player on Monday will have made (at least) the SF. HUGE opportunity for someone here in this quarter, and you'd probably think it's Jabeur's half to lose at this stage, but still a few obstacles for her to cross. I think she lost recently to Mertens in a slam, and Bouzkova has been playing some inspired tennis this week.

Heather looks TIRED :/

Niemeier winning everything at the net.

Heather has had to play 2 matches nearly every day because of late slots and matches interrupted overnight.

Heather having to break serve to stay in the match 

Miriambee wrote:

---

Niemeier winning everything at the net.

Heather has had to play 2 matches nearly every day because of late slots and matches interrupted overnight.

---

 She's played bits of matches on supposed rest days which is certainly not ideal.

But basically Niemeier has been simply the better player today and credit to her.

Great run by Heather. But what an opportunity to go even further 

Niemeier served well, hit big and clean, confident at the net, some nice touch. Absolutely deserved the win.

A shame given how the draw opened up, I mean Heather could have feasibly made the semis(!!!) but a fabulous week, and I hope she can look back on it and smile.

Have to feel for these 100+ girls making it this far with no ranking reward!

Actually think Maria vs Niemeier could be a really fantastic match.

indiana wrote:

---

Bouzkova beat Garcia 7-5 6-2, Garcia having been the player to emerge from the section including Emma, Katie S and Lily and earlier discussed a bit as to its overall strength or lack of it.

---

Garcia didn't do too bad, did she? Beat Raducanu, who had previously beaten AvU, and then beat Zhang in a tight 2-setter.

It was interesting CD's summary of the last-16 in the draw, only 4 younger than 24, and 5 over 30. I think that's not a good advert for the sport. There's a whole lot of losing a player has to endure in those years up to 24, being pitched in against players in their prime at 28 or so, who have had years to develop strength and technique, and who benefited by a ranking system that's as sticky as glue.

I think the elite game should have been re-organized when the pandemic caused the suspension of tournament play, and I said that then too. There ought to be two strands that run side by side for the elite women, under-25, and over-25. They should both be given equal weight and prize money at the slams. The tour for the under-25's could be a bit more transitional, with regional rather than global being the emphasis. Ranking systems should be much more flexible and based on results against best opponents. Tennis for the younger players should be all about developing playing skills, and having enjoyable matches, and definitely not the continuous battle with injury and the stressful grind that it is currently.