Week 34 US Open Qualifying

PaulM · Tennis legend

Week 34 US Open Qualifying

PaulM · Tennis legend

And just like last time Diatchenko saves 2 break points (by absolutely creaming the ball!). After a couple of game points Heather gets a third break point with a super return winner then a perfect drop shot, but can't control the return.

Super defence to soak up the pace and make Diatchenko have to keep mullering the ball, and the Russian goes long for number 4. Same again and Heather will serve for it.

*5-3

Diatchenko must have one of the hardest ball strikes in the women's game. It's absolutely ferocious.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Re can't consolidate the break:

Yes, but this just gets back to what Peter and I were talking about in the Roehampton - both women having trouble holding serve - part of the game....

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Thursday 25th of August 2022 09:01:32 PM

PaulM · Tennis legend

3 match points....

6-2 6-3

Well done Heather. Super performance. Diatchenko kept threatening to batter her way back into contention but Heather did a great job of weathering the storm, soaking the pace and allowing the Russian to misfire.

Delighted for her.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Excellent - thoroughly deserved - I thought Hev looked very sprightly, on her toes, nice power on her first serve, and more depth of shot than sometimes she ends up with

So at least we still have one woman who can 'do an Emma'....

DF · Tennis legend

Never thought that last woman standing in US Qualis would be Heather !

However well done her !

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Well done Heather.

Peter too · Tennis legend

Q2: WATSON, Heather (GBR) 161 def DIATCHENKO, Vitalia ( ) (19) 121 6-2 6-3
Q2: BOULTER, Katie (GBR) (25) 129 lost to KRUEGER, Ashlyn (USA) 244 3-6 4-6

Q3: WATSON, Heather (GBR) 161 (CH=38 2015) v BEJLEK, Sara (CZE) 194 (CH=181 2022) {16yo JCH=43}

An interesting match - experience versus precociousness.

Strongbow · All-time great

Julia Carrot wrote:
Well done Heather.

dodrade · Futures qualifying

Wasn't that Lily beside Heather's Mum in the stands cheering her on?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Peter too wrote:
Q2: WATSON, Heather (GBR) 161 def DIATCHENKO, Vitalia ( ) (19) 121 6-2 6-3
Q2: BOULTER, Katie (GBR) (25) 129 lost to KRUEGER, Ashlyn (USA) 244 3-6 4-6

Q3: WATSON, Heather (GBR) 161 (CH=38 2015) v BEJLEK, Sara (CZE) 194 (CH=181 2022) {16yo JCH=43}

An interesting match - experience versus precociousness.

Bejlek is tiny, I believe - about 5ft 2 - a different physique from all the other Czech girls, who are generally pretty tall

And known for having the most ridiculously good defence

Born in 2006, she is certainly precocious, and the highest WTA ranked player of her age (not surprisingly)

Practically all her points have been on clay though - don't know whether she plays clay simply for her game, or because of her age, which would also make sense.

Heather does has the game to undermine a player like this though .....

the addict · Tennis legend

dodrade wrote:
Wasn't that Lily beside Heather's Mum in the stands cheering her on?

Yes it was. You can see her clearly on a clip on Heather's Instagram.

Pancho P · Lower Club Player

the addict wrote:
dodrade wrote:
Wasn't that Lily beside Heather's Mum in the stands cheering her on?
Yes it was. You can see her clearly on a clip on Heather's Instagram.

Well done Heather, well done Lily

Jan · Hall of fame

Ditto!!

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Heather on court around 5.30/6 this evening ?

How do the possible R1 matchups look for her?