Misses her first 5 first serves and a double fault takes her to *30-40, saves the break point with an ace, a second gets her match point, and a third big first serve gets her over the line.
6-2 6-4
First serve percentage was diabolical the whole match but she was playing well enough for most of the match it didn't matter.
Emma hasn't got past the QF or 3rd round of any tournament since she won the US GS but this looks a good chance. If she beats Wickmayer her next opponent is likely to be Linnette WR51, which is close enough to Emma's present ranking to be within Emma's range of possible wins.
Let's take the positives from this. It's a first round win in a main tour event. Surely as long as she can get these wins and keep herself in the top 100 she can work on everything. She's still the best we have.
Emma hasn't got past the QF or 3rd round of any tournament since she won the US GS but this looks a good chance. If she beats Wickmayer her next opponent is likely to be Linnette WR51, which is close enough to Emma's present ranking to be within Emma's range of possible wins.
I think Emma's possible range of rankings for both wins and losses is rather large just now.
On form though,.as Rich says, she's the best we have ( by a mile I'd say ) and I've never lost my longer term optimism re her career beyond the first year or so post US Open 2021.
Let's take the positives from this. It's a first round win in a main tour event. Surely as long as she can get these wins and keep herself in the top 100 she can work on everything. She's still the best we have.
Even a below par Emma is comfortably ahead of the rest, which is perhaps rather worrying. I had hoped Katie Boulter would also return to the Top 100 but can't seem to find the necessary fitness and consistency.
Emma's next match is about 5.30 am tomorrow morning.
It nearly was, Kiki having 2 match points against Magda Linette. However, are into a decider now.
And that's when you remember that, however frustrating it is at times supporting our players, and however much some people say our players choke, need mental strength training, etc, etc, etc, at least we can praise the saints that we are not burdened with having to support Kiki who - of course - ended up losing that match.......