I can't help it - if Katie and Jack lose, and Cam and Harriet win, that will be a downer as far as I'm concerned :(
Agreed. Katie and Jacks game can have real impact on the grass (when on) and could go far. Harriet and Cam you feel are more one big win in a draw and then flounder in their next match
Do you know what. I hope that kills some of the demons Harriet has carried for so long.
I'm so sorry for Katie, but I am so excited for the US swing and what she can do as a seed at US Open.
Hopefully Katie can indeed have a good North American swing. Whatever, she may well need some wins to ensure a seeding for the US Open.
As things stand she is now live ranked 30 on 1688 ranking points and may well drop further before the end of Wimbledon. And has a total of 103 (net 101) points ( from last year's Washington and Montreal tournaments ) to drop before the US Open.
Well played Harriet. Am made up for you. Onwards and upwards. The commentary on Radio 5 from Laura Robson and male colleague was unbelievably one sided and biased in Boulters ' favour
-- Edited by hoots on Thursday 4th of July 2024 06:56:12 PM
I think Harriet's game style matches against Wang ok. We'll see, I don't think it's quite as certain as Boults would have smashed her and Harriet will definitely lose.
I was cheering for Harriet, and was really pleased to see how she took command of the 2nd set. Dart showed real grit holding serve to take the match to the deciding tie-break. I feared that Harriet's tennis might crumble just when emotions got the better of her, but amazingly she ratcheted up the ante and came out of her corner slugging. Fantastic effort. Also I echo what others are saying about Katie, I think she knew just how much Harriet needed that win today, and right at the end I think Katie could see the big picture. It was great to see the hug between them at the end of the match.
Well played Harriet. Am made up for you. Onwards and upwards. The commentary on Radio 5 from Laura Robson and male colleague was unbelievably one sided and biased in Boulters ' favour
-- Edited by hoots on Thursday 4th of July 2024 06:56:12 PM
Must be difficult but Laura is a friend of Katies.
Haven't been on this board for some years, too many complicated reasons to mention. However, having watched, and enjoyed, this rollercoaster match, I thought I'd have a little peek to see what board members made of it. I was really disappointed to see that some have bought into the media story of a grudge match and dislike between the players. I know both women and they are both lovely. They have different personalities but both of them are more than happy to say what is on their mind when they feel it's necessary, Harriet perhaps more so. However, neither of them are known for holding a grudge. Tennis, particularly British Tennis, is too small a bubble for that. IMO, the hug at the net was not a condescending show of class (classy as it was) but genuine. They both know they are going to be around each other often enough going forward.
As for the match, covered all ends of the spectrum from sublime to just awful. Katie certainly has the bigger strike, but Harriet's grass and doubles pedigree helped nullify that. I'm sure her coach will be having words with her about letting her emotions get the better of her, but is a slightly teary face any worse than throwing a racquet or having a toddler-like tantrum? I always thought it would be a 50:50 match just because of the contrasting styles and the surface. They both had good reasons for wanting the win, apart from sheer competitiveness. Katie wants to consolidate her position as a seed, for Harriet a bigger reward of nudging towards that top 50. And Harriet may lose her next match (or not) but there is no guarantee that Katie would have won it had she had come through. Tennis doesn't always follow the script, and that's why we love it.
Let's all get behind Harriet for her next match. After all, you never know!
The trouble with Harriet for me was her previous behaviour towards ballboys/girls (who cannot answer back) as noted on this forum. Not knowing either of them, I would assume Katie was the nicer person.
What bothers me is that some folks could say hurtful stuff online, and then go and place a bet for a player to lose the next match. I don't bet, and never have. imho betting significant money on sport, isn't good for that sport.
To be honest I would have preferred Katie to win this. Cant say Ive ever warmed to Harriet for the reasons already mentioned in this thread. Hope Harriet wins the next round though I dont think she will.
Excited for Sonay, saw her play a few times pre Covid and she always looked like she was enjoying her tennis. Times had her as 2/10 to win her first match - shows what they know.