Weeks 3 & 4 - Australian Open - Main Draw - Melbourne (Hard)

Crispy · Strong Club Player

Weeks 3 & 4 - Australian Open - Main Draw - Melbourne (Hard)

B00thy · Lower Club Player

JonH comes home wrote:
indiana wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
Id say those draws are as good as one could hope for in round one of a slam. Emma clearly has a seed but its not the worst seed and one shed need to expect to win if shes anticipating good things
I think to say Emma needs to expect to win if she's anticipating good things is pushing it, especially with no build up matches ( and had she earlier missed training because of the back? ).
But yes, could clearly have been many worse looking seeds. Fit and well to go she should be competitive here and hopefully she'll get the win.
Dont agree that she shouldnt expect to win - yes, she has had some time off, but she should be fit, she is talented and shouldnt take long to get into it; she is better than a world ranked 26 if she plays as she can and , it may be 3 sets but she should expect to win it, I believe. And then round 2 looks potentially winnable as well. Its a fast court and Emma should be able to take advantage of that.
She could get to the end of week 1, I think, and still be in this and then it depends on draw.

Yes, of course she is super talented. However, she hasn't played this level of opponent for some time and often starts tentatively. It will become clear befor 6 games have been played which Emma has turned up. I hope it's the confident Emma with the expression that means business and not the thoughtful, defensive version.

Var · Satellite level

B00thy wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
indiana wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
Id say those draws are as good as one could hope for in round one of a slam. Emma clearly has a seed but its not the worst seed and one shed need to expect to win if shes anticipating good things
I think to say Emma needs to expect to win if she's anticipating good things is pushing it, especially with no build up matches ( and had she earlier missed training because of the back? ).
But yes, could clearly have been many worse looking seeds. Fit and well to go she should be competitive here and hopefully she'll get the win.
Dont agree that she shouldnt expect to win - yes, she has had some time off, but she should be fit, she is talented and shouldnt take long to get into it; she is better than a world ranked 26 if she plays as she can and , it may be 3 sets but she should expect to win it, I believe. And then round 2 looks potentially winnable as well. Its a fast court and Emma should be able to take advantage of that.
She could get to the end of week 1, I think, and still be in this and then it depends on draw.
Yes, of course she is super talented. However, she hasn't played this level of opponent for some time and often starts tentatively. It will become clear befor 6 games have been played which Emma has turned up. I hope it's the confident Emma with the expression that means business and not the thoughtful, defensive version.

I am more pragmatic. Win for Katie. Cam and Emma not expecting a win but who knows. Too early for both of them at this level. Lets hope I am proved wrong.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Emma first up at midnight on Euosport 1(clashes with Cam - Eurosport 2).

Question is can I stay awake to watch it - given I have to be up early to go in the office?

GAMEOVER · Satellite level

Hibino who beat Harriet in the final round of qualifying lost in the 1st round to Kostyuk . Harriet made the best of being a lucky loser, Jana Fett was the player who let slip a 5-1 lead and 2 match points in a 2nd round match against Caroline Wozniacki at 2018 AO. Wozniacki was later champion. .

-- Edited by GAMEOVER on Monday 13th of January 2025 07:54:39 PM

Andy Parker · Club Coach

Happy as a night owl that Emma is up first. i found out just before Harriet's match that she was in aa a lucky loser, but I think the marathon started at 2 am and finished at around 5 am, too late even for me. Would loved to have seen Katie B, but 4th on court means a 7 am start or something like that I guess - no chance. Anyway c'mon Emma - it will be fascinating to see how she does against a seed, but a tough one to call, I think.

indiana · Tennis legend

C'mon Emma !

I'm not quite sure how she manages to be slight favourite for the match but still of course a match she can win if basically fit and well.

B00thy · Lower Club Player

she wins the tie break!

B00thy · Lower Club Player

They're both hitting winners and also committing lots of unforced errors. Could have gone either way but it went to Emma

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, 7-6(4), intriguingly with 6 aces and 9 DFs!

4 breaks of serve each. Emma 61% (19/31) points won on first serve, 12% (3/25) won on second serve - somewhat related to that aces / DF count.

-- Edited by indiana on Tuesday 14th of January 2025 01:19:07 AM

Andy Parker · Club Coach

Emma 3-1 up in the second set. I think she is going to be OK from here - she looks pretty sharp. If she gets through, Anisimova will be her next opponent - what a match that should be.

Andy Parker · Club Coach

Alexandrova breaks back for 4-4 - I wonder how much Emma's lack of match practice is having an effect. Hope this doesn't go to 3 sets.

Andy Parker · Club Coach

Emma breaks back to serve for the match - this has been so close throughout, with hardly any easy games for either player. They will both be drained at the end of this one.

Andy Parker · Club Coach

No! From 30-0 up, Emma fails to serve out the match.

Peter too · Tennis legend

It wasn't the prettiest of wins until the 2nd set tie break when Emma discovered her game.