British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

A lovely result to wake up to 

In a one-off game, Katie has been capable of matching anyone in the field i.e. in the low 200's so I'm not surprised at by the result. However, this tournament will test whether she is able to play multiple matches at that level, so looking forward to this next one

Just wish I could watch some of it .. 

B00thy wrote:

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A lovely result to wake up to 

In a one-off game, Katie has been capable of matching anyone in the field i.e. in the low 200's so I'm not surprised at by the result. However, this tournament will test whether she is able to play multiple matches at that level, so looking forward to this next one

Just wish I could watch some of it .. 

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 B00thy, the match is still available to watch on the ITF Live website, you'll see a watch replay button (I think the matches are available for maybe 12hr?, not sure). I generally search for 'ITF pro circuit', find the tournament calendar, select the tournament, then the order of play tab, then there's a blue Live circle thingy to click which opens up the ITF Live webpage, there you can filter for the tournament again and find the match, then click on the top part of the match box, to bring up the Live match page, there you'll see the 'watch replay' button and once clicked the full match video will appear at the top of the page. It seems convoluted, but it only takes a few seconds to navigate.

B00thy wrote:

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Thanks. I clicked on the match details and it took me through. It was great as I watched all the match when Katie was at the near end.

She certainly looks fit. Couldn't see any tell-tales signs of an underlying weakness. Movement good. Groundstrokes good too.

If there's one area it looks like she's serving a bit safely. That's to be expected given it was an area she used to break down on. But it was effective and she didn't need to be putting everything into it in order to give Cabrera problems.

So very pleased with where she is now and crossing fingers for the next match 

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 I agree with your assessment, re. the serve and play in general, this was very evident against the R1 opponent, Monique Barry, who I thought played very well, but it seemed Swan played at maybe 85% and there were hardly any big serves. There were moments in that match where I thought how is Katie winning this, her opponent often bossed the rallies. Consistency, making relatively few unforced errors, and having an extra gear if absolutely needed on the key points, got her through that match, fairly unscathed. With the tournaments coming thick and fast now, Sydney 75, Playford 75, etc, there's a lot of tennis to be played. Who can say how it'll all play out, but what story this year could be.

One thing to consider is the opponent's ranking points situation. Swan's last opponent, Cabrera is defending quite a number of ranking points atm, and it really showed in the second set when Cabrera had an almighty meltdown, throwing her racket and screaming, after being broken and probably realising that she would lose the match. Swan's next opponent, Alava is also in exactly the same situation. Both of these Aussies are in danger of dropping down the ranking table at the wrong time, after having been in the low 200's for quite a while. Are they sure of AO qualifying spots? Perhaps it will have an effect on Alava's game in the match. That's one advantage that Swan has, with no points to defend, there's no reason to get really nervous, just focus on playing well.

foobarbaz wrote:

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One thing to consider is the opponent's ranking points situation. Swan's last opponent, Cabrera is defending quite a number of ranking points atm, and it really showed in the second set when Cabrera had an almighty meltdown, throwing her racket and screaming, after being broken and probably realising that she would lose the match. Swan's next opponent, Alava is also in exactly the same situation. Both of these Aussies are in danger of dropping down the ranking table at the wrong time, after having been in the low 200's for quite a while. Are they sure of AO qualifying spots? Perhaps it will have an effect on Alava's game in the match. That's one advantage that Swan has, with no points to defend, there's no reason to get really nervous, just focus on playing well.

-- Edited by foobarbaz on Thursday 13th of November 2025 11:10:41 PM

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 Yes Cabrera beat Aiava here last year for 50 and 33 points respectively.

Cabrera is now down to live ranked 249, and has a further 49 points due off on 01/12, so will almost certainly need quite a bit more now to make the qualifying cut-off. With her QF so far here, Aiava is live ranked 234 with nothing more due off, so probably around the cut-off and could clinch it it with a really good week here.

Not so sure though that it's qualifying as such that might be on their minds, since I imagine both would at least get Q WCs if needed. But more falling down the queue of potential Aussie MD WC candidates. As was pointed out in the "Potential GB women for Aus Open Qualifying" thread there is an impressive list of Aussie women looking for these prize MD WCs.

Katie herself is still 'only' live ranked 309 on 212 points so for the moment it's just great that she is out there and playing well. It would be a huge bonus if she got herself into serious Aus Open Q contention in the coming weeks but for now she should just really swing free, at least in that regard.