I’ve been volunteering at and watching the Ilkley Open all week. Great tournament on the circuit that’s getting bigger and better every year. Winners get a wildcard to Wimbledon. Some decent names here, Cilic, Eubanks, Marino, Eala, Dart, Naef.
I'm pleased that Emma Raducanu is playing at a competitive level and is the Number 1 as Katie Boulter is struggling since she peaked at 23 in the ratings.
Having Mark Petchey and her ex coach Nick Cavaday back for the grass court season see's a happy Emma and a more relaxed player.
IF and it's a big IF, she can stay in this zone and her fitness holds up then Raducanu will be a dangerous opponent and could reach the 2nd week of Wimbledon as she may be a low seed.
I'm pleased that Emma Raducanu is playing at a competitive level and is the Number 1 as Katie Boulter is struggling since she peaked at 23 in the ratings.
Having Mark Petchey and her ex coach Nick Cavaday back for the grass court season see's a happy Emma and a more relaxed player.
IF and it's a big IF, she can stay in this zone and her fitness holds up then Raducanu will be a dangerous opponent and could reach the 2nd week of Wimbledon as she may be a low seed.
She reached the last 16 last year so would do well to improve on that.
Really think Emma has to have a good look at herself after losing 6 out of 7 games in that second set.2 breaks up,but when Zheng came back Emma just did not seem up for the fight.
Really think Emma has to have a good look at herself after losing 6 out of 7 games in that second set.2 breaks up,but when Zheng came back Emma just did not seem up for the fight.
not sure she has to 'have a good look at herself' - Zheng's standard varied too - does she need to have a look at herself because she got broken twice but someone ranked a fair bit below her?. Zheng is world 5 and Olympic Champion and Raducanu 36 for many reasons. Raducanu not in Zheng's league . Am hoping Raducanu can get into the top 30 and maybe top 20 in the next few years if she continues to progress and get more robust.
She's certainly been playing more in the last few months, but has had some back spasm issues recently - who knows if that was part of the problem today. Or not
Really think Emma has to have a good look at herself after losing 6 out of 7 games in that second set.2 breaks up,but when Zheng came back Emma just did not seem up for the fight.
not sure she has to 'have a good look at herself' - Zheng's standard varied too - does she need to have a look at herself because she got broken twice but someone ranked a fair bit below her?. Zheng is world 5 and Olympic Champion and Raducanu 36 for many reasons. Raducanu not in Zheng's league . Am hoping Raducanu can get into the top 30 and maybe top 20 in the next few years if she continues to progress and get more robust.
She's certainly been playing more in the last few months, but has had some back spasm issues recently - who knows if that was part of the problem today. Or not
just thought she surrendered her advantage too easily,there was a double fault to lose one game,and I cant remember when this happened but she actually failed to get the ball in play when her opponent was lying on the floror.Certainly Zhebg is a fine player,but to me there are times when Emma dosent want to scrap,throwing in drop shots rather keep the rally going making her opponent play,she needs that Coco Gauff attitude making her opponent play that extra shot.
Really think Emma has to have a good look at herself after losing 6 out of 7 games in that second set.2 breaks up,but when Zheng came back Emma just did not seem up for the fight.
According to today's 'Times' she is and has for a long time, been suffering from chronic back pain
Really think Emma has to have a good look at herself after losing 6 out of 7 games in that second set.2 breaks up,but when Zheng came back Emma just did not seem up for the fight.
not sure she has to 'have a good look at herself' - Zheng's standard varied too - does she need to have a look at herself because she got broken twice but someone ranked a fair bit below her?. Zheng is world 5 and Olympic Champion and Raducanu 36 for many reasons. Raducanu not in Zheng's league . Am hoping Raducanu can get into the top 30 and maybe top 20 in the next few years if she continues to progress and get more robust.
She's certainly been playing more in the last few months, but has had some back spasm issues recently - who knows if that was part of the problem today. Or not
just thought she surrendered her advantage too easily,there was a double fault to lose one game,and I cant remember when this happened but she actually failed to get the ball in play when her opponent was lying on the floror.Certainly Zhebg is a fine player,but to me there are times when Emma dosent want to scrap,throwing in drop shots rather keep the rally going making her opponent play,she needs that Coco Gauff attitude making her opponent play that extra shot.
yes that miss when Zheng was on the ground was a very bad one
Draper, due to not defending his 250pts from Stuttgart last year, has dropped back below Djokovic and Fritz in the rankings to world no. 6.
Fritz wins in Stuttgart and now has a 200 odd point lead on Draper in ranking points.
Both are in the draw for Queen’s Club this coming week and their performances relative to each other will determine who goes into Wimbledon as 5th seed or grabs 4th seed (and is then guaranteed to avoid Sinner, Alcaraz and Zverev before a semi final).
- If Fritz wins or reaches the final, he will be no. 4 seed at Wimbledon. - If Fritz makes the semi final, Draper must win the tournament to be no. 4 seed at Wimbledon. - If Fritz makes the last 16, Draper must make the final to be no. 4 seed at Wimbledon. - If Fritz loses in the first round, Draper must make the semi final to be no. 4 seed at Wimbledon. - If Draper loses before the quarter final, he would be the no. 6 seed at Wimbledon behind both Fritz and Djokovic.
Pinnington Jones lost the Ilkley final in three sets to Tristan Schoolkate of Australia.
Not surprised. Wasn’t impressed with him earlier in the week there and surprised he made the final. Iva Jovic (USA) won the women’s final though and she looks like one to watch. Only 17 and has won the junior doubles at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
Comments
Raducanu beats Sramkova 6-4 6-1.
More prestigious than Eastbourne or Nottingham, but in a way a shame to make tennis even more London centric.
Having Mark Petchey and her ex coach Nick Cavaday back for the grass court season see's a happy Emma and a more relaxed player.
IF and it's a big IF, she can stay in this zone and her fitness holds up then Raducanu will be a dangerous opponent and could reach the 2nd week of Wimbledon as she may be a low seed.
Shnaider v Keys early in the first set currently. Shnaider leads 3-1.
Followed by Maria v Rybakina.
Then Raducanu v top seed Zheng third on court.
And lastly Navarro v Anisimova to end scheduled play on the main court for the day.
Semi finals tomorrow
Maria v Keys
Zheng v Anisimova
She's certainly been playing more in the last few months, but has had some back spasm issues recently - who knows if that was part of the problem today. Or not
- If Fritz wins or reaches the final, he will be no. 4 seed at Wimbledon.
- If Fritz makes the semi final, Draper must win the tournament to be no. 4 seed at Wimbledon.
- If Fritz makes the last 16, Draper must make the final to be no. 4 seed at Wimbledon.
- If Fritz loses in the first round, Draper must make the semi final to be no. 4 seed at Wimbledon.
- If Draper loses before the quarter final, he would be the no. 6 seed at Wimbledon behind both Fritz and Djokovic.
https://x.com/bbcsport/status/1934298943828918286?s=46&t=MojDVxh_AjG5taAWPQn6Tw
Fearnley vs qualifier Alex Bolt should be starting soon.