I'm not au fait enough to predict anything -- but I would love to see Katie O'Brien justify this poster's sense that she has been somewhat unfairly treated and go shooting back for the top 100. Allez!
No one has predicted a breakthrough from the lower ranked players. Anyone want to put their neck on the line a predict a Joss Rae type player breakthrough into the top 300?
I am afraid I find it difficult to see any big breakthroughs next year.
Last year at this time we had outside the top 500 Heather with her junior record and early signs in the senior ranks, Tara who'd already been a top 400 player before falling back but was still young and could clearly come again with the right mindset and Lisa who had ended the year with very encouraging results in her first few senior tournaments.
This year the only player from outside the current GB top 12 who I see maybe possibly entering the top 350 would be Georgina Gent, but that would not really be a breakthrough just a hope that her injury problems clear and she can reestablish herself.
Would be really good if say Joss did prove that wrong though.
Alas Joss to me doesn't have that drive you need to really maximise your potential. Should have got alot of confidence from her performances at the Commonwealth games but at Sunderland to me just looked to be going through the motions. On talent alone clearly capable of being a top 200 player and there is still time to correct her mental attitude, but the clock is ticking.
Lower ranked players who I expect to make progress are Amanda Carreras. She started to play better as the season closed, and I wouldn't be surprised if she broke the top 400 next year. Samantha Murray should also make substantial gains to possibly the top 500, Yas Clarke to the 600 area and look for one of the 93 girls to kick on but not to a ranking inside the top 500.
Georgie Gent ( previously Stoop ) if fully recovered from injury as Indy said could make a comeback to the top 300, but there is no information out there about her current injury situation so just about impossible to predict.
Eleanor Dean finally should also start to move up the rankings but is still very young and is limited to the number of tournaments she can play in seniors.
I wasn't going to predict but actually I'd like to see who posts closest to the reality at the end of the season...
Bally - all depends on how she starts the season (and injuries), if she can get through some good matches at the first few events, I'll think she'll keep improving. But with so many new points to defend I don't think there will be much progress on the ranking - 60.
Anne - I'm slightly more optimistic with Anne. I do wish she would change her coach though, she needs to take a risk, mix it up a little and try something different. She doesn't win enough of her own service games and she looks shakey under pressure. However, if she can start well I hope we'll see her creep up the ranking again - 80.
Heather - the NEW great hope. I'm not convinced she has a game that can scratch the top 20 but I think she'll progress to being a good GB top 40 player. This year though it's as much about individual results as ranking. I think with a good grass court season we could see her in the top 100. I'm going out on a limb and predict 80.
Laura - event restrictions limits opportunity. But again, for Laura this year is about big scalps and a good grass court season, not ranking. If by the end of the season she's top 200 that will put her in a great position to assualt the top player come 2012. I hope we'll see her finish 150.
Cav - too inconsistent. 200 Katie - lost it, no weapons and too many AO points to defend. 220. Naomi - again, too inconsistent and not showing enough for me. 230. Tara - shame about the funding. If she can stay fit I'm going 200. Mel - who knows, impossible to read, I think she'll make small but positive progress 210.
I'm not trying to be picky but some of your predictions have changed after looking at the combined Men's / Women's predictions thread. Do you want me to update them for my summary on this thread ?
I was going to mention that in my post but hoped that no one would notice! It's funny, you try not to be fickle but one result or artcle can alter your view on a few things. I think I would like to go with my latest entry...
Elena Baltach: 60 Anne Keothavong: 110 Heather Watson: 100 Katie O'Brien: 280 Naomi Cavaday: 170 Laura Robson: 145 Mel South 290 Naomi Broady 225 Anna Smith 325 Lisa Whybourn 340 Tara Moore 265 Anna Fitzy 350