Week 21 - Roland Garros women's main draw

Maza1987 · Challenger level

RE: Week 21 - Roland Garros women's main draw

steven · Tennis legend

Heather is ridiculously stress-free to follow - she exudes calm even when she's understandably nervous, never gives up when she's behind, if she misses one chance to close something out, she doesn't fall away, just makes sure she gets another one instead, and when she gets her nose in front, there's no stopping her!

Was anyone here who's been following her progress recently at all surprised that she handed out bakery in the 2nd set after toughing out the 1st? I'd have been more surprised if she hadn't!

L64: (Q) Heather Watson WR 117 v (16) Kaia Kanepi (EST) WR 16 (= CH)

Kanepi reached the RG QFs in 2008 (the only time she has got past R2) and won Palermo WTA on clay last year, but her win against Arvindsson in R1 here was her first main draw win on clay this year.

Btw if Bally fails to take out Hev's mate Sloane tomorrow (and if we ignore the possibilities in Nottingham next week), Hev will be playing for the GB no 1 spot!

Armchair · County player

I could not be more pleased. The first set was there for the losing and Hev turned it round.

She just took that first set win, built on it and did the deed. I'm so impressed.

I don't want to belittle Anne K, but she must be looking at this result and wondering why she wasn't able to impose herself in the same way.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Solid performance by Hev, smash and grab with regards to the first set. Second set was all about the implosion of Foretz, something which she did against Laura in the US open qualies.
The most impressive part of Heather's performance was her composure on court, but I know she can play alot better than that. Will need to be more aggressive against Kanepi and that is where Heather needs to improve to move forward dramatically in the Womens game. First serve speed was down on what I know she is capable of. So for me the most exciting part was the fact there is huge room for improvement in Hev's game and yet she is in the second round of a slam outside Wimby having only turned 19.

DavidC · Tennis legend

Excellent result and a reward for sticking in the first set and making Foretz-Gacon pay for her inability to convert chances. The second set seemed a formality after that. Nice to erase another bad stat as well (another win would match the last 3rd round appearance - Jo Durie in 1992).

Very helpful to get an early grand slam win. Anne's difficulties in converting winning positions in grand slams partly stems I think from her early experiences where she was unable to win a couple of matches at Wimbledon where she had chances, coupled with too much time spent on the ITF circuit rather than playing Tour qualifiers like Heather has.

Bally can erase another of Clare Wood's records tomorrow - the last British player to complete the set of Grand Slam wins (with that 1994 win)

wolf · Tennis legend

Joined the match at 2-2 in the first set TB, so lovely to see a Brit that's not Andy play a prime time match on BBC television outside Wimbledon.

I find Heather an intriguing player to watch. I don't think she's quite figured out how hard she wants to hit the ball yet.

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

Yeh theres certainly something really interesting about her game. I find it really captivating how she is happy to mix things up and always dig deep, you never know what to expect or when to relax!

Apparantly Kanepi has had respiratory problems and wasnt sure whether she would play her match today. Of course none of us want an undeserved win or to wish bad on a player but you have to think Hev will have more of a chance if Kanepi isnt on top form.

I think Hev making a lot of balls may start to frustrate Kanepi who certainly isnt as good at moving as Hev but can hit a much harder shot. Hev needs to make sure she is making a lot of balls and pulling the trigger when she gets Kaia out of position, and she may just make things interesting.

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

For those that missed it, highlights programme is starting now

RedCabbage · Club Coach

Fantastic from Heather. Without wishing to lay a hoodoo down, Kanepi is very beatable. Onwards and upwards.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Brilliant news to come home to! I had to go out before the match had even started - I was checking the OOP for ages hoping to catch a bit of it. I still have never seen her play, but no doubt I am going to get the opportunity soon

indiana · Tennis legend

Great to see from Heather

By the way, don't want to worry folk about Bally, but 8 qualifiers have now played their first round, and 7 of them have won, 6 in straight sets ! I know the draws for the qualifiers didn't look too bad. but....

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

I wonder if the change of brand of balls is helping the qualifiers who've already played 3 matches with them?

philwrig · Hall of fame

Interesting, Bally's odds have drifted from 2/1 to nearly 3/1 on the betting exchanges. Do they know something about Bally's injury status or have they looked at Indy's stats ?

alex03maccy · Grand Slam Champion

Will Bally be on Eurosport 1 or 2?

seagull · Hall of fame

Bally being held up by Almagro mucking about but if she wins her opponent would be Vania King who has knocked out the 22nd seed Cibulkova