Enjoyed my annual visit to the Silksworth tennis centre in Sunderland. Just a few observations. 1. Tara looked in fine fettle, moving well(easily the best that I've seen her) and striking the ball with her usual aplomb. 2. Fitzy had a routine win, her opponent trying to hit a winner with each shot and making countless errors. Fitzy still hampered by her injured ankle but it is getting better very slowly. 3. Lucy hampered by an ankle problem picked up at Barnstaple looked a little out of sorts and wasn't striking the ball with her usual aplomb. 4. Match of the Day: Fran v Alex. inspired play by Alex nearly saw her home here ( really enjoying her life at Bath Uni ) but just when you thought Alex was going to prevail Fran played powerful mistake free tennis in the final 3 games to get the win. 5. Also look out for non Brit Van Uytvanck who is destined to be a top player in the future. Big game and a great mover for a tall girl.
Finally big shouts out to Alicia Barnetts dad, Fitzy, Tara and Alex Walker's mum who made my day much the brighter. Thanks for the chats !!
Enjoyed my annual visit to the Silksworth tennis centre in Sunderland. Just a few observations. 1. Tara looked in fine fettle, moving well(easily the best that I've seen her) and striking the ball with her usual aplomb. 2. Fitzy had a routine win, her opponent trying to hit a winner with each shot and making countless errors. Fitzy still hampered by her injured ankle but it is getting better very slowly. 3. Lucy hampered by an ankle problem picked up at Barnstaple looked a little out of sorts and wasn't striking the ball with her usual aplomb. 4. Match of the Day: Fran v Alex. inspired play by Alex nearly saw her home here ( really enjoying her life at Bath Uni ) but just when you thought Alex was going to prevail Fran played powerful mistake free tennis in the final 3 games to get the win. 5. Also look out for non Brit Van Uytvanck who is destined to be a top player in the future. Big game and a great mover for a tall girl.
Finally big shouts out to Alicia Barnetts dad, Fitzy, Tara and Alex Walker's mum who made my day much the brighter. Thanks for the chats !!
Thanks Phil
How does Alex play (i.e. what style)? Literally all I know about her is that she's a leftie... Glad to hear Tara is playing well, I really hope she can meet her coach's target and make Roland Garros qualies.
Enjoyed my annual visit to the Silksworth tennis centre in Sunderland. Just a few observations. 1. Tara looked in fine fettle, moving well(easily the best that I've seen her) and striking the ball with her usual aplomb. 2. Fitzy had a routine win, her opponent trying to hit a winner with each shot and making countless errors. Fitzy still hampered by her injured ankle but it is getting better very slowly. 3. Lucy hampered by an ankle problem picked up at Barnstaple looked a little out of sorts and wasn't striking the ball with her usual aplomb. 4. Match of the Day: Fran v Alex. inspired play by Alex nearly saw her home here ( really enjoying her life at Bath Uni ) but just when you thought Alex was going to prevail Fran played powerful mistake free tennis in the final 3 games to get the win. 5. Also look out for non Brit Van Uytvanck who is destined to be a top player in the future. Big game and a great mover for a tall girl.
Finally big shouts out to Alicia Barnetts dad, Fitzy, Tara and Alex Walker's mum who made my day much the brighter. Thanks for the chats !!
Thanks Phil
How does Alex play (i.e. what style)? Literally all I know about her is that she's a leftie... Glad to hear Tara is playing well, I really hope she can meet her coach's target and make Roland Garros qualies.
Alex plays aggressively, solid serve with a little bit of lefty spin and powerful flat groundstrokes, slightly stronger on her forehand side. Game would be most effective on grass ( she did get through a round at junior Wimby a couple of years ago, an achievement her mum is extremely proud about ).
-- Edited by philwrig on Wednesday 2nd of November 2011 08:41:27 PM
Enjoyed my annual visit to the Silksworth tennis centre in Sunderland. Just a few observations. 1. Tara looked in fine fettle, moving well(easily the best that I've seen her) and striking the ball with her usual aplomb. 2. Fitzy had a routine win, her opponent trying to hit a winner with each shot and making countless errors. Fitzy still hampered by her injured ankle but it is getting better very slowly. 3. Lucy hampered by an ankle problem picked up at Barnstaple looked a little out of sorts and wasn't striking the ball with her usual aplomb. 4. Match of the Day: Fran v Alex. inspired play by Alex nearly saw her home here ( really enjoying her life at Bath Uni ) but just when you thought Alex was going to prevail Fran played powerful mistake free tennis in the final 3 games to get the win. 5. Also look out for non Brit Van Uytvanck who is destined to be a top player in the future. Big game and a great mover for a tall girl.
Finally big shouts out to Alicia Barnetts dad, Fitzy, Tara and Alex Walker's mum who made my day much the brighter. Thanks for the chats !!
Thanks Phil
How does Alex play (i.e. what style)? Literally all I know about her is that she's a leftie... Glad to hear Tara is playing well, I really hope she can meet her coach's target and make Roland Garros qualies.
Alex plays aggressively, solid serve with a little bit of lefty spin and powerful flat groundstrokes, slightly stronger on her forehand side. Game would be most effective on grass ( she did get through a round at junior Wimby a couple of years ago, an achievement her mum is extremely proud about ).
-- Edited by philwrig on Wednesday 2nd of November 2011 08:41:27 PM
Awesome. I always appreciate knowing more about lesser known/ upcoming players
Thanks for the report Phil. I hadn't realised Lucy had an ankle problem - probably goes a long way towards explaining the upset today. I'm not surprised FRan v Alex was the match of the day - following the live scores on bet365, control seemed to change hands every few minutes!
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GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!
Did you get a chance to watch Harriet Dart play, Philwrig?
When I went to that court, I think she was already a set and 4-0 up so didn't hang around for very long. Couldn't comment on her standard of play, but I did notice that she showed lots of positive body language on court during the very brief bit I watched.
Thanks for the report Phil. I hadn't realised Lucy had an ankle problem - probably goes a long way towards explaining the upset today. I'm not surprised FRan v Alex was the match of the day - following the live scores on bet365, control seemed to change hands every few minutes!
Very topsy turvy match to say the least, Alex really had the bit between her teeth today and probably should have won the first set. Fran showed just enough class to get herself over the finish line.