British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

In Cervia, Italy, Cornelia Oosthuizen kept the pressure on Lucy by winning her semi over Abbie Breakwell and into the final. She might have expected to play Lucy there - will have expected - but it wasn't to be as Lucy lost her semi to Venter of South Africa.

So, what does this mean for the battle for the top British ranking?

As of today, Lucy is on 825 points. She doesn't appear to be losing any, and her 55 points from this event won't improve her final counter, so she should exit the event on 825

Cornelia is 767 pts. She also won't have any points drop off and will gain a nett 19 if she loses the final or a nett 54 if she wins it. 54 will take her 821 points, so tantalisingly close to Lucy but not quite there - 4 points gap.

I may have that all wrong but pretty sure we won't see Lucy usurped this week. Meaning the grass events in Eastbourne, Roehampton and Wimbledon become important.

In those Cornelia is not defending any points. Lucy has 100 from Wimbledon to defend and then Eastbourne is her next best non counter, as well as a French event from late June that will also fall away. Her best counter she can use is 55 points, so over the grass she will drop 45 points I believe.

So, it leaves them close but Cornelia just needs to perform at the same level as Lucy on the grass and she should make it. The issue is will Cornelia (or Lucy) get into the 3 grass events as they are relatively small fields - last season, Lucy was the only Brit playing Wimbledon. A Brit to get in will need a wild card - who would they give it to may be a key question.