Week 8 - ITF W35 Manchester, Great Britain - Hard - Indoor

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Week 8 - ITF W35 Manchester, Great Britain - Hard - Indoor

the addict · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Marni's opponent goes by 'Sarah', just for info

Only recently 19, not a particulalry 'scary' player, working her way rather than flying up the ranks

I thought that might be the case, but took the full name from the draw.

wales1994 · County player

Bagel wrote:
paulisi wrote:
Not played any ITF there since 2013 as no catering and they complained about the courts and lighting
I attended today. Catering utterly appalling. Limited to three vending machines for sweets and cold fizzy drinks-two operated with cash only. Was advised to go to the National Squash Centre cafe ten minutes walk away. This was scarcely any better and featured a young lady who took ten minutes to create a cup of instant coffee. The whole set up was distinctly underwhelming, Zero indication that the event was taking place. Only one court with seated viewing facilities. Like so many of the LTA indoor venues which are used for ITF events the whole thing was as low key as humanly possible. If only these centres could look at Shrewsbury where all the stops are pulled out to make a great experience for players and spectators alike.

It doesn't take much for these events to put on a little effort / promotion. Maybe it gets better towards the weekend? But I don't get why you'd agree to put on the event and now want to at least put some effort into the experience. Get all the locals involved, make it a big event for the club. My tiny club back home in Wales sounds like it'd put on a better show than this...

scottie1 · Futures level

See Harmony Tan playing here she won that match against Serena a few years back
Serena was out of condition thought she could just turn up and steam roll her way through the draw.
Harmony deserved to win she wasn't overawed by Serena

emmsie69 · Top national player

wales1994 wrote:
Bagel wrote:
paulisi wrote:
Not played any ITF there since 2013 as no catering and they complained about the courts and lighting
I attended today. Catering utterly appalling. Limited to three vending machines for sweets and cold fizzy drinks-two operated with cash only. Was advised to go to the National Squash Centre cafe ten minutes walk away. This was scarcely any better and featured a young lady who took ten minutes to create a cup of instant coffee. The whole set up was distinctly underwhelming, Zero indication that the event was taking place. Only one court with seated viewing facilities. Like so many of the LTA indoor venues which are used for ITF events the whole thing was as low key as humanly possible. If only these centres could look at Shrewsbury where all the stops are pulled out to make a great experience for players and spectators alike.
It doesn't take much for these events to put on a little effort / promotion. Maybe it gets better towards the weekend? But I don't get why you'd agree to put on the event and now want to at least put some effort into the experience. Get all the locals involved, make it a big event for the club. My tiny club back home in Wales sounds like it'd put on a better show than this...

No reason why they couldn't get a mobile catering unit there who would be grateful for the pitch.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I make it that Brooke has 4 points here, and 2 points from last week, so will now have 15 points in total (if she loses her R2 match here)

Which should put her right on the cusp of the top-1000?

PS Completely agree, emmsie - a couple of pop-up food stands would have been dead easy to get and a perfect coffee and fuelling option

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Brooke won three games and then lost three games, against the top seed

Marni is 4-3*

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Marni getting frustrated by French Sarah's game - who is playing well, a good mixture of defence and attack

Marni lost the first set at the end, 4-6

Chippy choppy French Manon, top seed, is having her work cut out with Brooke

5-5

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Marni lost 4-6 2-6

A pretty poor second set, in particular

SO many balls going 6 inches long throughout the match

And Sarah played miles better than the last two times I've seen her - really pleased to see her coming on so well - the French have a huge hole in their female players

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

But Brooke got the second and is a break up in the third....
#pray

paulisi · Tennis legend

Bagel wrote:
paulisi wrote:
Not played any ITF there since 2013 as no catering and they complained about the courts and lighting
I attended today. Catering utterly appalling. Limited to three vending machines for sweets and cold fizzy drinks-two operated with cash only. Was advised to go to the National Squash Centre cafe ten minutes walk away. This was scarcely any better and featured a young lady who took ten minutes to create a cup of instant coffee. The whole set up was distinctly underwhelming, Zero indication that the event was taking place. Only one court with seated viewing facilities. Like so many of the LTA indoor venues which are used for ITF events the whole thing was as low key as humanly possible. If only these centres could look at Shrewsbury where all the stops are pulled out to make a great experience for players and spectators alike.

So not changed then...I suspect Sally Appleton will have a rant in her blog.

Last time most of the players walked over to Asda for food - 10 mins each way...

PaulM · Tennis legend

Brooke had points for *5-2 and 5-3* in the third. Lost it 4-6

Cracking effort but ouch.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Just Emily left, who is going well.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Oh, poor love
That'll hurt....

(Re Brrooke)

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Wednesday 19th of February 2025 12:59:51 PM

the addict · Tennis legend

L16:- Manon Leonard (FRA) WR185 [1] def Brooke Black (GBR) WR1190 [WC] 7-5 4-6 6-4
L16:- Emily Appleton (GBR) WR394 [WC] def Matilde Paoletti (ITA) WR425 [Q8] 7-6(4) 7-5

L16:- Amarni Banks (GBR) WR267 lost to Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah (FRA) WR352 4-6 2-6

*****

QF:- Manon Leonard (FRA) WR185 [1] v Emily Appleton (GBR) WR394 [WC]