Have just enjoyed watching a bit of Tomas Gabor's match - first time I've really watched him - he won easily - a fluid lefty player, easily better than his opponent today. Although he obviously feels the cold - the French lad is in shorts and t-shirt - Tomas has shorts and T-shirt - AND underneath he also has long leggings/tights and a long sleeved undershirt - ne'er cast a clout until May is out, eh, Tomas?
Sahara Baptiste's match was not on a livestreamed court, which was a shame as I really liked her game last time I saw her, although it's almost TOO complicated - she messes things up with the ball for the fun of it
She lost today in three sets. But I believe that Sahara is still one year young for this event (although so are a couple of others, including tiny Mila from Sweden who won)
Emma Fu plays later today, against a highly rated girl from Croatia
edit: week number added
-- Edited by DavidC on Monday 17th of February 2025 06:25:19 PM
Thanks for the info CD. I have 2 questions (for you or anyone else)!
1. Has a Brit ever won this tournament?
2. I know he is young and you have only seen a bit but does Tomas have a style similar to Henry Searle? Maybe its too early to have a particular style though!
-- Edited by Oscariyan on Monday 17th of February 2025 01:17:06 PM
Thanks for the info CD. I have 2 questions (for you or anyone else)!
1. Has a Brit ever won this tournament?
2. I know he is young and you have only seen a bit but does Tomas have a style similar to Henry Searle? Maybe its too early to have a particular style though!
-- Edited by Oscariyan on Monday 17th of February 2025 01:17:06 PM
Yes, several Brits have won
From recollection, our Hannah won it Beating Tyra Grant and Alena Kovackova along the way
Ben Gusic Wan definitely won it too
And Holly Fischer too, from earlier on
I'm sure there are a lot of others too
And, no, Gabor didn't strike me like Henry Searle (but, yes, maybe too early to tell)
Honey Robinson lost very easily (I've never really rated her tennis, although obviously kids progress at different rates, but her play in the nationals last year was not such to get overly excited about)
Emma Fu also lost and is not a player I'll put on my 'little fave' list - she looks as though she's been quite well trained but STILL has technical issues, and isn't as athletic as I expected from reports I'd heard)
So, with Sahara's loss too, that's all of our girls out in round one
Seeding at this level must be tricky as there are no published international rankings I dont think.
I note that of the 8 'seeds' - those that were given a bye in the first round, only 3 won their second round matches in the girls and 4 in the boys.
I suspect these seedings may be luck of the draw as some of the boy's seedings were qualifiers - but if so, why not have a full 64 draw with no byes in the first round...??
Honey Robinson lost very easily (I've never really rated her tennis, although obviously kids progress at different rates, but her play in the nationals last year was not such to get overly excited about)
Emma Fu also lost and is not a player I'll put on my 'little fave' list - she looks as though she's been quite well trained but STILL has technical issues, and isn't as athletic as I expected from reports I'd heard)
So, with Sahara's loss too, that's all of our girls out in round one
I quite like Emma but agree that I wouldnt put her on my favourite list yet. Have never been a fan of Honey although I can see her doing well until 14U then I think she will win a lot less. I dont have any favourites as such in the 2013 age group, although I really like Coco Witton. I think my favourites for 2010-2014 would be:
2010: Annabel Wong (I also like Katie Randall)
2011: Grace Watson (obviously Megan is the top in that age group but I really rate Grace)
2012: Sophia Cunninghame (I like April Sackflame too)
2013: Coco Witton ( Kaya is good but still has to make a proper mark)
2014: Isla Skeates (Sahara a very close second for me)
I am probably completely wrong about them but they are the ones I currently rate the most!
Honey Robinson lost very easily (I've never really rated her tennis, although obviously kids progress at different rates, but her play in the nationals last year was not such to get overly excited about)
Emma Fu also lost and is not a player I'll put on my 'little fave' list - she looks as though she's been quite well trained but STILL has technical issues, and isn't as athletic as I expected from reports I'd heard)
So, with Sahara's loss too, that's all of our girls out in round one
I quite like Emma but agree that I wouldnt put her on my favourite list yet. Have never been a fan of Honey although I can see her doing well until 14U then I think she will win a lot less. I dont have any favourites as such in the 2013 age group, although I really like Coco Witton. I think my favourites for 2010-2014 would be:
2010: Annabel Wong (I also like Katie Randall)
2011: Grace Watson (obviously Megan is the top in that age group but I really rate Grace)
2012: Sophia Cunninghame (I like April Sackflame too)
2013: Coco Witton ( Kaya is good but still has to make a proper mark)
2014: Isla Skeates (Sahara a very close second for me)
I am probably completely wrong about them but they are the ones I currently rate the most!
Very interesting list and I will keep tabs on them. I was impressed with April winning TE event last week. Is she playing any tournaments soon like ITF J30s or sticking to TE?
Honey Robinson lost very easily (I've never really rated her tennis, although obviously kids progress at different rates, but her play in the nationals last year was not such to get overly excited about)
Emma Fu also lost and is not a player I'll put on my 'little fave' list - she looks as though she's been quite well trained but STILL has technical issues, and isn't as athletic as I expected from reports I'd heard)
So, with Sahara's loss too, that's all of our girls out in round one
I quite like Emma but agree that I wouldnt put her on my favourite list yet. Have never been a fan of Honey although I can see her doing well until 14U then I think she will win a lot less. I dont have any favourites as such in the 2013 age group, although I really like Coco Witton. I think my favourites for 2010-2014 would be:
2010: Annabel Wong (I also like Katie Randall)
2011: Grace Watson (obviously Megan is the top in that age group but I really rate Grace)
2012: Sophia Cunninghame (I like April Sackflame too)
2013: Coco Witton ( Kaya is good but still has to make a proper mark)
2014: Isla Skeates (Sahara a very close second for me)
I am probably completely wrong about them but they are the ones I currently rate the most!
Very interesting list and I will keep tabs on them. I was impressed with April winning TE event last week. Is she playing any tournaments soon like ITF J30s or sticking to TE?
I understand she is planning to play ITFs but I dont think shes 13 yet. Its a national week this week with grade 2s in 9U through to 14U. She was on the entry list for the 14s but o havent looked at any results yet.
Honey Robinson lost very easily (I've never really rated her tennis, although obviously kids progress at different rates, but her play in the nationals last year was not such to get overly excited about)
Emma Fu also lost and is not a player I'll put on my 'little fave' list - she looks as though she's been quite well trained but STILL has technical issues, and isn't as athletic as I expected from reports I'd heard)
So, with Sahara's loss too, that's all of our girls out in round one
I quite like Emma but agree that I wouldnt put her on my favourite list yet. Have never been a fan of Honey although I can see her doing well until 14U then I think she will win a lot less. I dont have any favourites as such in the 2013 age group, although I really like Coco Witton. I think my favourites for 2010-2014 would be:
2010: Annabel Wong (I also like Katie Randall)
2011: Grace Watson (obviously Megan is the top in that age group but I really rate Grace)
2012: Sophia Cunninghame (I like April Sackflame too)
2013: Coco Witton ( Kaya is good but still has to make a proper mark)
2014: Isla Skeates (Sahara a very close second for me)
I am probably completely wrong about them but they are the ones I currently rate the most!
Interesting, as always, Rose !
I'm looking forward to seeing Isla - I've heard a lot about her but never seen her (and only seen Coco once briefly in passing)
Honey Robinson lost very easily (I've never really rated her tennis, although obviously kids progress at different rates, but her play in the nationals last year was not such to get overly excited about)
Emma Fu also lost and is not a player I'll put on my 'little fave' list - she looks as though she's been quite well trained but STILL has technical issues, and isn't as athletic as I expected from reports I'd heard)
So, with Sahara's loss too, that's all of our girls out in round one
I quite like Emma but agree that I wouldnt put her on my favourite list yet. Have never been a fan of Honey although I can see her doing well until 14U then I think she will win a lot less. I dont have any favourites as such in the 2013 age group, although I really like Coco Witton. I think my favourites for 2010-2014 would be:
2010: Annabel Wong (I also like Katie Randall)
2011: Grace Watson (obviously Megan is the top in that age group but I really rate Grace)
2012: Sophia Cunninghame (I like April Sackflame too)
2013: Coco Witton ( Kaya is good but still has to make a proper mark)
2014: Isla Skeates (Sahara a very close second for me)
I am probably completely wrong about them but they are the ones I currently rate the most!
Interesting, as always, Rose !
I'm looking forward to seeing Isla - I've heard a lot about her but never seen her (and only seen Coco once briefly in passing)
What do you think of Isabella (Bella?) Rebel ?
Shes probably in my next level (along with Ginny, dasha, marlena). I think she hits a good ball but it doesnt look that natural to me a lot of the time. I also dont think she is quite back to her pre injury level. I dont see the competitiveness in her that I see in Sophia and April - but theres still plenty of time for that to change
Honey Robinson lost very easily (I've never really rated her tennis, although obviously kids progress at different rates, but her play in the nationals last year was not such to get overly excited about)
Emma Fu also lost and is not a player I'll put on my 'little fave' list - she looks as though she's been quite well trained but STILL has technical issues, and isn't as athletic as I expected from reports I'd heard)
So, with Sahara's loss too, that's all of our girls out in round one
I quite like Emma but agree that I wouldnt put her on my favourite list yet. Have never been a fan of Honey although I can see her doing well until 14U then I think she will win a lot less. I dont have any favourites as such in the 2013 age group, although I really like Coco Witton. I think my favourites for 2010-2014 would be:
2010: Annabel Wong (I also like Katie Randall)
2011: Grace Watson (obviously Megan is the top in that age group but I really rate Grace)
2012: Sophia Cunninghame (I like April Sackflame too)
2013: Coco Witton ( Kaya is good but still has to make a proper mark)
2014: Isla Skeates (Sahara a very close second for me)
I am probably completely wrong about them but they are the ones I currently rate the most!
Interesting, as always, Rose !
I'm looking forward to seeing Isla - I've heard a lot about her but never seen her (and only seen Coco once briefly in passing)
What do you think of Isabella (Bella?) Rebel ?
Shes probably in my next level (along with Ginny, dasha, marlena). I think she hits a good ball but it doesnt look that natural to me a lot of the time. I also dont think she is quite back to her pre injury level. I dont see the competitiveness in her that I see in Sophia and April - but theres still plenty of time for that to change
Thanks
I went and looked back at my notes and found this from the U11 final:
"Ginny Chen had been dominant up till now. And plays a very careful game, lots of high balls, rarely takes the ball on (although she's shown at times that she can but often makes errors)
But Sophia Cuninghame played a far more aggressive game, going for angles and corner, getting more pace, particulalry on her forehand, and serve too"
So you can see that yes, Sophia C is one of my faves too
But I don;t think I've ever seen April play - will try and make that happen