British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

43!!

Katie won 6-4 6-0. Interesting match to watch. First thing to say is that Namigata is no pushover, in the rally she works the ball around and goes for the corners. The 1st set was a bit topsy-turvy, 2 close games at the start, with some errors from both players, and Namigata was 2-0 up. Then not surprisingly it becomes a little bit of a mental battle, with the expectation that the age difference should be favouring the younger player. Swan did well to break back to 2-1, and also had to deal with a minor issue having grazed her right hand on the carpet surface in that game. A short MTO to attend to the problem, was also probably a good thing to calm the nerves. Then Swan went on a run of 4 games won, to go 5-2 up. Serving for the set, but the 1st serve hadn't been consistent and Namigata then had a purple patch, and it was 5-4 at the changeover. Katie toughed it out, and with some good serving took the 1st set, just. The second set, was much less eventful. Swan broke early to go 2-0 up, and then it seemed like the earlier nerves dissipated, and Katie was striking the ball well and winning all the exchanges. The games rattled by, and the match was won. I don't imagine it was an enjoyable match to play, with the expectation and all, however job done.

foobarbaz wrote:

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Katie won 6-4 6-0. Interesting match to watch. First thing to say is that Namigata is no pushover, in the rally she works the ball around and goes for the corners. The 1st set was a bit topsy-turvy, 2 close games at the start, with some errors from both players, and Namigata was 2-0 up. Then not surprisingly it becomes a little bit of a mental battle, with the expectation that the age difference should be favouring the younger player. Swan did well to break back to 2-1, and also had to deal with a minor issue having grazed her right hand on the carpet surface in that game. A short MTO to attend to the problem, was also probably a good thing to calm the nerves. Then Swan went on a run of 4 games won, to go 5-2 up. Serving for the set, but the 1st serve hadn't been consistent and Namigata then had a purple patch, and it was 5-4 at the changeover. Katie toughed it out, and with some good serving took the 1st set, just. The second set, was much less eventful. Swan broke early to go 2-0 up, and then it seemed like the earlier nerves dissipated, and Katie was striking the ball well and winning all the exchanges. The games rattled by, and the match was won. I don't imagine it was an enjoyable match to play, with the expectation and all, however job done.

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 Interesting..... tx

JonH wrote:

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the addict wrote:

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Good to see Katie winning and climbing back up the rankings. She's down for two more tournaments in Japan along with four other British girls, so no clay for Katie.

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 I could be wrong, but the carpet in past years here has, I think, been artificial grass (as opposed to indoor carpet etc). So Katie will be playing on a relatively fast and low bouncing surface (how it typically plays) and it should be reasonably good prep for a tilt at the grass next month 

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 I think these Japanese carpet tournaments often/ sometimes use sand as part of the surface so some players slide like on clay.

Katie won 6-1 6-3. A fast start, and Miyamoto was immediately 2-0 down. First set was practically flawless tennis, against a capable opponent. The rallies were keenly fought, but Swan kept on winning them. Even the slight disappointment of being pegged back from 2-0 up at the start of the 2nd, made no difference. Katie held serve and broke her opponent for 5-3, and then closed out the match in confident fashion. Very impressive display, keeping the pressure on from start to finish. These courts do seem to suit Swan's game.