British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

True, true! The Friday ticket now looks to be the really hot one - with potentially round 2 and QF matches all on the same day.

The only disappointment was that we didn't get to see a humdinger of a three setter. Mboko-Pliskova promised to be that - it was my first time watching Mboko (TV or live) and I can understand the fuss, that girl can strike a tennis ball! Great athlete too. Not sure how much experience she has on the grass and Pliskova took full advantage in the first set. But Mboko cut out the errors in the second, served a lot better and we had a real match on our hands (definitely looked like it was heading to a decider), when she was wrong-footed and slipped.

Hope the injury isn't too bad and she can play Wimbledon, but must be doubtful. Looked like she was in a lot of pain.

Vekic-Bouzkova was also a great tussle, until the rain came again to end proceeding for the day. I have a bit of a soft spot for Donna - interviewed her way back in 2013 at Roland Garros for a New York Times feature when she was a 16 year old teenage phenom with all the expectations that she could go on to be Croatia's answer to the dynasty of Cilic, Ljubicic, Ivanisevic et al, on the women's side.

She struggled a lot with those early expectations so have enjoyed seeing her finally live up to her potential in her late 20s. Bouzkova is a very tricky opponent on the grass - returns extremely well, moves well, loves a dropshot, and while not the most powerful of players, she places the ball superbly. Vekic overcame a slow start to lead 5-2 before Bouzkova fought back to level things. Was all nicely poised when the clouds drew in again.

Will enjoy following the rest of the tournament on TV, and going a couple of times to Eastbourne in a couple of weeks!

Presumably no option re moving indoors for doubles at Queens? Do they even consider that at main tour level?

Can see umbrellas in the crowd on the TV again and spots on the camera, think covers are about to return

wolf wrote:

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Both singles L16/QF and doubles QF/SF are due on tomorrow. Iva Jovic the only player in both competitions but she is already in the QF in singles.

Katie 1st on Court 1 followed by Harriet. Emma 2nd in Centre. Winner of Harriet and Emma's matches play each other while Katie is in Rybakina's section.

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 A lot of that could have been avoided if Laura had put on more matches on Wednesday

The weather forecast didn't change - it was spot on

If a player gets injured playing two long matches tomorrow, they'll have a justified gripe 

wolf wrote:

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Both singles L16/QF and doubles QF/SF are due on tomorrow. Iva Jovic the only player in both competitions but she is already in the QF in singles.

Katie 1st on Court 1 followed by Harriet. Emma 2nd in Centre. Winner of Harriet and Emma's matches play each other while Katie is in Rybakina's section.

So no coverage of Harriet or Katie's first matches tomorrow, come on BBC step it up!

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 At least the winners of the 4 delayed L16 matches play other winners of delayed matches. So no advantage on that score. Whether that has been by luck or judgement ...

But yes it was still crazy to not try to play more matches on Wednesday with the doom laden Thursday forecast. I see some folk feel a large element of living in hope against hope of providing good matches for Thursday corporates / TV over the players' interests?

wolf wrote:

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But your just going to schedule nothing for the Thursday based on the weather forecast?

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 Not exactly but the R2 matches were imbalanced - with more on Thursday than Wednesday - which made no sense

Because, yes, why schedule matches for a day when it is 99% certain that they'll be no play? 

When you have everyone sitting round on Wednesday, able to play, with empty courts

Personally, I'd have kept back Emma's match, say, as she's a high profile premium match you'd want to keep as a possible, if - just if - they got some play 

But utterly ridiculous that they didn't get Harriet's match, say, done 

Harriet played her R1 match on Monday. Her opponent hasn't played any match at all. It's not a really high profile match.