Eastbourne 2013

[Hoergren]

Another solid win after - well a bit wobbly start - here are the stats from the match - quite impressive and it shows that she's on the right track back on top:

As a journalist wrote: Caroline Wozniacki bounced back from losing the opening set to reel off a 4-6 6-0 6-3 triumph over Russian Ekatrina Makarova to reach a semi-final showdown with American qualifier Jamie Hampton.

Looking forward to that match. Again well done Caroline:clap

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Semifinals day Friday 21st of June - here is the schedule for the women:

Centre court at 11.00
Jamie Hampton vs Caroline Wozniacki 6-7 (8-10) 7-5 6-3.

Not before 13.00
Elena Vesnina vs Yanina Wickmayer 62 60

 

[kskate2]

That's going to be a tough match between Caro/Jamie. Jamie is hitting the ball well and Caro seems to be playing a little more aggressively. We'll see how things shake out tomorrow.

 

[Calvy]

That's going to be a tough match between Caro/Jamie. Jamie is hitting the ball well and Caro seems to be playing a little more aggressively. We'll see how things shake out tomorrow.

Whichever way this match comes out, I see more of an upside for Jamie than Caroline. Jamie gain confidence that helps her against most players, whereas Caroline is playing someone she should, on paper at least, beat.

I'd say, Jamie has more potential to do damage at Wimby.

 

[Hoergren]

I'd say, Jamie has more potential to do damage at Wimby.

Guess you're right - she's the current #28 - will she be seeded?

 

[kskate2]

If her ranking is 28 she will get seeded. Venus is out and that will move someone up to take her spot.

 

[Hoergren]

If her ranking is 28 she will get seeded. Venus is out and that will move someone up to take her spot.

It's not the official ranking she's #28 so I don't think she'll be seeded. What I meant was that with the points she's got until now in Eastbourne she's #28 on the actual BUT first officially Monday:-/ Sorry for the confuse.

 

[kskate2]

Congrats to Jamie for coming through in 3 tough sets over Caroline to reach her first WTA final. A second congrats to Vesnina for defeating Li and Wickmayer back-to-back to reach another WTA final.

Tomorrow's final:

vs.

 

[Calvy]

Here's my problem with Caroline. I was watching the first set and during the changeover at 2-3, she calls her father down for coaching.....WTH??? It's only 2-3 in the first set and you're only down a break and you're already calling your coach?!

Figure the damn thing out yourself, and if your confidence and self belief is that low, you need to see a sport psychologist.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Elena is hot and I don't think she will lose to Jamie, but then Jamie has been a big surprise, knocking out some names here which includes Caro and Aggie, two of the best retrievers in the game.

 

[ozza]

Here's my problem with Caroline. I was watching the first set and during the changeover at 2-3, she calls her father down for coaching.....WTH??? It's only 2-3 in the first set and you're only down a break and you're already calling your coach?!

Figure the damn thing out yourself, and if your confidence and self belief is that low, you need to see a sport psychologist.

She's always done this, it's not a sign of low confidence and self belief. Of course her confidence and self-belief is low, but this isn't a sign of it.

Wozniacki was pulling the wool over people's eyes all week with shaky wins, her ground game is just pretty much non-existent right now. She's so easy to dominate from the baseline its frightening. The forehand is just a complete liability. She still could have won today, but long term winning a couple of matches doesn't make much of a difference, it's her level of play that will make the difference of whether she gets back on track or not.

Top 20 beckons for Hampton anyway.

 

[Hoergren]

Semifinal was end of the line in Eastbourne for Caroline. In a very windy match with 14 breaks of serve Hampton pulled the longest straw. In second set Caroline had a big oportunity to serve for the match. It was a fairly good match where the players used all court. Wozniacki had 81% of her 1st serves in and served 7 aces so on to Wimbledon and make it to the 3rd round as a minimum - please. Welcome in top 30 Hampton you've made a very impressive run this week. Here we have the players:

Centre Court FINAL Saturday 13.00

Jamie Hampton vs Elena Vesnina

May the best woman win - they deserve to be in the final - hope for a good match.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done to Jamie.Vesina is a good grass player.
It should be a fun match.

 

[rubydo]

Elena Vesnina has beaten Jamie Hampton in the final of the #Aegon International at Eastbourne today, 6-2.6-1. Vesnina's more conservative game was perfect for the windy conditions at the Devonshire Park grounds. 2nd WTA singles title for the Russian this year and 2nd in her career, also winning the doubles title at RG a couple of weeks ago.
Hampton has to be congratulated on her performance too, coming through the qualifying rounds to reach her first WTA final. I saw her up close and personal against Canadian Gaby Drabowski and was extremely impresssed with her hard ground strokes. Taking out Radwanska and Wozniacki along the way. Shame she is pitted against her country women Sloane Stephens in the first round of Wimbledon, noting, "it's a bummer to have to play her in the first round, but I will go out there trying to win."
I saw some sensational tennis this week and had some very long days at the event and look forward to a couple of days off before I swing back to Vancouver Island. Again, the highlight for me personally was to interview Maria Kirilenko. Maria does not grant too many "one on ones" and I really appreciated Maria for doing this for me. I know Kiu you are a great fan of hers, and I can honestly say,
having her sit right beside me speaking such good English, and having her cute laugh pop up a couple of times during the interview was very delightful. I will post a couple of pics of Maria and Elena on the site for you when I have done some post production of the pics.
It will be a little hard to go back to my main job at the Citizen Newspaper on Vancouver Island selling ad space but it does allow me the ability, with my tennis column to swing out to at least a couple of tournaments a year. I am going to skip the Bank West Classic in Stanford and concentrate on the ITF tourney in Vancouver in late July.
Hope again you enjoyed a little bit of the insight I was able to provide for all of you. Wasn't as much as last year but I had far more commitments this year than last.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Ruby,
It was great having your comments here, and it was even better having Elena win her 2nd title this year.
Here is the Champion:

Elena

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Jamie didn't do too bad either, she did make her first WTA final.

 

[rubydo]

Ruby,
It was great having your comments here, and it was even better having Elena win her 2nd title this year.
Here is the Champion:

Elena

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Jamie didn't do too bad either, she did make her first WTA final.

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Can't help but like Elena, very likeable and fun to watch, Kiu!:clap Kudos to Hampton too.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

One more picture to close the thread:

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Good win for Vesina
A good tournament for Jamie reaching the final.
Thanks Rubydo for your comments at this tournament.

 

[kskate2]

Thanks Ruby for all your input.

 

[Moxie]

Yes, thanks Ruby! Looking foward to more pics.