Another year and another visit to Eastbourne’s prime sporting event.

Last year, I shared live updats to try something original on Steemit which didn’t seem to attract any followers so this year, I’m returning to the previous year’s approach of a single post at the end of the day’s play. I’ll write as I go though because when I get home, I’ll be more interested in updating the zombie game.

This year, I’m in the West Stand having previously sat North and then South. I’ve also got this “cage” type thing in front of me which presumably means that I bought a “restricted view” ticket in the knowledge that I’m plenty tall enough to see over it. It’s a good spot for my bag.

It’s also a decent foot rest.

Order of Play

As is customary now when I got to tennis, I get to watch Jelena Ostapenko, first seen at Wimbledon some years ago and subsequently seen at every tournament that I’ve been to since. Always bullying her opponent and winning. This year, she’s up against Brit Harriett Dart and whilst I’ve got a soft spot for Jelena now, I’m hard pushed not to support Harriett.

First up though, reigning champion Taylor Fritz up against fellow American Mackenzie McDonald.

T. Fritz v. M. McDonald

I was fairly confident which way this match would go within the first couple of games. Fritz had Aces in his arsenal, serving 3 in the 1st game. Whilst McDonald started well, Fritz just kept getting the ball back, something that the great players are all capable of and makes them very hard to beat. Probably not surprising given that Fritz is currently USA’s highest ranked player.

McDonald didn’t go down without a fight and had plenty of break points. Finally managing to save the 1st set at 5-3 down before a load of panicky old people in the crowd started calling for help because it was a bit too hot for them. An unwelcome delay because somebody didn’t heed the advice to drink plenty of water on a hot, summer day. Although given the demographic in Eastbourne (I’m probably the youngest resident), medical emergencies aren’t surprising.

McDonald didn’t lose his momentum and fought hard to win the 1st set tie break (7-3).

The next set followed the same pattern but with a lot more mistake creeping in: Fritz with the early break and McDonald fighting back. Whereas the 1st set had 7 unforced errors (according to flashscore.co.uk), the 2nd saw more than double that with 16.

Fritz managed to save 2 match points to force another tie break which saw McDonald grind out another tie break win (10-8).

An upset to start the day: M. McDonald beat T. Fritz 7-6, 7-6.

J. Barrage v. C. Gauff

It’d be easy to forget that Coco Gauff is still a teenager having been the youngest player to qualify for Wimbledon at 15 and beating one of her heroes, Venus Williams, 2 years later. Now 19 years old, she’s a household name in the world of tennis.

Us Brits love an underdog and there’s nothing better than a British underdog. Ranked over 100 places lower, Jodie Burrage came into the main draw as a Lucky Loser.

All good underdog stories need a few components - a gritty performance, early blows to their opponent and a boisterous crowd to get them over the finish line. This match had none of that.

Despite starting fairly well, each powerful shot from Burrage would come back harder and slowly, the determination whimpered away in front of a deflated crowd. Inconsistency and mistakes in crucial points saw Burrage comprehensively beaten.

C. Gauff beat J. Burrage 6-1, 6-1.

J. Ostapenko v. H. Dart

Then the player I’ve seen more than any other…

Another underdog (a wildcard this time), ranked 142 (v. 17), I was optimistic that this one might be a bit closer.

In blustery conditions, both players fared extremely well. I know Ostapenko for her hard hitting winners and this afternoon was no different - once again hitting more than she missed.

Dart struggled with her ball toss throughout but fared well nonetheless, also hitting plenty of good winners.

Ostapenko hit more though and in a closely fought contest, came out fairly comfortably on top.

J. Ostapenko beat H. Dart 6-3, 6-4.

S. Baez v. T. Paul

Another American, this time the tournament’s number 2 seed and a player who’s new to me in Sebastian Baez. For this match, I shuffled across a couple of seats because a load of people went home.

Just by looking at the height of the players, I could see that this was Grass Court (T. Paul) v. Clay Court (S. Baez) and so it proved to be. A big serve and quick hands at the net against a baseline player hoping to grind out some long rallies.

It’s very difficult to beat a big man on grass and when Paul lost just 3 points on his serve in the 1st set (2 double faults), I hoped that Baez was going to spend the rest of the week enjoying what Eastbourne has to offer.

Baez did much better in the 2nd set, breaking the Lanky Yanky’s serve at 5-4 down. The big man’s all round game was too strong although he made hard work of the 2nd set. Whether it was complacency, Baez raising his game or a bit of both, he’ll need to improve if he wants to go on and win the tournament (which presumably he’ll now be favourite to do so).

T. Paul beat S. Baez 6-1, 7-6.

A. Bogdan v. C. Garcia

The final match of the day returned to the WTA and the tournament’s number 2 seed Caroline Garcia. Both players are fairly new to me so I didn’t go into this game with any real expectations.

Bogdan started well, winning her service games easily and pushing Garcia’s serve to the limit. Unfortunately for Bogdan though, never able to break it. Garcia on the other hand took her opportunities and that proved to be the difference between the 2 players.

There was some beautiful tennis played and I was impressed by how low they both got in some of the rallies.

C. Garcia beat A. Bogdan 6-3, 6-4

One thing that I haven’t mentioned yet… Eastbourne wouldn’t be Eastbourne without these bastards hovering around all day…

All Photos are my own