Edgbaston, 11-17 June 2012. WTA - Aegon Classic: Main thread

[Sallydaisy]

AEGON CLASSIC
http://www.lta.org.uk/ThumbnailsCache/2009-AEGON Classic Logo-Small_0_175x-.jpg
Edgbaston Priory Club, Sir Harrys road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2UZ
http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/LTA-summer-grass-court-events/AEGON-Classic/
Map/directions link here (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/LTA-summer-grass-court-events/AEGON-Classic/About/Getting-There/)

11th - 17th June 2012
qualifying draw - Friday, time unknown, play starts Saturday
singles draw - Saturday 9th June, play starts Monday 11th June
doubles draw

32 draw (??? Qualifying)
Surface: grass
Ball:

ENTRY LIST
Sabine Lisicki will be there to defend here title from 2011, and she'll be joined by Hantuchova, Vinci, Cetkovska, Barthel, Peng, Mchale, Kanepi, Makarova, Cirstea, Benesova, Arividsson, Erakovic, Halep and Gajdisova. Full entry list here.
(http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/LTA-summer-grass-court-events/AEGON-Classic/Players/Womens-Singles-12/)
Main Draw Wild Cards:
Jelena Jankovic,
Laura Robson,
Naomi Broady,
Melanie South,
Tara Moore

Qualifying Draw Wild Cards:
Samantha Murray
Emily Webley-Smith
Anna Fitzpatrick
Lisa Whybourn
Jade Windley
Lucy Brown

TICKETS AND PRICES
Qualifying is free entry on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June. Tickets/prices for the rest of the week here (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/LTA-summer-grass-court-events/AEGON-Classic/Tickets/)starting at £10 for Monday rising to £30 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Twilight Tennis: after 4pm, Tuesday – Friday, adults are £10 and children go FREE; there is also a reduced parking rate. Tickets are available for purchase on the day at the onsite box office.

The grounds are open from 10am every day. Play usually starts at 11am on all courts.
Schedules released the day before will confirm start times per day.

PARKING
Decent amount of parking at the club. £10 per day CASH, no advance booking.



http://www.lta.org.uk/3G/Tournaments/AEGONClassic/About/2011_AEGON-Classic_seatingdiagram_300x220.jpg

[Maza1987]

I may go up to this.

[Sallydaisy]

I may go up to this.
I'm hoping to go a couple of the earlier days of the week as I've family living about 50mins away. Need to check when Qualies are being played 'cos I'm thinking of seeing all of R1 matches which would ensure catching all the British girls in action!

[Caro]

It's 10 mins from where I work. I may try and pop down after I finish early next week if the weather's good. I'll text you if I can get there Sally so we can say hi

[Sallydaisy]

It's 10 mins from where I work. I may try and pop down after I finish early next week if the weather's good. I'll text you if I can get there Sally so we can say hi

I've just booked a ticket to go on Tuesday 12th. According to the Weather Channel (http://uk.weather.com/weather/10day-Birmingham-UKXX0018) that's likely to be the best day weatherwise all week with only a 20% chance of rain (although the Beeb site is less optimistic). If there are delays on Monday it'd mean lots of R1 matches on Tuesday.

They've just opened a new indoor facility at the venue so I presume that's where matches might be played if the weather is poor; not sure about spectating though. It'll be better from next year 2013 because they'll have completed building a new indoor arena with seating for 2500.

Caro - if you came along Tuesday we could deffo meet up 'cos I'll be there until the sun goes down.
£10 to get in after 4pm; car parking is £10 cash only.
:thumbup:

[Sallydaisy]

Selected Qualifying matches (i.e. those featuring Brits) from Steven on BT.
QR1: (wc) Emma Devine UNR v (q2) Vera Dushevina (RUS) WR 82
QR1: (q15) Naomi Broady WR 199 v (wc) Karolina Wlodarczak (AUS) WR 533 (winners meet in FQR)
QR1: (wc) Francesca Stephenson WR 552 v (q3) Sesil Karatantcheva (KAZ) WR 125
QR1: (wc) Jessica Ren * UNR v (q4) Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) WR 131
QR1: (wc) Daneika Borthwick UNR v (q5) Kurume Nara (JPN) WR 132
QR1: Emily Webley-Smith WR 407 v (q9) Chan Yung-Jan (TPE) WR 151
QR1: (wc) Sabrina Bamburac UNR v (q16) Gail Brodsky (USA) WR 201

This (incomplete) list of GB main draw matches has been tweeted by the tournament with extra information from Steven.
L32: Heather Watson WR 110 v Paula Ormaechea (ARG) WR 120 (CH 111 in Apr) - H2H 1-0, 2&4, Casablanca juniors 2009
L32: Anne Keothavong WR 81 v (seeded) Tamira Paszek (AUT) WR 52 (CH 35 in 2007) - H2H 1-2 including a 3-set loss here in 2007 but Anne won 76(4) 76(5) in Doha this year
L32: (seeded?) Elena Baltacha WR 68 v Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) WR 104 (CH 82 in 2010) - H2H 0-1, 3 sets, Fukuoka ('grass') 50K SF 2009
L32: Laura Robson WR 126 v Qualifier

[super8]

I'd like to go to this too..

I wonder if you might be able to just turn up on the day - even at the weekend next week?

[Sallydaisy]

I'd like to go to this too..

I wonder if you might be able to just turn up on the day - even at the weekend next week?

I went on Monday last year and picked up a pre-booked ticket but there were people buying them at the ticket office onsite. I've read on the Aegon site that it's possible to do that but you might need prebooked tickets for the Semis and Finals depending on demand. However, I'd be surprised if they sold out ... curently you can buy seats in the front row on all days and I'd have thought they'd go first.

[Maza1987]

Women's Wta events very rarely have packed stands. The same for the low atp events as well.
So I'd presume you could simply buy on the day.

Petrol will cost £40, £20 ticket, £10 parking, £10 misc. It might be worth it?

[davech]

I'd like to go to this, but I don't think I could afford the time off work. Maybe next year...

[Sallydaisy]

Order of play for Monday 11th June - link (http://www.lta.org.uk/MediaVault/Tournaments/AEGON-Classic/2012/Draws/Mon%2011%20June.pdf)
The weather forecast is dismal with rain predicted for most of the day.
Brits in action:-

Centre Court - starting 11am
!st match: WC Mel South v Mirjana Lucic
3rd match: Heather Watson v Ormachea

Court 3 - starting 11am
4th match: WC Tara Moore v [11} Benesove

[Sallydaisy]

:lol:

Lisa Raymond Website ‏@lraymond_web (https://twitter.com/#!/lraymond_web) follow @AEGONClassic (https://twitter.com/#!/AEGONClassic) - already chanting 'rain, rain go away'
(^_^) gotta admire them. running a 64-player draw in what? 2 days of no rain?

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/#!/BritishTennis)

No play before at least 11.30 @aegonclassic (https://twitter.com/#!/aegonclassic) and it's still raining. While waiting review yesterday's freestyle action: http://bit.ly/MAZ3Id (http://t.co/jnzvKdJF)



Inevitable really .....

AEGON Classic ‏@AEGONClassic (https://twitter.com/#!/AEGONClassic) No play before midday I'm afraid guys.

[Caro]

I work 10 mins away - it's looking a bit brighter and not raining at the moment .....

Sally - not sure if I can finish early on Tues but if I can, I'll come down. Would be after 4, I'll text you if I make it.

[Sallydaisy]

I work 10 mins away - it's looking a bit brighter and not raining at the moment .....

Sally - not sure if I can finish early on Tues but if I can, I'll come down. Would be after 4, I'll text you if I make it.
Hi Caro, it's probably worth coming over because they're putting 6 x R1 matches on each court and all the main Brits are on Centre starting from 11am. I suspect they'll play on until the light has gone and, provided it doesn't rain, I'll be there until 8/8.30pm.
If you come in after 4pm it's only £10 and a reduced carpark fee.

Centre Court (from 11.00hrs)
1. Melanie Oudin vs. Sorana Cirstea
2. Tamira Paszek vs. Anne Keothavong
3. Mirjana Lucic vs. Melanie South
4. Laura Robson vs. Grace Min
5. Paula Ormaechea vs. Heather Watson
6. Chang Kai-Chen vs. Elena Baltacha

[Sallydaisy]

Had a brilliant day of tennis at Edgbaston watching 4 of the British women get through to R2 - Anne Keothavong, Mel South, Laura Robson and Heather Watson. Tara Moore played on a different court and she too won so that's 5 Brits to R2 and a record apparently.

Was hoping Bally would make 6 but her match didn't start until about 8.15 and I left when she lost the first set 4'6. A break up in the 2nd though I see so perhaps she can make it 6 Brits through.

It was absolutely freezing though watching the tennis!!! I had 2 sweatshirts on, 2 scarves and was tempted to go and get my ski gloves from the car. I had a thin showerproof too but didn't wear it in case it got even colder.

Back to snag a large Pimms ... after all the sun did finally come out on the tennis.
:thumbup:

Caro - really sorry you didn't make it 'cos it would have been great to see you. I met up with 3 people from BT.net so we formed a "Brit cheering squad". Judy was there watching the girls but too far away to say hello and was probably attending in her Fed Cup captain capacity.

Might go again on Thursday but it will depend on who gets through to R3 and what the weather forecast is like; I may need thermal underwear and a supply of Aran sweaters!!!

[Maza1987]

Great day for the girls.
Great win for Tara.

[Alis]

Anyone know the final score in Bally's match?

[Maza1987]

^never finished it.
she lost the first set 64 but is break up in 2nd 3*-2

[DaveArneRiise]

Was a superb day for the brits yesterday.

Tara Moore beat the 11th seed Benesova 6-1 6-2

Mel South beat Lucic 6-1 4-6 6-3

Heather Watson beat Ormaecha 6-4 3-6 6-3

Robson beat Min 6-4 6-1

Keothavong beat 12th seed Paszek 6-2 7-5

Stunning stuff from the ladies :cheer:

[JAMES4578]

Certainly was a great day, well done Heather,Laura, Anne,Tara and Mel!

[Jan]

some good results there - I need to catch up with all the news after my day out at Queens yesterday!

[Sallydaisy]

some good results there - I need to catch up with all the news after my day out at Queens yesterday!
From British tennis on twitter:

Play has finished for the day @AEGONClassic (https://twitter.com/#%21/AEGONClassic) w Baltacha 4-6 3-2 v Chang and Babos v Riske at 6-4 4-6 3-3.
Weds schedule: http://bit.ly/LyHSpr (http://t.co/MLc7camf)

Not sure if it is my laptop not liking the link but I cannot view the OOP for Edgbaston at all so maybe it's being revised?

[Sallydaisy]

Edgbaston - OOP June 13th

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Centre Court (from 11.00hrs)
1. Melanie South (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/melanie-south_2257889_9935) vs. Jelena Jankovic (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/jelena-jankovic_2257889_3932)
2. Chang Kai-Chen (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/kai-chen-chang_2257889_13135) vs. Elena Baltacha (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/elena-baltacha_2257889_932) (tbc)
3. Anne Keothavong (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/anne-keothavong_2257889_4441) vs. Zheng Jie (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/jie-zheng_2257889_9379)
4. Francesca Schiavone (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/francesca-schiavone_2257889_7820) vs. Misaki Doi (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/misaki-doi_2257889_13434)
5. Urszula Radwanska (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/urszula-radwanska_2257889_12364) vs. Sabine Lisicki (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/sabine-lisicki_2257889_11771)
6. Melinda Czink (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/melinda-czink_2257889_1682) vs. Daniela Hantuchova
(http://www.wtatennis.com/player/daniela-hantuchova_2257889_3589)
Court 1 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Ekaterina Makarova (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/ekaterina-makarova_2257889_10895) vs. Sesil Karatantcheva (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/sesil-karatantcheva_2257889_11101)
2. Tara Moore (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/tara-moore_2257889_13751) vs. Casey Dellacqua (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/casey-dellacqua_2257889_10044)
3. Laura Robson (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/laura-robson_2257889_15680) vs. Marina Erakovic (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/marina-erakovic_2257889_11369)
4. Heather Watson (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/heather-watson_2257889_16047) vs. [Chang Kai-Chen (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/kai-chen-chang_2257889_13135) or Elena Baltacha (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/elena-baltacha_2257889_932)]
5. [Hsieh Su-Wei (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/su-wei-hsieh_2257889_9419) or Vera Dushevina (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/vera-dushevina_2257889_9944)] vs. [Alexandra Panova (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/alexandra-panova_2257889_11245) or Stéphanie Dubois (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/stephanie-dubois_2257889_9644)]


Court 2 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Chan/Chan vs. Jans-Ignacik/Rosolska
2. Benesova/Kudryavtseva vs. Mirza/Shvedova
3. Dekmeijere/Tatishvili vs. Grandin/Uhlirova
4. Cirstea/Keothavong vs. Zhang/Zheng

Court 3 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Christina McHale (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/christina-mchale_2257889_14078) vs. Elena Vesnina (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/elena-vesnina_2257889_10548)
2. Timea Babos (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/timea-babos_2257889_16153) vs. Alison Riske (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/alison-riske_2257889_12091) (tbc)
3. Hsieh Su-Wei (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/su-wei-hsieh_2257889_9419) vs. Vera Dushevina (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/vera-dushevina_2257889_9944)
4. Michelle Larcher de Brito (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/michelle-larcher-de-brito_2257889_14089) vs. Melanie Oudin (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/melanie-oudin_2257889_13174)
5. Roberta Vinci (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/roberta-vinci_2257889_8754) vs. Virginie Razzano (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/virginie-razzano_2257889_7082)

Court 4 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Andrea Hlavackova (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/andrea-hlavackova_2257889_3654) vs. Mona Barthel (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/mona-barthel_2257889_14516)
2. Alexandra Panova (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/alexandra-panova_2257889_11245) vs. Stéphanie Dubois (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/stephanie-dubois_2257889_9644)
3. Anastasia Rodionova (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/anastasia-rodionova_2257889_7054) vs. Stéphanie Foretz Gacon (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/stephanie-foretz-gacon_2257889_2613)
4. [Timea Babos (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/timea-babos_2257889_16153) or Alison Riske (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/alison-riske_2257889_12091)] vs. Irina Falconi (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/irina-falconi_2257889_13733)

[DaveArneRiise]

Bally completed the comeback win in 3 sets against Chen.

Tara Moore was beaten in 3 sets but impressive tournament from her nonetheless.

Mel South also was beaten by Jelena. She forced a tiebreaker in the 2nd set though and had set points but couldn't quite force a decider.

[Caro]

Such a shame I couldn't get there yesterday! Glad you had a good time Sally, it was brilliant to see so many Brit wins. Doesn't look like I will get there today either - work has gone mad busy this week and only just having my lunch now! Oh well .....

[DaveArneRiise]

Anne.K has just lost in straight sets to Zheng.

Robson lost the first set 4-6 to Erakovic but is up 5-2 in the 2nd.

[Sallydaisy]

Sadly Laura lost her match to Erakovic who won 6'4, 3'6, 6'4.

So, 6 British ladies won their R1 matches but so far 4 have gone out in R2.
The last 2 left in the draw are now playing each other ...

Bally leads Hev by 4-1, 30-15 but play has just been suspended at Edgbaston!!!

[JAMES4578]

Pity for Laura and Anne! At least we will have a brit going through though, hopefully it'll be a good match with Bally and Heather!

[Jan]

big turnaround by Hev to beat Bally 7-6 6-3

[JAMES4578]

Certainly a good comeback for Heather, well done! Pity for Bally though.

[supergran]

Congratulations to Heather...shame it was against Elena.

[Sallydaisy]

Goodness knows what will happen in Edgbaston today because I'm just 30 miles south and it's forecast to rain from 10am until 10pm so the singles Quarter-Finals might not get played if they have the same weather.

The doubles draw is even worse; so far only a few R1 matches have been completed.

Laura Robson is due in Eastbourne for qualifying rounds today - and Heather has a Wildcard into the main draw.

So this tweet from the LTA is hardly surprising!!!


British duo @heatherwatson92 (https://twitter.com/#%21/heatherwatson92) & @laurarobson5 (https://twitter.com/#%21/laurarobson5) have withdrawn from the doubles, thanks both of you for showing some #classicstyle (https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23classicstyle) this week

[DaveArneRiise]

Rain has disrupted todays play.

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/top-10/top-10-edgbaston-moments/) - Top 10 Edgbaston moments

[super8]

Result so far today:

Sunday, June 17, 2012


Quarterfinals

(5/WC) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Misaki Doi (JPN) 63 64
(Q) Melanie Oudin (USA) d. Irina Falconi (USA) 64 57 75

Semifinals

(Q) Melanie Oudin (USA) d. (8) Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 64 36 62
(5/WC) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Jie Jheng (CHN) 67 75 61


So, Mel Oudin v Jelena Jankovic in the final tomorrow, then.

Only £10 entry for that - worth going if you're in the area, I would think!

[Sallydaisy]

So, Mel Oudin v Jelena Jankovic in the final tomorrow, then.
Only £10 entry for that - worth going if you're in the area, I would think!

It starts at 11am ... I'd love to go but am committed to some family business which I cannot get out of.
:sad:

It's a great opportunity for 'midlanders' to see a Final though!

[DaveArneRiise]

Oudin won the final 6-4 6-2. Fantastic win for her. Really talented player, a lot better than her ranking suggests. She was out injured for a long time but well and truly back now!

[JAMES4578]

She has struggled abit lately, could to see Oudin back in some form! Though disappointed it was at the expense of Jelena.

[RoastLamb]

Good result for Melanie. Hope this gives her much-needed confidence to go forward and get some more good results.

[Alis]

Well done, Melanie! I remember her making a great run at the American Open a few years ago and then she seemed to just disappear - since then a few other young Americans seem to have stolen the scene. Let's hope this gives her the confidence to achieve her potential.

[Caro]

Excellent win. Wish I could have gone as I live quite close and work even closer but can't have any more time off work. Have booked most of Wimby off.

[DaveArneRiise]

Well done, Melanie! I remember her making a great run at the American Open a few years ago and then she seemed to just disappear - since then a few other young Americans seem to have stolen the scene. Let's hope this gives her the confidence to achieve her potential.

She suffered a serious injury Alis, that's why she was absent for so long. Only made her comeback recently.

She's still only 20. With Oudin, Stephens and McHale US has a great trio of prospects right there!