With Wimbledon coming up, as suggested Game, set, and ......

I'm torn now. Raducanu is playing Kasatkina, one of my fave players, in the Eastbourne quarterfinal. Who to cheer for? Dilemma!

 

Who's Dilemma playing.

 

Kasatkina won easily, 6-2 6-2. She was runner up last yr. I hope she bags the trophy on Saturday.

 

I cant keep up with the names these days, let alone pronounce them.

 

Kasatkina is Russian, and gay. Not easy to be a Russian on tour while the invasion of Ukraine is going on, and not easy to be an openly gay Russian at any time, with top officials in the Kremlin threatening all sorts.

When she was first on tour, at about 18 yrs old, John Iverdale interviewed her at the French Open. She comes from a very remote town. He (not known for his tact) proclaimed astonishment that tennis courts existed there. She replied "It's a long way from anywhere, but it's not nowhere", which I thought was a fantastic response.

 

Murray has just had back surgery unyet he's not sure if he will compete in Wimbledon next week.
Surely it must have been pretty minor or he wouldn't even consider it.

 

I don't think he'll compete. I think Wimbledon will organise a middle Saturday Centre Court tribute to him before play starts.

 

Kasatkina through to the Eastbourne final! She beat Paolini, who is a higher ranked player and was in form today, 3-6 7-5 6-3. Her next opponent is Fernandez, the Canadian who was runner-up to Raducanu when she won the US Open.

 

Well ... excellent final, which I am very pleased to report, Kasatkina won, 6-3 6-4. Annabel Croft was driving me nuts with the commentary (she never shuts up), so I had to mute the sound for a while and elderly spectators in the crowd interrupted the action a few times due to medical incidents. I would love the option to just switch off the commentary and still be able to hear the ball. One day maybe ...

On to the hallowed turf of SW19. I hope Kasatkina hasn't worn herself out as she really should be able to get to the last 8 at least.

 

Alcaraz, reigning champ, through in 3. I have never come across his opponent before, Estonian Mark Lajal. He really played well, losing 6-7 5-7 2-6. A valiant effort and very interesting tennis to watch. Extraordinary hair-do too, shaved at the bottom and then the top bits kind of plaited and gathered together in a haystack arrangement sticking up almost completely vertically.

 

How will I spot him when he plays again.

 

By next yr, he may have something completely different going on! Unless he pops up in the Doubles, of course.

I am sure the match will feature on Today At Wimbledon if you want a glimpse. It is quite an arresting sight.

Raducanu through against a Mexican, Zarazua, who played very well, especially considering she did not know she was in the Draw till another player dropped out ill this morning.

 

I just spotted him on the news, yeah a really odd hairstyle, I dont think my barber would be able to do one of those.

 

Mine neither!

 

Just to check… are we ok reporting on tennis news ‘live’ or post match? Think it’s fair that if you don’t want spoilers then don’t click on.

Great play from Emma Raducanu today.

Any news on whether Murray will be playing?