Wimbledon Qualifying A Court-Side Special Review
Wimbledon
June 29, 2018
Wimbledon Qualifying – Roehampton
A Special Court-Side Review of Qualifying for Wimbledon, photos by Ms K Allen.
British player, Dan Evans, had a career high ranking of 41 and seemed destined for great things. But the he was banned for 12 months for cocaine use in April 2017. Understandably, Wimbledon refused him a wild card this year as a result.
He is now 28 yrs and one wondered whether he would have the energy and motivation to claw his way back into the game having fallen to a world ranking of 343 after his absence. He answered that question by reaching the final at Nottingham a couple of weeks ago claiming some good scalps along the way.
In the second round of the Wimbledon qualifying event, he played Matthias Bachinger, but losing 6-0, 6-3, and despite having points for 3-0 in the second set he looked exhausted by the end of the match.
Impressively, Dan had played through three matches in pre-qualifying and got to the second round at Roehampton. To win six matches in eight days in order to qualify for Wimbledon proved to be just too much for him, but he certainly seems to be on his way back.
E. Raducanu Wimbledon Qualifying photo taken by Ms K Allen
In stark contrast in terms of age and career-high ranking, Emma Raducanu at 15 yrs and ranked 873.
Emma had a close match against Barbara Stefkova losing in 6-3 in the third. She did well to close out the second set by 7-5. Emma has a great all-round game and a beautiful service action. She is a real fighter and is definitely one to watch.
Unfortunately, all seven British women lost in the first round of this event; Emma being the only player to win a set.
By Guest Blogger Katrina Allen.
@katrinaallen21