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Birmingham 2012: Andrew's eyewitness reports & photos (+Tuesday 12th June 2012)
AEGON CLASSIC (Edgbaston, Birmingham, England; grass; WTA International)
Contents
I don’t have time to finish my full point-by-point reports or post my photos until after Wimbledon, so for now, here’s a brief summary of each Sabine match for which a full report is forthcoming:
1. Wednesday 13th: Second round: U.Radwańska v Lisicki
2. Thursday 14th: Doubles: Kops-Jones/Spears v Hantuchová/Lisicki
1. Second round: U.Radwańska v Lisicki (Wednesday 13th June 2012)
- SABINE LISICKI [2,EF] lt. Urszula Radwańska, 3-6 4-6
In terms of the style of play, this was the best match of the tournament, as both girls played some attractive all-court tennis with a very high level of skill.
Sadly, Sabine was ill during this match, and actually stopped in the middle of a game (0:1 0-1* 0/30*) to see the doctor. She looked dreadful throughout the match, and this translated into a catalogue of unforced errors, although she did hit some great shots too.
This loss was a major setback for Sabine, as she was the defending champion at Birmingham, and is now preparing to defend her Wimbledon semi-final on a five-match losing streak that stretches back to her retirement from Charleston with a left-ankle injury.
2. Doubles: First round: Kops-Jones/Spears v Hantuchová/Lisicki (Thursday 14th June 2012)
- Daniela Hantuchová [EF]/Sabine Lisicki [EF] lt. RAQUEL KOPS-JONES/ABIGAIL SPEARS, 0-6 3-6
How fitting that the only two members of my Eternal Fanship at Birmingham 2012 should have teamed up in the doubles! I had a wonderful time watching them hitting together on the near practice-court earlier in the day.
Sabine had struggled with illness in her singles-loss the day before, but on Thursday she looked much healthier and happier; she was even smiling when she was serving at 0-6 *0-1; she looked very pleased when she won that game.
The outside courts were in a dreadful state after the rain earlier in the week. They were more like sandpits than grass-courts; I could actually see sand flying off the ball. It was also very windy; every strong gust would blow a big cloud of sand across the courts.
Sabine and Daniela were playing doubles together for only the second time, and were beaten by an established team who simply played better together than my girls did, with a lot of winning volleys and smashes.
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Last edited by andrewbroad : Mar 18th, 2013 at 10:57 PM.
Reason: edit Title
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Birmingham 2012: Andrew's eyewitness reports & photos (+Tuesday 12th June 2012)
