2019 Wimbledon - ditch the formula

Before I enter into any forecasts, I must continue my objection to the interference which Wimbledon runs with respect to men’s seedings. Believing it to be so much greater than the other three Grand Slam tournaments, the current ATP rankings are not taken at face value when assigning seeds for the tournament.  Instead a formula is applied, adding a grass court premium to the ranking points. 

It goes like this.

For any points actually gained in grass court tournaments in the past 12 months, players will be given an additional 100% of those points.  Worse still, for points gained in the 12 months prior to 2018 Wimbledon, players will be given an additional 75% of those points. Apart from being a ridiculous premium just because of the surface (Roland Garros doesn’t have such a high and mighty attitude for clay court performance) it is mindless to still consider matches from two years ago as relevant to now.

The problem this year is that world #2 Rafa Nadal, who has a 1300+ lead in ranking points over #3 Roger Federer, has been demoted to third seed for this years Wimbledon. Not on the basis of the past 12 months grass court performances - he still would be ahead. The absurd truth is that the 2017 efforts of Federer have allowed him to add enough points via the outrageous formula, to edge ahead of Nadal, and take the #2 seed.

As it has played out, the semi finals are seeded such that #2 is drawn to play #3, and many are claiming that it has worked out ok anyway. Not so. As #3 seed, Nadal is faced with a much tougher draw to even reach that potential semi final with Federer. Federer should have that difficult assignment.

Those in charge of tennis have much to be happy about, but in the past several years, self interest has become a priority, and the integrity of the game is not being protected. 

The ITF is not consulting the players when making decisions over Davis Cup and Fed Cup, and Grand Slam tournaments are making foolish decisions regarding final set tie breaks, based on a couple of matches, and no meaningful empirical research. Wimbledon is a case in point.

Fritz claims first title in Eastbourne

Eastbourne hosted an all American final in Eastbourne, while Antalya saw two players in their first ATP final.

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Mischa Zverev who defeated Lukas Lacko 6-4 6-4

Taylor Fritz defeated fellow American Sam Querrey, 10 years his senior, in an unseeded final. This was Taylor’s second ATP final, and his first title victory. It sees him leap 11 places to #31 in the world rankings, a new career high, previously #40. He is now the number two ranked American, behind veteran John Isner.

Turkish Airlines Open Antalya - An ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Antalya, Turkey, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Damir Dzumhur (2) who defeated Adrian Mannarino (1) 6-1 1-6 6-1

Two unseeded players contested the final, and each was experiencing it for the first time. Italian 24 year old Lorenzo Sonego turned pro in 2013, but didn’t try the ATP Tour until 2016-2017, even then only playing 7 tournaments. This year he ramped up his schedule on the main tour, climaxing in the Antalya final.

19 year old Miomir Kecmanovic is the latest from Serbia to make an impact on the ATP Tour. He turned pro in 2017, and he played two ATP events in 2018, before becoming a more regular participant on the main tour this year.

The Antalya final was a triumph for Sonego, but it took two and three quarter hours to achieve. The Italian won 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-1.

The victory took his ranking up 29 spots to #46, a new career high, previously #66.

Kecmanovic also arrived at a new career high of #67, previously #82.

Pliskova wins second Eastbourne title

Angie Kerber (4) and Karolina Pliskova (2) were both contesting their third final at the seaside resort of Eastbourne.

Kerber was hoping for her first title, while Pliskova was lining up for a second trophy following her 2017 success.

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Caroline Wozniacki (1) who defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5)

The pair had met on 11 occasions previously, with Kerber ahead 7-4. They clashed twice in 2018, Kerber winning in Dubai, and Pliskova prevailing in the Fed Cup later on.

Pliskova served first and held well, dropping just one point and firing one forehand winner which was typical of her whole tournament. Brilliance at the net saw Pliskova win the first point of the next game, on Kerber’s serve. A forehand winner from the defending Wimbledon champion was insufficient as Pliskova belted two forehands which while not clean winners, were as good as, and the break arrived. 2-0 to the Czech star.

In response to a Pliskova forehand winner, Kerber smashed a forehand return winner, and with a double fault, the second seed trailed 15-30. This was rectified with three powerful forehands, the final two delivered into open court, prompting the scoreboard to change to 3-0.

Germany’s demoralisation continued as Pliskova lit up the court in game four, initially with a backhand touch volley, then via a cross court forehand winner. Kerber netted a backhand to be down three break points, but to her credit she fought them all off, a backhand winner included. However, a fourth break point was unable to be saved, and Pliskova led 4-0. The first chink in the Czech armour came in the next game, when Kerber created a break point. Pliskova led 40-30 before Kerber sent a backhand whistling past her, and then a controlled backhand produced an error off the Czech racquet. An attempted drop shot from Pliskova failed, and Kerber broke serve, troubling the scorer for the first time.

Pliskova retaliated effectively, and although she saw two break points vanish through winning Kerber tennis, the final three points came home to the Czech Republic, attack and defence both on show. Pliskova broke to lead 5-1.

Serving for the set, Pliskova was down a break point after a sensational Kerber backhand return winner, but finished smartly, using the serving weapon. The set was over 6-1.

Pliskova converted the second of two break points in the opening game of set two, and for the following five games neither player was taken to deuce when serving.

At 2–4, Kerber landed in more trouble at the line. She extracted herself from danger, saving three break points, and stayed within reach at 3-4. At 3-5, the German player held firm while serving to stay in the match, and forced Pliskova to serve it out.

A forehand winner was made easier thanks to a big serve. A netted backhand slowed the road to victory. Two reliable first serves took Pliskova to 40-15 and two match points. One saved with a Kerber winner. A Pliskova backhand winner ended the contest.

Karolina Pliskova was in stellar form as she defeated Angie Kerber 6-1 6-4, to capture her second Eastbourne title, a perfect preparation for Wimbledon.

This was title number three for 2019, each won on a different surface.

Kecmanovic in Antalya final

One finalist has been confirmed in Antalya, while rain has delayed completion of the other semi final.

Turkish Airlines Open Antalya - An ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Antalya, Turkey, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Damir Dzumhur (2) who defeated Adrian Mannarino (1) 6-1 1-6 6-1

Quarter finals

- Miomir Kecmanovic defeated qualifier Viktor Troicki 6-3 6-4

- Jordan Thompson (3) defeated Damir Dzumhur (5) 7-5 1-0 (retired)

- Pablo Carreño Busta (4) defeated Bernard Tomic 6-7(7) 6-4 6-4

- Lorenzo Sonego defeated Adrian Mannarino (2) 3-6 7-6(3) 6-3

Semi finals 

- Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Jordan Thompson (3) 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(1)

- Lorenzo Sonego led Pablo Carreño Busta (4) 6-3 5-5 when rain stopped play.

Finals reached in Eastbourne

In Eastbourne, the finals have been reached in both the men’s and women’s draws.

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Caroline Wozniacki (1) who defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5)

Quarter finals 

- Ons Jabeur defeated Alizé Cornet 1-6 7-5 6-3

- Wildcard Angie Kerber defeated wildcard Simona Halep 6-4 6-3

- Kiki Bertens (3) defeated Aryna Sabalenka (8) 6-4 3-6 6-4

- Karolina Pliskova (2) defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2 6-0

Semi finals 

- Wildcard Angie Kerber was handed a walkover by Ons Jabeur 

- Karolina Pliskova (2) defeated Kiki Bertens (3) 6-1 6-2, and will play Angie Kerber in the final.

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Mischa Zverev who defeated Lukas Lacko 6-4 6-4

Quarter finals 

- Taylor Fritz defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4 7-6(5)

- Wildcard Kyle Edmund (3) defeated wildcard Daniel Evans 1-6 6-3 6-4

- Sam Querrey defeated Fernando Verdasco (5) 7-6(4) 6-2

- Qualifier Thomas Fabbiano defeated Gilles Simon (6) 6-4 6-3

Semi finals 

- Taylor Fritz defeated wildcard Kyle Edmund (3) 7-6(8) 6-3

- Sam Querrey defeated qualifier Thomas Fabbiano 6-3 6-7(4) 6-3, and will play Taylor Fritz in the final.

Eastbourne round of sixteen

In Eastbourne, men’s second round and women’s third round matches were completed.

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Caroline Wozniacki (1) who defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5)

Third round results 

- Ons Jabeur defeated Johanna Konta (14) 6-3 6-2

- Alizé Cornet defeated Zhang Shuai 6-2 6-2

- Wildcard Angie Kerber (4) defeated Rebecca Peterson 7-6(4) 6-0

- Wildcard Simona Halep (6) defeated qualifier Polona Hercog 6-1 4-6 6-3

- Aryna Sabalenka (8) defeated Caroline Wozniacki (11) 2-6 6-4 7-6(5)

- Kiki Bertens (3) defeated Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-3 6-3

- Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 2-1 (retired)

- Karolina Pliskova (2) defeated Elise Mertens 6-1 6-2

Quarter final match ups 

Ons Jabeur v Alizé Cornet

Wildcard Angie Kerber (4) v wildcard Simona Halep (6)

Aryna Sabalenka (8) v Kiki Bertens (3)

Ekaterina Alexandrova v Karolina Pliskova (2)

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Mischa Zverev who defeated Lukas Lacko 6-4 6-4

Second round results 

- Taylor Fritz defeated Guido Pella (1) 6-4 3-6 6-4

- Hubert Hurkacz defeated Steve Johnson 6-3 7-6(6)

- Wildcard Kyle Edmund (3) defeated Cameron Norrie 6-2 6-2

- Wildcard Daniel Evans defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3 7-5

- Fernando Verdasco (5) defeated lucky loser Juan Ignacio Londero 6-7(4) 6-3 7-6(2)

- Sam Querrey defeated Dusan Lajovic (4) 6-2 6-3

- Gilles Simon (6) defeated Nicolas Jarry 6-2 6-4

- Qualifier Thomas Fabbiano defeated Laslo Djere (2) 7-6(5) 7-6(6)

Quarter final match ups 

Taylor Fritz v Hubert Hurkacz

Wildcard Kyle Edmund (3) v wildcard Daniel Evans 

Fernando Verdasco (5) v Sam Querrey 

Gilles Simon (6) v qualifier Thomas Fabbiano

Antalya second round complete

The second round in Antalya was completed.

Turkish Airlines Open Antalya - An ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Antalya, Turkey, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Damir Dzumhur (2) who defeated Adrian Mannarino (1) 6-1 1-6 6-1

First round results 

- Qualifier Kevin Krawietz defeated wildcard Cem Ilkel 6-4 6-4

Second round results 

- Jordan Thompson (3) defeated Bradley Klahn 7-6(7) 6-3

- Damir Dzumhur (5) defeated wildcard Altug Celikbilek 6-3 4-6 6-3

- Lorenzo Sonego defeated Prajnesh Gunneswaran 6-7(3) 6-0 7-5

- Adrian Mannarino (2) defeated Roberto Carballes Baena 3-6 6-1 7-5

- Qualifier Viktor Troicki defeated Benoit Paire (1) 7-6(4) 7-6(5)

- Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Ugo Humbert (6) 6-4 7-5

- Bernard Tomic defeated Peter Gojowczyk 7-6(3) 6-3

- Pablo Carreno Busta (4) defeated qualifier Kevin Krawietz 7-6(6) 6-4

Eastbourne continues

In Eastbourne, men’s first round and women’s second round matches were completed.

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Caroline Wozniacki (1) who defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5)

Second round results 

- Ons Jabeur defeated lucky loser Mandy Minella 2-6 6-2 6-1

- Johanna Konta (14) defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4 7-6(4)

- Zhang Shuai defeated lucky loser Daria Gavrilova 6-3 6-1

- Alizé Cornet defeated Elina Svitolina (5) 6-3 7-6(3)

- Wildcard Angie Kerber (4) defeated qualifier Samantha Stosur 6-4 6-4

- Rebecca Peterson defeated Lesia Tsurenko 7-6(6) 6-4

- Qualifier Polona Hercog defeated lucky loser Pauline Parmentier 2-6 6-2 7-6(4)

- Wildcard Simona Halep (6) defeated Hsieh Su-Wei 6-2 6-0

- Aryna Sabalenka (8) defeated Tamara Zidansek 6-2 6-3

- Caroline Wozniacki (11) defeated Andrea Petkovic 6-4 6-4

- Anna-Lena Friedsam defeated Anett Kontaveit (16) 6-3 6-4

- Kiki Bertens (3) defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-4 6-1

- Jelena Ostapenko defeated Sloane Stephens (7) 1-6 6-0 6-3

- Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Belinda Bencic (10) 6-7(6) 6-2 6-3

- Elise Mertens defeated Marketa Vondrousova (13) 6-1 5-7 6-2

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Mischa Zverev who defeated Lukas Lacko 6-4 6-4

First round results 

- Cameron Norrie defeated Jérémy Chardy 6-3 7-6(4)

- Pierre-Hugues Herbert defeated lucky loser Denis Kudla 5-7 7-6(8) 6-4

- Wildcard Daniel Evans defeated Radu Albot (8) 7-6(2) 6-2

- Lucky loser Juan Ignacio Londero defeated wildcard Jay Clarke 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3

- Gilles Simon (6) defeated qualifier Tennys Sandgren 7-5 6-1

- Nicolas Jarry defeated Pablo Cuevas 6-1 7-6(4)

- Qualifier Thomas Fabbiano defeated qualifier James Ward 2-6 6-3 6-1

Antalya continues

The first round continued in Antalya.

Turkish Airlines Open Antalya - An ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Antalya, Turkey, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Damir Dzumhur (2) who defeated Adrian Mannarino (1) 6-1 1-6 6-1

First round results 

- Qualifier Viktor Troicki defeated Jozef Kovalik 7-6(3) 6-4

- Ugo Humbert (6) defeated Federico Delbonis 6-3 7-5

- Bradley Klahn defeated qualifier Steve Darcis 6-3 6-2

- Wildcard Altug Celikbilek defeated Ernests Gulbis 6-3 4-6 6-4

- Damir Dzumhur (5) defeated Matthew Ebden 6-4 7-5

- Bernard Tomic defeated Andreas Seppi (7) 4-6 6-4 6-4

- Peter Gojowczyk defeated wildcard Ergi Kirkin 6-3 6-7(3) 6-2

- Prajnesh Gunneswaran defeated Janko Tipsarevic 6-0 7-6(6)

- Roberto Carballes Baena defeated qualifier JC Aragone 6-4 7-6(2)

Barty and others withdraw from Eastbourne

Sadly for patrons, there has been a rush of late withdrawals from the women’s event at Eastbourne, and they are big names. No such drama affecting the men’s draw.

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Caroline Wozniacki (1) who defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5)

The following additional players have withdrawn after the main draw was published:

- Ash Barty (1) replaced by lucky loser Mandy Minella, due to arm injury - Minella has the benefit of a first round bye which would have been Barty’s.

- Julia Goerges (15) replaced by lucky loser Viktorija Golubic, due to illness

- Anastasija Sevastova (9) replaced by lucky loser Zarina Diyas, due to thigh injury

First round results 

- Ons Jabeur defeated Evgeniya Rodina 1-6 7-6(3) 7-5

- Lucky loser Daria Gavrilova defeated lucky loser Viktorija Golubic 6-0 6-7(2) 7-6(6)

- Hsieh Su-Wei defeated Camila Giorgi 6-3 4-6 6-4

- Tamara Zidansek defeated Carla Suárez Navarro 4-6 7-5 7-5

- Caroline Wozniacki (11) defeated Kirsten Flipkens 6-3 6-4

- Yulia Putintseva defeated Danielle Collins 5-0 (retired)

- Jelena Ostapenko defeated Mihaela Buzărnescu 6-4 6-4

- Marketa Vondrousova (13) defeated Zheng Saisai 6-2 6-3

Second round results 

- Karolina Pliskova (2) defeated Margarita Gasparyan 6-3 6-3

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Mischa Zverev who defeated Lukas Lacko 6-4 6-4

First round results 

- Taylor Fritz defeated qualifier Paul Jubb 6-2 6-3

- Steve Johnson defeated Reilly Opelka 7-6(4) 6-3

- Hubert Hurkacz defeated Marco Cecchinato (7) 6-4 6-4

- Fernando Verdasco (5) defeated John Millman 6-7(3) 6-4 6-1

- Sam Querrey defeated Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3 7-6(4)

Antalya final tune up for Wimbledon

The final tournaments in the week before Wimbledon include Antalya for the men. 

Firstly, winners of last week’s titles are:

Halle:

Roger Federer (1) defeated David Goffin 7-6(2) 6-1, the tenth Halle title for Roger.

Queens Club:

Wildcard Feliciano Lopez defeated Gilles Simon 6-2 6-7(4) 7-6(2)

Mallorca:

Sofia Kenin (7) defeated Belinda Bencic (3) 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 6-4

Birmingham:

Ash Barty (2) defeated Julia Goerges (8) 6-3 7-5, the third 2019 title for Ash, and the one propelling her to world #1.

This week:

Turkish Airlines Open Antalya - An ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Antalya, Turkey, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Damir Dzumhur (2) who defeated Adrian Mannarino (1) 6-1 1-6 6-1

The following players withdrew after entering but before the main draw was published:

- Ricardas Berankis replaced by Bradley Klahn 

Benoit Paire, world number 32, is top seed.

The other seeds are all in the top 71

The top four seeds have first round byes.

First round results 

- Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Jaume Munar 6-4 6-3

- Lorenzo Sonego defeated João Sousa (8) 6-3 7-6(11)

New #1 Barty contests Eastbourne

The final tournaments in the week before Wimbledon include Eastbourne which hosts both a men’s and women’s event.

Firstly, winners of last week’s titles are:

Halle:

Roger Federer (1) defeated David Goffin 7-6(2) 6-1, the tenth Halle title for Roger.

Queens Club:

Wildcard Feliciano Lopez defeated Gilles Simon 6-2 6-7(4) 7-6(2)

Mallorca:

Sofia Kenin (7) defeated Belinda Bencic (3) 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 6-4

Birmingham:

Ash Barty (2) defeated Julia Goerges (8) 6-3 7-5, the third 2019 title for Ash, and the one propelling her to world #1.

This week:

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Caroline Wozniacki (1) who defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5)

The following players withdrew after entering but before the main draw was published:

- Bianca Andreescu replaced by Evgeniya Rodina 

- Dominika Cibulková replaced by Rebecca Peterson 

- Tatjana Maria replaced by Andrea Petkovic 

- Alison Riske replaced by lucky loser Magda Linette 

The following players withdrew after the main draw was published:

- Donna Vekic (hip injury) replaced by lucky loser Daria Gavrilova 

- Wang Qiang (12) (back injury) replaced by lucky loser Pauline Parmentier, who also takes the seeded place in the draw.

Ash Barty, world number 1, is top seed.

The other seeds are all in the top 20

The top eight seeds have first round byes.

First round results 

- Maria Sakkari defeated qualifier Jessica Pegula 6-2 6-1

- Johanna Konta (14) defeated qualifier Dayana Yastremska 6-2 6-4

- Zhang Shuai defeated wildcard Katie Swan 7-6(7) 4-6 6-4

- Alizé Cornet defeated wildcard Heather Watson 7-5 6-2

- Rebecca Peterson defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich 4-6 6-3 6-2

- Lucky loser Pauline Parmentier defeated lucky loser Magda Linette 7-6(2) 2-6 6-4

- Andrea Petkovic defeated Daria Kasatkina 5-7 6-4 6-2

- Anett Kontaveit (16) defeated wildcard Harriet Dart 3-6 6-4 6-2

- Anna-Lena Friedsam defeated qualifier Fiona Ferro 6-2 6-2

- Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2 7-6(1)

- Elise Mertens defeated Monica Puig 6-4 7-6(2)

- Margarita Gasparyan defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-3 6-3

Nature Valley International Eastbourne - an ATP 250 category tournament, on Grass, in Eastbourne, Great Britain, 23-29 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Mischa Zverev who defeated Lukas Lacko 6-4 6-4

The following players withdrew after entering but before the main draw was published:

- Matteo Berrettini replaced by Leonardo Mayer 

- Richard Gasquet replaced by Sam Querrey 

- Philipp Kohlschreiber replaced by Steve Johnson 

Guido Pella, world number 26,is top seed.

The other seeds are all in the top 41

The top four seeds have first round byes.

Barty into Birmingham final

Semi final day in Birmingham.

Nature Valley Classic Birmingham - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Grass, in Birmingham, Great Britain, 17-23 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Petra Kvitová (4) who defeated Magdaléna Rybáriková 4-6 6-1 6-2

Semi final results 

- Barbora Strycova v Ashleigh Barty (2)

Of the three previous meetings between the two, Strycova won the first, but it was way back in 2014, in the opening round of the US Open, when Barty was aged 18 and ranked 186. The Australian won the other two clashes - here in Birmingham in 2017, and in Sydney in 2018.

Strycova served first, and after four games it was 2-2, both players having saved a break point in their second service game.

Strycova won the opening point of game five,  and a simple volley missed at the net by Barty, made it 30-0.  A series of errors changed the dynamic, and Barty had a break chance. A frustrated Strycova double faulted and the second seed led 3-2.

In consolidating the break, Barty saved two break back points, and those were the last chances offered until the Australian stepped up to the line leading 5-4.

A service winner, and errors from both Strycova sides, created three set points. A simple put away at the net, following up a strong backhand, sealed the opening set 6-4 for Barty.

Strycova began set two the stronger, holding serve in the opening game, then having Barty 15-40. The break points were both saved by Barty, aces on each occasion, and games were eventually 1-1.

Strycova then let slip a 40-15 advantage on her own serve, losing three straight points to face a break point. Danger was averted with some excellent net work exhibited by the Czech player. Further good volleying and a smart drop shot enabled Strycova to hold serve, and for five games afterwards there was no drama for the server.

4-4 and Strycova was back at the line.

The pressure was on Strycova after a pair of wide forehands had her down 0-30. A well placed backhand allowed for a volley put away from Barty, creating two break points, and then another deft backhand forced a final errant Strycova shot to achieve the service break.

Serving at 5-4, Barty found an ace to lead 30-0. A Strycova backhand caused problems for Barty, but another ace produced two match points. The first was saved when a backhand landed wide, but the match was over on the next point after Strycova pushed a backhand out of court.

Ash Barty won her way into the final 6-4 6-4

- Julia Goerges (8) defeated Petra Martic 6-4 6-3, and will play Ash Barty in the final.

Semi final day on grass

Semi final day in Halle, Mallorca and Queens Club.

Noventi Open - an ATP 500 category tournament, on Grass, in Halle, Germany, 17-23 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Borna Coric who defeated Roger Federer (1) 7-6(6) 3-6 6-2

Semi final results 

- Roger Federer (1) defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3 6-3

- David Goffin defeated Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4) 6-3, and will play Roger Federer,in the final.

Mallorca Open - a WTA International category tournament, on Grass, in Mallorca, Spain, 17-23 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Tatjana Maria who defeated Anastasija Sevastova (3) 6-4 7-5

Semi final results 

- Belinda Bencic (3) defeated Angie Kerber (1) 2-6 7-6(2) 6-4

- Sofia Kenin (7) defeated Anastasija Sevastova (2) 6-4 4-6 6-2 and will play Belinda Bencic in the final.

Fever-Tree Championships - an ATP 500 category tournament, on Grass, in London, Great Britain, 17-23 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Marin Cilic (1) who defeated wildcard Novak Djokovic 5-7 7-6(4) 6-3

- Wildcard Feliciano Lopez defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime (8) 6-7(3) 6-3 6-4

- Gilles Simon defeated Daniil Medvedev (4) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3, and will play Feliciano Lopez in the final.

V Williams no match for Barty

Quarter final day in Birmingham and Mallorca.

Nature Valley Classic Birmingham - a WTA Premier category tournament, on Grass, in Birmingham, Great Britain, 17-23 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Petra Kvitová (4) who defeated Magdaléna Rybáriková 4-6 6-1 6-2

Quarter final results 

On Grass, Venus Williams had won five Wimbledon titles, while Ash Barty won Nottingham last year. The only time the two had played each other was in in Cincinnati in 2017, where Barty won in three sets.

Williams served first and held impressively. Barty replied without losing a point. It was Williams who struck the initial blow, breaking the Australian serve in the fourth game.

Barty led 40-15 to make it 2-4, but was taken to deuce as Williams applied further pressure. Barty held on but so far was feeling more pressure than at any stage of the tournament.

Williams led 40-15 in game seven, and this was the time for Barty to act.

Barty fought back to break the American serve, then proceed to win the next two games and be serving for the set.

The first set point arrived with a service winner. It was saved when a forehand failed to clear the net. A second set point disappeared when another Barty forehand failed, after a terrific rally. A double fault gave Williams a break point. A long return brought it back to deuce. Excellent tennis produced a third set point and an ace clinched it for Barty 6-4.

In set two, both players survived a couple of break points in their opening se4vice games, and it was 1-1.

Williams led 30-15 in game three, but two missed forehands from the American gave Barty break point. A double fault confirmed the break, and Barty led by a set and a break.

Games went with serve until the ninth game where Williams was at the line trailing 3-5.

Serving to stay alive in the match, Williams led 40-30, before an Australian forehand winner and a lucky bounce off the net produced match point. It vanished with a forehand error from Barty. Williams netted a forehand and a second match point appeared. A wide American forehand ended the match.

Ash Barty won 6-4 6-3, her tenth successive match win.

- Julia Goerges (8) defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-3 6-2

- Petra Martic defeated Jelena Ostapenko 6-7(4) 7-5 6-1

- Barbora Strycova defeated qualifier Kristyna Pliskova 6-2 6-4

Semi final match ups 

Julia Goerges (8) v Petra Martic 

Barbora Strycova v Ashleigh Barty (2)

Mallorca Open - a WTA International category tournament, on Grass, in Mallorca, Spain, 17-23 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Tatjana Maria who defeated Anastasija Sevastova (3) 6-4 7-5

Quarter final results 

- Angie Kerber (1) defeated Caroline Garcia (6) 6-3 7-6(5)

- Belinda Bencic (3) defeated Amanda Anisimova (5) 6-2 6-2

- Sofia Kenin (7) defeated Elise Mertens (4) 1-6 6-1 6-3

- Anastasija Sevastova (2) defeated Wang Yafan 6-2 6-1

Semi final match ups 

Angie Kerber (1) v Belinda Bencic (3)

Sofia Kenin (7) v Anastasija Sevastova (2)

18 yo dumps Tsitsipas at Queens Club

Quarter final day at Queens Club.

Fever-Tree Championships - an ATP 500 category tournament, on Grass, in London, Great Britain, 17-23 June 2019.

Defending champion:

Marin Cilic (1) who defeated wildcard Novak Djokovic 5-7 7-6(4) 6-3

Quarter final results 

- Stefanos Tsitsipas (1) v Felix Auger-Aliassime (8)

The future of men’s tennis was on display in this match. Tsitsipas, at just 20, is already a top ten player, and seemingly intent on remaining there for some time, with the top spot a realistic aspiration. His 18 year old Canadian opponent today has huge potential and enough of it has already been shown to make believers of most tennis followers.

The pair had met once before, Felix successful earlier in 2019 at Indian Wells.

The Canadian served first and survived two deuces before holding for 1-0. Tsitsipas levelled in easy fashion and then pushed hard, creating two break chances. Auger-Aliassime struggled through, and no more break points arrived until the twelfth game. In fact the last time deuce had been reached was in game four.

Serving at 5-6 to stay in the set, Tsitsipas hit a loose forehand to be behind 0-15. Auger-Aliassime netted a forehand in response. A backhand overhead volley from the Canadian showed great athleticism, and an awful Greek forehand pushed wide presented Auger-Aliassime with two set points. A netted backhand from the teenager saw one disappear, but a brutal forehand had Tsitsipas sprawled on the grass, and one set down.

Break chances arose in the opening games of set two. Auger-Aliassime saved the one he faced with a shanked backhand pass lucky to land in. Tsitsipas saved the first of three he faced at 0-40, with a spectacular forehand down the line winner. He couldn’t save the second though, when a forehand hit the net. 2-0 to the teenager.

At 0-3, and a change of ends, Tsitsipas received treatment on his shoulder.

Serving at 3-1, and attempting to retain the break advantage, Auger-Aliassime saved break point on four separate occasions. The first via a Tsitsipas wide forehand, the second by a brilliant backhand volley, the third with a forehand winner, and the fourth through a big serve. 

At 2-5, and needing to hold to stay in the tournament, Tsitsipas began with an ace. A wonderful backhand return made it 15-15, and a wide backhand off the Greek racquet 15-30. A sensational backhand down the line from Auger-Aliassime gave him two match points. A backhand return passed Tsitsipas who slipped at the worst possible time. The prodigiously talented Felix Auger-Aliassime won 7-5 6-2.

- Wildcard Feliciano Lopez defeated Milos Raonic (6) 4-6 6-4 7-6(5)

- Daniil Medvedev (4) defeated Diego Schwartzman 6-2 6-2

- Gilles Simon defeated qualifier Nicolas Mahut 7-6(5) 5-7 7-6(3)

Semi final match ups

Felix Auger-Aliassime (8) v wildcard Feliciano Lopez

Daniil Medvedev (4) v Gilles Simon