=================
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Wimbledon, England; grass; Grand Slam)
================= http://championships.wimbledon.org/
Contents
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1. Photos
2. Girls' Singles: First-round result
3. Girls' Singles: Second-round result
4. Girls' Singles: Third-round result
5. Girls' Singles: Quarter-final result & article
6. Girls' Singles: Semi-final result
7. Girls' Singles final: Lertcheewakarn v Robson TV-report

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1. Photos
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Noppawan Lertcheewakarn [S]:
http://championships.wimbledon.org/en_GB/players/wta314684.html

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2. Girls' Singles: First-round result (Monday 30th June)
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+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [3,S] d. Zuzana Linhová, 4-6 6-0 6-1

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3. Girls' Singles: Second-round result (Tuesday 1st July)
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+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [3,S] d. Richel Hogenkamp, 6-3 6-1

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4. Girls' Singles: Third-round result (Wednesday 2nd July)
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+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [3,S] d. Tyra Calderwood, 6-2 6-2

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5. Girls' Singles: Quarter-final result & article
(Thursday 3rd July)
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Nice winner, nice loser:
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [3,S] d. Naomi Broady, 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 6-4

Naomi may be British, but since she was playing out on Court 19, the
BBC didn't televise her except for an out-of-focus glimpse during a
round-up. Sadly she'll be too old for juniors next year, so unless
she keeps up her recent encouraging progress and translates it to the
women's game, I may never get to see her play.


Article
-------

Robson reaches girls' semi-finals
By Chris Bevan (BBC Sport)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7488169.stm
>>>
Britain's Laura Robson continued her stunning progress in the girls'
singles at Wimbledon, beating Serbia's Bojana Jovanovski to reach the
semi-finals.

The 14-year-old from London plays Slovakia's Romana Tabaková next.

But fellow Briton Naomi Broady was beaten 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 6-4 by
Noppawan Lertcheewakarn in her quarter-final.

Robson will return on Friday to play Tabaková, 17, from Bratislava.

But Broady will not join her despite a battling display against
Lertcheewakarn: the third seed.

Broady, 18, was far more powerful than her Thai opponent, and her
athleticism and big serve gave her the edge at times.

Too often, though, the British Under-18 champion from Stockport was
guilty of sloppiness at key moments, and one such lapse saw her serve
fall apart when she served for the first set.

She recovered to take it in a tiebreak - saving two set-points in the
process - but more mistakes cost her in the second set, and she could
not play her way out of trouble.

The pattern continued in the decider, and it was the Thai's
steadiness that eventually gave her victory.
<<<

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6. Girls' Singles: Semi-final result (Friday 4th July)
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+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [3,S] d. Tamaryn Hendler, 7-6 (7/2) 6-3

I saw Lertcheewakarn's match-point on BBCi: she dominated the rally
with her Selesian groundstrokes, then came to the net on a floater
and hit a right-handed forehand volley-winner.

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7. Girls' Singles final: Lertcheewakarn v Robson TV-report
(Saturday 5th July)
----------------------------------------------------------

- NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [3,S] lt. Laura Robson, 3-6 6-3 1-6

Robson completed an unbelievable tournament for a 14-year-old, and
for a British girl (the last one to win Wimbledon was Annabel Croft
in 1984).

Robson is not (yet) a big, strong girl, but she certainly packs a
punch with her well-timed, well-placed left-handed groundstrokes
of "easy power", and is very strong mentally - I think because at 14,
there are no scars on her psyche yet. That could change for the worse
after she's been 'Safina'd a few times, and we shall see how she will
be affected by the immense hype that has only just begun...

I wanted Noppawan to win because she is a Selesian, but her defeat
doesn't hurt me like when Romana Tabaková lost to Robson in the semi-
finals, because I have Passion for Romana but only Reason for
Noppawan.

Robson led 3-0* in the first set, but Noppawan ground her way back
for *3-3.

Robson won four games in a row to lead 6-3 *1-0, was broken back
immediately, also led *3-2 in the second set, but Noppawan fought
back with four games in a row herself to take the second set 6-3.

Noppawan certainly had the momentum by the end of the second set, as
Robson was getting nervous and frustrated, and Noppawan was robbing
Robson of time with her flat, early, Selesian groundstrokes.

Robson set the tone for the third set with a brilliant forehand
winner down the line - right in the corner from outside the
tramlines - and broke for *2-0.

Although Robson looked upset when Noppawan broke back immediately,
she pulled off the match's third 4-game winning-streak to cruise to
victory faster than you could say "Noppawan Lertcheewakarn" (i.e.
quite fast, but there were a couple of deuce-games in that home
straight).

So Britain will have a 15-year-old wild card in the Women's Singles
at Wimbledon 2009, and perhaps within five years, the BBC might start
referring to Aorangi Terrace as "Robson's Ridge" rather than "Henman
Hill".


First set
---------
LERTCH ___*@*___ 3
ROBSON *@*___*@* 6

The first five games were televised only on BBCi, while the Women's
Singles final was in progress on BBC 1, so I watched them recorded:

Robson serving 0-0: I missed the first couple of points, and couldn't
be bothered rewinding my video to find out what happened. 30/0.
Robson hit a deep, error-forcing forehand. 40/0. Double fault (second
serve into the net). 40/15. Noppawan hit a sweet, short-angled
crosscourt forehand onto the sideline. 40/30. Service-winner.

Noppawan serving 0-1: Robson netted a forehand return. 15/0. Double
fault (second serve into the net). 15/15. Serve out wide + low, hard,
flat backhand winner down the line. 30/15. Robson forehand winner
down the line. 30/30. Robson hit a deep, error-forcing backhand
return just inside the baseline. 30/40. A deep backhand return forced
Noppawan to net a forehand.

Sam Smith: "Low, hard and flat - that's how Lertcheewakarn plays her
tennis."

Robson serving 2-0: Robson forehand just long. 0/15. Robson forced a
short ball and picked off a well-controlled crosscourt forehand
winner. 15/15. Noppawan forehand down the line + crosscourt forehand
winner. 15/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/40.
Robson's deep forehand forced Noppawan to net a forehand. 30/40.
Noppawan netted a backhand return. 40/40. Noppawan netted a forehand.
Ad Robson. A low bounce induced her to hit a forehand halfway up the
net. Deuce #2. Noppawan netted a forehand off a 92mph second serve.
Ad Robson. She hit an off-forehand winner onto the baseline, which
was called long but overruled by the umpire.

Chris Bailey said Robson had "easy power".

Noppawan serving 0-3: Noppawan forced a short ball and hit a
crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. Robson backhand long. 30/0.
Noppawan pounced on a high-bouncing ball with a crosscourt forehand
winner. 40/0. Noppawan crosscourt forehand winner.

Sam Smith said they were playing at the level of the first round of a
WTA Tour tournament or the final of an ITF Women's Circuit tournament.

Robson serving 3-1: Noppawan crosscourt backhand wide. 15/0. A good
serve forced a short return, which Robson dispatched with a
crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Robson sprayed a backhand long.
30/15. Noppawan hit a searing crosscourt backhand return, forcing
Robson into error. 30/30. Robson went for a forehand down the line,
but it was just wide. Robson challenged it, and Hawk-Eye confirmed it
was wide. 30/40. Robson netted a forehand, and reacted with a cute
little squeak.

The following was televised live on BBC 1 following the Women's
Singles final:

Noppawan serving 2-3: Backhand winner down the line. 0/15. Double
fault (second serve into the net). 0/30. Service-winner out wide.
15/30. Serve out wide + error-forcing crosscourt forehand into the
corner. 30/30. Noppawan came to the net, forcing Robson to hit a
forehand lob long. 40/30. Robson netted a forehand return.

Sam Smith: "Lertcheewakarn has holes in her game, but she looks like
a girl who has to be beaten. She's not giving it away."

Robson has gone from 3-0* to *3-3. Perhaps she's intimidated by
playing in a packed Court One - completely different from the courts
she's used to playing on.

Robson serving 3-3: Robson earthed a forehand. 0/15. Ace out wide.
Loud cheer from the crowd. 15/15. Noppawan forehand long. 30/15.
Backhand return long. 40/15. Noppawan forehand wide off a deep ball
from Robson.

Noppawan serving 3-4: Robson netted a forehand on the third stroke.
0/15. Robson hit a stunning forehand winner down the line. 0/30.
Robson netted a forehand. 15/30. Double fault (second serve long).
15/40. Noppawan hit a backhand long off a deep return.

Sam Smith: "Lertcheewakarn has a junior's serve."
Chris Bailey: "Very robotic."

Robson serving 5-3: Noppawan swung and missed with her two-handed
forehand! Bad bounce? 15/0. Robson hit an error-forcing crosscourt
forehand just inside the sideline. 30/0. Robson backhand wide. 30/15.
Robson forehand winner down the line. 40/15. Service-winner out wide.
Robson won the first set 6-3 at 16:27.


Second set
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LERTCH _@*__@*@* 6
ROBSON @__*@____ 3

Noppawan serving 0-0: Robson netted a forehand. 15/0. Robson hit an
acute off-backhand return-winner. 15/15. Noppawan earthed a forehand
off a deep ball from Robson. 15/30. Robson hit an off-forehand winner
just inside the sideline. 30/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand
winner. 30/40 (BP). Robson forehand just long. 40/40. Double fault #4
(69mph second serve into the net). Ad Robson (BP). Noppawan backhand
wide.

Sam Smith (re. Robson's forehand): "It's aggressive but safe. Just a
covering of topspin. Lertcheewakarn doesn't have that safety built
in, but when she lands one, it's very impressive."

Robson serving 1-0: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15.
Short-angled ace out wide: just inside the sideline. 15/15. Noppawan
forehand pass-winner down the line. 15/30. Noppawan came to the net
and hit an off-backhand volley-winner. 30/30. Robson played a nice
spreading rally with a forehand winner down the line. 30/40. Robson
netted a forehand.

Sam Smith: "This is not junior-tennis as we know it, where the girls
are looking to make as many balls as possible. This is almost mini-
pro tennis, only without so much power."

Noppawan serving 1-1: Robson sprayed a backhand very wide, and
emitted a cute, high-pitched squeal. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0.
Noppawan forehand long off a deep ball from Robson. 30/15. Noppawan
crosscourt forehand winner on the baseline. 40/15. Robson's
penetrating backhand return forced Noppawan to hit a forehand long.
40/30. Robson backhand long.

Would you believe it? BBC 1 is actually STAYING with this match while
the Men's Doubles final is relegated to BBCi!! I never expected the
BBC's jingoism to overcome its sexism - I thought they'd switch over
to the Men's Doubles the moment the players walked out onto Centre
Court!

Robson serving 1-2: Noppawan netted a forehand. 15/0. Noppawan
forehand wide. 30/0. Noppawan to hit a one-handed backhand lob long.
40/0. Noppawan hit a sweet crosscourt forehand winner just inside the
sideline. 40/15. Ace down the middle.

Noppawan serving 2-2: Robson off-forehand winner. 0/15. Double fault
(second serve into the net). 0/30. Service-winner. 15/30. Noppawan
sprayed a backhand wide. 15/40. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand
winner. 30/40. Noppawan crosscourt backhand wide.

Robson serving 3-2: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Robson
netted a backhand off a deep return. 15/15. Double fault #4 (second
serve into the net - would also have been wide). 15/30. Robson,
driven wide, hit a forehand very long. 15/40 (BP). Robson forced
Noppawan to hit a forehand just wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Serve + off-
forehand winner. 40/40. Noppawan backhand long. Ad Robson. Noppawan
hit a pinpoint backhand down the line + well-held crosscourt backhand
winner. Deuce #2. Backhand return long. Ad Robson. Noppawan hit a
forehand down the line + backhand down the line, forcing Robson to
hit a forehand that clipped the netcord and fell back on her side.
Deuce #3. Noppawan came to the net behind a crosscourt forehand, and
Robson netted a makeable crosscourt backhand pass.
Ad Noppawan (BP #3). Double fault (second serve into the net).

Noppawan serving 3-3: Noppawan ran down a dropshot and hit a forehand
winner up the line. 15/0. Robson netted a cheap forehand return.
30/0. Robson went for a forehand down the line, low over the net, but
it was just long. 40/0. Robson sprayed a wild forehand long.

Noppawan has certainly achieved a momentum-shift in the last couple
of games. Robson's getting nervous and frustrated, while Noppawan is
robbing Robson of time with her early, flat hitting.

Robson serving 3-4: Double fault (second serve into the net). Robson
emitted a high-pitched squeal. 0/15. Noppawan came to the net and hit
a nice backhand volley-winner. 0/30. Second-serve service-winner.
15/30. Robson backhand long. 15/40. Noppawan backhand long. 30/40.
Robson netted a backhand on the third stroke.

Noppawan serving 5-3: Noppawan challenged a ball that was long, and
Hawk-Eye showed that it was long by 1mm. 15/0. Robson hit a forehand
return long, and squealed. 30/0. Robson hit a crisp backhand return-
winner down the line. 30/15. Double fault (second serve into the
net). 30/30. Robson backhand return long. 40/30 (SP #1). Noppawan
backhand just long, but she used Hawk-Eye to overrule it as good.
Replay: Robson played a dynamic point, advancing up the court to
force Noppawan to hit a lob long. 40/40. Noppawan backhand winner
down the line. Ad Noppawan (SP #2). Robson, driven wide, netted a
forehand. Noppawan won the second set 6-3 at 17:03.


Third set
---------
LERTCH __@____ 1
ROBSON *@ @*@* 6

Robson serving 0-0: Noppawan off-backhand wide off a deep ball down
the middle from Robson. 15/0. Robson, driven outside the sidelines,
hit a "remarkable" forehand winner down the line, right in the
corner!! 30/0. A deep return forced Robson to hit a forehand long.
30/15. Robson handcuffed Noppawan with a deep shot down the middle,
forcing Noppawan to hit a forehand wide. 40/15. Noppawan forehand
long.

Loud cheer from the crowd. Sam Smith suggested that Aorangi Terrace
might be known as "Robson's Ridge" in a few years' time.

Noppawan serving 0-1: Robson's cap fell off, so they played a let.
Robson hit a deep backhand just inside the baseline, forcing Noppawan
into error. 0/15. Noppawan netted a forehand. 0/30. Noppawan netted a
forehand. 0/40. A great rally ended with Noppawan running down a drop-
volley (which the crowd were already celebrating) to hit a forehand
pass-winner down the line. 15/40. Robson backhand return wide. 30/40.
Noppawan earthed a backhand off a low-bouncing ball that was also
blown to her side by the wind.

Robson serving 2-0: Noppawan netted a backhand return. 15/0. Noppawan
opened up the court and hit a crosscourt backhand winner. 15/15.
Double fault (second serve long). 15/30. Noppawan backhand wide.
30/30. Noppawan hit crosscourt backhand onto the sideline, forcing
Robson to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 30/40. Double fault (second
serve just long).

Robson looks pretty upset walking to her chair.

Sam Smith said Robson was about the standard that Arantxa Sánchez,
Conchita Martínez and Kim Clijsters were at 14, but below the
standard of She Who Must Not Be Named.

Noppawan serving 1-2: Robson forehand long. 15/0. Double fault.
15/15. Noppawan came to the net, but her approach was too weak, and
Robson hit a forehand winner down the line. But she didn't hear the
call of "out". However, she challenged it, and Hawk-Eye showed that
it caught about 1% of the sideline! 15/30. Robson hit a short-angled
off-forehand winner. 15/40. Noppawan ran down a dropshot but hit a
forehand long.

Robson serving 3-1: Noppawan forehand wide. 15/0. Noppawan hit a
short-angled crosscourt forehand winner - good scrambling. 15/15.
Ace out wide: right in the corner. 30/15. Robson forehand long.
30/30. Robson hit a forehand long, and squealed. 30/40. Robson ran
down a short return and hit a searing crosscourt forehand winner.
40/40. Noppawan played a great spreading rally, but pushed back on
her heels by a deep shot from Robson, netted a short-angled
crosscourt forehand would-be winner. Ad Robson. Noppawan backhand
long.

Noppawan serving 1-4: Noppawan hit a deep backhand down the line,
forcing Robson to hit a forehand lob long. 15/0. A deep shot into the
corner from Noppawan forced Robson to net a running forehand. 30/0.
Noppawan hit a good serve but netted a cheap crosscourt backhand.
30/15. Noppawan backhand long. 30/30. Noppawan sprayed a backhand
wide. 30/40 (BP). Robson netted a forehand. 40/40. Robson forced a
short ball and hit a forehand winner down the line.
Ad Robson (BP #2). Noppawan crosscourt forehand just wide.

Robson serving 5-1: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. A good
serve forced a short return, which Robson dispatched with a
crosscourt backhand winner. 30/0. Noppawan crosscourt forehand just
wide. 40/0 (CP #1). Double fault (first serve just long, second serve
a bit longer). 40/15 (CP #2). Service-winner down the middle.
Robson won 6-3 3-6 6-1 at 17:32.

Some of the crowd thought Robson hit a service-winner at 40/0 (it
looked like it was on the service-line). They think it's all over,
but it is now.


Robson: "I thought I was gonna be sick when I walked on court,
because there were so many people watching! In the second set, I went
a bit mad, but I got it back together, I think."

Robson also described the "nice" rejection-letter she got from Marat
Safin, whom she wanted to take to the Champions' Ball.

And when the interviewer asked Robson how she would like to draw
Venus Williams in the Women's Singles next year (the Girls' Singles
champion automatically gets a wild card), she said: "I'll take her
DOWN!"

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/seles/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/seles/selesians.html