Day Three Action
by Beth Knizer
Welcome to On The Line's third day of coverage at the 26th edition of the Britannic Asset Management Championships, Devonshire Park, Eastbourne. Technical difficulties from the tournament have prevented earlier postings of this report.
On Centre Court, all three singles matches went marathon proportions, each lasting three sets in a day that lasted nearly nine hours. Mind you there were NO rain delays. Beautiful weather to be had at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne thus far this week. Hope you have enjoyed reading these reports, thus delayed, so far!
Tamarine Tanasugarn d. No.2 Nathalie Tauziat 6-7(1), 7-6(6), 6-3
Centre Court
Previous head to head 0-1 (1996 Birmingham)
Tamarine Tanasugarn saved four match points in her three-hour match over 2001 Birmingham winner, veteran French player and second seed, Nathalie Tauziat. Tanasugarn started the match early, leading 5-1 but losing the first set tie break seven points to one. One would have expected the younger Thailander to wither under the undue pressure, however she collected her thoughts, raised her game and took the next two sets with the victory. Tauziat was no without her chances for victory though did no t take advantage of them.
Lisa Raymond d. No.3 Amanda Coetzer 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
Centre Court
Previous head-to-head: 2-8 (2000 San Diego)
Lisa Raymond, number two ranked doubles player on the Sanex WTA Tour, did not waste her opportunity for victory in another marathon Centre Court encounter. Raymond used every shot in her arsenal, in addition to her serve and volley prowess to defeat Amanda Coetzer in just under two hours.
Chanda Rubin d. No.8 Conchita Martinez 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-0
Centre Court
Previous head-to-head: 1-9 (1999 US Open)
The third marathon Centre Court match involved 1994 Wimbledon singles champion, Conchita Martinez and Chanda Rubin. In their past eleven meetings, Rubin had won just twice against the Spainard. However, this match was different. Martinez took the first set in a tie break and Rubin the second two, with a decisive 6-0 score in the third. Rubin has just come back from a knee injury and played quite well since being off the Tour.
Wandering around the grounds....
On The Line thought it would be interesting to show some action from wandering the practice courts in forms of photos. Here they are:
Fans even had the chance to see former Eastbourne singles champion, Jana Novotna in action during day three. Novotna is providing television commentary for the BBC.
Guess who?
Another new feature we thought to try is "Guess Who". The featured player will be playing in the main draw either of singles or doubles at Eastbourne. The answer will be found in the following days report. Send your guess to us at On The Line. Photoshop filters will be applied to the 'player'. Hope you enjoy! Here is a hint for today's player. Today's "Guess who" makes a residence in Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA and her doubles partner is pictured in the 'W andering around the grounds' section.Guess who!
Answer to Tuesday's "Guess Who" was veteran doubles player and 1997 Wimbledon doubles finalist (with Manon Bollegraf), and was entered in the doubles draw here with Caroline Vis..... Give up? Answer is Nicole Arendt.