QATAR MASTERS
QATAR MASTERS
Third Match in Pool A (Thur) - Tania (8) lost to Cassie Jackman (1)... 2/9, 4/9, 3/9.
Tania lost her third and final game in the Qatar Masters today, going down 3-0 to Cassie Jackman in 36 minutes . However, Despite the fact that she lost all three games in the tournament, she is very pleased to have got some valuable match practice in her current battle to get back to 100% fitness and as long as she can steer clear of illness, it may prove to be a very good starting point for an assault on the rankings.
Tania played quite well today but a combination of her lack of match fitness and the fact that Cassie was in very good form meant that Tania was up against it from the start. She said that she was really tired and her reactions weren't as sharp as they should be. Hopefully these are things that will improve with games.
The tournament was clearly too early for Tania to create any upsets and this was evident throughtout. She has accepted that there is a long way to go and has many matches to be played before she can once again do herself justice at this top level. We all hope that the illnesses that keep setting Tania back can become fewer and farther between and a prolonged period of time on the circuit is around the corner.
Tania will now get back in training (depending on health) ahead of two tournments in America in May.
Second Match in Pool A (Thur) - Tania (8) lost to Linda Charman (5)... 9/7, 3/9, 5/9, 8/10.
Tania went down 3-1 in her second round robin game to Linda Charman in the Qatar Masters on thursday. She did however manage to put in a much improved performance in the process.
It was looking good for Tania when she managed to win a close first game but although she was 'seeing the ball' a lot better and was competing more confidently she couldn't keep up the pace for the full match. She did manage to force Linda to go to ten in the fourth game but Tania was very tired due to her lack of recent matches at this level and was just pleased to have improved on her previous days efforts.
The Match lasted over 60 minutes and will hopefully prove to be a step forward in Tania's long and hard journey back to full fitness. She cannot now qualify for the next stage of the tournament but still has to face the number 1 seed and good friend Cassie Jackman in her final round robin match on friday.
For more information on the tournament check out the official site.
First Match in Pool A (Wed) - Tania (8) lost to Natalie Grinham (4)... 1/9, 5/9, 4/9.
Tania lost in the Opening game of the Qatar Masters to Natalie Grinham. It was Tania's first competitive match for three months after having a break in an attempt to regain her fitness.
Speaking from Qatar Tania said that she was not yet up to the standard required to compete at the absolute top level of her sport and that her quest to get back to this standard may take longer than first thought.
Tania has played Natalie Grinham three times over the past three years and this is the first time she has lost. The last time they met Tania came out with a 3-0 win in the US Open in November 2002. Unfortunately while Natalie has gone from strength to strength over the past year Tania has had a constant struggle with injury.
As the early part of the competition is a round robin system Tania is guaranteed another two games and hopefully they will provide Tania with the top flight competition that she has missed out on over the last three months. She plays Linda Charman tomorrow and you can see how he gets on right here.
For more information on the tournament check out the official site.
Tania is on her way to Qatar ahead of her first league game in the Grand Prix Finals. She plays Natalie Grinham on Wednesday and is looking forward to getting back on court after a few months lay off.
It is the first of three tournaments that she has entered in April and May and after having several weeks of intense training is hoping that she can once again perform at the very top level.
You can find out all her progress right here as it happens and draws for the tournaments can be found on the agenda page.