Wednesday 13th February 2013
Although there was some play in the tournament today for Mia and I it was a complete washout as she never quite made it onto the match court!
We met for an early breakfast this morning at 7am and by 7.45am we had left the hotel to go to the club. While we were on our way the rain started and it continued on and off for the next 5 hours which left us with nothing to do but sit in the player’s lounge trying to access the internet along with everyone else in the tournament!
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The view over the clay and hard courts from the top of Centre court
At 1.30pm there was quite a long break in the weather so we warmed up and managed to get on Centre court at 2pm for a good 35 – 40 minute session. The wind had picked up and the court was still quite slippery but Mia hit the ball well and by the time we were done she was ready for her match.
Just over an hour later Mia checked her court and as it was nearing the end of the match before hers she went through another physical warm up and we finished by going through some movement work to sharpen her up. Just as we finished the heavens opened again and play was once again suspended – Mia’s court was at a set and 5-2 so we knew that it would be finished almost as soon as it re-started!
Mia looking very unimpressed after another rain delay
We had to wait until 5pm for the matches to go back on court but just as the match before Mia’s finished we were told by the referee that only unfinished matches would now go under floodlights so Mia would have to come back tomorrow to play her match. We were both very frustrated that we’d been waiting at the club for almost 10 hours and then just as Mia was ready to go on court they decide to cancel her match but at least she’ll be fresh in the morning.
We had dinner tonight at 7pm in the hotel and then relaxed in the lobby with some of the other players before heading off to bed for an early night . . . tomorrow could be another long day!
Schedule for tomorrow:
Chiraz Bechri (TUN) (1774) vs (4) Mia Smith (GBR) (709) – 1st match at 9am
The winner to play Paola Gullino (ITA) (UNR) – 3rd match after 9am
(WC) Oumeima Charrad (TUN) & Jihene Ftouh (TUN) vs (3) Mia Smith (GBR) & Sofia Sualehe (POR) – 5th match after 9am
