Farida Mohamed (EGY) 3-0 Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 12-10, 11-3, 11-6 (31m)
Last time they played here a year ago was a pretty contentious match, both players complaining about the other’s movement. Today was no different, with a few too many calls – not all consistent complained both players – to make it a great match. Farida’s game is still very much in the power department, but sometimes, she hits too hard and loses accuracy, something she needs to look into. Still she won most of her points at the back, her length was impeccable today, and her short deceptions caused Millie a lot of trouble.
So nice to see Millie back on court, her return of serve and boasts are as lethal as ever, and she contained her frustration very well, keeping the mind on the game. She lacks a bit of match fitness – concentration really – but she is extremely fit and hungry, down 10/6 in the opener, she forced a tie-break – which is good to see as she was missed on tour.
Farida : “I’m not really satisfied with my performance today, but I’m glad I managed to finish this in three.
“I was happy with my start in the first game, but I lost focus when it was game ball. I knew the first game was very important, I was trying to push so hard and I knew I had to win the first game to be able to go through.
“There are a lot of positives. I played Millie in this tournament last year in the first round and today it was much better, so I saw improvements. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s match, I’m playing Joelle again for the third time, so I’m excited.
“Joelle is very experienced and she knows how to change her plan in the middle of the game when it’s not working. I always have more than one plan with Joelle. I have an advantage that she’s the older player, she’s been in the top five, she’s now in the top 10, so I don’t really have that much pressure.”
Millie : I had a stress fracture in my femur over a year ago. I spent 3 or 4 months on crutches, then only swimming. I’m happy to be back on court, I just need more matches, I’m not used to play in front of a crowd, under pressure. Last time I played her it was here, and it was one of my last matches. I knew what to expect. But it’s very different playing matches in tournaments towards practice. People don’t do that to you in practice, do they, I just need more competitive matches…
