The top six seeds are among the dozen players with a number against their names through to Friday’s final round of Qualifying. Top seed Aleksandra Krunic, who reached the third round at The Championships in 2015, leads the way – the Serbian blitzed Rebecca Sramkova 6-2 6-0 in her second-round match and will face Croatia’s Petra Martic, fresh from her run to the fourth round at Roland Garros, for a place in the main draw.
Alison Van Uytvanck, the No.2 seed, had the unenviable task of facing a British opponent for the second time this week in Roehampton, having beaten Gabriela Taylor in her opening match.
She found the going tougher in front of a patriotic crowd when she faced Katy Dunne on Court 11, but stepped up a gear in the third set to close out a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 victory.
“It was a tough one today – she played pretty well, playing really aggressive, and she made it really tough for me,” said the Belgian, who will take on France’s Myrtille Georges in a bid to return the The Championships for a fourth straight season. “I served a bit better, that made a big difference in the final set.”
The 23-year-old Belgian, who has been as high as No.41 in the WTA rankings, admitted facing a home-grown player was tough, even if it made for a good atmosphere.
“I like it, but they’re not for me!” she said with a laugh. “That’s a bit tough sometimes – you make a mistake, and they’re cheering. But it’s normal everywhere I think – it’s the same in Belgium. And I think it’s good for the British girls that they have people come and support them. It’s nice for them.”
Van Uytvanck conceded she was frustrated to have missed out on a direct acceptance to the main draw by a couple of spots in the rankings, but said there are positives to be taken out of playing the qualifying tournament – and not just in the form of match practice for Wimbledon.
“If you qualify, it’s extra confidence and extra points,” she said. “I’ve got already more points than last year when I lost first round in the main draw. That’s the most important thing for me. Sure, you get more money, but you don’t have to focus on that.”
It was another cloudy day at the Bank of England Sports Club, but thankfully dry and warmer than the past two days. “But there is no wind,” Van Uytvanck said, again trying to look on the bright side amid the week’s rain delays and cancellations. “Okay, there’s been the rain and it’s been cold, but if it’s windy then it gets really tough to play. We’ve been lucky with that.”
Dunne admitted the knowledge that her showdown with Van Uytvanck was on live TV did play on her mind.
“I was actually a little bit nervous at the beginning,” admitted the 22-year-old. “I tried to enjoy the experience, but when it’s your first time on TV, and you know that, it’s a little bit nerve-wracking – with commentators and everything.”
Nevertheless, the last Briton standing in the women’s draw said she had plenty of positives to take into Wimbledon, where she will play doubles with Harriet Dart.
“I’ve been playing a good level for a while now. I’ve been able to see against these players that I really do match them and I can beat them. For Wimbledon I’m going to feel good, and after the grass I’m going to go into the next tournaments with more confidence.”
Another player who arrived in Roehampton after a sterling tournament in Paris, Ons Jabeur is back in the final round of qualifying for the first time since 2014.
The Tunisian reached the third round at Roland Garros and is now one win away from featuring in all four Grand Slam main draws after beating Luksika Kumkhum 7-6(11), 6-3.
“This match is going to be very important to me,” admitted Jabeur, who faces American Asia Muhammad in the final round.
“I will try not to really stress, but it’s going to be tough – especially as it’s something I’ve been wanting for years. Hopefully I will do my best, and if it’s coming it will come. I have enough confidence to believe in myself that one day I will play at Wimbledon.
“When I play my game, relaxed, smiling on the court, that’s when I play the best. That’s what I’m going to do on Friday.”
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