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Tara Moore emerges victorious to reach QF

Jake Davies
Tennis

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By Jake Davies

  • Tara Moore advances to the quarter-finals of the Nottingham Open by beating Christina McHale 6-2 6-2.
  • Moore’s next challenge is China’s Zheng, who knocked out British No.1 Johanna Konta in Round 2 6-4 7-5

Tara Moore [Q] def. Christina Mchale [8] 6-2 6-2

The World No. 280 Moore scored one of the biggest wins of her career as she ousted the World No 67 from the Nottingham tournament with a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 scoreline. The importance of such a win cannot be understated with Moore’s sights firmly being set on a potential wild card at this year’s Wimbledon in the coming weeks – her results in the last two weeks suggest she is one of the main candidates for that wild card.

The fiery Brit, who will rise to World No. 227 with her quarter-final showing in Nottingham, played a near perfect match against a player ranked considerably higher than Moore. The consistency of shot-making particularly on the forehand side of Moore proved problematic for McHale throughout this contest. Following an inconsistent start where five breaks of serve took place inside the first five games, Moore began to find the form that had earned her all those wins in Eastbourne and in the early stages of Nottingham.

Moore converted all four of her break point chances at the first time of asking and took the first set 6-2. She tackled the short, central forehands in the middle of the court with ease and that became a common occurrence as the match progressed. McHale, a great tactician on a tennis court, tried her best to deliver every ball to Moore’s weaker backhand, but Moore’s ability to manoeuver her way around the court with considerable ease made a huge difference in this match up overall.

Tara Moore [Q] vs Saisai Zheng – First meeting

Moore has benefited immensely from the additional time she has under her belt in Nottingham – winning five matches already following a positive qualifying tournament beforehand. The last remaining British player in the singles draw has grown accustomed to the Nottingham courts and just like any player coming through qualifying, she is a dangerous proposition for any opponent.

This is a first meeting between Moore and Zheng, so as expected both players will strive to figure their opponent’s game out in the early stages of this match up. Zheng will be buoyed following the significant upset win over Konta in the second round.