ARQ007

You'd really expect Uchijima (ranked 59) to beat 15-year-old Brit Stojsavljevic (ranked 663) here, as the 23-year-old Japanese player has so much more experience at this level and has put together an impressive season in 2024, rising from #171 to the top 60. She's 50-23 on the year, 24-12 on hard courts (22-9 vs players ranked 100+). Stojsavljevic has just 23 matches at senior level and then only at a very low level of competition, and all but one in the UK.

Betting the WTA is never easy but surely Tauson (ranked 53) wins this one - the 21yo Dane has been a inconsistent this term, but faster, hard courts are her thing and she beat today's opponent, Hibino (ranked 156) in similar conditions in Hong Kong just 17 days ago 6-1,6-1. She eventually made teh final in that event, losing to former #32 Tomljanovic in a decider. Hibino struggled to beat a #163 ranked player NTO in Osaka but then was comfortably beaten by Siegemund, Tauson lost to eventual SF-ist Parry in Osaka. She's come through Qualies here, winnng one and losing one but gets back in as a Lucky Loser. I'm hoping that experience here (Hibino is yet to play) stands her in good stead.

Things look to be back on the up for Southend as a consortium led by an Aussie businessman just completed the takeover of a club that was in the second tier in 2007 (when they also reached the League Cup QFs). Manager Kevin Maher has worked wonders during his time in charge, navigating a transfer embargo and spells where he and his players were not paid. Despite all the off-field noise, Maher guided the club to a ninth-placed finish last term ??" if not for a 10-point deduction, they’d have made the play-offs and finished sixth. That performance was built on defensive solidity - no side conceded fewer than their 45 goals (20 less than title winners Chesterfield). Only 21 conceded at Roots Hall, the lowest total in the league, and they will again try to turn their home ground into a fortress. The club reported last week that they're on course to sell more season tickets than since that 2006/07 season in the Championship.” So with positivity all around, some shrewd acquisitions and the foundations to mount a serious challenge at the top of the table I think they can go well.