Vicky Lankester "Comeback Artist" in Final Qualifying in Dublin
by Edel Costigan in Dublin © 2004

Qualifying play concluded underway in Dublin today. Dianne Desira was the "lucky loser" as she took Linda Charman's place in the draw after losing to Lankester. [qualifying draw] [main draw]

Photo Right:(© 2004 Stocktonphotos) Dominique Lloyd-Walter advanced to the main draw, winning a 65 minute battle with Runa Reta from Canada. Lloyd-Walter now faces Holland's Vanessa Atkinson, the top seed.

April 14 - The highlight of Wednesday's qualifying play was definitely the see-saw match staged by England's Vicky Lankester and Australia's Diane Desira. Lankester proved herself to be the comeback kid for the day in a fascinating contest.

In the first game Lankester found herself with a 1-8 deficit and steadily fought back to eventually level the game at 8-8. Desira called set two. The two traded backhand volley drops winners, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats as the hand passed back and forth. Eventually Desira tinned the ball on a final winnnig attempt to give Lankester the first game 10-9.

The second game started out in a similar vein, with the players trading points. The closeness of the contest had the players keyed up, as they realized the importance of momentum. At 2-3 Lankester was given a conduct warning. This warning seemed to unnerve her as she then allowed Desira to pull away to an 7-2 lead. After Lankester regained the serve, at 2-7 down the ball burst. This timely break in play allowed Lankester to regroup and repeat her game one performance as she ran out the second game 9-7.

Lankester now had some strong momentum on her side. At the outset of the third game Lankester ran out to a 7-3 lead. Desira fought back but was unable to sustain the effort and Lankester ran out a 9-6 game and a hard-fought 3-0 victory. But all was not lost for Desira. She did have some significant consolation as she drew the lucky loser position and therefore replaces Linda Charman in the main draw. Linda withdrew today with a back injury .

Amelia Pittock was too strong for Holland's Karen Kronemeyer as she took a predictable 9-4 9-4 9-2 road into the main draw. Pittock now faces the lucky loser Desira in the first round.

More excitement followed, as the two players who benefitted from walkovers on day one, Dominique Lloyd-Walter and Runa Reta, put all their rested energy to bear in a very closely fought match that went 3-1 (9-2 10-8 6-9 9-5 to Lloyd-Walter. It took Dominique an hour and five minutes to impose her strength and tactics on the stylish and determined Runa Reta. Reta fought all the way in an entertaing match.

In the final match of the evening Tegwen Malik's precision shot making was too much for Rebecca Botwright and she prevailed, 10-8 9-6 9-3. Tegwen Malik the Welsh No 1 and World No 28 was slow to start and was 3-7 down before she got into her stride. The more experienced Malik forced a couple of mistakes from Botwright, world # 38, and then leveled at 7 all with a forehand kill into the nick. Both players then played a series of loose shots leading to 4 lets in as many points . Botwright then got to game ball as Malik made an unforced error into the tin. Malik then showed why she is considered so dangerous and hit two nicks in a row to hold game ball which she won on a stroke.

Malik came out a different player in the second set using all the shots in her extensive armory and quickly got to 5-2 lead with a series of low boasts and drop shots. Botwright fought back to 5-6 down but Malik then upped the pace and won the second set 9-6. The Third set was one sided as Malik was in full flight going out the winner 9-3. Malik afterwards said she was looking forward to playing Rebecca Macree in a repeat of last years first round clash when she ran the world No 9 so close

Qualifying Results, Fitzwilliam Club, Dublin Ireland, Wednesday Apr 14 [Qualifying Draw]:
Amelia Pittock (Aus) beat Karen Kronemeyer (Ned) 3-0 (9-4 9-4 9-2)
Dominique Lloyd-Walter (Eng) beat Runa(Can) 3-1 (9-2 10-8 6-9 9-5)
Vicky Lankester (Eng) beat Diane Desira (Aus) 3-0 (10-9 9-7 9-6)
Tegwen Malik (Wales) beat Rebecca Botwright (Eng) 3-0 (10-8 9-6 9-3)

Revised Main Draw.