R1: Pocket Rocket Lauren impresses against Lucy

Lauren Baltayan (FRA) 3-1 [29] Lucy Turmel (ENG)  12-10, 11-6, 11-13, 11-7 (55m)

Let me tell you a secret.

Normally I don’t show up on the glasscourt before round two on majors, as we work non stop on the traditional courts, 8 sessions of 4 matches each. Sue me if I take the last 4 matches off and look at them from the hotel while working on the day’s reports.

But tonight, throwing my usual schedule to the bin, I went to the court just in time to watch the young Lauren Baltayan. She just turned 19, and is not playing with glasses anymore. She must be very happy!

Like a lot of people, I was expecting a very intense match, and why not, an upset. The way Lauren played at the Europeans, taking the French depleted of its number one Melissa Alves to the final against All Mighty England, beating Nele Gilis, then fighting 5 games against Jasmine Hutton… Anything was possible.

I got asked why Lauren was chosen to play on the glasscourt when Amina Orfi declined the priviledge. Well, she was bound to have a good support from the crowd, both Egyptian and French, and the match on paper looked like it could be a close one. And it was.

What makes the French girl’s victory even sweeter was that Lucy played excellent squash. Her attacks were as sharp at they come, they both played at an incredible pace, both fighting for each rally, playing fair squash, very few calls. A few contacts as they were trying to take control of the left line, normal for two attackers trying to win…

I guess the first game is the turning point: the English girl was leading the whole game, 7/3, only to get caught out 8/8, 9/9, with the French girl taking the opener on her second attempt, 12/10, in 11m.

Mind you, the second is even more bizarre, as Lucy is up 5/1, but will only score another point before being led 2/0, 11/6 in 10m.

The third is the longest game, 16m. It’s close the whole way, with Lauren having two match balls 10/9, 11/10, but Lucy shows her gritt and mental strength, 13/11. So few errors, what a great game.

The “old” Lauren would have folded mentally. But now, que nenni, not on your nelly. From 6/6, she scored three crucial points in a row, giving her enough breathing space to be able to relax a bit. This time, she takes the match on her first match ball of the game, her 3rd overall, and it’s 11/7, in 10 minutes.

Lauren : “I’m feeling amazing. You don’t get to be on a glass court like this every day. I was very nervous at the beginning, but then I started feeling better as the matches went on and started playing more freely.

“I wanted to make the most out of the chance on the glass court today.

“It’s a step in the right direction. I train every day for moments like this. I’m very happy to be able to get into the second round. I’m happy to have my family and friends here – having them here is a huge motivation for me. I’m grateful to have this strong support system around me.

“All of the work that I’m putting in is starting to show now. In matches like this, I don’t have any pressure on me. I’m just gaining more experience and learning more about these matches. These are the matches I want. They’re helping me grow.”

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