Bartoli: Difference between players is tiny

 

Originally published on: 19/06/12 00:00

The defending champion saw off Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-2 and is now in pole position to reclaim her Eastbourne crown after Agnieszka Radwanska, Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki failed to impress in their first outings on the grass this year.

“You know, tennis now in the women's game especially it's very difficult, and a lot of players are playing some great tennis,” said the Frenchwoman. “It shows the level and the difference between top players and someone ranked lower, it's very tiny. That's why you get three upsets today.”

Today’s results mean many of the top female players will go into Wimbledon lacking match practise on grass courts and Bartoli believes this will affect each player differently.  “The grass court season is so short that it's really hard to play a lot of matches on the surface,” the world No.8 explained. “So, you know, for everyone it's a matter of two, three, maybe the best four matches before going in [to Wimbledon].

“There are a lot of examples of players losing very early here and going all the way in Wimbledon or to the final of Wimbledon. Serena and Venus [Williams] didn't play one match on grass, and I'm sure they will be a contender to win the title. So there is not really any rule.”

Next up for Bartoli is Aleksandra Wozniack after the Canadian saw off Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan.

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