Chatting with Marion fans, everybody is encouraged by her efforts, especially her performance against Vera Zvonereva in Charleston.

Zvonereva reached the final of that tournament, defeating Jancovic en route. Zvonereva's form has seen her rise this season from #17 to #14. 'Bepa' has little points to defend over the summer, and a return to the Top 10 is a do-able goal for her.

For Marion there is however lots of points to defend in order to maintain her ranking.

She achieved personal best's at all the summer grand slams last year - A 4th Round at the French Open, a 4th Round at the US Open, and of course the Wimbledon Final.

Further to this she reached two other grasscourt semi finals at Birmingham and Eastbourne.

One thing we should keep in mind, the fact that Marion accumulated so many ranking points last year shows she is a good player.

Marion's ability, technique, and physique, are the subject of frequent controversy and sometimes derision. Yet fact is, Marion has equalled or slightly advanced upon her win/loss record at this stage of last season. A fact not lost on Marion's fans. - A modest statistic perhaps. But in a results game, incremental, like for like, year on year progress, is significant.

It was at this stage last season that Marion's form began to rise round by round, tournament by tournament, like Cherry Blossom spreading northwards in springtime.

Marion's loyal fans are a garland of goodwill around her shoulders and chest. Fans who have an eye for the statistical and technical detail. Fans who have believed in her, sometimes for years before late-bloomers such as yours trully arrived.

So in this little pause before Marion's next tournaments here in Europe, Marion's fans are watchful, waiting for her to give birth to further success, show her strong ability over the summer months. Defend points and accumulate wins like a shepherd his spring lambs. Or play like the two handed terrier she is, paws gripped radially to the racquet, belting trademark returns with hawkish accuracy, framed by that wonderfully scouling face of total commitment...... We hold all these little snapshots of Marion imprinted in our minds.. And we dream dreams.. We anticipate..

Victory.

Personally I confess to a little nervous excitement as we count down the days to Wimbledon 2008.. Yes, already! Even though it's nearly 2 months away! (58 days to be exact!).... The rare spring sunshine must be making me giddy! lol

But before this, we have the small matter of the French Open and other tournaments to attend to.

Allez Marion!!

Family Circle Cup - Charleston

FAMILY CIRCLE CUP > CHARLESTON USA > TIER1 > CLAY > 3RD ROUND

1ST SET
Marion began the more confident player. Two double-faults from Zvonereva in her opening service game helped Marion to an early break.

After the next two games went with serve, the 4th game saw the contest intensifying. Marion saved 3 break points to bring the game back to deuce. However Zvonereva finally broke back on her SIXTH break point. 2-2

With 2 further holds, the 7th game saw Marion go 40 Love up, only for Zvonereva to bring the game to deuce. Eventually Marion broke for 4-3.

Unfortunately the next 3 tightly fought games went Zvonereva's way. 6-4, and the set.

2ND SET
Having lost a close first set, and now down a break 3-1, Our Corsican-blooded hero refused all recourse to self-pity and fought gainfully with her new Prince racquet to a 5-3 lead!.

A hold from Zvonereva meant that Marion's task now was to keep her nerve and serve out the set.

Defending yet more break points, Marion eventually took another hard game to seal the set 6-4.

3RD SET
The opening service game of the deciding set saw normal service resume with Marion retrieving another pile of break points. But this time Zvonereva finally got the breakthrough on her 4th break poin. Consolidated the break with a service hold for a 2-0 lead.

From this stage onwards, Zvonereva tried to assert her status as the form player by taking a 5-0 lead. However despite the scoreline she was somewhat impeded by a never-say-die Bartoli.

The scoreline flattered Zvonereva, who only converted 5 out of 25 break points! Every game was balanced on a knife edge.

At last Marion held a service game to put a slightly fairer complexion on things.

With a comfortable 5-1 lead it was Zvonereva's turn to compose herself and serve out. But she didnt have it her own way. Bolero Bartoli stalked and tormented her opponent with every game every point - saving no less than 5 match points.

On her 6th match point Vera Zvonereva, finally... game, set, and match.

Yes it is a pity Marion lost. But this was a spirited performance against a player always on the fringes of the Top 10 who has some clay court pedigree.

With hope and pride, look forward to the remainder of the clay season, the French Open.. and then... grass court time *smile*

Allez Marion!

edit 2:17 041808

FAMILY CIRCLE CUP > CHARLESTON USA > CLAY > TIER 1 > 2ND ROUND

Despite letting the 2nd set slip from her hands, Marion eventually sealed a good fighting victory over Casey Dellacqua in 3 sets - apprehending an unenviable run of form.

1ST SET
The opening set was nip and tuck, with Marion opening brightly, then allowing double faults to enter towards the end of the set.

Marion broke Dellacqua on several occassions, yet each time her opponent broke back. Eventually with her fourth break of the Dellacqua serve Marion won the set 7-5.

2ND SET
The 2nd set saw Marion recover from an early break to storm to a 4-1 lead. But quite inexplicably, Dellacqua came back to take the set 6-4.

Marion had break points in the 2nd set, that if converted, would have seen Marion close the match in straight sets.. But alas, a deciding set beckoned.

3RD SET
Marion reaffirmed her intent in the 3rd set by winning several games to Love. She simply blew Dellacqua away in the decider.

Just 2 points away from a bagel Dellacqua eeked-out a service hold, for 5-1 Bartoli. However the game didnt signal another inexplicable comeback, just face-saving consolation, as Marion served out boldly with another Love game.

THROW OUT THE FORM BOOK
Browsing a tennis forum, I looked at a poll which showed that 26 members to 14 predicted a Dellacqua win. A few of them may be pinching themselves now.

Polls, stats, rules, form, take it all a with a large pinch when it comes to Marion...

It is very satisfying to see Marion get a victory, especially on a surface which rarely yields much success for her (except for last year).

Next round Marion possibly plays in-form Vera Zvonereva.

Well done Marion.

edit 22:17 041608

FAMILY CIRCLE CUP
CHARLESTON

This week Marion plays the tier 2 clay tournament in Charleston.

Courtesy of her ranking Marion enters the tournament at the 2nd round stage. She will play Casey Dellacqua who won her 1st match over Salerni.

The only previous meeting between Marion and the diminutive Aussie, ended in a straight sets victory for OH in Bali 2006 on hard surface.

Much has been made of Marion's recent inconvenient run of form by people looking for an easy catch-all strapline - Bartoli; 8 defeats in 10 matches...

Good luck Marion.

BAUSCH & LOMP CHAMPS > AMELIA ISLAND FA > T2 > R2

An unhappy run at Amelia Island and an equally unhappy start to this season continues for Marion.

1ST SET
She retrieved an early break. Midway through the set all square at 3-3, and a Hold to love for 4-4. Marion then broke and held to take the set 6-4.

2ND SET
Again broken at start of the next set. Marion quickly found hersel down 0-5 and staring a bagel in the face.

However, a hold and a break to Love returned some respectability to the 2nd set scoreline at 2-5.

Unfortunately Govortsova only had to serve out for 6-2. She did so.

3RD SET
For the third set in a row Marion handicapped herself by being broken early. But she battled back to take a 2-1 lead in this the deciding set.

Govortsova then broke back for 2-2. A hold and break saw Govortsova up 4-2.

Marion then successfully converted a break point for only the 2nd time in 11 attempts. 4-3.

A hold from Marion brought the match level at 4-4 in the final set.

With the outcome of the contest precariously balanced, Marion reached Love-30 on the Govortsova serve and had a sniff at a potentially match-winning break. Victory was within striking distance.

However, Govortsova held on for 5-4.

Next it was Govortsova's turn to sniff the air. Perhaps she smelled blood at 30-30, because she soon killed off Marion's brave challenge with a match-winning break.

SUMMARY
I'm sure Marion will be dissapointed to have came so close to winning this match, then see it end in defeat. Squandering too many break point opportunities.

At least Marion took a set at Amelia Island. The popular event has never been a happy hunting ground for her. This was more of a fighting performance. The result hasnt went quite as one would wish. But there are encouraging signs to be taken.

Flacid capitulation is not a position any professional competitor wishes to find themselves in. Not a good look.

if Marion pledges a solemn commitment to herself to defend her sporting honour, takes up her Princely 03 sword, executes her battle strategy, and loses the duel in the end... then she can nurse wounded pride delicately, in peace of mind. Heal and recover to fight fights, and win battles, on another day.

Hasten that day when Marion is rampant again. For it was late April last year that things began to turnaround. Lets hope this happens again this year.

Marion meets Olga Govortsova in the 2nd Round of Amelia Island.

Tall Belarussian Govortsova earned her place in the 2nd round with a straight sets win today over veteran Ruano Pascual.

It's been a season of mixed fortunes for the 19yo ranked 43 in the world. The high point came in February for Govortsova, losing to Davenport in a final in Memphis. Defeating top 20 player Shahar Peer en route.

However Govortsova's win loss record so far this season stands at 7/8 (incl. today's result).

She Lost to Angelique Kerber in the 2nd Round at Miami... Kerber then lost to Marion in the 3rd Round.

Marion has played Olga Govortsova on one occasion. Resulting in a straight sets victory for Marion in the 2nd Round of Wimbledon 2007.

However, clay is reputedly Govortsova's favourite surface. This will be a hard match.

Good Luck Marion! Allez!

Seeded 4th, Marion has a Bye in the 1st Round. She will play the winner of the Olga Govortsova v Ruano Pascal match.

The draw is as kind as it could be, with no Sharapova or Davenport in her half.

One match at a time.

The first clay tournament of the season for Marion begins this week.

Having lost in the 1st round on three previous visits to Amelia Island, one is under no illusions about the effort required to alter this trend.

Admittedly clay has never been a favorite surface or yielded much success for Marion. But passively accepting results and outcomes fait accomplis, is not a Bartoli motto.

Last Spring Marion had some good performances on clay, including a Final in Prague and a 4th round at the French Open. Breaking new ground on this specialist surface traditionally favored by Spanish players

The confidence gained on clay last year, catalysed the next stage of her season on grass

Maria Sharapova is top seed for Amelia Island. The main draw features 12 top 20 players. A strong field for a Teir 2 event.

The draw should be available later tonight or tommorrow.

Good Luck Marion!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

NB. Serena Williams today won the final in Miami by defeating Jelena Jankovic in 3 sets.