Hi Everyone!

Great players have a way of sensing the moment to take the advantage of an opportunity. I was certain Andy Murray could sense the opportunity of an Andy Roddick night match when James Blake lost to Li Wang, opening up his section of the draw in San Jose.
 

He seized the moment, did not choke and then proceeded to make his name quickly in the USA by beating Roddick and surprisingly followed up with the win over Leighton Hewitt, for his first tour title. A creditable quarter-final outing the following week in Memphis underlines his ambition to hit the top 30 before the summer.

In my opinion Murray only has one question left to answer to establish himself as a top 10 contender - which is his strength level. If he is not strong enough physically it will be exposed through the clay-court season. 

Amelie Mauresmo

Amelie Mauresmo won two tournaments on the bounce, beating Kim Clijsters in the second final. With the Grand Slam monkey off her back, I think there are many Grand Slams she will win. Her main rival at present is Justine Henin-Hardenne, who she will desperately want to play again.

Maria Sharapova has to implement her practice sessions into her matches and begin to capitalise on her big hitting by going to the net to finish points. She is not fast enough to consistently beat Henin, Clijsters or Mauresmo and they are too quick for her to overpower. I would like to see her be more adventurous.

Chris Haggard

My good friend Chris Haggard won another doubles title in Memphis, with Ivo Karlovic. After a rotten 2005 Chris has had a fabulous start to 2006, with a semi and a final as well.

What a wonderful advert for doubles too when John McEnroe returned to the Pro Tour and won San Jose with Jonas Bjorkman. I hope Mac plays a few more to help keep this great game of doubles alive in promoters’ minds.

Leeds LTA Academy 

Naomi Broady made semi-finals of an ETA U16 tournament in Lille before helping the GB team qualify for the European Winter Cup finals.

Jo Craven finished third overall in the U18 Grand Prix points table, with Naomi doing well to finish 6th after a semi-final in the Masters three years young, to add to her Nationals semi-final finish. Naomi also won her first U16 GP event.