Today was an earlier start, leaving the Guest House at 7am and walking to town as the sun rose over Brasov, a pleasant stroll with Postivity Penguin through the streets and parks. It was cooler today which was handy as having left my jumper on top of the coffee machine the past couple of days, even I could not forget it if I was wearing it. Breakfast at Starbucks as the coffee at Meron yesterday was somewhat minging.

I arrived at the club for 830am Oana was going through her stretch routines in the player warm up area. We then went to Court 3 for a practice with practice partner player Mia Ristic. We shared the court with our opponent, Aikki Omae and her hitting partner which was interesting for gathering Intel. I collected a few balls and helped where I could. I then parted with my charge to get a coffee and set up in my coach players box on the end of Court 4 where Stefi and Briana were practicing. I left Oana confident and happy, feeling good about her pending match.

Oana won her match convincingly, sparing a momentary lapse in concentration in the middle of the second set, I was very happy with the Wolf and I hope I was able to offer some support.

Briana was next on the same court and I watched her with her fitness coach Daniel Tudorache. I have seen two Briana’s this week the one in the second round qualifying and the one yesterday, even though they both won in straight sets I preferred the one yesterday as she was excellent, confident and in total control. Today’s match was a match of two halves to coin a football phrase where both Briana’s were on display. Again winning in straight sets but the first was disappointing, far too much negativity and very passive in the rallies, the second set she was excellent and extremely proactive, her shot selection was better and she was far more aggressive and creative. She has Patricia Tig tomorrow so we really need to see the Briana of set two. Hope this does not sound too critical, I care about all the Romanian players and I have seen what Briana can do at her best this week and I want her to do it more often and have a fruitful career because she is an exciting player, I have not watched much of her until this week but I have definitely become a bigger fan of hers and want her to do well this week and in the future.

On the next court Maria Sara Popa lost a match in a final set tiebreak just shy of four hours. My heart goes out to her, such a talent, watching her live this week and working so hard, hitting the ball so fiercely and cleanly off both wings. She has been under so much pressure of expectation since a young age and I can see how good she is and is becoming, she has been on the wrong side of a few of these arduous marathons and it must be crushing her. She has to keep going, the level is there and the results and titles will follow when the time is right.

Next was Stefi Bojica, she was visibly in pain with an injury and hurting after nearly every long point. You would not know it looking at the score, she won emphatically, dropping just three games she even cooked up a Bojica Bagel in set two. Also wounded was Georgia Craciun who seemed to be struggling with her knee losing the last match of the day. Yet take nothing away from young Anamaria Oana, the 18 year old who has been storming up the rankings she is very special. Oozing with talent and wizardly with slice and drop shots.

The day concluded the same as the previous with dinner and then onto the Sports Bar.