Ladies Night at the Royal Albert Hall

Written by: Staff on 6th December 2012

Ladies Night at the Royal Albert Hall

epa03409470 Heather Watson of Britain returns a forehand against world ranking number two Maria Sharapova of Russia during the second round match of the Pan Pacific Open tennis in Tokyo, Japan, 25 September 2012. EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA |

Not a spare seat in the house as the Statoil Masters Tennis event ramped up proceedings with a headline mixed doubles match featuring British number 1 female (in tennis) Heather Watson and Tim Henman facing Aussie legend Mark Philippoussis and British number 2 female (In my heart – Mrs Nash has held the number one spot for 12 consecutive years) Anne Keothavong.

Ladies night started, rather confusingly, with Thomas Enqvist playing Goran Ivanisevic in the ATP Champions tour group B match. Enqvist had been narrowly beaten by Henman in Wednesday’s Champions Tour match, so would need a result against the giant Croat to stay in contention.

Earlier in the day the Legends took to the battlefield. The special charcoal-grey court has been fashioned specifically to play slow, you know – to give those old knees a chance. McEnroe and Leconte dished out respective kickings to Jeremy Bates (6-4, 6-1 McEnroe) and Pat Cash (6-3,6-2 Leconte).

As I write, Ivanisevic and Enqvist have taken to the court, Goran 3-2 and a break up. Ahhh…. Ladies night – not necessarily ladies playing, but good looking chaps out there… now I get it! Something for everyone then, leading ladies of British tennis and handsome dashing men too. If I’m getting carried away a bit, it’s because I know Anne Keothavong is somewhere in the same building as me right now. Must dash – going to make sure my tie in on right, and give these shoes another spit and polish.