6.30am

Woke up before alarm and immediately knew I had a final today, felt awake instantly. Its Indian Independence Day today and the whole city is on high security alert I have just read in the papers, and its a national holiday. Lets hope the tuk tuks are functioning as chaotically as usual! Just peered out the window and its raining though, lets hope it doesn't stick around, I’ve got work to do even if the whole of Delhi hasn’t.

11am

Well the rain disappeared long enough for me to have a good hit with the number one seed from the men's tournament who grinned at me when I asked if we could start short in the service box. Guys never do this, girls always do, its the same with cross courts in the pre match warm up, its a girl thing!He obliged and we had a good practice, I then walked onto the match court and warmed up with my...

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8.15am

Woke up to rain so maybe it will be cooler today. I’m on 2nd after 10am so can read the papers over breakfast and coffee, perfect!

11.15am

Or maybe not! Still so so humid. Couldn’t find anyone to hit with by the time I left yesterday and was a little worried, its one of the disadvantages of travelling alone that you don’t have the coach to fall back on to hit with. But there was a few players still floating around, so jumped on with the Japanese girl, and had a good 30mins practice-was seeing the ball quite well today and feel ok physically. Now just want the other semi to hurry up and finish, I’m nervous.

3.30pm

I made it through, just. 7-6 4-6 6-2 in nearly 3 hours. Felt pretty drained of energy at 2 all in the second which is not ideal, but found something from somewhere-just...

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7.30am

A good night’s sleep and some words of wisdom and encouragement from my coach via text and I feel a whole lot better, ready to face another Delhi day…

9.30am

Just finished practice and my racket cracked in two places on a backhand return…hope its a sign that I’m striking the ball well as opposed to bad luck! My legs feel a little heavy today, this is going to take a superhuman effort to find some energy.

12.15pm

Well I won 3 and 2, but it wasn’t pretty! Couldn’t crack an egg today so just hustled and ran and ran. Only hit about 6 winners in the whole match,3 dropshots, a forehand angle pass and a good lob, and then an huge backhand line 2 metres out of court with legs flying everywhere followed by a Lleyton Hewitt style celebratory come on!I enjoyed that one at least even if the rest of the match was pretty average! Now just recovery and rest before tomorrows semi-final.

3pm

Hotel room now represents a chinese laundry, clothes and socks have been persil...

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Thursday 12th August

10.50am

I just won 3 and 1,opponent started out absolutely swinging and I was a bit worried at first but worked my way into it and knew she couldn’t keep it up.She was then sick on court from the heat at 0-3 in 2nd set. I was feeling it a little today too, but coped pretty well. This is by far the most humid day since I’ve been here, everyday has been hot and humid but this was crazy.I couldn’t play 1 point without going to the towel to wipe the sweat from the grip. Its probably the toughest conditions I’ve played in, and that’s including Vietnam, Borneo, the Gold Coast, and parts of Florida. The awful air quality doesn’t help either, I dread to think what I’m breathing in. Back on at 12.30 so porridge and a banana and as much fluid as I can!

3.30pm

I won 3 and 2, but it was tough. She had points to go 4-2 up but I held on and then we had a 30 stroke rally which I won to go 3 all and it destroyed her. Literally. The point hurt me too,but I was damned if I was going...

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Tuesday 11th August

8.30am

Woke up after 10 whole hours straight, and feel much better and more lively. What is wrong with me, I never sleep this much!

10.50am

Just finished practice with Sasha my doubles partner. It is incredibly humid today, we were both struggling to hold the racket where the grip was soaking within minutes. Warmed up with the sponge ball against the wall before the practice and got many stares and questions….care factor zero,I know why I need to do it and what I’m working on, I’m not bothered that it’s the type of ball that I used when I was five!

12 noon

Absolute monsoon rain! One minute I was watching the match that I follow go to a set and 3-1, the next minute a huge torrent of water had appeared and with no shelter at the club I made a run for it into a tuk tuk, where the streets were in complete chaos. Nearly 6 inches of water fell in 20 minutes, and it seems the whole of Delhi are celebrating. I, on the other hand, am not! I just want to play...

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Monday 10th August

8.15am

Woke up and feel dopey and lethargic. I always feel like this after a rest day, I think they are overrated! Christophe my trainer always makes fun of me on Mondays at Sutton because my legs do not function during speed and agility like they do the rest of the week, and I always get in a bad mood becuase I do not like feeling that I am not sharp or moving well. Anyway…the show must go on.

3.30pm

Practised this morning with my doubles partner on a court that has only 1 foot of runback on one end due to a scaffolding tower randomly positioned on the court. If that doesnt make me get up the court and take the ball early, I don’t know what will! Then won our first doubles after being points for 0-3 down, it was 3+1 so no drama required after we woke up and got involved in the match. Craving peace and quiet, feel a little fed up, I think the city is getting to me a little…

7.45pm

Just read my book for 3hrs straight in complete silence in my room, was...

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Sunday 9th August

7.30am

Ahhh, was meant to be having a lie-in but I am incapable of sleeping in,I always have been since I was little. I think I just get excited that the day is here! What to do, what to do-Sunday mornings are my favourite at home, not so good when you’re away. At least I can have something different for brekkie now that the superstitious pre-match routine can be broken for a day!

10.30am

Leisurely brekkie and a flip through the papers in the lobby, there’s a few articles about me winning but I feel slightly ridiculous reading them, will wait till I’m back in the room!Waiting for a photographer to arrive to do the photoshoot that I am getting paid for. Wearing non tennis clothes for the first time in a week, quite nice to be girly for the day!

3pm

Just got back from hard bargaining over what I would be worth,1hr  photoshoot and lunch with the guy….on him. Got through it, just, the photos seem to have turned out ok, and the cash can go towards my hotel...

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Saturday 8th August cont…

5pm

Not sure I’m very good at this relaxing lark…couldn’t keep still laying by the pool, and neither book, ipod or spanish textbook was entertaining me enough. There were also nine million flies which were driving me insane!Went for a swim and am now drinking coffee, finding it hard to switch off, could do with a glass of wine. Had a few moments this afternoon when I felt a little down that I didn’t have anyone here to share the moment with and celebrate my little success but then all the messages from home filtered through and I felt a bit better. I think I might be just tired.

8pm

Had an unbelievable massage and am feeling very chilled. It was a toss up between the massage and the chicken and I opted for the massage, then when I came down from the therapy room the gym/spa staff told me it was on the house to say congratulations! Such a nice gesture from them, I nearly cried…what an earth have I done for all these good things to be happening to me and for...

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Saturday 8th August cont…

11.30am

I won I won! 6-1 6-1..happy bunny! I was expecting it to be a lot tougher than that, was ready to fight! My game plan of giving her no pace and no rhythm worked perfectly, she hated it. I felt like I was doing the no winners drill that we sometimes do in training, just running and making balls. She was tired and didn’t have much left in the tank, shame for her that I wasn’t tired at all and was ready to run allday! Maybe it was my recovery in the Hyatt that was better?Or my training, or my preparation, or just my day? We will never know! Had a little presentation of the trophies for singles and doubles, a few interviews with some reporters and lots of photos. Made a speech and thanked every one I should have, picked up my prizemoney and got the hell out of there back to the haven of the hotel. 9 from 9, job done!

12.45pm

Did my warmdown and stretch and the gym staff wanted to take pictures of me with them and the trophies. Just spoke to Mum and Dad...

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Saturday 8th August

7am

Didn’t sleep well, woke up every hour or so and don’t feel rested. Am nervous and not in a good mood.

9.15am

Feel pretty good physically, thought my legs would feel heavy today but they aren’t, didn’t have a great practice though :( timing all over the place. Trying to remember it has no bearing on what is to come. Its hot already and although I just changed into my matchkit am still sweating a lot. Gatorade check. Ice bags check. Water check. Sweatbands check. Visor check. 2 towels check. Raisins check. Handgrip powder check. Rackets newly gripped, strung and stencilled-check. Ok, I’m ready to do battle.