Gabrielle Higgins (ENG) kept herself in the mix with this +16 win against 2016 silver medalist David Maloof (USA)

Day 2, February 4

Two thirds of the way through the block stage, there is still all to play for for most of the field. One of the interesting features of this tournament (and one that more tournaments should emulate) is how the block rounds are ordered. With four players advancing from each block, the critical games should be those between the players in the middle of the blocks, in the #3 through #6 positions. Those players have already played the remaining players and will effectively play mini-blocks tomorrow.

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Block E is one of the more interesting blocks in the middle. All four of the middle group have winning records at this point. Will top seed and defending champion Stephen Mulliner be able to displace one of them to reach the knockout? Blocks B and F also have potential drama. Both blocks have the distinct possibility that six wins will not be enough to avoid the tie-break playoff to reach the knockout.

The weather was again very fine. The wind veered northerly, raising temperatures a bit, but also strong and gusty. Not only does this affect ball trajectories and swing alignment, it also helps dry the lawns and firm up the hoops. Kelburn, the main venue, certainly became more challenging as the day went on, and I expect that this was even more the case at the venues on the Kapiti Coast.