Week 10 - Challenger ($35,000+H) - Santiago, Chile (Clay)

SMC1809 · All-time great

Week 10 - Challenger ($35,000+H) - Santiago, Chile (Clay)

steven · Tennis legend

It looks to me like Veic beat Patino in QR1 in Acapulco last weekend, but he certainly hasn't had a great year so far - losses in his first qualifying matches at Doha, the AO and Buenos Aires, in QR2 in Acapulco, where he lost to Schwartzman WR 157, and in R1 in Zagreb, where he got in as a wild card and took a set off Robin Haase.

His last main draw win was also his last but one Challenger match, against Kuznetsov in the QFs in Marbella in November.

korriban · Challenger level

Just back early from work and flicked on james vs Veic. Currently *0-3.

James' lost service game could just be the worst I've ever seen. 4 tame UEs off simple rally balls. Veic hasn'h hit a single winner or forcing shot as far as I can see - UEs from James across the board oh Veic' serve too.

Come on British #2!

Nope! Now 0-4*. james OK at moonballing and playing pattercake shots (which is all his opponent is doing), but as soon as he hits it harder, its in the net or miles out. I'm staggered at the level here. never seen him play like this

Now *1-4. James "breaks back" or rather his opponent gifts him the game with 3 awful UEs. This is not exactly Rolland Garros at the moment. Convinced Kyle would thrash either of these the way they have started.

-- Edited by korriban on Monday 4th of March 2013 04:57:05 PM

-- Edited by korriban on Monday 4th of March 2013 05:00:58 PM

korriban · Challenger level

Much more consistent from James now, and his opponent really isn't up to much. BPs in the previous Veic service game but no joy, and now James converts for *4-5.

What do you think Bob? How does this standard compare to what you saw live on clay in Spain last week?

-- Edited by korriban on Monday 4th of March 2013 05:20:53 PM

paulisi · Tennis legend

James Ward's match has just started and he's already been broken

Ward 0*-3

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Do you have a link for the live stream please

korriban · Challenger level

Bob in Spain wrote:
Do you have a link for the live stream please

http://lsh.streamhunter.eu/static/popups/138227956335610.html

There you go Bob

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

korriban wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
Do you have a link for the live stream please
http://lsh.streamhunter.eu/static/popups/138227956335610.html
There you go Bob

Thanks. But by the time my computer finishes downloading, this match could be over.

Or maybe not - 2-4*

The comeback is on.

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

Ward loses a tight tiebreak 8-6.

korriban · Challenger level

James 0-3* second set. Completely lost it. Now overpressing and missing big time - out by many feet, not inches.

Fascinating to watch - not much difference between these 2 at all, but Veic looks like he can hold himself together a little better, and suddenly serving well too. VERY unimpressed with Veic, given he is top 130!

Jack Buxton · Club Coach

James loses 7-6(6) 6-1 :(

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

korriban wrote:
Much more consistent from James now, and his opponent really isn't up to much. BPs in the previous Veic service game but no joy, and now James converts for *4-5.
What do you think Bob? How does this standard compare to what you saw live on clay in Spain last week?

-- Edited by korriban on Monday 4th of March 2013 05:20:53 PM

Sadly, never got to see it. Got called away by a Spag Bol and a neighbour needing a translation and by the time I was back, it was all over.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Only saw the last few games, but some very poor tennis from James. Ed Corrie would have given Veic a good battle and he's playing 10K's

korriban · Challenger level

James lost 6-7 1-6. I'm afraid to say the first 4 games and the entire second set was a total shambles IMO.

First 4 games lost with a barrage of UEs, when Veic was simply bunting the ball back down the middle, nothing more.

James then lost his opening serve of set 2, with a rally that he should have won, got very upset (racquet thrown into net), and from then on he had no patience or gameplan whatsoever - going for winners too early and missing by feet. Veic started to win his service games easily from there on in, as James was overpressing on return. The final game included 2 double faults, both with James going for aces on second serve - the sort of thing I would do when I was young and berate myself for being so stupid every time (it used to work 1 in 10 times)! he'd basically given up. Grrrrrrr.

There was no need whatsoever for set 2 to go the way it did if James had reined himself in a bit. At least the view in Santiago is spectacular.

Bob · Social player

Possible reason! The following taken from the withdrawal section of the Doubles draw sheet:

T. de Bakker / J. Ward - J. Ward (Pain in right knee)

Being cynical though it may be that James will only play Doubles if he is still in the singles!