Matt Smith is top seed here. Hopefully he can get some wins under his belt to build confidence. He beat qualifier D O'leary 6-3 6-2 to make round 2. Also:
Rob Searle (2) bt J Miles 7-6(6) 3-0 ret. Konstanitos Kalaitzis (3) bt M Pierce 7-6(5) 6-3 Ed Allinson (4) bt J Wood 6-2 6-1
So all top 4 seeds through to round 2. Here's round 2:
Matt Smith (1) WR 674 v Joshua Miller 2.2
Should be very straightforward for Smith. Josh barely has a decent result to speak of in Futures qualies so far. Verdict: Another confidence-boosting win for the number 1 seed.
Chris Priddle 2.2 v Kyle Brassington 2.1
Brassington has done really well in these events even winning one or two of them. Has also come really close to a ranking point in recent Futures. Verdict: Brassington goes through to become Smith's next victim.
Ed Allinson WR 1518 v Simon Ferguson 2.2
Allinson had a dream first round draw in Bath last week but failed to take advantage. I think this one could be close although neither are realistic contenders for the title. Verdict: Allinson in 3
Dan Cottier 2.1 v Chris Llewellyn 2.1
Chris is different class in my opinion. Should win this in straight sets. One of the real contenders for this. Would love to see him play Matt Smith and see how close he can get. Verdict: Llewellyn easy
Harry Skinner 2.1 v Oscar Podlewski 2.2
Never really understood why Podlewski is so highly rated. Hopefully he proves it to us at some point but at this stage I don't think he's ready to beat someone as solid as Skinner. Verdict: Skinner in 3
Matthew Ward 2.2 v Konstanitos Kalaitzis WR 1221
Shouldn't be much of a contest. Kalaitzis overcomes some recent dodgy form to pick up a confidence booster. Verdict: Kalaitzis in straights
Lloyd Bruce-Burgess 2.2 v James Langford 3.1
Know nothing about either of these apart from that Brits with double barreled surnames are rubbish and Brits called James are good. Verdict: James in 3
Marc Beckles 2.2 v Rob Searle WR 880
Can't see Rob being troubled by a guy who's never even played any ITF. Verdict: Something like 6-2 6-1 to Searle
__________________
Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience
Okie dokie didn't realise round 2 had been played. Another shocker for Matt Smith, but despite that still 6 out of 8 for me!
Let's try the quarters:
Josh Miller 2.2 v Chris Priddle 2.2
Can't even believe either of these two won their last matches lol. Think I have to go with Priddle here, had the easier match in the last round against a guy who always saves his best for these events. Matt Smith probably just threw in one of those stinking performances that ranked players often do in these events against a young guy very motivated to gain a scalp. Verdict: Priddle wins
Ed Allinson WR 1518 v Chris Llewellyn 2.1
I fancy Llewellyn here. He has an impressive game, and although I know little about Allinson I think Llewellyn has enough to beat someone of his ranking. Don't be surprised to see Chris have a really good week sometime soon and pick up a ranking point or two. He already has wins over Simon Childs, Ed Corrie, Chris Eaton and Allinson himself. Verdict: Llewellyn in 3
Harry Skinner 2.1 Ollie Kalaitzis WR 1221
I like Skinner's game too. I think he suffers a bit from injuries during tournaments, ie minor aches and pains, wear and tear etc. In that respect, the walkover in last round will have helped a lot and I fancy him to sneak through a tight match here. Verdict: Skinner in 3
James Langord 3.1 v Rob Searle WR 880
No double barreled advantage for Langford this time and Searle should continue his swift progress. Verdict: Even easy win for Searle than last round. Let's say 6-1 6-1
__________________
Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience
I think semis will also be played tomorrow. So I'll say Searle to beat Llewellyn in straights in the final
__________________
Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience
3 out of 4. Not bad, Ollie is clearly in good form to win that easily. So my prediction for the final is still on. Llewellyn to beat Priddle and Searle to beat Ollie
__________________
Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience
Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience
will be interesting to see if Chris can get close to him now. When i saw Llewellyn play I was in shock he doesn't have a world ranking. There's FAR worse players with world rankings I can assure you. If he wins tomorrow, doesn't that mean he gets a wildcard into a Futures? Let's hope he wins and get's a decent draw.
__________________
Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience