Ok - Gazz's round-up on a terrible 1st round day:
Dyce vs Huta Galung - Due to traffic I missed the 1st few games, and Dyce had already been broken. But from what I saw Graeme hits the ball really well. Serves the ball pretty well and gets majority of 1st serves in. Does not like the ball at his feet. Also, tended to be more defensive than on the attack. Huta Galung enjoyed knocking from side to side till Graeme got tired. Shame. In second set he was broken early, but broke striaght back and looked like he could go on when Galung got dodgy call from umpire on a point he won but Umpire ruled that Dyce was put off. However, didnt last long. Good performance.

Bloomfield vs Niland - From the start you could see Richard wasnt there. He wasn't hitting the ball firm enough. Niland appears to be a nice guy and looks to enjoy playing tennis. He had a few bad calls but got on with the game and looked more confident. When Richard lost the tie-break he lost his cool, throwing racket at the ceiling and then at net curtain - where I was standing with Dyce, Evans and Cox! Thankfully I was texting Rob the score so didnt react but scared the lads!!! Second set was broken early, but when broke back he looked more confident and approached the net brilliantly. But Niland never looked like he was going to lose.

Cox vs Jones - You would never have guessed that this was one of our juniors against a world no. 193. They were together all game, even though the score doesnt suggest it. Cox lost the game more than Jones won it. Jones did the simple thing of getting ball in court everytime waiting for Cox to make the mistake. Too many times Cox went 0-40, and had to dig deep to get back in. Cox does something not many Brits do and that's attack the ball. Didnt approach the net enough though when Jones was struggling. When he did he got the point. Lashed at the ball too much. However, very promising performance.

Other singles - Junaid v Vacek was cracking game. Even had the novelty of being suspended due to rain - WHEN PLAYING INDOORS!!! Showed the difference in game that the Brits had as the rallies were really entertaining, players at net then at base line etc.
Coelho v  Levy - Levy always looked the stronger. Again had a rain delay indoors
Feeney v Uebel - I would say Uebel would be good shout to go far. Looked very confortable and never had serve in danger. Seems to be well liked by fellow players

Hooshyar/Kinsella v Huta Galung/Ryderstedt - The inexperienced Brits looked the better of the pairs and really should have taken the game Only the one break all match. Hooshyar looks a great talent. Needs to be taken on the tour. However the spice boys of Europe just had that bit more accuracy. Kinsella is good player but over-plays, i.e. he hits the hollywood shots and I have horrible feeling has been over-coached.

Goodall/Ghouse v Junaid/Marx - Josh should have gone through here. If being honest, and hate to say it but Ghouse lost the match. From what I saw Josh hit many winners but Ghouse kept hitting too long. Also, think Josh needs to work on the stomach a little (). He's nice guy, and feel sorry as he played well.

Bloomfield/Skupski v Quershi/Bopanna - Again, I'm going to be harsh, but this time the only reason the boys lost was because of Quershi. Bopanna used his height well, but was the weakest player on the court. Have to say though, we have one hell of a player in Skupski. This lad needs to be treated like a 200-300 player and get into them tournaments, have the special coaching etc. He has such a good shot, and his movement is class. Shame these boys lost, but they just crumbled in the two end tie-breaks (story of a British player!)

All in all, wasn't the best day for the Brits. I tried to speak to few players, but shyness and fact they were in and out got better of me. Did have mini chat to Dyce and Cox. Also, overheard Dyce say he's looking at the College courses in America. Hope he reconsiders as we'd lose him like Skupski and Kinsella for a good 3-4 years. When they return they wont have the tour experience. He did also say Ed Corrie is going to Texas, so there's another one down. We need to be encouraging these players to take Tennis as a career.

2 things did slightly get to me. Dyce, Evans and Cox are obviously all good mates, which was good to see team spirit. But after their games they seemed to not really care that much. They should be coming off thinking how can I improve, where do I go next. It seemed more like a hobby than a living. It's not their fault and I have no qualms with them, its the coaching. 

Also, the Brits didnt seem to have much of a full game. Bar a few times with Bloomfield and Delgado in qualies, what I've seen from all Brits is big serve, and then hit and hope from base line. Other matches the rallies have been fast and furious. I think other countries know how to play against us. Also, bar Cox, nobody has attacked the ball.

Going to try and get down tomorrow, but all really depends on work. I have contact there now though who will text me results if I cant get there 

-- Edited by gazzpash at 22:48, 2007-07-17