Week 10 - Challenger ($35,000+H) Kyoto, Japan

Shhh · Challenger level

Week 10 - Challenger ($35,000+H) Kyoto, Japan

mjd · Challenger qualifying

Rich and Ken also in doubles in Japan having drawn against WCs Iwabuchi/Motumura in rd1 with 'possible' follow up of no1 seeds Feeney/Smeets
Flying out from H'row Monday pm weirdface

(could get taxi from airport and go straight on court biggrin

)

Richard Bloomfield = *
(Official tournament website has scoreboard but only in Japanese)

*Characters didnt reproduce here but can be seen on Richard's website.

-- Edited by mjd at 11:35, 2008-03-02

john · Top national player

We already have a thread for this

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Hopefully Bloomers follows the "protocol" and bags a few wins!

I'll get my coat!

steven · Tennis legend

As John said, there was already a thread for this (not too far down the list either), but it's probably easier if I copy the contents of that thread up to here and then delete it instead of the other way round.

I can't believe they're not flying out until Monday afternoon, though I understand that there's probably no other option.

Anyway, the original thread went:

Well, Bloomers is in the draw after all

- I hope he's got his plane ticket booked and won't be too jet-lagged!

L32: Richard Bloomfield WR 354 v (7) Gary Lugassy (FRA) WR 213

Not the best of draws - Lugassy beat Bloomers 5 & 0 in Orleans last September and won two GB Futures in a row this time last year, before Jamie Baker beat him in the Final of the third, so he's got lots of points to defend - let's hope that inhibits the Frenchman rather than inspires him!

On a brighter note, Richard must have happy memories of playing Lugassy too, because he beat him 3 & 3 in the Final of the Sint-Katelijne-Waver Future in Belgium in Nov 2005 and in a GB Future earlier that year as well, so his career record against the Frenchman is 2-1.

-- Edited by steven at 10:48, 2008-03-01

Christian added an excellent idea smile

...

Just checked and Lugassy is still in the doubles at Cherbourg so I would think jet lag at least won't be an issue. Maybe they could play over here to save the loser a wasted trip

... then later ...

Having said that according to scoreboard it has the following:

Scherrer Torres 6-2 4-0 v LugassyMannarin

Not sure if that is left over from last night but it looks like Lugassy lost after all and they haven't updated the drawsheet.

Me: Either way, I imagine Lugassy won't be as jet-lagged as Richard - also you can fly direct to the nearest airport from Paris, I think you have to go via Tokyo from Heathrow.

steven · Tennis legend

Ooops, I've just realised, moments too late, that there's a merge function ... I'll remember next time!

DJ · County player

What makes matters worse, of course, is that Japan is nine hours ahead of us, so the lads' Monday p.m flight is effectively a midnight flight. I've never flown to Japan, but I assume it's a trans-polar, Great Circle route (anyone know?) so will take a dozen hours, given a change in Tokyo, assuming Steven's right about that. They're not going to get there till Tuesday lunchtime at the earliest - ouch! I do hope the organisers are feeling very kind!

steven · Tennis legend

It's all itemised on the Wolfsburg thread, but yes, that's basically it!

The default flight path doesn't go right over the pole, but does go via the Arctic Circle over Scandinavia & Northern Russia - see http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=LHR-NRT%0D%0A&RANGE=&PATH-COLOR=red&PATH-UNITS=mi

-- Edited by steven at 01:35, 2008-03-03

James · Satellite level

Guys.. If there was a prize for Geeks Of the Month..!

Discussing player's flight plans. Genius!

steven · Tennis legend

We have no shame

James · Satellite level

And why should you..! lol

If there was a place where geekyness is accepted and admired then this is it.. !

steven · Tennis legend

Tuesday's OoP is now available, and it looks like Bloomers v Lugassy is one of four R1 singles matches being held over to Wednesday and the GB doubles match is one of just two R1 doubles matches being held over to Wednesday.

Let's hope Wednesday isn't the day the jetlag really hits them ...

Drew · Mar 3, 2008

I agree Steven just looked at the OOP and its good that sense can prevail and the guys can at least catch breath prior to Wednesday.

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Are they nearly there yet!

Drew · Mar 3, 2008

MDD1 :

IWABUCHI, Satoshi JPN / 3 MOTOMURA, Gouichi JPN v BLOOMFIELD, Richard GBR / 4 SKUPSKI, Ken GBR

Could meet the tops seeds Feeney & Smeets (Aus) in R2