Week 24 - Queen's Club ATP - London

Salmon · Tennis legend

RE: Week 24 - Queen's Club ATP - London

Drew · Jun 9, 2008

Didnt the big lad do well...hats off to you James.

Nice interview afterwards....'want to be top 100 in the next 12-18mths'...on that display he has the potential.

He better get a Wimby WC now....as for Boggo..arggg !

XCW4EVA · County player

Interview after was solid, seems really composed and confident, much like in the match.

Impressions are he needs to be more consistent, improve his first serve percentage and add some variety in his serve but he seemed very capable, if im going to be honest, he looked like a clay courter on grass.

A lot of balls hit high and down the middle, not finding the corners or even trying to. But saying that his game plan was superb, really put pressure and marat and waited for him to crack, lost his gameplan on the big points imo and went for too much, but defo one for the future perhaps. Needs to improve his tools if hes gonna be top 100 but hes defo got a chance.

Plus marking out for the fellow londonder

XCW4EVA · County player

Dam now i have to watch Rik De Dross

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Just watched the 2nd set so saw James' worst spell and even then he looked promising. A lot of improvement needed before he can start thinking of the top 100 but I think he deserves a wildcard into Wimbledon and should feel proud of his efforts.

Yorkie · Lower Club Player

What an effort from Wardy!

as for Wimbledon WCs if Boggo gets one and Wardy doesn't i'll be FURIOUS

Sheddie · administrator

XCW4EVA wrote:

Impressions are he needs to be more consistent, improve his first serve percentage and add some variety in his serve but he seemed very capable, if im going to be honest, he looked like a clay courter on grass.

I didn't watch this match but have seen Ward twice on grass over past 2 weeks and that must have been his game plan v Safin....try to outlast him with percentage tennis

Believe me this guy has power from the back and can turn it on and hit big when he wants......has a cracking backhand and can really up the pace and find the corners

He wouldn't have beaten Udomchoke in qualifying unless he could hit winners on a regular basis

Count Zero · Tennis legend

got back from queens. very disapotinted of course. it relly just didnt go alex's way today. he was far from his best and it was obvious that this was his 1st grass match as he just wasnt up to speed mistiming a number of shots. he was also pretty unlucky all of the tight calls went against him, i really thought he had broken in the 2nd set (so did all the crowd) only for it to be called out. credit to sirianna tho as he barely put a foot wrong, came up with big serves pretty much everytime Al got a bp, he also broke al with a lucky net cord in the 2nd set, it was just one of those days for alex.
i agree with arkas post in the other thread i hope he doesnt get a notts wc just as he need more match practice on grass.

mjd · Challenger qualifying

Centre court Tuesday

12.30 = Evans

next = Murray

next = Bloomers

XCW4EVA · County player

Awesome, i love the sound of that OoP

XCW4EVA · County player

Murray, making full use of the Queens wc, lost the first set 6-4

Silver · County player

I was thoroughly impressed by Ward today. Not seen him play before but amusing quote from my mum when she walked in from work and I was watching the coverage. She said: "Who's Djokovic playing there?"

I had to laugh.

Anyway... if there is ONE point to make about James, it's that he looked quite casual in some of his shots which springs to mind the potential he could have if he really lets rip! Might I just say cracking serve, cracking return of serve and if anyone deserves a chance at Wimbly, he does. Absolutely brilliant to watch. Such a shame he didn't pull off the win but hey.

Wardy ftw!

Oh Alex. Oh Alex. It's not really happening this year, is it?

I can't believe I said yes to a shift at work tomorrow for 11-3!!! I'LL MISS THE BLOODY TENNIS NOW!!!! *hits face*

Salmon · Tennis legend

Silver wrote:

I was thoroughly impressed by Ward today. Not seen him play before but amusing quote from my mum when she walked in from work and I was watching the coverage. She said: "Who's Djokovic playing there?"

I had to laugh.

Their structures are sort of similar, though (at least to me), so it can be pardoned for this year!

Yep, Count, the practice point is there, plus he has a far better chance of getting some positive out of the tournament if he plays qualies. In fact, he should refuse the wild card in case he's given one, like he should have at Surbiton. Although I admit that there's hardly any player in this world who would reject a WC in case he were given one...

Cheers for the OOP, Mike.

I may have to miss Evans (

) as I'll have to go to get an injection into my thumb tomorrow (what a rubbish reason to miss a match!). Looks like I'll have to hurry the doc/postpone the appointment.

DUSTY DICK · Club Coach

Really enjoyed watching Ward play today. He handled it all so well and i was greatly impressed with his play. Don't know why but he reminded me of Henman. Maybe it was the slight build. Anyway, great attitude and i hope he goes on to reach the top 100. I shall follow his progress quite keenly.

DUSTY DICK · Club Coach

Meant to say,

Boggo.......

Oh, not much to say really is there.