Good to see him not staying in Britain and going to places where there are touraments on surfaces of his choice. I still don't think that he's back to his old self, but he is getting close to it.
Sitak is the player who ended Jamie's long winning streak in Texas (7-5 2-6 then a presumably knackered 6-0) before going on to win the McAllen Future, but Jamie had beaten him 3 & 2 in the Brownsville semis two weeks earlier, so it's a pretty good R1 draw for Jamie given that it is a Challenger and the result will probably be a good measure of how close Jamie is to recovering his old form.
However, the winner is likely to face no. 2 seed Go Soeda (JPN) WR 124 in R2.
-- Edited by steven at 17:29, 2008-06-29
__________________
GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!
This will be a good indication of the level Baker is at - Sitak is someone he would normally beat, and I think the Brownsville result is an indication of the abilities of the two players.
Win, and Baker is getting back to fitness and winning matches again.
Lose, especially if it's an easy loss, he's got a way to go still.
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
L32: Jamie Baker WR 268 beat Artem Sitak (RUS) WR 324 by 6-2 4-6 6-0 now confirmed
L16: Jamie Baker WR 268 v (2) Go Soeda (JPN) WR 124
Soeda has won three Challengers already this year, all in Asia. He beat James Ward in Wimbledon qualifying last year 5-7 6-0 6-3 and last lost to a Brit 4 years ago (Bloomers, 3 & 1), though Jamie has faced him twice across a doubles court in the last year and won in straight sets both times.
Anyway, if he beat Sitak and was so much the stronger in the 3rd set, he must be getting back to full fitness, which is great news.
-- Edited by steven at 08:54, 2008-07-01
__________________
GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!