steven wrote:

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Even though I'm inclinded to agree with virtually all of it, I almost felt a bit sorry for Shaggy today when I saw this article http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article5565031.ece from Neil Harman.

It certainly would be interesting to know why Ross went on winter training with Andy and Jamie didn't.

-- Edited by steven at 12:20, 2009-01-22

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Flatman has written some very unjust and hasty things about Andy in the past, he's just shifting his ire to a player who is playing badly.For all this journalist knows he may be training very hard away from the cameras*.
It is clear even to a sceptic of Hutchins' like me that Jamie has to make an enormous improvement along the lines of winning a tournament beating Hutchins on the way, to justify consideration for DC.I don't think Hutchins has got the trajectory of ranking of a future top class doubles player which Jamie once IMO did. I (even without my pro-Scottish bias) think it would have to be seen as a disappointment that Jamie has flamed out leaving GB with a much less encouraging DC future , rather than cause for celebration when Hutchins outranks him.

* I don't believe that, but I do believe Flatman's almost as unlikely to know for sure as I am.A piece of counter evidence is Louis Cayeer hasn't publicly distanced himself from Jamie's struggles to protect his reputation as a guru of doubles.If Jamie was slacking off as well as playing badly I suspect he might have.

goldfish wrote:

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Have to say I agree with this article. We don't read much about Jamie's training at all. He also changed his coach last year. He has achieved some good results but he does also ride on the back of Andy's success and doesn't give the impression that he is prepared to work anywhere near as hard as his brother.

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I've always got this impression too, though in fairness it must be somewhat easier for Andy to motivate himself to go through hell when for him that might mean a grand slam singles title or no. 1 in the world at some stage than it is for Jamie, or indeed someone like Boggo (harking back to Andy's comments at DC) to do the same. That makes it all the more admirable that Ross was willing to put himself through it of course!

Live stream here http://www.rojadirecta.com/canal/australian_open_6.htm

Hutch digs out a service game from 0-30 with some good serving and killer volleying from Huss. Good atmosphere with the Aussies cheering for Huss and a small section Poles.

Solid hold from Huss to 30; some good volleying on show. 4-6, 2-1*.

4-6 4-1* now. Hutch is playing really well especially on serve and Huss has been outstanding at the net.

And hello a break point from 30-0 down to 30-40. Ace though from Matkowski and they hold on. 4-6, *4-2.

Hutchins to serve for the second set at *5-3.