Week 28 - Manchester Challenger [35K+H] - 2009.

Salmon · Tennis legend

Week 28 - Manchester Challenger [35K+H] - 2009.

Salmon · Tennis legend

They'll struggle to find people to give wild cards to out here. Evans will get in, and Eaton may get in with some luck, since Bloomers won't play.

That leaves only Slabba, Coxy, Fleming and Marray in the top 800.

I don't want Fleming to get wild cards. The Eastbourne one was a massive joke - his priority is doubles and not singles.

Salmon · Tennis legend

Hmm, Fleming's website schedule says that he is due to play Aptos and not this. But maybe not since he didn't go to Newport?

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

Fleming almost beat Lu though? And did you see how well Lu played against Federer?

steven · Tennis legend

Salmon wrote:
I don't want Fleming to get wild cards. The Eastbourne one was a massive joke - his priority is doubles and not singles.

You may be right, but I thought he was still intent on getting his singles ranking back up. The fact that his doubles ranking is a lot higher than his singles ranking doesn't necessarily mean a player's not serious about his singles ranking. In any case, I'd put a top 500 singles ranking at least on a par with a top 150 doubles ranking given the much greater competition in singles.

Salmon · Tennis legend

The Knight wrote:

Fleming almost beat Lu though? And did you see how well Lu played against Federer?

I didn't say that Fleming shouldn't be getting a wild card because he isn't talented enough.

-- Edited by Salmon on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 10:31:51 AM

Salmon · Tennis legend

steven wrote:

Salmon wrote:
I don't want Fleming to get wild cards. The Eastbourne one was a massive joke - his priority is doubles and not singles.
You may be right, but I thought he was still intent on getting his singles ranking back up. The fact that his doubles ranking is a lot higher than his singles ranking doesn't necessarily mean a player's not serious about his singles ranking. In any case, I'd put a top 500 singles ranking at least on a par with a top 150 doubles ranking given the much greater competition in singles.

That could be, but I think he's fast reaching a stage where his doubles ranking will be far too ahead of his singles ranking. He's got a fixed partner now and given how well they've been doing, they'll soon be playing Tour tennis regularly.

At Fleming's current singles level, he should be playing more Futures, something that I don't see him doing.

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Fleming getting a wild card for Eastbourne might not have been ideal by any means, but given the placement of the event and the fact that most of the Brits were playing Wimbledon qualies, there wasn't really anyone else to give it to.

The only other options were Boggo (who needed to qualify really) or Evans (who was out of form and needed the match practice from qualifying)

That left Fleming as the only option to get a wild card, other than those who got one for Wimbledon qualies.

Wild cards here - presuming Evans, Eaton and Bloomers sneak in, then it may be a little thin, especially with Frinton in the same week. But I'd imagine Fleming would get a wild card, as would Cox and Slabba, while Smethurst as the local boy would get one as well (and the fact he pulled out of Frinton prob confirms this). The fact other youngsters such as Willis, Milton, Thornley etc are all in the draw for Frinton prob means they will be playing there instead.

Salmon · Tennis legend

Hmm, you're right. The principle blame should be put on the fact that not enough players were given Wimbly wild cards (which would have allowed them to get Eastbourne wild cards).

ianbez7 · Improver

Does anyone know why the qualies start on Saturday this year, they are usually played on Sunday and Monday?

Just wondering if the tournament website is correct.

James · Satellite level

ianbez7 wrote:

Does anyone know why the qualies start on Saturday this year, they are usually played on Sunday and Monday?

Just wondering if the tournament website is correct.

Just spoken to someone at The Northern - the website is correct, qualies are on Sat/Sun. I asked why and the lady on the desk said that it is an "LTA decision" but she didn't know the reasoning behind it.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

so the semi finalist of the futures cant enter qulaies? remember cant make it easy for our guys. although if it all foreigners at the stage maybe its a good thing?

Drew · Jul 9, 2009

Dont be obtuse Jak the LTA will give a WC to any Brit making the SF of the futures

They could even keep their match over to the Sunday !

wolf · Tennis legend

Drew wrote:

Dont be obtuse Jak the LTA will give a WC to any Brit making the SF of the futures

They could even keep their match over to the Sunday !

Most of the Brits are entered for Frinton and I don't think they can now choose a challenger over that although I'm probably wrong.

Broady and Hewitt are the only ones left in at Felixstowe that are not entered for Frinton.

I don't think they could hold over their match until Sunday because that would mean playing three rounds in one day.

freerider · Futures level

probably incase of rain. dont want to have to have the quaarters and semis or semis and final on the same day.