All three have reasonable sections. Dave Thomson was one of the late withdrawals which enabled Olly to move into qualifying. Both Olly and Ahmed are scheduled late on to give them a chance to recover from their journey.
Qr1: Ahmed El Menshawy (13) lost to HALEBIAN, Alexios (USA, WC) 6-1 7-5 Qr1: Oliver Golding (14) beat ENDO, Takesh (USA, WC) 6-1 7-5 Qr1: Alastair Barnes lost to BIRYUKOV, Mikhail (RUS, 9) 6-2 6-1
FQR: Maximilian Neuchrist (AUT, 7) v Oliver Golding (14)
Neuchrist had decent results in the Asian Grade 1s during March (1 SF and 2 QF, beating Dave Thomson in one) but has not had much success since
It would be great to see a GB boy qualifying, especially a real youngster - Ollie looks like he enjoys the big stage.
Pity that none of our 1991s have managed to push on this year, still breaking top 100 is an achievement in itself, so we'll have to wait and see if any of them can knuckle down and develop as seniors - and of course look forward to what seems like two more talented groups in the 1992s and 1993s.
Both Olly and Ahmed got in to the doubles draw by teaming up with higher ranked players. Olly played his partner twice in singles finals this year.
Doubles R1
Filip Horansky / Josef Kovalik (SVK) v Harry Fowler (US) / Ahmed El Menshawy (GBR) Tobias Blomgren (SWE) / Oliver Golding (GBR) v (2) Facundo Arguello / Agustin Velotti (ARG)
but weve had plenty of guys in it the past couple of year with the 1989/90 generation. All it shows is how weak 1991 generation is and 1992 is only slightly better
Well, it's not good. Draper inherited British Men's tennis in an appalling state and it is at the junior level we look for seeds that things may be changing in the future.
I don't frankly really see it.
Of course, I am sorry for those players who haven't manage to qualify here and like in many failing sports it is unfair to pick on the best of a disappointing crop, especially if they have given of their absolute best.
The real quality and the depth are still far far away.
I would ask why is the 1991 generation "weak" and the 1992 generation "only slightly better" ? That is no sort of progress.
-- Edited by indiana on Monday 7th of September 2009 11:04:24 AM
-- Edited by indiana on Monday 7th of September 2009 11:14:23 AM