Most of our top boys are tackling this series of Grade2s/1 in France looking for points to reach the Roland Garros main draw or qualifying. The competition is strong though, with most of the field ranked inside 100. Richard Gabb has to tackle the winner of the Copa Gerdau Grade A
R1
(1) Romain Arneodo (FRA) v Tom Allen (GBR) (4) George Morgan (GBR) v Pavel Filin (BLR) Christopher Simpson (GBR) v (6) Denis Myklokostov (UKR) (8) Jack Carpenter (GBR) v Q/LL Richard Gabb (GBR) v (3/WC) Matthias Bourgue (FRA) Marco Cecchinato (ITA) v Ashley Hewitt (GBR)
George gets his campaign off to a good start against someone who won his last (Grade 3) tournament. He also teamed up with Tom Allen for the first time to record a win in doubles, but Ashley suffered a disappointing loss.
R1
(1) Romain Arneodo (FRA) v Tom Allen (GBR) (4) George Morgan (GBR) d. Pavel Filin (BLR) 6-1 6-4 (6) Denis Myklokostov (UKR) d. Christopher Simpson (GBR) 6-1 6-4 (8) Jack Carpenter (GBR) v (LL) Aleksandre Kondulukov (RUS) Richard Gabb (GBR) v (3/WC) Matthias Bourgue (FRA) Marco Cecchinato (ITA) d. Ashley Hewitt (GBR) 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4
R2
(4) George Morgan (GBR) v Miki Jankovic (SRB)
-- Edited by DavidC on Monday 5th of April 2010 10:30:11 PM
(1) Romain Arneodo (FRA) d. Tom Allen (GBR) 6-2 6-3 (4) George Morgan (GBR) d. Pavel Filin (BLR) 6-1 6-4 (6) Denis Myklokostov (UKR) d. Christopher Simpson (GBR) 6-1 6-4 (8) Jack Carpenter (GBR) v (LL) Aleksandre Kondulukov (RUS) 6-3 6-2 (3/WC) Matthias Bourgue (FRA) d. Richard Gabb (GBR) 3-6 6-4 6-3 Marco Cecchinato (ITA) d. Ashley Hewitt (GBR) 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4
R2
(4) George Morgan (GBR) v Miki Jankovic (SRB) (8) Jack Carpenter (GBR) v Cedrick Commin (FRA)
Cedrick Commin was part of the French Junior Davis Cup team in Mexico, but has struggled ever since George beat him in the semis. A good opportunity for both George and Jack to reach the quarters. Richard and Ashley have reached the doubles quarters
I remember Ashley stringing together quite a lot of wins in Spanish futures qualifying late last year, but he doesn't seem to making any big strides in Juniors.
How would you access his prospects over the next year or two, David ?
I remember Ashley stringing together quite a lot of wins in Spanish futures qualifying late last year, but he doesn't seem to making any big strides in Juniors.
How would you access his prospects over the next year or two, David ?
Very hard to assess (even harder to access). His attacking game has netted him a few big junior scalps (and narrow losses to some very good players), but putting together a run of victories is something he rarely manages in juniors (during the last year only in the Grade 1 in the Czech Republic where he reached the semis).
I said last year that I thought he would be better off playing Futures, though I can understand that now he is close to Roland Garros qualifying entry, thanks to the Czech points, he wants to give that a try. Who knows what will happen over the next 2 years, but being attack minded, strong on clay and unafraid of playing much higher ranked players should help his all round development and at least give him a chance of progressing significantly up the ATP ladder.
Miki Jankovic (SRB) d. (4) George Morgan (GBR) 7-5 6-4 (8) Jack Carpenter (GBR) d. Cedrick Commin (FRA) 3-6 7-5 6-2
QF
(8) Jack Carpenter (GBR) v Carlos Boluda-Purkiss (ESP)
Disappointing from George against someone who lost to Lewis Burton in his last tournament, but a good comeback from Jack. Richard/Ashley are through to the doubles semis.
Boluda-Purkiss has had a fairly lean time during the last year, given his pedigree, as if the frequent comparisons with Nadal have been a burden. However I notice he qualified for a Spanish Futures event last month, and went on to the quarters, so perhaps he is beginning to kick on again.
). His attacking game has netted him a few big junior scalps (and narrow losses to some very good players), but putting together a run of victories is something he rarely manages in juniors (during the last year only in the Grade 1 in the Czech Republic where he reached the semis). 
