Alex's FH down the line has come a cropper again. its a favoured tactic, but so often under pressure he nets.

gasqeut with a double break advantage

you're probably right, but its a shot he loves to go for so he has to maximise his chances, i remember an identical shot he missed vs Dimi at Eastbourne

stilla break a back is a nice boost.

yeah it was a big point.

a nice hold there, keeping things respectable.

going back to that shot, if its a clutch shot for you its got to be one you can make on the big points almost with your eyes closed. as you say maybe needs to find a way to get more topspin, normally he's got plenty of margin in position and time for the shot, its doesn't have to be a blinder on the line to be a winner, he's just got to get it in a decent pace.

RG to serve for the match

game over as Alex puts a 2nd serve return long 63 62.

well it could have been worse is one thing i can say about the match :)

Alex tried he best hang on in there, but really didn't get enough on his own service games, broken 5 times over the 2 sets.

hopefully he can learn from this, I don't think he should be too downhearted, maybe his performances this week can prove to himself that he can at least compete on clay as the gets fitter and stronger.

On to RGQ (with a club match to come at the weekend, i think its on clay not 100%) hopefully he can go at least 1 better, preferably 2 than every other year.

anyway I blame steven for this loss, if he'd taken the effort to set up a Bordeaux pickem we'd all have picked Gasquet and then we know he'd have choked.

Kerchins lose seven points in a row, save two match points but not a third and go down 4-6 6-3 7-10 to end British interest in Bordeaux.