Richard Bloomfiled doesnt do things easy does he? He could have gone to Vancouver challenger where he would have been 4th seed in qualifying, instead he appears here in a qualifying draw of 24 as the last entry. I expect he has memories of that match against Arnoud Clement when he took him to 3 sets and a 3rd set tiebreaker.
Naturally nothing will be easy here but he could have had a slightly better draw group
(2) RUSSELL, Michael USA WR 81 v (ALT) BLOOMFIELD, Richard GBR WR 296 BALLERET, Benjamin MON WR 264 v (7) KUNITSYN, Igor RUS WR 120
Richard is first match on Grandstand ct 10.00 (1500 BST) Live Scores
Thrashed? - It wasn't quite as one sided as the score may indicate. Only one love game in the match, 6 of the games won to 30 and 4 to 40 but Russell was obviously much the sharpest today especially on Richards 2nd serves. Break points saved MR 2/2 RB 3/7 Aces MR 5 , RB 6 - BUT tellingly DFs MR 4 RB 6 (incl 1 on BP) Vancouver would have been a much safer bet but Rich enjoys the bigger events, at least he gets a few $s for his effort.
Richard is at the point in his career where there is little point in playing it safe. If he has a chance to get into events like this he should take it.
The huge rise up the rankings Richard enjoyed after Newport have given him opportunities to play in events he wouldn't have expected to. I totally agree with RJA, at this stage in his career, just go for his place in the sun.
Yes he might get the odd whipping but I'd just go with it for now...
From 'the Daily Forehand' - clearly Richard's unearned notoriety is remembered far beyond these shores ... "Michael Russell wins, which means that Richard Bloomfield lost, which means there won't have to be a betting investigation!"
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GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!