Week 41 - Futures F1 ($15K) - Meshref, Kuwait - Hard

SMC1809 · All-time great

Week 41 - Futures F1 ($15K) - Meshref, Kuwait - Hard

Smidster · Challenger level

An early exit in Doubles

MICOV (MKD) / SCHULZ (GER) defeated BARLOW (GBR) / KADRY (EGY) 6-2 3-6 [10-3]

alex03maccy · Grand Slam Champion

R1: WARD, James (GBR) 1 def. NIAKI, Mo (CAN) 6-0 7-6 (3)
R1: BARLOW, Philip (GBR) lost to SCHULZ, Dominik (GER) 2-6 2-6

L16: WARD, James (GBR) 1 WR 227 v SCHULZ, Dominik (GER) UNR

mikeyp · Junior player

This is some great schduling by James after beating world ranking 1730 in the first round it will be 2 unranked players in next till he meets his old friend from Thailand Rieschick in the semis. So this should be the easiest 8 points for James we a possibility for more.

Looking at his stats he has 4 zero pointers in his best 18 results, so I do not have a problem at all with him dropping down to futures, he has already won 2 this year and if you can collect 80-100 points from 4 events it gives you a good base to push up the rankings

Spectator · All-time great

Dominik Schulz was quite a highly ranked junior, making the top 10 at one point. So while one wouldn't anticipate an upset (and would hope that Mr Ward will win easily), perhaps putting the chicken-counting exercise on hold temporarily . . . . .

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I agree James generally seems to show very good scheduling. Will be great if he can fill up these 4 spots in his "best 18" with some really good points.

With nothing left to defend this year, he was already looking in good shape rankingwise going into 2011, particularly with the fact that most of his points have been earned from June on, when he reached the QFs at Eastbourne.

First 7 counting tournaments prior to Eastbourne : 62 points
Last 7 counting tournaments from Eastbourne on : 154 points

Total : 216 points.

From that, I don't think it's unreasonable to think that he would have aims by next June such as pushing above 300 points ( currently WR 169 ) or indeed even pushing to get into the top 150 ( currently 353 points )

As you indicate, mikeyp, with the points he could earn, he could even if everything went extremely well get to 300 points by the end of this year.

alex03maccy · Grand Slam Champion

L16: WARD, James (GBR) 1 def. SCHULZ, Dominik (GER) 6-4 6-1

QF: WARD, James (GBR) 1 WR 227 v (Q) MUHAMMAD, Ahmad Rabeea (KUW) UNR

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Slightly easier win for Dino today:

L16: (1) James Ward WR 227 defeated Dominik Schulz (GER) UNR by 4 & 1

QF: (1) James Ward WR 227 vs Ahmad Rabeea Muhammad (KUW) UNR

Only one of the seeds out (Safwat (6), defeated by tomorrow's opponent!) & an encounter with Rieschick is looming ever closer... wink

British_is_Best · County player

QF: (1) James Ward WR 227 beat Ahmad Rabeea Muhammad (KUW) UNR by 1 & 4

SF: (1) James Ward WR 227 v (3) Sebastian Rieschick (GER) WR 326

And so it comes to pass. The top 4 seeds have all made the semis here and Rieschick survived a 3 set tussle with former top 100 player Roko Karanusic to get here. The H2H is 1-1 with both matches coming a couple of weeks ago in Bangkok, Rieschick winning their QF match in the first Bangkok Challenger with Ward winning their FQR match in the second Bangkok challenger, both in straight sets. Fingers firmly crossed!

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

James got beat 3-6, 6-2, 4-2 ret.

Lets hope the injury is not too serious

steven · Tennis legend

It sounds like he's ill rather than injured ... and that he can't wait to get out of there!

"watched million dollar baby 3 times in 2 days....thats how boring kuwait is!!"

"spent more time on the toilet than on the court this week in kuwait.....dnt think il be coming back! in dubai atm.....london here i come!!!"

Not quite the Federer or even the Henman approach to rich Arab nations LOL