Big matches for Josh & Alex today as the points for winning start to jump - every additional win for Josh makes him more likely to meet his goal of getting into AO qualifying, while a win for Alex today would definitely put him inside the top 350 (he might be there already but it is touch and go) and (barring unexpected tournament entries in December) see him end 2011 as the highest-ranked British man of those younger than Andy Murray.
Its really good progress from Alex, its sad that many do not defend their points after a good year when we are all hoping they will push on. I have the feeling that Alex can buck that trend though, as always I have high hopes for "next year"!
I think this possibility was mentioned in last week's thread and/or in conjunction with The Magician Santoro's table, but Josh is now certain to be the Brit with the most match wins in ATP-ranked events (plus DC) for the third time in 8 years:
2004: 68 (Mackin 66 & Sherwood 62 also won more than 60 games that year) 2006: 60 2011: 63+
The only other Brits who have won 60 or more matches in a season since 2004 are Matt Smith with 64 wins in 2005 and Andy Murray with 66 wins in 2009. Muzz would have done it this year too had he won a match at the WTF (and if you count Hopman Cup, since its results are also listed on the ITF activity page)
Obviously, winning 60 or more matches in a year suggests a player is entering tournaments at too low a level, but most of Josh's wins have come in the last few months, which he started off ranked around 400, and it is pretty clear from his tweets that he is aiming to move up a level next year, starting with AO Q:
"I think so, I go to 275 but I'd like to make the initial cut for peace of mind. If I win tomoro it gtds it."
I think today's win actually takes him to about 281, but hopefully that won't make much difference in the end.
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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!
... & is already 2 breaks down in the second: 0-3*. Looks as though he's given up - or the back "spazams" have recurred, or Konecny's simply playing better....
-- Edited by Stircrazy on Saturday 26th of November 2011 10:04:22 AM