Week 46 - Challenger ($50,000) - Champaign, IL, USA (Hard)

wolf · Tennis legend

RE: Week 46 - Challenger ($50,000) - Champaign, IL, USA (Hard)

SMC1809 · All-time great

L16: Dan Smethurst WR 363 v Rhyne Williams (USA) WR 217 (=CH).

christian · Intermediate Club Player

Without wishing to sound harsh I checked with little hope that Dan would have got anything other than a credible defeat. Like Indiana says, his form hasn't been anything to suggest this, so even more reason to be pleased.

korriban · Challenger level

Sometimes I just don't get tennis at all!

I "watched" the scores from Dan's match for a while last night, when I should have been asleep. Staggered, frankly, but in a good way, which is why I stuck with it. Against a bang in-form, much higher ranked opponent (CH victory?) - no dramas, no "hanging on", serving clearly a big weapon, completely in control for the most, tons of break points gained and enough of them converted. And a routine hold to finish. Simples!

Dan's last couple of matches hadn't just been poor, they had been terrible. With respect to Mr Thornley, to lose 5 and 0 from *4-3 up first set against a doubles specialist ranked 600 places below him was a diabolical performance, especially with no injuries to speak of, and a df count well into double figures. So I feared the worst today - it could easily have been a train crash.

Reynolds was perhaps a little tired after last week, but he did have Monday off, and he was up a break in set 2, so I don't think this is an injury-impacted result. Dan simply beat him and beat him well on the day.

Whatever happens to Dan in this tournament from here, he at least has something positive to take with him into Winter training, but another win or two right now would give him a massive boost. Give us something to cheer about Dan!

Count Zero · Tennis legend

great result form Dan there, was a bit unexpected to be sure. but as you say hopefully it will give him a lift going into the off season.

korriban · Challenger level

Never seen Dan play before. Some good intent, but does he not have a topspin backhand at ALL, or is this a tactic?

False alarm, I've seen it now!

-- Edited by korriban on Wednesday 14th of November 2012 07:08:05 PM

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

Alex also played Buchanan in twice of the two USA futures he won, Alex winning 6-3, 6-2 and again 6-4, 6-4/

-- Edited by The Magician Santoro on Wednesday 14th of November 2012 10:28:41 PM

steven · Tennis legend

The USTA stream is working tonight smile - http://bit.ly/N8oRYK - though why the commentator insists on calling Dan "Smythe-hurst" when the umpire gets it right, I really don't know! disbelief

steven · Tennis legend

After holding to love in game 1, Dan served 3 double faults in 6 points to get broke in the 3rd game.

spud · Challenger qualifying

Fantastic stream of Dan on the sport lemon site, multi camera angles. Impressed with Dans game at the moment although 3 DF's in that last game were not very nice!

steven · Tennis legend

Dan was unlucky not to break back right away (2 bps and on one, even the umpire seemed to agree that it looked like Williams had gone wide but said it was too far away to overrule) but it's now *2-4

steven · Tennis legend

Dan broke back as the American served for the set but is now 3 bps down on his own serve. *5-5 0-40

steven · Tennis legend

Boggo broke Kudla in game 1

2-0*

SMC1809 · All-time great

Boggo took the first set 6-3

Miriambee · Futures level

Dan now 4-5* in 2nd set.