QR1: (q2) Jamie Baker WR 203 lost to Sam Barry (IRL) WR 601 by 6-4 6-7(4) 6-4
If I didn't know how the name of the French town was really pronounced, I'd be tempted to say he went out of Quimper with a whimper
After this and two double bagel losses in QR1 in Antalya, it's Allemby (QR1 match suspended at 2-2 in the 1st) or bust as far as Brits in men's singles in week 7 goes ...
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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!
Jamie played OK in Australia to qualify (albeit Donald Young was barely able to keep the ball in court in his FQR), but since then its been very poor. He sneakily got a great draw in an ATP 250 qualifying but lost to a Pole ranked in the 300s who hed beaten previously. Then this. Sam regularly appears at GB futures but never does much. His ranking in the 600s is accurate. At least we cant fault Jamie's tournament selection and the draws he gets. Hoping for an Ed Corrie style run of form and consistency soon.
Poor results from Jamie I wonder if 200 is his peak like Smethurst and Ward are at 350 mark. He still has a couple more challengers this month to get back on track and no points to defend this month but if he takes nothing from them he will crash down to circa 300 at end of march seeing as their is no Bath semi final challenger anymore to defend
I can't help thinking that you're being a bit unfair on the likes of Dan Smethurst. Dan is still only 22 and doesn't get much chance to play on his favoured surface in the UK. Similarly, Alex Ward was doing quite well until he had 2 spells out with injury last year. Given all the stats supporting the theory that male players are peaking later, it seems wrong to suggest they've reached that peak already.
Yes, Smethurst and Ward are two players that for a year or two I have thought might really at least head into the top 300 and maybe higher. But they have never really managed to sustain the consistent level of performance needed. But yes, they could yet come through, though making any real strides within the top 200 I think is unlkely. Would be great if either showed otherwise.
Has to be said that's disappointing, indeed on the face of it poor, from Jamie, and he is a player I so want to do well. He has talked so positively after Wimbledon last year and then again after this latest Aussie Open. It didn't really happen in the second half of last year and is in danger of not happening again.