Week 9 - Spain F4 ($10,000) - Cartagena (Clay)

philwrig · Hall of fame

RE: Week 9 - Spain F4 ($10,000) - Cartagena (Clay)

SMC1809 · All-time great

bartman2099 wrote:
what's the link for the itf live scores again? Can't find it on their website.... thanks.

http://scores.itftennis.com/?alias=itf

Copy and paste it into the address bar.

korriban · Challenger level

Kyle 4-6 1-2*

Looks like Carreno-Busta has stepped up a gear....6 of the last 7 games. He must really be a class act: ranking in the 130s and rising when he was hit by a long term injury, destroying his 2012. For all we know (Bob will tell all later), could be playing top 50-75 level tennis right now.

Keeping it competitive and staying out there as long as possible definite goals here

bartman2099 · Lower Club Player

Thanks smc, it's not looking good for Kyle unfortunately...

paulisi · Tennis legend

Kyle was never expected to win. Credit must go that he got to a 4-2 lead converting his only break. It will be good for him to come up against opponents like this.

korriban · Challenger level

Absolutely. Just checked Busta's record. In 2011, before the long term injury he won 3 futures (and got to a number of finals) and also won 2 clay court Challengers!!! Quite a player indeed.

SMC1809 · All-time great

korriban wrote:
Absolutely. Just checked Busta's record. In 2011, before the long term injury he won 3 futures (and got to a number of finals) and also won 2 clay court Challengers!!! Quite a player indeed.

I was just waiting for you to say it was poor as he only created 1 break point. wink

philwrig · Hall of fame

Wasn't to be, still another great work, learning oodles of experience, maybe not a huge amount of ranking points, BUT THEY WILL COME.

korriban · Challenger level

Well done Kyle. Great week.

I was just thinking about the 1 BP issue and laughing to myself about it. wink

Actually, I did make the point that it was poor to only create 1 BP between them against the Ed's and Freddy's of this world. Decent players that they are, they are certainly not even close to top 150 level at this point. Busta has been CH 133 prior to injury, won 2 clay court Challenger Titles in 2011 and 5 titles in all. And this was his 24th straight win on clay!!!! The only reason he's playing these events is presumably to get his game and ranking back before spending all his time in Challengers and ATP tournaments......so in that sense, I'd argue Kyle has been lucky to find a test as good as this in a $10k event.

If he's relatively competitive against Busta, he could go even deeper next week in Croatia, where there are no standout clay superstars.

bartman2099 · Lower Club Player

Yes, it seems Kyle is learning fast and even though he hasn't accrued that many point due to scheduling he's probably already playing at ranking level in the 300s at least.

scottie1 · Futures level

kyle and Olly when he comes back will overtake milton and I hate to say it Dan Evans my favourite British player at moment

philwrig · Hall of fame

Great report Bob, no doubt Kyle is a great kid, and his dad is also a lovely bloke who doesn't appear to put any pressure on his child, so everything looks positive for his future.

korriban · Challenger level

Thanks once again for the report, Bob. Brilliant stuff!

Glad you enjoyed the match and the chance to get to know the player and the man behind the player. I really hope he takes his form and his lessons learned into Croatia and races through the draw. With the exception of perhaps Dominic Thiem, nobody to fear, and he is not too clever on clay.

Would be interesting if you get to see Oli in a few weeks time. My impression (based on, well, not too much actually - it's an impression) is that you will find a very different character indeed. I'd be interested to get your views on their levels, but also on their different approach to life as well. More interesting than the scoreline.

Personally I think the LTA should sub you a plane ticket to Croatia, so you can tell the full story next week! Thanks again!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

korriban wrote:
Thanks once again for the report, Bob. Brilliant stuff!
Glad you enjoyed the match and the chance to get to know the player and the man behind the player. I really hope he takes his form and his lessons learned into Croatia and races through the draw. With the exception of perhaps Dominic Thiem, nobody to fear, and he is not too clever on clay.
Would be interesting if you get to see Oli in a few weeks time. My impression (based on, well, not too much actually - it's an impression) is that you will find a very different character indeed. I'd be interested to get your views on their levels, but also on their different approach to life as well. More interesting than the scoreline.
Personally I think the LTA should sub you a plane ticket to Croatia, so you can tell the full story next week! Thanks again!

I have heard the same about Oli but I don't trust rumours. Should I get to meet him, I will draw my own conclusions from my own experience. I believe everyone deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt, unless they prove to you otherwise.

Would love to go to Croatia, but currently looking at the possibility of RG as that would realistically be the next opportunity to watch Kyle play.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

philwrig wrote:
Great report Bob, no doubt Kyle is a great kid, and his dad is also a lovely bloke who doesn't appear to put any pressure on his child, so everything looks positive for his future.

Thanks Phil. I have had a great two weeks. And in case you haven't noticed, I have returned the compliment and am now following YOU in Twitter. smile