Busta Watch

RJA · Hall of fame

RE: Busta Watch

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Maybe he's got news of a wildcard? He deserves one with his meteoric rise.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Comfortable straight sets 1st round win for 7th seed Busta at Blois yesterday.

Will play Staphane Robert in R2 tomorrow.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Busta has just been pegged back to 1 set all against Stephane Robert

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Busta has just been pegged back to 1 set all against Stephane Robert

But digs out another result winning a tie break in the 3rd.

Into the QF.

Spectator · All-time great

Lost to Lajovic in the QF, alas. But not a bad tournament nonetheless, given that he was unseeded, and that Lajovic proceeded to make the finals.

Alas, it looks as if our semi-adopted Brit, unaware of his "semi-favoured son" status, is not going to grace these shores during the grass season. At which point, it is perhaps worth wondering whether we should - at least for the grass season - add another semi-adopted son, James Blake. True, he's a deeply patriotic US Davis Cup player (despite Tim Henman's apparent attempts to recruit him for the GB team), but as a half-Briton he has said that he also feels at home in the UK ..... and he's a thoroughly gentlemanly sort .... and a top 100 player (at 33 no less!).

-- Edited by Spectator on Monday 17th of June 2013 12:57:22 AM

-- Edited by Spectator on Monday 17th of June 2013 12:59:54 AM

Miriambee · Futures level

2nd seed in Tanger challenger, and playing doubles (today).

Spectator · All-time great

It's not just this forum keeping a Busta Watch now: he's made the New York Times ... http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/rising-spaniard-keeps-busy-at-lower-level-events/ (via an article referred to by ZooTennis)

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Busta is on the march in the Tangers Challenger Event. Seeded 2, he is already through to the semi final and is the only seed left in the tournament. He hasn't had it all his own way though, being taken to 3 sets twice in the three matches, one of which was against his old adversary (and Kyle's) from Spain earlier in the year - Sñr Caballes Baena.

He plays Giustino (WR 371) in the semis and a likely final against former top 50 player Mikhail Kukushkin.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

As expected, Busta came through against Giustino although it took him 3 sets again.

That should take him back to his about where his career high ranking was before he got injured - in the low 130s. A win tomorrow in the final against Kukushkin would definitely clinch a CH ranking well into the 120s. When you consider he only has 13 points to defend between now and the end of the year, he is going to go a lot higher.

A better guide to his level might now be the "Race to London" rankings based on points earned in this calendar year. Adding on todays points, that would put him in the low to mid 60s ranking wise and a win in the final, would see him inside the top 60.

Not bad for someone who spent the first three months or more playing Futures events.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

First set Busta 6-2

Vamos

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Busta is leading 6-2 4-1 when Kukushkin retires.

Should give Busta a career high ranking somewhere in the 120s

steven · Tennis legend

Interesting conditions in Tanger

https://routetothetop.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/what-actually-happens-in-tournaments/

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

steven wrote:
Interesting conditions in Tanger

https://routetothetop.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/what-actually-happens-in-tournaments/

Wow. Maybe Babolat should branch out into the "bucket and spade" market !!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Busta back in action again this week as Nº 6 seed in the Romanian Challenger.

Opens with a comfortable double breadstick against a WC. Next up is Frenchman Axel Michon WR 313.

A win this week wouldn't put Busta into the top 100 but it would leave him tantilisingly close. Surely it is only a matter of time.