Week 18 - Challenger ($50,000) - An-Ning, China (Clay)

korriban · Challenger level

RE: Week 18 - Challenger ($50,000) - An-Ning, China (Clay)

steven · Tennis legend

Wardy's match is being streamed on bet365. He only won one point in the first two games though.

In the other QF in his half, Yang has taken the 1st set against the highest-ranked player left in, Ito.

korriban · Challenger level

0-3*.

Unremittingly poor. Error after error from James.

Not saying he won't come alive later on, but why does he often have matches or sets where this happens for no particular reason? Odd, cant explain it.

Nothing much needed from his opponent.

steven · Tennis legend

Not a great start - *0-4 and hasn't won a point on the Serb's serve yet.

steven · Tennis legend

... and in the 5th game, didn't manage a point on his own serve

0-5*

steven · Tennis legend

He has finally won a point on the Petrovic serve.

steven · Tennis legend

0-6 - just 5/29 points won in the 1st set.

RJA · Hall of fame

If I maybe blunt

WTF is going on here?

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

Much better game from Ward holds to love.

JW 1-0*

steven · Tennis legend

The draw is opening up a lot too, with top sed Ebden out to Marcan, highest-ranked player in the draw Ito a set and a break down and the 3rd seed upset in straight sets too. Of course, that might mean there's 'something in the air' there today!

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

3 big serves and an excellent drop shot from Petrovic, sees him hold to 15. Ward struggling to deal with the serve.

JW *1-1

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

Good volley from James to go up 15-0
Petrovic shanks the 2nd serve high and wide 30-0
1st serve, Petrovic returns it down the line for a winner 30-15
1st serve out wide, Petrovic nets 40-15
Strong 1st serve, Petrovic hits long, game

JW 2-1*

steven · Tennis legend

Amazing serving stats from Petrovic still - just 2 points lost in his 5 service games.

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

Decent rally, James hits long 15-0
Petrovic hits out wide to Ward forehand, James nets 30-0
Ace 40-0
Big 1st serve, James just gets it into court, Petrovic steps up for the winner, game

JW *2-2

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

James hits a deep forehand which Petrovic nets 15-0
Big 1st serve from James, Petrovic returns, too much power from James as he hits long 15-15
Big 1st serve, Petrovic hits long 30-15
Big 1st serve, Petrovic returns, James hits the drop shot excellently 40-15
Huge forehand from Petrovic, James can't return 40-30
James hit backhand wide after return from Petrovic 40-40
Unreturnable 1st serve from James AD-40
Huge 1st serve, Petrovic sails high and wide, James shouts CMON, game

JW 3-2*

Not much rallies in this game