Week 21 - Portugal F7 ($10,000) - Coimbra (Hard)

paulisi · Tennis legend

RE: Week 21 - Portugal F7 ($10,000) - Coimbra (Hard)

korriban · Challenger level

Neil loses set 1 on a TB. Went 0-5 down before a mini-recovery, but too late. Very strange set of tennis. 7 Breaks of serve in 8 games, then 4 holds.

Seems very even. Hopefully Neil will push on, rather than the Portuguese.

Edit: The above statement is impossible, it must have been 6 breaks over 8 games!! Where's Ratty when you need him?

-- Edited by korriban on Saturday 25th of May 2013 03:30:16 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Neil's final is under way and we are currently on serve at *1-2

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Neil now a break down at 2-4*

Or more accurately, Domingues is a "hold" up as we have had 5 service breaks in 6 games and only 1 hold.

korriban · Challenger level

Is this men's final or the women's final? A 5th break of serve in 6 games, with Neil being ultra generous with 4 DFs in just 3 service games.

2-4*. Pretty inept nervy stuff I suspect.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Neil finally recovers the "hold" and we are back at 4-4*

korriban · Challenger level

Neil double faulting his way to a probable loss here. Already 8 DFs in 9 service games, with 2 in the last alone; his serve has already been broken 5 times in the match.

Now a set and 2-3* down.

RJA · Hall of fame

Final: (4) Neil Pauffley WR 473 lost to Joao Domingues (POR) WR 806 : 7-6(4), 6-3

korriban · Challenger level

The good news is that Neil at last has found some form, which will be a relief to him, and a number of us alike.

The bad news is that this match looked very winnable on paper, and it would appear that he had a very poor serving day indeed. The 9 double faults (a quarter of his opponents total on Neil's serve) would have contributed to getting him into bother, but only saving 1 of 7 break points faced is simply not good enough, and if you are second best on those key points, there's only ever going to be one winner.

At least there's a few ranking points for him, and another new Career High, but this really feels like one that got away.