L32: Hans Podlipnik (CHI) WR 266 vs (Q) Alex Ward 439
I guess it could've been worse...
Indeed. Much worse.
After "nearly" beating Pella in Germany qualies at the ATP Event 2 weeks ago (where the Argentinian went on to reach the MDSF), and a poor loss to a German ranked outside 1000 at last weeks Spain $10k (at least the German then won the event!), this is a good reward for what sounds like some decent clay court form. Let's see where this leads to - a good run with some decent points and a massive confidence boost; or another damp squib.
Given that he's already beaten one player ranked 100 points+ ahead of him and one ranked 200+ points ahead of him, I'd term this a success whatever happens in Round 1. That said, it would (of course!) be an even greater success with a round one win and some points!
Yes, I'm with Spectator on that one. I have to say, that was the win I was most hoping for today - Alex is overdue some reward for his good play on red clay ... and for his ambition in going to Germany to try his luck in ATP & Challenger qualies.
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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!
Yes, I'm with Spectator on that one. I have to say, that was the win I was most hoping for today - Alex is overdue some reward for his good play on red clay ... and for his ambition in going to Germany to try his luck in ATP & Challenger qualies.
I agree. He must have been pretty upset to lose the match at the German qualifications a couple of weeks back, what with everyone saying he deserved to win. And then having a poor result in Spain. And presumably it would have been 'easy' to come back and do the UK tournaments this week.
So well done to him, glad he's got some recompense for his efforts and ambition.
Actually quite surprised they're playing, considering most of Bavaria seems to be underwater.
That's what the news reports would have you believe, but flooding tends always to be localised to low-lying areas near rivers, for obvious reasons (and of course that tends to include the centres of big towns & cities for reasons that are almost as obvious) - Fürth is in northern Bavaria, on the outskirts of Nuremberg, and although the River Danube isn't that far away, it's quite a bit higher up the river than the places that are badly affected.
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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!
Checked back to see HPC a point away from a tiebreak but Alex got it to deuce then got a set point. However, HPC saves it and the 1st set will be decided by a tiebreak after all.
Alex loses the first 2 points but wins the next 4 4-2*
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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!