Week 23 - Challenger (€64,000) - Nottingham, UK (grass)

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

RE: Week 23 - Challenger (€64,000) - Nottingham, UK (grass)

scottie1 · Futures level

Madeline wrote:
KK wrote:
Isn't that his first ever Challenger match?
Unless my memory is at fault (quite possible!) he has tried Challengers before with little success.

yes Madeleine he has and never had any success. He was a big fish in a small pond in British Futures last year but his form had dipped. Personally I think he should not have received a WC for this tourney more desrving cases based on this years results in British Futures.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Jamies loses the first set tie-break to 4.

But (little voice) Klein is up a break in the third.

LHarvey89 · Social player

Well, that is a very impressive comeback by Klein. He beats Prakash Amritraj 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Klein has been a bit out of form lately, but says that he has been carrying a whole host of injuries that he is just getting over. This win against a player who loves grass would certainly suggest he may be hitting a bit of form. Good win.

steven · Tennis legend

That means Evo v Klein in R2 - they met on clay in Bournemouth ay back in 2007, with the then-Aussie winning in 3 sets.

PockyTastic · Futures level

From watching the stream, Dan did look great once he got into his full flow. Only watched the 1st few games of Jamie's match but thought he might nick the 1st set as he was playing solidly. Ed's score line is very respectable but a little frustrating given he was up in both sets, but that is tennis and without seeing the match who knows what happened at these points in the match.

Josh hasn't pushed on this year or equalled his good runs from last year as has been said a lot. I haven't watched him play in a long while, but he does have a nice serve and aggressive strokes when can string them together. I'd have been interested to see his match as he was 4-1 up in set 2 I think before it slipped away - it would be interesting to see if that was down to Josh playing well (in going ahead) or sloppy play from his opponent, or both.

RJA · Hall of fame

Really, really pleased with Dan's win, not just the result but the manner of it. There were plenty of moments where in the past he would have faltered but mentally he was really strong today. He started slow and his forehand was erratic but once he settled down he was the better player throughout the match. Should have won the third set much easier as he missed a dolly on break point at 2-1* and really should have broke at 5-4*.

Saw the second set of Ed's match and although he did serve for it Bemelmans probably deserved to edge it. He had that bit more nous and variety to his game and seemed to understand the subtleties of grass court tennis far better than Ed did.

Saw the last 8 games of Goodall's match. He really does look like a shadow of his former self. Even a break up in the second he was devoid of confidence and largely relying on his serve to win him cheap points. That being said Ram looked like a very nice player who clearly knows how to play on grass, his net pay was very, very good.

KK · Club Coach

scottie1 wrote:
Madeline wrote:
KK wrote:
Isn't that his first ever Challenger match?
Unless my memory is at fault (quite possible!) he has tried Challengers before with little success.
yes Madeleine he has and never had any success. He was a big fish in a small pond in British Futures last year but his form had dipped. Personally I think he should not have received a WC for this tourney more desrving cases based on this years results in British Futures.

Misunderstanding. I thought you were talking about Ed Corrie.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Wow what an impressive performance by Evo, mentally so strong in a match that could have gone either way. When playing like this he is a joy to watch, got every shot in the book and no weaknesses.He even did a bit of scouting of his next opponent, things are looking up!
Klein has a massive serve, but Evo has to be the favourite if he plays like he did today.
Josh's form IMO was a massive step up on his recent futures form which is a big positive.

blob · All-time great

OOP of GB Interest for tomorrow
All courts commence at 11:00

Centre Court - Streamed
2: Dan Evans
3: Johanna Konta
4: Skupski & Skupski (Doubles)
5: Delgado vs. Murray (Doubles)

Court 3
3: Nicola Slater vs. Sam Murray/Jade Windley (Doubles)
4: Naomi Borady & Anna Smith (Doubles)

Jeff Stelling · Club Coach

You missed Brydan.

KK · Club Coach

I would rather Brydan won. I am not particularly keen to support those lucky enough to have masses of talent who are not prepared to put in the effort.

-- Edited by KK on Thursday 6th of June 2013 12:48:43 PM

korriban · Challenger level

From 0-2*, Dan now *5-2.

Making Klein look rather foolish at times with his play. Could all change, but VERY impressive once again.

Now 6-2 *1-0 and definitely making Klein look foolish.....just wrong-footed him and he fell down!

-- Edited by korriban on Thursday 6th of June 2013 01:01:47 PM

korriban · Challenger level

Today's match between Evo and Klein will be fascinating. I hope Dan teaches him a grass court lesson.

I'd imagine 1 or 2 of the GB men might have mixed emotions about their new "recruit", and my impression is that if pushed, dan might be the sort of character to verbalise some of that emotion.

The other thing is that I was so impressed with Dan yesterday, and indeed at DC, that I am almost waiting for an inexplicably poor performance to "happen" out of the blue, whilst hoping that this is a thing of the past and that he's turned over a new leaf. Dan's last tweet at about 10.20pm last night which I think is completely reasonable (could have been 2.30am!), so fingers crossed. He was SUPERB yesterday.

steven · Tennis legend

korriban wrote:
Uh Oh!
Could I suggest that Mr Evans entering into a twitter spat with Neil Harman at 12.37pm today when his match is scheduled for 12.30pm (the preceding match mid way into a third set).......is perhaps an inappropriate thing to do as preparation literally minutes before a big Challenger contest.
I completely agree with Dan's sentiments to Neil by the way (worth a look everyone), but surely the 30-45 minutes before a big pro match are better served by doing all the things that professionals are supposed to do before a big pro match.....which I assume doesn't involve tweeting.
....in essence Neil reminded the world that Dan had admitted "not being good at his job" by not working hard enough, so felt him being given a Queen's WC sent out the wrong message. My view is that Dan must have made some big promises to Leon et al when coming back into the DC team re his tournament schedule and his work ethic, and that these WCs were part of the deal struck by both sides.....Mr Harman: you may turn out to be right, but it should all be about the future, not the past....give him a chance.....if the leopard doesn't change his spots he will never be offered WCs again, but if he does everyone benefits

If he had fully prepared for a 12.30 start, then why shouldn't he look at Twitter, I guess. He seems to have 'won' the Twitter spat with Neil hands down anyway. If he hasn't turned over a new leaf, then I'd be inclined to agree with Neil, but I'm hoping that he has and that Leon and co have seen evidence that he is doing his best to change. If that is the case and they think he's the most likely Brit other than Wardy to do well at Queen's, then fair enough. Perhaps they even set him a target, i.e. beat a top 100 player this week and you'll get one!

-- Edited by steven on Thursday 6th of June 2013 03:14:18 PM