Week 24 - ATP 250 - London Queen's Club, UK (grass)

SMC1809 · All-time great

RE: Week 24 - ATP 250 - London Queen's Club, UK (grass)

korriban · Challenger level

For all that Dan didn't play as well as previously, Delpo was a different class in the first set. The best of any of the big guns in the whole tournament so far. Almost nothing short, almost no UEs, incredible power and strong serving......awesome!

The second set was much much better. The commentators (well Peter Fleming) still thought Dan showed inexperience in terms of shot selection quite a few times against a player of Delpo's class, leaving the whole court open on a few occasions when he went for outright winners, only to find the ball coming back. But there were some decent moments.

Dan did look VERY intimidated, I thought, for the whole of the first set.....Del Potro IS a huge unit!

RJA · Hall of fame

It's a pity he didn't hold his opening service game. He had 30-0 and really should have won the next two points. He went for a couple of winners, both which he would make more often than not, and missed both by mere inches. I still think that Del Potro would have won but the match could easily have been very different.

I also agree with Peter Fleming but it isn't really surprising. Dan hit a lot of shots today that against his normal calibre of opponent wouldn't come back, or if they did would leave him with an easy put away. It doesn't matter how good you are, or how much court craft you have, you can't just a flick a switch the first time you play someone this good and start playing in a different way.

Like I said, I am not remotely worried about this result. Dan's post match interview indicated that he will accept this for what it is, a part of the learning curve. I am sure he is more than a little annoyed with himself over a few things and he is ego is probably bruised a bit but I am sure he will be fine for next week. The only thing that would have worried me today is if he had disappeared in the second set without showing any fight. As it was he very nearly broke back. He played a great point on a break point and was really unlucky.

steven · Tennis legend

There were only 4 points in it in the 2nd set (29-25), so quite an improvement on the 1st (25-8), making the 2nd set very encouraging against a top 10 player playing well.

So, has any put a few pence on del Po to win the title and keep up the unbroken run this year of Evo or the player who beats him winning the title? LOL It might break down at ATP level, then again, del Po must be one of the favs now.

Spectator · All-time great

Steep learning curve, but he was learning and wasn't overwhelmed, so that's good. Will be interesting to see what another relative tyro does in the QFs: Kudla's run thus far has been impressive, but I don't think he's faced anyone at Tsonga's level yet on grass. (He has played both Federer (lost) and Roddick (won) before, though, so it's not quite the same).

Oh, and Mr Becker joins my list of people who would merit a WC to a grass tournament on grounds of surface-specific proficiency. Quite extraordinary.

Jan · Hall of fame

Further to the discussion about a camera on court 1, the BBC did show a couple of points from matches on that court today.

steven · Tennis legend

There are 30 seconds of/about Jade right at the start of this BBC Radio Lincolnshire programme http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p019393j

Cool to hear the excitement in her voice

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

I think the performance from Dan was at the level most of us expected. I thought Dan would have hit more drop shots to keep the big man moving. The drop shots he did hit were not that good, and I can understand if his tactic was to keep him away from the net at all costs. Del Potro is clearly to 10 and was playing well. If Dan can get close to the top 100 I think we'd all be satisfied. We'll have a good idea where he stands after the Challengers in the US.

I wonder if Dan considered playing Eastbourne instead of Wimbledon qualies?

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

Apologies if I am repeating what somebody else has posted, but there are some worthwhile videos with Chris Kermode, Leon Smith and Dan on the ATP website. http://www.atpworldtour.com/Media/Video-Landing.aspx

I wonder if we might persuade them to do an interview with Kyle? I could use a laugh.....

RJA · Hall of fame

stevemcqueen wrote:
I wonder if Dan considered playing Eastbourne instead of Wimbledon qualies?

Well presumably he didn't have too much time to thick about it. He had obviously hoped for the MDWC into Wimbledon and in that case surely would have played Eastbourne. But assuming what we hear is true and that he missed out on that wild card through his own stupid behaviour then turning down the qwc and playing Eastbourne instead might have been interpreted as him being churlish. Much better for him to knuckle down and come through qualifying for Wimbledon, which on current form he has a fair chance of doing.

I would also think that Leon Smith was probably heavily involved in the decision. Leon really does seem to be willing to go out on a limb for Dan and if it is the case that Leon still wanted Dan to get the MDWC even after the "incident" on Nottingham then I would really hope that Dan realises just how much he owes Leon. Regardless of his recent words I still think that Dan holds a less than stellar view of the LTA as a whole but there doesn't seem to be any doubt that his personal relationship with Leon is a very strong one.

steven · Tennis legend

Looks like that beat Evo and go on to win the title thing doesn't apply to ATPs, as Hewitt takes out del Po!

steven · Tennis legend

Jeremy Bates on Evo http://bit.ly/13R5PzQ - generally very positive but saying similar things to many of us about the need to get out of his UK comfort zone.

RJA · Hall of fame

Strange thing is that until about 2 years ago Evo did travel quite a lot. Not sure what changed.