Week 36 - Challenger (€30,000 +H) - Brasov, Romania (Clay)

RJA · Hall of fame

RE: Week 36 - Challenger (€30,000 +H) - Brasov, Romania (Clay)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RJA wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
RJA wrote:
These slow starts from Oli are really starting to worry me.
I agree. It's weird. He's even got Julien with him this time so he's going to be properly warmed up, psyched up, all the necessary . . .
Isn't Julien with him full time anyway?

I'm not sure, don't quote me on it, but I thought that though Julien worked with him on a permanent basis, he didn't always travel with him - I remember (amongst other things) some 'Oli-moaning' posts previously about his results given he had the funding, a coach to travel with him etc. etc. and a couple of people posting that Oli was definitely on his own (in Italy or wherever he was), no coach.

Anyway, as I said, certainly not completely sure but that was my understanding.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Oli just about on top now 4-2 up final set.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yep, with points to go 5-2, I think.

And now 4-4

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Monster game going on at 4-4. Lost count of number of deuces.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

But in the end, Oli gets the break and will serve for the match at *5-4

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Gosh, that was tricky . . . but on to the next match now and I guess that's all that counts . . .

paulisi · Tennis legend

2h 15 mins and another match to come - all for no points yet...

RJA · Hall of fame

Well, it's a win but not a particularly encouraging scoreline.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I guess, with the best will in the world, this is not a high-expectation tournament for Oli.

When we talk about Ed and Dan C. and whoever doing Challengers, these are players who've won futures and are ranked in the top 350.

Oli has made two 10k finals and a heap of QFs but nothing any better - it's hardly stellar stuff -, is ranked 481 and never been any higher than 418.

Not to say it's not possible - I'm sure his team wouldn't have entered him if they thought it was a waste of time - but it's definitely long-shot stuff ! (or learning for the future . . . )

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

The timetable today seems very strange. The match prior to Kyle is still early in the first set, and yet Kyle still has two matches to play today (hopefully). So if his first match doesn't start until about 4pm, that is going to be a tough ask and a very late finish.

Why didn't they start the qualies yesterday ?

RJA · Hall of fame

Bob in Spain wrote:
The timetable today seems very strange. The match prior to Kyle is still early in the first set, and yet Kyle still has two matches to play today (hopefully). So if his first match doesn't start until about 4pm, that is going to be a tough ask and a very late finish.

Why didn't they start the qualies yesterday ?

Challengers in the second week of a slam often start a day late. It doesn't make any difference because most challengers play two rounds of qualifying on the first day anyway as qualifying is only supposed to last two days (tournaments need permission of the ATP to play qualifying over 3 days).

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

At the lower end, they usually try and cram the most into one day so players don't have to pay for an extra night of lodging. I've been involved where we tried to stretch things out to 'help' the players and there was uproar. Money is so tight.
But it does seems a bit strange at Qualie level and, yes, there's only one match between the end of Kyle's first one and the next one he (or the other guy) has to play 'after suitable rest'. The opponent(s) were supposed to be playing their first match at the same time as Kyle (in theory) but actaully they've practically finished already and so will be showered and eating before Kyle has even taken to the court.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Looking further ahead, a bit of a mixed bag for the qualifiers

(1) Haider Maurer WR 88
Norbert Gombos WR 264 with the winner probably facing Haider Maurer in R2
Steven Diez WR 235
Axel Michon WR 285

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

RJA wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
The timetable today seems very strange. The match prior to Kyle is still early in the first set, and yet Kyle still has two matches to play today (hopefully). So if his first match doesn't start until about 4pm, that is going to be a tough ask and a very late finish.

Why didn't they start the qualies yesterday ?
Challengers in the second week of a slam often start a day late. It doesn't make any difference because most challengers play two rounds of qualifying on the first day anyway as qualifying is only supposed to last two days (tournaments need permission of the ATP to play qualifying over 3 days).

Then surely it would make sense to play 1 match on the first day when there are 16 L32 matches to play and then double up on the 2nd day, when they could play 8 L16 matches and then give the players suitable rest before the final 4 QFs. Trying to cram 24 matches in on day 1 just seem silly to me.