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

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

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

korriban · Challenger level

To the extent that both players were at about the same level and weren't just pat-balling.....it was an enjoyable good quality match, Bob. Oli and his opponent both showed positive intent, with a fair share of winners and excellent play. There was nothing from either that made me sit up, however, and say "wow".......2 solid players in the 350-550 bracket playing at about that level.......

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Doubles:

R1: (1) Jamie Delgado & Jordan Kerr (AUS) CR 245 vs Patrick Ciorcila & Victor Crivoi (ROU/ROU) CR 1440
R1: (3) Ruben Gonzales (PHI) & Darren Walsh CR 462 vs (WC) Sebastian Kraila & Dragos Cristian Mirtea (ROU/ROU) UNR

steven · Tennis legend

FQR: (q1) Kyle Edmund WR 337 beat Björn Propst (AUT) WR 1192 (CH 742 in 2011) by 0 & 3

FQR: (q5) Oli Golding WR 481 lost to (q2) Maxim Dubarenco (MDA) WR 384 (CH 375 last month) by 7-6(5) 7-6(6)

johnnylad · Tennis legend

Kyle gets Gombos

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

And James gets Yanick Reuter

korriban · Challenger level

No LL for Oli as far as the MD goes.

Kyle plays Gombos (SVK) ranked 264, who "beat" Alex Ward a couple of weeks back, although Mr Ward retired at 0-5, having played on one foot from the start. Winner likely to play top seed Haider-Maurer in round 2.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
It would be ironic (but I wouldn't complain) if Dubarenco ended up drawing Heider Maurer and the LL spot went to an unseeded opponent.

Your wish has been granted, Bob, at least as far as Haider-Maurer vs Dubarenco is concerned! wink

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

And Alex Ward also beat Yannik Reuter (James' opponent) easily back in June.

Still time for a LL for Oli presumably, between now and tomorrow . . .

Tennis36 · Masters Series Champion

Kyle second on court 3 tomorow

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Is it just me, or is the top quarter of the draw really strong ?

We have Haider Maurer and Pere Riba (both of whom have beaten Busta recently), we have Carballes Baena who beat Kyle in Murcia and Pospisil (fortunately the other one!!) and also Lucas Pouille who I think had a bit of a Brit bashing streak earlier in the year ? (Vietnam and Fitzy springs to mind but haven't checked - far too lazy).

I guess that is the difference between Futures and Challengers.

RJA · Hall of fame

Bob in Spain wrote:
I guess that is the difference between Futures and Challengers.

Yes it is. We all like to see British players stepping up to challenger level but I think sometimes we forget that the reality is often 3 wins required in qualifying to get 3 or 5 points and then the possibility of drawing a really good player in the first round of the main draw.

korriban · Challenger level

RJA wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
I guess that is the difference between Futures and Challengers.
Yes it is. We all like to see British players stepping up to challenger level but I think sometimes we forget that the reality is often 3 wins required in qualifying to get 3 or 5 points and then the possibility of drawing a really good player in the first round of the main draw.

Either they want to be top players or they don't I guess..........if they do, they HAVE to go Challengers and start winning and then go ATP. The step up in class is to be expected they shouldn't be daunted by it....it should excite and inspire them. It's great when a Brit wins a Futures tournament, but in the big scheme of things it's of no consequence whatsoever except as a stepping stone or a means to an end. Dan made this all very clear in many of his interviews, and hopefully it inspires some of our lads who may be getting comfortable that they need to step it up. What I loved about him at the USO was when he drew Nishikori and most of us (myself included) were cursing a bad draw, but he clearly relished the opportunity to test himself and show the locker room what he'd got! Great attitude - if you're good enough, the draw doesn;t matter.

RJA · Hall of fame

I certainly agree korriban and I have long been a proponent of ambitious scheduling. I am just pointing out the the downside and why some players are understandably, if wrongly, reluctant to try and step up.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I guess that if they do the challengers and make it through the qualies, they do at least get a GBP 500 cheque from the LTA bonus scheme (and another one if they win a round, 1000 if they win the next round etc. etc.). (On top of the LTA/WTA prize money cheque obviously).

Doesn't apply to Kyle or Oli (as LTA contract players) but must be nice for Dave and Emily today (and Ed hopefully)