Week 37 - Challenger ($75,000) - Istanbul 2, Turkey (Hard)

steven · Tennis legend

RE: Week 37 - Challenger ($75,000) - Istanbul 2, Turkey (Hard)

korriban · Challenger level

Mr Klein's YTD ranking points would put him at GB #13, but of course he's benefitted from the fact that he had a much higher ranking earlier in the year, allowing him to play in bigger, higher points potential tournaments than many of the Brits who have now overtaken him. So he's been able to play qualifying at the AO, RG and Wimbledon - all with no success. Every time he plays a player with a ranking inside about 1000, he is either run close or beaten at the moment, today being another example - Dan Evans made him look almost silly when they played earlier in the Summer.

It would have been a big challenge for anyone switching country allegiance after having been a "proud Aussie" for so many years, and having competing extensively for his country of birth, where he's lived his entire life, and where he received all his coaching, training and financial support. To do so with no form on the court whatsoever and a ranking that is tumbling with alarming speed, means it will be nigh on impossible to gain the respect of his "fellow" British players. It's an awful position to find yourself in, but I think his decision was probably made for all the wrong reasons in the first place.

Hard to imagine that this guy won the Junior AO some years back, but it is a salutory lesson for many of us, myself very much included, who look for players with such a track record to push on quickly. As we saw in today's match, Brydan has a pretty big serve - maybe he had it as a junior, which would make him very hard to beat against 16 and 17 year olds. Not any more.

steven · Tennis legend

L32: (Q) Dave Rice WR 380 v Malek Jaziri (TUN) WR 190 (CH 69 in 2012)
L32: (Q) Josh Milton WR 451 v (5/WC) Peter Gojowczyk (GER) WR 146 (=CH)

Jaziri beat a Brit in R1 last year (Jamie Baker) before going out to Tursunov in the QFs, while Gojowczyk reached the Final of the Oberstaufen Challenger last month then qualified for the US Open and beat Sijsling in R1 before going out to Donskoy in 5 sets in R2.

-- Edited by steven on Sunday 8th of September 2013 02:28:25 PM

RJA · Hall of fame

Good start for Josh.

2-0*

paulisi · Tennis legend

Double break now

RJA · Hall of fame

Takes the first set 6-1

I wasn't expecting that.

paulisi · Tennis legend

looking at the qualifying spots if Josh or Dave get through

Malek Jaziri
Peter Gojowczyk
Tennys Sangren
Austin Krajicek

RJA · Hall of fame

Pretty horrible qualifying spots.

Doubles draw is out. Dave and Sean play against the 4th seeds, Klein and Propoggia. Jamie D again partners Jordan Kerr, they are second seeds and play against the Egyptian wild cards Sabry and Safwat.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well,, Brydan (number one Q seed) got knocked out. Dane P. (number 2 seed) has lost the first set in his match. So, if singles reflects on doubles, one might deduce that they're not on great form . . . . which might be good news for Sean and Dave.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Doubles:

R1: David Rice & Sean Thornley CR 366 vs (4) Brydan Klein & Dane Propoggia (AUS) CR 282
R1: (WC) Sherif Sabry & Mohamed Safwat (EGY/EGY) CR 1820 vs (2) Jamie Delgado & Jordan Kerr (AUS) CR 245

paulisi · Tennis legend

RJA wrote:
Pretty horrible qualifying spots.

To be fair it is a 75K and there is only one seed in there. The field should be strong for this type of event, even if qualifying wasn't particularly strong.

5pts for qualifying seems very generous

RJA · Hall of fame

Much tougher second set but Josh survives a 0-40 game and holds.

4-3*

RJA · Hall of fame

Josh breaks and will serve for the match

*5-3

RJA · Hall of fame

Missed three match points, survived a break point, but eventually

FQR: (q6) Josh Milton WR 451 beat (q3) Takanyi Garanganga (ZIM) WR 361 : 6-1, 6-3 smile

A much needed win for Josh. Hopefully Dave will join him in the main draw

paulisi · Tennis legend

Excellent win and much needed points