Week 38 - Challenger (€30,000+H) - Kenitra, Morocco (Clay)

korriban · Challenger level

Week 38 - Challenger (€30,000+H) - Kenitra, Morocco (Clay)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

er, no I don't (to the last point) ! Maybe it's the little screen but seems to me that Mehdi's got a skinny face and Dimitrov has a square one (and there's a good chunk of kilos between them too I'd have said).

I think Alex came out playing aggressively and missed everything by a country mile. Reined it it and tried to limit the UEs and then ended up hitting too short and mid-court. He's kept his cool quite well, really trying to find a way through. Cam't be easy.

The Moroccan was playing poorly at the start but his confidence grew, and all his supporters started turning up, sensing an upset, so he's got a spring in his step.

Alex squeaked the break (really strange net approach choice by Mehdi) and will now serve for the second set. Hopefully, this'll pave the way for the third . . .

And YES !

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Tuesday 17th of September 2013 03:15:11 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Alex spent the first three games spraying his groundshots in all directions bar the court but kept out of trouble thanks to his serve and a Moody Moroccan.

Has now just missed an easy BP but playing better.

4-3* t0 Jdi

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Right, now, enough faffing around Alex. 5-5 indeed. Time to win this blinkin' set.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

And Alex loses the first set 7-5.

Which just shows, it's a funny ol' game. Beat top 100 players one week, lose sets (and quite deservedly) against guys around 1500 the next.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Poor Alex - looking all hot and cross and bothered.

Which is not surprising because he's got a lot to be hot and cross and bothered about !

2-2

korriban · Challenger level

Alex *5-4 and serving for set 2.

His timing on both return and his groundies is all over the place, and his footwork is very poor compared to recent outings - he doesn't seem to be injured, nor obviously ill - but he's playing as though this could be the case - just sneak the win, Alex, debrief with Julien and start again tomorrow. Find a way!

spud · Challenger qualifying

Complacency perhaps?

korriban · Challenger level

spud wrote:
Complacency perhaps?

No, I don't think it's that. The Moroccan is playing a lot of junk shots (half speed forehand slices, squash shots, moonballs) and then the occasional flashy winner or net rush - it seems to be giving Alex a few headaches - he wants to attack but is having to generate all the pace himself. It's a puzzle that Alex is struggling to solve, and it has neutralised all his weapons for the moment.

As CD says, Alex has at least kept his cool, but this is NOT going to be easy at all! Credit to Jdi - if it works, why not?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well, this is certainly going to be 'winning ugly' (if at all, repeat IF at all . . .)

2*-3

paulisi · Tennis legend

At last Alex breaks - 4*-3 final set

paulisi · Tennis legend

Good win for Alex 6-4 in the last.

Mr Rola may be a more awkward opponent to get past in the next round.

wolf · Tennis legend

This should take Alex to just outside the top 300.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well, Alex has just gone up hugely in my estimation.

Apart from the serve, his tennis was pretty grim but I thought that his application, and focus, and digging deep to try and find a way through, were just second to none. (And we know the tennis is there,, it was just hiding today). He must have had high expectations, given recent form and the draw, and it's never easy to play the local hero. So a huge well done to him.

The Magician Santoro · Top national player

Rola is NCAA champion, I doubt Alex will make this one competitive but prove me wrong