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

DWH · Club Coach

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

Bright Spark · Lower Club Player

korriban wrote:
By the way, does anyone else thing that Jdi looks a bit like Grigor Dimitrov?

-- Edited by korriban on Tuesday 17th of September 2013 02:59:34 PM

Thought he looked more like James Ward myself!

korriban · Challenger level

The Magician Santoro wrote:
Rola is NCAA champion, I doubt Alex will make this one competitive but prove me wrong

At least he should get more consistent pace, spin and depth with Rola than against Jdi, which in some ways ought to suit him.

I didn't see the first set, but if Alex was as inconsistent as CD reckoned, Jdi's tactics of playing junk tennis were spot on (chicken and egg to some extent)......by the time I was able to watch in set 2, Alex' timing was completely awry. The look of frustration on Alex' face was a constant theme, but he retained his inner karma! And that was very impressive (because the tennis wasn't!)........were you watching Mr Golding?!

I think it will be a LOT more competitive than one might think, Mr Santoro. Hope so.

steven · Tennis legend

L32: (Q) Alex Ward WR 320 beat (WC) Mehdi Jdi (MAR) WR 1406 by 5-7 6-4 6-4

L16: (Q) Alex Ward WR 320 v (7) Blaz Rola (SLO) WR 225 (CH 208 last week)

Alex is now only one win away from the top 300, but that only applies this week, given the Madrid QF points coming off on 30 Sep. I too think Rola may prove too much - Alex will have to play much better than it sounds like he did today, with with Alex, you never know (and unlike many players, his surprises are often good ones!)

Alex is also 'virtual' GB no. 5 after today's win - Kyle needs to win his delayed R1 match in Trnava to retake him by 1 point.

huntley93 · Strong Club Player

so i decided to take an adventure and enter the world of twitter today. you may even see me pop up in the edinburgh and glasgow futures qualifying next year depending on university

twitter.com/Jhuntley93

a bit of shamless self promotion i know! sorry guys!

-- Edited by huntley93 on Wednesday 18th of September 2013 04:58:04 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Alex a break down and now back on serve. 2*-3

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Alex loses the first set 6-3

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Currently 3-3 in the 2nd set

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Alex breaks 5*-3 !

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

And wins the second set 6-3 :)

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

And comfortably serves out the set to take the match into a decider.

korriban · Challenger level

Coup Droit wrote:
Alex breaks 5*-3 !

Win or lose today, this is Alex ONCE AGAIN going a set down, but NOT panicking and gradually working his way back into the match, rather than throwing caution to the wind and over-playing. Alright, I know we can't see what's going on today, but that's been his approach in recent weeks and BOY it's worked well, so I assume he's doing it again.

1 set all! Come on!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Alex's blog from yesterday :

"Won my 1st round of main draw today, 57 64 64 against Jdi. Didn't play great tennis but managed to find a way in the end. Funny how sometimes you can play well and lose (vs olivo) and today I played poorly and won. Will try and find a better level tomorrow though in my 2nd round V Rola! Pleased to hit a career high world ranking this week after my exploits in Seville, up to 320 which is 17 places higher than my previous best. Heading in the right direction!"

Go for it, man, you like third sets . . .

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Alex was a break up for a couple of games but now back at 3-3

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Shucks. Lots of opportunities, seemingly, but Alex loses the third set 6-3.