Week 40 - Challenger ($100,000) - Sacramento, USA (Hard)

wolf · Tennis legend

RE: Week 40 - Challenger ($100,000) - Sacramento, USA (Hard)

steven · Tennis legend

Just realised that this means that of the 6 Brits immediately behind Andy this week:

- 2 convincingly upset seeds in R1

- the other 4, all seeded (including in qualies) failed to win a match between them

Slightly weird!

philwrig · Hall of fame

Bob in Spain wrote:
philwrig wrote:
It wasn't long ago that Evo was a liability in TBs, but alas no more , great win.
I think you probably mean "fortunately no more".

Good point, its getting late, and my brain is telling me, its bedtime ;)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Mega well done to Dan.

I love steven's reference to being 'top Dan' or 'Dan of the week'. And the journalist's report was very good too - some interesting quotes.

Maybe he'll do another one - especially as it was a US player (another one!).

I see on the schedule that Dan C had both his singles and doubles today but nothing for Dan E. So both for him tomorrow ?

korriban · Challenger level

Just looked this up this morning and I'm delighted for Mr Evans. A very good win, but something we are starting to expect from him rather than hope from him, which is a great sign.

Obvioulsy didn't watch the match, but Dan's serving stats were nothing short of spectacular: Decent number of aces off a high first serve percentage. Just 1 DF. No BPs conceded. A first serve win percentage which is the stuff of dreams and a solid second serve win percentage.

Given the fact that his serving was so shaky during his previous US Challenger tour (well to be fair - very good at times but prone to lots of DFs and short second serves), even if this didn't affect his results too much in the end, it was great to see a big improvement at the US Open and now he seems to have worked on consistency/potency once again.

I think he was unlucky with last week's draw - Klahn is clearly a very good player on the up - and with any luck both players will be renewing their rivalry many times over the coming years in ATPs with rankings in the 50-100 range. I don't think there's too much to choose between them, although Klahn edges it on Challenger experience.

The newbie in the next round could be a banana skin, but I'm sure the "new Dan" will deal with him handily, then most likely Ebden in the QF. The Aussie is a very solid and hard to beat player (I'm sure he'll float between 50-150 throughout his career) - probably less skillful than Dan, but certainly match hardened, experienced and wily - very very tough, but just the type of test Dan needs to pass to meet his objectives.

DWH · Club Coach

wolf wrote:
Not great serving from Coxy serving to stay in it, and after a few deuces Reid gets a lucky net cord on set point. 4-6.

I know his serve isn't always his strongest point but looking at Reid's shadow are they serving into the sun from that end? Was wondering if that could be an issue.

-- Edited by DWH on Wednesday 2nd of October 2013 06:57:00 PM

DWH · Club Coach

They're created 9 break points from 3 service games and they've all been saved. Hope it doesn't come back to bite them.

Edit: Now 11 from 4 games. Hah!

Edit: And wouldn't you know it they get broken. BUT as Johnson serves for the set they take the first of two more chances. So it may have taken 12 (!) tries but at least they broke when they *really* needed to. haha

-- Edited by DWH on Thursday 3rd of October 2013 12:13:36 AM

-- Edited by DWH on Thursday 3rd of October 2013 12:21:02 AM

Miriambee · Futures level

Cox - Reid 1-1 1st set.

Julia Carrot · All-time great

I preferred the salmon. But he's playing OK despite that

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Not any more, *2 - 5 down

huntley93 · Strong Club Player

dans got it back now to 4-5 on serve, great fight back! now to finnish the job

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Breaks back *4 - 5

wolf · Tennis legend

Reid served for the first set at 5-3, but a scorcher of a backhand dtl on the first point by Cox sets up a break back despite two hotly contested line calls that went against him. Forehand winner to finish inside out.

Coxy *4-5

paulisi · Tennis legend

Dan reasonably competitive, did well to break back. His serve is struggling a little, but he is just starting to find winners

wolf · Tennis legend

Not great serving from Coxy serving to stay in it, and after a few deuces Reid gets a lucky net cord on set point. 4-6.