Week 41 - Challenger ($100,000) - Tiburon, CA, USA (Hard)

RJA · Hall of fame

Week 41 - Challenger ($100,000) - Tiburon, CA, USA (Hard)

Salmon · Tennis legend

I'm a bit disappointed that Cox is not playing here, because I don't see the point in taking two consecutive weeks off. Of course, he may play qualies at Stockholm/Vienna/Moscow next week, in which case I appreciate the decision.

I'm not too worried about Evo's draw, if he plays to his potential, he'll beat anybody in this field.

john · Top national player

C'mon Dan. A first round loss here would mean only one win on this entire trip to the States. I really really want a big run from Evans here to make this trip worthwhile. Pretty please play properly Daniel!

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Blimey, I didn't realise his run there had been so bad. I guess it's hard stepping down from the big stage, but everyone has to go through it to get to the big stage full time!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Would love to see him have a good week here.

And hoping we don't get a "toothless" performance from Dan.

Julia Carrot · All-time great

I don't think we should expect too much. Tooth problems can really affect your whole well being.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well,, at least he looks very smiley in his twitter photo, towering (!) over his dentist !

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Well,, at least he looks very smiley in his twitter photo, towering (!) over his dentist !

To revive the "poor punctuation can cause misunderstandings or cost money" debate from the Meshref thread, the text accompanying the photo reads: Had a tooth out yesterday still pretty sore thanks to this guy. Now, did Dan mean that he still had a sore gum where the tooth was removed or was he offering the dentist his thanks for the treatment he provided & was finally starting to feel like a human being again? confuse If the latter, there should have been a full stop after "sore"! wink

indiana · Tennis legend

Would be great if Evo could have a good run here. But even if he doesn't, but hopefully plays decently, let's not build it up as any sort of disaster.

He doesn't seem to have played that badly other than in last week's awful gale, which we know are conditions he doesn't currently adapt well to.

Just saying let's not get impatient, he's come on so much recently and is playing good players at a decent level.

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

indiana wrote:
Would be great if Evo could have a good run here. But even if he doesn't, but hopefully plays decently, let's not build it up as any sort of disaster.

He doesn't seem to have played that badly other than in last week's awful gale, which we know are conditions he doesn't currently adapt well to.

Just saying let's not get impatient, he's come on so much recently and is playing good players at a decent level.

I agree totally. His loss against Klahn in Aptos was very, very close. This week's match was in horrible conditions and made worse by major tooth ache. Tooth extraction is not usually a part of tournament preparations. I hope he can make it through his first round match, and the 2nd round will be on Thursday, by which time he should be feeling more human. Donald Young is a very tough prospect though, I'm hope we get to see that match

cheers all, its past midday, time for a beverage!

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, just to add further context, this "entire trip" has so far before now consisted of 2 tournaments and 3 matches :

1) Lost to the WR 133 Bradley Klahn in 3 tight sets.

2) Beat the WR 124 Rhyne Williams in 2 tight sets.

3) Lost to the ( clearly very underranked ) WR 542 Jarmere Jenkins in a big gale and apparently suffering toothache.

SMC1809 · All-time great

Also to add, Evo was ahead when he felt it necessary to take a MTO (toothache or blisters?) and things went wrong from that point, mainly due to him trying to shorten the points.

Priesty · Challenger level

Plus, as much as it's a comedown from the big stage, the fact that just prior to the US Open he reached 2 Challenger finals proves he can produce the goods in the lesser arenas.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Thanks indiana, good to put things in context.

I wish Evo all the best this week, and hope he can overcome toothache and lack of the 'big time' crowds and do well.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

It certainly isn't the easiest draw for Dan. Both the Sacramento finalsts, Young and Smyczek are in his quarter of the draw and if he comes through that, there is a possible match up again with Klahn in the semis.