Week 43 - Challenger ($50,000) - Melbourne, Australia (Hard)

freerider · Futures level

RE: Week 43 - Challenger ($50,000) - Melbourne, Australia (Hard)

Shhh · Challenger level

Constant wrote:
Hi Guys, I was the guy court side that Steve mentioned.

Will start with the good points, Wards back hand was very sound and did look to cause Ebdon some problems. Strategy wise, he did move Edbon around quite well, but seemed to miss control length when going for a finish.

Serving has to improve as it did not seem to worry Ebdon, this let Ebdon attack far too much and dictate play.

The wind did pick up a bit and bought a cold blast from the south, but that would be for both guys, but could explain a few dodgy calls in the third set.

Hi Constant, thanks for the feedback. Did you see James earlier in the week or just this match? Any chance you could cover next week and then get your self over to Korea for us? wink

RJA · Hall of fame

freerider wrote:
Just been looking through Ward's playing activity for the year. I had underestimated how good of a season he has actually had, and a vry well deserved top 200 year end is in the bag for him now.

He has had some good tournaments this year. A challenger win, two more finals and a SF here. The worrying thing however is that his good runs have been based on soft draws. Aside from Tursunov in the Davis Cup he hasn't beat a top 100 player this year and has only beaten 3 top 150 players and those 3 players (Bachinger, Sugita and Rochus) are hardly players who are heading upwards.

Now don't get me wrong, his points are legitimate and he deserves to be in the top 200 but his results don't point to a player who looks like making the next step any time soon.

Constant · Lower Club Player

I managed to see his first set on Tuesday but the weather played havoc with my schedule so had to go do some work and was busy the rest of the week.

Traralagon is a bit far to watch one match, but if you sent some cash I am sure I could get to korea and report for you. =)

A131 · Intermediate Club Player

RJA wrote:
freerider wrote:
Just been looking through Ward's playing activity for the year. I had underestimated how good of a season he has actually had, and a vry well deserved top 200 year end is in the bag for him now.
He has had some good tournaments this year. A challenger win, two more finals and a SF here. The worrying thing however is that his good runs have been based on soft draws. Aside from Tursunov in the Davis Cup he hasn't beat a top 100 player this year and has only beaten 3 top 150 players and those 3 players (Bachinger, Sugita and Rochus) are hardly players who are heading upwards.
Now don't get me wrong, his points are legitimate and he deserves to be in the top 200 but his results don't point to a player who looks like making the next step any time soon.

I agree - and at this tournament the highest ranked player he beat was 225 with the others outside the top 400 and he even struggled to beat them.

LouieG · County player

Think positive, believe in Ward

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

I don't think this was reported earlier:

QF: Alex Bolt & Andrew Whittington (AUS/AUS) CR 550 (182+368) defeated (4) Brydan Klein & Danai Udomchoke (THA) CR 398 (144+254) by 5 & 3 bleh