Week 46 - Challenger ($50,000) - Champaign, IL, USA (hard)

steven · Tennis legend

RE: Week 46 - Challenger ($50,000) - Champaign, IL, USA (hard)

korriban · Challenger level

It's a desperate shame for Josh M because, with respect, I don't think he's ever going to be a genuine leading man on the world scene, or indeed in GB men's tennis (just don't see him as a Top 5 GB player, assuming we continue to develop a good decent crop of players) - so in that sense, would have been brilliant to see him enjoy a week in the limelight. It might never happen again - although hope it does, of course.

Given Mr Sandgren's form this week, Dan ought to be blown away tonight, but I just have a feeling (more hope than judgement) that it could be a lot closer than one might expect.

Let's wish him luck!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

SMC1809 wrote:
Gutted. Loses the tie-break with a DF from 6-2 up.

I could cry ! That one will stay with him for a long time . . . .

But, on the positive side, who'd have thought he'd even have been in that position . . . (maybe not much consolation for him today but later).

And, obviously, very well played by Nevolo to hang in there and claw it back - gutsy. (Wasn't impressed by his actual tennis against Ed though).

Tennys will be a handful for Dan but, hey, the Bulgarian has been playing very well and Dan beat him . .

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Stircrazy wrote:
Wow, didn't see this one coming:
QF: Ed Corrie & Dan Smethurst CR 1036 (591+445) defeated David Rice & Sean Thornley CR 416 (210+206) by 4 & 4

Just seen this - our Dan the Man Number Two is on fire ! (well, it's bravo to Ed too of course).

Guess Dan's body doesn't quite know what's hit it - so many matches smile

steven · Tennis legend

He's not even no. 2 Dan yet - you've forgotten about GB no. 4 Dan Cox LOL (or about Evo, but I'm guessing you didn't forget him!)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Oops ! we really do need a new breed of tennis players called Alfred or Cyril or Theodoricus . . .

Salmon · Tennis legend

The present British no. 2 (and ranked 30 in the world) in O35 tennis is -

http://www.itftennis.com/seniors/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=10008622

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
Now there's a thought. Perhaps it could be a requirement that future "Dan" tennis players change their name to avoid confusion - and then we could compete with the Thai and Malagasy players to see what we could come up with. Theodoricus Marylebone-Cholmondeley-Fulford? (Yes, that is a nod to our most colourfully named player of recent years) It would take the referee so long to work out how to pronounce/say their names that they and their opponents would get additional rest in each match!

-- Edited by Spectator on Friday 15th of November 2013 10:01:31 AM

Yes. But would your solution to the "Dan" problem justify the additional expense of increasing the width of the scoreboards to accommodate your suggested name ?

Spectator · All-time great

Now that is impressive - both Dan and Ward in one!

More seriously, huge congratulations to Mr Smethurst on a tremendous tournament - and indeed to all the players, each of whom has outperformed expectations.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

SF: (1) Sam Groth & John-Patrick Smith (AUS/AUS) CR 154 (80+74) vs Ed Corrie & Dan Smethurst CR 1029 (590+439) (*) bleh

(*) latest rankings

The boys have a mountain to climb later today. At least the schedulers have been kinder to Dan than to Groth & Sandgren... wink

Spectator · All-time great

Bob in Spain wrote:
Spectator wrote:
Now there's a thought. Perhaps it could be a requirement that future "Dan" tennis players change their name to avoid confusion - and then we could compete with the Thai and Malagasy players to see what we could come up with. Theodoricus Marylebone-Cholmondeley-Fulford? (Yes, that is a nod to our most colourfully named player of recent years) It would take the referee so long to work out how to pronounce/say their names that they and their opponents would get additional rest in each match!

-- Edited by Spectator on Friday 15th of November 2013 10:01:31 AM
Yes. But would your solution to the "Dan" problem justify the additional expense of increasing the width of the scoreboards to accommodate your suggested name ?

I would have thought it could count as indirect player support. But, then again, in these times of LTA austerity ... Oh well. There goes another great idea.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
Spectator wrote:
Now there's a thought. Perhaps it could be a requirement that future "Dan" tennis players change their name to avoid confusion - and then we could compete with the Thai and Malagasy players to see what we could come up with. Theodoricus Marylebone-Cholmondeley-Fulford? (Yes, that is a nod to our most colourfully named player of recent years) It would take the referee so long to work out how to pronounce/say their names that they and their opponents would get additional rest in each match!

-- Edited by Spectator on Friday 15th of November 2013 10:01:31 AM
Yes. But would your solution to the "Dan" problem justify the additional expense of increasing the width of the scoreboards to accommodate your suggested name ?
I would have thought it could count as indirect player support. But, then again, in these times of LTA austerity ... Oh well. There goes another great idea.

I think it's a great idea. Part of the LTA help package would be a deed poll application form, mandatory for anyone named Dan or Josh. And if Bob in Spain vetoes Theodoricus MCF, there could be a helpful list of suggestions:

Alfie Bloggs

Fred Moggins

and so on.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Spectator wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:
Spectator wrote:
Now there's a thought. Perhaps it could be a requirement that future "Dan" tennis players change their name to avoid confusion - and then we could compete with the Thai and Malagasy players to see what we could come up with. Theodoricus Marylebone-Cholmondeley-Fulford? (Yes, that is a nod to our most colourfully named player of recent years) It would take the referee so long to work out how to pronounce/say their names that they and their opponents would get additional rest in each match!

-- Edited by Spectator on Friday 15th of November 2013 10:01:31 AM
Yes. But would your solution to the "Dan" problem justify the additional expense of increasing the width of the scoreboards to accommodate your suggested name ?
I would have thought it could count as indirect player support. But, then again, in these times of LTA austerity ... Oh well. There goes another great idea.

I think it's a great idea. Part of the LTA help package would be a deed poll application form, mandatory for anyone named Dan or Josh. And if Bob in Spain vetoes Theodoricus MCF, there could be a helpful list of suggestions:
Alfie Bloggs
Fred Moggins
and so on.

Or even Muggins or Buggins! wink

Spectator · All-time great

Like the commentator. Sandgryn misses a break point and screams. Commentator "Exactly."

To give a sense of the game: Lovely ace from Mr Smethurst to save an earlier danger point. But now a third ... Saved. Back to deuce. Advantage Sandgryn. Ace. Back to deuce. Advantage Sandgryn (commentator notes that Mr Smethurst is combining brilliant play with unfortunately timed UEs) But Sandgryn misses another passing shot. And now the sixth break point. Saved with a great forehand: another deuce. Lots of slice backhands for a game point - Advantage Smethurst ... And yes! He holds. Astounding game.

-- Edited by Spectator on Friday 15th of November 2013 07:34:59 PM

-- Edited by Spectator on Friday 15th of November 2013 07:40:31 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

No not Buggins. It's not his turn.