Gutted. Absolutely gutted. For so much of this match the guys looked in control and were the better pairing. A comfortable first set as followed by an early break in the second and it was all going swimmingly. Then there was 1 bad game on Colin's serve as a Pavic net chord practically hit Colin in the face and then he threw in DFs to drop his serve. It didn't phase them however and if anyone was going to get a break during the rest of the set it was them.

It didn't come and so we headed into a TB and they quickly ran up a 3-0 lead. As reported, they had a couple of MPs, one each on the Pavic and Draganja serve. Unfortunately the Croats found the right/wrong moment (depends on your perspective) to come up with the big serves. Then at 8-8 Colin hit a screamer of a return straight at Pavic. He turned his back a pretty much stuck his racket up behind his head for self protection. Somehow, it hit the racket and turned into a clean winner clipping the side line. Then at 9-9, it has to be said that each of Pavic and Draganja came up with stunning short angle winners when Colin and Ross seemed to be in control of the point.

In the MTB, Pavic/Draganja got into a 3-0 and fight as they could, Colin and Ross couldn't get their noses back in front despite getting back to 7-7 at one point. They looked as gutted as I was at the end and I really felt for them. I think that with Llodra/Mahut pulling out, this was a real opportunity for Ross in particular to pick up some much needed points to boost his ranking.

The only consolation I have is the knowledge that they are playing well, with Ross in particular being immense today.

On to Acapulco.

It was pretty gutting to watch on stream and I can imagine how much worse actually being there. Tremendous though, when you think about it that Ross is playing so well and hopefully he can find much satisfaction in that alone.

'On to Acapulco' ?

Bob in Spain wrote:

---

Julia Carrot wrote:

---

It was pretty gutting to watch on stream and I can imagine how much worse actually being there. Tremendous though, when you think about it that Ross is playing so well and hopefully he can find much satisfaction in that alone.

'On to Acapulco' ?

---

 For Colin and Ross, yes. But not for me sadly.

---

 Thanks for the reports this week Bob

QF:  Paul Hanley (AUS) & Jonny Marray CR 128 (82+46) defeated (ALT) James Cerretani & Adil Shamasdin (USA/CAN) CR 290 (136+154) by 6-4 7-6(3)

Good workout for them, but 90 points nevertheless in the bag & a reasonable prospect of making the final, I'd have thought.

*****

SF:  Paul Hanley (AUS) & Jonny Marray CR 128 (82+46) vs Marin Draganja & Mate Pavic (CRO/CRO) CR 118 (58+60)

Great start for Jonny and Paul

*2-0

Second set didn't start as as well. Broken early and then missed three chances to break back

1-2*

The crafty Croats strike back, taking the second set by 6-4.