Week 8 - ATP 250 - Marseille (Hard)

Priesty · Challenger level

RE: Week 8 - ATP 250 - Marseille (Hard)

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Good to see both getting through.

I do hope these two push eachother onwards to reach their full potential. Kyle should be running up behind them both too.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

James got the job done today without too much difficulty. Despite a few early UEs, particularly on the forehand, an early break put him in front and from then it always seemed a matter of when and not if he would win. Chazal had a few shots in his armory but was never able to string more than two or three points together before "regressing to his mean".

James just kept him at arms length throughout the match and was nearly always favorite in the longer rallies. He played OK but in truth was rarely stretched.

I did mention to him afterwards that Kyle had won today and had broken into the top 300, so he is very aware that the battle of the GB top 5 is on.

steven · Tennis legend

Thanks for the reports, Bob.

The story so far (QR2 times as given by Priesty above):

QR1: (q2) Dan Evans WR 123 beat Norbert Gombos (SVK) WR 191 (CH 189 in Jan) by 6-4 7-6(2)
QR1: (q8) James Ward WR 178 beat Maxime Chazal (FRA) WR 485 (CH 440 in Oct) by 2 & 4

QR2: (q2) Dan Evans WR 123 v Roberto Marcora (ITA) WR 348 (= CH)
QR2: (q8) James Ward WR 178 v Lorenzo Giustino (ITA) WR 229 (CH 228 in Jan)

L32: (WC) Kyle Edmund WR 319 v Tobias Kamke (GER) WR 86 (CH 64 in 2011)

So, GBR v ITA x 2 tomorrow ...

H2H: Giustino beat James 6-3 3-6 6-2 in Mons in October.

-- Edited by steven on Saturday 15th of February 2014 07:31:34 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
James got the job done today without too much difficulty. Despite a few early UEs, particularly on the forehand, an early break put him in front and from then it always seemed a matter of when and not if he would win. Chazal had a few shots in his armory but was never able to string more than two or three points together before "regressing to his mean".

James just kept him at arms length throughout the match and was nearly always favorite in the longer rallies. He played OK but in truth was rarely stretched.

I did mention to him afterwards that Kyle had won today and had broken into the top 300, so he is very aware that the battle of the GB top 5 is on.

No pressure then - just keeping him on his toes smile

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Don't think Dan Evans likes Sunday mornings - 4-1 down

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Coup Droit wrote:
Don't think Dan Evans likes Sunday mornings - 4-1 down

Yes, I was concerned it was a bit of an early start for him

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

He must be waking up now- he has just broken back. *4-5

SMC1809 · All-time great

Back on serve *4-5

Miriambee · Futures level

Dan 5-5 now

SMC1809 · All-time great

Evo saved a set point in that game.

RJA · Hall of fame

Lost the first set 7-6(2)

I could see a scenario in a year's time where Dan is in the top 50, but matches like this would still worry me.

Come on Dan, sort it out.

korriban · Challenger level

Coup Droit wrote:
Don't think Dan Evans likes Sunday mornings - 4-1 down

Often a function of Saturday nights in my experience, when I start slowly.......which is mostof the time

RJA · Hall of fame

Evo was a break down in the second but is now back on serve at 4-3*

Marcora is not in any way a dangerous floater. He has never beaten a top 200 player and so far this year his record is

QF's a french futures
1st round qualifying defeat in Montpellier ATP
2nd round qualifying defeat in Bergamo challenger

paulisi · Tennis legend

Dan starting to wake up??? Back on serve second set. 4-3*