Week 10 - Canada F1 ($15,000) - Gatineau (Hard)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RE: Week 10 - Canada F1 ($15,000) - Gatineau (Hard)

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, CD, just to emphasise what a poor time Dan had last year, after he defends 18 points in the 31/03 rankings for his Sunderland futures title last year, he has a grand total of 30 points to defend over the following 7 months.

So, maintaining anything like his current firm, the only way is UP.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Very impressive week for Smethy, arguably his best week of the year.

In the past Dan has been described as a solid baseliner but lacking weapons, but now that he has developed a huge forehand, the wins/confidence are now just flowing.

I think last year was a transitional year for Dan, but since he's found the perfect spot to train in Nottingham ( on and off the court ), everything is clicking. Dan was so upbeat about his offseason when I spoke to him at Sunderland, that I knew this year was going to be a belter ( always get an honest answer from Dan.. no bulls**t . I remember watching Dan play a punishing forehand off a low spinning ball that Richard Gabb played at Sunderland, which just accelerated off his racquet, and flew past Richard for a winner. Everyone watching was like WOW, even Richard looked down the other side of the net and wondered what had hit him. It really was Murrayesque.

I'm pretty certain Dan will be in the GB top 5 at the end of the year, and quite likely well inside the top 200

TMH · Futures qualifying

Wow, great win and another brilliant week for Dan.

Glad to have been proved wrong re Kutrovsky.

Spectator · All-time great

Well done, Mr Smethurst. And all the players, for that matter. A very good week.

steven · Tennis legend

Dan breaks into the top 300 as these points go on

That was obvious, of course - he's well inside, up 35 at 270, but that means he is already up over 1/3rd since the start of the year, up 137 from 407 at the end of December. He also becomes a top 250 doubles player for the first time.

indiana · Tennis legend

Dan S is also currently involved in a 3 way "battle" ( inside the top 120 ! ) for the GB no 2 in the ATP "race. That does not include his 8 from the following week, so he is really now GB no 2 "in running" ), although does include his 32 from November's challenger SF.

11. A Murray 820

111. D Evans 128
112. D Smethurst 125
115. J Ward 124