Very disappointing re Marcus.

I do fear that he might be getting a bit of Evo syndrome re futures. A clearly talented guy, but are continual 10Ks ( and British league ) really inspiring him that much any more or progressing his game ?

He showed up pretty well in his recent Challengers event ( certainly indicating better form than today's result ) and is reported to have recently been keen to go the USA.

A bit of a shocker from Marcus (hopefully just a first match on the devil dust glitch), though I've noticed the odd good result from Griekspoor even though he always seems to still be ranked around 700 each time he turns up on the radar.

6 of the other 7 seeds have made it through to R2 but I'm hoping one more will go out - Toby Martin is a set and a break up (6-4 2-0*) against 5th seeded Aussie Maverick Banes

Marcus: "Frustrating to not come through today- missed by inches on big points and he was too good in 3rd. #moveon #thedownside"

EddietheEagle wrote:

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Coup Droit wrote:

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I agree, indy. I'm not sure people will like the comparison to Evo but the point is true - there's no motivation in just doing more and more of the same . . .

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 That's why, as I said before, players who make it get through that stage at a young age, eighteen or younger, nineteen max. Or you grind it out Vince Spadea style and hope for an eventual break.

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Yes, but as the statistics showed you, they didn't back up your argument.

Not playing constant futures is not to do with when you're going to break through but just that no one's a machine and it's difficult to get fired up to just try more of the same.

Toby is about to serve for a career best ranking scalp (having already had match point on the Aussie's serve)

6-4 *5-2

Edit: just checked - it would be a career best scalp based on Helen's list, but from his ATP activity listing, it looks like Lemke was WR 284 when he beat him in 2011.

-- Edited by steven on Tuesday 22nd of April 2014 06:58:57 PM

Great win whatever from Toby ! And he'll play jathan next so that's a nice QF beckoning for one or the other . . .

Coup Droit wrote:

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EddietheEagle wrote:

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Coup Droit wrote:

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I agree, indy. I'm not sure people will like the comparison to Evo but the point is true - there's no motivation in just doing more and more of the same . . .

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 That's why, as I said before, players who make it get through that stage at a young age, eighteen or younger, nineteen max. Or you grind it out Vince Spadea style and hope for an eventual break.

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Yes, but as the statistics showed you, they didn't back up your argument.

Not playing constant futures is not to do with when you're going to break through but just that no one's a machine and it's difficult to get fired up to just try more of the same.

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Don't understand your last line.

The stats more than make the argument. Evans' comment merely underlines the truism that Futures tennis is not a level you want to stay at for long. As for older players, I suspect some have discovered the benefits of chemical assistance, particularly those showing very sudden ranking rises. I don't believe all that ITF bollocks about tennis being too technical a sport.