Weeks 26 & 27: Wimbledon (grass) - doubles

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

RE: Weeks 26 & 27: Wimbledon (grass) - doubles

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Thanks Jaffa. Great reports.

From what I have seen of doubles over the last 12 months, almost ALL matches are decided on very fine margins. A point here or a point there can turn a match completely. Most of the pairings seem so evenly matched that you can win one day and lose the next, to the same people. Colin and Ross, for example, beat Cuevas & Marrero in Eastbourne but lost here.

I would also agree whole heartedly re Wardy and Evo. I am big fans of both when it comes to singles but as for doubles, this was a waste. I think Phil summed it up best when he said "Doubles WCs should be for Doubles players".

Shhh · Challenger level

Thanks Jaffa, such good reports I shall overlook the lateness of them on this occassion

Jaffa · Challenger level

Oh you really are too kind Shh

Stircrazy, I must admit it didn't cross my mind I just didn't think they played very well to be honest!

I also saw the last set of Tara Moore but I'll post my thoughts on that there

-- Edited by Jaffa on Saturday 28th of June 2014 12:38:28 PM

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Thanks for the reports Jaffa (I'll forgive the lateness of your post if you'll forgive the lateness of mine!)

What do you guys (and gals) all think about Hutchins' form? I know he is still only in his first year back from a very serious illness and don't get me wrong, I think it's fantastic that he has achieved this much, but I'm getting the impression that playing isn't his first priority anymore and that must be affecting his form. There's a reason we don't often see players as tournament directors. I guess I'm speculating that he may not play for very much longer but I'm asking whether any of those who follow doubles a lot more closely than I do are thinking the same or whether I'm simply reading far too much into it and should just let him take the time to fully come back from the illness.

Spectator · All-time great

I'm not sure either, Imoen. It's noticeable that the Fleming/Hutchins results this year haven't been quite as stellar as they were before, but whether that's because it takes more time to get back after such a serious illness or because there are a lot of distractions (media work, tournament directing, etc) or because of a general dip in form on either side, I don't know.

On another note, it will be interesting to see how Mr Murray (J) and Mr Peers fare against the second seeds as and when they get on court.* I have enormous respect for Peya and Soares, who are really good and consistent. But the Murray/Peers pairings also seems a fine one.

*Speaking of as and when getting on court, all the fuss re: scheduling has focused on Wawrinka. But if you look at it, it's really Lopez who gets hit worst. He has a very good chance against Wawrinka on grass, which means that it's he who could be doing three straight best of fives. Isner was a much harder match to start with than Istomin; it was clearly going to go long. And the poor soul is also in the doubles, where he's also been delayed ... so that he also could wind up needing to play multiple best of 5s in doubles on top of the singles matches. Really not nice.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

R3: (14) Jamie Murray & John Peers (AUS) CR 65 (32+33) vs (2) Alexander Peya & Bruno Soares (AUT/BRA) CR 6 (3+3) bleh

Spectator · All-time great

Courage, SC. Were it any other GB pairing (on current form), I'd write this match off. But Murray and Peers ran them very close at Queen's ... you never know ...

wolf · Tennis legend

*0-3 down already. On freeview channel 302 (might need to re-tune your tv).

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Stircrazy wrote:
R3: (14) Jamie Murray & John Peers (AUS) CR 65 (32+33) vs (2) Alexander Peya & Bruno Soares (AUT/BRA) CR 6 (3+3)

Not going well at the moment: first set down the pan by 3-6. cry

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

They put up more of a fight in the second set & wrap it up in the tie-break by 7-2 to get themselves back on terms.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

The third set also goes to a tie-break, in which it is the second seeds who prevail by 7-3. cry

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Again the boys roar back to bag the fourth set by 6-3 & take the match into a decider. smile

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

A brave effort, but not quite enough to upset the second seeds:

R3: (2) Alexander Peya & Bruno Soares (AUT/BRA) CR 6 (3+3) defeated (14) Jamie Murray & John Peers (AUS) CR 65 (32+33) by 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(3) 3-6 6-3

Spectator · All-time great

Bother. I really did think that they might just do it. Very fine effort - very little in it either way. Do think that the Murray/Peers partnership has the skill and self-belief this year to do very well indeed. Would have favoured them - as opposed to just thinking they might win - against any other team.