Week 30 - Challenger ($125,000) - Astana II, Kazakhstan (Hard)

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

RE: Week 30 - Challenger ($125,000) - Astana II, Kazakhstan (Hard)

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

Now 3-2, with serve, Popko is serving 2nd. There was an absurd DF by DR in his previous service game cause by a gust of wind. It is so, so windy!

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

4-3*, Popko to serve. I'm suprised that neither player is making much of an attempt to shorten the points. DR's last service game was very solid.

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

DR had to BPs in that game but Popko holds. 4-4

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

Two duff sliced backhands and a forehand long - DR concedes serve to leave Popko to serve for it.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Dave gets broken losing 4 straight points from 30-0 up. He is now 4-5*

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

DR breaks in a tight game to even thuigs. 5-5

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Breaks back for 5-5.

Have to say for those not watching that the wind is making this almost into a lottery. On one point, Dave threw up the lob. Popko got into position for the smash and then decided to let it bounce. He then had to chase the ball almost half the width of the court as the wind took it away from him.

This could go either way.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Tuesday 22nd of July 2014 06:48:13 AM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Popko breaks again to lead *6-5

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

At deuce, DR does another wind induced DF - the 2nd serve looking like a beginners. I think he wanted to stophis action but was too close to hitting the ball. Then a poor bh as he races forward to attack an extremely short ball.

Popko serves for it again

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Ricey breaks back again. Squeaky culo time.

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

Rice breaks again to take us into a breaker. Both players want this, but it is a nervy match. I think some bold play could pay dividends.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

stevemcqueen wrote:
At deuce, DR does another wind induced DF - the 2nd serve looking like a beginners. I think he wanted to stophis action but was too close to hitting the ball. Then a poor bh as he races forward to attack an extremely short ball.
Popko serves for it again

Yes. That 2nd serve was quite remarkable. He ended up "bunting" it from in front of his nose like a 5 year old in their 1st lesson and it still went closer to the baseline than the service line.

Shhh · Challenger level

Agony to watch via live scores! Twice Dave has gone 40-15 on serve but been caught and broken. Then, has seen break points come and go before managing breaking back as Popko serves for the match.

TMH · Futures qualifying

This is a farce.