Week 31 - USA F22 ($10,000) - Decatur, IL (Hard)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RE: Week 31 - USA F22 ($10,000) - Decatur, IL (Hard)

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

Those who are eligible and willing to work to fulfill their potential are most certainly welcomed by me. From the (admittedly little) talk I've seen surrounding Farris, he seems to be viewed highly and well respected. Hopefully he will make the right decision for him, regardless.

Spectator · All-time great

murray_2k9 wrote:
Has anyone seen Forris play btw? Would be really interested to know what is so eccentric about his game. I didnt realise how impressive had been, equalling Andersons (WR18) record for going unbeaten in Top 10 tennis, that has to be promising ....

Just to note that the "Big 10" isn't the same as "Top 10" - it appears to be the name of the conference (a kind of local grouping of universities) and is self-designated. Still very impressive to have had such a good record, and he did - according to the Illinois website - finish 20th in the country. That's particularly impressive given that he must have been playing in the second position, as one of his teammates was ranked even higher.

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

Spectator wrote:
murray_2k9 wrote:
Has anyone seen Forris play btw? Would be really interested to know what is so eccentric about his game. I didnt realise how impressive had been, equalling Andersons (WR18) record for going unbeaten in Top 10 tennis, that has to be promising ....

Just to note that the "Big 10" isn't the same as "Top 10" - it appears to be the name of the conference (a kind of local grouping of universities) and is self-designated. Still very impressive to have had such a good record, and he did - according to the Illinois website - finish 20th in the country. That's particularly impressive given that he must have been playing in the second position, as one of his teammates was ranked even higher.

Thanks for the clarification - I did note that he wasnt on the tennis recruiting site, which struck me as odd and I guess that explains why.

The guy he is playing at the moment is ranked as 3 nationally on tennis recruiting, so is arguably favourite on that basis.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

His is pretty sensible use of the American college system, he is doing a tough degree in a university that is strong on engineering so I am told by a friend who went there but only made the band! given what he does I believe him. Unusual for a strong football school in arguably the third best athletic conference for football... Draws the cash which funds the other athletic programmes and has just sucked in two other big schools from the ACC Rutgers and Maryland. 20th in his third year, no Andrew Harris? But who knows hopefully will make a dent in the ITF before his Senior year but will have plenty to fall back on if he graduates and should he not make it as a touring tennis professional. He must have had to work pretty hard as a junior around his tennis to get in in the first place given his choice of degree, so who knows what might happen if focused purely on tennis.

RJA · Hall of fame

murray_2k9 wrote:
Has anyone seen Forris play btw? Would be really interested to know what is so eccentric about his game. I didnt realise how impressive had been, equalling Andersons (WR18) record for going unbeaten in Top 10 tennis, that has to be promising.

Also, considering he has already spoken of whether to change nationalities, it seems like he must have done. Surely most players would snap up the change to represent a grand slam nation, if they do genuinely have dreams of reaching the top 200 as Forris seems to? I would be disappointed if the LTA couldnt beat the Libyan tennis system in terms of support.

I saw a little bit of him at a couple of British futures in 2011. He beat beat a very young Harry Meehan at Wrexham if memory serves correctly and I think I also saw a bit of him at Nottingham. I don't remember much but I do recall thinking he had a bit about him.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

This article (and there are a couple of other similar) says that college has been the making of Farris as he went there, thinking he'd make the first team, be wonderful etc. etc. He was taken on, never having even had to interview or play live.

and then got a HUGE reality check, barely making the kids' reserves.

The coach says fitness and endurance were a major problem, and attitude.

After two poor years, seemingly he got his head in gear and is now going great guns. Well done to him.

www.dailyillini.com/sports/men_sports/men_tennis/article_23f0c304-cfec-11e3-886a-001a4bcf6878.html

Bright Spark · Lower Club Player

He has had some very promising results already this summer, looks like a very good prospect.

Jaffa · Challenger level

And he's just come through a right battle today, winning 6-4 in the third.

Thanks for that link CD, nice to hear he's matured and going to be better for it. Another reason why people will say Oli should have gone!

Oakland2002 · All-time great

You can take the boy out of Barry but can you take Barry out of the boy, by definition a "tidy prospect" .

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

well, he's got a Union Jack next to his name, he's playing tennis AND he's won !! That'll do it for me - well done, Farris 6-3 2-6 6-4 :)

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

Thanks for all the really interesting feedback.

Hes through his match btw - 6-4 in the third against a seemingly talented American college player, he just keeps on rolling!

Very interesting that in the article from the daily illini, he was referred to all the way through as what appears to be his 'Welsh' name, which leads me to believe he has been leaning towards a GB change for some time.

murray_2k9 · Challenger qualifying

Just watched the clip (the voice over is horrendous!) - hes a leftie with a one handed backhanded, which is quite a rare combo and probably explains the earlier quirky comment - Lopez is the only player I can think of who who has the same mix off the top of my head, but Im sure there are more.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I think there was a big difference between them at 18 and arguably Oli was a better prospect than Kyle, even with the retrospectoscope I think the argument would be dubious but undoubtedly would have some backers. I hope Farris has a fantastic senior year and manages to emulate Anderson in the long term. He is however where you would hope Oli would have been at 18.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Liam and Luke off and running AGAIN in the doubles. Just won the 1st set 6-1