Week 45 - Challenger ($50,000) - Traralgon 2, Australia (Hard)

TMH · Futures qualifying

RE: Week 45 - Challenger ($50,000) - Traralgon 2, Australia (Hard)

steven · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Although we are all excited (me as much as anybody else, as witnessed by my comment above) about the pending milestone of being Top 100, I sort of hope his coach has taken a very different approach.

I hope he is taking the approach that breaking into the Top 100 is nothing more than a stepping stone to higher things and that if it doesn't happen tonight, "no big deal", because it is an inevitability in the medium term anyway. The most important thing really is that Wardy just goes out and plays a great match today and doesn't pile pressure on himself thinking about milestones.

But despite all that, I am still going to be a nervous wreck until it actually happens

I'm sure he has taken a very different approach. After all, in many ways, getting into the AO was the big thing that he probably needed to achieve this week if he was going to achieve it at all this year. Top 100 can wait if it has to - playing this well and with only just over 1/3rd of his points due off in the first half of next year, it should only be a matter of time. Having said that, you never know when injury or a slump in form might hit, so I'm sure he'll be very happy if he can win tonight!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Sorry folks. No commentary tonight. My internet is so in and out, I haven't been able to see anything yet. I am having to use lives scores on my IPhone to keep up with the game. To say I am unhappy, would be an understatement.

EddietheEagle · County player

new.livestream.com/ATP/traralgonii2014centrecourt

Jeff Stelling · Club Coach

Pretty tight so far. Ward fashioned a break point at 3-3, got a second serve which unfortunately elicited a lame duck return into the net from James. There followed a lengthy exchange with the umpire but I couldn't be sure what Dino was annoyed about. I think it was someone's positioning - maybe out of shot, maybe the ballkid.

Generally high quality from both.

korriban · Challenger level

Bob in Spain wrote:
Sorry folks. No commentary tonight. My internet is so in and out, I haven't been able to see anything yet. I am having to use lives scores on my IPhone to keep up with the game. To say I am unhappy, would be an understatement.

You're not missing much. Relatively tentative play from both of them. James looks the better player, but his forehand breaking down after long rallies quite often. James the more aggressive of the 2 and he may have it about right.

TMH · Futures qualifying

I'm buffering quite a bit myself, but seen most of it.

Not a lot in it, Ward has definitely shaded it so far but nothing to show for it. Had two BPs in Millman's last game - the first saved by a dodgy looking serve that almost bounced into the stands. Ward had a chat with the umpire for a good minute after that. The second was saved with a similar first serve (slow, lots of top spin) that pushed Ward well behind the baseline and he was always on the defensive. Couple of long rallies at deuce but both went the same way - Millman sucking up the pressure and Ward eventually making the error.

Serving well though - hasn't really been troubled on serve yet. 4-4* first set.

TMH · Futures qualifying

My stream's completely cut out now, just says 'this event has not started'.

Looks like it's back to the old fashioned way of live scores. Ward currently serving to stay in it.

-- Edited by TMH on Sunday 9th of November 2014 12:48:01 AM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

My problem is not the streaming, it is my internet connection. It just drops out here completely for 5 mins, then I get it back for a couple before it goes again. Live scores telling me we are still on serve. Thank goodness for the WIFI from the restaurant next door.

*4-5

TMH · Futures qualifying

Uh-oh... having been completely untroubled all set, serving to stay in it Ward finds himself down set point... Saved.

Now has a game point... also saved.

And now another set point...

Saved again.

Third set point... And again Wardy saves.

*sigh* Another set point.

And this time Millman finally takes it.

First set to Millman, 6-4. cry Oh the pitfalls of serving second. Ward was on top all throughout that set.

-- Edited by TMH on Sunday 9th of November 2014 12:55:05 AM

TMH · Futures qualifying

The stream is not helping my mood. It's now been split into two parts - the match up to 3-4, 40-0 where it froze, and a new one from then on that won't load.

airsmashers · County player

Its working for me now.

TMH · Futures qualifying

Aye, they seem to have resolved whatever the issue was between sets.

steven · Tennis legend

The stream is very messed up - maybe too many people trying to watch? Gutted at the way the set ended - James had looked the better player (not by much, but clearly better) and had only dropped 3 points in his previous 4 service games combined.

TMH · Futures qualifying

Oh dear, all going to pot now. Ward's serve has gone AWOL and he throws in 2 UEs and 2 double faults to tamely hand over the break. That was utterly woeful. 0-2*.