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

FriendofLouieG · Lower Club Player

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

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

One final thought before the Karoake over the road finishes allowing me to get some sleep. If you are going to finally break into the Top 100, why do it at a Challenger final where only the really dedicated fans take notice.

What better way to do it than by winning a round (or 3) in a Slam with full gaze of the tennis playing world on you. The AO will be that time and that place for Wardy. You heard it here first folks.

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

I've enjoyed watching Dino these last few months - haven't always been able to watch the streams, but the commentary and analysis here is always appreciated. I think 2015 will be a good year for our no.2. If the rankings were based on just 6 months results and best 9 instead of best 18 he'd be ranked 75.

He has played a load of tournametns this year, he needs to get some rest, recuperation and relaxation in. He'll probably get direct entry into the two tournaments directly before the Aussie Open - I wonder if he'll play them? Sometimes events directly before a GS are a bit softer than usual. Whatever happens, I hope he stays healthy!

Jan · Hall of fame

Big internet problems here - but a short widow of opportunity to catch up on results.
Sorry to see that James lost - but he's heading in the right direction.

paulisi · Tennis legend

I fell asleep three quarters of the way through the first set when James was on top, but didn't put any real pressure on at crucial times.

Disappointed to see him fold so easily.

It's been a very consistent back end of the year.

I assume that is season over, that Aus Open place may not be guaranteed as there are still people that can get passed him in the upcoming qualifiers.

RJA · Hall of fame

paulisi wrote:
I assume that is season over, that Aus Open place may not be guaranteed as there are still people that can get passed him in the upcoming qualifiers.

It looks like season over. He was down to play Helsinki this week but understandably withdrew. There is one more week of challengers after that so if he really wanted to pick up a few more points and secure a top 100 place he could turn up in qualifying in one of them but I think that would be a very short sighted thing to do.

He should be okay for Aus open main draw anyway. I could see him dropping 2 or 3 places over the next few week. Troicki is already assured of going above him and the original cut off will be at least 103 (Del Potro will use a PR) but normally there are 2 or 3 withdrawals.

-- Edited by RJA on Sunday 9th of November 2014 01:29:46 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

According to Mike Dickson on Twitter, Wardy has definitely finished for the year.

Made contact with James Ward this morning, he's finished for the year. V good progress in 2014, could still nip inside top 100.

TMH · Futures qualifying

What date is the cut off?

RJA · Hall of fame

TMH wrote:
What date is the cut off?

Rankings as of the 8th December but nothing should change much after the 24th November rankings after the last challengers have been played.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Great year for wardy loved watching it. Well played in lots of ways, some wavy tournament choices and a determination to exploit every opportunity to improve his position. 2015 should bring him more opportunities and a new level if challenges to rise to. It must be inspiring for the younger guys 300 and under to see what can be achieved.

I really feel this is the beginning of his peak years if he can stay the zone and healthy from 28-32 there is the potential for lots more. Where does he set his next target? Career high under 70? Top 50 scalps? Progression in slams?

Optimistic in lots of ways for UK tennis in 2015

TMH · Futures qualifying

Would just like to note that if Sela loses his Helsinki semi-final tomorrow, Ward will be #100.

Perhaps a big 'if' though, as Sela takes on Gombos and is the favourite. But worth keeping an eye on tomorrow.

NB. Sorry, should note that this is according to live-tennis.eu, which is not always the most reliable.

-- Edited by TMH on Saturday 15th of November 2014 01:36:45 AM

indiana · Tennis legend

Sorry, TMH, but as you say the live-tennis.eu site is ( probably inevitably ) not always the most reliable.

And Steven feels that they are wrong in this instance and has explained why on the British men top 25 etc table thread.

Basically he considers that they have missed out a relevant player ( Dustin Brown ) so that even if Gombos beats Sela in Helsinki, James will still be left hanging at WR 101.

Jeff Stelling · Club Coach

Agreed, they shunted Dino up from 101 to 100 for literally no reason. I got mentioned in two tweets threatening a writ at them LOL - and "fair enough", utter shambles to make a basic error like that.

indiana · Tennis legend

Ha Ha, nobody should be taking such a site as gospel.

It's a strange one, but has only turned into a significant matter for us because it is effecting James' top 100 possibilities.

TMH · Futures qualifying

Ah fair enough, thanks for pointing that out. That's a shame.