Week 46 - Challenger ($50,000) - Yokohama, Japan (Hard)

steven · Tennis legend

RE: Week 46 - Challenger ($50,000) - Yokohama, Japan (Hard)

TMH · Futures qualifying

Last four challenger finals Brits have been involved in?

Kyle v Millman tbc
James v Millman L
Liam v Duckworth L
James v Duckworth L

Last Brit to win a challenger?

James v Duckworth

Bloody Aussies.

Edit: Oops - I see Steven has beaten me to it!

-- Edited by TMH on Saturday 15th of November 2014 12:18:34 PM

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

goldenboy wrote:
As an aside, interesting to note how many Aussies seem to be doing well this year (5 in top 100, 13 in top 200!). Have always thought we're reasonably similar- ie affluent, English-speaking country, grand slam hosts, but generally only 1 or 2 "top" players- but they're clearly doing something right.

Is it just luck that there's a decent crop right now, or have they found a formula that works?

climate clearly helps, makes it a year-round sport over there

in Britain hitting soggy balls on a wet and windy November day is not gonna do much for a child's motivation

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

The Knight wrote:
goldenboy wrote:
As an aside, interesting to note how many Aussies seem to be doing well this year (5 in top 100, 13 in top 200!). Have always thought we're reasonably similar- ie affluent, English-speaking country, grand slam hosts, but generally only 1 or 2 "top" players- but they're clearly doing something right.

Is it just luck that there's a decent crop right now, or have they found a formula that works?
climate clearly helps, makes it a year-round sport over there

in Britain hitting soggy balls on a wet and windy November day is not gonna do much for a child's motivation

There's almost twice as many indoor courts in France than in the UK. Germany's number is far higher too, I believe.

The LTA should fund new indoor courts. Serbia, Czech, Sweden, Russia - all these countries rely heavily (and successfully) on indoor courts.

freerider · Futures level

Coup Droit wrote:

There's almost twice as many indoor courts in France than in the UK. Germany's number is far higher too, I believe.
The LTA should fund new indoor courts. Serbia, Czech, Sweden, Russia - all these countries rely heavily (and successfully) on indoor courts.

I couldn't believe the Swedish number one currently ranked outside the top 200.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

freerider wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:

There's almost twice as many indoor courts in France than in the UK. Germany's number is far higher too, I believe.
The LTA should fund new indoor courts. Serbia, Czech, Sweden, Russia - all these countries rely heavily (and successfully) on indoor courts.

I couldn't believe the Swedish number one currently ranked outside the top 200.

I wasn't really meaning absolutely today but more over time.

And the Swedish number one is actually ranked WR 70 (women's tennis is just as valid as men')

But fine, take Sweden out if you want.

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

The final starts at noon which I think is 03:00 GMT. Not sure I'll be watching! I hope there'll be a 3 hour hour rain delay....

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

stevemcqueen wrote:
The final starts at noon which I think is 03:00 GMT. Not sure I'll be watching! I hope there'll be a 3 hour hour rain delay....

There had better bloomin' not be. Noon in Yokohama is midnight for me, so it is just about OK. So from my purely selfish perspective, let's hope that it kicks off on time.

indiana · Tennis legend

Bob, if you are watching the match and can pass on a bit more than scores good.

But, please make sure you are first able to really enjoy and take in the match as it happens and I doubt that you can fully do that if typing out a lot of commentary too.

You have put a lot into supporting and literally following Kyle. Now in his first challenger final you deserve to enjoy and focus on it for yourself.

Anyway, it's not as if it's a week night in the UK :)

Ratty · County player

freerider wrote:

I couldn't believe the Swedish number one currently ranked outside the top 200.

What is more odd in my opinion, given their small population (less than 10 million) and their climate, is that Sweden ever had so many good tennis players.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I'll second that, Indie - I certainly can't watch and post much at the same time. Though I did enjoy reading through the comments. It's much quicker than watching the match later on the livestream - which I did, but when I had the time to do it which I don't have in the mornings.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Ratty wrote:
freerider wrote:
I couldn't believe the Swedish number one currently ranked outside the top 200.
What is more odd in my opinion, given their small population (less than 10 million) and their climate, is that Sweden ever had so many good tennis players.

Yes. Though the population of Serbia is about 2 million less, and weather isn't perfect, and they do OK. And Croatia is less than half the size of Sweden and has 4 top 100 males players.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Thanks Indi. I really appreciate the thought and you're spot on that it isn't always easy trying to keep up the commentary while watching the match, particularly given my laptop is almost as old and slow as its owner and the internet connection is .... well ... let's be polite and just say it leaves a lot to be desired. Heaven forbid the laptop decides to update my antivirus database during the match. I could end up missing a whole set.

Having said all that, sometimes bashing away at the keyboard between games is a better way of managing stress levels than punching holes in the sofa - almost therapeutic in some ways. So as long as people don't mind me spamming the board, I will see how it goes.

My first problem however, is going to be staying awake until midnight. I am still feeling the effects of my 3am finish the night before last and the matchsticks for my eyelids are on standby. Maybe a little siesta this afternoon would be the order of the day. That sounds like an excellent idea. Perhaps I should just put the England v Slovenia game on the TV (assuming it's on here) and that should put me to sleep in no time.

Whatever happens, I do intend to enjoy the match, which I will do all the more if Kyle can upset the odds and take the title. Go Kedders.

freerider · Futures level

Coup Droit wrote:
freerider wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:

There's almost twice as many indoor courts in France than in the UK. Germany's number is far higher too, I believe.
The LTA should fund new indoor courts. Serbia, Czech, Sweden, Russia - all these countries rely heavily (and successfully) on indoor courts.

I couldn't believe the Swedish number one currently ranked outside the top 200.

I wasn't really meaning absolutely today but more over time.
And the Swedish number one is actually ranked WR 70 (women's tennis is just as valid as men')

But fine, take Sweden out if you want.

No not at all. I just always considered sweden as a strong tennis nation punching above its wait. Was just really suprised where there male number 1 is ranked (dont follow the ladies side personally)

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

I should add that just because my end of year Ranking Prediction for Kyle was 190, it is no excuse for him to lose today smile