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

Julia Carrot · All-time great

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

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Live stream back. Zhang takes the 1st point with a BH winner but then goes long on the next point. 15-15 Bad miss from Zhang on the forehand. 30-15. Strong forehand from Kyle who comes to the net. Zhang misses. 40-15. Kyle nets a BH. 40-30. More forehand pressure from Kyle. Gets to the net and wins it with a volley. GET IN THERE:

Kyle wins 5-7 6-3 6-4

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Friday 14th of November 2014 05:48:58 AM

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Thank goodness for that

EddietheEagle · County player

Two absolutely woeful games there from Edmund at 5-2 but he finally does it, hugely assisted by his opponent. Not the sweetest of victories. Having watched an absolutely rampant Federer a few hours ago, I'm probably judging Edmund from a slightly over-critical stance but I'd say he has a long way to go yet development-wise. At times he just doesn't seem to want it enough and I think that casual, seemingly couldn't-care-less court demeanour of his does play a part in his error count.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

QF: Kyle Edmund WR 230 beats Ze Zhang (CHN) WR 191 (CH = 148 last year) 5-7 6-3 6-4

SF: Kyle Edmund WR 230 v (2) G Soeda (JPN) WR 116 (CH = 47 July 2012)

ATP site saying they haven't played before but I thought Kyle had beaten Soeda last year. My memory isn't the best at any time, but at almost 3am, it is worse than ever.

Whatever happens. Kyle will finish the year on a CH but will probably need one more win to get into the top 200.

Millman has cruised through his QF on the other side of the draw.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

EddietheEagle wrote:
Two absolutely woeful games there from Edmund at 5-2 but he finally does it, hugely assisted by his opponent. Not the sweetest of victories. Having watched an absolutely rampant Federer a few hours ago, I'm probably judging Edmund from a slightly over-critical stance but I'd say he has a long way to go yet development-wise. At times he just doesn't seem to want it enough and I think that casual, seemingly couldn't-care-less court demeanour of his does play a part in his error count.

Sort of glad my live stream died for those two games. It was tough enough watching the rest of it.

Given the run that Kyle had been on though prior to last week, this is another step forward. Certainly not at this best throughout today. But it has been raised a few times on here that Kyle often goes AWOL in the 3rd and deciding set. Well that's two three-setters he has won this week and he is in another Challenger semi-final. So I'll take that even though it wasn't pretty at times.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Friday 14th of November 2014 05:55:10 AM

Priesty · Challenger level

As I recall Kyle beat Soeda 2 and 2 at Nottingham this year - definitely on grass prior to Wimbledon anyway. I imagine it'll be much tougher this time however.

Nonetheless, well done Kyle!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Priesty wrote:
As I recall Kyle beat Soeda 2 and 2 at Nottingham this year - definitely on grass prior to Wimbledon anyway. I imagine it'll be much tougher this time however.

Nonetheless, well done Kyle!

Maybe my memory isn't so bad after all. There is hope for me yet. smile

FriendofLouieG · Lower Club Player

That was a tough match! Kyle was fading towards end of 1st set so did extremely well to get back in it! Ze Chang is a decent gritty challenger player.

The body language from Kyle said it all at the end of the match. Kyle has the desire and talent (like Liam) to go top 100 next year.

I suspect the UK will have at least 3 top 100 players by the end of 2015, if not 4.

Go Soeda will be tough but I hope Kyle can do it!

Provisional rank for Kyle now 202.

freerider · Futures level

FriendofLouieG wrote:

I suspect the UK will have at least 3 top 100 players by the end of 2015, if not 4.

... and if evans has a healthy, motivated 2014 you can bump that up to 5 (although I agree unlikely they will all be in there).

Still one step at a time well done kyle on what sounds like a ground out victory and good luck in the semi.

freerider · Futures level

And many thanks bob for the commentary :)

EddietheEagle · County player

FriendofLouieG wrote:
Kyle has the desire and talent (like Liam) to go top 100 next year.

If Kyle carries on playing like that he won't be going anywhere.

There's lots and lots of aspects he has to hone imo including that potential major weapon he has with his forehand. I don't know his game well enough to make predictions but the impression I have is of someone who doesn't quite exert himself enough.

FriendofLouieG · Lower Club Player

EddietheEagle wrote:
FriendofLouieG wrote:
Kyle has the desire and talent (like Liam) to go top 100 next year.

If Kyle carries on playing like that he won't be going anywhere.
There's lots and lots of aspects he has to hone imo including that potential major weapon he has with his forehand. I don't know his game well enough to make predictions but the impression I have is of someone who doesn't quite exert himself enough.

He won the match and he's just had a public parting of ways with Greg. He's beaten one of the top seeds in the first round...out of form or not, Bradley Klahn is very tough and was ATP top 70 earlier this year. Zhang along with Di Wu are arguably the two most promising male Chinese players to emerge in recent years. He had a better score last week against John Millman than James Ward could achieve in the final in Traralgon.

All things considered, I think he's done very well in the last few weeks.

Jaffa · Challenger level

Some incredibly critical comments on this thread... The boy is only 19 and has had a bad few months, I think he's shown great strides in the last three weeks, to get one more win and get top 200 would really top it off.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Many, many thanks for the commentary, BiS. I used great determination and read it through without checking the result first. Looks as though we are very soon going to have to talk about a Kyle-coaster. Ah well, any Andy fan is used to rollercoasters. Great stuff. If I can find some time today I'll watch the rerun.