Week 46 - Challenger ($50,000) - Champaign IL, USA (Hard)

steven · Tennis legend

Week 46 - Challenger ($50,000) - Champaign IL, USA (Hard)

indiana · Tennis legend

So many challenger threads :)

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Isn't it great? A short while ago I commented on how good it was to have our players in Challenger level, compared to about 10 years ago. I was immediately jumped on by somebody who said we had had Boggo. . . Well, ok, but one Challenger level player doesn't compare to now, does it?

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I may have raised my eyebrows quite recently at some claims that this had been overall a "great" year for British men's singles tennis - there were still too many negatives for me. And sorry, whilst I don't look for negatives, I don't ignore them.

But probably the best thing about the year was already the increased number of top 300 / challenging top 300 players players we had and having such a number competitive in challengers.

And that aspect has hugely enhanced further in the last few weeks with so many performances, headed by James and Liam.

Allied to Andy's late run back up the rankings and into the WTF as well, it's certainly proving a great end to the year ( IMHO, but I doubt many would disagree ).

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Madeline I agree we have had a great year watching the young guns progress to becoming a cohort of challenger players and now contenders. I don't think we have ever had a couple of indigenous young players transition so well, and that transition didn't happen overnight it's taken a whole year. 2014 on that front alone has been great for development.

Andy is now back where he belongs and has recovered completely from a career threatening injury, he is our only slam winner in my lifetime and goes into 2015 as a grand slam contender. 2014 has been a great year for rehabilitation.

James hopefully will get an opportunity next year to be a genuine ATP tour player flitting out to challenger level on occasions with some confidence that he can keep his points tally up by going deep. Undeniably James as a mature player has progressed greatly this year.

The Davis cup saw some great personal performances and great wins for the team, often away on poorly prepared surfaces that don't suit our players, particularly enjoyed the win in San Diego.

Just been to watch some FA Cup 1st round football ie conference v conference south, the later is the first level that you begin to see fat lads ie players with a BMI > 23 (definition for athletes). The fact that Marcus has just played a challenger QF yet pops a snickers between sets makes me seriously hopefully that should he become truly professional, he too will be able to earn a living as a touring professional tennis player.

If we see similar young player development, avoidance or rehabilitation from injury, and career progression of mature players in 2015, I would say that would be great. Others may not agree but might still bite your hand off at the prospect?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Lewis has lost the first set 6-4 and is 0-2 down in the second

steven · Tennis legend

QR1: Lewis Burton WR 726 lost to (q3) Fritz Wolmarans (RSA) WR 429 (CH 198 in 2011) by 4 & 2

L32: (WC) Farris Gosea WR 585 v (WC) Marcos Giron (USA) WR 455 (CH 419 in Aug)
L32: Ed Corrie WR 215 v Qualifier
L32: Liam Broady WR 199 v (2) Malek Jaziri (TUN) WR 80 (CH 69 in 2012)

Liam's turn to get the rubbish R1 draw (assuming no ringers in qualifying to get Ed!) and good to see Farris getting to have a go.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Jaziri has been battling through whilst carrying an injury in Knoxville, I think. In the end, got beaten by Smyczek Wouldn't be surprised if he pulled out. Even if he plays, I still think the match is winnable for Liam, although it will be tough.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Saturday 8th of November 2014 09:16:39 PM

paulisi · Tennis legend

I'm sure he turned his ankle over rather badly during a match and probably shouldn't have carried on.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

That changes things could end up being a really nice draw, not wishing Jaziri any ill but...

goldenboy · Club Coach

Quite fancy Ed's chances this week

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Doubles qualies:

QR1: (q2) Jared Donaldson (USA) & Farris Gosea CR 1326 (516+810) defeated Pablo Landa & Brian Page (MEX/USA) UNR by 3 & 2

QR2: (q1) Sebastian Bader & Erik Elliott (AUT/USA) CR 799 (277+522) vs (q2) Jared Donaldson (USA) & Farris Gosea CR 1326 (516+810)

If the boys qualify, they will face the fourth seeds, Gonzales & Raja (CR 349) (whom Ed & Alex Kuznetsov memorably beat in straight sets in the quarter-finals in Knoxville last week) in the first round of the main draw & will be in the same quarter as Sean & Gastão.

*****

Main draw:

Ed could've chosen a worse doubles partner... wink

R1: (1) Ed Corrie & Freddie Nielsen (DEN) CR 241 (148+93) vs Marcelo Arévalo & Miguel Ángel Reyes (ESA/MEX) CR 511 (376+135)
R1: (WC) Aron Hiltzik & Jared Hiltzik (USA/USA) CR 2798 (1716+1082) vs Gastão Elias (POR) & Sean Thornley CR 549 (355+194)
R1: Lewis Burton & Marcus Willis CR 451 (221+230) vs (2) Marcelo Demoliner & Roberto Maytín (BRA/VEN) CR 243 (102+141)

HossTheBoss · Strong Club Player

Oakland2002 wrote:
Madeline I agree we have had a great year watching the young guns progress to becoming a cohort of challenger players and now contenders. I don't think we have ever had a couple of indigenous young players transition so well, and that transition didn't happen overnight it's taken a whole year. 2014 on that front alone has been great for development.

Andy is now back where he belongs and has recovered completely from a career threatening injury, he is our only slam winner in my lifetime and goes into 2015 as a grand slam contender. 2014 has been a great year for rehabilitation.

James hopefully will get an opportunity next year to be a genuine ATP tour player flitting out to challenger level on occasions with some confidence that he can keep his points tally up by going deep. Undeniably James as a mature player has progressed greatly this year.

The Davis cup saw some great personal performances and great wins for the team, often away on poorly prepared surfaces that don't suit our players, particularly enjoyed the win in San Diego.

Just been to watch some FA Cup 1st round football ie conference v conference south, the later is the first level that you begin to see fat lads ie players with a BMI > 23 (definition for athletes). The fact that Marcus has just played a challenger QF yet pops a snickers between sets makes me seriously hopefully that should he become truly professional, he too will be able to earn a living as a touring professional tennis player.

If we see similar young player development, avoidance or rehabilitation from injury, and career progression of mature players in 2015, I would say that would be great. Others may not agree but might still bite your hand off at the prospect?

Just to get the facts right Marcus did not eat a snickers between sets.

Watch the interview.

Spectator · All-time great

So poor Mr Thornley and Mr Elias follow up a match against two university players at home with ... another match against two university players at home. Good preparation for them both should they ever need to play the Davis Cup away!

Incidentally, there's a clip that's been going the rounds of a point in the Corrie/Kuznetsov v Libetis/Reese match, which is pretty spectacular. But aside from the good play (on both sides), there's some lovely sportsmanship on the part of Mr Corrie and his partner. Would be so glad to see Mr Corrie do really, really well if only because he seems - from what one sees and picks up - such a thoroughly decent sort.

steven · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
So poor Mr Thornley and Mr Elias follow up a match against two university players at home with ... another match against two university players at home. Good preparation for them both should they ever need to play the Davis Cup away!

Incidentally, there's a clip that's been going the rounds of a point in the Corrie/Kuznetsov v Libetis/Reese match, which is pretty spectacular. But aside from the good play (on both sides), there's some lovely sportsmanship on the part of Mr Corrie and his partner. Would be so glad to see Mr Corrie do really, really well if only because he seems - from what one sees and picks up - such a thoroughly decent sort.

Here's the clip 1tn.co/10DLbr3 - and yes, great to see such a good reaction from Ed and his partner.