BeefyDeedz wrote:

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Interesting to see Ward v Isner in the Kooyong Classic. At least he'll be getting some game time.

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That looks like a precursor for DC

Bob in Spain wrote:

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I see Wardy beat Isner today in the Kooyong Classic, 3-6 7-6(10) 6-2

Looks like a monster tie-break in that 2nd set.

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Managed to watch it, he was good value for the win to be honest. Pretty much only played one poor game where he got broken in the first set but besides that it was a very clean match from him. Crisp, precise and purposeful hitting. I know Isner's movement/groundgame can sometimes flatter opponents but still, James had lots of winners and very few of the kind of errors he sometimes throws in. I think Isner eased off a bit in the 3rd set, his serve definitely slowed down, which James acknowledged in the interview after, but yeah overall very decent performance. Hopefully he can bring some of that form to the MD.

The Beeb says he won by that score, so he must have!

Good article by Barry Flatman about Dino in today's Times (subscription required) which mentions something that I didn't know, viz. that he has an Australian coach called Darren Tandy, who says Dino has the mental & physical ability to get into the top 50 & if he does, that the top 25 "could become an aim".  There was also, apparently, some "handbags at dawn" with Andy last year which had a positive effect.  Overall, it's an encouraging scenario.  Here's a little taster:

Ward weathered a testing opening set [against Isner in Kooyong] to show far greater application and patience, along with far more accurate ground strokes, to win 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 and demonstrate exactly how his time spent with Murray has turned him into a more accomplished and resilient performer. The Scot offered his English team-mate the hospitality of his second home in Florida on the condition that he provided committed competition not just on the practice court, but in the gym and on the beach in endless ten-metre sprints through torturous soft sand.

Speaking of Murray rather than Isner, Ward declared: "He's a beast. Everyone knows Andy is a bit of animal, but he is physically so strong and after two and a half weeks of training with him, it's great to know I can keep up to that level."

A year previously, Ward incurred Murray's wrath when he made a late decision to change his travel plans and stay at home rather than head for Miami. Several months of verbal disparagement was the price paid and the Londoner knows the error of his ways. "Andy gave me a lot of earache for ages when I didn't turn up, but now I see the benefits because I'm feeling the best I've  ever felt," Ward said. "Andy's in better shape than ever and I pretty much kept up with him all the way. [...]"

Curiously, the intriguing heading in the print edition of the article is slightly different from the on-line version:  "Ward warned of need to turn up heat after scolding from Murray"!

There's a similar-ish article in the Telegraph today but without reference to last year's missed training block.