Tweet from Paulisi

At last a bit of good news for the Brits. Neil Pauffley easily takes out the top seed.

Given Neil's back problems last week that is great news. He won 6-4 6-2

philwrig wrote:

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That back problem that Neil has seems to come and go. But on paper that looks like a massive win.

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 Well done to   "The Vicar " 

Marcus fighting hard on court today and coming from behind shows the right attitude. He's breathing was not great on Sunday and if was'nt for the fact that was partnering with Luke bambridge in the doubles who I consider a strong prospect as a doubles partner I would have advised rest  . He's still ill and apparently milts has same illness but our attitude was go for the doubles and don't let your partner down while not expecting too much in the singles . 

morale is improving  & if I can get control of his shedule which I am determined to do then confident  Marcus can still finish the year on new PB in singles & doubles. 

if Marcus does not make the singles final I am treating him to the Eng v France rugby match at twickenham with our captain Matt short . 

The mental preparation prior to matches irrespective of the level eg tough for Evo to have to go back to futures after the comparative luxury at GS and challenger events . Tough for Marcus losing 7-6 7-6 v no120 in world when had break points in the 1st set . 

A1 tennis academy wrote:

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Doubles :  B & B up 4-3 in the doubles 

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 Anyone watching the doubles ? 

A1 tennis academy wrote:

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philwrig wrote:

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I'm not here trying to defend Evo, but lets look at what we know.

During the latter part of 2013 and early 2014, Evo made massive strides up the rankings, showing the type of tennis which could easily see him inside the top 50. He then picks up the knee injury which required cortisone injections to enable him to continue playing at his highest level. Unfortunately you can't continue to get those injections indefinitely, so without the injections he decided to continue playing through the pain, with a chronic knee complaint which wasn't getting better. His performance level dipped and eventually he took an extended time off the tour.

Now we don't know the exact nature of the knee complaint and what the prognosis is, but in assuming it is still having a massive impact on his ability to train/ play at the highest level I can fully understand Dan's motivation to continue to play being impacted. So today doesn't show Evo in a great light and of course he has loads of history but it must be massively tough for him to keep motivated given what could be a chronic knee problem.

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 I like Dan he is a nice guy but not convinced that it's just an injury problem . I once suggested to Evo that maybe I could help manage him but not sure if I am quite up to that arduous task . I remember his then coach telling me he was unmanageable makes wilbomb look like Jesus Christ in comparison . 

Dan needs help off court but will he listen ?  

Where the cortisone is concerned as a pharmacist I have got a view on that I think the risks are small if only 4/5 a year. On the other hand without them Nadal'a career would have been over a long time ago ! 

-- Edited by A1 tennis academy on Tuesday 17th of March 2015 06:10:56 PM

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 I'm sure you're right about his attitude off the court. I was just trying to offer some perspective and provide some background. When I spoke to Evo briefly at Sunderland and said I'll see you next during the grass court season, he wasn't exactly 100% I'll see you there.

Italian's broken in 2nd set I hope bomb not running out of steam needs to dig deep ! He's listening broke straight back 1-1 and Brits serving