Good to see Marcus Willis winning in what looked a potentially tricky draw.

I had imagined a more resounding scoreline than 6-4 6-4 when I read of "a very convincing win" before I saw the score. But that will do fine and I hope that he's feeling much better this week and ready to really make his mark.

Oh, sorry to hear that, sherbert. As I said, I had been hoping that the third set was down to a streaky young Frenchman, which seemed possible. All the best to Neil.

As promised a few comments about today's play.

Firstly I should say that Shrewsbury isn't the best venue for viewing matches when multiple courts are used so I will only commenting about a few matches. The only viewing area is a balcony over part of courts 1 and 4 so these can be viewed fine. Courts 2 and 5 are adjacent to courts 1 and 4 the opposite side of the balcony so viewing is okay to a degree but you struggle to get a real perspective on the matches. Court 3 is the far side of Court 2 and while you can make out the players you can't follow the match anything like properly. Furthermore you can't view courts 1 and 4 at the same time

First up was O'Mara v Thornton-Brown. This was a curious match where I thought Adam didn't really play that much of a part. It was pretty much Jonny against himself while Adam was also present. For his first match of the season Jonny looked pretty sharp but after a decent start he pretty much broke himself by losing focus after a disputed call (a correct call as it happens). For the next few minutes he was in a massive strop with himself but regained his focus at *3-5 and went on to win the set 7-5. The key moment was his break back point at 4-5* when he came to net with a very ordinary approach shot but produced a backhand stop volley that would have graced a Wimbledon final. Jonny continued his good play at the start of the second set leading 3-0* and had a half chance of securing the double break. He then handed the break back again after losing focus following a disputed line call (again the call was correct). This time there was no lengthy effect and he broke to lead *4-2. In the next game a faced a break point after a genuinely bad call but after a lengthy, albeit fairly polite, argument with the umpire he focussed his annoyance in a more productive manner and produced three strong points to hold serve before breaking again to secure the match. Now of the tennis gods are listening I have one request for this year, and it is not remotely unreasonable. Please, please, please let Jonny go the rest of the year injury free. Every time I watch this lad his talent is obvious, yes he needs to grow up a bit with his on court antics (I mean this in the nicest possible way) but most of all he needs a year injury free. I am absolutely convinced that if that happens his game will improve and he will march up the rankings.

Next up Bambridge v Peliwo. This was a match that showcased Luke's strengths and his weaknesses. The courts here are pretty quick and for much of the first set he completely dominated with big serves and and big forehands. He deservedly led the set but failed to serve it out with a game that only be described as a choke with a double fault a silly drop shot and a rash unforced error. Happily he recovered and took the set in a tight tie break. The second set was all change, where as in the first set Peliwo had tried to go toe to toe with Luke he played a much smarter second set. He sacrificed power and instead kept the ball deep and/or low and looked for better angles to drag Luke out of position. Taken out of his comfort zone Luke became an unforced error machine and 6-1 was a fair reflection of the set. The third was a curious affair, Peliwo's level dropped a bit and Luke tightened up his game. Several games were close and it really could have gone either way but a combination of good play on some big points and a bit of luck was enough to see Luke home. What struck me most about this match is that both of these players should be ranked much higher than they are but that their ranking reflect where their games are at the moment.

Finally Rice v Walters. I only saw bits of the first set and most of the second set so I can't comment too much on the match but Marcus Walters really impressed me. He isn't a very big lad and lacks natural power but he times the ball beautifully. He has an aggressive baseline game and is eager to step in to the court and take the ball early. Primarily slices his backhand but given half a chance will let rip with it, especially down the line. His playing style reminds me a bit of Dan Evans but happily without the the poor on court behaviour and attitude. He also showed good mental strength saving 4 break points when he served for the second set.

A few comments about various other matches. Willis always looked in control, the quicker courts here clearly suit him more than the dreadfully slow courts at Wirral. Ward-Hibbert's match was totally dominated by serve but Josh played one poor game in the first set and an awful tie break in the second. Clayton v Bettles was a very hard fought match, Scott started badly and was a set and a break down but was able to dig deep and find away through.

philwrig wrote:

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sherbert wrote:

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Neil's back gave out towards the end of the second set unfortunately. He said he knew he needed to win it in two as he could feel his back getting worse. Disappointed as he said he thinks he would have beaten him otherwise - but pleased to be playing well atm. Seeing physio tomorrow to hopefully find out a bit more.

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 That ruddy back again ! It did seem following live scores that there was a sudden shift in momentum, which wasn't indicative of how the match had been played out until then. Must be so frustrating for Neil. Last year at Newcastle after playing so well, he had to serve underarm the back was so bad. Wish he could find a long term solution for this ailment. 

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 Yea I think there was - I thought his back was holding up when I got chance to see the live scores at work - but then as you say, there was a sudden shift at the end of the second set and I knew he would lose then. I have no idea what is with his back but it seems to be stopping him building any sort of momentum at the minute. Have to admit - I do miss the LTA private health care right now! 

RJA wrote:

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Forgot to mention that Today's "Jonny Marray award for Sportsmanship and Integrity" goes to Filip Peliwo. In the first set tie-break Luke was serving at *4-3. He his a first serve and Peliwo's return went into the net. Luke obviously thought he had won the point but the umpire said that she had asked him to wait before serving because she though a ball from the adjacent court was about to roll over, therefore the point must be replayed. Luke protested that the ball didn't roll over and that he didn't hear her call to wait but she was having none of it. Peliwo then said that he didn't hear her call to wait and that he had genuinely attempted to return the serve so he conceded the point to Luke.

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 I have gone right off certain players with their on court behaviour/attitude towards officials at futures events.  Hearing stories like this has the opposite effect....I'll probably always want a winning result for Filip now.....unless he's playing a Brit!

Oh yes indeed.

I think it possibly last got a mention on the forum just back in November at the time of the Helsinki Challenger. The losing finalists in the doubles and as far as I know squeaky clean partnership were Jonny Marray & Philipp Petzschner.

RJA wrote:

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 Finally Rice v Walters. I only saw bits of the first set and most of the second set so I can't comment too much on the match but Marcus Walters really impressed me. He isn't a very big lad and lacks natural power but he times the ball beautifully. He has an aggressive baseline game and is eager to step in to the court and take the ball early. Primarily slices his backhand but given half a chance will let rip with it, especially down the line. His playing style reminds me a bit of Dan Evans but happily without the the poor on court behaviour and attitude. He also showed good mental strength saving 4 break points when he served for the second set.

 

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The need to pick my kids up from school yesterday provided me with a good excuse to pop over and have a look at my local tournament. I saw most of the second set of Rice v Walters. I don't see much live tennis, in fact the Shrewsbury tournaments are basically it, so I can't provide any expert analysis. 

The big difference between Rice and Walters, even in the set that Walters won, was the lack of weight that Walters could apply to his shots, including his serve.  He's not tall, but I guess that he has time to work on his strength because, as RJA says, he had a good all round game which could in theory serve him well if he could push his opponent back a bit more.  I'd add that he also seemed to have a good tennis brain, and played quite a few lovely wrong footers in the set that I saw.

Unfortunately my two little co-observers didn't have the patience to stay any longer so having bigged up the excitement of mens doubles, we crossed the balcony to see what turned out to be a somewhat unconvincing doubles match.  I couldn't read the scoreboard so no idea who it was, but the kids faces said 'home'!

 

-- Edited by ShrewD on Wednesday 25th of March 2015 11:01:24 AM