Week 13 - Challenger ($125,000) Raanana, Israel (Hard)

Jaffa · Challenger level

RE: Week 13 - Challenger ($125,000) Raanana, Israel (Hard)

British_is_Best · County player

A real opportunity to break for Liam but unfortunately he dumped a routine volley into the net and Ilhan holds in the opening game of the 2nd set.

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Coup Droit wrote:
Julia Carrot wrote:
I've got it on Bet 365 but can't find a direct Challenger stream. Anybody got one ? Thanks.

It's on the ATP's main livestream site.
http://new.livestream.com/ATP/raanana2015centrecourt

Thank you !

British_is_Best · County player

Ilhan now leading 6-3, 3-0 which is rather unflattering for Liam as he has had a break point in both of Ilhan's service games in the second set.

British_is_Best · County player

Body language very positive from Liam which is good to see. Ilhan serving at 6-3, *3-1 and Liam fist pumping and audibly saying "come on, here we go".

British_is_Best · County player

Excellent game from Liam combined with Ilhan making a couple of errors and Liam has got this set back on serve. Really impressive grit and determination from Liam. Score now 3-6, *3-4.

Julia Carrot · All-time great

He breaks. Brilliant !!!

British_is_Best · County player

Followed by four 1st serves and a hold to love in about 1 minute! 3-6, 4-4*

British_is_Best · County player

Liam has saved a match point serving at 4-5 second set

British_is_Best · County player

Now facing another match point

British_is_Best · County player

Converted this time. GSM Ilhan 6-3, 6-4

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Such a shame, that missed short ball at 40-40.

But a very good match. The better guy won, but really not that much in it.

British_is_Best · County player

Ultimately a bit too much firepower from Ilhan, particularly off the forehand and he played very well. It wouldn't surprise me if he went on to win the event. As for Liam I was very impressed. He dug in and didn't give up when he went an early break down in the second set and just kept plugging away. I thought he had improved considerably since I last watched him against Arnaboldi in Cherbourg a month ago.

Jaffa · Challenger level

Kept plugging away, played the big points poorly it has to be said. It's all small margins though, the dip in form has definitely ended.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Encouraging couple of weeks for Liam, on the right track again. A big period of the season coming up (clay then grass), and looking in good nick heading into it.