Week 13 - Challenger ($100,000 + H) Le Gosier, Guadeloupe (Hard)

paulisi · Tennis legend

RE: Week 13 - Challenger ($100,000 + H) Le Gosier, Guadeloupe (Hard)

LordBrownof · Futures level

Agree. His defensive play is pretty horrible at times. And until he can quicken up a yard, he'll find it difficult to get out of the 100-150 range.

indiana · Tennis legend

Let's be honest, Kyle is miles away from where Andy was at a similar age, indeed younger - Andy was taking Rafa to 5 sets at the Australian Open L16 as a 19 yo plus much else including ATP tour titles.

But being one who does certainly believe that players progress at many different rates and times and peak at different ages, and hence don't like too much peer group comparisons ( such as with Kyrgios or whoever ) I am loathe to suggest any particular ranking limitations for Kyle. I certainly think he will be top 100, with much thereafter down to him.

I think that he will always have one disadvantage in that he is not so much a natural as some, particularly Andy ( though that is a hugely unfair comparison since few are as instinctively gifted in a generation as Andy ). But many players have shown over the years that you can still achieve a lot through hard work and dedication.

Jaffa · Challenger level

I think it's fair to say Kyle has a completely different game to Andy, built around a huge serve and big forehand. There's no reason why he can't go as far as he wants to - every player has their weaknesses.

Look at Isner.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

wolf wrote:
Paire lucky to come through as Hernych hit a clear winner on match point up but it was called out.

Hernych got a couple of bad calls at the beginning of the second set too, which made a big difference to the momentum of the match - they were calls from linespeople who were MILES away - at the far end of the court, for a line they could barely see, given the net. Paire seemed to settle down then - although then (feeling left out?) went into a monumental paddy of his own, skidding his racket right across the court, as he proclaimed long and loud to the umpire how utterly wrong he was . . . feel sorry for Hernych . . . 7-6(9) in the third set is always tough but I think he got manipulated. Well, it'll now have to be Kyle who puts a spanner in Benoit's works, so to speak . . . smile

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Friday 3rd of April 2015 09:34:57 AM

LordBrownof · Futures level

Jaffa wrote:
I think it's fair to say Kyle has a completely different game to Andy, built around a huge serve and big forehand. There's no reason why he can't go as far as he wants to - every player has their weaknesses.

Look at Isner.

And every player has their RELATIVE strengths. Don't misinterpret my post - I'm saying that unless there are improvements in his defensive play, he'll struggle to go higher than 100. That's not putting a ranking limit on him period, that's just saying that right now his game is about where he's ranked.

Ratty · County player

LordBrownof wrote:
Jaffa wrote:
I think it's fair to say Kyle has a completely different game to Andy, built around a huge serve and big forehand. There's no reason why he can't go as far as he wants to - every player has their weaknesses.

Look at Isner.
And every player has their RELATIVE strengths. Don't misinterpret my post - I'm saying that unless there are improvements in his defensive play, he'll struggle to go higher than 100. That's not putting a ranking limit on him period, that's just saying that right now his game is about where he's ranked.

I think that's a good point. People talk about serves, forehands and backhands, but I think that it's easy to underestimate the top players' superhuman defence. Especially with Djokovic, you just can't get the ball past him. And Ferrer has been top 10 for years with no big shots at all.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes, but Raonic, Berdych and Cilic are all top 10. And you wouldn't credit any of those with excellent defence.

There's a big coaching split between those who believe in play to your best strength, and those who believe play to your weakest weakness i.e. do you concentrate on getting your best shots better? or do you concentrate on getting your worse shots better? Most coaches sit somewhere in the middle, of course, but there are some who are very firmly in one camp or the other, and it can get very 'animated' (to say the least) at coach conferences etc.

I agree with Jaffa that everyone has to find the right balance for them (and that may well change with age etc.) (NB I love the defensive players, I love the grit and determination and sheer bloody-mindedness of them).

I think paulisi made a good point when he said basically that, technically, Kyle has a rather deliberate shot, in the actual action of each shot, so he needs that extra split second of preparation for each shot.Which is devastating when he does have the time but leaves him well short when he's pushed. But he's ranked what he is, and going up - as, statistically, all un-injured young players are. So it's exciting times ahead.

emma · Strong Club Player

yes, it does appear Paire was lucky on some of those line calls but will his luck hold out against Kyle.

I don't think Kyle will get caught up in the dramatics somehow.

a difficult but interesting match up.

Good luck to Kyle - I'll be rooting for you :)

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Kyle certainly looks very comfortable at the challenger level. Andy was the only brit player I have followed over the last 20 years who has managed to navigate the challenger world as well so young. Therefore, looks very promising. Time will tell. I do suspect that Kyle will have broken the top 100 before Wimbledon, or wont need a WC at worst.

Watching him play on clay last year he looks very comfortable on the surface.

What are Kyle's plans on clay? Mixing up challengers with ATP events?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Kyle currently getting rather beaten up by Benoit Paire . . .

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

The Paire backhand is a bit too hot to handle at the moment.

Kyle *1-4

British_is_Best · County player

Coup Droit wrote:
Kyle currently getting rather beaten up by Benoit Paire . . .

A tad harsh perhaps? Score is 5-2* but in 4 Paire service games Kyle has taken him to Deuce 3 times and had break points in 2 of those games. Backhand of Paire is making the difference though at the moment.

-- Edited by British_is_Best on Friday 3rd of April 2015 06:44:22 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

British_is_Best wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Kyle currently getting rather beaten up by Benoit Paire . . .
A tad harsh perhaps? Score is 5-2* but in 4 Paire service games Kyle has taken him to Deuce 3 times and had break points in 2 of those games. Backhand of Paire is making the difference though at the moment.

-- Edited by British_is_Best on Friday 3rd of April 2015 06:44:22 PM

Fair point. I hadn't seen every point, sounds like you're watching it better.

I think Paire is always going to make life difficult for himself anyway, at some point or other, so as long as Kyle is thereabouts, he will have his chance . . .

British_is_Best · County player

Paire serves out the 1st set to take it 6-3. Agree that this match is not over as Paire is not renowned for his consistency! Keep plugging away Kyle...