Week 17 - Challenger ($50,000) - Tallahassee, USA - Clay

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

RE: Week 17 - Challenger ($50,000) - Tallahassee, USA - Clay

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Saved at least one set point in that tie-break - great stuff, the lads take it 8-6 !

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

QF: Alex Kuznetsov & Tennys Sandgren (USA/USA) CR 641 (382+259) defeated Luke Bambridge & Liam Broady CR 540 (268+272) by 6-7(6) 6-1 [10-7] cry

Spectator · All-time great

Pity. Sounds as if it was a decent match, though.

Think that the US system for allocating their WC is rather good. Certainly is producing interest: five players (Tiafoe, Fratangelo, Krueger, Donaldson and Sandgren) could all still technically win. It seems to be spurring people on and to be at least as fair as and fairer than some other methods. Wonder if similar system could work here if, say, a certain number of WCs were reserved for highest-performing non-DAs on pre-Wimbledon grass tournaments (with some protection if someone who would be likely to get in missed tournaments because of injury)

-- Edited by Spectator on Thursday 30th of April 2015 04:59:23 AM

freerider · Futures level

stevemcqueen wrote:
Overall, the quality of the match was good. Liam missed too many returns on second balls in the second set. I think that Liam will put together a winning seires of results soon.

From watching his round 1 looked as though he was trying to do murryesque stepping in on 2nd serve returns but then not having enough time to play his shot and getting down in the point. Could be a work in progress mind

-- Edited by freerider on Thursday 30th of April 2015 06:14:32 AM

emma · Strong Club Player

agree with all the other comments about FraTangelo being on form and solid at the moment so always going to be difficult for Liam - no shame in losing. (Kyle also lost to him last year in Napa)

RJA · Hall of fame

emma wrote:

agree with all the other comments about FraTangelo being on form and solid at the moment so always going to be difficult for Liam - no shame in losing. (Kyle also lost to him last year in Napa)

However Fratangelo has just been battered 2 and 2 in the QFs by Sandgren.

emma · Strong Club Player

yes, that's tennis :)

I can remember Marcus Willis beating Sandgren last year in Knoxville - an amusing match from both players

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

And Sandgren is beaten by 17 year old Tiafoe, who secures the French Open WC. Funny game is tennis, indeed.

skibbarriz · Strong Club Player

I watched Liams singles matches and was gutted for him. Have read on this forum about some of his struggles on and off court. I pull for him and hope he finds his form again soon enough.

It was really nice to see him included in the Davis Cup set up and to see that he took a photo from that for his twitter header.

-- Edited by skibbarriz on Tuesday 5th of May 2015 09:18:18 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

skibbarriz wrote:
I watched Liams singles matches and was gutted for him. Have read on this forum about some of his struggles on and off court. I pull for him and hope he finds his form again soon enough.

It was really nice to see him included in the Davis Cup set up and to see that he took a photo from that for his twitter header.

-- Edited by skibbarriz on Tuesday 5th of May 2015 09:18:18 PM

smile We like Newbies. Welcome on board.

I think that after Liam's rapid rise in the 2nd half of last year, there was always going to be a period of consolidation. And let's not forget, people were worried about his slow start to the season last year, and look how that turned out.

I have every confidence that Liam will make an impact in a tournament in the not too distant future. His form is not far off and his work ethic seems as strong as ever. Having been fortunate enough to meet him personally a couple of times during training blocks in Spain, I am a big fan as well.

Not so sure about his skills on the Padel court though having seen him and JWH take on Leon and Mark Hilts !!

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Unlike Bob I have never met him, but through some of the information shared on here particularly the podcasts compliments of his kick boxing orientated personal trainer, watching him on live stream and at the Davis cup he seems to be playing well and totally committed to playing at as higher level he possibly can. Bobs prediction of a breakthrough in the near future I feel is spot on.

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Tuesday 5th of May 2015 10:37:26 PM

philwrig · Hall of fame

I'll accept I'm probably the most positive about Liam's future on this board, or at least the most vocal. Indy and RJA will fire me down at times, but I stick to what I firmly believe. I also know Liam quite well, he's always been incredibly open and friendly to me, more so than most players. I've followed his career closely from when I first met him back in 2011, when he reached the junior final at Wimby. I've witnessed his ups and downs, and I do know lots of the problems he's faced on and off the court.

I agree with Bob and Oakland that he is very close to another big push forward, certainly winning consecutive rounds at Chally level in the near future.

skibbarriz · Strong Club Player

Thanks for the welcome guys. Nice to hear those positive comments on Liam. I too feel quite upbeat about what he can achieve in the future.

He comes across as a very genuine and sincere guy. The first i saw of him play was the American Challenger swing last year and clearly it was an emotional journey he was on at that point. It's the point i began my interest in ATP Challenger level tennis. It feels very raw and real and somehow more engaging than a lot of sport. Plus the US commentator is very good, which makes a big difference compared with having no commentary at all.

Anyhows, I also emjoy the style of tennis Liam plays, so as a player, he's definitely one worth the entry fee imo.

indiana · Tennis legend

Welcome aboard skibbarriz.

I do hope that folk are right re this optimism about Liam. Otherwise I'm saying nothing, well for now ...