Interesting the difference in approach to qualifying Kyle v Braydon. Ie Braydon has a plan B ? Pessimistic or realistic.
How far off is Kyle in terms of making the MD bit lost as to his ranking at cut off for US open entry? He would be pretty close now but too late.
Qualifying is probably the right place for him this year as one would anticipate him coming through again and then anything else is a bonus, where as a first round main draw loss, money and stepping foot on outside court at Flushing meadow apart, doesn't really add as much.
I am sure Kyle would love to be in the main draw, but it was never going to be, his ranking rise coming too late.
I too would much rather him fresher for the main draw ( and hope he is fine with the "shoulder" withdrawal this week being of no particular consequence ) if he comes through qualifying, and well as he has been playing that's not a given. He doesn't need the experience of qualifying here, he could well do without it, and be ready to really go for it in R1 ( hopefully with a good draw ) rather than be looking at the chance of a R1 win as just a "bonus".
That's life and he's very much moving in the right direction, but I personally think it's really stretching things to swing taking part in qualifying as good / the right place this year, whatever. To me much more last year when he gave qualifying a miss, this year as a rising top 100 player, no.
Fresher, guaranteed main draw money, and the ranking points ( 25 ) for qualifying aren't that great. Just as for any foreseeable future Slam the best place for Kyle would have been in the main draw.
-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 19th of August 2015 04:20:26 PM
I can see your point but we will have to agree to disagree, Kyle's rate of development is now well established, it's exciting and positive but has been incremental, a steady upward gradient but not steep. I think he has sampled as a taster all the major tournaments in last years itinerary.
Qualification for all 4 majors would for me be excellent progress, I still feel he is learning to dominate players ranked 110-70 and I can't see him blowing away many opponents and driving deep into the main draw, it is why he is ranked where he is at the moment.
Now is the time to walk the walk no favours or Wimbledon wild cards, the path is set, there is still definitely something to be learnt by winning through qualification at Flushing meadow.
I can see him playing at least 4 matches and really feeling part of and comfortable at the tournament so let's bring it on.
Realistically 2016 should bring him onto the regular ATP tour hopefully allowing to maintain his rank by progressing in 250 competitions with MD DE at slams.
Hmm, to my mind I was a a bit concerned when Evo apparently chucked in playing a planned far east challenger series at the end of 2013 after one loss with someone saying it was down to "tiredness". And he came out in 2014 with some interesting schedule choices, conflicting with Leon Smith's preferences. And then he unfortunately got injured and ....
If the far east is not for him, and I could see that, I still just do hope that he makes sensible tennis choices for the upcoming period ...
Lot of folk willing you on, mate.
-- Edited by indiana on Friday 21st of August 2015 06:47:04 PM
Think we ll see Dan turn up in Roehampton as a Wild Card some easy points on offer for sure that will push him into the top 300, although he could already be there depending on how Vancouver ends up.