Week 42 - Challenger ($50,000) Las Vegas, USA (Hard)

Oakland2002 · All-time great

RE: Week 42 - Challenger ($50,000) Las Vegas, USA (Hard)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Oakland2002 wrote:
It will be interesting to see if Liam begins to integrate more doubles into his schedule, I can see him playing mostly at Challenger level for the next 18-24 months along with GS qualifiers so there is room to map out a co-ordinated schedule with a regular partner.

The obvious choice would be Bambo but I can't see him picking up enough singles points to make that worthwhile for him but an obvious partner if Liam rank slips and a spell of futures tennis is required to step back up. I can also see him getting on well with Dan they seem from a distance (the reality maybe very different) to be a good personality match but hopefully Dan will be more challenger/ATP 250. The perfect match on tennis ability terms would be er....Brydan.

Although that's all a bit 'Davis Cup-ish' as there must be tons of other players who are the perfect match on tennis ability terms but who aren't British .....

Anyway, didn't get to watch the second set but I'm pleased they won - it was a good game. And a semi-final (and still playing) is very nice.....

indiana · Tennis legend

If doubles compliments Liam's singles fair dos, and he is accomplished at and appears to enjoy playing doubles

But his focus, particularly regards to itinerary, for me must remain singles. Doubles is there as still a very long term possible refocus.

He's not had the singles year he would want, but is still a very young man, who has had to make some big decisions, and I am sure that he will wish to keep striving to be all he can be.

-- Edited by indiana on Friday 23rd of October 2015 09:29:41 AM

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

Only one doubles semi final down on today's oop. But no sign that either Broady/Evans or the South African pair have pulled out.

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

Down to play first on Saturday. Should be 19:00 UK time.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Looking forward to seeing Dan and Liam playing together. Although they both have aspirations of long term singles success I see this pairing as quite an exciting combination.

In terms of build and weapons I see some similarities with the Bryan's (in a very generic sense) and although Dan if he shows Bened(ictine)ene dedication and attitude can I think aspire to the same level and Liam plenty of potential their strengths are around having a complete game as opposed to specific weapons (although Dan is the master of the backhand slice).

Together I feel they would have some success which would be highly motivating.

Although I have absolutely no insight into how close they are as mates it strikes me that a more regular doubles partnership would perhaps help fill a bit of Dans head space when touring and Liam did well in the summer and autum of 14 when touring with Bambo

They would be strong candidates for a doubles wildcard at Wimbledon and may actually do something with it ino the second week. Long term planning is important and when the Scots devolve we are going to need someone to play doubles!

Good luck to them both today

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Saturday 24th of October 2015 05:39:59 AM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I'm with Indy.

Doubles, and doubles planning of schedules etc., should be a very secondary issue.

And for Dan to feel comfortable abroad, he doesn't need a single Brit doubles partner, who is there sometimes, and sometime not. But a whole bigger group of mates. Which is what he seemed to be beginning to have when it was going so well a couple of years back. Him and Nick K, for instance, were forever bantering together. But Nick has left him behind now, as have some of the others from that time. So he needs a new group of like-minded players who are out on the road, so he can rely on having a friendly face or two wherever he goes.

But I did like them playing doubles together (although the backhand slice was barely used, as Dan takes the forehand side, and he ran round practically all the small number of backhands he got). Most importantly, and as you imply Oakie, they seemed to be enjoying it.

I definitely got the feeling that Dan was the 'leader' (because he's older? Was playing a touch better? Just stronger character?). But it seemed to help Liam.

So it'd be great to see them do well. And, as said, Liam should be more open than just playing with the Brits - he made the finals this month playing with Ashley Fisher. He also made the final playing with Jean-Yves Aubone. That's far better than he's ever managed with Bambo.

But firstly Liam has to sort out his singles or he's not even going to be directly in challengers when his points roll off. And Dan - well Dan just has to sort out tennis life, fullstop.

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Saturday 24th of October 2015 08:22:27 AM

Spectator · All-time great

Not quite sure on the "far better than he's ever managed with Bambo," CD. With Fisher, he reached a futures final - 15K, but still a futures. With Aubone, he reached the final of the Ramat Hasharon futures. With Mr Bambridge, he reached the SF of the Binghamton Challenger, the SF of the Savannah Challenger (beating the Skupskis along the way), and in 2014, he and Mr Bambridge went on a run which saw them in six consecutive Futures tournaments reach the finals in two and then win four.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
Not quite sure on the "far better than he's ever managed with Bambo," CD. With Fisher, he reached a futures final - 15K, but still a futures. With Aubone, he reached the final of the Ramat Hasharon futures. With Mr Bambridge, he reached the SF of the Binghamton Challenger, the SF of the Savannah Challenger (beating the Skupskis along the way), and in 2014, he and Mr Bambridge went on a run which saw them in six consecutive Futures tournaments reach the finals in two and then win four.

Good point, Spectator.

I think I got my ITFs and challengers mixed up - I'm pretty 'challenged' myself when it comes to doubles cry

So probably should keep schtum .....

Spectator · All-time great

If I had a pound for every time I'd mixed something up on this board, I'd be quite wealthy. Hope you don't keep schtum - enjoy your comments.

Do wish Mr Broady and Mr Bambridge played doubles together more often, though. They're quite good - and (dare I say it) I do wonder whether Mr Bambridge is one of those who could be quite a fine doubles player in the long run if he wanted to be.

-- Edited by Spectator on Saturday 24th of October 2015 12:59:01 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Thanks, Spec

Not the best start for the GB lads - down *0-3

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Stircrazy wrote:
SF: Liam Broady & Dan Evans UNR vs (3) Dean O'Brien & Ruan Roelofse CR 259 (127+132)

At least the boys avoided a whitewash in the first set: 1-6. hmm The South Africans won 100% of their first service points... cry

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

The boys are soundly thrashed:

SF: (3) Dean O'Brien & Ruan Roelofse CR 259 (127+132) defeated Liam Broady & Dan Evans UNR by 1 & 3 cry

Still not a disgrace.

indiana · Tennis legend

Pity, but certainly pretty decent with that good QF win for a scratch pairing and with Evo not one who generally shows much inclination to play much doubles.

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 24th of October 2015 07:20:45 PM