Week 46 - JSM Challenger of Champaign-Urbana ($50,000) - Champaign, IL, USA (hard)

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

RE: Week 46 - JSM Challenger of Champaign-Urbana ($50,000) - Champaign, IL, USA (hard)

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Another great performance from Dan. From a tennis perspective he seems to have enjoyed both trips stateside this year. 2015 most be approaching 2013 as his best year on tour.

His level of performance has seen initial incremental improvement and now consistency that should it continue would put him well into the top 100 within a year of starting his comeback.

In context would that make it the best season for a male Brit? I think Jo Ko has it wrapped up for the ladies.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

The jammy buggers! biggrin

R1: (LL) Dave Rice & Marcus Willis CR 791 (328+463) "defeated" Alejandro Falla & Giovanni Lapentti (COL/ECU) CR 1183 (544+639) by a walkover

They took the place in the first round of the draw of Tommy Paul & Taylor Fritz, Paul apparently having gone down with tonsillitis. Falla was then forced to withdraw with tendonitis in one of his biceps!

RJA · Hall of fame

Oakland2002 wrote:
Another great performance from Dan. From a tennis perspective he seems to have enjoyed both trips stateside this year. 2015 most be approaching 2013 as his best year on tour.

His level of performance has seen initial incremental improvement and now consistency that should it continue would put him well into the top 100 within a year of starting his comeback.

In context would that make it the best season for a male Brit? I think Jo Ko has it wrapped up for the ladies.

The US certainly seems to be Dan's favourite choice for overseas tournaments. I would imagine that he would spend at least some of next Feb/Mar there.

Spectator · All-time great

It goes both ways. I'm very conscious looking at some of the US-based blogs and twitter accounts that GB players often seem to get a sort of 'adopted' status: indeed, there sometimes seems to be more enthusiasm around some of the players (particularly the 1990s) from the US tennis writers and broadcasters than they get from their home media and much of the great British public (barring this board and other honourable exceptions).

thejester · Satellite level

Evo set to get started shortly against Fritz

Bruce · Lower Club Player

Taylor Fritz won the first set 6/2 without facing a break point.

theemptyvessel · Club Coach

RJA wrote:
That defeat for Liam means he is going to have to give up a big chuck of the off season is he wants to try and make it into qualifying for the Aussie Open. Realistically he needs around 30 more points to give himself a chance and around 40 more points to be certain. He is entered into a 15K futures in Texas next week (wc 23/11) followed by a 10K futures in Israel (wc 30/11). The following week (wc 7/12) there is another 10K in Israel (initial entry list is out this Thursday) which would be his last chance to get points on the board for the 21st December which is the rankings that will be used for Aussie Open qualifying. If he were to play all 3 of those tournaments that would give him only 3 weeks off before the first week of the 2016 calender which is far, far from the ideal circumstances.

Liam no longer on the entry sheet for Waco. I wonder if he feels at this point that he is better off shutting it down and re-charging his batteries for next year rather than scrambling for points to make the Aussie Open qualifying. I would think a good break and training block might help and then if he skips Australia he may have the opportunity to pick up some morale boosting wins and cheap points at the start of the year when a lot of the players around his ranking are otherwise engaged.

Spectator · All-time great

2-6 first set. Fritz extremely consistent - targeting the slice backhand.

paulisi · Tennis legend

theemptyvessel wrote:
RJA wrote:
That defeat for Liam means he is going to have to give up a big chuck of the off season is he wants to try and make it into qualifying for the Aussie Open. Realistically he needs around 30 more points to give himself a chance and around 40 more points to be certain. He is entered into a 15K futures in Texas next week (wc 23/11) followed by a 10K futures in Israel (wc 30/11). The following week (wc 7/12) there is another 10K in Israel (initial entry list is out this Thursday) which would be his last chance to get points on the board for the 21st December which is the rankings that will be used for Aussie Open qualifying. If he were to play all 3 of those tournaments that would give him only 3 weeks off before the first week of the 2016 calender which is far, far from the ideal circumstances.
Liam no longer on the entry sheet for Waco. I wonder if he feels at this point that he is better off shutting it down and re-charging his batteries for next year rather than scrambling for points to make the Aussie Open qualifying. I would think a good break and training block might help and then if he skips Australia he may have the opportunity to pick up some morale boosting wins and cheap points at the start of the year when a lot of the players around his ranking are otherwise engaged.

Liam is coming back to play in Europe - down for Israel w/c 30th Nov

Spectator · All-time great

And, in an enjoyable game to watch, Mr Evans breaks at the start of the 2nd set ... but having scraped his hand, is broken back immediately in a much less enjoyable game.

Mike Cation has mentioned that Dan Smethurst is the only GB player watching Mr Evans' match ... well done, Mr Smethurst!

-- Edited by Spectator on Wednesday 18th of November 2015 04:50:11 PM

Spectator · All-time great

Second set 6-3 to Mr Evans.

Etienne · Club Coach

Fritz breaks with a stunning return winner followed by a DF.

Etienne · Club Coach

Evans had chances to break back, but succumbs 6-4.

Topemp · Strong Club Player

Got to say that boy is a serious talent, saw most of 3rd set and Dan asked a lot of questions, but he always had a big serve or a big forehand to get him out of trouble.