OK. This match was so one-sided, it is barely worthy of a match report. Billy simply outclassed his young opponent who appears to have been thrown into a couple of local futures for a bit of experience. The only game that he won was down to Billy missing with a couple of extravagant winners and throwing in a DF. Apart from that, I think only one other game even went to deuce.

As early as Billy's 2nd service game, he had already dropped the speed to about 3/4 pace, almost as if a coach was feeding a student. The main reason for this however, was to protect his shoulder which is clearly still troubling him.

Having walked off after the match, Billy said to me - "Even you could have beaten that guy".   Clearly, Billy has never seen me play. 

The biggest plus point for me however, was that the match was over so quickly, I doubt this shirt even needs a wash 

Bigger tests will lie ahead, but today was job done efficiently and with no fuss.

On court now for the warm up.

Let's go Billy.

Fight back is on. 2-3*

Billy battling on at *2-3

In simple terms, Billy just didn't get going today. There were a combination of factors in that, I'm sure, but the most concerning feature is the problem with his shoulder. He is having regular physio on the shoulder and playing on painkillers, but I am convinced that the issue is affecting him mentally, as much as it is physically. Billy's game is based around power and when the big serve is firing, the other aspects of his game feed off that energy and fall into place.

Today, he served first in what was a very long opening game with about 6 deuces. Throughout this game however, his service power was 70% at best and at times, he simply resorted to a gentle kicker on the first serve. He saved 4 BPs in this game but couldn't see it out. The most telling moment was when he had game point where he had Burzi on the run and forced him to throw up the high defensive lob. Now in Cartagena, the overhead is never easy given the blustery swirling wind, but with this ball falling midway between the service line and baseline, I felt sure Billy would take it on. There was certainly the opportunity to hit the overhead after the bounce, but in the end Billy chose to wait and hit a loopy topspin forehand still from just inside the baseline. I am sure he would blame the conditions, but a confident Billy (confident in both his game and his shoulder) would have taken on that overhead. He went on to lose the point and the game.

Burzi was as I expected him to be, playing clever "mix-it-up" tennis. His serve was simply a way of feeding the ball into the court and then it was down to the business of rallying. He played his game like a chess match, much more interested in placement and moving Billy around, than in trying to hit winners. I counted at least 8 dropshots in the first 4 or 5 games. This pattern of play didn't suit Billy's game at all and there was never a moment when I thought Billy managed to get on top.

The other factor of course may have been that this was Billy's 8th match in 9 days. There was a marked lack of energy from him on court today. Perhaps fatigue had something to do with this, and the mental stress of trying to play through his niggly injury can't help. His body language was subdued and on the few occasions when he tried to introduce some intensity into his performance, the rhythm and timing just weren't there. The frustration was plain for all to see.

The only consolation is that he at least has a few days off now to rest that shoulder, although sitting in the back of a Ford Transit for 4 days with no TV etc, cannot be much fun.

Head up Billy. We all have days like this. They make you appreciate the good days even more. Good luck on the road over the next few months.

Yes, hope that the shoulder can have a rest. And that Cartagena (or wherever the van goes next) is a place which offers some interesting sights for the moments away from tennis.

BradMarx90 wrote:

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Billy grabbed a lucky loser slot, is in action now against the 6th seed. Serving for the first set a 5-2!

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NOOOOOOOOOO

Why didn't I check the drawsheet

GO BILLY.

1st set in the bag 6-2