And strangely ended up getting a BYE in round one (the only one). But they'd given so many LL spots already, (it's a 64-draw), I think they just ran out !
Luke is on the oop to play TBC. I guess therefore that there weren't enough LLs signing-in before the draw was made, or someone withdrew between making the draw and putting it online, and they will allocate another today (the qualifying draw was 64 strong, so there shouldn't be any difficulty finding someone else). I notice that Stefan Kozlov's brother is in the bottom half of the draw - both Stefan and Boris were named after tennis players (Edberg/Becker)
R1
(1) Luke Hammond v TBC
Bradley Frye (USA) v (10) Matthew Story
Yeah I am here in sunny California.....perks of a coaching job!!
Luke bizarrely given a bye in the draw last night even when LL sign in didn't close until this morning....first year they're holding an event so you'll allow for the odd hiccup. It sounds like they've found another LL so he will be playing today...to the delight of a couple of American Uni coaches who've come to watch him. Matt Story out here which is good for the Welsh:English ratio and much needed after England's Grand Slam over the weekend.
Luke beat a LL 6-4 6-1 (6-0 on ITF website....#hiccupnumbertwo). Wasn't pretty at 3-4 first set but is through to Round 2. Unfortunately it's further than Matt Story has managed....lost 6-7 7-6 4-6 in very closely fought match. Matt going through quite a big technical change and hasn't played a match since early December due to being ineligible for his American Uni.
They managed a 10-7 win in doubles while I underestimated the chilliness of California in the evening. Tracksuit bottoms packed for tomorrow!
NB Without knowing more, it always seems to me when I look at the rankings that Luke must be quite under-ranked. He's played about half the number of tournaments as all the other UK lads, it's a huge difference. And especially as very tall lads often take a little longer to coordinate where their feet are
You'd like to think Luke would be ranked higher if he was able to play more events but he's still in full-time education currently doing AS levels! As a result he can only play in the holidays or take the last week off term like we've done here to play. Add all of this together and it creates that extra bit of pressure. Just lost 7-5 in the third....not the result we were hoping for but now got plenty of time to get on the practice court before the main event next week. Try and make sure he's peaking for that one!
Boys win the doubles title to finish the week on a high....and earn them membership at Newport Country Club for 12 months.....and a bowl! Couldn't get to watch them today as we have a Millfield Tennis Tour joining us out here so it's pretty hectic. They've played some good stuff over the week but going their separate ways for the G1 as Luke is joining forces with Jason Legall who he made a G2 final with in Hong Kong back in October.
Hoping for a big week from Luke....last chance to help the ranking before the Summer. Courts seemed a bit slow so he's going to have to do it the hard way!
Luke HAMMOND (GBR) / Matthew STORY (GBR) [3] 6-3 6-3 Ching LAM (HKG) / Ming Chun Alan SOU (HKG) [1]
Thanks for the post, Matt. Good luck to both in the G1 next week. Shame Luke can't get any more junior tournaments in before June. As you say, it's a completely different profile from those who are playing week in, week out. But hope that the College scouts were impressed. And to all the Millfiled contingent - have fun !
