Week 17 - Challenger ($75,00+H) - Santaizi ATP Challenger, Taipei, Taiwan (carpet)

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

Week 17 - Challenger ($75,00+H) - Santaizi ATP Challenger, Taipei, Taiwan (carpet)

Jaffa · Challenger level

Groth has been terrible this year, hopefully a good time to play him.

Spectator · All-time great

It's not a great match-up ... but worth being hopeful - and certainly the potential is there for a win.

thejester · Satellite level

I like Liam and will continue to support him. Pleased with today's result but even the most optimistic part of me feels that unless Groth is terrible, his sheer weight of strokes will beat Liam

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

Good to hear Liam was being more aggressive, even if it was against a weaker opponent. Feel it is the best way for him to play moving forward

theemptyvessel · Club Coach

Take away his serve and Groth is a pretty horrible player so there is some hope. Liam just needs the big guy to be around 25% on 1st serve and throw in a ton of DF's, it could happen!

Etienne · Club Coach

Groth has just exited the doubles despite being top seed there (with Paes).

Jaffa · Challenger level

Groth has been taken to a third by Kibi...

Jaffa · Challenger level

... who is now a break up in the decider. Draw could really open up here with Weintraub and Nielsen in Liam's section!

philwrig · Hall of fame

I remember a few years back that Liam had to change to a lighter racket because of his shoulder/ arm problems. Liam just has to find a few more mph on his forehand side in particular and he will fly back up those rankings.

-- Edited by philwrig on Tuesday 26th of April 2016 09:54:08 AM

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Kibi has just disposed of Groth by 1-6 7-6(3) 6-4, ergo

L16: Liam Broady WR 279 vs (Q) Yuya Kibi (JPN) WR 445 (CH = 353 in November 2014)

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

philwrig wrote:
I remember a few years back that Liam had to change to a lighter racket because of his shoulder/ arm problems. Liam just has to find a few more mph on his forehand side in particular and he will fly back up those rankings.

-- Edited by philwrig on Tuesday 26th of April 2016 09:54:08 AM

When I saw him lose a couple of weeks ago, I commented on the fact that his forehand was heavy with top spin and not penetrative enough. When I saw him yesterday, there seemed to be a difference and he was hitting flatter and harder, which enabled him to use that to create opportunities.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Bob in Spain wrote:
philwrig wrote:
I remember a few years back that Liam had to change to a lighter racket because of his shoulder/ arm problems. Liam just has to find a few more mph on his forehand side in particular and he will fly back up those rankings.

-- Edited by philwrig on Tuesday 26th of April 2016 09:54:08 AM
When I saw him lose a couple of weeks ago, I commented on the fact that his forehand was heavy with top spin and not penetrative enough. When I saw him yesterday, there seemed to be a difference and he was hitting flatter and harder, which enabled him to use that to create opportunities.

That'll be good for Grass too, with his world class double hander, if he can maintain that standard on his forehand for long periods, I think we'll be off to the races, good stuff.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

The other seed in Evo's section of the draw has just been knocked out in the 1st round. Hope Evo can adapt to the conditions and overcome the jetlag as he has a chance to go deep here this week and take out his CH - and then some.

RJA · Hall of fame

In other Evo related news he won't be playing Roland Garros qualifying and has instead chosen to extend his Far East tour and will play the Bangkok challenger that week (as will Liam Broady and Alex Ward).