Great to see Alex getting reward for all his sacrifices, in particular not giving up on his tennis career, heading over to Barcelona, getting quality coaching and seeing where it will take him. Bob knows more about the ins and outs of that project, but from an outsider looking in ( last saw Alex at Ilkley playing qualies last June), it seems like a masterstroke. Conditions seem to suit him well out here, and hopefully he can get a few good wins on the grass as well.

I think (adding up from the ATP website but very hastily, so this may be inaccurate) that the difference between what Mr Ward is guaranteed from these two Challengers and what he had won in every other tournament played so far this year is £26. The step up definitely makes a financial difference.

-- Edited by Spectator on Friday 20th of May 2016 03:00:06 PM

goldenboy wrote:

---

I wonder if Alex has requested a SE place for Vicenza next week?
Granted, Hard>Clay>Grass is hardly ideal, but gives him direct entry into a challenger.

---

he'll go back to the UK and have a week's rest and some practice on grass before an almost certain wildcard at Manchester 

Anyway you can only claim an SE for a similar event on the same continent. So he would not qualify.

-- Edited by paulisi on Friday 20th of May 2016 03:55:49 PM

goldenboy wrote:

---

paulisi wrote:

---

Anyway you can only claim an SE for a similar event on the same continent. So he would not qualify.

 

---

 i think you can claim an SE anywhere if there is no challenger on the continent the following week, which is the case.

though a week's rest and practice on grass does seem the more sensible approach!

---

 You also need to have entered the tournament. You can't just request an SE.

That toilet break was 10 minutes!

Lets hope Alex can turn things round now.  2-6.

Tbf Jeff I saw Sam at Sunderland this year and he served 32 aces against Daniel Appelgren. Whatever works for you!!

Glad you took one for the team, Jeff

OK, Alex - vamos.