Did the Skupskis not make it ? I think someone said they were first Alt. Much as I love seeing Evo do well, it kills me to see Evo/Kygrios (and other pairings like that) playing doubles and Ken/Neal missing out.

I know this is a perennial argument, but doubles should be for doubles players and based SOLELY on doubles rankings.

indiana wrote:

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Bob in Spain wrote:

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Did the Skupskis not make it ? I think someone said they were first Alt. Much as I love seeing Evo do well, it kills me to see Evo/Kygrios (and other pairings like that) playing doubles and Ken/Neal missing out.

I know this is a perennial argument, but doubles should be for doubles players and based SOLELY on doubles rankings.

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 Nope, certainly no Skupskis in the draw  

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  that one of the other doubles teams drops out before the competition gets under way.

I completely understand Bobs sentiment (although I disagree) and support for the Skupskis, I too would be delighted should they squeeze in by rank.

The best dedicated doubles teams get in but will be playing to half filled stadia/ outside courts, often n late into the evening in a lesser tournament ticking on in the background. The majority of teams consist of failed singles players, having a few successful singles scratch teams gives them an opportunity to knock them out and show their mastery of their chosen form of the game. Evo/kyg is just the sort of doubles team I want to see it is explosive, exciting and will draw a crowd some of whom will come away with a passion for another form of tennis.

More importantly it is an opportunity for top players to meet, form relationships with each other and enjoy playing on the same side of the court. Specifically here it is an opportunity for Evo to mentor Nick, not that I know any players well (and I know Bob does). My limited first hand knowledge suggests Evo's misunderstood (and until recently underachieving) persona masks the reality of a player with a generic inner passion for sport and a clear understanding of his and others strengths and weaknesses who generally looks after his mates, be they; roofers, non league football managers or tennis professionals.

For Nick playing with an experienced pro who has had a few self inflicted bumps and bruises compliments of the media will do him no halm and generally for tennis given his talent that's not a bad thing.

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Monday 16th of January 2017 09:19:42 AM

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Monday 16th of January 2017 09:20:45 AM

I'm somewhat in sympathy with Bob on this. I don't mind when people who are singles and serious doubles players play. So that might be a pairing like Herbert/Mahut, Benneteau/Chardy, Dodig/Granollers or Fognini/Verdasco. Or it might be one of the singles players who often play and take doubles seriously, eg Johnson, Sock and Querrey, playing with someone else. But at a Grand Slam, which is responsible for so much of the doubles players' income, I do feel it's a bit unfair for people who are doing it as a bit extra on the side, so to speak, to take a place that could go to someone for whom it might mean another year on tour. Even if, like Kyrgios/Evans, they're an organiser's dream.

Really pleased for Ken/Neal although they have a tough draw.

My point above stands regardless of the personalities involved. I guess it depends on whether the philosophy is let those who earned the right to play, actually play, or get the big names on court as often as possible for the fans.

For me, this is a slam and those who have earned the right through their performances throughout the year, should be allowed to play. Let's be honest, the main reason that people like Evo and Kyrgios are playing is to earn a few extra pounds/dollars and they have no real ambition in the doubles arena. Having said that, the rules allow them to enter and so I don't blame them in any way for taking advantage of that. I just think the rules are wrong.

Stircrazy wrote:

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Stircrazy wrote:

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L64:  (WC) Luke Saville & Jordan Thompson (AUS/AUS) CR 242 (144+98) vs (16) Dom Inglot & Florin Mergea (ROU) CR 70 (43+27)

L64:  Dan Evans & Nick Kyrgios (AUS) CR 507 (277+230) vs Dusan Lajovic & Victor Troicki (SRB/SRB) CR 299 (208+91)

L64:  Sam Querrey & Donald Young (USA/USA) CR 255 (85+170) vs (2) Jamie Murray & Bruno Soares (BRA) CR 7 (4+3)

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L64:  (ALT) Ken Skupski & Neal Skupski CR 167 (76+91) vs (14) Juan Sebastián Cabal & Robert Farah (COL/COL) CR 58 (29+29)

That is a horrible draw, but I suppose they're just pleased to have the chance to play.

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Yes, much better than being down there and not in the draw at all. All the best to them.