Week 32 - Challenger ($100,000) - Nordic Naturals Challenger, Aptos, CA (hard)

indiana · Tennis legend

Week 32 - Challenger ($100,000) - Nordic Naturals Challenger, Aptos, CA (hard)

Vandenburg · Futures level

Broady always reminded me of Jamie Baker, a good guy, head and heart in the right place. But if he wants to penetrate the top 100 he will need a weapon or two.

Jan · Hall of fame

Only just catching up - well done Liam! and good luck in the final!

LordBrownof · Futures level

Vandenburg wrote:
Broady always reminded me of Jamie Baker, a good guy, head and heart in the right place. But if he wants to penetrate the top 100 he will need a weapon or two.

Liam could undoubtedly do with some additional penetration on his groundstrokes but the base game is there with no visible weaknesses. And given the success of Hasse, Schwartzman, Mannarino this week (and having watched them play for hours this week), there's a lot more he can do with the weapons he already has.

-- Edited by LordBrownof on Sunday 13th of August 2017 01:50:11 PM

Vandenburg · Futures level

LordBrownof wrote:
Vandenburg wrote:
Broady always reminded me of Jamie Baker, a good guy, head and heart in the right place. But if he wants to penetrate the top 100 he will need a weapon or two.
Liam could undoubtedly do with some additional penetration on his groundstrokes but the base game is there with no visible weaknesses. And given the success of Hasse, Schwartzman, Mannarino this week (and having watched them play for hours this week), there's a lot more he can do with the weapons he already has.

-- Edited by LordBrownof on Sunday 13th of August 2017 01:50:11 PM

Good points, you can have a decent career in the top 100 with a basic game, if you are consistent enough. Schwarztman is about 5ft 4 or something.

steven · Tennis legend

If you listen to that interview with Mike C a couple of days ago, Liam makes it clear (at least indirectly) that he doesn't have the firepower of some of the opponents he has beaten this week and knows that he has to make up for it with hard work and intelligent match play. You can certainly make the top 100 (which is very worthwhile in itself) with a decent game and an attitude like that, even if you might never make it right to the top.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Schwartzman strength is on clay which I think rewards an attritional consistent approach and negates many players strengths ie. he plays all the European Clay court tournaments upto RG, those after Wimbledon and the South American swing. It would mean some big changes for Liam when compared to his present and previous schedule.

steven · Tennis legend

Clay tournaments tend to be significantly weaker than hard court tournaments too (probably because there are so many of the former on offer all year round) so it's definitely easier to make the top 100 as a clay courter for that reason as well as the one you mention.

LordBrownof · Futures level

steven wrote:
If you listen to that interview with Mike C a couple of days ago, Liam makes it clear (at least indirectly) that he doesn't have the firepower of some of the opponents he has beaten this week and knows that he has to make up for it with hard work and intelligent match play. You can certainly make the top 100 (which is very worthwhile in itself) with a decent game and an attitude like that, even if you might never make it right to the top.

The magic, of course, is being able to find a little more power without losing the consistency. One of Konta's big improvements was that she seemed to be able to do that, particularly on serve. I hope Liam doesn't just rely on that consistency and intelligent play and continues to try and improve the penetration on his groundstrokes. He still has time on his side to try and find that magic combo.

steven · Tennis legend

Yes, of course, the fact that he may not have the more natural weapons of some of his competitors certainly doesn't mean he can't improve the power in his shots too

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Neal's our next of the weekend:

Final: (3) Jonathan Erlich (ISR) & Neal Skupski CR 171 (88+83) defeated (4) Alex Bolt & Jordan Thompson (AUS/AUS) CR 217 (118+99) by 6-3 2-6 [10-8] biggrin

thejester · Satellite level

Things not going to plan for Liam so far I see. Down a set and a break at 2-6 *0-3

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Final: Alexander Bublik (KAZ) WR 125 (CH = 122 last month) beat (Q) Liam Broady WR 336 6-2 6-3

So not the fairytale ending, but that shouldn't take the gloss off what has been an superb week for Liam. Let's hope the confidence he must have gained in Aptos can act as a springboard for further progress up the rankings.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Yes, a very good week for Liam in many ways. Talked the talk and for the most part delivered. It takes time to realise just how hard the top 100 guys work and with only the very odd exception how much they sacrifice. Failure to fully commit to that sacrifice on top of the hard work results in a degree of under achievement even in those with enormous natural talent, Nick Kyrgios falls to mind.

Were Kyrgios to commit like Andy he would dominate the tour, there is a natural heir to the big 4. Will we see it? I digress but Liam I think is beginning to get it, in 2015 he was talking about his conditioning using a mixed martial arts coach, now he's talking about tactics understanding his opponents game and how he executes his in order to win. He needs to build on this through the autumn, we don't give the guys with a limited game; the Schwartmans of the tour, the credit they deserve; being the consummate professionals they are. It takes a bit of time, understanding and humility to realise that is the way you need to go and then tremendous discipline to deliver and push on and into the top 100. Congratulations to Liam for a good week and I hope he continues to get rewarded for the grunt he has put in over the last 6 months or more through this autumn challenger swing.

Jan · Hall of fame

Not to be, but a really good week for Liam!