Week 38 - ATP 250 - St. Petersburg, Russia (indoor hard )

Priesty · Challenger level

Week 38 - ATP 250 - St. Petersburg, Russia (indoor hard )

steven · Tennis legend

Madadman wrote:
indiana wrote:
JonH wrote:
Brilliant result, career best presumably?
Yep. Already updated on Helen Parish's table in the stats section.
Just went to check that! What was it before?

66 in June. I think the progression over the last 3 years has been:

Oct 2014 - Dancevic WR 148 in Tiburon

Oct 2014 - Smyczek WR 97 in Charlottesville

Apr 2015 - Bagnis WR 90 in Savannah (*)

Jun 2017 - Tiafoe WR 66 at Queen's ATP Q

Sep 2017 - Mannarino WR 31 at St Petersburg ATP

So this is his first top 50 scalp and his 3rd top 70 scalp (all this summer - he also beat Sela WR 70 in Vancouver in August), I think.

(*) It looks like I reported Groth WR 95 in Bangkok in May 2016 as a career best ranking scalp too, but April 2015 was when my eye was completely off the ball, so I wasn't posting and it's possible that Helen didn't pick up the Bagnis win either - as was the case today, she often posts new career best scalps before I've even tweeted them but when I do tweet them, I try to use the words "career best ... scalp" to help her pick them up later in case she has too much on at the time to notice them independently. Of course, even that 'foolproof plan' can fail when neither of us is able to pay attention!

Liam tweeted on Friday night/Saturday morning that it was half past midnight in Russia and he was playing online chess (there have been times when that was my idea of an exciting Friday night but let's not go there!) while everyone else was out partying - 5 days, 57 ATP points and over $29,000 in prize money later, hopefully it feels like missing out on partying that night was well worth it smile

-- Edited by steven on Wednesday 20th of September 2017 11:24:30 PM

LordBrownof · Futures level

I am overjoyed for Liam - a nice lad, good attitude and his best tennis is absolutely top 100. And at just 23 still, has a decade to prove that!

The money from this plus AO Qs will also help focus the mind over the coming months on simply his level of tennis - perhaps he'll travel a bit more with Dave in the early part of 2018.

I wish there were highlights of the match!

-- Edited by LordBrownof on Wednesday 20th of September 2017 11:28:36 PM

steven · Tennis legend

I wonder which of the Broady siblings will end up with the better career high ATP or WTA singles world ranking - it's not looking quite as foregone a conclusion now as it probably seemed even just a few months ago.

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Coup Droit wrote:

I couldn't watch it but am curious for those who did whether the Liam playing well against lefties is relevant the other way round too - i.e. Mannarino has always been a pesky player to play, using the angles in a very lefty way to cause trouble. Did that not work against Liam, given that he's lefty too?

To my mind the lefty factor wasn't an issue in this particular contest. I say that because up until 2-6 2-3* 40-0 Mannarino was in total control. He appeared to possess everything Liam showed plus several extra gears (better use of angles being one of them, also more pace on aggressive forehand, more penetration on first serve). Then Mannarino got careless, Liam more aggressive, at times inspired, Mannarino making tons of soft errors.

First half, Liam either too safe, especially during the rather tedious 20+ shot forehand rallies that ultimately ended once Mannarino decided to unleash a forehand crosscourt, or not accurate enough when he tried to be more aggressive, approach shots that were dismissed for passing shot winners, down the line shots that missed the target. 2nd half abandoned the safe play, still made some errors, got himself in trouble on serve but came up with big serves to save bps, bold plays, heavy deep backhands, excellent smashes, plenty of volley winners, a great lob and a super forehand pass down the line on a break point.

First half Mannarino seemed to have plenty of time to play his shots, if necessary he could wait until shot 30 before pulling the trigger. He could explore angles, win the occasional point at the net. 2nd half Mannarino appeared rushed. Too much effort spent getting annoyed with himself. Liam asked plenty of questions, Mannarino's talent not much in evidence once it started to go wrong.

Vandenburg · Futures level

Bold Prediction

Liam will break into the top 100 before Norrie.

Sheddie · administrator

Youtube highlights

Broady-Gulbis: youtube.com/watch?v=sm3P8rDModY

-- Edited by Sheddie on Thursday 21st of September 2017 01:10:16 AM

Pilster · Social player

agree with oh gawd ...

stevemcqueen · Futures qualifying

Flippin 'eck! I had forgotten they were even playing and probably wouldn't have watched as I wouldn't like to see Liam take a beat down.

Where is Liam playing this autumn? I can't see him on the accpetance lists over on MTF.

Having read through all the comments (over two pages of them) it is very clear we all love him!

Congrats mate, you deserve it!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Thanks very much kundalini - interesting read of the lefty v lefty match-up. Cheers.

seagull · Hall of fame

stevemcqueen wrote:
Flippin 'eck! I had forgotten they were even playing and probably wouldn't have watched as I wouldn't like to see Liam take a beat down.
Where is Liam playing this autumn? I can't see him on the accpetance lists over on MTF.
Having read through all the comments (over two pages of them) it is very clear we all love him!
Congrats mate, you deserve it!

He is having a week off next week then off to the States for the Challengers in Stockton & Fairfield.

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

I notice that Dave Sammel appears to do some coaching for Marcus Daneill & Marcelo Demoliner. Maybe he was due to come to this tournament with them and suggested it to Liam. Definitely been a good decision!

DavidC · Tennis legend

Liam's match is first on Centre tomorrow at 11am BST

Meanwhile Dom and Daniel's QF has gone to a match tiebreak

DavidC · Tennis legend

QF: Roman Jebavy & Matwe Middelkoop (CZE/NED) CR 108 (67 + 41) beat (3) Dominic Inglot & Daniel Nestor (CAN) CR 93 (50+43) 6-7(10) 7-5 [10-4]

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

Shame Liam is on so early. Hopefully grab an early lunch and catch some of it.