For me there is no question that guys who get into the top 150 in the world are mighty fine players. I would include Boggo in that. Generally they can make a living playing professionally, that step up to sustaining your rank playing ATP only tournaments as we saw over the last two years with Kyle is hard to cut a swathe through.

I am pleasantly suprised that Cam has made the step to the cusp of the top 100 so seamlessly it has been breath taking. McKenzie McDonald fellow 1995er and an absolute college tennis stud has been out on tour a year longer and languishes at about 140, he achieved far more in college tennis than Isner or Anderson (who won NCAA doubles titles) winning both NCAA singles and doubles championships in his junior year.

Other NCAA singles winners are regulars on the Challenger tour Blaz Rola, Marcus Girons, Bradley Klahn, in recent times only Steve Johnson a back to back winner in 2011 and 2012 has made that step and at the end of 2013 he was ranked 157. That was 20 months after fully committing to pro tennis.

Cam has had immediate Challenger success, an amazing DC debut and is still less than a year into his transition into the pro game full time and there are squeals of Boggo (which was used as a tedious and relentless taunt) and Challenger player.

L16:  Ken Skupski & Neal Skupski CR 113 (65+48) defeated Fabrice Martin & Purav Raja (FRA/IND) CR 100 (38+62) by 6-1 7-6(0) 

Fine-looking win, that. 

Jaggy1876 wrote:

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scottie1 wrote:

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Jaggy1876 wrote:

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Cameron Bogdanovic....

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Don't know why you are slagging off Bogdanovic he won challengers 

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 Im not, an old misunderstand joke that caused amusement to many. Its to do with being on the edge of the top 100......

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 I'm jealous I did not coin this myself.  I suggest a new motion, until Cam breaks the top 100, he will be known as Cameron Bogdanovic. 

paulisi wrote:

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JonH wrote:

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Decent start to the week. And is Neal looking to a few months to put his hand up for a DC spot?

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 Given the tie looks straight forward, I would be against bringing in an in form Neal for an out of form Dom.

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Your reasoning being ?

By the way quite apart from the Neal vs Dom question has not some doubt been cast as to whether Neal is yet better than Ken? He's largely got more ranking points and a higher ranking than big bro because he has played quite a lot more tournaments with other partners than Ken has with some working out and some not.  

I haven't seen nearly enough of either to make a judgement on that but I don't see the various results as looking conclusive. Indeed I am very unclear as to the current order of all 3 of them, judging individual doubles players needing much more viewing than I've had without very clear result evidence.

flamingowings wrote:

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Tbh do we actually need Dom/Neal/Ken?

Potentially it could be Kyle, Cam with Andy and Jamie as the doubles.

Or maybe Kyle and Jamie?

-- Edited by flamingowings on Tuesday 10th of April 2018 10:52:55 PM

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 This is true, the Andy factor might well play into it, particularly if he is fresh and recovering well and looking to play. 

Re Neal and Dom - given it is a tie with no real pressure, that is exactly when I would consider blooding a new inform player, not sure I agree with Paulisi on that one, sorry. But Indi is also correct that the relative ranking of  Neal, Dom and Ken is unknown - there is a lot to play in big events (3 slams, 5 masters series, at least 2 ATP 500 level events) before then for players to show their form and metal and so hence why I said if Neal can keep his form up and show a positive intent to leon over the next few months, he could be in with a shout. Quite possible Joe and Luke could also play their way in and , on that basis, maybe Scott and Jonny O'Mara could find some results over the summer and make a run at it, albeit less likely I agree        

Just to confirm what Jon said earlier:

QF:  (1) Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan (USA/USA) CR 14 (7+7) vs Ken Skupski & Neal Skupski CR 113 (65+48)

6-4 3-6

MTB ...