Very good 

James is now live ranked GB #7.

In the race, with not a huge deal having been happening at least from some thought of previously as challenger players, he goes up to GB #5, having now during this year scored more than double the points of anyone from #6 down ( Alex Ward's race points are from last year ). Win the final and he will be GB race #4, overtaking Liam and behind only Kyle, Cam and Jay.

Jiwan wrote:

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EddietheEagle wrote:

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A major nonsense banning Evans for a year, forcing him to return with a begging bowl. Particularly in this golden era of meldonium, steroid and TUE abuse where you find past users feted as media heroes by the likes of the All England and the BBC.

-- Edited by EddietheEagle on Tuesday 22nd of May 2018 12:38:12 PM

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 Agreed, especially as it wasn't a performance enhancing drug.  He certainly needed some punishment but this was too harsh. Rules are rules I guess 

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Are they though, they constantly give watered down bans for weak excuses like 'My mum dropped her cancer meds into the family food' even though that's an excuse that makes no sense (Who on earth knowingly drops cancer meds into food and thinks 'just let them eat it' especially with a daughter who is a sports person. And if her mum didn't know she dropped them in the food then how on earth can you use that as an excuse when it would only be guess work). Even cocaine bans are usually nowhere near that though, Dan should have used the 'I kissed someone who had taken coke' excuse. Hey we also have people who get the book thrown at them for missing tests but others let off because they claim the doorbell was broken.

 

All drugs should carry a ban but non-PED's should only be a couple of months. PED's should only get a reduced ban IF it can be proven without a doubt that it was legitimate mistake beyond their control. Missing 3 tests also shouldn't be as long as failing (But only on the first ban for it) and it again should only get reduced if its a really great reason that can be absolutely proven. That would do away with the whole 'Does your face fit' factor in ban lengths, I suspect Nadal or Serena could be caught with more drugs in their bloodstream than blood and they would get lesser bans than Dan with the way things are

BRITAINS JAMES WARD REACHES LOUGHBOROUGH TROPHY FINAL

Londons James Ward has reached his first ATP Challenger final since 2015, thanks to a dominant victory over Austrias Maximilian Neuchrist at the inaugural Loughborough Trophy.

In front of a loud and proud British crowd, and after years of injuries which have halted his career, Ward cruised past Neuchrist in just one hour and three minutes, winning 61 64.

I played really well, served really well throughout, kept making chances on his serve and kept building the pressure and thats what counted in the end, said the former British No.2.

Ward was awarded a wildcard entry to the tournament after persistent problems with his knee resulted in nine months on the sidelines in 2017.

I havent played much in the last couple of years due to a couple of injuries, explained Ward. I tried to rehab my knee and get stronger before I opted to have surgery, but it didnt work. I came back last year over the grass and then I went to China and I slipped over, [so] in the end I decided to have surgery, which was nine months out, [but] now I am back strong and looking to compete for the next few years and see what I can do.

Ward plays eighth seed, Japans Hiroki Moriya in the final on Sunday.

Moriya dug deep to defeat his compatriot Yosuke Watanuki: 76(8) 62 in the days first semi-final.

Twenty-year-old Watanuki displayed a never-give-up attitude, fighting back from 1-4 down in the first set to force a tie-break, but ultimately his spirit wasnt enough to steal victory.

Yes, Im really happy because I knew he got a good result last week and I saw he has a lot of confidence now, said Moriya of Watanukis semi-final berth at the recent Busan Open Challenger in South Korea.

Im just happy to be playing good.

In the doubles, Britains Joe Salisbury and Denmarks Frederik Nielsen will face Luke Bambridge and Jonny OMara in the final on Sunday.

Fourth seeds Salisbury and Nielsen knocked out American duo Robert Galloway and Nathaniel Lammons in an exciting match: 76(6) 76(5).

The tournament is the first time Nielsen has partnered with Salisbury, whose doubles ranking is no.86 in the world.

Hopefully well play some more [together] after this but I think weve gelled really well and our games suit each other, commented Salisbury.

On the pairs next opponents, Salisbury said: Obviously theyre playing great, they beat a really strong team yesterday, [and] they beat them quite comfortably, so well have to be on top of our game but we know them pretty well. Ive played with Luke before and played against Jonny a few times, so I think well know how to handle it but well just have to execute well.

Luke & Jonny take the first set in the doubles final 6-3. Just the one break of serve.

Freddie & Joe *6-0 up in the MTB !

Still liked the big celebrations from Luke when they won a point to make it 1-8* in the MTB.

But not to be for Beardy Bambridge and Jonny.

Here's hoping his level drops off, Wardy really needs those points.