Week 31 - Challenger - Chengdu, China ($125,000) (hard)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Week 31 - Challenger - Chengdu, China ($125,000) (hard)

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

L16: James Ward WR 329 defeated Lee Duckhee (KOR) WR 240 by 4-6 7-5 6-3

*****

QF: James Ward WR 329 vs Roman Safiullin (RUS) WR 340 (CH = 314 in March 2015)

legal-eagle · Improver

The pace of the match felt very laboured, so good to see James emerge victorious. He has a good chance of reaching the SF's here - Safiullin has won some Futures but has yet to make a mark in challengers in the past 12 months.

Jaffa · Challenger level

Never in doubt....

Jan · Hall of fame

Well done James!!

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Decent decision by Wardy to head to China. People can say what they want about his level of tennis but his scheduling expertise is second to none. Playing a guy ranked 350ish for a place in the SF is not something to gripe about.

Mervatron2 · Challenger qualifying

James seems to be getting his mojo back.

indiana · Tennis legend

I see that James is defending 18 points from a QF here last year so a chance of an upgrade. And then nothing to defend for the rest of the year or indeed anything of significance until well into next year.

It would be good to see him at least back in the top 200 before too long.

JonH · All-time great

indiana wrote:
I see that James is defending 18 points from a QF here last year so a chance of an upgrade. And then nothing to defend for the rest of the year or indeed anything of significance until well into next year.
It would be good to see him at least back in the top 200 before too long.

Thats promising - is he staying out in Asia over the next few weeks do we know, presumably he doesnt expect to get into US qualies?

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Wardy is into his third set 6-2, 4-6, 1-1

goldfish · Futures level

QF: James Ward WR 329 d. Roman Safiullin (RUS) WR 340 62 46 63

-- Edited by goldfish on Friday 3rd of August 2018 06:25:17 AM

-- Edited by goldfish on Friday 3rd of August 2018 06:25:50 AM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Decent decision by Wardy to head to China. People can say what they want about his level of tennis but his scheduling expertise is second to none. Playing a guy ranked 350ish for a place in the SF is not something to gripe about.

As you say, Bob, James Ward is incredibly savvy about his tournament entries - got a real nose for the good ones.

Well done to him.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Wardy's win leapfrogs him over Dan Evans in the live rankings in the battle of the comebacks. Needless to say, Andy M is close on the heals of both of them.

Babfive · Satellite level

Bob in Spain wrote:
Wardy's win leapfrogs him over Dan Evans in the live rankings in the battle of the comebacks. Needless to say, Andy M is close on the heals of both of them.

I assume "heals" is auto correct, but it's a great way of describing these three's comebacks. (Even if Dan's scars are probably more emotional and mental). I hope all three stay close on one another's 'heals' all the way back to the top 100. wink

stevemcqueen · Futures level

Dino plays Henri Laaksonen (134) in the semis. Laaksonen has had to win two 3rd set TBs against quite lowly opposition to get this far.