JonH wrote:

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Bob in Spain wrote:

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Jaggy1876 wrote:

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Bob in Spain wrote:

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JonH wrote:

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If the issue is mental and grinding becomes difficult, then clay is not the surface to try and push on through. Grass has easier points and if you're technically sound you can connect and gain some easy points and confidence. I hope

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I think the higher bouncing ball on clay courts suits Kyle's game style more than the low skiddy ball on the grass.

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 Ironic then that Dan appears to performing on clay when he shouldnt really be. Be interesting  see how many clay court wins he gets. Playing with no pressure or expectancy on this surface must simularly be helping in the opposite way where Kyle has the pressure.

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Yes. There is psychology and reverse psychology at work.  It could indeed work in his favour.  Evo is a much more instinctive and adaptable player in my opinion and it is no surprise that he is now having some success on the clay.  I did comment when I saw him reach the QFs in Barcelona 2 years ago the he was playing with zero expectation and a smile on his face. So that reverse psychology worked for him there.  Let's hope it works on the grass for Kyle.

We should also remember, that although Kyle seems to have been around on the circuit for many years, he is still only 24, just a year older than Cam and 4 years younger than Evo.  His best years a still ahead of him - plenty of them.

Indi -Yes I do remember those 3rd set fall aways that you commented on and perhaps Julia has a point with the health/fitness side of things.  You only have to be half a step  slower in this game and the result can be very different.

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 I was just watching BBC24 whilst having a run over lunch time ( I do work  honest!). They showed match point of Kyle v Verdasco. Kyle looked worn out, could barely reach the ball and FV just moved him side to side before playing a winner. He looked v tired. Albeit one point but that is what it looked like to me.  

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If it is the case that his illness has reappeared and is affecting his stamina, it doesn't look good for the slams and their 5 setters.  I do hope we are wrong on this one but the signs may be beginning to point that way.