WTT seems to be getting plaudits for keeping the players safe, using the bubble approach a la cricket test matches

mobile.twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1286099563175194624

Danielle Collins left the site, apparently to go and get supplements for her arthritis and, although it seems all accept it was a mistake, she has been taken out (sacked) from the event.

The way things stand, the New York and Orlando teams that Neal S (NYE) and Ken S and James W (Orlando Storm) play for are in positions to make the play offs.

Top 4 teams out of the 9 make the play offs.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_World_TeamTennis_season

Ken is now the top GB man in the mens doubes, 3rd overall behind Fritz and Lindstedt. Neal Skupski is ranked 2nd in mixed doubles, top man in that format, and overall he is currently rated in 4th place, 2nd man behind Fritz again. Neal boasts a 56% overall games won/lost ratio which is not bad. a 5-4 set (sets are first to 5 games) would be about that, so it means on average he is just winning. 5-3 would give you 62.5% (obviously) and anything above 60% is regarded as pretty impressive.

In the mens doubles at WTT, Ken is still top of the rankings, with Neal now into 2nd place.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_World_TeamTennis_season

Neal still high in overall rankings as well. As things are developing, both Neal and Ken (and James Ward) should find themselves in the semifinal/playoffs for this weekend.

Should be interesting, Ken and Sandgren v Neal and Sock. 

I like team tennis as a concept, it has a place. I used to like the old harlequin courts in the old days! the scoring system (first to 5 games, 1 set of each format) is good for an evenings entertainment, typically lasts 2 1/2 hours and done, which is good in terms of attracting fans etc. 

Philadelphia, Chicago and Orlando (Kens team, with Wardy as well) look pretty certain for play offs, the 4th spot is up for grabs, with New York (Neals team) in the spot at the moment. Beating Orlando is important to them though and that is this evenings match up.  

 

 

 

At the WTT, with one round left, Philadephia , Chicago and Orlando are into the last 4. Orlando include Ken and Dino.

New York and Washington are battling the final spot. New York includes Neal S.

In mens doubles, Ken is still top; in overall performance , Neal is 2nd but close to top place

Philadelphia Freedoms
United States Caroline Dolehide
United States Taylor Fritz
United States Sofia Kenin
France Fabrice Martin
United States Taylor Townsend
United States Donald Young

Chicago Smash
Canada Eugenie Bouchard
United States Evan King
United States Bethanie Mattek-Sands
United States Brandon Nakashima
United States Rajeev Ram
United States Sloane Stephens

New York Empire
Belgium Kim Clijsters
United Kingdom Neal Skupski
United States Jack Sock
United States Nicole Melichar
United States CoCo Vandeweghe

Orlando Storm
United States Danielle Collins
Croatia Darija Jurak
United States Jessica Pegula
United States Tennys Sandgren
United Kingdom Ken Skupski
United Kingdom James Ward

Washington Kastles
El Salvador Marcelo Arévalo
United States Nicholas Monroe
United States Tommy Paul
United States Bernarda Pera
Australia Arina Rodionova
United States Venus Williams

In the World Team Tennis semis, New York Empire take the first semifinal over Philadelphia Freedoms. NYE lost to Philly in the group matches just the night before but turned this around. From the Brits, Neal featured in the mens doubles with Jack Sock, they beat Taylor Fritz and Fabrice Martin 5-3. Jack Sock then played mixed (instead of Neal who has usually played mixed) and also singles and really took the NYE to the victory, 22-18.

Chicago win the other tie, versus Orlando, with ken losing his mens doubles 5-1.

So New York play Chicago in the final, with Neal Skupski featuring for Britain. Ken topped the regular season ie pre play offs mens doubles but that 5-1 semi loss was disappointing. Neal was 5th in mens, 2nd mixed and 3rd overall. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_World_TeamTennis_season

 

-- Edited by JonH comes home on Sunday 2nd of August 2020 07:34:38 AM

New York Empire went on to win the final, and are champions, well done to Neal on being a key part of the winning team, winning both his finals matches. !!!