Here we are with the semis for our Player of the Season vote!
6 players in each group - 3 men and 3 women in each.
Top 2 from each group progress to the final, plus any ties.
48 hours to vote - this poll will close Saturday at 9.30 am!!
Semi 2
Alicia Barnett/Liv Nicholls
August PoM/British #1 Womens Doubles
Doubles WR around 61 and 62 from 180's in both cases; Won 33-22 together 60%; Won 3 titles incl WTA 250 Granby
Cam Norrie
July PoM / May PoM RU, British #1 Mens Singles
WR 14 down from 12; Won 49-25 66%; Won ATP 250 singles Lyon and Delray Beach, Semis Wimbledon
Harriet Dart
March PoM
WR 96 up from 120; Won 29-29 50%;
Julian Cash/Henry Patten
Nov PoM
WR's up to 69/70 from below 600 for Cash and near 900 for Patten; Cash w/L 77-14 85%, Patten 73-14 84%; Won 14 titles as a pair, 10 at Challenger level.
Paul Jubb
Mar PoM RU
WR 221 up from 335; Won 32-26 55%; Won ATP80 Challenger at Santa Cruz
Sonay Kartal
February and May PoM
WR 208 up from 993; Won 34-12 74%; Won 4 titles at W25 level
I have gone for Julian/Henry in this one. To break the record of Challenger wins for a season is all the more remarkable as they didn't even team up until part way through the year. Imagine how many they would have won had they played the full season together.
An 85% win loss record also. I have to say, Sonay was also on my radar and I could have voted for her, she was in my top 3 in the group.
In the other group I can see 4 potential winners, here I can see 4 also, adding Liv and Lissey into the mix. 8 in total could be PoS and I can see good arguments for them all. Sadly, only 4 will make the final (unless we have massive ties all over the place!)
As an aside, these both close Saturday morning - I will put the final up before the football Saturday evening and that will run through to Monday evening close
As per round one - my bios are purely ranking, win loss record and tournie wins/ highlight. If you feel Im missing part of that narrative for any player, please post it - I wont update the narrative but others can read it.
This group is much easier and I voted for Sonay as generally speaking I feel singles players are more deserving. I think doubles players only really come into contention when they are right at the top of the sport, winning slams and Tour finals (like Joe and Neal) whereas the candidates here have played most of the year at lower levels.
I was tempted to vote for Sonay, but feel that her second half of the year wasn't quite good enough to earn my vote.
Julian and Henry have probably had the best year of all of them with their climb up the ranings and numerous titles.
Cam, Harriet and Paul have one well, but I don't feel they have quite done enough to earn my vote.
So true to form I'm sticking with Lissey and Liv who have also had a very good year and have kept me glued to the screen for many of their matches
Julian and Henry all the way for me. That record haul of 10 challenger doubles titles in one season is a great achievement. They have both raised their doubles ranking tremendously to now be in the worlds top 100 and on the cusp of the main tour next season. These guys still have to train and put in the same hours and hard work and dedication as singles players. They did the business and earned their stripes. Well done guys.