Week 12 - ATP Challenger 75 - Les Franqueses del Vallès, Spain (hard)

Nix · Futures qualifying

Week 12 - ATP Challenger 75 - Les Franqueses del Vallès, Spain (hard)

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

I think if Im reading it right, Billy starts at 9 am BST? Is that correct? The TNNS app says 9 am here and 10 am local time but not sure if theyve got their times correct with the clock change?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

A couple of break points for Billy right at the start - shame he put his backhand return of second serve straight out

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

But gets it on track

4-1 to Billy

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Hugo saves three or four set points

Hugo Grenier looks like Liam Broady's doppelganger out there

Apart from the fact he's holding the racket in the wrong hand - and has a rather more sobre shirt than Liam normally goes for

Mind you, Billy cuts a very dapper figure in his rather preppy navy and white classic look

More importantly, he served out the first set in style - 6-3

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Goodness gracious me. If I am this nervous in a 6-3 first set, how on earth am I going to cope if it goes to a 3rd set breaker.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Sitting in a Cafe Nero with the dog, eating a sneaky sausage ciabatta and coffee and following the scores. This would be the most remarkable result in a long time, Jubby last year in South America was close maybe.

But this would trump it. Come on Billy

Jan · Hall of fame

Unable to watch, but sneaking a look at the score every so often.
Go Billy!!!!
(Thinking of your nerves Bob!)

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

MTO for Grenier. Doesn't look too serious though.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Grenier is doing very little with the ball

But by being solid it puts pressure on Billy

Who's getting a touch tighter as he gets nearer the win

Hugo leads 3-1 in the second

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Grenier is doing very little with the ball

But by being solid it puts pressure on Billy

Who's getting a touch tighter as he gets nearer the win

Hugo leads 3-1 in the second

Yes. Billy shouting at himself to 'hit the ball'.

Camera angle has gone wonky too.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

OK Billy. Time to put that 2nd set behind you and refocus. This is there for the taking. Go get it.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes, this is anyone's match

Billy is hitting a bit more freely now but may well tighten up again if we get to 4-4 or whatever

Hugo, on the other hand, would like Billy to give it to him and doesn't really want to go on the offence

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Excellent service game though by Grenier

2-2

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Excellent service game though by Grenier

2-2

Grenier definitely getting a lot more cheap points on serve. Billy has to find a way to put him under a bit of pressure.