Week 14 - ATP Challenger 75 - Murcia, Spain (clay)

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

RE: Week 14 - ATP Challenger 75 - Murcia, Spain (clay)

Jan · Hall of fame

Nice one Billy and partner

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

What a fabulous game of doubles that was. In the first set there was very little in it but if I had to pick a stand out player, it would have been Uchida. Billy missed a couple of easy volleys, but neither was consequential and he didn't miss any more than the others.

But having gone 0-2* down in the 2nd set, Billy in particular really started to play well. Akira will always blow hot and cold and did so again today, but Billy was solid as a rock on his ground strokes and served superbly - something he told me after the match that he had been working on. He was the best player on the court from that point early in the 2nd set and they fully deserved the victory.

And to finish up a great day, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Harris Sr, who was over giving Billy some support. I started talking to him after the match without realising who he was, until he then introduced himself as Billy's dad - and a very proud dad on the day.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Great report, Bob

I love the Mr Harris senior moment

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
Great report, Bob

I love the Mr Harris senior moment

His dad has put me out of a job. Apparently HE is doing the laundry now smile

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Great report, Bob

I love the Mr Harris senior moment
His dad has put me out of a job. Apparently HE is doing the laundry now

You've embarrassed him into it biggrin

The embodiment of 'not washing your dirty laundry in public' smile

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

SF: (2) Marco Bortolotti & Sergio Martos (ITA/ESP) CR 232 (123+109) defeated Billy Harris & Akira Santillan (AUS) CR 538 (313+225) by 6-4 7-6(4)

indiana · Tennis legend

FWIW it will be a further doubles CH for Billy. Into the top 300 for the first time with live rankings showing him at 274.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

A fair result today and in all honesty, the scoreline probably flattered Billy/Akira a bit. The opponents were the better pair by some distance and it was a real battle to hang on to their shirt tails. They were clearly more experienced in doubles rather than just a couple of singles players having a day out, so to speak. They were a lot more proactive at the net, mixing up the cross/stay far better than yesterdays opponents. Billy and Akira never really came to terms with the return of serve and got picked off regularly.

Akira, as I have mentioned blows hot and cold. Well today he was 'cold' throughout, openly admitting that was probably the worst match he had played this season. But despite the struggles, doubles is won/lost on very small margins. They clung on throughout the 2nd set and suddenly found themselves with SP at 6-5* deciding point. But Martos hit a swinging body serve a Billy who hardly got a racket on it. He struggled with that lefty body serve throughout the match, to be honest.

But now to the interesting stuff. Spent the match sitting with Billy's dad. What a talented sporting family. Of Billy's siblings, one brother was close to making it in the golf world, his sister also played tennis and went to US college (Arkansas) before deciding not to follow through when she left, and then there is Billy's youngest brother ....

... meet Joe Harris

www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-sport/athletics-joe-harris-goes-top-of-javelin-uk-senior-rankings/

GB Men's athletics Nº1 Javelin thrower with a PB of 79.53m.

They obviously breed them well on the Isle of Man.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Friday 7th of April 2023 06:56:25 PM

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
A fair result today and in all honesty, the scoreline probably flattered Billy/Akira a bit. The opponents were the better pair by some distance and it was a real battle to hang on to their shirt tails. They were clearly more experienced in doubles rather than just a couple of singles players having a day out, so to speak. They were a lot more proactive at the net, mixing up the cross/stay far better than yesterdays opponents. Billy and Akira never really came to terms with the return of serve and got picked off regularly.

Akira, as I have mentioned blows hot and cold. Well today he was 'cold' throughout, openly admitting that was probably the worst match he had played this season. But despite the struggles, doubles is won/lost on very small margins. They clung on throughout the 2nd set and suddenly found themselves with SP at 6-5* deciding point. But Martos hit a swinging body serve a Billy who hardly got a racket on it. He struggled with that lefty body serve throughout the match, to be honest.

But now to the interesting stuff. Spent the match witting with Billy's dad. What a talented sporting family. Of billy's siblings, one brother was close to making it in the golf world, his sister also played tennis and went to US college (Arkansas) before deciding not to follow through when she left, and then there is Billy's youngest brother ....

... meet Joe Harris

www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-sport/athletics-joe-harris-goes-top-of-javelin-uk-senior-rankings/

GB Men's athletics Nº1 Javelin thrower with a PB of 79.53m.

They obviously breed them well on the Isle of Man.

Thanks, Bob, interesting report in more ways than one. As for talented Manx sportsmen, look no further than Mark Cavendish. wink And this young man may be one to watch out for.

There was a player a few years back who showed some promise & whose name I can't for the life of me remember. but I do remember that there was some debate about how his surname was pronounced.

Jan · Hall of fame

Thanks for the intel Bob. Really interesting.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Stircrazy wrote:
Bob in Spain wrote:

Thanks, Bob, interesting report in more ways than one. As for talented Manx sportsmen, look no further than Mark Cavendish. And this young man may be one to watch out for.
There was a player a few years back who showed some promise & whose name I can't for the life of me remember. but I do remember that there was some debate about how his surname was pronounced.

Mark Cavendish did crop up in the conversation.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

I'll put this here too, as people who follow Billy will more than likely read here.

Billy has sneaked into qualies for the Madrid Challenger for next week. Was 1st alt at about 4pm but found out shortly afterwards that he had made it. He and his dad were off to catch the train.

Spireman · Strong Club Player

Interesting info re Billy's family. I too was speaking to his dad at a tournament a few years ago, one where his daughter was playing in Derby. The same time that Jay Clarke impressed me (he was training there) by holding a door open for my daughter.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Blue_Belle wrote:
Carlos Alcaraz was at the tournament today.

And again today (Fri) apparently.