QR1:  Ryan Peniston WR 197 defeated Elias Ymer (SWE) WR 158 by 6-1 4-6 7-6(8) 

QR1:  Billy Harris WR 200 defeated Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) WR 235 by 0-6 6-2 6-2

*****

QR2:  Aziz Dougaz (TUN) WR 230 (CH = 214 last June) vs Ryan Peniston WR 197

QR2:  (q8) David Goffin (BEL) WR 107 (CH = 7 in November 2017) vs Billy Harris WR 200 

 

I really like Jules - he basically decided he didn't like traveling, he didn't like the whole pro thing, the stress, is very chill, and just played domestics - in fact, he won the CNGT pretty much every year and that's the way he earned his living. I go into the CNGT calendar once a month or so, and he's always there, as a winner of whatever the last big event was

NB The CNGT is the Circuits Nationaux de Grands Tournois - the top money tournaments in France, that form a national circuit, and then a Masters - very similar to the British tour or whatever - but you get about £5k for the top event wins and then another big chunk for the Masters - effectively Jules had the thing wrapped up and was earning about 50k a year, just playing in France - he did it as a real career move, very similar to Josselin Ouanna who could so easily have been top-100 but could make a comfortable living just staying in France, and that's what he preferred.

But there's always the chance of taking it a little further ----- no regrets and all that ----- and I'm thrilled for him

QR1: Jan Choinski WR 160 LOST TO Benjamin Hassan (GER) WR 151 4-6 0-6

Bit of an ouch there. Hope Jan just had a bad day at the office and not injured.

Billy, Ryan and Oliver all go on court 7 , one after the other, tonight.

Slight irony that Lokoli - who was sweet in praising Liam for giving up his place, effectviely for him - has now retired in his QR1 match

It was during the third set so may well have been something he picked up - but you do wonder if he was feeling A1 OK when he stepped on the court....

Won the first set 6-3, playing really well so far

First set to Billy 6-3. Thought he was going to blow it there as he needed a number of set points when serving out and the game before to get over the line. Playing well though!