A question over the points though. As this is an ATP1000, will this count as a 'Mandatory' for Billy or would he have to make the main draw for that ? As his lowest scorer is a 12 at the moment, the 10 points from today - if mandatory - would actually see him lose points despite his victory.
Yes, super to see Billy getting into qualifying and then winning.
And you need have no fears about him losing points this coming week on two counts:
1) Yes, it is just a mandatory counter if you play in the main draw.
2) Being a 56 player MD, as opposed to 96, a QR1 winner gets 16 points for a QR1 win rather than 10 points.
So, he is 4 ranking points in credit so far. FQR winners get 30 points plus the 10 MD R1 points.
Thanks Indi. I should have read this before my answer to Madadman LOL.
These two back to back North American Masters weeks are my least favourite. I always like IW and Miami (but not in the 11 day formats, much prefer those to go back to the one week formats). Nonetheless, in principle, I like them.
The European clay events feels too squeezed. 3 Masters events in is too many, for me, and they could lose one of them - if it was my choice, it would be Madrid, but I guess that wouldnt suit the money men. But whatever, two is enough.
And these two back to back summer NAM hardcourt ones has always felt like the weakest of the Masters events and one would be much better.
I am quite happy with the two in Autumn, Shanghai and Paris, personally, although I realise a lot of people dont like Paris.
But having 7 Masters instead of 9 would work better for me, maybe 8 if they install one at the season start ahead of the AO, as seems to be planned.
Realise it will never happen, but can always dream!
Oh, they have finished their match. I was really interested to watch that but the TNNS app did not show lives scores or completed. So I didnt seek out a stream.