Priesty wrote:

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Had high hopes for Jake qualifying, but perhaps the amount of tennis he's played this last couple of months has caught up with him. I suppose if he had to lose we'd all have rather it been to a fellow up and coming Brit.

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 Yes, exactly, that was my thinking

It's not often we get a bit of bad luck which actually has a happy knock-on effect

And, actually, Liam's score was miles more competitive than I expected it to be - which is not only encouraging for Liam but also, maybe, for Paul's chances too 

Ouch, Liam led 5-2 in both sets. That loss will hurt.

I made it to the Open yesterday and can't recommend "Fan Week" highly enough - free entry, similar crowds (but less crazy), and great quality tennis. There are tons of fan engagements with player interviews on the main stage and all activations all open. It truly was a great experience.

I managed to catch about a set and a half of both Jake v Paul and Liam.

The humidity and temp yesterday was pretty brutal, and I say that as a New Yorker of 10 years. Jake looked less injured and more unable to cope with the conditions/lethargic to me. He just wasn't on it. Paul was just more solid in the first set. It's pretty obvious Jake has the bigger upside but he couldn't get it together. In the second he did, and his attacking play started to pay dividends. I left when it looked like he was cruising in the second so I was surprised to see it go to a breaker but not surprised that Paul won when it did.

Liam won't be happy with how he played but I hope he isn't too down on himself, as CD says, this was more competitive than anticipated. 5-2 up in both sets. Otto, like Jake, looked absolutely spent in the latter half of both sets. However, super hard to play your best tennis in these conditions, especially if you don't have big weapons like Liam. So, it was a mixture of conditions and just being a few cms short on some shots, which is really down to a lack of matches IMO. Liam doesn't seem to have a new coach, the only person with him was Colin Beecher who was also at all the matches.

In other news, Billy came and sat next to me (purely coincidence) during Paul/Jake and I wished him the best for today.

I got to see Heather and Sonay too. And Fran (albeit in the clothing store!).

Thanks for the report! Much appreciated!

Billy very much at the sharp end.

6-3 2-6 5-5* ( been no BPs in the final set so far )

Some BPs now and one converted.

*6-5