Weeks 40 & 41- ATP Masters 1000 - Shanghai, China (hard)

Jeff Stelling · Club Coach

Weeks 40 & 41- ATP Masters 1000 - Shanghai, China (hard)

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Stircrazy wrote:
L96: Thiago Seyboth Wild WR 87 defeated (Q) Daniel Evans WR 176 by 6-2 4-6 7-6(3)
He led by a break half-way through that third set.

L96: (Q) Mattia Bellucci (ITA) WR 101 defeated (LL) Billy Harris WR 106 by 3 & 4 cry

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

That is a shame; since Eastbourne, Billy has a 9 wins and 9 losses record, with most of the wins coming in qualies of events; he has played largely in ATP Tour events (Wimbledon, Newport on grass and then US Hardcourt season and now into China). He seems to be struggling to progress at the Tour level, at this stage, proving a tough transition and maybe he is a bit mentally played out following the amazing UK summer he had.

I know the temptatation will be to stick at it at Tour level through Xmas, I dont think his ranking will drop and maybe he will get some wins indoors. He is playing a couple of Chinese challengers before heading back to Europe and there are then only 3 weeks left indoors, hopefully he can get a bit of confidence with wins in China (which tend to be quite quick surfaces) and build some confidence back up?

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, not quite getting the results but I think we have to watch not have too much expectations.

Queen's and Eastbourne ( both clearly on grass ) set a high bar for a player with a CH 181 going into the grass season

Yes, he has lost to some players ranked a bit lower than he is these days but none of these since Eastbourne has been to a player outside the top 200 and some have been quite tight. Maybe in general dropped off his top level but truly I see little to be concerned about.

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 3rd of October 2024 04:39:54 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

Billy is now showing as live ranked 106 on 529 points for the 14/10 rankings.

He has a total of 86 ( net 57 ) points ro drop from 4 tournaments before year end.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Billy is now showing as live ranked 106 on 529 points for the 14/10 rankings.

He has a total of 86 ( net 57 ) points ro drop from 4 tournaments before year end.

He just needs one good run in a challenger to break the Top 100. I wonder if that milestone is playing on his mind.

Doonan · Intermediate Club Player

Hes also taken a bit of time at every level to adjust. I know hes had some atp level wins, but theyve largely come in the uk and it might take him a bit of time to get used to the new consistent level required. Hes not going to haemorrhage many points in the New Year and has earned the opportunity to make himself a fixture at this level. He may not do well in the upcoming challengers and ultimately may not reach the top 100, but Id argue hes exceeded most of our expectations, given himself a great opportunity and given us a lot of pleasure in doing so. I hope he enjoys the atp events and breaks through but it will be difficult and he will be playing top 100-150 every match from now on.

9vicman · Satellite level

From what I've seen of Billy play, he seems to be most comfortable on grass or indoor hard. That said he almost beat Roberto Bautista in Beijing.

Yes it feels like Shanghai was an opportunity missed, but I think Billy is someone who has already maximised his ability through his progress the last couple of years. And am sure will continue to win matches through the year's end. Which may or may not get him a Top 100 place.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Billy and Evo both are in the Brest challenger draw, in the week of Vienna/Basle. Looks like Billy focussing on challengers as he wont be in Paris and there is then only one more week left in the main Tour season.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Neal and Michael lost, 5 and 5. Looks like that was the only doubles match played in this tournie so far.

the addict · Tennis legend

JonH comes home wrote:
Neal and Michael lost, 5 and 5. Looks like that was the only doubles match played in this tournie so far.

There are four others on the schedule today.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

the addict wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
Neal and Michael lost, 5 and 5. Looks like that was the only doubles match played in this tournie so far.
There are four others on the schedule today.

Absolutely, just commenting it was the opening doubles match. These ten day events really do throw out the rhythm of an event. In fact the rhythm of the week! Its Friday, its quarterfinals day! No its not, anymore!

Neil Gee · Club Coach

I'm interested in this final. The old master Djoko going against Jannik Sinner for his 100th title. It's a big milestone but what interests me more than that is whether Djoko's tactic of resting since the US Open to conserve strength that has worked for him so far in this tournament will be enough to beat the raw youth of the more active Sinner. Game on.

Neil Gee · Club Coach

Well, youth prevailed emphatically after a tight first set where both were serving so well there wasn't a single deuce let alone a break of serve. Yet when it came to the tie break Sinner raised his game in a way that the 37yo Djoko could not match and took it 7-4.

Although they both seemed to dip a little at the start of the second set Sinner handled it better than Djoko and the first break of the match came his way early in the second set. Ultimately that was enough to get young Sinner over the line 6-3.

Jimmy Conners and Roger Federer remain the only two players to have won over 100 titles but I wouldn't bet against Sinner or Alcaraz joining them one day.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Didnt follow it but not surprised. Djoko will get 100 I think at some point.

I wonder if he will have motivation to go past one more year though. My instinct is not.