British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

Sheddie wrote:

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Danny1312 wrote:

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Sheddie wrote:

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Yeah, 2-0 down in the decider. Not looking good for Ali. Shame as this felt like a pretty winnable one

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 I like Ali but always found him a bit up and down when it's good it's pretty good but it can flip easily.

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Today's match really summarised that. 

Got the break back from 2-5, and had points to get back to 5-5....really felt that it was a winnable one for Ali. He's a great shotmaker but just feels like he throws in too many loose points

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 That was pretty much it against another moody Frenchman. Very winnable match. Ali will be disappointed.

I never get my phone out at these events - can't see the screen, am scared to run down the battery (which is dodgy), and don't want to be distracted

So no useful updates during the day, I'm afraid

But it was a very good day

Oli Tarvet was an utter joy - although Altmane 'had a gob on' the whole time, as my step-dad would say

But Oli had a great team, giving him lots of encouragement, and he was really pumped for the match too
He played some lovely aggressive shots but he also played a really 'tidy' game of tennis - a lot fewer sloppy UEs than many other players - not much on his second serve but it went in - it gave Tero so little to play with, and it got him in a real sulk

Loved the fact that Oli T really waved to and thanked the crowd at the end - very US college style - he knows how to engage with a crowd

Talking of teams, Oli Bonding's French coach was very interesting too. Very impressed. He was Oli B's main man, although Martin Weston was there too.
And was very useful, as well as encouraging - actually had concrete things to say - you do wonder sometimes about the other coaches - do you really need to pay someone just to say, 'come on, that's good, vamos' (although at least that's more than some (Jez, are you listening?) say

Anyway, towards the end of the first set, French coach was telling Oli, 'yes, slice the return short, that'll put pressure on him, make it, now's the moment - really make him feel the pressure, use that short slice' - and, guess what, Oli did
Mind you, Oli also asked him: 'and then, should I follow it in?' and coach said: 'that's up to you, you decide that, but make your decision and commit to it' - which I also thought was good coaching
And Oli Bonding looked very impressive - rather Fonseca in look, and mannerisms, although not quite there in level - yet He rode his luck, getting an ALT - but the ALT played far better than some of the regular guys. A touch too much serve and volley at times - it became predictable - but at least he had a strategy - at least he wasn't trying to hit clay shots like some of the players

Didn't watch much of Paul. As expected, his opponent was pretty poor on grass and will be back on clay next week - I did try and check if he'd actually bought a new pair of shoes or not And same really for Ryan - after a slow start, it was all one way 

And none of James. Or Jan.
Felt for Giles, really tight, but the Danish guy was the better player. Ali G was as people said above - pretty good but just a little loose at times.
And watched Hamish until half way through the second set - thought he was doing pretty well - he was playing his level - but Valentin was a little superior - and then missed the drama and the amazing twist But well done to Hamish, you've got to be in it to win it.

Altogether, a very satisfactory day

Thanks for your report & thoughts, CD.  Good to have a different perspective on the day's play.