British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

I totally agree Jon, I couldnt believe it when I saw that Opelka had been given a LL spot after having given a walkover in the FQR.  Ridiculous!!

Coup Droit wrote:

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JonH comes home wrote:

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I see Opelka got in as a LL, having withdrawn and handed a walkover in his last qualies match. He didnt hit a ball, obviously knowing the space was coming up.

Doesn't sit right with me - I don't actually know why they don't give the LL spot to a draw from all the FQR losers, not just limit to the top ranked players. Make it a completely lucky draw. And take anyone giving a walkover or retirement at FQR stage out of the event - once you have "lost", you should be out.

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 I agree - apart from the last part - the whole idea of a LL spot is that once you have lost, you're NOT out 

But, yes, seems to be taking the Michael a bit 

However, I expect his FQR opponent was very happy - he qualified without having to do anything

And having one fewer match hardly impacted spectators / tv rights etc - no one cares about qualis 

And the tournament referee will be very happy - the fewer matches to organise, the better 

The only person who's actually been harmed (assuming Opelka would have won his FQR match if he'd played it) is the other guy who would have got the LL spot - and no one is going to care too much about him, unfortunately.

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 Yeah, all good points (particularly re the once you are out, you are out comment!!). 

But either way, taking the mickey. And obviously, it does matter as the money and points opportunity for a lucky loser getting in can be a big deal - not the same level, but Harry W won one just the other week as a LL at challenger level and that could have turned around his season quite possibly, if not his 2026 season with those points in his pocket 

indiana wrote:

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Naa, Cam is generally better on slower courts. I am afraid I don't much fancy his chances of getting a set from Alcaraz. But clearly hope I'm wrong.

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 Let's see - I agree places like IW have played to his game, but he also quite likes low bounces and I always see Paris in that category.

Either way, good, solid, win today!  

PS I sent you a PM on another topic, let me know your thoughts when you get time!

indiana wrote:

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Naa, Cam is generally better on slower courts. I am afraid I don't much fancy his chances of getting a set from Alcaraz. But clearly hope I'm wrong.

And I've now just looked at Carlos's Paris Masters record which, given it is him, is pretty awful. So ...

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 27th of October 2025 01:11:06 PM

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 Indeed!