I don't think Tursunov particularly needs a long introduction He's the world no 22, 4-1 winning record over Henman, reached rd3 of RG and USO and rd4 of Wimby aswell as the final of ATP Los Angeles, semis of Washington and quarters of Queens.
Suffice to say, it's going to be one heck of a task for Auckland.
However, the big thing which James has in his favour is that Tursunov must surely be feeling a little tired. On Sunday, he beat Roddick 17-15 in the 5th set of the USA-Russia Davis Cup semi-final to seal the tie for Russia in an emotionally and physically draining match. From that tie, he flew straight to Mumbai and has struggled in his opening two matches against an Indian wc and Kristian Pless who he edged past in 3 sets.
The match starts on court 1 at about 1.30pm GMT. Hopefully Indian TV will show the match so Greenleaf can give us some insights into what's happening.
Now, this is very, very premature but I can't resist posting it, if James wins tomorrow I believe that he'll be able to claim an SE spot into ATP Metz if he wants
Reason being probably if he beats Tursunov (which I hope he does, but I don't think he will) reaches his 1st ATP tour tournament semi and has done quite well and for doing that, well reaching the semi he gets a SE spot. That's what I think it is, not too sure though.
__________________
Supporting Andy Murrays charge to the 2009 Wimbledon crown.
For those who don`t have time to read it, here is what it says:
"Players may receive an SE into the main draw of the following week`s tournament if they meet the following criteria:
1) ... if he is unable to compete in that qualifying competition because he is still competing on the date the qualifying competition begins in another Qualified event and his current ranking as of the date of the entry deadline would not have otherwise qualified him as a Direct Acceptance on the original Acceptance List if he had entered. In addition a player who is playing a match at 9pm on Friday (the Qualifying Sign-in deadline) is eligible only if he wins that match. "
Is this an International Series or an International Series Gold? If it`s the former there`s 2 SE, if it`s the latter there`s just one .
If multiple players are eligible it goes on entry ranking or protected ranking prior to the tournament.
The process:
1) Officials compile list of eligible players
2) They contact them and ask if they`re interested, and remove those who decline from the list
3) If they`re interested, officials liase with Player Services until SE spots are filled
i thought he may go over to tokyo for the doubles but has just pulled out of the qualies alternates (he would have almost def got a place) so maybe not?
dunno if that means he could still potentially get an SE to Tokyo? think he still may go there to play doubles actually - based on last year's cut he should squeeze in!
just noticed - no SE's for tokyo which is odd! so i imagine he would go over to metz as could prob sneak in the doubles there too!
James won't be able to play any singles qualies due to being involved in the doubles semi on Saturday. That's why he's withdrawn from Tokyo. His only chance of singles next week is if he beats Tursunov and because this means he wouldn't be able to play Metz qualies due to being in the singles semis he would be eligible for an SE.
If he doesn't beat Tursunov, I'd imagine that he and Delgado would go to Tokyo and play doubles as it's less of a change in time zone.
-- Edited by UltimateBoggoFan at 08:54, 2006-09-29
Whilst i am in no way expecting a win here (OK, of course I've dreamt it might happen) I think Aucks could give a good showing, as UBF said Tursunov must be exhausted by now so I'm hoping for a three set defeat or a win!
__________________
To look at a thing is quite different from seeing a thing and one does not see anything until one sees its beauty
If Aucks serves as well as he did yesterday against Moodie he'll be very difficult to break and we all know Tursunov is very capable of the odd crazy moment so I'm hopeful that James might get a set
Greenleaf wrote: They are showing Berdych, so no coverage of Auckland.
@ Indian TV
They've ignored Auckland all week. The Indian tennis fan forums have something against Auckland because Harsh Mankad beat him heavily earlier in the year several times and Mankad didn't get a wc for Mumbai and now Aucks is doing so well