I'll update the 'what can happen' post (I'll decide nearer the time whether to just edit or do a whole new post) when the draws come out. Any idea when that might be?
Saturday, 5pm Doha time, which I think is 1pm here (but I have trouble with time zones)
Of course that is the actual draw time, not when it will be published - although I must say the Doha website looks quite decent this year so perhaps not too long to wait. Last year it was dire.
Now all the draws are in heres what can happen to Andy's ranking this week:
Andy has an 18th result of 40 so must reach the quarters before he can increase his points total, let alone ranking.
If Andy loses in the first or second round: I'll cry. And, the following could overtake: Gasquet, if he reaches the quarters of Adelaide; Hewitt if he reaches the final of Adelaide; and Stepanek if he reaches the final of Adelaide. Best case: 17 (no change) Worst case: 20 (-3)
If Andy loses in the quarters: I might still cry depending on the scoreline and the opponent. Andy would overtake Djokovic, providing he went out before the quarters in Adeliade(ie didn't progress beyond the round robin). He could then lose places to: Gasquet, if he reached the semis in Adelaide; and Hewitt, if he won in Adelaide. Best case: 16 (+1) Worst case: 19 (-2)
If Andy loses in the semis: I won't cry. He would overtake Djokovic, providing he went out before the final of Adelaide. He could lose places to: Gasquet, if he reached the final in Adelaide; and Hewitt, if he won in Adelaide(Gasquet and Hewitt would meet in the semis). Best case: 16 (+1) Worst case: 18 (-1)
If Andy loses in the final: I'd be pretty happy. He would overtake Djokovic, unless Djokovic won in Adelaide. He would definitely overtake Nieminen. He would also definitely overtake Ferrer. He could lose places to Gasquet if he won in Adelaide. Best case: 14 (+3) Worst case: 15 (+2)
If Andy wins in Doha: I'd be extremely happy. He would definitely overtake Djokovic, Nieminen and Ferrer. And could be overtaken by nobody. Best case: 14 (+3) Worst case: 14 (+3)
So the pins trying to get Gasquet, Djokovic and Hewitt all in the same half didn't work but well done on getting rid of Nieminen
Now we know Andy's first opponent is Volandri lets get some pins into his doll please
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To look at a thing is quite different from seeing a thing and one does not see anything until one sees its beauty
Youzhny overtakes Soderling. Both of them win in Doha, as does Andy and Baghdatis.
Hrbaty lost his first RR match in Adelaide ()
Tomorrow sees lots of RR action in Adelaide:
1)N Djokovic (SRB) vs J Hajek (CZE) (2)R Gasquet (FRA) vs F Mayer (GER) (3)R Stepanek (CZE) vs V Spadea (USA) (4)L Hewitt (AUS) vs J Tipsarevic (SRB) (5)D Hrbaty (SVK) vs P Goldstein (USA)
RobC wrote: Djokovic and Stepanek play tonight in Adelaide. Target those pins folks!
Pathetic pin- work there. Both won Djoko's through to the quarters. Stepanek will have to hope that Korolev wins badly tonight - so it's time for the first round- robin third- party pinning: Target Korolev, so that Spadea goes through instead of Stepanek
seagull wrote: Hang on Rob, Djokovic is not even on court yet!!
LOL - must have fallen through a time rift there. Thanks Seagull - I saw Djoko come first on the ATP's list, and missed the fact they'd not put a "d." in.
Ah well, looks like my prediction (ahem) was correct: Djokovic is in the QF. Alun Jones has 30 points to add to his collection, and a tale to tell to his Grandchildren of the week he won two ATP matches on the trot.