SMB Tennis thread (note there is a specific Wimbledon 22 thread)

Konta blew 2 MPs and lost 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 to Kasatkina earlier, think we'll start seeing her slip down the rankings alarmingly after Miami unfortunately. It's generally good to see the top 10 doing well in these Premier and above events though, just to keep establishing a guard plus it makes for some good latter stage matches.

Tomorrow's Dubai QFs are:

Svitolina (1) vs Osaka
Pliskova (3) vs Kerber (6)
Muguruza (2) vs Garcia (5)
Kasatkina vs Vesnina

On a side note, noticed the thread on Wimbledon tickets, so I assume I've not got any unless they are still in the process of sending them out. Not sure if I can be bothered going down, queuing at a ridiculous hour and paying well over the odds for a hotel. Think I'll just try for tickets for a Birmingham or Nottingham or even an ITF event like Ilkley or Manchester because even those $100k events draw decent fields.
 


An 11th career title for Svitolina today (her 2nd this year), beating Kasatkina 6-4, 6-0 in the Dubai Premier event. Britain's Gabriela Taylor is in her second ITF final of the year later on (early hours) and 3rd final in 3 months, winning her previous 2.

Some good results for the ATP's 'Next Gen' as well this week with Pouille facing Khachanov in tomorrow's Marseille final and Shapovalov playing Tiafoe in the Delray Beach semi final later on today.
 
[QUOTE="The Bridge Lad, post: 27116090, member:

On a side note, noticed the thread on Wimbledon tickets, so I assume I've not got any unless they are still in the process of sending them out. Not sure if I can be bothered going down, queuing at a ridiculous hour and paying well over the odds for a hotel. Think I'll just try for tickets for a Birmingham or Nottingham or even an ITF event like Ilkley or Manchester because even those $100k events draw decent fields.[/QUOTE]



The O2 in November is a decent gig often get groupon or O2 customer discounts, don’t forget Queens club just before Wimbledon

Live ATP from Rio on sky sports mix right now Fognini - Verdasco. just started
 
[QUOTE="The Bridge Lad, post: 27116090, member:

On a side note, noticed the thread on Wimbledon tickets, so I assume I've not got any unless they are still in the process of sending them out. Not sure if I can be bothered going down, queuing at a ridiculous hour and paying well over the odds for a hotel. Think I'll just try for tickets for a Birmingham or Nottingham or even an ITF event like Ilkley or Manchester because even those $100k events draw decent fields.



The O2 in November is a decent gig often get groupon or O2 customer discounts, don’t forget Queens club just before Wimbledon

Live ATP from Rio on sky sports mix right now Fognini - Verdasco. just started[/QUOTE]

Yeah, think I will go to the O2 this year because there's only a few more years on the current contract and I'm sure it will go elsewhere when it finishes, most likely Asia. Just hope it's a better field than last year as that was a bit underwhelming with all the injuries. Not looking so promising for the big names at this stage, but even a Kyrgios, Del Potro, Edmund (if Murray doesn't make it) or a young gun like Shapovalov or Chung who have both started 2018 well getting in ahead of the likes of Busta and Sock would generally add a bit more interest.
 
There's a challenger event at Indian Wells this week before the actual main event starts on 8th March. The unofficial 5th Slam.
 
The O2 in November is a decent gig often get groupon or O2 customer discounts, don’t forget Queens club just before Wimbledon

Live ATP from Rio on sky sports mix right now Fognini - Verdasco. just started

Yeah, think I will go to the O2 this year because there's only a few more years on the current contract and I'm sure it will go elsewhere when it finishes, most likely Asia. Just hope it's a better field than last year as that was a bit underwhelming with all the injuries. Not looking so promising for the big names at this stage, but even a Kyrgios, Del Potro, Edmund (if Murray doesn't make it) or a young gun like Shapovalov or Chung who have both started 2018 well getting in ahead of the likes of Busta and Sock would generally add a bit more interest.[/QUOTE]
Afternoon marra is there much on in the next week been haven't been watching as much as of late
 
Yeah, think I will go to the O2 this year because there's only a few more years on the current contract and I'm sure it will go elsewhere when it finishes, most likely Asia. Just hope it's a better field than last year as that was a bit underwhelming with all the injuries. Not looking so promising for the big names at this stage, but even a Kyrgios, Del Potro, Edmund (if Murray doesn't make it) or a young gun like Shapovalov or Chung who have both started 2018 well getting in ahead of the likes of Busta and Sock would generally add a bit more interest.
Afternoon marra is there much on in the next week been haven't been watching as much as of late[/QUOTE]

A couple of events this week mate. Men's main tour has 2 500 events in Dubai and Mexico, both on Sky Sports and Cameron Norrie is in the final qualifying round of the latter. The women's have a 250 equivalent also in Mexico on BT Sport and Heather Watson is in the main draw of that.

It is mainly building up to Indian Wells though and as @JL1985 says, there are a couple of events leading up to that this week. A $150k challenger event for the men where Liam Broady is in the first round, and a $125k series event for the women where his sister Naomi has a final qualifying match today. I think the top performing American in each gets a wildcard for the main Indian Wells event which starts on Wed 7th March for the women and Thu 8th for the men.

That has generally taken over Miami (similar tournament later this month) in the eyes of many as the main tournament for men and women outside of the 4 slams and play usually starts at 7pm which is obviously good for us. There's a rich tycoon in charge so the prize money is really good and the facilities are class and the players generally love the tournament. I think the centre court is the biggest dedicated tennis stadium in the world after Ashe as well and the event usually draws big crowds.
 
Afternoon marra is there much on in the next week been haven't been watching as much as of late

A couple of events this week mate. Men's main tour has 2 500 events in Dubai and Mexico, both on Sky Sports and Cameron Norrie is in the final qualifying round of the latter. The women's have a 250 equivalent also in Mexico on BT Sport and Heather Watson is in the main draw of that.

It is mainly building up to Indian Wells though and as @JL1985 says, there are a couple of events leading up to that this week. A $150k challenger event for the men where Liam Broady is in the first round, and a $125k series event for the women where his sister Naomi has a final qualifying match today. I think the top performing American in each gets a wildcard for the main Indian Wells event which starts on Wed 7th March for the women and Thu 8th for the men.

That has generally taken over Miami (similar tournament later this month) in the eyes of many as the main tournament for men and women outside of the 4 slams and play usually starts at 7pm which is obviously good for us. There's a rich tycoon in charge so the prize money is really good and the facilities are class and the players generally love the tournament. I think the centre court is the biggest dedicated tennis stadium in the world after Ashe as well and the event usually draws big crowds.[/QUOTE]
will have to place a few bets on when I see the odds
 
The Davis Cup format change?

Yeah. If they wanted to make a change then the best option surely would have been to just make it a bi-annual event and keep it set up like it is currently. Other than America, France and maybe Germany there aren't many countries that gets to see more than 2/3 tournaments a year. Just seems like a bit of a slap in the face to fans who actually want to support their country.

If they want to get more big name players to play then I'm not entirely sure it's a great idea to have a week long tournament in November either.
 
Yeah. If they wanted to make a change then the best option surely would have been to just make it a bi-annual event and keep it set up like it is currently. Other than America, France and maybe Germany there aren't many countries that gets to see more than 2/3 tournaments a year. Just seems like a bit of a slap in the face to fans who actually want to support their country.

If they want to get more big name players to play then I'm not entirely sure it's a great idea to have a week long tournament in November either.

I completely agree. Big names are going to be concentrating on the end of year finals, to a degree, or else they're in winter training with Australia in mind. It'll suit countries like Spain and France who have depth but not everyone else. It's an attempt at a big money maker though.
 
Two Brits exited Acapulco last night, in different circumstances. Norrie lost in the 1st round to Thiem but put up a good showing losing 6-3, 5-7, 7-5. Watson lost 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 to Haddad-Maia.

Naomi Broady got destroyed 6-1 6-1 by a 16 year old former junior champ in the $125k Indian Wells event and her brother Liam also lost in straight sets in the male equivalent tournament, so a bad couple of days all round.
 
Assuming she doesn't pull out, Serena Williams will make her official comeback against Zarina Diyas in the 1st round of Indian Wells. A potential 3rd round with Venus awaits.

Azarenka makes her first appearance since Wimbledon and she has drawn Heather Watson. Sharapova vs Osaka is another standout first round match. Not seen the full draw yet, but Konta would play Kuznetsova in the 3rd round if it went with the highest rankings.

Men's draw out this time tomorrow night.
 
It’s hard to find someone of the same standard to get a close game for singles, one or other player is either too good or not good enough. Play plenty of social doubles where the score doesn’t really matter but even these can get competitive.
Just caught up with your reply...sorry. Yes. I play social doubles with some decent players but rarely get to play singles. Most at my age don't fancy it

[QUOTE="The Bridge Lad, post: 27116090, member:

On a side note, noticed the thread on Wimbledon tickets, so I assume I've not got any unless they are still in the process of sending them out. Not sure if I can be bothered going down, queuing at a ridiculous hour and paying well over the odds for a hotel. Think I'll just try for tickets for a Birmingham or Nottingham or even an ITF event like Ilkley or Manchester because even those $100k events draw decent fields.



The O2 in November is a decent gig often get groupon or O2 customer discounts, don’t forget Queens club just before Wimbledon

Live ATP from Rio on sky sports mix right now Fognini - Verdasco. just started[/QUOTE]

Tickets for Nottingham are easy to get. Quite a nice relaxed set up if you've not been. I may be working at it.
 
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I noticed Serena played Marion Bartoli is a super 10s tournament last night. A throwback to 5/10 years ago.
Marion should’ve avoided the figure hugging top.

Queens club ticket prices just listed through the LTA, standard seats £69-89 Monday, rise up to £124-134 Saturday & Sunday.
 
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Nice welcome back for Djokovic and Nishikori :lol:

R1: Bye
R2: Qualifier
R3: Nishikori/Djokovic
R4: Del Potro
QF: Cilic
SF: Zverev
F: Federer

Can't see past Federer winning unless Kyrgios reaches the semi final in the top half. Wonder if he's playing dubs to try and win that extra $1 million on offer for anyone who wins singles and doubles. A fair few top singles WTA players going for both.
 
Love Indian Wells me.

Cam Norrie safely through qualifying to the main draw where the men's starts tomorrow.

Great final set between Bencic and Babos with Bencic taking it on the deciding set tie beak. 16 year old American Amanda Anisimova who looks a big talent safely through to the last 64.

Serena Williams and Azarenka vs Watson on tomorrow (or the early hours of Friday morning).
 

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