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



Djokovic looking sharp today. Long road ahead but it's a start. Could play Nadal early doors as well.

Yeah, looked decent in the clips I've seen which is somewhat encouraging, certainly more so than in the Sunshine Double.

I see Dan Evans has got a QWC for the Glasgow challenger at the end of the month. The tournament needs it as with the likes of Norrie, Broady and Clarke opting to foucs on clay, the line up was very underwhelming, I'd genuinely only heard of 4 or 5 of them and it's at least a 100k level event.
 
Yeah, looked decent in the clips I've seen which is somewhat encouraging, certainly more so than in the Sunshine Double.

I see Dan Evans has got a QWC for the Glasgow challenger at the end of the month. The tournament needs it as with the likes of Norrie, Broady and Clarke opting to foucs on clay, the line up was very underwhelming, I'd genuinely only heard of 4 or 5 of them and it's at least a 100k level event.
Where did you see the line up? I did read Evans would get a wildcard if he behaved himself. I really like the challenger tour. It's really desperation stuff, players barely breaking even in the hope of gathering points to get into the top 100.
 
Where did you see the line up? I did read Evans would get a wildcard if he behaved himself. I really like the challenger tour. It's really desperation stuff, players barely breaking even in the hope of gathering points to get into the top 100.

Glasgow Trophy Tennis Tournament Player Entry List | LTA

Only 4 inside the top 250. Think I'd only heard of Bhambri, Lacko, Granollers, Mertens and JC Aragone. Looks like J Ward, Glasspool and Jonathan Gray have got main draw WCs. There's another similar event in Loughborough at the end of May.

I've started to watch a lot more ITF stuff now where it's streamed, mainly on the women's side, and it is really strange seeing literally just the 2 players and umpire and the players having to collect the balls at the 15k and even 25k level.
 
Glasgow Trophy Tennis Tournament Player Entry List | LTA

Only 4 inside the top 250. Think I'd only heard of Bhambri, Lacko, Granollers, Mertens and JC Aragone. Looks like J Ward, Glasspool and Jonathan Gray have got main draw WCs. There's another similar event in Loughborough at the end of May.

I've started to watch a lot more ITF stuff now where it's streamed, mainly on the women's side, and it is really strange seeing literally just the 2 players and umpire and the players having to collect the balls at the 15k and even 25k level.
It's a tough life for the those on the futures tour especially for those from non grand slam countries where funding is non existent.
 
Funnily enough they've just made it even worse today, ITF events from next year are worthless at ATP level. You won't get any ranking points for them. Challenger level will be the first entry point to pro level.

Seems a strange and rather unnecessary move.
 
Funnily enough they've just made it even worse today, ITF events from next year are worthless at ATP level. You won't get any ranking points for them. Challenger level will be the first entry point to pro level.

Seems a strange and rather unnecessary move.
Without knowing the full facts, that seems ridiculous. How are you supposed to get your ranking high enough to get and invite or even a wild card to the qualifying for the Challengers?
 
I'm glad to hear this. A fully fit Nadal is the best player on earth. Federer is class but Nadal will always be the greatest in my eyes.

Amazon Prime have won the rights for the US Open. They will be the only place you can watch it in the UK and Ireland starting this year. They plan to win the rights to all ATP for next season as well.

I have to say I'm really disappointed with this. Yet another subscription to pay if you want to watch. Pricing fans out really.
 
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Was skimming through some stuff the other day, forgot how dominant
Nadal was at RG last year. No sets lost, no tie breakers, only three times
did someone even reach 4 games in a set against him. Three 6-0's, six
6-1's, four 6-2's, three 6-3's and three 6-4's. Most games he dropped
in one match was eight. Absolutely brutal.

Looks like this year's gonna be no different. 8/1 for him to win it without dropping a set, or at least it was yesterday. Probably dropped now.
 
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Fed Cup tomorrow, BT Sport 1, early start:

5am: Naomi Osaka vs Heather Watson
Followed by: Kurumi Nara vs Johanna Konta

I'd like to think it will be at worst 1-1 after day 1 (that's the most likely outcome). Really can't see Watson doing much tomorrow, hope I'm wrong.
 
Fed Cup tomorrow, BT Sport 1, early start:

5am: Naomi Osaka vs Heather Watson
Followed by: Kurumi Nara vs Johanna Konta

I'd like to think it will be at worst 1-1 after day 1 (that's the most likely outcome). Really can't see Watson doing much tomorrow, hope I'm wrong.

In theory, Watson is less of an underdog against Osaka than Nara is against Konta but I suspect 1-1.
 
In theory, Watson is less of an underdog against Osaka than Nara is against Konta but I suspect 1-1.

Yeah, in terms of odds (albeit UK bookies) and rankings, it is slightly closer in GB's favour:

Osaka #22 vs Watson #77, Watson 3/1
Konta #23 vs Nara #100, Nara 4/1

BUT, I've seen Konta lose twice to players ranked lower than Nara in 2018 alone, Pera (circa 123) at the AO and Stollar (200 odd) in Charleston the other week, plus Japan have home advantage, but hard indoors should help a bit. Nara may well have been almost favourite on clay.

Watson does usually play better at Fed Cup, but she is in even worse form than Jo and has lost he last 7 matches. She'll no doubt peak in the grass season again to maintain her top 100 ranking.
 
Yeah, in terms of odds (albeit UK bookies) and rankings, it is slightly closer in GB's favour:

Osaka #22 vs Watson #77, Watson 3/1
Konta #23 vs Nara #100, Nara 4/1

BUT, I've seen Konta lose twice to players ranked lower than Nara in 2018 alone, Pera (circa 123) at the AO and Stollar (200 odd) in Charleston the other week, plus Japan have home advantage, but hard indoors should help a bit. Nara may well have been almost favourite on clay.

Watson does usually play better at Fed Cup, but she is in even worse form than Jo and has lost he last 7 matches. She'll no doubt peak in the grass season again to maintain her top 100 ranking.

We're underdogs for sure...
 

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