Week 43 - F16 Futures (10K) - Glasgow

GavinUK · Lower Club Player

RE: Week 43 - F16 Futures (10K) - Glasgow

Count Zero · Tennis legend

certainly plausibale.

or maybe he just forgot to enter

Happycynic · Pro player

Suspect the WC was start of LTA-Evo detente.

Drew · Oct 26, 2008

Mens Final Report - Drew Brown

Marcus won the toss and elected to serve....immediately was broken to 15 due mainly to UFEs. Evans repaid the favour by being broken to 30 and both men were looking slightly nervous in front of the large expectant Glasgow crowd (about 75 people!).

Willis found himself down 0-40 again next service game but credit Evans who was returning long and flat that forced Willis into some rash shots. Marcus got it back to 30 but Evo broke and then held with the help of a couple of aces and led 3-1.

Willis held for the first time to make it 3-2 with better serving his first ace wide out to Evans backhand. Marcus kept hitting loopy forehands to mid court which Dan could attack. They almost looked liked badly timed forehand top spins and thats when i felt the match was Dans for the taking. Dan looked so much more mobile hitting flat and hard at time but employed backhand slice to good effect. One rally in the first set had Willis in charge but Evans rans down everything and the lob went long to hand Evo the double break at 5-2. Dan then served 3 aces in a row and another good solid first serve brought up the first set.

I have to add the Marcus was trying to finish off rallies quickly. He had no fear at going for the lines but missed more than he made. He perhaps knew he had a problem early on but Im not sure. Both players we very comfortable on both flanks and we had one rally which contained 6 backhand slice returns in a row. (BH to BH).

It could have been that long rally in game 7 but Marcus was not moving well at the start of the second set. He held easily in the first game but when Dan broke to go up *2-1 hew called the trainer. It seemed to be his left leg. Evo held easily and when he broke again to lead 4-1 Marcus retired.

Evans won 6-2 4-1 retired.

That was a real shame. Marcus has some real talent and fully fit could have taken this to a 3rd set.

On the other hand Dan looks more prepared to play at this level, which he has been obviously. The point I am making is that Dan is better equipped to move on now into the main mens tour. I think his break from the LTA has helped him to mature into a better tennis player and perhaps a more settled person. Marcus has the potential also...he is of a 'Tsonga' type build and he has the making of a fast solid serve. His time is still to come at this level Im sure.

I had a quick word with Dan afterwards and he was happy how he played. He plays in the Campden-Hill Futures (London) next week. I think he joins up with the other juniors for a training block before back to back Challengers in Jersey then Helsinki.

-- Edited by Drew at 21:41, 2008-10-26

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Well Done Dan

3 futures in one year is quite impressive and a break into the top 500 good climb this year. lets hope he can keep moving up next year.

Drew · Oct 26, 2008

Happycynic wrote:

Suspect the WC was start of LTA-Evo detente.

I agree 100%.

Simmy26 · Lower Club Player

Drew, thanks for the match report. I agree that Evans looks ready to make the next step up but disagree that Marcus has a 'Tsonga' build. Tsonga is muscularly large but Marcus is certainly carrying too much excess fat. Before I get shot down by everyone for being negative, all I am saying is that if he wants to progress in the game he has to shed some weight. When I was watching him on Thursday I was chatting to someone who didn't know who was playing and his first comment about Marcus was that he looked like he was sponsored by Burger King! I wish him every success and certainly mean him no harm as I was the only one cheering him on in his QF, but as I have said before he needs to lose weight!

ForeverDelayed · Grand Slam Champion

Looks like it was a great week for the British players, capped off by Willis's final and Evans taking another title, putting him into the top 500.

Evans should be looking at trying to get to the top 250 at the Wimbledon WC now, and hopefully a good couple of results in the challengers at the end of the season can set him on his way

Drew · Oct 26, 2008

Personally speaking I didnt think he was carry to much excess weight. 'Tsonga like' was a bit TIC but he has a big frame and still moved well around the court. Maybe he has some 'puppy fat' but it certainly did not stop him from making his first Futures SF and he did beat the no1 seed enroute.

steven · Tennis legend

A short Neil Harman article on Evo, which also solves the mystery of who Julien Hoferlin was brought in to coach - Meatball and the three Dans.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article5019647.ece

-- Edited by steven at 01:20, 2008-10-27

Lilly · Social player

I know Marcus personally.. and I can tell you he does not carry any excess fat, and that is fact. He has a big build, and used to carry some excess weight (2 ish years ago) but actually his physique now is of muscle. He has been doing a lot of work on his fitness, he has gained a lot in muscle, has not defined it all yet but without a doubt has not got excess fat. It doesnt actually matter if you come on here and say you think he is carrying excess weight, because it's not true., but to come on and repeat a hurtful remark about Burger King to British tennis which has players and parents on here is a very disrespectful thing to do. Especially following the post earlier about him having to put up with hurtful remarks all his life from other players. You have probably given another 'funny' quote for people to repeat over and over.

Drew · Oct 27, 2008

Lilly wrote:

I know Marcus personally.. and I can tell you he does not carry any excess fat, and that is fact. He has a big build, and used to carry some excess weight (2 ish years ago) but actually his physique now is of muscle. He has been doing a lot of work on his fitness, he has gained a lot in muscle, has not defined it all yet but without a doubt has not got excess fat. It doesnt actually matter if you come on here and say you think he is carrying excess weight, because it's not true., but to come on and repeat a hurtful remark about Burger King to British tennis which has players and parents on here is a very disrespectful thing to do. Especially following the post earlier about him having to put up with hurtful remarks all his life from other players. You have probably given another 'funny' quote for people to repeat over and over.

Lilly,

Thanks for coming on and making your points. I was hoping you would. I spent Saturday watching the final and watched Marcus and Dan warm up for a good half hour and honestly could not see this 'excess fat' others were referring to. He has a big frame....like other tennis pros....and I have said above it certainly did not stop him from beating the no 1 seed and getting to the final. hope he has another good run this week. I also think that no-one on this board meant anything hurtful in any way. Opinion can sometimes seem impersonal. Please be assured that the vast majority of posters (Incl simmy) are right behind Marcus.

Pass him our best wishes !

Drew

Lilly · Social player

I know it wasn't meant to be hurtful, but it is quite an insensitive thing to say/ repeat in the knowledge that players/ family do come on here. Thank you for your comments though, i will definately pass on the best wishes!!

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

An honourable mention in despatches from OEM for Dan Evans in today's Times.

Drew · Oct 27, 2008

Lilly wrote:

I know it wasn't meant to be hurtful, but it is quite an insensitive thing to say/ repeat in the knowledge that players/ family do come on here. Thank you for your comments though, i will definately pass on the best wishes!!

Point taken. All the best.