Samuel Groth AUS [1] has a BYE Daniel Smethurst GBR vs. Martin Pedersen DEN Travis Rettenmaier USA vs. Adam Majchrowicz POL [WC] Phillip Simmonds USA [5] has a BYE
Chris Eaton GBR [2] has a BYE Colin O'Brien IRL vs. Valentin Sanon CIV Matthew Illingworth GBR vs. Marcus Willis GBR Igor Sijsling NED [8] has a BYE
Pierre Metenier FRA [3] has a BYE Ludovic Walter FRA vs. Brian Battistone USA David Martin USA vs. Patrick Eichenberger SUI Jonathan Marray GBR [6] has a BYE
Tomas Zib CZE [4] has a BYE James McGee IRL has a BYE Sean Thiornley GBR has a BYE Jean-Noel Insausti FRA [7] has a BYE
-- Edited by wolf on Saturday 21st of March 2009 10:23:56 PM
No Skupski..strange. Surely he hasn't decided to solely concentrate on doubles. Maybe injured but I would be surpirsed if he doesn't turn up for the doubles.
Surprised a few of the lowly ranked Brits haven't given this a go?
Eaton's section is by far the strongest that's anyones guess who will come out of that one. Marray lost to Metenier in Bath so hopefully will get some revenge. Maybe Thornley can spring a surprise but I can't see Smethurst getting past the big Dane Pederson never mind Groth.
-- Edited by wolf on Saturday 21st of March 2009 10:38:14 PM
Here are the GB matches in the qualifying draw with rankings. I have to say that the LTA has done a fine job of making it worthwhile for as few Brits as possible to have a go at Challenger qualifying for a home event by holding it here.
QR1: Dan Smethurst WR 1076 v Martin Pedersen (DEN) WR 552 QR1: Matt Illingworth WR 698 v Marcus Willis WR 951
QR2: Smethurst or Pedersen v (q1) Samuel Groth (AUS) WR 280 - other seed is (q5) Simmonds WR 411
QR2: (q2) Chris Eaton WR 384 v Colin O'Brien (IRL) WR 638 or Valentin Sanon (CIV) WR 549 QR2: Illingworth or Willis v (q8) Igor Sijsling (NED) WR 499
QR2: (q6) Jonny Marray WR 427 v David Martin (USA) UNR or Patrick Eichenberger (SUI) WR 867 - other seed is (q3) Metenier WR 404
QR2: Sean Thornley WR 794 v (q7) Jean-Noel Insausti (FRA) WR 478 - other seed is (q4) Zib WR 409
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GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!
Samuel groth is a strange one, really thought hed be top 100 at one stage, slowed up a bit i think.
He has slowed up because he's all serve, if truth be told he has very little to back up what is a primative serve & volley game. He is probably worthy of a top100 spot during the grass season but ala Chris Eaton, can't really impress on slower surfaces. [Despite drawing a comparision to Eaton, I do think the brit has a better baseline game than the Aussie however he just chooses not to use it]
How many byes?! I'm stunned! I really didn't expect so many byes in a tournament like this.
Perhaps it's a little bit out of the way for some? No more so than most though!
A little bit out of the way! It's ridiculous, it costs enough for youngsters to travel the UK mainland, but to fly to Jersey, pay hotel and meals in Jersey as a 'home event' they have to be pretty hopeful of making the MD and reclaiming a little bit of the expenses. I bet if the LTA officials had to pay their own expenses this venue would not have been chosen.
How many byes?! I'm stunned! I really didn't expect so many byes in a tournament like this.
Perhaps it's a little bit out of the way for some? No more so than most though!
A little bit out of the way! It's ridiculous, it costs enough for youngsters to travel the UK mainland, but to fly to Jersey, pay hotel and meals in Jersey as a 'home event' they have to be pretty hopeful of making the MD and reclaiming a little bit of the expenses. I bet if the LTA officials had to pay their own expenses this venue would not have been chosen.
In comparison to the "French" challenger in New Caledonia it is just a 'little bit out of the way'
The argument still stands though, silly choice of venue considering that British challengers are a rariety and those that are still in existence should at least be easily available to all Brits.
Yes, ditto. I would presume that Milton may now just have the edge over Smethurst in terms of British WC favourability. He has certainly pushed on more over the past year and is now probably more a part of the LTA's 'four young british muskateers' [Cox, Evans, Willis + 1] than Smethurst. Although Willis could be next to lose his place - possibly to Alex Ward, if he doesn't start to rack up a few points.
-- Edited by James on Sunday 22nd of March 2009 09:44:46 AM