Week 7 - ATP 250 - Marseille, France - Indoor Hard

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

RE: Week 7 - ATP 250 - Marseille, France - Indoor Hard

Bob in France · Improver

Alo alo mon amis

OK: That is enough of the French accent stuff for now. Any spelling errors from here on are because the French place the keys on their keyboards at random.

Josh M - Claims himself not to have played too well. But at times, I thought he played very well. In the first set particularly, he mixed his pace up to the point ahere the attacking Jankovits found his timing was all over the place and Josh completely controlled the set. In the 2nd, Jankovits decided to be much more patient and it was Josh who started making the errors. At a double break down and 0-3* in the decider, I was beginning to question the worth of a long drive, but Josh went on the attack. And despite a highly tactical MTO for Jankovits mid comeback, Josh applied the pressure and the Frenchman lost his composure. Josh sealed the win on MP with a stunning lob on the run.

More to come from Josh who is first on tomorrow

Bob in France · Improver

Alex W

Despite the loss, Alex was hitting the ball really well from the back of the court. Zverev however served and volleyed off every single point in the match. His serve was good, but not devastatingly good, but his volleys and net coverage were a masterclass. I would estimate that he was forced into at least 15-20 half volleys following in after the serve and he made every single one. The first volley that he missed was on MP at *5-4 40-0 in the 2nd set.

As for Alex, on his own serve, if he got into a rally, he won probably 70 percent of the points, but there was just one loose game in each set that cost him. No need for any panic though, as all in all he playezd pretty well but was up against an inspired volleying performance from his opponent

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

QR1: Josh Milton WR 368 defeated Yannick Jankovits (FRA) WR 328 by 6-3 4-6 6-4
QR1: (q5) Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) WR 116 defeated Marcus Willis WR 342 by 7-6(7) 7-6(2)
QR1: Dan Smethurst WR 296 defeated Jonathan Eysseric (FRA) WR 271 by 4 & 3
QR1: (qWC) Mischa Zverev (GER) WR 916 defeated Alex Ward WR 325 by 4 & 4

*******

QR2: Mate Pavic (CRO) WR 435 (CH = 295 in May 2013) vs Josh Milton WR 368
QR2: (q2) Marsel Ilhan (TUR) WR 102 (CH = 87 in January 2011) vs Dan Smethurst WR 296

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Madadman wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
Could someone tell me why the Q Draw sheet now has no prize money listed for the Q rounds ? Or points? I assume it's an error. ????
The one i saw did have points & money 6 points for finalist and 12 for Qualifier if i remember rightly. 450(or something like that) for reaching round 2.
Must have disappeared off it when they did an update.

OK. The money's come back smile Must have been a glitch. All's well with the world . . .

Bob in France · Improver

Dan S

Dan got off to a fast start with Esseric finding the Smethy fearhand too hot to handle. Esseric (a lefty) has a very strong backhand but his forehand was solid but not a weapon. As soon as Dan worked that out, there was only ever really going to be one winner. Also very pleasing to see that Dan is now using that double handed BH more and more and mixing it up with the slice.

Bob in France · Improver

Marcus

Have to say that Marcus played exceptionally well and didnt look out of place at this level. But PHH served his socks off and Marcus just couldnt get a foothold in any of the return games. In the end, there were no breaks in the match but PHH took both the breakers. Marcus had SP in the 1st one but PHH just bombed down another ace.

It was my first time seeing Marcus play live and I hope it isnt my last. He was fantastic to watch, not least just to listen to his own running commentary throughout the match. Great to watch overall and in terms of quality, it was probably the best of the 4 matches.

emma · Strong Club Player

thank you 'Bob in France' for your courtside reporting - it really makes the matches come alive and good to hear how well the Brits played. isn't Mate Pavic the guy who won Junior Wimbledon doubles with George Morgan a few years back ? !

good luck to Josh and Dan.

have a good day tomorrow BiF.

indiana · Tennis legend

Thanks for nipping along to the tennis, Bob in France, and then making time to give these reports.

Sounds like another very good showing from Marcus at a higher level and so close. He must surely break into the top 300 this year ( not before time ), and I believe that he can indeed make at least the top 250 before the year is out.

Decent showings all round, now let's hope that some ranking points are picked up.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Bob in France wrote:
Alo alo mon amis

Sorry, Bob, but the pedant in me just won't let that one go: Allô allô, mes amis... wink

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Josh is a break up. 4-2*

Shout for us too, Bob !

Loved the reports. Tx. Sounds like four good matches. Two wins, two losses, but all in the mix. And, yes, well done to Marcus for being right up there, with the toughest ask.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

First set in the bag by 6-3 for Josh.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

QR2: Josh Milton WR 368 defeated Mate Pavic (CRO) WR 435 (CH = 295 in May 2013) by 6-3 7-6(5) biggrin

Josh was a break down in the second set, too. wink

FriendofLouieG · Lower Club Player

Well done Josh!

How did he play Bob?

paulisi · Tennis legend

6pts as well plus the prize money will be a bonus.