Had an enjoyable day here earlier in the week. Despite all the players being low ranked even for a futures event the standard of play was of a high standard. I bumped into a chap I haven't seen for about three years despite us both attending many events in between who commented on how better the tennis was than three years ago when we were regularly watching the likes of Clayton, Martin (T), Gabb, Willis and Milton etc. The rankings do not back this up but this is how it felt to both of us.

Just a few completely random points: Pleased to see Mark Whitehouse doing as well as he is. I've seen him play several times now and always thought he possibly lacked a bit of self belief and was always under ranked, but regular paly and a tournament win seems to have cured this. He's heading towards the top 500 now which I believe is where he belongs.

Tiran Sanghera has a solid all round game, a strong serve (needs to get more firsts in) and might also be top 500 if playing regularly.

Jon Binding, a quirky player who's good to watch, missed a straightforward overhead smash to beat Weightman in 2 but eventually came through after nearly throwing it all away.

The Hodkin / Matusevich match was a high standard spectacle that would have graced the TV screen. Hodders will be disappointed to have lost this, there was little between them and on another day he might have nicked it.

The Kivanda / Bass game was a funny one. I walked away towards the end of the first set because 'the fish' was winning at a canter. I returned in the third to see Kivanda playing with a new intensity and ran out deserved winner.

Harry Lazell who I flagged up earlier in the week is more like an 18 year old than a 14 year old and missed a chance to serve out the second set at 5-4 which could have changed the course of the match, you will here a lot more of this man!

The yank Roy Smith is clearly modelling himself on Gael Monfils, will he be as good? Only time will tell!

THere's an MTO with Mark leading 6-4 *3-2

Probably for Aidan (although not sure) - as said, he's had a huge amount of tennis these last few days. (But Mark had a couple of marathon matches too earlier on)

Add: aidan broke back immediately after the MTO. Now 3-3

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Saturday 29th of September 2018 11:23:24 AM

Priesty wrote:

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If it goes to a 3rd set TB Mark has no chance 

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 Time to see if your theory holds!

Congrats to both guys on a great week! Hopefully this will really start something for Mark.

Coup Droit wrote:

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Yes !!!

In the dubs, the two juniors get the win and the title.

Well done to Aidan and James.

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 Final:  Aidan McHugh & James Story UNR defeated Elliott Farmer & Cameron Green (AUS) UNR (1067+0) by 4 & 1

s!