Tennis 2015

[Real ale Madrid]

At least you have the good looks so!

Truth be told Acorn - I never used my talent either. :p

[Spudulika]

Shocking scenes the last couple of weeks in tournaments here. A former client of mine was due to give an in tournament test when she "completed" her match. She retired injured and as a result was given a pass. A week later in Peter, same thing, she's informed before her match that when she completes she will be required to give a sample. She retires "injured" and again given a pass. She has been under the spotlight of the ITF testers since the turn of the year and this highlights a major problem. Personally I can say she is dodge (not ours, the other kind) and she is not alone. But nothing will happen to her as she'll be given time to "rehab" before building up and playing again. Sad thing is, she had the god given ability to make a serious breakthrough.

[Acornvilla]

So shock of the century tonight chaps, Mr McGee beat former world #48 Falla in Indian Wells quali round 1 just now. Plays Alex Bolt for a place in the main draw. It won't surprise me one bit if he loses tomorrow after today's heroics, because that's what James McGee does. But here's hoping he can win. It'd be a huge step for him in his development and career trajectory.

[Real ale Madrid]

What time did that match start / finish Acorn ?

Fantastic result. Bolt is no easy task mind you - just beaten Go Soeda and was QF at the Aus Open.

[swinfordfc]

It's a great result to beat Falla - but now can he win today against Bolt?

[Real ale Madrid]

Nope beaten 6/3 7/5

[Real ale Madrid]

James McGee had another big win last night against WR92 Dzmuhur of Bosnia 7/5 6/3 in the first round of the San Luis Challenger in Mexico on Clay. Plays WR 190ish Clezar of Brazil tonight in rd 2.

[Spudulika]

That is a great chance for him. He's got a chance now to put his time in Spain to good use and get some W's!

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee wins an extraordinary match 6/3 2/6 7/6(4)

After looking comfortable in the opening set, James lost 10 of the next 12 games but proceeded to win 5 games in a row to eventually win the match, on his 5th match point!

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee wins QF tonight 6-1 6-4 against Argentinian opponent - semi finals tomorrow

[Spudulika]

Thanks a mill for the updates RAM, he is going to do some serious moves in the rankings. It's great for his French Open chances. Odd that he's a better clay courter (in a sense). But it's the usual for players to complain about clay yet it's the best surface to get results on. If you're fitter you'll always have the upper hand.

[swinfordfc]

The semi final will be very tough for him ......

[Acornvilla]

winning the 3rd set 3-0 atm v Lorenzi, very impressive again, pray to jebus he keeps it up

http://goo.gl/4gtYdw Live stream there if anyone's awake and wants to catch the tail end. Final appearance will get him back about #170

[Spudulika]

Great win! So Final this evening. Strange that he doesn't seem to be down for next weeks biggie in Leon!

[swinfordfc]

Great win - fair play - taught it would have been to much for him!

Can he win the final now?

[Acornvilla]

He beat Pella 2-0 last year, but Pella can be a different animal when it gets deep in tournaments, James is rightly the
underdog, but what he's done this week suggests he can win if he keeps his head together. I really hope he does..

Match just starting now, stream here http://live.drakulastream.eu/players/free-live-video-streaming-mcgee-lorenzi-atp-challenger-san-luis-potosi-tennis-atp-challenger-40900.html

Use adblock and it's grand.

[swinfordfc]

He lost but he's up to his best ever ranking #170 so a great result for his week work!

[Real ale Madrid]

Clocks went forward in mexico Saturday night so I missed the first set. He looked very tired late in the 2nd set. Still an exceptional week. I wonder will he try and qualify for events such as Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome and the like?

[Acornvilla]

Clocks went forward in mexico Saturday night so I missed the first set. He looked very tired late in the 2nd set. Still an exceptional week. I wonder will he try and qualify for events such as Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Rome and the like?
He has a semi final in a challenger to defend from last year, in about 2 weeks, so I'd imagine he might still concentrate on getting points rather than the gamble in qualies, but I've no idea honestly, I assume he'll take the coming week off now, as he's missed qualies for all atp events anyway.

[swinfordfc]

McGee into quarter finals after win today .... up against the 6th seed from Argentina tomorrow after beating his doubles partner today, who knocked out the no 1 seed in the first round :)

[Acornvilla]

McGee into quarter finals after win today .... up against the 6th seed from Argentina tomorrow after beating his doubles partner today, who knocked out the no 1 seed in the first round :)
Caught the game yesterday, James was wonderful for almost all of the match, crumbled altogether at the tail end of the 2nd set, and again when he was 2-0 up in the 3rd set, ended up going 4-2 down, did really well to claw his way back into it. He has serious problems when under pressure, but overall there's signs that his game is still improving, clay seems to really suit him.

I'd be astounded if he beats Bagnis.

New career high of #166 I'd wager, whatever the result today, hell of a lot of points to defend the following week, where he made the semi final last season.

[Acornvilla]

Lost 6-1, 6-3, totally outclassed, a good learning experience all the same.

[Real ale Madrid]

James McGee had a really good win last night against Yo****o Nishioka WR155 in a Challenger in Savannah GA. Wore down his quality opponent with a doggedness that was very encouraging - won all the big points as well on the way to a 76 64 win - takes on No.1 Seed Tim Symczek tonight - has had a few battles with him lately so should be a good match as long as the two hours last night hasn't taken too much out of him.

[Acornvilla]

There's not much between Tim and James at all, and he's someone who he could look to emulate success wise, Smyczek has no real big weapons but works damn hard also has a lot more experience as regards playing atp events and winning titles. I've always liked him, as he's done brilliantly in maximizing every ounce of talent he has. I reckon James might be a little better on clay, but that match last night will have taken a lot out of him. the last 3 competitions have been hugely encouraging whatever the result. Without a win tonight he will drop down the rankings slightly, but not by much.

In other news Dave O'Hare and James Cluskey are into the semi in the doubles in Santos Brazil, while we even have a lady in Jenny Claffey, doing a great job in tunisia, into the semi in singles and final in doubles in a 10k ITF event. While Sam Barry is still in the doubles final, in the male draw of the same tournament.

Must be just about the most successful week in Irish tennis history so far :P

[swinfordfc]

There's not much between Tim and James at all, and he's someone who he could look to emulate success wise, Smyczek has no real big weapons but works damn hard also has a lot more experience as regards playing atp events and winning titles. I've always liked him, as he's done brilliantly in maximizing every ounce of talent he has. I reckon James might be a little better on clay, but that match last night will have taken a lot out of him. the last 3 competitions have been hugely encouraging whatever the result. Without a win tonight he will drop down the rankings slightly, but not by much.

In other news Dave O'Hare and James Cluskey are into the semi in the doubles in Santos Brazil, while we even have a lady in Jenny Claffey, doing a great job in tunisia, into the semi in singles and final in doubles in a 10k ITF event. While Sam Barry is still in the doubles final, in the male draw of the same tournament.

Must be just about the most successful week in Irish tennis history so far :P

McGee never will have a easy match - I watch it there - He won 6-0, 6-3 - into the semi finals but i think this wont move him up the rankings as he needed just to make the semi's to keep still in his ranking? ..... Great win though

[Acornvilla]

The doubles lads bow out losing 10-7 in a match breaker which is a shame, decent week and result all the same for both. Wonderful win for James, I'd expect him to win the semi, Tiafoe (if he wins) will be a good player and is already very good for his age, but has had a very tough last month or two, I dunno if he'll be able to compete with the inevitable grind fest from James.

[Acornvilla]

Claffey and Barry both win their finals, Mcgee wins the semi 6-1,1-6,6-3, delighted for him, I figure he's guranteed a spot around 150, which means he's going to get seeded in a few challengers with some luck. Playing Chung in the final, from what I've seen of him, that kid seems the real deal, will be interesting.

[swinfordfc]

He loss the final to Chung 6 3, 6 4 but your right - he has moved to no. 152 in the rankings - his highest ever and he is 8th seed in this week's tournament!

[Real ale Madrid]

Chung is up to 88 now and headed for top 20 at this rate - he is only 18.

His 8th seed in actually down to his 169 ranking from last week! - He has got a good draw this week if he can keep it going.

[swinfordfc]

McGee got crushed in the 1st qualifying round in the French Open 6-1, 1-6, 6-0 by Ward.

[Spudulika]

Disappointing result given his form on clay, though there was a stat (I think on twitter) where the players had committed either 4 unforced errors each (or between them) for the first 2 sets, which is remarkable, but probably meant 2 non-claycourters grinding out a result.

[Crosby87]

Ok... Woz is 20 -1. I know she probably won't win but Jeez....20 to 1? Even Serena is 3-1....I mean you can make good money on that, no? Maria at 5.
Everyone loves that Navaro chick as a dark horse. I know I'm misspelling it.
Any thoughts lads?
Simona halep and her less huge cans are there too. For a great price.

[Acornvilla]

Dunno about you lot, but I'm absolutely delighted for Stan.

[Real ale Madrid]

James McGee starts his grass court season at 11am at the Surbiton Challenger against Alex Bolt of Australia - would love to see him have a good go at Qualifying for Wimbledon. A few wins this week would be a good start.

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee wins a tough encounter 46 76(9) 75.

[Spudulika]

James, Sam Barry, James Cluskey and David O'Hare have all been named to face South Africa in mid-July. This is a must-win as if Ireland go down it is going to be very tough to get back into Division 2, plus tough to get players back for it.

Great if James qualifies for Wimbledon. He seems to be developing into an all-courter, fingers crossed!

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee into Quarter Finals in Surbiton beating Authom of Belgium 63 64 - WR 319 Joshua Milton next.

[Acornvilla]

Milton's best surface seems to be grass judging by all of his results, good chance for James to win and pick up a lot of points thou, he should win.

Our doubles lads finally won a match, after 6, 1st round exits in a row. Cluskey has somehow conspired to stop himself making Wimbledon qualifying, unless he has a very good next week or two.

[Spudulika]

I think James C. is already out of the reckoning as the GS cut off (if he entered) would have been last week.

Jenny Claffey won a match, Amy lost one, today. Our women's game is in a pretty poor state. Was chatting with a former client who'd been watching some of our girls train. She's of the opinion that too many are just in it for fun and not serious. Pity.

[Real ale Madrid]

Judging by Claffey's tweets and bits I've read she is all out to make it and has targeted top 100 WTA by 2019!! Amy was playing in 50k event coming off another injury so not such a bad effort today. Worth a mention to ACC Freshman of the year and all American Sinead Lohan - been following her progress in the NCAA's in the states playing with the University of Miami Hurricanes - looks a serious talent!

Don't be so hard on the girls Spud! They may surprise us in the coming years.

[Spudulika]

I'll try not to be :-)

Amy was unlucky-lucky in England. She needed to play qualifiers to get her eye in, but was bumped up to MD (joining 2 former sparring partners) and just was not at the races.

Jenny is looking for cash - crowd funding like Amy i think. But I don't know. I know players mature later now, but she never struck me as someone who had the tools for the game and she's not going to start juicing up!

Sinead's a good kid and there are other good juniors, so I'll be more positive!

[Acornvilla]

James had a handy enough win today, conditions looked pretty difficult, ball bouncing super low, and the wind was really strong, didn't watch the whole match as honestly it was bog standard stuff. All the same, to make a semi in a challenger is never easy, Ebden up next in that said semi, I'd expect James to bow out here, but if he's ever to win a challenger, all 3 others left in the draw are very beatable.

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee well beaten 6-2 6-3 up to WR153 provisional. Disappointing today.

[swinfordfc]

His ranking is now 155 .....

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee took another top 100 scalp this evening beating Blaz Rola WR95 75 75 at the Challenger in Ilkley, Yorkshire. He plays (WC) Joshua Milton WR306 in the Quarter Finals.

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee beat Joshua Milton for the 2nd time in 7 days today 63 63 - sets up a semi Final with Denis Kudla - the American was beaten in an epic final by Ebden last week, so its a big ask again for James this week - hopefully he can step up.

Still 3 Wimbledon Wildcards available / not announced yet. Kudla / Ebden / McGee all in the running for one - all 3 performing consistently well on Grass the last two weeks - all three appeared in both Grass Challenger Semi Finals.

If McGee does not get a WC - Qualifying starts on Monday.

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee Beaten by Kudla - but it was more competitive this time around - lost in the end 62 76(5). Probably a touch disappointed the way it ended but he saved a few match points at 26 45

Edben plays Kudla in the Final for 2nd week in a row. - Ebden has been rewarded with a wildcard - still 1 wildcard to be announced.

[Acornvilla]

Now provisionally ranked at #147 is Mr Mcgee. Done really well this grass court swing, his best set of results on grass in his career by far, good prep for Wimbledon.

If James got a WC that would be amazing for him, but Kudla would rightly feel very hard done by if he didn't get it.

Mcgee is continuing to improve his results which is really encouraging, still don't think he has the game to get very much higher, maybe 120 at a push, but I'm very happy for him that he's finally bearing fruit.

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee gets Tobias Kamke (Ger) WR153 in first round of Wimbledon Qualifying - on at some stage tomorrow morning.

[Acornvilla]

Kamke is in an amazingly bad run of form, ( one win in last 15 matches) James has a chance to take him, won't be easy.

Falla the likely opponent in round 2. I really don't see him beating a beast like that on grass.

Andre Kuznetsov or Andreas Beck in round 3.

No McGee in Wimbledon main draw this year I'm afraid.