Tennis 2015

[Real ale Madrid]

Tennis musings for 2015 go here!

Aussie Open qualies overnight.

McGee through to rd 2 beat 12. Gombos of Slovakia 16 63 62
Sorensen out though - beaten by Millot of France 60 61 - ouch!

McGee plays an Aussie next. Dane Propoggia - currently ranked 323. Should be an opportunity for McGee to progress further but will be tough to play against a home player one would imagine.

[swinfordfc]

yes that game is on during the middle of the night - should win it but will the home crowd pull the Ozzie into the 3rd round?

Sorensen was always going to lose that match in fairest! - just a bad draw for him!

[Spudulika]

James is going to have it all in front of him if he makes the main draw. He's a lovely lad, a bit mental, but a dogged, tough pro. It would be lovely to see him make the main draw, win a round and break the top 100, but his size and build count against him, plus he's a staunch non-doping head. It augurs well for the Davis Cup team, even if Garry is out. And this morning it was interesting to hear Tommy Carr's young lad is going pro. He was a good little player a few years back, but I never reckoned he'd make the jump.

[Real ale Madrid]

McGee beaten overnight 63 64. Picked up AUS$8,000 for his troubles - about €5,500

[swinfordfc]

McGee beaten overnight 63 64. Picked up AUS$8,000 for his troubles - about €5,500

Taught he win that game to be honest! McGee plays well one game, then cant get up to the same levels next time out! .... that what holding him back!

[Spudulika]

James is a good lad but he's just a step off the pace. I would guarantee that if he had full management, 100grand a year and getting looked after, he'd break the top-100 and peak at around 80 naturally. But it's the never ending slog of trying to get money to travel, get to the right tournaments, change flights, get visas, plan etc etc, it's a ain in the backside.

Dumb example - I was at the Russian Embassy over on Orwell Road with a former colleague (well known Irish football coach) and we walked in, got his visa registered and were on our way. James and James (Cluskey and McGee) were heading to a challenger in Russia, I think in Saransk, and were knocked back at the window - because the organisers in Russia had sent the wrong invite plus they had filled in the forms incorrect (or didn't play cute with the form). Tennis Ireland have full time admin staff, but they don't help our travelling pros, especially those who are not extra special. So 2 Irish pros, who shouldn't have to queue for a visa, wasted 2 periods of time (plus a 3rd to go collect their passports) and suffer the stress and stupidity of organisers. Not one Polish player (Junior or Senior) goes through this. No Latvian player (junior or pro) goes through this. And I do not believe any self-respecting player would be queueing up for visas without everything being 100%. It's pro sport Ireland style. A bit of TLC and all our "nearly there" tennis pros would do us proud!

[Real ale Madrid]

Some interesting insight there alright Spud - professional sport is all about the little things.

Will try and track the efforts of all the Irish pro's throughout the year and not just at Slam qualifiers and we can see how they are doing over the year.

[swinfordfc]

Some interesting insight there alright Spud - professional sport is all about the little things.

Will try and track the efforts of all the Irish pro's throughout the year and not just at Slam qualifiers and we can see how they are doing over the year.

If they break into the top 200 and stayed in it - they doing well. i dont think they get any higher!

[Spudulika]

Thanks Real Ale, it's frustrating to see talent (as we have in Ireland) peter out as it does. One player who had a lot of the tools to make a good move, and still can despite injuries, is Amy Bowtell, Swinford is right about a top-200 placing. If you break the top-200 you should stay there. For women it's easier and if you're a man and top-200, you can start to at least survive.

I noticed some really interesting results on the WTA tour where players I knew were suddenly leaping up the rankings, mainly due to the fact that there were increased tournaments (especially the new-ish WTA bridging events). If a player has a well planned schedule, plays a good mix of events and goes to far flung places (for women - Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, India, and especially Japan) the gap between 1000th and 500th is pretty small, the leap up from 500-300 is doable, and from there on up it means winning a $25k, a couple of $10k's and suddenly you're knocking on the WTA tour door and get to 150 and you're Grand Slam eligible. But, it's all about money!

[Acornvilla]

Louk Sorensen #217 in singles
James McGee #224 in singles
Sam Barry #325 in singles #395 in doubles
James Cluskey #155 in doubles
David O' Hare #294 in doubles

Amy is just inside the top 400 in the WTA rankings for the 1st time. I'm guessing this is the best crop we've ever had?

Cluskey and especially David O' Hare should absolutely fly up the rankings, both have almost no points to defend pre Wimbledon, so there's a good chance they could join James and Louk in the Quali rounds, if everyone stays fit and whatnot.

I read pre Aussie open that McGee now has a full time coach traveling with him for the 1st time and he's been working exceptionally hard on improving his endurance. So it'll be interesting to see if he can push anywhere near 150, now that he has a bit more financial and coaching stability. That kid he lost to is one of the best Juniors in the world, the Aussie youth structure is churning an unbelievable amount of talent at the minute.

Edit: I think we have a lad from Limerick called Bjorn Thompson playing in the AO juniors. I'll keep an eye out and see how he does.

[Spudulika]

Louk Sorensen #217 in singles
James McGee #224 in singles
Sam Barry #325 in singles #395 in doubles
James Cluskey #155 in doubles
David O' Hare #294 in doubles

Amy is just inside the top 400 in the WTA rankings for the 1st time. I'm guessing this is the best crop we've ever had?

Cluskey and especially David O' Hare should absolutely fly up the rankings, both have almost no points to defend pre Wimbledon, so there's a good chance they could join James and Louk in the Quali rounds, if everyone stays fit and whatnot.

I read pre Aussie open that McGee now has a full time coach traveling with him for the 1st time and he's been working exceptionally hard on improving his endurance. So it'll be interesting to see if he can push anywhere near 150, now that he has a bit more financial and coaching stability. That kid he lost to is one of the best Juniors in the world, the Aussie youth structure is churning an unbelievable amount of talent at the minute.

Edit: I think we have a lad from Limerick called Bjorn Thompson playing in the AO juniors. I'll keep an eye out and see how he does.

Great stuff Acorn, but I think James (Cluskey) will have a hard time getting back on track in doubles, he is very talented and a loevly lad, but just is lacking the finance.

Amy Bowtell, a big winner with crowd funding, broke 400 last month and now has a chance to break 300. But she lost to a really poor player recently after what should have been a glorious Autumn ( 2 $10k's that were ignored in our meeja). She was very unlucky, I was told, to have lost to a really solid girl from Luxembourg when she had chances to serve out the match. She started the year well, even knocking off the (personal feelings removed) now top-100 Diatchenko, her former training partner in DCU. She's not been too adventurous with her tournament choice and is missing out because of this, but...what Mammy wants Mammy gets.

[Acornvilla]

I can't say I know as much about Amy's situation as I do the lads, but from what you've said, it seems far from ideal, she's obviously very talented thou, and from what I read, she's very ambitions and says all the right things, but needs to get a lot more consistent with her results, last Autumn obviously being a very good stepping stone for that.

Clusk is over in the US at the moment and partnering Freddy Nielsen, former Wimbledon Doubles champion, in the next two USTA challenger competitions, so if he's ever going to get a run of half decent results, now is the time. They lost an ITF final last week in a tiebreaker, after winning the 1st set, then went out in the QF of another this week. The draws were terribly weak and it's a shame they didn't even win one, having been top seeds for both..

I'd agree with you, but sometimes it just takes 1/2 big results to change a career trajectory so here's hoping he can do something. Top 100 really isn't out of the question if he could match his last 6 months results with the upcoming 6. The big issue of course is that 'IF' :D

David O' Hare seems a very good prospect, he had no ranking this time last year, he'll likely surpass James in the coming months, it does bode well for our Davis cup team that we have a few lads playing at a high level now.

[Spudulika]

If Cluskey can push on and get some consistency, you're right, it's a great boost for Irish tennis. If our team gets it together with the new DC captain (though I'm a big iffy on whether it's the right person), getting past Belarus takes out the biggest threat in that half of the draw. Turkey have 1 player (Ilhan) and he's a flat track bully. South Africa are club players with 1 top class doubles specialist (Klaasen), Finland are Niemenen (though with Kontinen, if he plays, it's a tough doubles team). Portugal have some good players but they might not all turn out (or be invited). Monaco and Morocco have some French club players but nothing special. How great it'd be to see Ireland in Group 1!!!

Amy is Amy, she's almost childlike, but has the height, balance and strength to do something. If she chooses her tournaments right (next up is Sunderland), if she picks up another $10k or two, then starts making waves in the $25k level (winning one tournament leaves her on the edge of the top-300), if she sets a realistic goal - Aussie Open qualies in 2016, she will do it. She could even, by the end of the Summer, get a foot in the US Open qualies, though this is unlikely.

It's far easier for women to make strides, but far more expensive, and harder to make a living.

[Spudulika]

Absolute destruction of women's seeds in the Aus Open, some real surprises, though opens the door for Serena Williams and Sharapova to blaze a trail.

[Crosby87]

Ivanovic lost already? My girl Christina McHale threw up all over the place then felt better and won.

Sloane Stephens sucks. Here's Christina vomiting. http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/christina-mchale-pukes-all-over-australian-open-tennis-1680396212

[Crosby87]

Panova dragging Maria into a 3rd set.

[Spudulika]

Sloane seems to have bought into her own hype. There is a level of decent US girls who have struggled up the rankings (some via the NCAA route), Madison Brengle - who is supposed to be signing a deal with a certain underwear manufacturer - for example. Sloane is going to have to knuckl down.

Good to see Maria get through, but I wonder will she have the strength to win the whole thing.

[Spudulika]

Has anybody heard or read this madness about Genie Bouchard? She was asked after the match to "give a twirl", and suddenly the gombeens and talking heads of stupidity went off on one. The girl herself laughed it off and said she'd do it again, I spoke with a former client and still friend who is in shock by the preciousness of it all. Male and female tennis players are asked to do mad things to promote sponsors or events, this was an on-court interview and in Australia (especially) they don't stand on ceremony with anyone. All this heat but no light.

[Real ale Madrid]

Has anybody heard or read this madness about Genie Bouchard? She was asked after the match to "give a twirl", and suddenly the gombeens and talking heads of stupidity went off on one. The girl herself laughed it off and said she'd do it again, I spoke with a former client and still friend who is in shock by the preciousness of it all. Male and female tennis players are asked to do mad things to promote sponsors or events, this was an on-court interview and in Australia (especially) they don't stand on ceremony with anyone. All this heat but no light.

Asking a young girl to do a "twirl" on court after a match ? I thought it was 1955 for a second not 2015. Disgraceful.

Anyhow - big news overnight - Rodger Federer is out. Beaten in 4 by Seppi.

[Spudulika]

Asking a young girl to do a "twirl" on court after a match ? I thought it was 1955 for a second not 2015. Disgraceful.

Anyhow - big news overnight - Rodger Federer is out. Beaten in 4 by Seppi.

Real Ale, did you see Sloane Stephens as a knife throwing "victim", or worse, I'd to suffer a "karaokethon" with players (sponsor was a music system company) and I didn't venture near karaoke for years! The "twirl" was on top of Serena modelling her new designs and the skit taking going on between the girls. When Novak Djokovic dragged up like Serena only the usual voices shouted, except Serena who took off Novak. What we, as plebs, don't know is that some of these girls and guys enjoy the craic. Bouchard handled it great.

Federer - end of the line I think. Seppi is not a great player, but Federer looked tired.

[Acornvilla]

Some amount of rabble about the Genie thing all right, I'm just going to bury my head in the sand on that one, can't be bothered with looking at any sort of news at this stage, someone's always outraged (rightly or wrongly) about something!

Didn't think Fed would win the comp by any stretch, but didn't see him tosing to someone like Seppi either.
Draws really opening up for Kyrgios down on that end.
Nadal is Destroying Dudi sela, Sela has won one game in the opening two sets...

[Real ale Madrid]

Real Ale, did you see Sloane Stephens as a knife throwing "victim", or worse, I'd to suffer a "karaokethon" with players (sponsor was a music system company) and I didn't venture near karaoke for years! The "twirl" was on top of Serena modelling her new designs and the skit taking going on between the girls. When Novak Djokovic dragged up like Serena only the usual voices shouted, except Serena who took off Novak. What we, as plebs, don't know is that some of these girls and guys enjoy the craic. Bouchard handled it great.



Yeah to be honest Spud - I'm not sure what that paragraph was about - were you at a party with the players or something and the craic was good ? - but sorry man - I'm a bit lost! :D

As for Bouchard - I thought yes she handled it well, even if she looked a little bit awkward. Regardless of how she handled it - it was a pretty dumb thing to ask of a professional athlete in an interview straight after a grand slam singles match - I can only imagine the response from Nadal if a similar request was asked of him. I doubt he'd be too happy.

[Real ale Madrid]

Just a quick update on our Junior in the Q. Draw - Bjorn Thompson.

He won his first round game on Wednesday; 60 63 against Australian WC Dimiti Morogiannis.
However, with a place in the main draw on the line, he was beaten by Christian Sigsgaard 63 63.

Over now to Spudulika and Acornvilla to tell us all about him!

[Spudulika]

I don't know much about the kid other than Garry Cahill tagged him with 4 others as ones to watch the year before last. He's still young, but with some work he can be a top-100 player.

Acorn - male players are usually pretty mad, they party hard and are generally good fun to be around. The female of the species are odd, generally you could call them special needs - as in socially inept, developmentally retarded and headed for some real problems down the line. But still good fun.

[Crosby87]

Halep went from watermelons to oranges and it changed her whole career.
Agree with the sentiment that Feds should call it a day. I hope he isnt one to stay on too long....
Is this the year for Berdych?

[Spudulika]

Halep went from watermelons to oranges and it changed her whole career.
Agree with the sentiment that Feds should call it a day. I hope he isnt one to stay on too long....
Is this the year for Berdych?

Poor Simona, she's known only for how she looked as a teen. A number of other women's tennis players did the same think. Lesley Kerkhove immediately springs to mind. There was a French girl who had an operation but it was more to do with her back, and Justine Henin had a double mastectomy cancer prevention).

I'd not be shy of backing Berdych! He has everything needed for a breakthrough. Including a cute girlfriend. That's not sexist, just good marketing.

[Crosby87]

Venus looks healthy.
Yeah spuds a few of the gals I went to hs with went under the knife bc of back pain. I dont blame them. Halep looked like she had two basketballs there.
Big win for Madison vs Kvitova. I think.
I hate the time diff here. Its hard to follow.

[Spudulika]

Venus looks healthy.
Yeah spuds a few of the gals I went to hs with went under the knife bc of back pain. I dont blame them. Halep looked like she had two basketballs there.
Big win for Madison vs Kvitova. I think.
I hate the time diff here. Its hard to follow.

It's a tough one (Venus), she's been doing well and is healthy, I'd love to see her win one.

The US girls are doing well. I don't fancy Madison Keys, but Brengle....she's a bit of a space cadet, but she's a good, tough player. She's not in the crazy Glushko mould, but she's volatile. There's a massive showdown with Cibulkova and Azarenka, with the winner going in with Serena (probably). Cibulkova is busy believing her own hype and isn't fit enough to last a GS, Azarenka is rehabbing, so a Serena-Venus SF would be great. Unless there's a mishap, teh winner comes from the top half.

[Crosby87]

What do you think of Sharapovas chances? Evert was saying her serve is still off from the shoulder surgery.
Never heard of Brengle. Ill have to check her out.

[Crosby87]

She looks kind of irish spuds.

https://www.google.com/search?q=madison+brengle&hl=en-US&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=QuTDVN-uGYaiyASr8oFg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=800#imgrc=OZQ3EMEZGyzVsM%253A%3BikYKhebs3VS6eM %3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fc1.staticflickr.com%252F3%2 52F2719%252F4351456774_c690e0e7a2_b.jpg%3Bhttps%25 3A%252F%252Fwww.flickr.com%252Fphotos%252Fn8xd%252 F4351456774%252F%3B1024%3B681

[Spudulika]

I'm not hot on Sharapova, she is probably just 10-15% short of really challenging, but if the other half of the draw is a slug fest, she wil only benefit.

Yeah, Madison is something alright. I have my doubts as to whether or not she's 100% clean, but she is showing great stamina this year, lots of matches and lots of sets. I first met her back in 2008 when she partnered with a girl we were managing (at a tournament in Italy). She was a bit highly strung but good natured. She had a couple of stalking experiences on Facebook and her management took over all her accounts (but that was 2010). She will be a mainstay player for the USA id she keeps going. She's a scrapper and real team player.

[Acornvilla]

The Murray - Dimitrov match this morning was very high quality, Dimi still showing signs that he's on the right track, but Murray was able to up his level when it really mattered. He's looking pretty good so far, much improved on last season, probably still not at his former best, but as close to it as he has been.

The Lopez - Janowicz match was captivating too, Jerzy really should have won it, but just couldn't take any break points, Lopez was so aggressive on them, and throwing slice all over the shop. He'll be murdered v Raonic I imagine, if ever a man has limped into a GS 4th round, it is he!

Nice to see Muller doing so well, this time last year he had a sub 400 ranking I think, worked hard winning a bunch of challengers to get his ranking back, doing well with an English coach now.

I honestly have no idea how it's going to go as regards the lads, glad Kyrgios didn't screw up and lose to Seppi, he's a future #1 if he keeps it up. Will give Murray a good run for his money. But pretty much everyone you would consider in with a chance of winning the comp has been cruising through, bar Nadal, but it's be a pretty big shock if he could get to the final, given everything. I think it's still DDjoko's to lose, but it could be the most tightly contested GS in a while.

As far as the WTA goes, I want Radwanska to somehow fall into a final and win it :D
She's been tidy so far, not dropped a set. Still lacks power, but you never know..

[Spudulika]

Muller is a good guy, and huge! Met him when we played Luxembourg in DC. Have a bunch of pics with him and a former client, gave lots of time to kids, signed autographs etc. He's someone who should have done a lot better after a pretty good junior career. He won't trouble Novak (I think) but it's good to see him back. Didn't know he had a British coach!

[Acornvilla]

Spud has met everyone ever born into this earth :D

[Spudulika]

2217
Acorn, you have me smiling.

Luckily....it's Marta Sirotkina with the big man! She's not small either!

[DannyInvincible]

Spud has met everyone ever born into this earth :D

But somehow he and ArdeeBhoy (who has also met everyone) haven't met?

[Spudulika]

2218
Just to keep it LOI - we ere guests out in Tallaght for the ROvers-Dundalk match.

[Spudulika]

But somehow he and ArdeeBhoy (who has also met everyone) haven't met?

I have a feeling we have, at a Rovers match! And other times. The world is very, very small :-)

[DannyInvincible]

The world is very, very small :-)

And now complete! :p

[Real ale Madrid]

James McGee kicks off at a $50k Challenger in Maui, Hawaii later today. He takes on German WC Marko Lenz - WR 1,537.

Sam Barry is in action in Feucherolles, France at a F3 event - takes on the top seed David Guez (Fra)

At an F2 Futures event in Sunderland, England - Daniel Glancy has made his way through 3 rounds of Qualifying to take his place in the main draw. Starting tomorrow - he takes on Alexander Ward (GBR).
Peter Bothwell has been beaten in the last round of Qualifying by Robert Carter (GBR) 64 36 75.

[Crosby87]

Footage of Eugenie in a bikini surfing was not half bad.

[Real ale Madrid]

Ok then - back to the tennis!

Quick prediction - Bouchard to beat Sharapova! Off to sleep :(

[Spudulika]

Well the Canuck bombed, along with the Romanian. A little surprised.

I'm still looking at a Masha-Serena final with the US to prevail.

I'm impressed by Katya Makarova's run, she's come a long way and can be a real danger on the tour, but it's a few months too early.

[Real ale Madrid]

Wow - disappointing night - apart from Nadal going out that is. Listening to Murray / Kyrgios on the radio ( yeah ) . Murray seems on top.

[Spudulika]

Wow - disappointing night - apart from Nadal going out that is. Listening to Murray / Kyrgios on the radio ( yeah ) . Murray seems on top.

I must admit I smiled when I heard the Nadal result......my dislike of him stems from a certain Doctor he used and his blood samples being destroyed. I believe he is a massive talent, but...

[Crosby87]

Halep was awful. Sharapova says she turned it around after the first round when her dad called to yell at her.
If both Williams win will Serena throw it to Venus?

[Spudulika]

Halep was awful. Sharapova says she turned it around after the first round when her dad called to yell at her.
If both Williams win will Serena throw it to Venus?

The Williams thing is interesting, pound for pound Serena will batter Venus, but......they did it before, they could do it again!

[Real ale Madrid]

Why would Serena throw the semi to Venus - knowing that in all probability Venus would lose the final ?


James McGee goes into action in Maui mid afternoon today in Hawaii - late tonight Irish time.

James Cluskey and James Serretani (USA) are also in action in rd1 of the doubles - they take on the US pair of Jared Donaldson and Stefan Kozlov.

[Crosby87]

To do her a favor at the end of her career.

Spuds I noticed Hingis is playing doubles and mixed dbls, could she make a comeback in singles? Too old?

[Spudulika]

Real Ale, as Crosby says, to throw her a bone. They've done it before. It's a stretch, but it happens very regularly. Example, a good solid tour player who was playing in the 1st round of a $10k, meets a young qualifier who desperately needs the points. Her mother offers the prize money plus to pay for the hotel (2 nights worth), plus a bit of coaching/hitting. Solid tour player drops the match in 2 sets, plays doubles with the kid and covers her costs with a profit. That's an easy one.

Crosby, she came back to coach a number of players, but then got the fever and played doubles (ostensibly to coach/mentor). Hard to say if she's fit enough for singles, she is still one of the most brilliant players in history (and I believe she did it largely without any doping) and if it wasn't for her mad mother and her "beliefs"/methods, Martina would be a veyr healthy and happy woman. As it is, she's a wee bit messed up.