Tennis 2015

**Acornvilla** · 17/04/2015, 9:23 AM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 17/04/2015, 6:43 PM

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

**Real ale Madrid** · 24/04/2015, 9:02 AM

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** · 24/04/2015, 3:57 PM

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** · 24/04/2015, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 24/04/2015, 11:16 PM

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** · 25/04/2015, 10:39 PM

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** · 27/04/2015, 10:30 AM

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** · 27/04/2015, 10:35 AM

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** · 19/05/2015, 9:38 AM

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

**Spudulika** · 19/05/2015, 10:10 AM

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** · 23/05/2015, 11:36 PM

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** · 07/06/2015, 7:05 PM

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

**Real ale Madrid** · 09/06/2015, 8:40 AM

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** · 09/06/2015, 12:19 PM

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

**Spudulika** · 10/06/2015, 12:00 PM

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** · 10/06/2015, 3:24 PM

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

**Acornvilla** · 10/06/2015, 7:40 PM

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** · 10/06/2015, 8:32 PM

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** · 10/06/2015, 9:51 PM

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.