ATHENS CHALLENGER 2010: 19-25 April: Main thread

[Sallydaisy]

http://www.ferries.gr/greek-islands-ferry/images/athens.jpg


Location: http://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/misc/wgr.gif Athens
Type: €85K+H
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Starting Date: April 19
2008 Champion: Rui Machado [POR] - tournament was on clay.

Tournament website: http://www.statusathensopen.gr/default.asp?pid=1&la=2

OOP link (http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3801/op.pdf)
Livescore link (http://www.protennislive.com/frameset.asp?year=2010&wkno=16C&lang=en&tabno=1&eventid=3801&ref=www.atpworldtour.com)
Combined Doubles/Singles Draw link (http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3801/x.pdf)

In the Singles Boggo plays Phillip Petzschner in R1.

DOUBLES DRAW
[1] FRIEDL, Leos/SKOCH, David CZE/CZE vs (WC) ANGELINOS, Theodoros /MUNOZ-DE LA NAVA, Daniel GRE/ESP
BEMELMANS, Ruben BEL/MALISSE, Xavier BEL vs DE VOEST, Rik/LU, Yen-Hsun RSA/TPE

[4] RATIWATANA, Sanchai/RATIWATANA, Sonchat THA/THA vs DELGADO, Jamie/MULLER Gilles GBR/LUX (w/o ???)
ERLICH, Jonathan/LEVY, Harel ISR/ISR vs (WC) KAPOGIANNIS, Charalampos/LOUCAREAS, Dimitrios GRE/GRE

HRBATY, Dominik/LACKO, Lukas SVK/SVK vs BOHLI, Stephane/BOZOLJAC, Ilija SUI/SRB
MAHUT, Nicolas/ZOVKO, Lovro FRA/CROvs MARRAY, Jonathan/MURRAY, Jamie GBR/GBR [3]

CHIUDINELLI, Marco/SCHUETTLER, Rainer SUI/GER vs HAASE, Robin/SIJSLING, Igor NED/NED
(WC) ECONOMIDIS, Konstantinos/JAKUPOVIC, Alexandros GRE/GRE vs BECKER, Benjamin/PETZSCHNER, Philipp GER/GER [2] (w/o) Petz knee)

ATP Doubles Ranking Points
W: 110, F: 65, SF: 40, QF: 20, R1: 0.



http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/images/photos/photo_lg_athens.jpg

[Sallydaisy]

Jamie and Jonny are headed to Athens to play this event.

Having been stranded in Jo'burg, and unable to come back to the UK,they decided to stay on an extra day or so to organise alternative means to get to Greece.
The plan was to go via Dubai and that is where they've currently got to according to Jamie's Twitter.
Fingers crossed the onward air travel will go as planned.

Tournament information will be added later today. Doubles draw will be out tomorrow Sunday.

JAMIE ARRIVED IN ATHENS EARLY AFTERNOON
(not sure about Jonny but presume they are together).....

Flemski were due to play in Athens but since both Colin and Ken were in the UK this week they've had trouble getting over there.......... twittering!!!
Its actually not going to be a nightmare tmrow, its just not going to happen! 2:33 AM Apr 15th (http://twitter.com/Flemskitennis/status/12213856348) via UberTwitter (http://ubertwitter.com/)

Edinburgh airport closed due to ash in the stratosphere from a volcano erupting in Iceland! Going to be a nightmare to get to Athens tmrow! 2:09 AM Apr 15th (http://twitter.com/Flemskitennis/status/12213163097) via UberTwitter (http://ubertwitter.com/)

Boggo is in the singles draw.

[janeInScotland]

Draw is here (http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3801/mdd.pdf)
- Jamie/Jonny seeded [3] vs Mahut/Zovko in R1 :(
- Delgy (with Muller) vs Ratiwatanas [4] in R1 :(


[1] FRIEDL, Leos/SKOCH, David CZE/CZE vs (WC) ANGELINOS, Theodoros /MUNOZ-DE LA NAVA, Daniel GRE/ESP
BEMELMANS, Ruben BEL/MALISSE, Xavier BEL vs DE VOEST, Rik/LU, Yen-Hsun RSA/TPE

[4] RATIWATANA, Sanchai/RATIWATANA, Sonchat THA/THA vs DELGADO, Jamie/MULLER Gilles GBR/LUX
ERLICH, Jonathan/LEVY, Harel ISR/ISR vs (WC) KAPOGIANNIS, Charalampos/LOUCAREAS, Dimitrios GRE/GRE

HRBATY, Dominik/LACKO, Lukas SVK/SVK vs BOHLI, Stephane/BOZOLJAC, Ilija SUI/SRB
MAHUT, Nicolas/ZOVKO, Lovro FRA/CRO vs MARRAY, Jonathan/MURRAY, Jamie GBR/GBR [3]

CHIUDINELLI, Marco/SCHUETTLER, Rainer SUI/GER vs HAASE, Robin/SIJSLING, Igor NED/NED
(WC) ECONOMIDIS, Konstantinos/JAKUPOVIC, Alexandros GRE/GRE vs BECKER, Benjamin/PETZSCHNER, Philipp GER/GER [2]

ATP Ranking Points
W: 110, F: 65, SF: 40, QF: 20, R1: 0.


OOP is here (http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3801/op.pdf) (but still on Sunday)

[JAMES4579]

Glad Jamie made it, Some disruption was unavoidable, butcomplaints by the airlines that we're being too cautious over here.

[RFS]

Glad Jamie made it, Some disruption was unavoidable, butcomplaints by the airlines that we're being too cautious over here.

Whilst it is a total pain and I am wondering whether I spent a fortune on a non-BA flight to avoid strike action for a trip up to Scotland in a couple of week's time ... I thought the No-Fly zone was all over Europe and not just us in the UK?... and to be honest - even *I* can tell ash and plane engines are not a good mix.
I have friends in sunny climes who are stuck - my cousin's family can't get out of Jo-Burg at the moment, and those lovely men at the Grand Prix are looking at Chinese food for a day or so yet! Friends stuck in Spain trying to get back for a family emergency - so this is going to cost the airlines millions, if not take some out altogether
What would I rather lose... £300 or.... ?

[JAMES4579]

Latest news is that Spain has re-opened its airspace after a brief closure. Officials there have suggested its airports could be used as an entry platform into Europe. Apparently half of European airspace could be free of ash. All flights in the uk grouded till at least the evening and some suggestring could be till the end of the week.

[janeInScotland]

I'm confused. Doubles may start today?

There are no doubles listed on Monday's OOP (http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3801/op.pdf) - but it only shows Centre Court.

The Event Schedule (http://www.statusathensopen.gr/files/schedule2010/MATCH_SCHEDULE_2010_ENGLISH.pdf) says 6 doubles will be played Monday, 2 Tuesday :confused:

3rd DAY: MONDAY 19 APRIL STARTING AT 13:00
THIRD ROUND SINGLES QUALIFYING 4 MATCHES
FIRST ROUND SINGLES MAIN DRAW 4 MATCHES
FIRST ROUND DOUBLES MAIN DRAW 6 MATCHES




My original post asked a Mod to change the FTM titles - but ????.

[Sallydaisy]

The Athens Challenger tournament proper is starting a day late because of the travel difficulties experienced by many players reaching the event
(caused by the 'ash' cloud and consequent travel problems).

The Event Schedule (http://www.statusathensopen.gr/files/schedule2010/MATCH_SCHEDULE_2010_ENGLISH.pdf) says 6 doubles will be played Monday, 2 Tuesday :confused:Schedules such as that are often put in place well in advance as a guide so that was probably the original plan before all the travel chaos caused the Tournament start to be put back one day. Tourneys don't always amend their information quickly - and there is a 'clause' at the bottom of the Schedule stating:-
"The organising committee and ATP supervisor reserve the right to change these indicative starting times and match days,
if weather problems or other unforeseen reasons occur."


There are no doubles listed on Monday's OOP (http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3801/op.pdf) - but it only shows Centre Court.Those are the 4 x FQR matches only for the Singles Draw.
Singles (and probably Doubles) Main Draw matches will start Tuesday.

We will at least have LIVESCORE this week - but it isn't yet in operation presumably because only qualifying matches are being played.
Hopefully it'll be up and running tomorrow. Link here (http://www.protennislive.com/frameset.asp?year=2010&wkno=16C&lang=en&tabno=1&eventid=3801&ref=www.atpworldtour.com) (and in first post).

[harriet]

they're not early risers in athens, today's games start at 1pm, there's only 1 dubs. but the tourny is pretty leisurely, quarters spread over 2 days, ditto semis and both final on sunday.

[patmoren]

Doesn't seem to be any action in Athens so far today. Live score still no operational. When i checked the time 1pm there was 11am here!

[Sallydaisy]

I have no idea how the first match went between Levy and Sisjling - or why LS isn't work via the ATP site.

Bet365 have livescores for the Centre Court only here. (http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?)
Match has just started between Sela* v Stadler.

The tourney website (http://www.statusathensopen.gr/default.asp?pid=13&la=2) has a result page but so far it only has the results for Monday (and previous days qualifying) on it.

[patmoren]

Live score is working now.

[Sallydaisy]

Thanks Pat.
:thumbup:

[Sallydaisy]

The Jays play tomorrow - last on Court 4, probably around 7pm local time, 5pm UK.
Boggo is due to play (if he gets there) not before 7.30pm local time (5.30pm UK)

OOP link (http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3801/op.pdf)

2pm
Hrbaty/Lacko v Bohli Bozoljac
Followed by
Sugita v Desein
After suitable rest
Chiudinelli/Schuettler v Haase/Sijsling
After suitable rest
Marray/Murray v Mahut/Zovko

[Sallydaisy]

Good Luck Jays!!!

Hope I'm back from work in good time to cheer them on!
:swingin::swingin::swingin:

[Pam]

All the best guys - I hope to be able to follow the match.

[janeInScotland]

some doubles up on LS (http://www.protennislive.com/frameset.asp?year=2010&wkno=16C&lang=en&tabno=1&eventid=3801&ref=www.atpworldtour.com) - no play yet.

I'm off to the mobile library (a short walk).

Good luck to the Jays later :thumbup:

[janeInScotland]

Bohli/Bozoljac await the winners of Jamie's match.

Doubles Results so far:
Bohli/Bozoljac def Hrbaty/Lacko 6-4, 6-0 (in 54 mins).
Friedl/Skoch vs Angelinos/Munoz-De La Nava 7-6(8), 7-6(6) (in 2 hrs 20 mins)

Also Mahut won't start his singles for about an hour or so - the Schuettler/Berankis is at 7-5, 1-2* after 57 mins.

[janeInScotland]

Mahut/Economidis starts 16:25 UK time (18:25)

btw Schuettler won in 3 sets & 2hrs 23 mins and, after suitable rest, is the next match on Ct 3 (Chiudinelli/Schuettler vs Haase/Sijsling) - the court is ready for them :) - followed by Jamie/Jonny.

I wonder how much rest they'll give him - he must have finished the singles ~15-20 mins ago.

Later: his doubles started ~5pm - so he got an hour (or less) between the end of singles & start of doubles.

[jane]

Good luck, Jamie and Jonny:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::)

[hfwardhouse]

Crikey, Mahut just lost the 2nd set so his singles is into a 3rd .... could be a while yet before the Jays take the court ....

[Sallydaisy]

Presumably they'll have floodlights since it was used for the Olympics!!!
They'll need them; it's now 8.30pm in Athens.

Glad I haven't missed the match.
:)

[hfwardhouse]

You haven't missed it - it'll be another hour before they're on court ..... if Mahut ever wraps up this singles match :rolling:

[Sallydaisy]

Up on Livescore.
:thumbup:

[Pam]

I may have to leave before the end as I have to go to the station.

All the best guys!

[hfwardhouse]

Here we go, here we go, here we go - COME ON THE JAYS :swingin::swingin::swingin::swingin:

[hfwardhouse]

The livescore isn't working!

[Pam]

The livescore isn't working!



Jamie serving
15-0
15-15
30-15
30-30
30-40 :sofa:

They've been broken :cry:

[hfwardhouse]

That's not a good start!

[Pam]

Mahut/Zovko held :sad:

0-2

[hfwardhouse]

:(

[Pam]

15-0
30-0
40-0


1-2

Is your L.S working yet Jane?

[harriet]

oppos serving, leading 2 - 1, try thi (http://www.protennislive.com/frameset.asp?year=2010&wkno=16C&lang=en&tabno=1&eventid=3801&ref=www.atpworldtour.com)s LS

[Pam]

Mahut/Zovko hold 1-3

C'mooooooooooon JAYS!!
15-0
30-0
30-15
30-30
40-30

2-3

[hfwardhouse]

15-0
30-0
40-0


1-2

Is your L.S working yet Jane?

Nope - I think it's the new laptop :(

[patmoren]

After all this waiting they are broken immediately. I've had the LS on all day and it has been fine.

[hfwardhouse]

It was fine for me too but the laptop had gone to sleep and when I fired it up again it hadn't updated with the Jays being up and it isn't getting anything now :(

[harriet]

fishy evening - mako(the shark) munching Jray
mako to serve, 3 - 2

[harriet]

hfward, reboot it and try again?

[Pam]

Nope - I think it's the new laptop :(

Aww that's tough ...........
........I will try and update as much as I can


Mahut/Zovko serving 15-30 C'moon the Jays!!

30-30
30-40 TAKE THIS BREAK POINT GUYS!!!
40-40

4-2 :sad:

[harriet]

DD, but mako hold serve
JRays now at 2 - 4
have to go now, but goodluck all!

[hfwardhouse]

hfward, reboot it and try again?

Can't at the mo - chatting on Skype!

[Pam]

0-15
0-30:sad:


c'moooooooooooooooooooooon!!!

15-30
30-30
40-30

3-4

[hfwardhouse]

Ah - LS working on the PC and not the laptop - am trying the reboot to see what happens!

[Pam]

15-0
30-0
40-0

3-5

[patmoren]

They can't afford to keep missing their break points. The set is slipping away.
4-5 come on guys break back.

[hfwardhouse]

Yay the reboot worked :yahoo: - right come on The Jays :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[Pam]

They haven't had that many - hopefully they will be able to come back stronger in the 2nd set!

4-5

15-15

[patmoren]

Unfortunately the opposition just had one which they took! Set down.

[hfwardhouse]

Darnit - lost the first set :( - now need to regroup and take control - Mahut must be pretty shattered - an opportunity if ever there was one!

[Pam]

I can't stay for the second set - shout for me ladies!!

[patmoren]

Good start serve to love.

[hfwardhouse]

Will do Pam! COME ON THE JAYS!!!

[janeInScotland]

Hi guys/girls - just logged in - sorry to see we lost the first set :(

c'mon Jms

[hfwardhouse]

Woohooo KitKat :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[patmoren]

made the break this time 2-0 and a second love game 3-0

[hfwardhouse]

Woop - another hold to love 3-0 - this is more like it!:swingin:

[patmoren]

3-1 but took them to 30

[hfwardhouse]

They held .... 3-1

[patmoren]

serving well 4-1

[hfwardhouse]

And the Jays hold to 15 - 4-1 - keep it going guys :yahoo:

[hfwardhouse]

Ooooooh BPs - c'mon guys!

[janeInScotland]

5-1 looking good :thumbup:

[patmoren]

They broke again 5-1 now serve out the set!

[hfwardhouse]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

Another Kitkat - now 5-1

[patmoren]

Yes!!!! 6-1. Need to keep the momentum for the CTB

[hfwardhouse]

And they take the set 6-1 - nice one guys :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

Now a good MTB please for the Jays :thumbup:

[janeInScotland]

hope we won't need a :sofa:

[patmoren]

Oh dear mini break to the others 3-6

[hfwardhouse]

Eeeeek :sofa: down 3-5 - c'mon guys, turn it round. :yahoo:

3-6
4-6
5-6

Need to get a mini break back - come on :yahoo:

Woop - they listened 6-6

[janeInScotland]

c'mon JMs - you can do better than this

[patmoren]

held serve 5-6

[janeInScotland]

changing ends at 6 all - that's better :thumbup:

[patmoren]

Broke back well done.

[hfwardhouse]

C'mon guys - 4 points and it's yours :yahoo:

6-7
aaargh 6-8
7-8 but need a mini break back
7-9 :sofa:

[Linda]

:sofa:

[patmoren]

Broken again 7-8 Match point to the others and they lose the Ctb out in the first round again.

[janeInScotland]

oops *6-8 - don't let it slip away, JMs

[janeInScotland]

:cry:

[Linda]

:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

[hfwardhouse]

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: - they lose the MTB 10-7 :(

[jane]

:cry::cry::cry: Really bad luck, guys!!!

[Sallydaisy]

after they fought so hard to get back too...........
:cry::cry::cry:

[janeInScotland]

JMs won more service points (73% to 68%) and more return points (32% to 27%) - yet still lost the match. Very frustrating.

[JAMES4579]

oh another disappointment, bad luck guys!:cry::cry:

[Allan]

:rolleyes: :devil:

[Sallydaisy]

There's a Challenger in Rhodes next week so perhaps they'll stay in Greece and try to get into that tourney?
Even though there are now flights to and from British airports the schedules are likely to be a mess for a while longer so coming back to the UK might be tricksy; let alone go back out again.

[RFS]

Oh noes... and after all the saga of getting there.
No time to read the match round up... not much point really...

Darned icelanders and their stupid volcanoes.

[janeInScotland]

There's a Challenger in Rhodes next week so perhaps they'll stay in Greece and try to get into that tourney?
...

Apparently Boggo's in the Rhodes line-up, so maybe our guys are too.

How does the event entry stuff work - i.e. where do you/others find the list of DAs and alternates?

[Sallydaisy]

Apparently Boggo's in the Rhodes line-up, so maybe our guys are too.

How does the event entry stuff work - i.e. where do you/others find the list of DAs and alternates?

There isn't any advance Entry List for Doubles in Challengers unfortunately - which is why we tend to find out what Jamie is up to at short notice sometimes.
Homepage says he's headed back to the UK so we've no idea of his/Jonny's plans for next week yet.

Good Luck to Delgy for later!

[janeInScotland]

"... It's tough on the boys, as Jamie had a string break on a return at 6-6 in the match tie-break. ..." (from Front Page).

Jamie's luck must change soon, mustn't it?

[Pam]

I can't believe they lost after such a storming comeback in the second set.

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[janeInScotland]

1st, 2nd & 3rd seeds out.

[1] Friedl/Skoch lost 6-1 6-0 to De Voest/Lu in QF

[2] Becker/Petschner didn't play R1 - Petschner's left knee (he retired in his singles QF).

[3] we know about.

[Sallydaisy]

It has LW against Delgy's name (and also Devvarman and Kindlimann in the singles) so I'm guessing that means Late Withdrawal. If it were Left Wrist I think it'd be specified.

[Sallydaisy]

"... It's tough on the boys, as Jamie had a string break on a return at 6-6 in the match tie-break. ..." (from Front Page).



:confused:
I wonder why didn't he get another racquet; he must carry at least 1 spare onto court?
Surely that's allowed and at 6-6 they'd have been changing ends anyway so it wouldn't have disrupted the match.

[wolfie]

:confused:
I wonder why didn't he get another racquet; he must carry at least 1 spare onto court?
Surely that's allowed and at 6-6 they'd have been changing ends anyway so it wouldn't have disrupted the match.

Who said he didn't?

[RFS]

^^ That... I think it's just unfortunate that was the POINT at which the racquet went south!

[Sallydaisy]

Who said he didn't?
Yes, I read the sentence in the HP report as if he hadn't changed racquet - silly me, posting before awake!
:shamed:

[janeInScotland]

Yes, I read the sentence in the HP report as if he hadn't changed racquet - silly me, posting before awake!
:shamed:

maybe its the new reading glasses, Sally :rolling:

[Sallydaisy]

maybe its the new reading glasses, Sally :rolling:

:shocked:
I haven't got them yet!!!
(still seething at having found the originals this morning!!!)

[patmoren]

Bohli/ Bozo win 6-4, 3-6, 13-11

[janeInScotland]

I think you ftm'd them, pat, didn't you?