LATE:

THE FIRST TIMERS ...

KEMP : TOO GRINDING….

I use the word voluntarily, as a few among you know that I’ve nicknamed Steve Meads “the grinding machine”. Well, today, Jonathan Kemp, world 43, was too relentless for his “vet” opponent. The heart, technique, determination, intelligence, shots were still there, but Kemp’s drop shots precision just took their toll on Mead’s chance to appear yet again in the British Open.

Three games in 31 minutes, a score that shows that the battle was hard (7, 8, 8), but Kemp alternated lobs, volley drop shots and drop shots too well, too often. So, not this year Steve, probably see you next year.

But it was Jonathan's first appearance in the BO, and he was delighted. …

   Jonathan Kemp bt Stephen Meads
      1/7, 11/8, 11/5 (31m)

STAIT, MR DECEPTION…

A good performance today from the 24 year old Alex Stait, who was quite strong in his match against Ben Garner. As far as I was concerned, it was a surprising result, as Ben has impressed me every time I have seen him play, (in particular his first round epic battle against John White in Sheffield this August) and  Stait is way below his opponent in terms of word ranking (15 places). But Alex just “deceptioned” his opponent, by wrong footing him so many times Ben must have felt more than frustrated.

Stait took the first two rather easily, the ref told me, as I was interviewing Neil Harvey at the time, but Ben came back quite strongly in the third, using his lethal forehand boast to unbalance his opponent, and then ending the long rallies with an excellent drop shot.

In the fourth, both players gave all that they had in stock, 4/4, 6/6, Garner’s game is technically extremely sound, you feel him strong and secure with his technique, but Alex dared maybe just that little bit more today, and his changes of direction were just too frequent for Ben’s sake….

   Alex Stait bt Ben Garner
      11/4, 11/4, 6/11, 11/9 (46m)

STACEY : UNDER CONTROL…

On Wednesday, I did a little interview of Stacey’s wife, Debbie, who described her husband as “laid-back, funny and determined”.

Well, we don’t see Stacey Ross’ funny side very often, I must say, but boy-o-boy did I see his laid-back yet determined side today against the young Laurens Jan Anjema…

“Has LJ grown up?” I asked his coach Neil Harvey. “No, but his hair has grown longer, and it makes him look taller!” retorted Neil. Anyway, LJ looked big and strong, not a young kid anymore, but a tall and assured pro…

The match was tense, slightly on the physical side, but never aggressive, both players trying to establish their territory and space, as there was a lot at stake.

In the first, LJ was I felt a bit apprehensive and seemed to hold back slightly, which allowed Stacey to control the rallies, seize the opportunity and the game 11/7.

Anjema reacted well, and got the lead in the second, 6/2, and even if Ross caught up at 6/7, LJ always led and took the second 11/6 in a long 15 minute game.

In the third, this time, it’s Stacey that takes a strong lead 6/2, and never lets go, 8/4, even if a few mis-hits allowed LJ to come back to 7/8. Ross’ precision on drives and drop shots give him the third 11/7 in 11 minutes.

The fourth and the fifth will be so close it’s unreal. 8/9 in the 4th, 10/10 in the 5th, it could have been anybody’s game really. And LJ served twice for the match (but as he got two lets, it raises the count to 4). In the last 5 points of the encounter, 9 lets were given, both players wanting to be in the perfect position to play their shots.

It is my belief that it was Stacey’s calm and ability to slow down the game at critical moments, like at 8/10 match ball against him, that gave him the edge over a young player who maybe on this one, was not grounded enough…

But hey, if LJ had won, I would probably say that it was his thirst and passion for victory that game him the match…

   Stacey Ross bt Laurens Jan Anjema
      11/7, 6/11, 11/7, 8/11, 11/10 (2-0) (85m)

 All content ©2004 Framboise Gommendy
 

Waiting for the next match
on the Show Court ...

Advice from Annette

Stacey Ross
 

Not today for LJ ...

EN BREF:
LJ's coach Neil Harvey
talks about the match ...