By Tony Fairbairn
- Liam Broady [WC] def Jan Choinski [LL] 6-3 6-4
- Broady v Mikael Ymer | H2H: First Meeting
EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND – Liam Broady defeated fellow Brit Jan Choinski in straight sets to set up a second round meeting with Mikael Ymer in Eastbourne.
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Liam Broady [Q] def Jan Choinski [LL] 6-3 6-4
Liam Broady is into the second round in Eastbourne after overcoming a consistent performance from compatriot Jan Choinski. Broady started the match aggressively and capitalised on some missed first serves from Choinski to come back from 40-15 down to break in the second game of the match.
Choinski couldn’t find his rhythm in the opening stages of the match as Broady continued to hold comfortably with some precise serving. The lucky loser eventually played his way into the match as he extended the rallies and pushed Broady to his limits on serve with some good depth from the baseline. However Broady held on as he converted his second set point to take the opening set 6-3 in 40 minutes.
In the second set, Broady once again found some consistent aggression from the baseline to break in the opening game and took advantage of Choinski’s unforced errors by threatening the double break lead in the third game. The third game was the wake-up call Choinski needed as he started to come into the net and put away some tidy volleys, saving break points to hold with Broady leading 2-1.
That seemed to spark more freedom from Choinski who started to unleash some effortless power behind his groundstrokes as Broady became more passive as the set went on. This allowed Choinski to create some openings and in the sixth game, Choinski sealed the break back with a forehand passing shot.
In the end though, Broady was too strong as he raised his level in the next game to regain the break back before closing out the match in the tenth game, converting his third match point.
Liam Broady [WC] v Mikael Ymer H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Liam Broady [WC] v Mikael Ymer | H2H: First Meeting |
| ATP Eastbourne 2023 | Eastbourne, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: €12,700 |
| Second on Court One (Not before 12:30 BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Next for Broady will be Swede Mikael Ymer who edged past Botic Van De Zandschulp in the previous round.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023 – Grass)
| H2H: | Liam Broady (WR 147) | Mikael Ymer (WR 61) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R2 (2021) | R1 (2021) |
| 1st Serve % | 55.7 | 60.8 |
| Service Games Won % | 76.9 | 75.9 |
| Break Points Saved % | 40 | 66.7 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 45.2 | 46.6 |
| Break Points Converted % | 33.3 | 44.4 |
Broady will need to raise his level on serve against an efficient returner like Ymer, who has been significantly more clinical on break points.
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Playing styles and predictions
It’s been a rough season for Ymer who is now on his worst surface and is looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats in s-Hertogenbosch and Halle. The Swede will be looking to improve his confidence over the next few weeks as he targets a place in the world’s top 50 by the end of the season.
Broady will look to raise his level on serve and produce a consistent level from the baseline, taking the match to Ymer. Meanwhile Ymer will look to make as many returns back as possible as he looks to patient in the rallies, finding the perfect opportunity to be proactive and aggressive. This will be a good test for Broady heading into Wimbledon and one he has a good chance of winning given Ymer’s low confidence at the moment.
Prediction: Broady in three sets.
Marc-Andrea Huesler [Q] def Ryan Peniston [WC] 6-3 6-2; Luca Van Assche [Q] def George Loffhagen [WC] 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(4)
There were contrasting performances from Ryan Peniston and George Loffhagen in their first round exits from Eastbourne. Peniston produced a poor showing against a very aggressive Marc-Andrea Huesler with the Brit only winning five games and in desperate need of confidence.
Meanwhile Loffhagen produced a gutsy display against Luca Van Assche on his ATP debut. Loffhagen took the opening set and was a break up in the third set against the 19 year-old Frenchman. However the Brit was broken on six different occasions as he fell to defeat in a three hour battle.
Now attention turns to Wimbledon for both players with the main draw starting on 3 July.
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