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Brian Swartz · 11-10-2022, 11:27 AM

WTC Playoffs

- China (18th) v. Chile (23rd)

Two countries apparently going in opposite directions here. China is in their second promotion playoff in three years; Chile their second relegation in three years. But in actuality it appears that they are both simply treading water, and Chile at a higher level. China has De Cheng An (54th), and nobody else in the Top 200. The status quo holds, Chile winning 5-0 with the loss of only one set.

- Guatemala (25th) v. Argentina (12th)

Guatemala is trying to move up from Level 2; Argentina faces their second relegation challenge in a row. The first match really decided this. Guatemalan star Bartolome Riffo (15th) lost to aging Jonathan Estela (42nd), 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(1), 6-4. Argentina holds on by the slimmest of margins, 3-2; Guatemala took the doubles, but their #2 singles was very non-competitive.

- Ireland (9th) v. Canada (8th)

Two Top 10 countries in a playoff is weird. Even weirder; both are Level 2 nations! They met in the Level 2 final, and then again here, both with the same result; Canada wins 4-1. Poor preparation by the Irish didn't help. The worst singles player on either side is 52nd; both countries are good enough to play at Level 1. But when you have #7 Oleg Urazov and another improving player in the mid-30s, you're going to be a tough country to knock out here.

Ireland probably should be Level 2 favorites next season, and I'll be surprised if they don't make it up soon.

- Russia (21st) v. Poland (17th)

In this matchup, both countries recently made it up to Level 1. Russia two years ago, Poland last year. Neither is doing very well at the top competition though, so here they are. Somebody's going down.

Poland has no Top 100 singles players. Russia has George Voronets (23rd) and another player around 80th. You can see where this is going. Poland wins one set, and is relegated 5-0. Objectively, they belong at Level 2 so good on them for making it up for a year. Their #2, Kryszstof Derlanga, is about to turn 20 and will eventually lead them back up I think.

Elsewhere ...

In his first futures tournament, Aparna Chandrasekharan had ... a bad time. Lost in qualifying in doubles, and his first-round singles matchup was against a 2-seed ranked about 290th. He won two games, and will try again next week.

11-10-2022, 11:27 AM	#1317
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	WTC Playoffs - China (18th) v. Chile (23rd) Two countries apparently going in opposite directions here. China is in their second promotion playoff in three years; Chile their second relegation in three years. But in actuality it appears that they are both simply treading water, and Chile at a higher level. China has De Cheng An (54th), and nobody else in the Top 200. The status quo holds, Chile winning 5-0 with the loss of only one set. - Guatemala (25th) v. Argentina (12th) Guatemala is trying to move up from Level 2; Argentina faces their second relegation challenge in a row. The first match really decided this. Guatemalan star Bartolome Riffo (15th) lost to aging Jonathan Estela (42nd), 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(1), 6-4. Argentina holds on by the slimmest of margins, 3-2; Guatemala took the doubles, but their #2 singles was very non-competitive. - Ireland (9th) v. Canada (8th) Two Top 10 countries in a playoff is weird. Even weirder; both are Level 2 nations! They met in the Level 2 final, and then again here, both with the same result; Canada wins 4-1. Poor preparation by the Irish didn't help. The worst singles player on either side is 52nd; both countries are good enough to play at Level 1. But when you have #7 Oleg Urazov and another improving player in the mid-30s, you're going to be a tough country to knock out here. Ireland probably should be Level 2 favorites next season, and I'll be surprised if they don't make it up soon. - Russia (21st) v. Poland (17th) In this matchup, both countries recently made it up to Level 1. Russia two years ago, Poland last year. Neither is doing very well at the top competition though, so here they are. Somebody's going down. Poland has no Top 100 singles players. Russia has George Voronets (23rd) and another player around 80th. You can see where this is going. Poland wins one set, and is relegated 5-0. Objectively, they belong at Level 2 so good on them for making it up for a year. Their #2, Kryszstof Derlanga, is about to turn 20 and will eventually lead them back up I think. Elsewhere ... In his first futures tournament, Aparna Chandrasekharan had ... a bad time. Lost in qualifying in doubles, and his first-round singles matchup was against a 2-seed ranked about 290th. He won two games, and will try again next week.