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Weeks 39-45: Year 301

Victor Zhirov (#451 to #384):

Zhirov entered 4 tournaments in these 7 weeks, as the final 2 of them were in his home country, and at the JG5 level, home court advantage is very important. Zhirov finished with 2 semifinals and 2 runner up finishes, helping him jump 70 places in the rankings. As his form is near 30 now, he will now get about 8 weeks of practice in a row as the form dips down. He also notched 2 wins and 2 runners up finishes in doubles. I am still focusing on getting as much practice time for Zhirov, as he has no chance to make the WTC next year. Development is obviously what matters here.

Paul Kruekel (#42 to #36):

Kreukel entered a single JG2 in this timespan, and as it was during the Osaka JGA, he was able to win the whole tournament to jump from 42nd to 33rd in the rankings at that time, including to 7th among players who will still be junior eligible in Year 302. He never lost more than 1 game in a set because of the week field and was aided by the defeat of exhausted 2 seed and nemesis Jirí Kasparkov (84th). He then focused on practice the next 6 weeks and was able to gain 2 skill points and a service point in the short time.