2020 Greatest Show on Earth

[Randall]

I don't like the fact that a player will have to play 2 games in one session on opening night. It seems quite unfair.

Doesn't that happen every year?

[cannibal]

Ok more work for JH01, how many of those who played 2 matches on the same night went thru. Again my recollection is shit and I'm thinking cristo, and shepherd and maybe Billy Davis?

[The Ginge Reaper]

You are asking how many low ranked jobbers who had to play either a) the defending champion, or b) another seed, managed to win their second game the same night?

I highly doubt their issue is them playing twice the same night, mate. Like i said, they are hardly up there playing tennis ffs.

[The Thorn]

I don't like the fact that a player will have to play 2 games in one session on opening night. It seems quite unfair.

Doesn't that happen every year?

Every prelim player used to play twice on the same night in the 72 player field. From last year there are more prelims (or call that first round games), so only one player has to play twice.

And it's probably going to be against MVG in all likelihood, as the defending champ usually rounds off the first evening session. It's a bit tough for that one guy sure, but really there's no better way of doing it.

[The Ginge Reaper]

Exactly, is the Last 96 player playing MvG really going to have a better chance if he/she comes back the day after to play him instead?

Is he/she fuck.

[The Thorn]

Ok more work for JH01, how many of those who played 2 matches on the same night went thru. Again my recollection is shit and I'm thinking cristo, and shepherd and maybe Billy Davis?

Petersen did that too when he went on to reach the last 16 in 2014. You're correct on Reyes, not on Shepherd though as he wasn't a prelim player I think. And Sascha Stein also did it in 2015, though he's a complete irrelevant jobber I've never heard of. Can't be bothered to check any further.

[JH01]

I don't like the fact that a player will have to play 2 games in one session on opening night. It seems quite unfair.

Doesn't that happen every year?

Every prelim player used to play twice on the same night in the 72 player field. From last year there are more prelims (or call that first round games), so only one player has to play twice.

And it's probably going to be against MVG in all likelihood, as the defending champ usually rounds off the first evening session. It's a bit tough for that one guy sure, but really there's no better way of doing it.

Prelim games only used to be first to 4 legs though. It went to 2 sets for a couple of years, but these games are first to 3 sets. Big difference.

[JH01]

Ok more work for JH01, how many of those who played 2 matches on the same night went thru. Again my recollection is shit and I'm thinking cristo, and shepherd and maybe Billy Davis?

Petersen did that too when he went on to reach the last 16 in 2014. You're correct on Reyes, not on Shepherd though as he wasn't a prelim player I think. And Sascha Stein also did it in 2015, though he's a complete irrelevant jobber I've never heard of. Can't be bothered to check any further.

Petersen also did it in 2012.

Gurney and John Bowles did it in 2013.

[Randall]

I think they will be happy to be up there for the second game and the cheque regardless.
Going up fresh from a win cant do any harm.

[The Ginge Reaper]

I think they will be happy to be up there for the second game and the cheque regardless.
Going up fresh from a win cant do any harm.

No no no no they will have a much better chance of beating MvG if they wait another day, its so unfair! Or something!

[The Thorn]

I think they will be happy to be up there for the second game and the cheque regardless.
Going up fresh from a win cant do any harm.

No no no no they will have a much better chance of beating MvG if they wait another day, its so unfair! Or something!

Okay, we got it.

[Rogg]

I think they will be happy to be up there for the second game and the cheque regardless.
Going up fresh from a win cant do any harm.

The player in question on opening night last year was JdZ who did this:

(91.18) Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-0 Nitin Kumar (77.75)
(102.93) Rob Cross 3-1 Jeffrey de Zwaan (106.09)

If we must allocate unfairness going by the only previous staging of the exact format, it's on the defending champ.

[The Ginge Reaper]

No we have decided it is "unfair" on the player playing twice, mate. Do keep up.

[Captain Hobo]

We had this moan last year, they arent going to put on a night of just Last 96 games as it would be garbage for ticket sales, so there is no other option.

They are hardly up there playing tennis for five fucking hours are they?

It isn't a big deal, and like Rogg said can be a disadvantage the other way as well, but since they have gone to this format they should absolutely change the 'Defending champ must play on the first night' rule. Makes no sense that only 1 of the Last 96 winners plays 2 games on the 1 night.

Surely the first night would sell out if you put 4 of the most interesting Last 96 games on? This year it could be Duzza, Cadby and Jamie Hughes maybe.

[JH01]

I think they will be happy to be up there for the second game and the cheque regardless.
Going up fresh from a win cant do any harm.

The player in question on opening night last year was JdZ who did this:

(91.18) Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-0 Nitin Kumar (77.75)
(102.93) Rob Cross 3-1 Jeffrey de Zwaan (106.09)

If we must allocate unfairness going by the only previous staging of the exact format, it's on the defending champ.

Fair point, but De Zwann is one of the best players outside the top 32, and had gained a lot of TV experience from his run at the Matchplay. If someone without big stage experience had to play twice on opening night, I don't think they'd get on so well in the second game.

[cannibal]

I'm not convinced either way. I know this issue is a favorite soapbox for Part. Back in the day when he actually qualified for worlds., he use to always make comments how it was advantageous for the prelims to have had a competitive match under their belt. Moaning about it on the CDC circuit as well. Part in 2011 lost to Per Laursen who had a prelim match earlier. Part went down in straight sets

2012 munch played a prelim and then went thru past Ovens who conceded the match due to nerve injury. Hardly a win. Prelim winner Devon who beat the 29 seed Steve brown.

2013 Bowles played a prelim and then beat the 29 seed caven.

2014 our favorite Johnny foreigner Per Laursen came thru prelims and best number 17 seed Terry Jenkins. And once again Devon came thru the prelims and best number 22 bronzed Adonis.

2015 Sascha stein won thru to beat Kellet in a shower of shit match featuring a 73 avg vs 79.
The Spaniard Reyes coming out of the prelims over the number 13 leaning pile of useless Newton

2016 all Johnny foreigners put in their place

2017 once again all prelims winners sent packing

2018 the old soft tip master Lim comes thru prelim to defeat gimpy Webby

Ok happened a few more times than I thought but still not convinced the advantage goes to the warmed up player. Almost all the time the seed shit their pants

[The Ginge Reaper]

I think they will be happy to be up there for the second game and the cheque regardless.
Going up fresh from a win cant do any harm.

The player in question on opening night last year was JdZ who did this:

(91.18) Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-0 Nitin Kumar (77.75)
(102.93) Rob Cross 3-1 Jeffrey de Zwaan (106.09)

If we must allocate unfairness going by the only previous staging of the exact format, it's on the defending champ.

Fair point, but De Zwann is one of the best players outside the top 32, and had gained a lot of TV experience from his run at the Matchplay. If someone without big stage experience had to play twice on opening night, I don't think they'd get on so well in the second game.

They are playing MvG second game ffs. You really, really think they would have any better chance if they had a day off?

[JH01]

I think they will be happy to be up there for the second game and the cheque regardless.
Going up fresh from a win cant do any harm.

The player in question on opening night last year was JdZ who did this:

(91.18) Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-0 Nitin Kumar (77.75)
(102.93) Rob Cross 3-1 Jeffrey de Zwaan (106.09)

If we must allocate unfairness going by the only previous staging of the exact format, it's on the defending champ.

Fair point, but De Zwann is one of the best players outside the top 32, and had gained a lot of TV experience from his run at the Matchplay. If someone without big stage experience had to play twice on opening night, I don't think they'd get on so well in the second game.

They are playing MvG second game ffs. You really, really think they would have any better chance if they had a day off?

It could depend on how their first round match goes. If it's a quick and easy 3-0 win then maybe not. However, if it went to 5 sets, there's a potential for 25 legs to be played in that game. Having to play 20+ legs and then going on later to play MvG, I can't see how that's fair, especially if you lack experience on the stage.

[The Thorn]

We had this moan last year, they arent going to put on a night of just Last 96 games as it would be garbage for ticket sales, so there is no other option.

They are hardly up there playing tennis for five fucking hours are they?

It isn't a big deal, and like Rogg said can be a disadvantage the other way as well, but since they have gone to this format they should absolutely change the 'Defending champ must play on the first night' rule. Makes no sense that only 1 of the Last 96 winners plays 2 games on the 1 night.

Surely the first night would sell out if you put 4 of the most interesting Last 96 games on? This year it could be Duzza, Cadby and Jamie Hughes maybe.

I think they could sell out but it's just a bit lacklustre to start the event without the defending champ. Or at least one of the other huge names. I don't think it should be changed because of 1 player, who might or might not have a disadvantage because they play twice.

[The Ginge Reaper]

Some may actually prefer to play twice.