Live Sim Thread

[SirBloody Idiot]

31 January II - Australian Open - Davis/Mustard vs. Drake/Korpinen

1240: Welcome everybody to finals day here at the Australian Open for what is set to be a huge double header. First up it is the men's doubles final with an all-CWLand affair between the East's Jefferson Drake and Martti Korpinen, and the West's Heath Davis and Jojo Mustard. Ironically, this pair will meet again in six days time in Stedingham in the Davis Cup World Group play-off.

1244: So to recap, Drake and Korpinen, the fourth seeds, won through to the final after a good run through the draw. They started very strongly by losing just four games against both Malachenko and Yarkin and the Romanians Iftime and Micu. Then came the real tests against Blundell and Boyd, Brookes and Champion and finally the world No. 1 pair. The Westerners had it tougher, and were taken to three sets by all their opponents bar Machado and Rodrigues. In any event, they've pulled through strongly and looked fresh against a wilting Bachunelli and Hadir in the semis.

1250: This pair have met just once previously - that day Davis and Mustard were too good in Tokyo 6-2, 6-3. The Easterners look a lot better this tournament though and I dare say they'll put in a much more impressive performance. The finals record is equally as interesting: Drake and Korpinen are three from four attempts whilst Davis and Mustard are one from two. That one title for Davis and Mustard is, however, the CW Open.

From Graham, Nixonstown, via text: "Was lucky enough to see Drake and Korpinen in action at the CW Open last year, and hope very much these fine patriots can pull through here!"

1259: Players now making their way out in the tunnels flanked by security. Hopefully there won't be the same troubles there were by the travelling fans between Delev and Mustard. The third seeds are decked out in a nice blue outfit, whilst the fourth seeds are in matching dark red. National colours and all that. Davis and Mustard win the toss and elect to serve first, as per usual. Mind games a foot as the underdogs from the East choose to change ends from where they were standing. Not often you see that, to be honest.

1305: Warm ups completed and there's definately a nervous atmosphere around the stadium. Get the feeling that a big start is needed here from both teams. We're just about ready to go.

1307: Ready, play ...

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[SirBloody Idiot]

Drake/Korpinen *0-1 Davis/Mustard
Mustard serving first for the third seeds and already the tension is evident as he starts the match with a double fault. Nonetheless, I remember the CW Open final saw a similar start from the eventual champions. Mustard quickly finds his rhythm after a quick chat with his partner, and Davis manages to put away a good volley from a wide serve to move the score to 40-15. Korpinen pounces on a loose shot down the line from Mustard to make it 40-30, but Jojo puts the first ace of the day down the centre of the tee to put the third seeds on the board.

* denotes next to serve

Drake/Korpinen 0-2* Davis/Mustard
Jefferson Drake with the ball first for the fourth seeds, but there's trouble afoot early as a mix up between the two allows Davis and Mustard a look at 0-30. Drake pins it back with two big serves that are easily dealt with by Korpinen at the net, but Davis goes big with a gutsy approach shot that beats Korpinen at the net and takes the line at the back of the court. Break point for the third seeds, and that's all they need as a second serve from Drake is met by a searing backhand from Mustard to give the CW Open champions the early break of serve.

From Andrew, West Robbham, via text: "Already you can see that Davis and Mustard are looking far more comfortable in this situation. There's nerves there from Drake and Korpinen who have never been in a match this big." Very true, Andrew. And they can't afford to take too long to work their way into the match because they are already in trouble in this first set.

Drake/Korpinen *0-3 Davis/Mustard
Maybe time to hit the panic button, I'm afraid. Davis is very strong on service here, and he and Mustard are finishing these points off very quickly as they move to 40-0. Some handy work from Korpinen at the net sees all four players in a volleying rally that the fourth seeds win out on, but Martti is subsequently aces as Davis and Mustard move to a 3-0 lead. The pressure is being heaped on the less favoured team now.

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[David]

Slow start to our game, I think panic stations aren't required yet.

[SirBloody Idiot]

Drake/Korpinen 1-3* Davis/Mustard
Trouble early for the fourth seeds again as they fall to 0-30, but some solid first serves from Korpinen allows them to draw back to 30-30. He might not be the biggest server of the four, but he places them pretty well. Doesn't work for him next point, though, as he's beaten in a baseline rally by Jojo Mustard to bring up one break point for the receivers. They save it as Drake volleys one past Mustard at the net, and they bring up game point. They can't get on the board immediately, though, as Davis draws an error from Korpinen but they get another opportunity. Long rally this time, but Korpinen wins out as he pushes Mustard out of court. Jojo gets it back, but he can't defending the overhead smash from Jefferson Drake as the fourth seeds finally make it onto the board.

Drake/Korpinen *2-3 Davis/Mustard
Ho ho ho! What have we got here? That last service game has seemed to build some confidence in the fourth seeds as they manage to take three points in a row to go to 0-40 and bring up three break points. Mustard, to his credit, is cool under pressure and saves two with some clutch serving, but a second double fault of the match is all the Easterners need to break back! Certainly did not see that coming after a relatively easy start for the West CWLanders, and we're back on service.

From Don, Clowich, via e-mail: "Really important for Korpinen and Drake to taqke this first set and heap the pressure on Davis and Mustard. They've been pushed deep in most of their matches this fortnight, and another one could start playing on their minds." No super tiebreaker here, Don, and that might play into the hands of the third seeds.

Drake/Korpinen 2-4* Davis/Mustard
Drake begins his second service game with his first ace of the match, and after conceeding just one point the underdogs go to 40-15. A slight opening is given, though, as Korpinen fluffs a regulation volley on the backhand side and puts it straight into the net with a chance to take the game. The Westerners manage to get it to deuce and then bring up a break back point with a really impressive overhead smash to the back corner of the court from Mustard. That one is saved, but the West is pressing as they bring up another break point. This time Mustard gets another opportunity for the overhead smash and beats them both down the centre of the court to give his side the ascendancy again!

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[SirBloody Idiot]

Drake/Korpinen *2-5 Davis/Mustard
Davis' quality serving continues and returns this set to a bit of normalcy after the break-fest that's happened so far. The Easterners go ahead 0-15 after Mustard frames a volley and puts it straight into the net, but it is answered with an ace - Davis' second on the match. Drake challenges a forehand winner from Davis, but he's proved to be wrong as the Western duo surges ahead to 40-15 and then the big man closes the game out with a third ace. There's no returning those sort of serves at 210 km/h and the pressure is really on Drake and Korpinen to win some games or they'll drop this set.

Drake/Korpinen 3-5* Davis/Mustard
Oooh, a near escape there! Korpinen continues to trouble the receiving team when he gets his first serves in, but he's throwing those second serves down at about 160 km/h and they are just being eaten up. One such second serve is just crushed by Davis down the line, and a challenger from the West CWLanders shows that the shot did take the line. That brings up a break point, but Korpinen manages his first ace of the day at 186 km/h and then is helped by some nifty work from Drake at the net to keep them in this set.

Drake/Korpinen *3-6 Davis/Mustard
Well, if there was ever a time to break service it'd be now. Drake obviously knows that as he steps inside of a second serve from Mustard and cracks it straight into the net to give the West 15-0. Korpinen has the same idea, but his takes the tape and wrongfoots Davis for a lucky point, but Mustard gives them a bit of breathing room with a good couple of first serves that allow Davis to control the point from the net. Two set points, but Korpinen ensures one is saved as he retrieves a lob from Mustard and sends a cool overhead smash back into play. Davis barely gets a racquet on it and bobbles into the net, but the second set point is taken advantage of as Korpinen sprays one wide to hand the first set to the CW Open champions.

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[Paid The Umpire]

Come on Drake and Korpinen.

I see it being 8-6 in the third set... not sure who wins though.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

First set to the West. I'm prepared for the attempted fightback. Come on Mustardo, we're in the box seat now - let's not let them back in!

[SirBloody Idiot]

Drake/Korpinen 3-6 1-0* Davis/Mustard
Trouble brewing early in the second set for the DR CWLanders who find themselves in trouble at 0-30 on Drake's serve. They manage to take the next point, but a misguided volley from Korpinen lands right in the hitting zone of Mustard who puts away a nice swinging forehand to bring up two break points. A good second service from Drake saves one, before he fires down a much-needed ace to take the game to deuce. Another ace from Drake brings up game point, and he closes it out with an unreturned serve to get on the board in the second set. Near miss for the Easterners who were saved by some awesome serving from Drake who finally holds service.

TV commentators note that if the fourth seeds want a chance at winning this match, they need Drake to become involved. He was pretty ordinary in that first set, so good to see him back on song there and showing what a quality player he is.

Drake/Korpinen *3-6 1-1 Davis/Mustard
TV also notes that Davis has dropped just two points on serve this match, and that doesn't look like changing as he helps his team to a 30-0 lead with some big serves that are picked off at the net and baseline. Some good returning from Drake allows them a point on the Davis service, but he answers unequivocally with a massive ace to bring up game point. Drake creates an opportunity with a big approach shot that sends the big man out of picture, but Korpinen plays a poor volley straight to him and Davis finds the line again.

From Richard, Melbourne, via text: "Enthralling stuff watching from the crowd. Doubles tennis has really found a good following here, and it is good to see the CWLanders on their best behaviour!" Yes Richard, no incidents to speak of yet as I suspect the crowd are too caught up in the action.

Drake/Korpinen 3-6 2-1* Davis/Mustard
Korpinen still looks like the player most likely to be broken, but he's holding on strong here and really causing the Westerners some trouble. Three quality first serves get mixed results as Drake and Korpinen go to 30-15, but Davis answers a loose second serve by crunching a backhand that Drake can only put into the net. The FR CWLanders stay in the game by sending it to deuce, and bring up a break point with some quick work from Mustard at the net that catches the back of the line over the head of Korpinen. Drake beats Mustard at the net to save the break point, but a double fault from Korpinen brings up another break point opportunity. Again it is saved, though, and Korpinen scrapes the fourth seeds over the line. Important hold there as Davis and Mustard are really providing themselves with some opportunities.

Drake/Korpinen *3-6 3-1 Davis/Mustard
Oh my, another double fault from Mustard takes the Easterners to 0-30 and they then bring up three break points as Drake beats out Mustard in a baseline rally by going cross court and then down the line. Needs a first serve here, but doesn't get it as the ball goes narrowly wide. The ensuing challenge turns up negative, too. Korpinen gets the second serve back into play, and Davis completely misjudges the smash and sends it wide of the forehand court to give the fourth seeds the big break of service here in the second! Game on!

Third set tiebreakers here I'm afraid, PTU.

[SirBloody Idiot]

Drake/Korpinen 3-6 4-1* Davis/Mustard
Drake and Korpinen are now starting to build in momentum, and Drake is clearly lapping it up as he drops just one point to hold to fifteen. Korpinen also looking lively at the net, and he puts away to crisp volleys and leaves the third seeds slightly confused about what has gone wrong.

From Rahul, Cape Town, via text: "Am a Nixonstown native watching these two patriots play so well from South Africa. Do it for our country!"

Drake/Korpinen *3-6 4-2 Davis/Mustard
Oh my, what have we got here? After what has been a largely good-spirited affair, the pressure is obviously playing its part as tension boils over. Drake and Korpinen continue to press their advantage against the Westerners and finally make some inroads on the Davis service to bring up break point at 30-40. It is saved, though, and Davis brings up game points with a huge ace. He thinks he's followed it up with another won down the tee to hold, but it is called a fault. A successful challenge results, but the chair umpire orders the point to be replayed. Davis, however, doesn't think Korpinen was anywhere near it and says as such to the umpire. Drake tells him to "get on with it" and he does by serving an ace - this time called good - in the exact same spot. The court microphone clearly hears Davis tell Korpinen to "try to return that, you prick". He gets a reprimand from the umpire, and all of a sudden the atmosphere in the stadium has changed markedly.

Drake/Korpinen 3-6 5-2* Davis/Mustard
Probably safe to say this set is very nearly done-and-dusted as the events of the last game do little to help the Westerners. Korpinen gets three of five first serves in and holds to 15 to move to 5-2. Mustard now has to hold to keep the Westerners alive in the second set, but perhaps more importantly is to make it more likely the third seeds will be serving first in the deciding set.

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[SirBloody Idiot]

Drake/Korpinen *3-6 6-2 Davis/Mustard
Mustard is quite clearly feeling the pressure here as he starts with a false start on his ball toss and then double faults anyway to give Drake and Korpinen a look at the set. Whilst he manages to get a couple of first serves in, he can't stop some great team work from the fourth seeds as they bring up two second set points. Mustard saves one of them with a nice kicking serve, but fails to trouble them as he endeavours to save the next as his second serve sits up nicely for Korpinen. Davis jams the ball back over the net, but Drake lets it bounce and loops it into the back corner to secure the second set. Gutsy play! Double trouble for the West CWLanders, too, as they'll be playing catchup in the decider.

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[HeathDavisSpeed]

Originally Posted by SirBloody Idiot

Davis, however, doesn't think Korpinen was anywhere near it and says as such to the umpire. Drake tells him to "get on with it" and he does by serving an ace - this time called good - in the exact same spot. The court microphone clearly hears Davis tell Korpinen to "try to return that, you prick". He gets a reprimand from the umpire, and all of a sudden the atmosphere in the stadium has changed markedly.

Take that, Korps!

Not the best of sets for the Mustard serve there. He doesn't have a great track record in Live Sims Let's turn the momentum around and take the 3rd.

[Mister Wright]

Yeah, really letting the team down...

However, we've had to do it in three sets for most of the tournament, so hopefully we can continue that good record. Will be an interesting final set.

[SirBloody Idiot]

Drake/Korpinen 3-6 6-2 1-0* Davis/Mustard
Has the break between sets done anything to help the third seeds? They seem a bit rattled. A good forehand from Drake allows him 40-30 on service, but he then smacks another forehand into the tape and it bobbles down on the wrong side of the net to go to deuce. Still, he answers with an ace to bring up game point before an unforced error from Davis allows the Easterners on the board in this third set.

From Antony, Garven Island, via text: "Bad set there guys, but YOU CAN DO IT!"

Drake/Korpinen *3-6 6-2 1-1 Davis/Mustard
Worrying start for Davis on service here in the third as he gives up two points to be 0-30. Nevertheless, he isn't worries as he strikes two first serves very cleanly to move back to 30-30. The fourth seeds bring up a break point as Drake takes a smash from behind him to deal with a lob that was lacking something, but it is saved by Mustard at the net. Another break point is saved, before they open up a third break point opportunity. Again Davis shows some clutch serving to throw down his second ace of the game and they finally close it out for 1-1. Massive escape act there for Davis who still has not been broken this match.

Drake/Korpinen 3-6 6-2 2-1* Davis/Mustard
The Westerners could have been broken by those missed opportunities, but Korpinen is cool under pressure and slots home an ace to go to 40-15. Mustard gives his side a chance by reaching for a backhand volley and just pulling it in for 40-30, but he puts too much on the forehand return and it sails well long.

From Angus, Pickford, via text: "If Drake and Korpinen want to win this, they've got to attack Mustard's serve. He was poor in that set and has to lift in the third." No doubt about it, and it seems that every time I watch him his serve falls apart. Let's see what he can do here.

Drake/Korpinen *3-6 6-2 2-2 Davis/Mustard
Finally Mustard holds serve for the first time since the first set! Not without his troubles, though, as he's forced to save break point at 30-40 with an outright backhand winner down the line to go to deuce. He regains his composure, though, and easily serves out the game with a pair of much needed big first serves that are followed up by easy put aways for Davis.

Nailbiter coming up here one feels.

[David]

tense..

[SirBloody Idiot]

Drake/Korpinen 3-6 6-2 3-2* Davis/Mustard
Crowd starting to get a little bit nervous, but to their credit still no incidents. Might be the fact this place is littered with security, though. Drake serves well to make it 30-0, but problems for the fourth seeds start to arise as a big smash right down the centre of the court from Davis brings up break point. Drake's second serve is good and wrong foots Davis, though, who can only frame the ball sideways and into the crowd. Drake keeps calm and Korpinen interjects at the net from advantage to give his team the 3-2 lead.

From Roy Daniels' Twitter: "My boys looking good out there on centre court. Give 'em hell!"

Drake/Korpinen *3-6 6-2 3-3 Davis/Mustard
Easy service game there for Davis, and a much-needed one too for the Westerners. They stay right in this match by answering with a hold to love as Davis fires down two aces and an unreturned serve, and Mustard takes a volley from his feet to outgun Korpinen. Davis has been a star on serve today.

Drake/Korpinen 3-6 6-2 3-4* Davis/Mustard
Oh oh, panic stations early! Korpinen starts off poorly with a double fault, and very nearly had a second were it not for Hawkeye. Doesn't matter, though, as his second serve is then absolutely crushed at 145 km/h by Mustard who is now, finally, starting to build up some confidence. Davis likewise gets a huge chunk of the next serve to bring up three break points and this time they take advantage of their chances to break with the first! Eight points in a row for the West, and they have taken the decisive lead in this third set. Can they consolodate?

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