He's free Max!

What is happening to our Purcell? We no longer recognize him!

A formidable client since Toronto, his level of play collapsed after his match against Lehecka in Winston Salem (11 wins for 2 losses over this period). As if he was a little out of breath, that he had played a little too much. It's true that when you're not used to spending 3-4 rounds like that in big tournaments, you're not used to it. And we make the most of our fitness rather than managing our effort. Especially since Purcell has a fairly physical game. FYI, he had the same coach as Thompson for a few years, who is none other than Thompson's father. And when you look at their games, you can easily see some similarities!

Opposite us, we have a guy that Max has already played 4 times, won 3. I personally discovered this guy by analyzing his qualifying match at the US Open against Benoit Paire. He is a tough, compact player who holds his line. Not big, mobile. When it's good you have to hang on. This type of game bothers Benoit a lot who finds himself caught by the throat. It bothers Purcell a little less who alternates between attack and construction from the baseline. My big question is about the level of play that Purcell will be able to play, against a guy who has made almost all his best performances in the Asia / Oceania zone and who is coming off 2 victories in qualifying.