The Ymer Showdown

Well, isn't this quite a funny opening round for two Wildcards...

Well, with this kind of match and me being Swedish, I guess I could very well make this a long preview, describing the Ymer brothers' careers from start to present. However, I will instead choose to keep it rather brief. Both players used to be part of the main tour or at least on the higher CH-level, but they have both absolutely dropped down the rankings. Mikael had a lengthy ban due to missed drug tests and hasn't been able to really climb back yet. Elias has been playing, but struggles to make his way back to the tour. We do see some decent performances from him in Båstad and Stockholm now and then. I do think their grindy and physical play styles are being phased out by faster and more attacking tennis. Both players are in quite horrible form, struggling to get wins (Elias has lost his last 8 matches), and both have retired in their last match... Elias in Braga CH on the 29th September (for a right elbow injury) and Mikael in Bonn CH a long time ago, on 4th August (groin strain). Trying to figure this match out is not exactly easy. Two brothers with similar playstyles, completely out of form, and with uncertain statuses for both due to injury. I don't want to sound too cynical, but I wouldn't be shocked if at least one of them is not completely fit here. They have a bit of a reputation for going all in for Grand Slam and GS qualifying since the paycheck there was big, and for other events, the interest was not always there. With both of them now unable to participate in GS qualifying, I'm not ruling out either player showing up with a financial motive...