RS Lyon: Initial impressions
It strung up nicely, I didn't get a mic reading but it seems thinner than advertised. I have historically liked strings with pearl coatings, I don't know why, and though this string isn't coated, it has kind of a gossamer shimmer that makes me happy. I strung it at 50# in my normal GPMP.
I started out hitting a smattering of practice serves just trying to stay loose and be smooth through the motion. It grabbed the ball nicely and made a proper "Wkkkt" sound with nice action off the bounce even with an easy swing and wet, dead, clay balls from the teaching cart. Once my arm was sufficiently warm and I gave it the beans the string was right there with me, the ball made a sound and went fast. What more could you ask for?
After taking serves we warmed up with some mini tennis. This string is not at all soft; it's not omg stuff like BBO either. Firm is a good word for it, very firm. This is a very mature, controlled and predictable string, like a more sophisticated version of Gamma iO. There is not much give or string travel, it plays tight, but the ball goes exactly where it should and if it didn't go where you wanted it is pretty clearly your fault.
Backing up to the baseline I found more of the same, once we were warmed up we did some cooperatives cross court drills and though I didn't really get after it because it was a cooperative drill, I did have an obligation to my people to ensure that this wasn't like some other strings *cough* Tour Bite *cough* that tapped out or cried uncle once you start swinging faster, so I put a little mustard on a few balls and it responded beautifully.
I finished up with some basket drills and it was more of the same, the RS doesn't have that one exceptional quality that would make it like Luxilon; actually, it plays a lot like adrenaline, like adrenaline's older brother.
Durability? Looks like it's not going to last long at all with just over half an hour of relaxed hitting it's pretty notched.
Bottom line: Low powered, firm, even response, good bite. Recommended for players with mature, developed strokes, perhaps in the image of a Nalbandian or Pouille.
How does it stack up to Jolly's angels? This is not an angel, it's more like a high end escort; beautiful, seductive, does whatever you want looking and feeling great in the process, but it's expensive and doesn't last long.
J