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Archive for October 2015

Oct/15

31

Fascinating Showdown: Rafa vs Federer Basel Final

417601_10150630315256026_447771636_nIt's been well over a year since Rafa and Fed have dueled and this time the dynamics and stakes have changed - Rafa's aura of invincibility has been tattered by injury, layoffs, and several uncharacteristic losses - Federer, with Coach Edberg and his new Wilson, has played some of his best ever tennis this year and for the first time, with his new offensive attack minded prowess, seems the clear favorite to finally play the fearless aggressive style of tennis which can dominate Rafa - of course Rafa will attempt to breakdown the Fed backhand with his forehand, as he has so many times before Continue to read full article...

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Oct/15

29

Nadal’s Finished?

abrafaartSince the heartbreaking five set loss to Fognini at the US Open, Rafael Nadal has been surging back to full flight. Though many tennis observers had written off the 29-year-old titan as a fading commodity, evidently Nadal has other ideas about his future. Since the US Open Nadal has went on a 10-2 semi-rampage, Continue to read full article...

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Oct/15

28

Andrey Rublev Biofile Interview

11908216_10152909583097693_1680693507_nBy Scoop Malinowski Status: ATP no. 180. DOB: October 20, 1997 In: Moscow, Russia First Tennis Memory: [Laughs] I don't know. Because I play tennis since I know myself because my mom was a tennis coach. So I don't know. Tennis Inspirations: I don't know, I just love to play tennis. Last Book Read: Rafael Nadal's. Greatest Sports Moment: I think it's two victories - one against Verdasco (in Barcelona this year), and second in Davis Cup (defeated Andujar 64 76 63 in decisive fifth rubber to complete 0-2 comeback for Russia vs Spain, securing Russia a spot in the World Group Play-Offs). Continue to read full article...

Oct/15

24

Young American Tennis Tracker

479px-Taylor_Harry_Fritz_(USA)_(9657573994)By Scoop Malinowski Taylor Fritz leads the young American Armada by winning consecutive ATP Challengers in California - but lost in second round to veteran Grega Zemlja in Vegas - seventeen year old coached by ex Querrey coach David Nainkin is now ranked #232. Tommy Paul made splash by qualifying at US Open and giving Seppi a first round main draw battle but has cooled off somewhat this fall - lost in qualies in Vegas and did not make impact at two CA Challengers, losing to Kudla and Kuznetsov in R32 - the 6-ft two inch 175-pounder coached by Diego Moyano who won two ITF pro title Futures in Italy and Spain during spring is ranked 321 - Stefan Kozlov won his first ITF pro title in Belarus today beating #2 seed Zrymont 61 76, the same opponent who beat him in at ITF final the previous week - #5 seed Kozlov had two tough three setters and now appears back on track after a disappointing summer/early fall - ranked #548. Continue to read full article...

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Oct/15

23

Safin, Henin and Sukova are 2016 Hall of Fame Nominees

newport NEWPORT, R.I., October 23, 2015 - Justine Henin, a former WTA Tour world No. 1 and seven-time major champion, Marat Safin, a two-time major champion and former world No. 1 on the ATP World Tour, and Helena Sukova, who won 14 major titles in doubles and mixed doubles, have all been nominated for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. All three are nominated in the Recent Player Category for induction in the Class of 2016. In addition, Yvon Petra, a notable French tennis player of the 1940s, and Margaret Scriven, British tennis champion of the 1930s, have been nominated posthumously in the Master Player Category. There are no nominees in the Contributor Category for 2016. Continue to read full article...

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flaviaErnests E Train Gulbis pulled off perhaps the upset of the year - as he defeated Big John Isner 64 46 64 in Vienna. Gulbis has had a miserable year, dropping from the top ten to outside the top hundred. Isner is in the hunt for a top ten ranking so you know he was in it to win it.... Flavia Pennetta said she was quitting tennis after her monumental US Open triumph but she's back on the circuit in Asia, perhaps those fat appearance fees had something to do with her change of mind... Continue to read full article...

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Oct/15

20

Evaluating ATP Rankings

1185808_598030783582505_866808397_nLet's take a look at some of the interesting ATP rankings -- Bagdhatis - 46 - nice comeback from oblivion and injury - Pablo Cuevas - 38 - the most under the radar top 40 player ever? Dolgopolov - 35 - rising from 80s and injuries to knee - Querrey - 51 - 28 year old has been stuck in that rankings range for a few years now - Gulbis - 117 - E train off course this year but def qualifier in Vienna in 3 and gets Isner next - Continue to read full article...

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Oct/15

19

Biofile: Lukas Rosol Interview

[caption id="attachment_6361" align="alignleft" width="222"]Rosol Rosol[/caption] By Scoop Malinowski Status: ATP no. 78. First Tennis Memory: For me it was like school. I was going from morning to like 1-2 o'clock in the school. Then I went to another lesson in tennis. So it was every day the same. Tennis Inspirations: Was Patrick Rafter. Last Book Read: It was Ivan Lendl. Greatest Sports Moment: Second round against Rafa (Wimbledon 2012). Continue to read full article...

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Oct/15

15

Playing Down and Rising Up

overheadI decided to change my tournament schedule this year from playing 45s to Opens - not enough players were signing up for the 45s plus I wanted to face different competition from the same old faces - The Open division is a much deeper talent pool, with far more players (and events) including several players with ATP points and former pro players like Marcus Fugate and Levar Harper Griffith - Fortunately I didn't have to get humbled by those two titans, but in six tournaments I did encounter several former and current college players - It's been a fun ride, with my trusty old Volkl Tour 9, I won four opens and finaled in the other two - for a total of six tournaments my overall record is a not too shabby 10-2 Continue to read full article...

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Oct/15

11

Has Djokovic Finally Solved The Rafa Puzzle?

Even in his masterful 2011 season the signs were evident that Novak Djokovic was very close to not only turning the tables on Rafael Nadal but he was also on the verge of thoroughly dominating the raging bull. I remember particular matches that season in Masters Series clay finals where Djokovic would explode to an early lead and seemingly on the way to a dominant victory -- however Nadal would fight back and manage to make the first set a battle, and then the rest of the matches were tooth and nail dogfights. This pattern continued for each successive match - Djokovic just could not quite completely subdue his ferocious adversary.10508168_608598622612508_496933603_n Now it appears Djokovic has tied up the final loose ends of his battleplan - as evidenced by the devastatingly impressive 62 62 win today in the China Open final, and Rafa is the one unable to thwart his own destruction. Continue to read full article...

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