Tennis Prose




Dec/14

4

Frankly, I am in awe here at Eddie Herr

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I am in awe. Of the talent. Of the intensity. Of the quality of tennis. Miomir Kecmanovic and his Japanese partner were up 9-8 in the super tiebreak. The match point was UN BEEE LEE VUH BULLL. It had to be 40 shots with everyone on the court hitting something. So many gets, so many rips, so many survival shots. Finally, finally the tall feisty Japanese kid had a put away about a yard from the net but he somehow netted it. Both he and Kecmanovic stood there frozen in disbelief, holding their heads, shocked at the miss. 9-9, switch sides. Here we go again, another great point. Alfredo Perez and Bjorn Thomson were the other team. A big forehand lands deep on the sideline, unreturnable by Kecmanovic. He can’t believe it hit the line. Match point. ANOTHER brutal amazing ridiculous point, At least 30 shots, baseline pounding under huge pressure, some amazing retrieves, lobs, volleys, everything. Finally Kec and the Japanese finally miss and it’s over. It’s one of the most amazing displays of tennis I ever EVER ever EVER saw. This was, in a way, beyond Federer and Nadal. Beyond McEnroe. Boy I will tell you junior tennis is in some ways more fun and exciting than professional tennis.

These kids have so much desire. Were in the QF, middle part of the draws, and every kid here is possessed and obsessed to win. Every match is a war. You have come ons, roars, screams, all over the place. It seems like in every match every point is match point! These kids are fighting so hard. I’m just in awe of what I’m seeing down here. Raw passion, desire, love of winning, fighting, spectacular tennis on every court, the level of tennis now is beyond belief. Even the kids practicing look incredible. I’m telling you all now, these stars of the future are going to take tennis to levels beyond what Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are playing right now. No doubt about that.

I saw the #1 junior Rublev. Tall skinny kid but major pop. Very muscular though rail thing. Every shot is like an explosion, like a bottle of wine uncorking. And the other 18s practicing, ranked around 100 ITF looks just as great.

The Khan Brothersm, the top seeds of the 12s won again. Zane is #1 in 12s, you have to see this kid’s intensity and desire and talent. You’ve all seen the video of Gasquet and Nadal at around the same age. Khan hits the ball just as well but he’s got more desire and intensity. I have to say it again, I just can’t believe what I’m seeing down here.

Wrap up: The Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships continues at IMG Academy this week. Over 1,200 players from more than 80 countries arrived at IMG Academy to compete for titles in the Boys and Girls 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s divisions. Heading into Friday’s quarterfinals, only a combined total of 64 players remain in contention across the singles competitions.

In the Boys 18s, #2 seed Michael Mmoh (USA, IMG Academy) won in dramatic fashion. Down match point, 5-3, in the third set to Tommy Paul (USA), Mmoh summoned everything he had to avoid disappointment in his bid to earn his first career Eddie Herr title. After more than three and a half hours, Mmoh secured his spot in the quarterfinals over Paul, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-5. Meanwhile, top-seeded Yunseong Chung (KOR) is on a roll after upending Patrik Niklas-Salminen (FIN) in the round of 16. Chung is seeking his first career Eddie Herr title after reaching the final in Boys 16s year ago, falling just short to Alfredo Perez (USA, IMG Academy). Chung, ranked #12 ITF, earned his place in the quarters after a hard fought second-set over Niklas-Salminen, 6-1, 7-5. On Friday, Mmoh will face Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) and Chung will take on Hubert Hurkacz (POL).

Meanwhile in Girls 18s, top-seeded Catherine “CiCi” Bellis (USA, IMG Academy) had her hands full in the second set when training partner Ingrid Neel (USA, IMG Academy) surged to a 5-0 lead to try and force a third set. However, Bellis stormed back (saved five set points) to advance to the quarters, 6-2, 7-5. In other action, wildcard entrant Caroline Dolehide (USA) continues her impressive run after defeating Emma Chrstine Higuchi (USA), 6-2, 6-1. Higuchi defeated the #3 seed earlier in the week. Since a first-set tie-break in the first round against Daniela Pedraza (Colombia, IMG Academy), Dolehide has been a force among the 18s, only yielding 11 games in her past five sets.

In other action, Patrick Kypson (USA), who reached the Boys 14s final in 2013 has secured a place in the quarterfinals. Earlier today, Kypson was dominant, taking down Pietro Rimondini (USA), 6-1, 6-1.

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13 comments

  • Dan Markowitz · December 4, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    Ingrid Neel, Scoop, is the girl who got a lot of pub a few years back when she was 12 and leaving her native Minnesota and deciding whether to go to IMG or the McEnroe Academy. She chose the former even though she was supposed to be a superb volleyer and had patterned her game after Johnny Mac.

    Did you see her play and if so, does she charge the net an inordinate amount?

    Sounds unbelievably exciting down there. Thanks for the great report.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 5, 2014 at 7:31 am

    Yes that’s her. Yes I’ve seen her play, she isn’t very tall but she does like to come forward and makes nice volleys. She also beat Larry Turville the number one player in the world in the 60s ITF. About 6-ft-7, lefty, deadly player I saw him play yesterday for the first time. He said he wasn’t able to pass her. Neel is very good but Bellis is somethig special. Bellis is training at IMG for the last month. Neel and Bellis train together.

  • jg · December 5, 2014 at 8:37 am

    Really enjoying this reporting Scoop, I noticed they have live steams from multiple courts

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 5, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    Yes they do jg, Red Ayme showed me the cameras today. No sound though. Reilly Opelka beat Kecmanovic 76 60. Opelka is the 6-10 kid (age 17) who plays similar to Isner but he mvoes better, more fluid and cohesive, like Anderson. Boy is this guy a nightmare to play, solid from the baseline and the Isner serves. Opelka has two wins over Tiafoe in the last year and a win over Mmoh too. Opelka looks like the real deal. Brad Stine of USTA was there, Gullickson is working a lot with Opelka, who rooms with Kozlov. I Biofiled Opelka after the match, nice kid, actually reminds me of Querrey and Isner, his disposition. He has a way of making you like him, you feel he is an underdog, the way he competes. It’s just amazing to see a kid that big play tennis that well. He’s a very smart thoughtful nice kid. He’s one of the most impressive players I’ve seen here this week, along with Kecmanovic, Zane Khan, Maria Carle, the intensely focused Argentine I mentioned on the first day, who is still alive now in the SF of 14s, hasn’t lost a set. The Korean #3 seed in 18s Seong Chan Hong won today over Mikael Ymer in three sets, now in SF. Hong does not miss anything and then he pops winners. He does not miss ANYTHING. Very impressive kid. He was being helped by Jairo Velasco of Colombia, who played McEnroe in Davis Cup in 78 in Cleveland and also in the French Open mixed finals. Velasco is an ITF coach now, works with select international players. He said he played Ashe, Connors and all those guys. Had a long conversation with Antonio Fernandez who knew Rios since age 11, played him, trained with him, and boy did he have the stories. Also spent time with Brad Stine, first time ever meeting Brad, he shared some cool stories too. American tennis is in good hands.

  • Dan Markowitz · December 5, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    How can you say American tennis is in good hands? Just because you talk to a guy and he’s played McEnroe doesn’t mean he’s a good coach. The fact is American men’s tennis is in shambles. We all know that. The prized son, Harry, has bombed out. The other prized son, Sock, has improved, but he’s not done anything big yet and he’s 22. Kozlov, Tiafoe, Rubin Opelka..they’re far from sure deals.

    I’m sure Brad Stine’s a nice guy, too, but who’s he coached since Courier. Why does the USTA have Gully, Stine and Veslaco coaching their juniors? Aren’t there any good coaching minds in their 30’s and 40’s. I don’t want to pull ageism here, but where’s the American Magnus Norman or Goran?

    And Craig Boynton is coaching Ryan Sweeting!!? That’s a big drop for Boynton from Izzie and Sock. I didn’t even know Sweeting was still a pro player.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 5, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    The young guys coming up in juniors Dan, Mmoh, Kozlov, Opelka, Harry Fritz, Tommy Paul, Tiafoe, Rubin, there’s some big talents on the way. Jairo Velasco is an ITF coach assigned to various international juniors. Stine also coached Wayne Black for a short time and also was asked by Rios agent to coach Rios. Interestingly, Querrey is now working with Gullikson. Mmoh is the youngest ever to win a match in US Open juniors, 13 or 14. He’s just 16 now. Winning Futures already. You can’t comment till you see these guys. Opelka and Mmoh will knock your moccasins off Danny boy. BTW no sign of Higueras or Jay Berger. Bellis lost today 76 in third to Romanian Elena Gabriela Ruse. Khan Brothers won again 63 60, into 12s doubles finals. You have to see these kids.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 5, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    Michael Mmoh facts: Came to IMG as a daily camper at age 12 just before Eddie Herr in 2010. As a qualifier he won 3 matches losing just one game, then made it all the way to 12s final, losing to Korean Lee Duk Hee. At 13 he was ranked 911 for ITF 18s. Won a grade A event in Mexico two weeks ago. Youngest ever to win a match in US Open juniors at 13. Won a Futures this year. Father Tony is Nigerian, played pro tennis in 80s, highest rank was 105, was a 1988 Olympian. Is a citizen of Dubai and USA.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 6, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    Opelka beat the Polish kid Hubert Hurkacz in two sets and Mmoh beat the Korean also. Mmoh can be feisty and talk some smack, he said “This guy is two feet tall and he’s hitting lines.” But in a nice way. Mmoh is a beast, like a more physical Kyrgios. Looks like Kyrgios brother. Mmoh is the real deal people. So is Opelka.. Opelka and Mmoh have split two matches this year. What a final. The Khan Brothers won the 12s doubles 10-4 in super tiebreak. Just amazing. I am going to play them in practice sets in a few weeks. Zane Khan crushed the tall Polish kid in two sets and is in the 12s final. The most amazing match today was my girl from Argentina maria Carle #3 seed in 14s vs. #1 seed Potapova from Russia. Potapova was too big too strong. Carle was up a set and 4-1 but lost the second set. She was down 5-2 in third but tied it, then got broke for 56 then saved 5 MPs before losing 57. 3.5 hours of war. The Russian was a little too big too strong, and her defense, which was incredible, just wasn’t good enough by a couple of shots. Both are so fun to watch. So much emotion and incredible tennis. I am awestruck by these juniors. In some ways I like junior tennis more than pro, these kids fight so hard. Sometimes pros seem to be coasting. going through the motions, if it goes in I win, if not I lose. These juniors are so eager and hungry and desperate for this long long years and years of journey to get to the mountain top, as a pro. Like I said, these kids are amazing and will take tennis to a new level above Fed Rafa Djok Serena.

  • Dan Markowitz · December 7, 2014 at 4:39 am

    Good showing for the Americans to reach the finals. If you had to pick, Scoop, who would you favor, Opelka or Mmoh?

    I like your take on junior tennis and the pro players. These players must have so much drive and hunger. But do any of them come up to the net, or are their games very similar versions, the offensive baseline game.

    I don’t know if you saw, but John Mayotte is in the finals of that 65 and over event against Larry Turville. They both swept to the finals without losing a set so could be a good match.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 7, 2014 at 7:07 am

    Hard to say Dan, Opelka is like Isner but dare I say more advanced than Isner at the same age. Better from back, moves better. Mmoh is a great player too. I can see both as top ten pros. Seriously. These kids are THAT impressive. Long way to go but boy are they looking good now. I also like this girl in the 16s final Dominique Schaefer of Calif, very fluid and easy playing style, slices dices too, and can hit power plus she has a body that can walk the runway. Like Rios she has that easy way of playing, it’s not like she is pounding and grinding her body down playing physically grueling tennis. She also won the doubles yesterday. Khan Brothers won the doubels 10-4 in superbreak. They both can volley really well. Dan the talent down here is just phenomenal. Surprisingly I see a lot of one handers scattered, but of course mostly two handers. I saw Mayotte play, nice game, moves well. Turville will win though. I think I can hold my own with the top guys in the 55s, even Wilder who is a Volk guy. Wilder told me a funny story about his encounters with McEnroe – and he almost played him twice lost 76 to Scott Davis and Paul McNamee one round away from Facing McEnroe.

  • Dan markowitz · December 7, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    I don’t think you can hold your own with Val Wilder, but I haven’t seen him play in almost 15 years. Still, the guy played against Edberg in first round of Wimbledon. Tough competitor. Do you think you can beat The top 65 guy, Mayotte or Turville?

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 7, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    I think good chance vs Mayotte, probably not on Turville, that serve and first shot are lethal.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 7, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    Opelka def. Mmoh 75 64. Packed main court, good crowd, like a pro event. Very good match. Opelka basically Isnerized Mmoh who fought his hardest and hung in there but just couldn’t quite do it. Broke Opelka back in second, had some other chances for other break but didn’t convert. Opelka is lethal, I think he’s better and more advanced than Isner at the same age, Isner played these big junior events but lost early rounds. Mmoh played great and had his cyhances, also saved a lot of BPS himself with big serves out wide on ad court. Impressive stuff. But Opelka was just too good today. Zane Khan lost the 12s final 57 26 to a Korean kid Jungwon Park who could really be 18 or 16, voice deep, much much bigger and stronger. Yet Khan was in the match and up early break 4-1. But once the Korean stopped making too many offensive errors and showed he could play defense, Khan wasn’t able to end the points on his own, not relying on the error. He still was up 40-15 in two games at end of first set but lost them both. This deflated him. He fought so hard, ran so much defending, lunging, that once the Korean showed he could be patient and wait for the right times to be offensive, he got dominated and his fighting spirit evaporated. It was like Hewitt fighting and scrapping and roaring, and then the size and strength and I’m sure age/experience advantages made the difference. Khan lost belief. And it’s hard to fight your hardest when you really don’t believe. let me say again there’s no way this Korean kid was 15, his voice yelling come on was that of a man. Dominique Schaefer, lost the 16s final, 36 67. She has all these slices and drops shots but her father Jose said he was tight early and her precision was not there. But she broke back in second set and then saved MPs to force a tiebreak. Her opponent Sofia Sewing USA was your basic baseline basher, was frustrated “I want to kill something” after blowing the MPs. But she came back from 2 5 down in the tiebreak and won. Schaefer’s game is neat to watch though, so many forehand slices, dices, drops shots, BH slices, then she can strike with top spin winner. And she has a real fluid easy serve motion. Jelena Jankovic was hitting on a side court nearby during these finals. It’s her first day back to training for next year. I have to say this event far exceeded my expectations. The tennis is sensational, the players hunger and desire are inspiring. I planned to go just a few days but ended up coming for a few hours all six days. And I hear the qualies for the Herr are also great to see. You meet a lot of great tennis fans and players too. This really is a special event.

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