I think Sock is ready to Sock The World

I have been a Sock fan for a couple years now and thought it was just a matter of time (with some hard work on his part) before he became a player to be reckoned with. Am also a fan of young Khachanov so am truly torn about who to root for in their match.

It will be interesting to see if Sock is ready at this AO to “Sock the World.”

Will be interesting so far only wrinkles on u.s. side is McHale getting housed Rubin winning a nail biter over Bjorn Frayangelo and that’s kinda it. Nice to see Riske through and Dan’s girl Sam Crawford had a solid win.
Also glad to see Cirstea excel where Halep could’ve as well as Shvedova and Sevastova.
Sorry to see Lucas Pouille go down meekly. So much promise and so sorry a result.
Otherwise looking forward to Dolgo as he should make short work of Coric.

Sock so far has held the youth movement at bay. Maybe he’ll keep it up. Should be a welcome to the big leagues pack your bags and head home moment for Karen we’ll see.

Yes Halep losing awfully and Pouille getting smacked by Bublik are the upsets or wash outs of the year so far. I penciled in big things for both and for naught. Pouille seemed driven even post us open. Nope.

So Nadal had a hair transplant as Chris Fowler reported tonight on ESPN during his match with Mayer. I guess Rafa couldn’t go gracefully bald like Murray, who really only has a budding bald spot. Does this say anything about tennis players? That so many great ones are follically challenged: Nadal, Murray, Roddick, Agassi,Sampras, McEnroe (who took Rogaine for years and probably still does). Does this say something about Nadal, who maybe has looked to surgical or PED enhancement so much in the past, going this route for his hair is only natural. (Ah, I know that’s going to bother Catherine, this conjecture).

Jared Donaldson lost to 32 year old Dutra Silva, the Brazilian, who I’ve always liked for his one-hander. Donaldson who recently switched from Dent to Gambill as his coach, has a lot of problems in his game. He won the first two sets losing like three games, but even after repeated trainer visits, he couldn’t pull this one out. JD’s forehand was terrible in the 5th set. His serve, BG said, for a 6-2 guy, is not big and his movement is questionable.

Another big guy, Sasha Zverev, pulled out a five-setter against Haase and will most likely have to face Tiafoe in Rd 2. That should be fun.

Dan –

It doesn’t bother me that much – I’m used to it 🙂

But I don’t think some guys quite realise how silly hair transplants make them look. Nadal’s doesn’t seem much of an improvement either.

Here’s a shocker result: Tommy Haas, 38, made his return at the Aussie O after what? 10 surgeries, and retired in the second set! Geez Tommy, if you make a comeback, make sure you don’t have to retire in your first match back.

What about all the oldies but goodies in this draw? Dr. Ivo comes back from two sets down and wins 22-20 in 5th set. Then you’ve got of course Fed and Ferrer, both 35, Carlos Berloq, Seppi, FLo, Youzhny, who also had to retire, Simon, Stepanek and there are others 32 and older. Incredible. And there are no Americans playing now who are older than 30 I think except for Izzie.

Where to start? Giorgi’s rd 1 loss? Fritz’ continued slump as chump change for Mueller of first title at older tennis age fame? The youth movement’s surprising cameo as doormat for better players? Opelka’s close but no cigar run? Mmoh getting flattened? Coric’s love of exiting first round in Oz two years straight? Truly where to begin.

Admittedly Opelka had a really tough assignment in attempting to take down the crafty David Goffin who, in 2016, beat Berdych 6-0 6-0 — and is ranked #11.

Nah Fritz definitely slumping. From #53 to sure to exit top 100 by Monday.

Andrew, at least Fritz can now be with his pregnant wife, Cahill said he thought she was overdue.

Can I also rub it in that I called Coric’s loss? It’s mean to go after the kid but his prep is miserable and he’s really not a prime time player despite an enviable ranking.

Donaldson’s lapse is bad. I thought he had proven his chops to himself in NYC. Did Dent ask for more money? Surprised Gambill is there – never thought much of Gambills game, felt he was a poor mans Seles, or a poor attempt to pull a Seles on ATP.

Can’t agree with you, Andrew, Goffin’s never very good in slams. I couldn’t believe him dropping match to JD at USO last year when I was watching he was up a set and a break. Thank you for mentioning Escobedo. In my mind, maybe because he’s Hispanic or not in Florida, he seems to have been widely overlooked by USTA. Here’s a guy who if you take Vince’s word on it, Facebooked him about a year ago to see if Vince would coach him for free. Stupidly, Vince didn’t do it, and now the guy looks better than any of these slightly-younger USTA products with the possible exception of Opelka and Tiafoe.

And yes, who turns pro at 18, gets married and then has a kid in a year? That’s a lot to take on and I don’t think it’s surprising Fritz has dropped in ranking and stature. Do you see Alex Zverev doing this?

Opelka is a big frail guy. The assumption of his health is a huge bet – he’s a few big wins followed by months off. He’ll need to get fit and get used to the ice and trainer room!

Dan I’m glad to concede on Goffin. He seems more like a best of three player. I’m not sure how Escobedo will do but not unlike Fritz he also is from a tennis pro playing family. They are in some ways doubles or mirrors – two guys from California, big serves and games, joined pro ranks around same time, probably crossed paths fairly often. A little soon to compare.

I had thought the UCLA champ would do better who is also Latino/Hispanic but he hasn’t quite developed a weapon out there. Marcos Giron. He has been hurt as well.

I’m not convinced that guys like Alex Zverev are entirely career focused. Or even that they know better. But I’d say Fritz did something few young players do in marrying. And he’ll have a lot to do parenting. And he’ll be aware that his opponents if they are his peers won’t be doing the same thing most likely for now. So he’ll definitely feel a little more isolated.

Anyways. I’ve maintained for a while that the critical thing for us men’s tennis is the peer pressure. I doubt Fritz buddies think twice on tour about Fritz or feel badly about potentially capsizing his ranking. I doubt his international peers think much about it either. I’ll say he’ll feel a little more isolated out there.

I’d assume Opelka talks with Isner and Karlovic. Those guys have held up pretty well and probably know how to stay healthy.

As for Zverev I think like others I’m happier for Mischa Zverev than I am bullish on Alex/Sacha Zverev. He is plenty good and he hasn’t quite understood how hungry opponents are in early rounds of slams.

Hey I love Brian Baker, the best us player technique wise pound for pound. I’d take a healthy Baker in his prime over every us player. Best game best strokes no contest. Just his body betrays him and as fans it’s been unfortunate, he would’ve probably been a top fifteen player and either the best or second best us player over the past decade.

I’d say he is unlucky. Like Muster in some ways robbed of his off clay glory. I’d put Vicki (last name!) on wta in same category whose illness robbed her of her best opportunities, though her illness is far worse.

With Zverev in role of Horna? Lets wait on this one, he’s supposed to beat Haase.
Evans win is big.
Kyrgios loss is bigger.
Some nice wta results too.