The Sarasota Open has been a very eventful week with all the fine court action as well as the astounding occurrence on Tuesday evening with the unscripted sound effects by the two lovers which has snowballed into an international news story as well as unbelievably huge promotion for the tourney. The Pro Circuit live stream commentator Mike Cation told me he has done dozens of interviews for some of the largest media outlets around the world about the unique controversy and the tournament director/owner Tony Driscoll said the web site has gotten millions upon millions of visits, and the new shirts with Frances Tiafoe’s famous line “It can’t be that good” are already selling briskly.
It’s poetic justice that Kid Showtime Frances Tiafoe will contest the final after edging 35 year old veteran Jurgen Melzer in tonight’s semi 76 in the third. In the final Tiafoe will meet 25 year old veteran Tennys Sandgren who told me after his straight set semi win over Frenchman Vincent Millot that he’s played Tiafoe twice already in the past and BOTH matches went all the way to third set tiebreakers which both were won by Tiafoe.
I’ve become a big fan of Sandgren this week based on his story of perseverance which entails years of struggles along with recent success including winning his second career Challenger this year in Arizona and contesting in his very first ATP main draw last week in Houston (he’s yet to reach a Grand Slam major main draw). Also I did a terrific Biofile with Sandgren which I will post next week and surely you will enjoy it because he has a very interesting story and he’s very candid about the ups and downs of his career. Tiafoe is also a favorite who is a rare tennis-transcending athlete and personality who seemingly looks bigger and stronger and more spectacular every time you see him. Tiafoe also has a natural flair for the big matches and actually performs better when the stakes are higher. The teenager has been in Bradenton (yes the event is actually in Bradenton not Sarasota) with his fitness guy Paul Kinney and his coach Robby Ginepri who knows a thing or two about winning ATP titles (three) and reaching the semis of a major (US Open). But now as you probably know, Tiafoe is best known around the world for his role in the infamous noisy love-making session during his match earlier in the week with Mitchell Krueger and his funny reactions and spontaneous comment “It can’t be that good.” It’s been that kind of week down here.
The doubles final features the ragtag combo of teen Stefan Kozlov and veteran Peter Polansky versus the pair of 35 year olds Jurgen Melzer and Scott Lipsky who are also playing together for the first time. Lipsky is one of the most interesting doubles players because he’s perhaps one of the most unsung Grand Slam champs of the era (French Open mixed in 2011 with Casey Dellacqua) and has been able to achieve an outstanding and lengthy career in pro tennis after a slow start in singles after turning pro in 2003 after a successful college career at Stanford. Lipsky (coached by Rick Leach in California) is a player that gets very little press attention but he’s a great story and has a lot to offer for those who request an interview. Lipsky has won fifteen career ATP doubles titles and even has a win over Andy Roddick at the 1995 junior US Open.
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1 2 3 Next »Doogie · April 23, 2017 at 4:37 am
What a challenger match this was yesterday!?! One of the best matches on challenger tour in recent years imo.
Great atmosphere on court, both fighting well, unbelievable points and also great body language from both.
Of course Melzer had some up and downs but this is normal for him.
Melzer is a very tough opponent esp for young generation because he is mixing up a lot. Tiafoe handled the drop shots very well and moved great.
Another match where u could see Tiafoes potential – I see him Top50 at least at end of season and with Sock the best US player in next years.
Finally a US guy who has good technique, fast swings, good athleticism (!!), good movement and fast legs.
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 5:44 am
Tiafoe just keeps getting better and better. He is the leader of the US #nextgen battalion now. He is destined for tennis greatness. There is no denying this unstoppable force.
Jg · April 23, 2017 at 7:28 am
The Tiafoe match was one of the better matches of the year, both players mixing it up with power and touch, Meltzer has a great drop shot but Tiafoe had figured it out by the end. Agree Tiafoe looks much improved ( even from a month ago) Gineppri must be doing something right, I wonder if it also helps if the coach can actually hit on the same level with his/her player. I’m sure at least in a practice Gineppri can hold his own so he can feel what’s coming back.
Jg · April 23, 2017 at 7:31 am
Same with Escobedo’s coach ( and Harry’s) Lukassen (so?) I saw him hitting and thought it was one of the ATP players
Dan Markowitz · April 23, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Doogie, Scoop, you’re picking Tiafoe over Fritz? I’ll take that bet. I’m not a big fan of Tiafoe’s forehand. I think Fritz’s is better and he’s also going to get more free points.
Doogie · April 23, 2017 at 3:19 pm
@dan:
Yes absolutly and I feel fine with this bet.
Tiafoe more talented overall, better legs, has more desire, faster swings.
Fritz has better serve yes and perhaps more mental strenght.
I will go with Tiafoe all the way the next years! I put Francis over all young US Boys with confidence
Doogie · April 23, 2017 at 3:22 pm
@dan:
Tiafoes FH? He has a monster forehand. Can make the ball soo quick – unbelievable quick with just his arm.
U will see FH will make a lot of damage on the big tour.
Chazz · April 23, 2017 at 4:13 pm
I think Fritz’s talent is certainly on par with Tiafoe’s and Escobedo’s. It has been said though by commentators that when he has to improvise during points he has problems. That is the one glaring weakness that he needs to fix.
The guy I don’t get is Donaldson based on ranking. I saw him get blown off the court by Sock, while Fritz went toe to toe with Sock last year, and I figure Tiafoe would as well given how he has done against elite players like Federer and Del Potro. I don’t see elite potential there but that’s just me.
Hartt · April 23, 2017 at 4:15 pm
A totally different topic but this seems to be the active thread right now. There are some terrific youngsters on the ATP tour right now, but I just saw some terrific tennis by young women. Canada, a big underdog, just beat Kazakhstan in their Fed Cup tie. Bianca Adreescu, at 16-years-old and ranked 188, just beat Shvedova, ranked No. 51. Yesterday she lost to No. 31 Putintseva, but did well to take that match to 3 sets. Francoise Abanda, at 20 and ranked No. 186, won both her matches against those 2 players.
They will play the dead rubber and Gabriela Dabrowski, the old lady of the team at 25, will pair with 18-year-old Sebov. With such young talented players the future is looking good for Canadian women’s tennis, to go along with the youngsters such as Felix Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov on the men’s side.
Hartt · April 23, 2017 at 4:32 pm
Another impressive run by a youngster is American player, 15-year-old Amanda Anisimova, who will play in the final of the ITF tourney in Dothan today. It is her third ITF final this season, including Indian Harbour last week. She is ranked No. 309. Last year was the runner-up for the girl’s FO title and was ranked as high as No.2 as a junior. She is currently the No. 5 junior.
Andrew Miller · April 23, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Tennis is a sport of matchups. Even Federer got flummoxed by players who had no business beating him, aka Willy Canas in his two superb Masters tournaments a decade or so ago.
I cant predict the future. I like all the us fellas about the same. I do think Tiafoe is something new under the sun for USA tennis and the guy who loves the sport the most of all of them. I think he is indeed the best of them all based on his love of the sport, his obsession with both strength and strategy and touch, and how much he has improved. Fritzy is so good he can have a family as a teenager (sorry to note this but it is a real thing for his life on court) and still strike fear in the hearts of opponents. Donaldson has been a little hot and cold, but his groundstrokes are the most solid. And this discussion of these three guys doesn’t even get into the Escobedo/Kozlov/Paul/What’s his name who Dan knows/Opelka talk. Who knows how good they will be and how it will shake out, other than to have this much talent bodes really well.
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Tiafoe is a different level now he really looks like an experienced veteran now – He has so much valuable experience – playing close battles with Federer Del Potro and Isner and an array of other veteran players – He’s in position right now to be a top five player if he continues to work hard and keep the right mindset – top five at the very least –
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 6:24 pm
Yes Dan right now I like Tiafoe over Fritz – Tiafoe may look like he has a faulty forehand but it’s a lethal weapon – I saw it all week and I’ve seen it push Federer and Del Potro and Isner to the limits – that forehand is only gonna get better and better –
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Tiafoe just keeps winning – wins Sarasota Challenger this week in singles and finals in doubles last week in Houston (lost 10-8 in the superbreaker to Zeballos and Peralta) – Tiafoe wins – that’s what it’s all about – that Forehand is winning –
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Hartt; I first heard about Anisimova two years ago at Eddie Herr from Daniel Vacek who was aware of her and talking about her being special – Vacek is special as he won a couple of Grand Slam titles with Kafelnikov in doubles – The insiders all know about Anisimova and have known about her for years – she is special –
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Wow Hartt that is a massive accomplishment by a very young Canadian Fed Cup team – could rate that as one of the biggest upsets of the year so far – Andreescu and Abanda are totally unproven on the WTA Tour level while Shvedova and Putintseva are two very respected and accomplished veterans – Big upset and huge achievement –
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 6:34 pm
I was sitting next to Carling Bassett Seguso at the final today and she agreed with me that Tiafoe can be no 1 in the world someday –
Andrew Miller · April 23, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Yeah Tiafoe’s groundstrokes in person are BETTER than on tv, and Fritz’ are too despite the unorthodox backhand that I cant stand. The movement to the backhand side is weak for every player.
For me the worst thing for all USA men is the footwork. I wish they all worked on it day and night. If you hate strategy and things like gameplans at least a player ought to improve their footwork, because they are in better position to take advantage of opportunities. If they have footwork and a strategy, they can advance far.
All that said I don’t think the USA men’s rankings will hold up that well for clay or for the more USA friendly grass unless somehow the players have become more dedicated or enjoy the challenge. Hardcourts with their ideal ball bounce spoil players and that’s what most of them train on here. So often it even ruins players clay seasons who don’t mind the clay like Sock or Donaldson or Isner, Querrey, who have a decent feel for the surface.
Andrew Miller · April 23, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Scoop, loved Carling Bassett Seguso’s game. I wish she had been on tour longer. Such a good player and the premiere analyst (?) for Canadian tennis (I think).
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 6:38 pm
Fritz disappears for weeks which I don’t think is a good sign – he’s got to be playing just about every week – disappearing for three weeks play disappear again is not the right pattern –
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 7:28 pm
Andrew; Carling lives down here but she’s too busy with other things and her two young daughters to do tennis analyzing for TV though she would be an interesting person to do it given her decorated career and background in tennis as the very first player who ever lived at Nick Bollettieri’s house and she was a top ten player in the WTA –
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 7:33 pm
Not sure I agree Andrew – all these young players work their tails off – I saw Kozlov go to the practice court after a WIN and was doing a unique drill of simulating playing points with some kind rubber band harness attached to his torso against resistance by his coach who was behind him – serve motion then run to the first ball and swing at an imaginary ball with the resistance hook up – Tiafoe works hard and did very intense footwork drills the other day – Donaldson is a work horse – I don’t see any signs these guys are loafing or half assin’ it – These guys all want it and they know they have to go all out every day every week or they fall behind the leaders –
Hartt · April 23, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Have never heard Carling Bassett Seguso doing commentary for Canadian tennis. The TV channel here tends to use Tracy Austin for the Rogers Cup. Sometimes that does not work out well because if there is an American player in a match Austin will focus too much on that player, to the exclusion of the opponent. For other tourneys we often get British commies or whoever is doing the world feed.
Chazz · April 23, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Scoop, I was thinking the same thing about Fritz. Where is he and why didn’t he play in Sarasota? There was a recent Tennis Magazine article on Fritz and it mentioned he trains for 12 hours a day. Is that excessive? I have no idea. Maybe it isn’t. I just don’t know why he isn’t playing every week or two either.
Hartt · April 23, 2017 at 7:51 pm
Scoop, yes that Fed Cup upset was very exciting. And Putintseva and Shvedova were playing well, they certainly did not give away the matches. The match that Andreescu lost to Putintseva went nearly 3 hours. In her 2 matches she showed great composure, especially for a 16-year-old in a big moment. And Abanda was very impressive. She is one of those players who comes to life for Fed Cup. If she could play at this level the rest of the season she would be in the top 100.
Andrew Miller · April 23, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Scoop, where did I talk work ethic? I didn’t. I mentioned footwork and clay chops. I don’t think USA men’s footwork is outstanding, merely “ok” and sometimes substandard. Physio sometimes not there either. But as far as their talent goes I like team USA men a lot and think they have the motivation and peer pressure to push each other. And personally I like Tiafoe and Donaldson better than Fritz, but don’t deny Fritz’ talent.
Talent and work ethic certainly go a long way in the sport. Court knowledge is a second order skill, strategy a second order skill, then the ability to make small adjustments during matches as well as the maturity to take advantage of match dynamics are the highest order (e.g. seizing the big points or being able to bring your best to them).
As to who will break through first, who may be the Chang or who will hold a slam trophy, I already have the answer – Jack Sock! He is being hunted by all the players and has shown the ability to break away from the pack and has higher order skills from doubles as well as a doubles crown. He is the clear us #1 for a while.
Andrew Miller · April 23, 2017 at 8:05 pm
Hartt I think the Canadian channels interviewed Carling for a special on Bouchard back in 2014 and Carling showed a keen analytical mind. She could have done even better in her career and possibly owned a slam title, but I think she got burned out and it was all too much, and she went the family route full stop. I think there may have been too much pressure. But from all of her training etc she comes off as knowing the sport inside out, what it requires, what a fundamentally sound strategy looks like, and for at least the tv interview she seemed like a good voice for a player like Bouchard. I still hold out that Bouchard will return to the winners circle and sort out some of the issues that are getting in her way. I don’t always love her choices on court but I find her attacking style very worthy of bigger prizes.
Jg · April 23, 2017 at 8:09 pm
At Indian Wells I think Fritz said he was taking most of clay season off to train as he didn’t have an off season like the others because of injury, probably thinks he can come back for grass court and start it off again, at this point he wouldn’t do well on clay, he’s too rusty. He’ll be in the mix in no time, but Tiafoe is leapfrogging. He could be having a run like Kyrigos did after winning the same Florida Har Tru challenger 2 or 3 years ago. Kyrigos had some funky strokes too.
Hartt · April 23, 2017 at 8:13 pm
I would like to feel more optimistic about Bouchard. I have not seen her play a lot recently but the last time, at an ITF tourney, I was a bit shocked at how poorly she played. It speaks volumes that I felt relieved that the youngsters, Andreescu and Abanda, that I discussed in other posts, were the main players for Canada’s Fed Cup team this weekend, and that Genie was not part of that team.
It will be interesting to see how Genie fares in Istanbul.
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 9:58 pm
Chazz, Fritz is not playing Tallahassee either. Twelve hours a day is rather excessive. Playing matches and learning how to win matches at tournaments is the best way to improve. 12 hours a day of drills and fitness seems misguided. I saw Petr Korda hit with his son the day before he played the main draw match last week in Sarasota vs Blaz Rola and I commented that their hit of fifteen minutes seemed very short. And Petr replied quickly that’s all he needed. I think hitting a ton of balls is redundant.
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Andrew; Don’t forget Sock won two close five setters with Fritz last year at Aus Open and US Open. Fritz is close to solving the Sock puzzle 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2017 at 10:02 pm
Bouchard is in an awful slump right now and even tried doubles but lost first round int hat too. Not sure how she did in that low level ITF last week or two weeks ago. Her career is definitely heading in the wrong direction.
Andrew Miller · April 23, 2017 at 10:58 pm
Scoop, I don’t think Fritz is close to solving any puzzle. He’s got a lot of work to catch up to his peers without having to chase after Sock. I’d suggest someone work with the guy on his movement first, which should free up some room for him to maneuver. Without good movement a player has an upper limit to their potential. I think we can all agree on that. I know of no men’s player in the last twenty years at the slam champion level who lacked good footwork. Now players are tripping over themselves going from right to left.
I have no idea where this epidemic of pitiful movement came from on the USA men’s side, much as I have no clue where the monoclone women’s baseline boredom comes from. Federer,Nadal,Djokovic,Wawrinka,Murray. All excellent footwork.
catherine bell · April 24, 2017 at 3:16 am
Re Carling Bassett – she was my era and I’m afraid I didn’t rate her that highly. I agree with Andrew – she got a bit overwhelmed by it all and was glad to escape into marriage and family. At the time I wrote something about how Carling was being ‘marketed’ – could see trouble ahead there.
Re the GB-Roumania fun fest which I followed on another thread – attention focussed on Nastase but I also think Roumania pulled a fast one in the singles – however no one complained and all’s fair etc. GB just wimpish.
catherine bell · April 24, 2017 at 3:17 am
And on to Stuttgart and Sharpie’s re-entry. Whoever said women’s tennis was boring ?
Dan Markowitz · April 24, 2017 at 8:26 am
By the way, Scoop, are you in the Witness Protection Program? Those glasses, that hat, the lurking manner? I’m not saying you are, but it all adds up.
Hartt · April 24, 2017 at 9:00 am
Scoop, I did see some of the ITF tourney Bouchard played. She won her first 2 matches and lost to Vicky Duval in her third. I only watched a few games of that match, Genie played so poorly it was no fun to watch. She is playing both singles and doubles in Istanbul. a good decision I think. She needs to get more match play.
Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2017 at 9:20 am
Sock has very good feet and so does Johnson – Isner and Q are pretty good for big boys too – I think the younger guys all have a good base and will only get quicker with hard work – Don’t seen any turtles out there – usually when a guy looks slow it’s because the opponent hits pretty hard!
Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2017 at 9:22 am
Yes Dan I am an undercover agent for Putin and KGB 🙂 Putin and KGB hacked my emails so now I report to them once a month 🙂 (joking)
Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2017 at 9:23 am
Actually it is really hot down here and the sun glare is brutal – gotta wear shades in FL –
Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2017 at 9:23 am
Hooray for Duval!
Hartt · April 24, 2017 at 11:02 am
Scoop, I was pleased to see Duval get the win when she was coming back from such a long time away. But she played poorly in her next match. Still, it great to see her back on the courts.
Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2017 at 11:06 am
Did you see Duval lose that next match? Or did the opponent play superbly? You can still play very well and lose by a bad score – many pro players have told me this –
Dan Markowitz · April 24, 2017 at 11:22 am
Scoop,
I figured you were involved with Putin. Any validity to the rumor that he’s asked you to be Karen Karanchov or whatever the dude’s name is head coach?
Scoop Malinowski · April 24, 2017 at 11:27 am
Dan, I will reveal a secret. Putin is going to hack the ATP rankings and work me into the top hundred. Putin has hacked Marcelo Rios to be my coach to turn me into a lefty and help me hit harder and better angles. I just won a super senior doubles match in Longboat Key against a father won and the son lost in the final round of Cincy qualies and would have played Mats Wilander who was no 1 in the world at the time. We won 76 75. 🙂
Chazz · April 24, 2017 at 11:40 am
Side note: Tiafoe moved up 15 spots to #72 in new rankings. That puts him as the highest rated American NextGener. Others in the top 100 are Donaldson at #78 and Escobedo at #85.
Hartt · April 24, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Dan, it is Karen Khachanov. And Scoop can’t be his coach, because he has an excellent coach in Galo Blanco. 🙂
Andrew Miller · April 24, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Sock moves to his bh wing like a ballet dancer. Light on his feet is always a description that fits him.
Yeah right! I have YET to see since Andre Agassi’s retirement consistently solid footwork and movement on the men’s side and especially movement to the bh wing, which constantly leaves most us men out of position on the ATP.
Footwork is the thing that if it’s good you don’t notice and if it’s bad it completely compromises players and cramps their games.
jg · April 24, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Scoop, whats “super senior”? aren’t you too young for that?
Thomas Tung · April 24, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Good footwork and ball anticipation is what can make “ordinary” athletes into super ones, and “super” athletes into ordinary ones. Nicolas Almagro, a natural mover, becomes “ordinary” due to his poor ball anticipation, while Tomas Berdych, a slightly above (as in 6% faster than Jim Courier) average athlete, has been a “super one” for much of his career, due to his precise footwork and excellent ball anticipation (even more necessary due to his very flat strokes, which leave little margin for error).
Old Robin Soderling is even more interesting in that light, since his footwork was “very average-to-marginal” at best, but his shot anticipation and selection was incredible (I firmly believe that Robin on his best day was 6% slower than Courier on his worst day). Soderling learned how to hit heavy spin “safety shots” (to borrow a billiards term) whenever he was out of position, but not out of the point. Many of the American young guns still haven’t quite mastered the “safety shot” yet, which is practically a prerequisite for Top 20 status.