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Feb/17

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Scoop Heading To Delray Beach:

delraybDEL POTRO AND ANDERSON TO MEET IN FIRST ROUND
Two Former Champions Go Head-to-Head

DELRAY BEACH, FLA: Delray Beach 2011 champion Juan Martin del Potro and 2012 champion Kevin Anderson will square off in the first round of the 2017 Delray Beach Open, giving the tournament a prime-time first-round match-up on Tuesday (Feb. 21) at 8:00 pm.

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, is opening his 2017 season in Delray Beach while Anderson is hoping to return to the Top 10 after dropping down the rankings in 2016 following an assortment of injuries.

Del Potro reached last year’s semifinals in Delray Beach, and used it as a springboard to a successful season that saw him climb from No. 1042 in the world to No. 38 at season’s end. He won his 19th ATP title, reached the quarterfinals of the US Open and led Argentina to the 2016 Davis Cup title.

As expected, world No. 4 Milos Raonic is the top seed in the tournament and will play a qualifier or special exempt player in the first round on Tuesday at 12:30 pm. It is possible that the Canadian’s first-round opponent won’t be known until the close of qualifying on Sunday (Feb. 19) afternoon.

Ivo Karlovic, the No. 2 seed and the 20th ranked player in the world, drew American Donald Young in the opening round, a rematch of the 2015 Delray Beach final won by Karlovic.

American Jack Sock, the No. 3 seed, drew Moldova’s Radu Albot in the first round. Sock, 24, recently broke into the Top 20, and has already won an ATP title this year.

Delray’s 2006 champion Tommy Haas, 38, drew Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili for his first-round match.

KOZLOV & FRANTANGELO AWARDED WILD CARDS
Young Americans Enter Main Draw

DELRAY BEACH, FLA: Young Americans Stefan Kozlov, 19, and Bjorn Fratangelo, 23, have secured wild cards to play in the Delray Beach Open’s 2017 main draw.

Kozlov drew fellow American and No. 5 seed Steve Johnson in the tournament’s first round, while Fratangelo will square off against Chinese Taipei’s Yen-Hsun Lu.

It is the second Delray Beach wild card for Kozlov, who hails locally from Pembroke Pines and played in the DBO in 2015 as a 17-year old. Kozlov won his first ATP Challenger Tour title last November in Columbus, Ohio, and has been ranked as high as No. 116 in the world.

Fratangelo broke into the Top 100 last June and holds two Challenger titles, the most recent title coming in 2016 in Savannah, Ga. The Pittsburgh native and Orlando resident has also won seven Future titles.

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84 comments

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 19, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    I will arrive around noon for the Del Potro Press Conference – will share all observations and scoops on this post – stay tuned

  • Hartt · February 19, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    Looking forward to your reports from Delray Beach. Of course my biggest concern is how Milos does, but am interested in Delpo and a few others as well. 🙂

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 19, 2017 at 10:40 pm

    Hartt: Thank you – I have covered Delray about ten different times and every year many special and interesting things happen – So many special memories from there and surely more will happen this week 🙂

  • Dan Markowitz · February 20, 2017 at 5:13 am

    Scoop in Delray Beach, watch out Atlantic Blvd. Very interesting tournament with Tommy Haas receiving a PR, whatever that means, and Sock, SteveJo, Fritz in event with Raonic, Delpo, Edmund and Borna Coric, KevAnd too.

    Good win for Harry to bag his first tournament, but I don’t think you can laud him too much. Firstly, it was an indoor event where big serving prevails and secondly, besides big serving and impressive court coverage, Harry just looks solid to me these days, nothing more. He still hits short on his forehand a lot and his backhand doesn’t open up the court a lot. Against the really good players, I can’t see him hurting them much.

  • Andrew Miller · February 20, 2017 at 10:01 am

    Agreed Memphis isn’t a sign, but any ATP title is a win. No one remembers New Zealand winners either but it still counts.

  • Andrew Miller · February 20, 2017 at 11:06 am

    Memphis isn’t even the point, point is that this time last year Harrison was hovering around the high 160s ranking. He was qualifying at big tournaments here and there, like Australian Open and Indian Wells, but also losing early in qualifying like Miami, or following up a big win with a questionable loss. He was not just losing at challengers but losing to lower ranked veterans as well as the US’ generation next – a string of first round losses, AT CHALLENGERS. After suffering a humiliating losses during the grass court season to Escobedo, Fratangelo at Wimbledon qualies, and finally Dancevic in Rhode Island, he squared up against all of the expectations.

    It’s been nothing short of RIVETING to see Harrison play his way back to his career high ranking. People thought he was crazy – even here on this website Dan called him crazy.

    So sure, Memphis isn’t a fantastic gauge of anything, and fine, Harrison didn’t have to beat two top ten players to win it.

    But who cares? This wasn’t about one tournament, this is about eight straight months of winning everywhere, of winning qualies matches and getting main draws, winning doubles matches, winning WTT MVP honors, winning his way to his best result at a slam, winning challengers, beating opponents that dogged him, putting generation next into its place, beating his peer americans when necessary, and following up on querrey’s big 2016 by putting the finishing touches on his own self-styled american usa mens comeback.

    We talk about Fritz. Escobedo. Opelka. Mmoh. Tiafoe. Rubin. Kozlov. FORGET ABOUT THEM!

    The real story is right in front of your. It’s Ryan Harrison’s resurrection, the guy is back from oblivion, he’s kicking b^^ts and taking names. And he will ride this wave of confidence to usher in the greatest USA comeback since James Blake came back from zero to the #4 ranking.

  • Andrew Miller · February 20, 2017 at 11:12 am

    If I’m coach Courier, this is what just popped into my head: “Dang, I have options this year. I can win the Cup this year.” He has Sock, hungry to pursue a career best. He has Johnson, looking for his first title but also versatile at doubles. He has Isner and Isner’s experience and quest for a Davis Cup to even out his resume. He has Querrey if necessary. He has HARRISON who may edge Querrey by the end of the month. Then on top of that he has DY, also in search of his first title, and then a slew of generation next players who feel like they should be in the mix (they aren’t yet).

    Sock has been confident in assuming the top spot. He may do better yet. But he will now be looking over his shoulder. Harrison is coming for him. And that will inspire more players to do the same.

    I’m telling you that Querrey shocked the world last year by making the first slam QF for US men in five years and smacking Novak Djokovic to the dog house. It’s ushered in a revolution for the US men. This should set up really interesting stuff.

    If Courier can saddle all the mustangs in the stable he is going to have a banner year.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 20, 2017 at 3:17 pm

    No, whoa, Andrew, let me reign you in a little bit on Harry. Firstly, I said Harry is crazy to be talking about being No. 1; he should talk about being top 50 again. Now he is top 50 and now the game really begins, let’s see what he does from here.

    Seriously, I’m not impressed by beating Qball, DY and Basilshivili and Dzhumur. That’s not that hard to do. Beating Qball was the best win and we all know that’s not so hard to do a lot of the time. Who else has Harry beaten this year, Mahut at Aussie O, Garcia-Lopez in NZ! Big deal. Seriously, who has Harry beaten that impresses you and makes you think he’s a guy at nearly 25 who’s going to go much higher in the rankings?

    Harry has beaten nobody even halfway decent except Raonic, who looked like a shadow of himself. The fact of the matter is Harry has a great serve and not a whole lot else except for his fitness and athleticism. This was Memphis. If he won Delray then I’d be impressed.

  • Scoop malinowski · February 20, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Ok plenty of scoops and observations. stefan Kozlov has a new Porsche with a vanity plate. Tommy Haas hooked him up with a good deal $300 a mth…. Querrey is a star and likes his perks. The defending champ has his english bulldog here and told staff he needed a person to dogsit the dog while he practiced. Sam told me Harrison who he lost to last week 6361 is really playing great and he hopes ha can continue at this high level…. Del Potro told me this about Facing Andy Murray: “i never like to play him. Im happy hes no 1 and he deserves it.”…Delpo also said hed like to play in Tokyo Olympics and his motivations are to keep improving and to get into big matches with the best players. He also said the quality of tennis is better now as the players are stronger and hitting harder… Steve Johnson was practicing with a bearded Smyczek. Lone wolf Sock hit with his coach Troy Hahn. Sock wore a Tiget Woods black tshirt. The Kozlov bros hit together. Boris Kozlov lost 6461 in qualies to Pospisil. Poppa Koz said the first set was tight then Boris netted a volley and next thing he knew he was down 03 in second. Stefan looks very muscular now and taller too. Boris is 16 and has been practicing in south FL with Benni Becker and Ivo K. Very good crowds here today and media room is full already. Check out my photos at my scoop malinowski facebook page…

  • Andrew Miller · February 20, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    Dan, 37 wins, 13 losses since July 2016. Let that sink in!

    I’m with you in terms of “Memphis isn’t Wimbledon or even Delray” – and that’s true. It’s the US version of the Auckland tournament (and Delray is more like Brisbane or Sydney etc). But let’s remember you once wrote a post about Harry being like a son in 2015, and you also did some shrewd analysis on Harry needing to get some support after his loss to Klein, Escobedo, and Dancevic in Rhode Island last summer. Here we are since your July impression and Harrrison, who still has a bad juniors habit of retreating to and scampering behind the baseline as necessary, has climbed around 110 ranking spots to match his career high ranking, smacking around the likes of Fritz (he of LAST YEAR’s Memphis final), and winding up with his first ATP title.

    Sure, I may be going overboard. And saying well, Harrison is #43 and will soon win a slam – that’s a very big leap and not even I can make that one. We can look at his win loss though since Washington DC last year, and look at it with and without World Team Tennis.

    In 2017, he is 14-3 on the year including challengers. True, he hasn’t faced but 1 top ten player in Berdych, who had his number in Australia, and but two top 20s players in Sock (who beat him in Auckland in 3 sets) and Querrey (who he beat this past week). So two of those three losses are to a top 10 player and the world’s #21. Everything else is what it is.

    But, he has done his best impersonation of Mischa Zverev in clearing the field of next next generation players and sending them back to the drawing boards. Mischa Zverev seems to take a special, Stepanek delight in making short work of his brother’s generation (maybe as a service to his brother). But so too has Harrison this year.

    Again, 14-3 in overall play, 7-2 in ATP play. So far so good in 2017. He overcomes a weak field but this could have been Baliashvili’s first title instead. It wasn’t.

    And after losing to Dancevic in the Rhode Island match you watched, this is how he did.

    23 Wins, 10 Losses. Qualifies for six ATP tournaments. Gets wins over Troicki, Kuznetsov, Isner, Raonic

    That means that since Rhode Island, Harrison has been 37-13 in his last fifty matches, or wins (around) three matches for every loss. (I include all qualifying matches).

    If you exclude challengers and qualifying matches in atp tournaments and slams, Harrison is 15 wins 8 losses since Rhode Island in ATP or Slam main draw play, or wins about twice as much as he loses in ATP main draw play.

    When he loses he loses in ATP tournaments and slams to players well above his ranking, like Johnson (top 30), Berydch (top 15), Kyrgios (top 15) and Anderson (top 50 but no slouch out there).

  • Andrew Miller · February 20, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    But heck we all know that Indian Wells and Miami are where everyone shows up. The South Americans fly in, the Europeans fly in, the Asia pacific players fly in – the Masters are where the rubber meets the road. A player could get easily derailed in Indian Wells, against a seed, or in Miami, facing what seems to be a home crowd…for your opponent if it’s Del Potro, etc!

    But Andy Roddick also liked playing in Miami, and US players have been able to pull good results on occasion. I agree that Delray, given its superior field, as well as Indian Wells and Miami are where the “heart” of the early hard court season is before the tour goes all clay through May.

    That said Harrison should be fresh, and a lot of players haven’t faced this Harrison yet. He should still get some mileage out of all the work he’s put in, at least for the next month.

  • Andrew Miller · February 20, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    I’ll stand by Harrison as best comeback since James Blake. It would normally be Brian Baker in that slot given his coming back from retirement to top 40 a few years back (he TRULY came from nowhere!).

    But as it regards players who have a redemption storyline of sorts, I’ll go with Harrison as completing the best comeback since Blake. No he wasn’t injured. But it’s still remarkable.

  • Jg · February 20, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    Is Kozlov driving a stick or automatic? I will wager automatic.

  • Scoop malinowski · February 20, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    Querrey noted that Harrison has won 20 straight sets… Haaspopup a set and 43. Haas sporting SK attire. Is that Kuznetsovas brand? Pink shirt and army green shorts and blue Djoko adidas…Bryans practicing now on ct 1… Santillan practicing with Anderson now before his stadium night match vs Fritz who has not been seen yet. Delpo hit w Sock yestetday…Mannarino is very vocal in dubs w Darcis but they just lost to Haaspop.

  • Scoop malinowski · February 20, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    Haas just said iaid its an honor to play w Pop bc hes a Wimbledon champion.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 20, 2017 at 9:03 pm

    Ya think maybe the Koz should’ve held off on the Porsche?! I mean what the hell has he achieved so far and how much $ has he made to be driving one? That dude should still be driving a Volkswagen.

  • Scoop malinowski · February 20, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    Kozlov has earned $212,407 so far in his career. The only atp player in draw with less career earnings is 19 yr old Q Akira Santillan of Japan with $88,788. Fritz bested Akira on stadium tonight 6464. Nice match. Akira has a very nice one hander and can crack a serve to 134 but his coach Richie Sanchez told me after his serve isnt working. Its off. Fritz looked really good all around. But his ranking dropped to 122 by losing Memphis points. Fish and Berger are both here w Fritz. Fritz hit w Fish on stadium before Haaspop dubs.

  • Scoop malinowski · February 20, 2017 at 10:26 pm

    Dan. Kozlov got a great deal on Porsche via Tommy Haas. Pays $300 a mth. Kozlov is 115 in world and he just turned 19. I tell ya he put on some muscle and grew taller. Looking forward to see Koz vs Johnson third on court one tomorrow with his dad Andrei.

  • Scoop malinowski · February 20, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    Fritz is serving big and his backhand is so steady and penetrating. Totally broke down Santillans one hander with cross court mano a mano. Fritz doing everything well. Moving, forehand winners, big points raises his game. He gets winner of 2seed Ivo vs Young next. Watch out for Fritz.

  • Andrew Miller · February 20, 2017 at 11:45 pm

    Put Harrison’s record from July on in perspective – he was 37-13 (including challengers and qualifying events). His 37-13 mark since July, can be compared with Jo-Willy Tsonga’s 37-17 mark for all of 2016.

    In other words, arguably, Harrison’s been playing top 30 ball since July.

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 12:18 am

    Scoop, Fritz has WORK to do. I just watched Dallas Challenger finals and my opinion is all Stathovsky: when it comes to American/US men that are up and coming, the “hype” is holding them back. Fritz’ movement was TERRIBLE against Harrison and the guy would do well to hire a physio to keep him on his toes. His movement to his backhand wing was poor. His form alternated between superior and a poor man’s Al Berasetegui, and often his backhand, rather than hit out in front of him, was taken from behind.

    He’s got some serious form problems on that wing and yeah, it works for him – so long as another player isn’t spinning the shot right into his backhand or top-spinning it down the middle so it bounces into Fritz and he has to move.

    When it comes to Fritz it’s obvious, move him around. He gets tired at 6’4” and doesn’t have the athletic base to make a physical contest out of it, then his form breaks down.

    His return of serve needs work also.

    No surprise he lost his next match to Zhang, another vet, in a physical contest. Paul from NorCalTennisCzar has a nice write up of that contest.

    Kudla’s been doing a bit better.

    This is a VETERAN’S MARKET right now, and players with experience, including Novikov, are profiting off of the inexperience and poor prep of the young guys.

    As Dan said before, Fritz needs to hire a coach. That’s great he’s getting some pointers from Fish, who should encourage Fritz to move his feet to get in position to slam the backhand out in front of him rather than take it in his weird wind up. He ought to make room for it, and for gosh sakes keep his feet planted until after he hits the shot.

    Fritz won’t be doing well until he preps better. He shows no strategy out there and seems to be winging it.

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 12:21 am

    Scoop said Stefanki would be a good match for Fritz. I agree. Stefanki would up Fritz’ prep and make him acquire the right physical base and strategy so he can make use of things like his speed (under-rated), his serve (over-rated) his forehand (huge) and his backhand (sometimes excellent, sometimes awful). And most of all to keep it simple and move his feet.

    That said Stefanki is a serious coach. I don’t think he signs on does he until a player has put in more work?

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 12:24 am

    I have to say I like the other US next generation players a lot more than Fritz’ game. Opelka is a beast but he’s injured too much. Mmoh is a great athlete, but seems to need more experience and more time. Kozlov has a solid backhand and strategy, but is a bit lite for now. Paul is working his way back into the mix. Rubin’s a step forward two steps back.

    That leaves Tiafoe and the elder Escobedo, and Donaldson. I like Tiafoe based on sheer talent, Escobedo on effort (he’s like a Raonic in terms of how he works) and Donaldson in terms of how his game is coming together in a coherent way, even with wobbly movement (See Fritz) and a wobbly forehand sometimes (see Kozlov).

  • catherine bell · February 21, 2017 at 3:08 am

    Dan –

    The Spelling Police say it’s ‘rein’ not’reign’ 🙂

    And I’m exhausted and confused by this expert conversation – is Fritz any good or not ? Is he tall and slow or ‘doing everything well’ ?

    Is he a mirage or the Real Thing ?

  • Dan Markowitz · February 21, 2017 at 4:35 am

    Catherine, yes of course, rein, I knew something was wrong when I wrote reign, thanks for reeling me in as I’ve been trying to do with Andrew on Harry. So what if he’s 37-13 against mostly Challenger fare since July 2016?1 He’s beaten Raonic, Qball and no one else any good. To compare that to Tsonga’s exact record when Tsonga beats guys like Goffin is absurd.

    Look if Fritz is getting help from Fish he’s got a great tennis mind and obviously not-too-former player helping him out and that’s big. The reason I don’t like the Koz (I’ve got to stick with my nicknames for these guys) is that I think if you’re driving a Porsche at 19 and 120 in the world, a part of your psyche says, “I’ve already made it!” And that’s not a good place for the Koz to be in right now because he hasn’t done shinola yet. I mean has he even won a slam match yet? I don’t think so.

    Scoop, any talk about how Spadea fared and looked in his Championship Tour debut and why isn’t Tiafoe there? What’s the word with Donaldson and why he and Dent really split and is Gambill there with the Donald? I’m interested to hear your review on Fritz v Dr. Ivo or DY and how the Donald looks.

  • scoopmalinowski · February 21, 2017 at 8:05 am

    Yes Gambill is here with Donaldson and also five others in the entourage. Big match today for Donaldson vs Kukushkin. Fritz is a big time clutch player who wins. Simple as that. He just ran into a red hot Harry in Dallas and Lu is always a tough out. Lu has the challenger record with 26 titles. Fish and Fritz must have some chemistry because they were together last yr around Miami time. Dont forget Fritz has lost two five setters to Sock at Aus and US open last yr so his fitness is sufficient and will only improve with experience. Curious to see how Young handles Isner a week after beating Isner (indoors) for the first time. I call Young for the upset.

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 9:28 am

    Fritz is not prime time and wont be for a while. Lets get a gut check from Mayotte or Spadea, two former ATP vets that Fritz wont hire. Or better yet Wilander, who isn’t in love with any player and has no dog in this race.

    Dan you sound an awful lot like either the British or Australians, whoever it is that does the Tennis Podcast. I listened to it last night and they were all about Karo Pliskova while absolutely downplaying Harrison’s win and talking about him as if he had won a few futures.

    It was a bit insulting to be honest. All I am advocating for, beyond congratulating a player that has made it back to the ATP level after several years in purgatory, is CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

    Years ago we talked up Goffin, who has become Davydenko like in his performance at best of three set tournaments. As well as Mischa Zverev, who outside of Del Potro is the comeback player of the year.

    Seriously though lets give credit to Sock, Johnson, Harrison. They’ve achieved escape velocity and performed above this website and message board’s expectations in the few years. Johnson couldn’t buy a match a few years ago, Harrison wasn’t just losing but losing left and right to Donaldson, Kozlov, everyone!!!

    Credit where it’s due.

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 9:36 am

    Fritz,aka Ryan Harrison in mid 2012, on his way down the rankings.

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    In Dubai, Mladenovic d Pliskova E-Z, straights and Pliskova’s sister also drummed out of Dubai in three. PUENTE WINS ANOTHER MATCH! AND SO DOES KERBER.

    And here I was thinking Pliskova is ready to win a slam. Yeah right! She might, but not by exiting so early in the more important wta tournaments. I don’t buy that she is the second coming of Lindsay Davenport. I like Pliskova, but you can’t just pencil in that she’s ready for a slam trophy ceremony. That isn’t how the sport works.

  • catherine bell · February 21, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    I don’t rate Pliskovas much,either one, not from what I’ve seen. Maybe I just dislike that style of play.

    Actually Andrew that probably is often how the WTA works – a total stranger lifts a Slam trophy – just once. And then back to the ranks. Unless your name is Williams of course.

    Or Kerber – glad to see Angie get through her first match in Dubai. She tends to shrug off her difficulties in public but whether that’s her true state of mind, who knows. Maybe a good psychological tactic anyway.

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 1:56 pm

    Catherine, true, many one hit wonders. Kerber such a departure in swooping in for two in one year before her slump this year(though she had a post Australian slump last year too). Muguruza is doing a fantastic impression of Ivanovic.
    A lot of players biting the dust in Dubai. Or sand, depending on how you see it!

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 2:01 pm

    Yeah I liked Coco’s run in Australia and how she dis it on court. She has more options out there. Pliskova is plenty good, she’s a throwback to the big babe brigade that rolled through in the early 2000s. Like Sam Crawford who Dan likes. Long strokes like Sharapova. Big power games.
    BORING!!!!!

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    Pliskova could win Wimbledon. And it will put you to sleep.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 21, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Scoop,

    Just saw you on Tennis Channel for like one second after Raonic match, the camera was outside stadium and you walked by in your hat and a smile on your face and then passed out of the way. Very exciting.

  • catherine bell · February 21, 2017 at 2:12 pm

    Oh I’m so glad I missed the Big Babe Brigade, owing to spending some years doing Other Things 🙂

    Coco bit the dust in the desert so no threat to Angie.

    Sam Crawford hasn’t won anything at all since Dan hailed her many moons ago. Power isn’t everything, as we know.
    (Simona is 4-0 v Pliskova by the way.)

    Now we just want some S/V and OHBH like the men.

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    Dan, Catherine wants your opinion of Fritz.

  • Scoop malinowski · February 21, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    Michelle Wie and Younes El Aynouai in the house. Just interviewed Raonic about Facing Murray at presser. Raonic said he lives in Monaco but also Tor and NYC.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 21, 2017 at 3:33 pm

    I haven’t seen Fritz play yet this way. Maybe I’ll see him this week in Delray or I will be at Miami Open for a few days next month and will give you my opinion.

  • catherine bell · February 21, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    Andrew –

    I think Dan gave me his opinion of Fritz, briefly. A bit cautious it seems which strikes me as sensible, at this stage.

  • Bryan · February 21, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Good to see you’re out covering Delray again Scoop. Not happy with my man Juan Martin del Potro’s R1 opponent. Kevin Anderson this early makes it tough for Delpo to get rhythm going.

  • Bryan · February 21, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    Can’t compare Fritz’s ranking decline to Harrison’s IMO. He’s still just 19 and on his second year on tour. Prospects always rise and dip before settling into consistent play. Big serve, backhand, and size will get him far, plus he’s not a mental case like Harrison.

  • scoopmalinowski · February 21, 2017 at 6:32 pm

    Bryan, thank you. Delpo is ready as he hit with Sock and Boris Kozlov today. Looks great. Paes won dubs with Lu vs Donaldson Fritz. Paes hasnt played since Aus because his partner in montpelier monfils pulled out ill. Donaldson beat Kukushkin 63 in third despite 50 lead and break pt for 54. Donaldson hit two aces in a row at deuce to seal the win. Talked with Soadea who won two senior singles vs pernfors and grosjean and was leading ginzalez 41 but gonzo found his groove and no ad scoring. Vince looks great. Dy beat Ivo 7676. Johnson beat Koz 6164 with Koz fighting back w late rally. Sock came to see and was watching with me and Vince. Nishioka was also watching bc he plays winner. Nishioka lives Rios we talked about Rios. Coric yold me about meeting his idol Tyson.

  • Bryan · February 21, 2017 at 7:48 pm

    Thanks for the 411 Scoop, I read this who comments thread and am enjoying your updates from the grounds.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 21, 2017 at 11:09 pm

    Geez, here’s a news shocker! Del Potro is good, real good. Made KevAnd look like Julie Andrews. A friend watched Raonic play today and came away not unduly impressed. Said he thought while watching him, he’ll never win a slam. I asked why he thought that and he had no concrete answer. Looked like a good crowd out there for Del Po match tonight and he looked like he was having fun, smiled a few times and let a ball kid help him up and then gave him a high five when he tripped over his own feet on one point.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 21, 2017 at 11:11 pm

    What’s wrong with Tomic? He crashed out of both Memphis and Delray in first rounds, today losing to Steve Darcis. I love Darcis and his one hander, but Tomic at this point in his career, should be winning that match rather easily.

  • scoopmalinowski · February 22, 2017 at 8:20 am

    Strong win by Delpo who could be the b foundation for this event for yrs to come. Big fan turnout for Delpo and he loves this event. Just does everything better than Anderson. Tomic is not getting better simple as that. Darcis is playing very well this yr look at his results. Spoke w Darcis who has not played or hit with Murray since they played a Futures final fifteen yrs ago. Talk about kooky draw quirks. Haas looked great vs Basilashvili up a set but hurt his right leg chasing a wide fh and then lost a close tight second set breaker which he couldve won. Then he lost the third. But it was a microcosm of his last few yrs… fine classic play betrayed by another darn injury. Watched a lot of it with Spadea.

  • Hartt · February 22, 2017 at 8:39 am

    That was so sad about Haas. The guy cannot catch a break. See he is playing doubles with Pospisil. Wonder if he will continue.

    Raonic must have had a lot to say about facing Murray. It seemed every time Milos turned around last year he was up against Andy.

  • Andrew Miller · February 22, 2017 at 8:48 am

    DY beat three of best servers in last ten days, Opelka,Isner,Karlovic. Great job

  • Andrew Miller · February 22, 2017 at 8:50 am

    DY also avenged us open loss to Karlovic before losing dubs with Nick Monroe. Heartbreaker of a match where Karlovic played out of his mind.
    That Davis Cup loss must be haunting Karlovic as much as its winner Delbonis who has been quiet this year.

  • Andrew Miller · February 22, 2017 at 8:53 am

    DY also hunting for ATP first title. He has no intention of living off the Memphis semifinal. All the us players have woken up to the new competition for status and Davis cup spots that Querrey launched in Delray last year when he stormed to the title over Ram. Speaking of Ram, shame he didn’t get wildcarded into the draw, he lost in qualies after his finals appearance last year where he had an outstanding week.

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