NK Rising takes the first set tiebreaker with a lethal display of Kyrgios tennis – Stan fought out of a 1-4 deficit in the tiebreaker to go up 5-4 but Nick was up to the challenge and saved a set point on a second serve serve and volley play that provoked a Stan backhand return way long – the set point ended on a neutral return down the middle which Stan backhanded long – Both Yonex players (Stan uses Yonex shoes/attire/racquet while Nick uses a Yonex racquet) exhorted themselves roaring come ons like lions – This is a bloodbath grudge match of the highest quality and one of the best battles we’ve seen in the ATP all year —
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Dan Markowitz · May 4, 2016 at 9:37 am
Really fine match, Scoop. As the TC announcer stated at match end, Kyrgios really kept it together mentally. His backhand has gotten a lot better, I think in answer to Andrew who thought NK’s backhand would be his undoing. If NK can beat Wawa in SS on clay, can he challenge Novak in Paris?
catherine bell · May 4, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Stan had his one shining moment at RG last year.
He’ll go on playing pretty well but he won’t win another major.
That’s the way it is in tennis.
Scoop Malinowski · May 4, 2016 at 1:59 pm
NK Rising could have easily gone off the boil late in the first set but kept a cool head – Supreme performance and commanding win by Kyrgios – he made a major statement today – NK is a top contender to win the French Open – No Dan I think Andrew pecks away at the Fritz backhand – at least more so than Nick’s backhand which looked like a top five backhand today –
Scoop Malinowski · May 4, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Catherine I don’t see Stan defending this year either – QF or SF is where he will land this year in Paris –
Dan Markowitz · May 5, 2016 at 2:16 am
Are those two Americans into the 3rd round of a dirt event in Europe? Nice wins by Qball and Sock today in Madrid. Sam coming from a set down to defeat the hot young Frenchman, Pouille and Sock SS Del Potro, who’d beaten Thiem in first round. Qball plays Nadal next, but Sock has very winnable match vs. Sousa.
sharoten · May 5, 2016 at 2:28 am
Oh geez you guys. Kyrgios beat Federer in the third round of Madrid last year. He didn’t go on to win the FO. In fact, he didn’t go on to do much. When Kyrgios actually wins something, then you can celebrate.
Scoop Malinowski · May 5, 2016 at 8:06 am
Sock now threatening to SF in a masters series – that’s beyond your ceiling on Sock Dan – might have to re-evaluate your opinions of Sock’s potential – Querrey is no doubt having the year we all expected – surely he is inspired and feeling the heat of the rising American teen armada nipping at his heels –
Scoop Malinowski · May 5, 2016 at 8:07 am
Kyrgios has beaten Rafa at Wimbledon and he’s beaten two French Open kings on red clay – Sharoten I will say it’s just a matter of time before Kyrgios wins a major title –
Dan Markowitz · May 5, 2016 at 9:10 am
I’m not ready to knight Sock a slam or even a Masters contender. I do think if he gets past Sousa and then gives Nadal a three-set battle, he’s on his way. But beating Paire and Delpo, while nice wins, are not fully altering where Sock stands on the red European clay yet. Those guys are nice players, but certainly not top tier.
Now Kyrgios beating Wawa is a different narrative. And I think his chances of beating the resurgent clay Nadal are good. He’s on a higher level than Sock.
Scoop Malinowski · May 5, 2016 at 9:26 am
Sock beat Paire (who has had a good run the last several weeks – lost to Andy 76 in the third set in monte carlo) – and Delpo (who just beat Thiem who has the most wins of any ATP player this year) – Sock is ready to challenge Rafa I think – But yes Kyrgios is ahead of Sock in status and only slightly in ATP ranking – Kyrgios is at the stage right now that he can win any major he enters – I think he’s that lethal right now and that ready to strike – while it would be a shock to most tennis observers to see Kyrgios winning any of the next four majors it would not shock me at all – Kygrios is like a rumbling volcano that is about to erupt –
catherine bell · May 5, 2016 at 10:35 am
Scoop -Yes – if Kyrgios is going to make the jump I’d expect him to either reach or win a GS final in 2016, or SF at least.
He’s just the right age – potentially great players don’t hang around.
Dan Markowitz · May 5, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Down go the Americans! I didn’t see either match, but Sock surprisingly lost to Sousa (he didn’t shake ump’s hand at match close. I heard he felt he got hooked) and QBall was up 4-1 against Nadal and then won a total of 2 games the rest of the match. Where’s Noah Rubin when you need him?
Moskova Moskova · May 5, 2016 at 10:11 pm
Well said sharoten..
Simmer down scoop…u tend to celebrate prematurely lol
Yes dan….down goes sock and down goes qball….Howie would be proud !
Gaurang · May 6, 2016 at 1:55 am
Sock is nowhere close to Kyrgios. I believe Sock’s highest ranking would be between 15 and 20. Where Kyrgios is likely to reach top 5.
Scoop, I agree that Kyrgios could win a major. I am thinking he will start going to SF and F in the slams in the next 4 slams. Then he will start winning some of them. He is the next star, with more potential than Theim, Goffin and Zverev.
I am hoping that Kyrgios looses to Nishi in the QF, so that Novak does not have play him in the SF 🙂
Btw, see Novak’s sublime game in these detailed highlights (9-10 mins) of his match today against Agut. Novak played very, very well. He would have to play at this level if he has to defeat Kyrgios in the Semi’s. AH! Looks like the tennis video has been deleted, it was there just 2-3 hours ago. You could watch the tennistv highlights instead (which are typically very short).
Stephen Warren · May 6, 2016 at 7:34 am
Be careful writing off Stan. I’d pretty much ruled him out of contention but thought I’d check his results prior to winning last year. They were woeful. He won a single match at each of monte carlo and Madrid (losing both to Dimitrov – wow, how long ago does it seem since grigor was beating top 10 players), was good in Rome but then lost to delbonis in Switzerland in his last match before the FO. Then played the tournament of his life.
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2016 at 7:50 am
Sock thought his inside out FH caught some line but the ump said no but Sock was at the net saying the mark was touching the line – Sousa broke on the next point and Sock couldn’t let that point go – Sousa was a killer looked very strong and focused like a machine – They were both grunting and Sock had that sort of double grunt with the extra sound after contact so it was a heated battle – Sock was right in there but like the loss to Pico in Houston he mentally got a bit off track – if Sock can fix the mental part during the crucial points of a match he will be a killer – I think he can and will do it – So Close – He just kind of goes a little off the boil a bit and then he crumbles – if he can find that beast mode ruthless vicious no mercy assassin like tunnel vision mindset and channel all his focus and energies to figuratively beating up the opponent on the court Sock will be a world beater – he’s on the cusp of that –
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2016 at 7:56 am
Rafa is really flying right now – the game is there – the defense – the fighting spirit – the fists flying – he subdued a very stiff test by Querrey who was wrecking Rafa in the first set but Rafa fought his way out of trouble – he is so close to being his vintage self – but it all comes down to Djokovic – Can Rafa beat Djokovic? If he can’t beat Djokovic he goes backwards and this winning streak is all just an illusion – if he loses again to Djokovic the reality is it’s Djokovic who is the king of clay – but Rafa sure does look like he could regain that throne from the current king of clay Djokovic – Rafa’s effort level and hunger to beat Djokovic if they meet in madrid is going to be something very special to see – Rafa is going to kill Djokovic worse than anyone he’s ever killed on a tennis court –
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2016 at 8:01 am
Sock is just a few notches below Kyrgios in the rankings – projections of potential ranking is a risk – you never know when and if Sock will find that switch and find the key to taking the next step – I can see it happening – I can see Sock being top five also – Years ago Sock was written off as a heartless out of shape waste of talent – now look at him he’s just about top 25 in the world and a Wimbledon king – Sock hasn’t hit his ceiling yet – Sock is one of the most intriguing talents in the game today and he is certainly capable of evolving into a new stage of wisdom and experience which enables him to be a top ten player – It would be folly to write off Sock as many people have done in the past and look where he is now –
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2016 at 8:04 am
Good points Stephen – didn’t even realize or remember Stan was that mediocre heading into Paris last year – he is an example of a player (like Sock imo) who is so talented and close to awakening and then shocking the world – And a player who decides when it is the right time to peak and go all out – Dimitrov should have gained a lot of confidence after seeing Stan win Paris last year because he beat him twice just before Paris) – Dimitrov is such a curious intriguing enigma –
Stephen Warren · May 6, 2016 at 8:27 am
Funny thing, while we’re talking Sock and Kyrgios, is that they’re good friends on tour. Not surprising with their similar on court behaviour. Similar in that they’ll both engage flippantly with people off court while on court. It’s their way of dealing with pressure they’re not naturally embracing of. Think Nick is starting to accept that pressure, that challenge rather than resent it. Jack could be following suite.
catherine bell · May 6, 2016 at 8:29 am
Stephen/Scoop
My point exactly – came together for Stan at RG, he had his golden moment but it won’t happen again.
I’d bet on that 🙂
But why this happens to athletes, this ‘in the zone’ performance but never repeated, and not just tennis players, is a mystery.
Harold · May 6, 2016 at 9:07 am
You talk about the mental game. Both Sock and Kyrgios have trouble maintaining in 2 out of 3’s. They have to prove it. Through a series of tough matches in 3 out of 5’s. A different test of MAJOR proportions.
Can they keep their head, can they continue ” double grunting beast mode”.
Can they have a big win early, third or fourth round, come back teo days lTer and continue the run.
Big questions they need to prove before annointing them prematurely.
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2016 at 9:54 am
Stephen: Sock and Kyrgios are close friends and I think that friendship could be part of the reason why they didn’t not square off in Davis Cup earlier this year – Both are very super players who have a playful side and a similar balance of business like professionalism and entertainer qualities – it will be really weird to see them have to play in a major or masters series match – and really uncomfortable –
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2016 at 9:57 am
Catherine: You seem to forget Stan’s incredible win in Australia vs Djokovic and Rafa in the final – not much less sensational but overshadowed by Rafa’s supposed injury which sprouted after losing the first set – I still think it was a fake injury and stall to try to freeze Stan but it failed – remember the Aussie crowd booed Rafa when he came back to the court after the ten minute delay and Rafa was very upset by that and it ruined the great match and great win by Stan –
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2016 at 9:59 am
Harold: The same questions were asked of young Federer and young Djokovic – plenty of time for Sock and Kyrgios to solve this dilemma – as Fed and Djokovic (and many other great champs like Lendl /Andy /Agassi etc etc etc) did –
catherine bell · May 6, 2016 at 10:53 am
Scoop –
No, I hadn’t really overlooked AO, only his performance in Paris seemed to reach a greater height.
Just never forgot his destruction of Federer – awesome.
I’d still stick to my prediction re GS – but of course we’re here to be proven wrong 🙂
Harold · May 6, 2016 at 11:12 am
@ Scoop..
How can you compare Sock and Kyg to Frd, Djok, Lendl and AA?
Fed was ranked 5, when he won his first, Djok was 3, Lendl was 1 or 2 in 84, and had lost Finals already, when he won his first( Mac choke). AA was in a F O final at 29 years old.
Think these mental midgets( so far) can get through a top 8 in the 1/4’s, top 4 in the semis. Rough road ahead coming from ranked in the 20’s
Harold · May 6, 2016 at 11:19 am
20 for AA 1990 FO..typo
Moskova Moskova · May 6, 2016 at 12:46 pm
down goes nick !
scoopy – anymore astute assessments ? 😉
he’s got potential but just not ready for primetime – except when he runs his mouth off about other people’s personal lives lol
Dan Markowitz · May 6, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Can’t disagree with you more, Catherine. Wawa is the only guy in the game, and that includes Nadal I still think, who can beat Djoko when Djoko is playing well. Wawa’s high is higher than Djoko’s!. He’s an amazing talent and he’s still in about his prime window. Most important, he knows he can beat Djoko. No one else knows that, but Wawa.
catherine bell · May 6, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Dan –
We’ll agree to disagree 🙂 But I think some changes might be ahead in coming months.
Moskova – did you see any of NK’s match ? He probably won’t be losing those in the near future. He has talent.
Moskova Moskova · May 6, 2016 at 4:19 pm
saw some highlights Catherine…..he’s LE MONF JR at best right now but the sky’s the limit if he puts it together..
also, IMO wawa’s playing lukewarm ball right now but I do agree with Dan that wawa’s high is higher than djoko’s high…..potentially FED’s high was the all time high – definitely debatable on TP.com ! lol
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2016 at 6:39 pm
Nick was up a set and was two points away from the win but Nishiori got it done – I didn’t see Nick choke I saw Kei play lights out lethal tennis – okay loss for Nick he’s still a contender to win Paris – Nishikori is just a slight bit better than Nick right now –
Scoop Malinowski · May 6, 2016 at 6:44 pm
Stan now has the pressure to defend his Roland Garros title and Stan does not have a great record of defending big titles outside of Chennai – I don’t see Stan handling that pressure well – he’s at his best when he’s under the radar – I could see Stan losing to a player like Agut or Zverev in Paris –
Dan Markowitz · May 7, 2016 at 9:52 am
Raonic disappointing match vs Djoko. Straight sets, 3 and 3, he’s now 0-7 vs. Djoko, but what’s striking is as much as the big Canuck has improved his movement and groundies, he only served like 2 aces against Djoko. That’s not going to get it done in a big match. Raonic just doesn’t have enough diversity in his game, although I like that he forced Djoko into missing a lot of passing shots.
Scoop Malinowski · May 7, 2016 at 5:45 pm
If Djokovic toys with Raonic’s serve just imagine what he does to Sampras’ serve –
Dan Markowitz · May 7, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Sampras had a better serve than Raonic. When would Sampras get just two aces in a match? Never. Sampras moved a lot better than Raonic, had a much better forehand and volleys. Sampras would toy with Raonic.
Moskova Moskova · May 7, 2016 at 8:33 pm
Down goes fritz !! By none other than stepanek the snake lol
Dan Markowitz · May 7, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Yeah, that’s a bad loss for Fritz. I know its Euro clay that the kid has never really played on–not in the pros–but geez, to lose 6-1 in the third set to a guy who’s 20 years older than you is shocking!
Scoop Malinowski · May 8, 2016 at 8:25 am
Fritz lost in three sets 46 in third to Step in Barcelona qualies too – but I don’t think these are bad losses by Fritz because Stepanek is still a force in singles – excellent learning experiences – Step just extended Andy murray to three sets the previous tournament –