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Donskoy Finally Beats Jaziri After 14 Years
2 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles
Malek Jaziri first beat Evgeny Donskoy in a Futures tournament in Austria in 2008, 36 62 61.
Seven years older Jaziri would beat Donskoy four more times in their careers…
2018 Washington DC Outdoor Hard R64 Jaziri 64 61
2018 ATP Masters 1000 Rome Outdoor Clay Q1 Jaziri 63 62
2016 ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati Outdoor Hard Q1 Jaziri 75 75
2012 Quimper Indoor Hard SF Jaziri 7610 64
But yesterday, after fourteen years, 31 year old Donskoy finally solved the Jaziri puzzle and beat him yesterday in Bengaluru 76 (12-10) 64, the exact same score of their Quimper semifinal ten years ago which was won by the Tunisian.
Jaziri is 37 years old now and still grinding on the pro tour with his 303 ranking. Donksoy, who once beat Roger Federer 36 76 76 in Doha in 2017 (their only meeting), is ranked 195.
Jaziri is 0-2 vs Federer, but he did win a set in 2013 Dubai 57 60 62. In 2016 Halle, Jaziri lost to Federer 63 75.
Jaziri has an ATP match record of 102-140 while Donskoy is 55-117. Donskoy has earned $3.2m in prize money, Jaziri has earned $3.9m.
Cory · February 8, 2022 at 8:40 pm
Love both of these guys, Scoop. Watching Donskoy’s game, i always fancied him to be a steady top 75 player and it just never happened. My guess is that Jaziri will hang it up given his ranking. It’s so hard to go from 300 to 100 (or better), especially at age 37. It might take 1-2 years just to make that ascension alone, let alone stay there for any time.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2022 at 9:19 pm
Cory, Donskoy was coached by Safin for a while too, Donskoy talking about his Safin memories is one of the best parts of Facing Marat Safin book. When he beat Federer that time, by far his defining career moment. Jaziri was the guy Goran Ivanisivic said was one of the most naturally talented guys in the ATP he just needed better coaching and refining. Jaziri is a late bloomer and by him still playing challengers in places like India or Timbuktu, it shows he still has plenty of gas left in his tank despite the ranking. DY is playing in Cancun this week ranked 500 something.