Tennis Prose




Feb/21

8

AO Day One

Novak Djokovic is desperate to regain his lost aura of invincibility after his US Open and Roland Garros failures, and he sent a stern message by routing Jeremy Chardy in straight sets.

Serena Williams looked sensational in her dazzling Flo-Jo inspired new Nike half catsuit costume, blasting out her opponent Laura Seigemund 6161. It was stunning to see how agile and quick Serena moved around the court, she has turned back the clock a few years.

Venus Williams also scored a good win by dispatching Kirsten Flipkens 75 62. After the match Venus joked with Rennae Stubbs about the tape on her leg being “decoration” with the intent to “keep ’em guessing.” Was it an in your face admission that the supposed leg issue is just a scam to distract and deceive opponents?

Corentin Moutet continued his raise up the ATP ranks with a 5 set win vs John Millman.

Kei Nishikori looks finished as an elite player, he lost in three sets to Pablo Carreno Busta 75 76 62.

Angelique Kerber looks as finished as Kei, the former champion was bounced back to Germany by American Bernarda Pera 60 64.

Bernard Tomic is back from irrevelance and obscurity with a retirement win vs Sugita 36 61 41. Tomic will have his hands full with the Sinner vs Shapovalov winner.

Nick Kyrgios, was unphased by Djokovic saying he does not respect him to the media, and performed a 64 64 64 win vs. Silva.

Americans Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka advanced to the second round with solid wins vs Ramos and Rendy Lu. Maxime Cressy also accomplished his first Grand Slam singles win by beating LL Taro Daniel 76 76 64 with mostly serve and volley and net attacks. The former UCLA player will face Alexander Zverev next. Zverev won in four sets vs Marcos Giron after losing the first set TB.

Ten seed Gael Monfils was stunned by Emil Ruusuvouri 36 64 75 36 63.

Grigor Dimitrov beat Cilic in three sets.

35 year old Su-Wei Hsieh beat Tsvetana Pivaronkova 75 62.

Naomi Osaka won 61 62 Nastia Pavs. Simona Halep beat Lizette Cabrera by the same score.

Dominic Thiem looked shaky early saving set point but the 3 seed survived Mikhail Kukushkin in the end 76 62 63. Kukushkin is coached by his wife.

Denis Shapovalov survived a five setter with Jannik Sinner, winning 64 in the final set. Shapo didn’t have great results in ATP Cup, but he was very competitive with Djokovic and Zverev. This win could be just what the doctor ordered.

Stan Wawrinka isn’t done yet, he beat Sousa in straights sets.

Bibi Andreescu made her long awaited return to the Tour and eked out a 63 in the third win vs LL Buzarnescu.

Iga Swiatek won 61 63 vs Rus while Milos Raonic manhandled Federico Coria in 3 sets.

Frances Tiafoe won 76 62 62 vs Stefano Travaglia.

Qiang Wang, with new coach Pat Cash, lost 62 46 46 to qualifier Sara Errani. Errani gets Serena next. Wang had beaten Serena at AO last year.

Felix Auger-Aliassime lost another final the day before to Dan Evans but he won yesterday in AO first round vs Cedric Marcel Stebe 62 64 62.

Rebecca Marino, the unretired Canadian qualifier, also won against Katie Birrell 60 76. Big win for Becca.

2 comments

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2021 at 10:25 am

    Shapo wins. Tried to take a bathroom break after losing fourth set, but was refused. Then took medical timeout. Stall tactics work. Osaka looks considerably huskier to my eyes. Something going on there. Will be interesting to see Fritz vs Opelka, they are close friends, but how will this match in 2R affect that friendship?

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 9, 2021 at 9:22 am

    Day Two:
    Kokkinakis finally plays and wins in a major, beat Kwon, said it was six years since his last AO win. A lot of odd results of favored players falling – Goffin gone (by Popyrin), Azarenka ousted (Pegula), Agut out (Albot), Struff stuffed (O’Connell), Zhang zinged (by Anne Li 62 60), Evans vanquished (Norrie), Sakkari stopped (by Kiki), Hurkacz homeward bound (Ymer), Martic eliminated (Danilovic), Konta crushed (Juvan), Sloane beaten (Putintseva).
    Then the expected wins: Rafa looks perfect, no sign of any back injury. Carlos Alcarez wins his first GS match. F Lo still hanging in there beats Tu. Paul beats Basilashvili, Sonego over Querrey, Fognini beats Herbert, Cuevas over Seppi. Danielle Collins won and she took a photo with her Aussie army of male fans after who wore custom made shirts professing their love for Dani.

<<

>>

Find it!

Copyright 2010
Tennis-Prose.com
To top