Throughout his career, Lopez has played in the most five-set matches that have gone beyond 6–6, with the longest fifth set being 16–14er at the 2009 Australian Open against Gilles Müller.
Four years ago at the US Open is when I became a believer in the intestinal fortitude of the Spaniard. He was battling Ivan Dodig in the first round on grandstand, first match on. It was hotter than hot that day. It was scorching just sitting there in the media box. Lopez was getting smoked by the Croatian but he somehow managed to turn the tables and battle back to win the fourth set 64. Then at 1-1 in the fifth, Dodig retired.
In the second round Lopez, showing no ill effects of that win, defeated Japan’s Tatsumi Ito in another rugged four sets on another brutally hot afternoon duel. Remember, this was the same US Open that forced Americans Jack Sock and Steve Johnson to retire.
Lopez showed further Iron Man tendencies at the Australian Ope three years ago. Lopez saved three match points and beat Denis Kudla in five sets. Lopez outlasted Adrian Mannarino who retired in the fourth set, unable to even properly walk, his legs were so fatigued. Lopez won again in the third round and set up a fourth round duel with Milos Raonic. Lopez the gladiator saved another match point in the fourth set tiebreak, which he won 9-7, and then finally lost 6-3 in the fifth to the Canadian.
Does this guy ever get tired?
Lopez’s overall five set record is 24-11. He has almost 9,000 aces. Six career singles titles. A Roland Garros doubles title won against the Bryan Brothers. Hall of Fame worthy material?
Lopez is still a lethal force in the ATP at 36 years of age. He just won Queens Club last summer in a marathon final vs Cilic. He smoked Jack Sock last night in Indian Wells, a player he had been 1-2 career against. Lopez plays a physically demanding game with his primarily defensive/neutral slice backhand. Isn’t his body supposed to be starting to break down after all the wear and tear at age 36?
Nope, it hasn’t and it may never. Feliciano Lopez is the ATP’s “Iron Man.”
No tags
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
« Previous 1 2Duke Carnoustie · March 16, 2018 at 12:17 am
Tiafoe is in the main draw in Miami now that Pablo Cuevas pulled out. Problem solved.
How were the matches today? I was watching March Madness and some of Donaldson’s loss to Kukushkin (3 and 3) I miss anything?
Duke Carnoustie · March 16, 2018 at 2:25 am
Just caught some of the Coric-Ando highlights.
For everyone complaining about the NextGen, maybe Coric is the guy to watch here? He had a meteoric rise before crashing and now he is back on the up and up.
Remember Coric is a big-match player who crushed Jack Sock in front of a hostile U.S. crowd in the decisive match to win a DC tie after his country was down 0-2. If there is something on the line, I’ll take Coric over Sock every time.
scoopmalinowski · March 16, 2018 at 6:49 am
Sock would rather hit tweeners against Fed in an exo than lock horns with Coric.
catherine · March 16, 2018 at 8:28 am
Daria gets her wish and will play Venus in one semi; Simona and Naomi in the other.
No predictions from me.
Only, Simona in the final v ?
Chazz · March 16, 2018 at 8:35 am
I don’t remember who the commentator was during Fritz Coric but he said Coric is a street fighter. With the sideways hat I think he might be affiliated with the Croatian mafia. Harrison-Coric is a street fight I would like to see. BTW, Anderson didn’t back up his talk. We just missed out on an Anderson-Federer matchup.
Scoop Malinowski · March 16, 2018 at 9:05 am
Chazz, that was Courier who said Coric has a streetfighter mentality and he saw it up close in that Davis Cup win vs Sock. Coric loves Mike Tyson who is his favorite athlete and inspiration. Coric may wear that hat crooked in honor of Donald Young or to support his tatto which denounces the agony of being ordinary.
Hartt · March 16, 2018 at 9:53 am
This was not unexpected, but I was still sorry to hear that Tommy Haas officially announced his retirement after last night’s Fed vs Chung match. (At age 39, he has been a pro for over 2 decades.) He said: “The sport gave me cherished friendships, an ability to travel the world, and opportunities to create incredible memories. It also taught me a lot about what it means to face challenges, battle back, and overcome them.”
Haas had a solid career, with 15 titles, a career high of No. 2 and a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics. If he had not been plagued by injuries – he had 9 surgeries – his results could have been even better. But his last match win was a big one – over Fed at Stuttgart last June. He has said he wanted to go out on his own terms, and not because of injury, and he accomplished that.
The IW site has a video commemorating his career, and several players, both past and present, paid tribute. Several talked about his wonderful BH, and the aesthetic quality of his game.
Of course female fans have enjoyed Tommy’s classic good looks. To me, he is much better looking than Grigor, who I think has a chipmunk sort of face. And Tommy has a sense of humour – I will never forget his on-court selfie with Iggy, the iguana.
At least, as IW tournament director, Tommy remains involved with tennis.
Duke Carnoustie · March 16, 2018 at 10:21 pm
Yeah I don’t get why the females swoon over Grigor. Fed and is way more handsome, for example. Rafa and of course Feli. Jack Sock I kinda get the attraction too.
Of course the legendary Stepanek no one can quite explain.
I wonder who female fans are attracted to the most on the ATP tour.
Hartt · March 17, 2018 at 9:23 am
Duke, I can tell you one young player female fans talk a lot about – Pablo Carreno Busta. He has a striking face, and his prominent nose actually helps his good looks, makes him more distinctive. They also talk about Lucas Pouille and, to a degree, Sousa.
I think Fed is an attractive man but not actually handsome. And I don’t see the appeal of Jack Sock. He certainly is not in the discussion when female fans talk online about good-looking players.
And of course Stepanek’s appeal to women in real life is one of the mysteries of the universe! 🙂
catherine · March 17, 2018 at 9:32 am
No mystery Hartt – He probably has tons of SA.
Hartt · March 17, 2018 at 9:37 am
Lol. Catherine, yes, I’d sort of figured that out. But his SA sure is not based on his looks!
catherine · March 17, 2018 at 10:20 am
Well – many of the great Casanovas of history have been far from oil paintings looks-wise. Doesn’t seem to matter much with men. Which isn’t fair but there you are.