Somdev Devvarman blows a 5-2 with two breaks in first set, then a 5-1 lead in the breaker as Milos Raonic fights back to 6-5 but the Canadian hits the net cord on a backhand pass and Devvarman exults with a Come on and takes the set.
Two interested observers for Raonic vs. Devvarman are a pair of Swedish grand slam champions Thomas Johansson and Jonas Bjorkman. Bjorkman, who is captain of Davis Cup for Sweden, says he is not overly impressed by what he’s seen from Raonic during this match, particularly his movement. Some missed volleys evoke him to say that not many players can volley in today’s game. Which makes me later think that maybe it’s the power of the equipment, or perhaps maybe there aren’t many excellent coaches who can teach the proper art of the volley.
At the same time, Robin Soderling is on stadium and down 0-3 in the third to Ivan Dodig but Soda man comes back to win 6-4.
I tell Johansson that it was his anecdote about Marcelo Rios which has inspired my book about the Chilean. He comments that Rios didn’t always want to play, sometimes he really didn’t want to play, but when he did really want to play, you didn’t want to be on the other side of the net.
Andy Murray is out practicing his return of serve, as he is a few hours away from making his 2011 Sony Ericcson debut against Alex Bogomolov Jr.
Stay tuned for updates:
* Raonic defeated by Devvarman in two sets. Big win for the fast-rising Indian who was a two-time NCAA champ. BIG win. Fish defeated Benneteau.
*Thomaz Bellucci over James Blake 6-2 and 4-4. Sania Mirza just took the first set from Maria Kirilenko.
* Just did three consecutive Biofiles with Devvarman, Berankis and Raonic. Then run up the two flights of stairs back to the media center and see the astonishing score on stadium scoreboard, Bogomolov is up 3-0 on Murray with two breaks. Neil Harman of the Times of London, who is watching from the media perch agrees with me that there’s no bloody way that Murray will lose this match.
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Sakhi · March 25, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Those of us rooting for Devvarman think of him as a South Asian Lleyton Hewitt, without the bad attitude. I saw him play against Nadal at IW and he is a tough tought competitor. He’s a national hero in India because he won gold at the Commonwealth Games and that’s no easy feat when you have the hopes of a nation lying on your young shoulders. It seems that tennis is becoming more and more of a mental game at the pro level, and when it comes to mental strength, Devvarman has it in spades. Remember he beat Isner at the NCAA finals a few years ago too.
Murray is, well, Murray. Scoop–were you the one who keeps thinking his star is going to rise? No telly coverage here in California till tomorrow.
Scoop Malinowski · March 25, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Sakhi, I just did a Biofile with Somdev, really fantastic Biofile. Murray just lost, minutes ago, he’s in interview room now! Major shock here, Devvarmn was a classic Biofile, you will love it.
Sakhi · March 25, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Hi Scoop–I’m off to play tennis on a gorgeous day here in L.A. after days of rain and the buzz around the courts is going to be Murray’s unexpected loss. I told you, old chap, don’t put any money on Murray’s stock. He’s going to be a Rios without every winning anything!
Scoop Malinowski · March 25, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Once a champ always a champ, Murray will be back, stronger than ever too. Guaranteed! Hit some winners today will you.
Minhaj · March 25, 2011 at 8:57 pm
I think Murray has not recovered mentally from the Australian open loss. The same happened to him when he lost to Federer last year.
Actually I think I know exactly how he feels about the loss against Djokovic. A similar thing happened to me recently. When you lose in something you have cut your heart out for it can become your demon.
Scoop Malinowski · March 25, 2011 at 11:42 pm
I agree Minhaj. Murray was devastated by the Djokovic loss. He was in superb condition, he was playing excellent tennis, it just wasn’t enough. It reminds me of the Marvin Hagler – John ‘The Beast’ Mugabi fight. Mugabi was doing his best, doing very well, then late in the fight he landed his best punch on Hagler’c chin. But Hagler took it and did not blink. After the round in his corner, Mugabi was mentally defeated. His corner sensed it too. They were pleading with him, Come on John you can do it, you can still do it, keep fighting. But in the next round Mugabi was knocked out. WHen a man is mentally defeated, then it’s easier to physically beat him. I think this is what happened to Murray. He’s lost his confidence. He’s not sure if he has what it takes to win a major now. I believe he will get over this, will make some coaching change or a major change with his team. Maybe, as Neil Harman speculated, he will hire a Bob Brett, Tony Roche or Darren Cahill. Murray needs someone that believes he can do it. I have always believed in MUrray and still do now, but it’s not looking very good at the moment.
Andrew Miller · March 26, 2011 at 3:15 am
Somdev – two time NCAA champ from UVa! He made Charlottesville his home before the new Austin journey. Let’s hear it for players that look at college as a way to improve their games. All that said: Somdev was already incredible BEFORE he went to UVa – he was one of world’s top juniors.
Can we admit Raonic has problems with the Ferrer-style players?
Scoop Malinowski · March 27, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Andrew, Who doesn’t have problems with Ferrer or Ferrer type players?! Including Rafa. Huge win by Devvarman over Raonic, he is going to become another dangerman and threat for all the players to deal with. Very impressed with his performance vs. Raonic, smart, tactical tennis. And he served very well too, many free points from his serve.