By Scoop Malinowski
The main event of Sarasota Open Wednesday was the second round showdown between Stefan Kozlov and Donald Young, both Americans eager to spark a roll and get their rankings onto higher ground.
Thomaz Bellucci vs Facundo Bagnis has been moved to the side court because the Jay Clarke vs Akira Santillan match went to the 7-6 in the third limit. Clarke beat Aussie Santillan in an upset with Mark Woodforde supporting and coaching Akira.
Young has been struggling – he has won one match all year vs Ramkumar Ramanathan in Delray Beach – and has seen his rank plummet to the 130 range. Before the match, I see Young on the practice court working with his doubles partner Scott Lipsky. I can’t find Kozlov on any practice court but the first time I do see him he’s in the VIP tent shade waiting for the battle.
Kozlov gets off to a good start. Young misfires two long balls to start the match and his broken. Kozlov holds and then breaks again for a 3-0 lead. Kozlov was 0-2 head to head vs Young, losing by a wipeout in Newport two years ago and then in a long epic marathon last year in Indian Wells on stadium. It was a real dogfight. But Young is not on the same wave of confidence that he was on a year ago.
Kozlov looks better now and physically stronger and bigger. His serve has more pop and earns several free points. His forehand is hurting Young. The backhand is his best shot and it’s as reliable as ever. Young fights back and exhorts himself with “Come on man!” and “Come on D!” after some nice shots. But on this day, he can’t get on top of Kozlov, who finishes the first set 6-4.
Kozlov is here with his mom and a family friend, father Andrei is back working his academy in Pembroke Pines after a European swing with Camila Giorgi. Kozlov’s new coach is his pal Denis, who is here, and Diego Moyano, who is not here for some reason. DY is here of course with his ever present mom who sits right in the middle by herself on the far bleacher tent.
The second set resumes after the court is swept and Young holds at love. But Kozlov holds too and they battle on even terms to 2-2. Kozlov is not missing though and seems to be able to dictate more and forcing Young to have to hit those running stretch forehand and backhands which he is not as stable on when he has time and feet planted. Young is lethal on short balls and overheads.
Kozlov, ranked in the 170s, is extremely focused, after every point he dips his chin and keeps his focus. He’s like a machine, but after a 30-all point he wins, he out of nowhere yells a raucous, sharp COME ON! His mom Larisa, seated to my right, loves it and says “he needs that.” I silently agree about how important emotional adrenaline is in lifting a player to a higher level of performance.
Young goes down the break in the second 2-3. But he does not give up. He fights with a cool demeanor and pleads with himself to play better, “Cmon, cmon, cmon D.” the crowd senses his desperation and tries to help. But they can’t help him on this day, the Kozlov game is too on, too impregnable. From the side of the court you can see Kozlov’s mastery better. He changes speeds, spins, heights, targets on just about every point, like an artist working his brush, to create the different textures and colors and shapes.
The last game has some drama. Kozlov serves, at 30-all, Young takes command and stretches Kozlov who throws up a lob which Young hits from the middle of the court into the net cord. It’s the first overhead that Young misses all day. Kozlov wins the final point and silently raises his arms straight up like a boxing champion. It’s one of the best matches I’ve seen him play.
Every shot was working and effective, offense, defense, strong serving, volleys, penetrating forehands, steady backhand, variety and best of all, he handled a desperately hungry, veteran opponent who had a 2-0 mental edge on him.
After the match, Stefan tells me he has been doing yoga as I suggested two months ago after he lost in Indian Wells qualifying. He tells the ATP media guy that he needs about five more minutes to do the two requested press interviews.
He has to unwind and decompress after channeling every milligram of his heart and soul and world class talents to winning an ATP Challenger professional tennis match.
Two down – Mitchell Krueger and Donald Young – and on to the quarters where Hugo Dellien, who upset Michael Mmoh, awaits.
Young, who looked pudgy when he changed shirts after the first set, is forced with the most challenging task – he has to rebuild his confidence and game and prove to himself and his peers that he still can win matches on the ATP Tour.
Duke Carnoustie · April 19, 2018 at 10:24 am
You can stick a fork in Young. It’s over. Never seen a player go south quite like this except for Tomic. Young has A – falsified racism claims B – fallen about 100 spots and C – seen about 10 Americans surpass him.
His next career move should be as a club pro for Kamau Murray.
Duke Carnoustie · April 19, 2018 at 10:38 am
This Wozniacki story is interesting and how she hit out at James Blake. Clearly one side is lying like the Harry-DY drama.
I was right on that one and I believe that James Blake is the liar here. There is a large anti-white sentiment no doubt among Puig’s fans and Wozniacki’s niece and nephews were in tears. Plus NBA player David Lee was there and his reputation is stellar. Too many witnesses not to conclude that there was racial abuse with Wozniacki the target when you throw in anti-white sentiment in the country. It’s a sad state of affairs.
Scoop Malinowski · April 19, 2018 at 10:54 am
Young had some heartbreaker losses last year. 75 in fifth to Monfils at US Open. 13-11 in fifth to Ferrer at French Open. His last good runs were R16 at both Miami and IW where he beat the likes of Pouille (twice), Querrey, Kozlov, Paire and Dustin Brown. He got to 42 in the world then the losses came… to Paire, Paul, Coric, Goffin, Schwartzman, lajovic, and finally Benneteau in Basel. I think Young broke up with a girlfriend this year. He’s still in the doubles with Lipsky, maybe dubs can kick start his year into gear. Because right now he’s rolling backwards down the hill and the breaks ain’t working.
Scoop Malinowski · April 19, 2018 at 11:04 am
I was not at this Puig vs Wozniacki match but was told it was contested in very mean spirited conditions, despicable and way over the line by others at the tournament. It would not surprise me if anti white racial abuse happened. The climate of USA today is that it’s open season on whites and white traditions and history while all other minorities are protected by law. When whites commit a crime on a black it’s a racial hate crime. But when blacks commit crime against whites, it’s never determined to be a hate crime even if the black makes disparaging anti white comments about the victim(s). I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this issue. We will see if the media sympathizes with Wozniacki who has always had good relations with the media.
Dan Markowitz · April 19, 2018 at 11:06 am
Duke,
I think you’re making too much about the anti-white sentiment in Miami. Yes, The Woz is upset and said she might not play Miami next year and yes, Blake seems to have dropped the ball here by not making a stronger statement, but what is Blake lying about? What did he say that isn’t the truth. Look, it’s Blake’s first year as the tournament director. I’m sure he doesn’t want to rock the boat much by criticizing his tournament’s fans.
As for DY, it’s the same old story, get a real coach and train right. Happy to hear The Koz is coming on. He’s an inspiring story and has certainly dropped back from the top pack of Tiafoe, Fritz, JD and Escobedo.
Scoop Malinowski · April 19, 2018 at 11:11 am
The Puig vs Wozniacki incident was ignored by the tournament and the media. It was not a big issue at all, it just happened and forgotten quickly. If it was the other way around, Stephens or Keys or Puig got mistreated by a predominant white crowd, like what happened to the Williams in IW, the story would have blown up into a huge controversy. Wozniacki feels it was a gross injustice what happened to her and credit to her for speaking out about it.
catherine · April 19, 2018 at 1:11 pm
I don’t want to get into the Wozniaki incident (didn’t see it) except to say that it was a big enough story for the DT to pick it up (see my link in previous thread) – so something happened to upset her but the ‘true’ story depends on which way you look at it.
I’d guess that kind of stuff wouldn’t happen in Britain. Different demographics and unless it’s Brexit we probably can’t be bothered.
catherine · April 19, 2018 at 1:31 pm
The Guardian also carried the story so it wasn’t ‘quickly forgotten’ – although it probably will be unless Wozniaki keeps it alive.
catherine · April 19, 2018 at 2:11 pm
Oh and of course Caroline isn’t a retiring kind of person – I think James Blake is well-meaning but inexperienced and he should have handled the situation better and issued a different kind of statement. Maybe he’ll learn from it.
Duke Carnoustie · April 19, 2018 at 3:46 pm
It helps that Wozniacki isn’t from the United States and won’t lie down since it is open season on whites. The reason they did the story is because she won’t let it die and good for her. No doubt if Sloane Stevens or the Williams were “racially abused” it would draw national headlines.
Last I checked, Woz won the last major and is a big star yet this story gets ignored even though it happens at a major event. Meanwhile DY makes a fake racism claim in a minor tourney and it was international news. Keep telling me I am wrong.
Duke Carnoustie · April 19, 2018 at 5:32 pm
Some huge news from Australia. Kyrgios is out injured again and it looks serious. My prediction is he skips the French Open.
Meanwhile Kokkinakis injured his knee severely after tripping over the courtside mic in Monte Carlo. It’s a devastating injury. Incredibly stupid for the tour to put those stupid advertisements there. He should honestly sue the ATP Tour if he is out due to this broken kneecap.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5626089/Australian-tennis-star-Kokkinakis-takes-aim-advertising-signs-French-tennis-tournament.html
Scoop Malinowski · April 19, 2018 at 7:44 pm
Catherine, it must have been brutal and despicable if Wozniacki’s family members were reduced to tears. That’s nasty and way way WAY over the line. The tournament officials have to take a stronger stand than that. I mean, look at all the hell that broke loose after Kyrgios simply mumbled that Kokkinakis banged Stan’s girlfriend. Wozniacki got screwed and she deserves some big apologies.
Scoop Malinowski · April 19, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Kokkinakis did not look in any pains when he fell down on the Maui Jim sign. I smell some lawsuit trickery to milk this trip. Just can’t take Kyrgios serious anymore, he looked fine in Houston, serving huge with that elbow.
Duke Carnoustie · April 20, 2018 at 12:33 am
Yeah I think Kyrgios is coming up with injury excuses to mask his failures once again. You can’t trust his injured routines anymore. It’s not right.
Kokk hasn’t filed a lawsuit, Scoop. I said that he should to stop those stupid signs from tripping players.
Dan Markowitz · April 20, 2018 at 2:52 am
It sure is. It’s “open season” on us white folk here in America. All those dusky dark-skinned minorities are on our trail. I should know. I’m a white folk, at least I think I am. When I look at my skin, it sure looks white or pink, maybe, maybe I’m just a pink folk.
But no matter, I still got to head for those hills. Tell me Catherine, is it any better for us white folk or maybe pink folk there in England? If it is, and I can eat my white bread sandwiches in peace, well, after I get over these darn hills, I’ll set off for Great Britain.
And it’s funny, that’s why I started playing tennis in the first place, the white balls were comforting to me. And then they damn changed the color of the balls to yellow. And even some of the players who all used to be white, started turning black and brown on me. White folk just persecuted in every which way.
All right, I can’t fuss anymore. They’re on my trail, I’ve got to start up my Tesla and head for the hills.
catherine · April 20, 2018 at 8:26 am
Dan – I’m not sure what colour people are in Britain – they seem to come in all shapes and shades, at least where I live, and no one seems to bother much.They’re too busy complaining about the weather. Too cold last week, too hot today.
So I’m sure you’d fit in, somewhere. By the way, I remember fuschia tennis balls, back in the 70s. Didn’t seem to catch on.
The whole Miami business for me came down to bad management on the part of the tournament organisers. I don’t know if Blake spoke to Wozniaki – if he didn’t, he should have – defused the situation through personal contact. Caroline can be outspoken and Blake ought to know that. Miami is a big tournament with large volatile crowds. Needs a steady experienced person in charge when something goes wrong. And in this case, didn’t get it.
Doug Day · April 20, 2018 at 8:47 am
To cut your steak in London Duke bring scissors. Muzzie mayor outlawed knives.
Doug Day · April 20, 2018 at 9:13 am
Dan take your Obama subsidized car to get scissors so you can cut your London broil. Muzzie mayor outlawed knives.
catherine · April 20, 2018 at 10:22 am
Mr Day – I think we get your point. ‘Muzzie’ mayor, ie Sadiq Khan, has not outlawed knives so Dan, or Duke, whoever you’re referring to, will be free to cut their steak into however many pieces they want. – if they can afford steak in the first place of course.
I can assure you that’s a bigger problem for Londoners than ‘Muzzies’.
catherine · April 20, 2018 at 10:31 am
Oh and by the way Nadal’s win over Thiem puts Djovovic’s loss into perspective.
catherine · April 20, 2018 at 10:48 am
http://sport360.com/article/tennis/277068/julia-goerges-interview-german-ace-machine-talks-resurgence-grand-slam-woes-and-evolving-tour
I like Julia’s asterisked comment. Makes your heart warm to her 🙂
Doug Day · April 20, 2018 at 11:09 am
London finally tops NYC murder rate for the first time.
Swedes fleeing Sweden crime rate.
What could possibly go wrong with an an open borders welfare state?
wait.. We’re not open enough?
Duke Carnoustie · April 20, 2018 at 11:36 am
Right Doug, let everybody into every country. Makes perfect sense from a security standpoint.
catherine · April 20, 2018 at 11:45 am
refresh
catherine · April 20, 2018 at 11:48 am
Britain does not have ‘open borders’, we are not part of the Schengen Area.
Let’s move on.
Hartt · April 20, 2018 at 11:57 am
Catherine, thanks for the link to the Goerges article. It was extremely interesting. I especially enjoy in-depth articles about players we don’t hear as much about – wish there were more of them. It gave an insight into her personality as well as her game. She does seem like an appealing young woman. You got me interested in her earlier and this article cemented that.
catherine · April 20, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Hartt – glad you liked it. Unfortunately, looking at the Fed Cup draw, it’s likely Germany will be bludgeoned by the Czechs. Julia and Angie play the top singles but Germany don’t have a good doubles pairing. So the Czech juggernaut trundles on…..
catherine · April 20, 2018 at 1:59 pm
Hartt – I meant to ask you what happened to Raonic ? Is he injured again ?
Hartt · April 20, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Yes, he injured his knee in his last match. It looked like he twisted it when trying to change direction. He had medication that kicked in soon enough for him to finish, and win, that match, but was in too much pain to play his match against Cilic.
It shows how used I am now to these injuries that I was just relieved he made it to mid-April before getting injured (plus the blister he had on his hand this week). If it had to happen, it is better now during the clay season. He is working towards the grass season and it would be disastrous if he got injured then.
Hartt · April 20, 2018 at 3:18 pm
Yes, that Czech team is pretty formidable.
Because we get virtually no coverage of women’s tennis there won’t be coverage of Canada vs Ukraine in Fed Cup. Only 1 French-Canadian TV channel that I don’t get is covering it. Ukraine, even without Svitolina, has to be the favourite. They have higher-ranked players.
But Canada has a chance. Genie is playing and it is hard to know how she will fare, but I hope having teammates will help her. Both the youngster Bianca Andreescu and Francoise Abanda have had some good results in Fed Cup, and Gabriela Dabrowski is skilled in doubles.
Hartt · April 20, 2018 at 3:23 pm
I just saw a terrific match between Sascha Zverev and Richard Gasquet. Both guys played with great intensity and the match went down to the wire, with Sascha finally winning it in about 2 hours, 30 minutes. There were many great points, with each guy hitting one unbelievable shot after another. I can’t imagine there will be a more entertaining match in this year’s Monte Carlo.
It is Sascha’s 21st birthday today, so a great present for the youngster. He collapsed on his back at the end, and you could not blame him. But Gasquet could hold his head high, he gave it everything he had, and received a wonderful round of applause as he left the court.
catherine · April 21, 2018 at 10:17 am
please, where are all the comments ?