By Scoop Malinowski
This is is, the ultimate showdown of the two greatest tennis players of all time in a mixed doubles match USA vs Switzerland. Tiafoe with Serena, Bencic with Federer.
Serena is all business at the coin toss, her game face is on. Federer looks equally serious. There are no warm smiles to each other to acknowledge the incredible symmetry of what is about to happen. The two best players male and female to lock horns in a mixed match.
Tiafoe holds serve, 1-0 Serena.
Federer holds but Tiafoe makes a backhand pass winner when Fed serve and volleys. 1-1.
Serena beats Roger with her first two serves which he can’t return, the second one was a second serve wide. Tiafoe flashes a huge smile.
Bencic holds too. 2-2 from 40-30 with some clutch shots that earn a pat on the back from Roger. Bencic could have choked but showed she is up for this most challenging task. All the pressure is on her. Federer is playing brilliant with some sharp volley winners.
Federer breaks Tiafoe and then holds for 4-2 to take the set. This is real, serious tennis. Serena muffling her mouth when talking tactics. And groaning in pain when Fed makes poach volleys at net. It’s very very clear, both Serena and Roger want this win.
Second set. Tiafoe serves. Serena hits a volley winner by Roger at 40-30 to win the game. 1-0 Serena.
Roger serves. Bencic hits a nice backhand volley angle that Tiafoe digs up but Roger backhands the easy shot right into Tiafoe’s left arm, Tiafoe then overacts and falls to the ground as if shot. Fed issues a delayed “Sorry buddy.” Roger holds but he did double fault to Serena. 1-1.
So far it’s brilliant, dazzling, awesome, stunning tennis. Everyone is on point and up to the challenge and standards expected with the two best players in tennis history vying for bragging rights. Neither Fed or Serena will ever brag about this match in the future but it’s important nonetheless. Neither wants to lose.
Serena serves. She and Federer go head to head cross court, Fed is playing deuce side, for three shots each then Roger goes up the line and Tiafoe misses the volley. Bencic misses a forehand volley at 30-30 off a Serena forehand. The first choke? Bencic then misses the second serve return long. Serena up 2-1. Bencic puts her head down, now she has to serve.
This match is more interesting than most other ATP and WTA and even Grand Slam matches. The stakes are so unique. This will surely be the one and only time Roger and Serena ever meet on a court. James Blake said, “Serena is the most competitive person I have ever met, hands down.”
Bencic serves. Tiafoe then hits a volley winner off Fed’s right cheek at close range. Fed smiles, so so does everyone. Fed is okay and embraces Tiafoe with his hand on his neck. Good spirits. But this is a battle. Tiafoe hits a second serve right at Fed who puts away the volley. 15-all. Bencic nets a forehand. 15-30. But Tiafoe nets a return. 30-all. Then Bencic hits a forehand long and hangs her head. Break point but Tiafoe nets a backhand cross court in a rally with Bencic. Bencic aces Serena to win the game. Bencic rising to the occasion 2-2.
Tiafoe serves. Fed returns right at Serena at net who misses forehand volley long. Love 15. Bencic nets forehand return, 15-all. Bencic nets a backhand off a drop volley which earns her a pat on back from Roger, as if to say, it’s okay, I still believe in you. Then Serena misses a volley off a Bencic shot. 30-all. Fed misses a backhand off a second serve wide, says “Oh come on” in anguish. Then Serena misses a volley and screams, it went wide. Deciding point to Roger but Bencic misses a volley way long from a Tiafoe attack. 3-2 Serena.
Roger to serve. Serena lunges but can’t control the return, way wide. Tiafoe lunges and can barely touch the serve. Serena lunges and misses her return way long. Tiafoe nets a first shot after Fed volleys. Easy hold for Roger, 3-3.
Serena holds her shoulder as if there’s discomfort. Creating her excuse?
14,604 in a attendance, a single session record.
Tiebreak. Bencic serves at 1-2 down but Tiafoe nets a backhand in a rally. 2-2. Serena slam at net for 3-2 Serena. Fed poaches and hits another volley winner. 3-3 with Roger to get 3 service points. Serena nets return. 4-3 Roger. match point, Fed serve and volley and Tiafoe nets a backhand. Fed raises his arms like a champion, half serious half relieved. Then embraces Bencic, both steal glances at Serena before the handshake.
Todd Woodbridge says BB rose to the occasion after the tough singles, “Roger motivated me in the locker room.” Roger: “I thought it was really entertaining, you guys (crowd) made it really electric.”
Woodbridge asks Serena to come over for the special occasion to talk with Roger. Serena, “It was a great experience, kind of sad it’s over, we were just warming up. It was so fun. This is super cool that we did this at a pinnacle point of our careers. It was really fun.”
RF: “I was nervous returning, because you just don’t know. I heard so much about it… Great champion you see how determined and focused she is and I love that about her.”
SW: “The guy is great, the greatest of all time to be honest, on and off the court. I think his serve is super underestimated. You can’t read it. I watched him all the time, I never knew how amazing it was.”
What a special moment in history this match was. Tennis magic created once again by Hopman Cup, one of the best events in tennis which will sadly be terminated as this is the final edition.
62 comments
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1 2 Next »catherine · January 1, 2019 at 11:36 am
‘brilliant, dazzling, awesome, stunning’ ? I think we both watched different matches.
Jg · January 1, 2019 at 12:05 pm
I agree Scoop, thoroughly enjoyable, the crowd ( and myself) would have wanted another set or 2, it would have been better if Serena and Tiafoe had more practice together
catherine · January 1, 2019 at 2:00 pm
It was a good match I agree, with some great points, but maybe not quite as awsome and dazzling (to me, anyway) as people expected. Fed and Bencic have played together before but Tiafoe looked semi-detached. Just wasn’t long enough to really get settled and then it was over.
Serena plays Boulter next which should give her some practice. I don’t think she’ll regain her pre-childbirth figure though. Some women don’t.
Scoop Malinowski · January 1, 2019 at 2:14 pm
Catherine this match was magic and it deserves to be on ESPN Classic forever.
Scoop Malinowski · January 1, 2019 at 2:14 pm
jg. Even Serena said she wishes it would have went longer. She was loving it too. Free Hopman Cup!
Scoop Malinowski · January 1, 2019 at 2:15 pm
Serena looks great, very sharp very fit. She will obliterate Boulter.
Dan Markowitz · January 1, 2019 at 5:35 pm
I agree with Scoop, wait what did I say, I agree with Scoop? No, the match was fun. It showed more of Fed’s brilliance, his net play, his serving, his quickness, than Serena’s. She butchered a few very easy volleys and even Fed said in the breaker he was afraid of her return of serve, but even when he missed his spot, she missed the return.
But I think Serena looks a lot more fit and sharp than the 2018 Serena we saw. Whether that will translate into slam titles remains to be seen, but I think it’s pretty amazing how quickly she seems to have gotten her mojo, body and game back in order.
Scoop Malinowski · January 1, 2019 at 6:16 pm
Well that loss to Osaka stung her Dan, that was devastating to her. And she always responds to heartbreaking losses like a champion. You know that US open final loss ate her up and inspired her big time. She looks great and played well. Federer was perfect though, he looks as good as ever, movement, sharpness, accuracy, smooth, he’s never looked better on court. Just amazing.
Wayne Bradford · January 1, 2019 at 6:20 pm
Scoop,
You couldn’t have been more right. This was one of the biggest matches in tennis history. To see the greatest men’s player and greatest women’s player on court in a competitive situation was amazing. Two players beloved worldwide. That interview was cool too.
This match made headlines all over the world. A great moment for our sport.
Dan Markowitz · January 1, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Wayne,
Who do you think you are, Novak Djokovic, using the phrase “our sport?” Only Djokovic and Gimelstob use that phrase. No, this was Scoop’s big vindication, seeing a Mixed Doubles match, his favorite competition, get so much love and exposure.
Yes, what was wrong with Tiafoe in that match? He was not sharp. A couple of times he was out-rallied by Bencic.
Doug Day · January 1, 2019 at 7:01 pm
I love fast-four scoring but worried the match was over too soon. Then I remembered entertainers 1st rule: always leave them wanting more. And that’s what grows the game…sporto.
Scoop Malinowski · January 1, 2019 at 8:14 pm
Doug, I thought the scoring to 4 was perfect for this, Serena wanted to keep playing though and said she was just warming up. It’s tragic that Hopman Cup is being taken to the guillotine, this is one of the greatest special events in pro tennis. They must revive and bring it back somehow somewhere someway. Let’s hope some of the players like Fed, Hewitt and others get together and invest to save Hopman Cup and bring it back.
Wayne Bradford · January 1, 2019 at 9:13 pm
Dan didn’t know that those guys use that phrase.
Gimelstob is quite a creep, huh? Did anybody ever read the Corina Morariu book. Gimby would do crazy things like stalk her and her parents hated him from the start. I mean I felt for Morariu that she picked a psycho to go out with following her separation, this guy is clearly Looney Tunes in many ways. He seems like a big phony but he has defenders like Martina, Davenport and Isner so he is untouchable.
Tiafoe seemed to be intimidated by the moment. I agree, Bencic looked better. It was quite a showcase and shows how in this age of polarization that tennis is the most progressive sport to have champions of both genders treated equally.
Also wonder what Nike was thinking after their horrific decision not to give Fed that lifetime deal. I am still shocked at this. No doubt the promotion for this match would have been greater with Fed still with Nike as should have happened.
Scoop Malinowski · January 1, 2019 at 9:32 pm
Yes, Gimelstob appears to be a loon but he has a lot of high powered protection in the media. All the tennis channel announcers love him and have his back no matter what, even if he kills someone they will have his back.
George · January 1, 2019 at 10:13 pm
“Two players beloved worldwide.”
You can’t be serious…
One of these is not like the other…
catherine · January 2, 2019 at 2:03 am
Meanwhile – back on court in Perth Zverev and Kerber win 3 setters for Germany. Kerber/Cornet is brutal hard hitting high quality tennis – best match I’ve seen in WTA so far. Lots of variety, good fight from Alize and no petulance. Cool handshake but so what ? Something’s pressed the aggression button in Angie and lifted a weight off her. Could be Schuettler, could be the spirit of the whole German team togetherness. Whatever’s made the difference, I hope she hangs on to it. Her best ‘state of mind’.
Didn’t see much of Sascha but he finished his match easily.
catherine · January 2, 2019 at 8:03 am
Nadal withdraws from Brisbane. No surprise. Hate to see an x-ray of Rafa’s body.
PS to Cornet/Kerber – Angie won a point with a tweener. Plenty say they’ve never seen her hit one of those before.
catherine · January 2, 2019 at 12:16 pm
I’ve just found a Youtube clip of Sabalenka serving at 214 kmh in the Elite Trophy last year. This is 133 mph approx. Is that a record for a woman serving ? Wondered if the machine was accurate in this case. I certainly didn’t see the ball.
Scoop Malinowski · January 2, 2019 at 1:14 pm
Sabalenka will be no. 1 if she keeps progressing under the exceptional guidance of Dmitri Tursunov.
Scoop Malinowski · January 2, 2019 at 1:16 pm
Bouchard scored a big tough win over Schoofs, overcoming some bitchiness against herself, Joyce righted the sinking ship with some penetrating counsel. Good to see Bouchard fighting through turbulence and getting the reward of the victory. Another good sign that she is heading in the right direction.
jg · January 2, 2019 at 1:44 pm
Scoop are you in Orlando? Did you see Gastau Ellias play today, looks like he won, he was 57 in the world, and last week he was giving a lesson to a 10 year old at Flamingo Park in Miami Beach and we were playing next to him. Maybe he needed some pocket change. He has to be the elite player in the field there, although he’s seeded 12. shows you how tough it is, all these guys can make some decent money teaching, for a lot to them much more than grinding on challengers and futures.
Scoop Malinowski · January 2, 2019 at 5:52 pm
Was in orlando on weekend but not now. Kozlov was up a set and 2-1 he looks good, looks like a thin beam Babolat he’s using now, better control. he hit some amazing feel shots and was grinding well. I would be shocked if he lost Ulysses Blanch looked very good, big pop and power on his shots.
Wayne Bradford · January 2, 2019 at 10:26 pm
Joyce used the f-word with Genie and Twitter exploded. I wish people online were more mature but that’s another story.
Kerber said she was happy that her coach spoke German and how it relaxes her.
Kyrgios will tumble out of the top 50 after losing to Chardy. On Reddit, they said he got $750K for the Laver Cup. Could that be true? Is Jack Sock playing a Challenger, haven’t seen him anywhere in draws.
I think the Aussie players will be under the spotlight more since their cricket team has been bad.
catherine · January 3, 2019 at 2:23 am
Prim Konta took exception to Joyce’s language and that’s why they split 🙂
In Hopman Cup Norrie bt Tiafoe, Serena was taken to t/b by Boulter and GB won the doubles. Hysteria.
Wayne – Fisette spoke German but maybe not to Kerber’s high standards. She seems to be uncomfortable in English and doesn’t speak it very well.
So Angie is more relaxed but this is going be tested v Aust. She has problems with Barty who will probably win the singles and make a difference in the doubles since Ashleigh is a great doubles player and a calm personality. Sascha and Angie can be quite volatile as a team.
(Aust are hitting the wall India in cricket right now but will improve when the Disgraced Pair are back in the team )
Wayne Bradford · January 3, 2019 at 2:46 am
Ben Rothesberg had the stat that Rafa Nadal has pulled out or retired in 17 of his last 18 hardcourt events, the exception was winning in Canada last year. That can’t just be chalked up to “bad luck.”
As a Fed fan, for all the grief we heard about our guy skipping clay, Rafa’s pull-outs are laughable now. If he is unhealthy, heal up and don’t enter the events. I understand the drive to play but he simply can’t get through tournaments. I can only imagine the grief Roger would get if he pulled out all the time.
What say you all?
Wayne Bradford · January 3, 2019 at 2:48 am
Rafa didn’t like the question but maybe it wouldn’t get asked if he didn’t always withdraw!
Q. Rafael, will you look at a lighter schedule in 2019, just looking at your body and the injuries and that sort of thing? RAFAEL NADAL: Lighter schedule comparing to what? Because if it’s like 2018, I am not a tennis player anymore.
Q. I mean just looking at the year, you want to play as many as you can? RAFAEL NADAL: I play — you know, a little bit tired of asking these kind of questions, because I have these questions very often, you know. I’m going to play when I feel ready to play, and I’m going to play the things that makes me happy to play. I have plenty of years on the Tour. I know the things that works well for me. I know the things that don’t work as well for me. And even playing not match, you can have troubles or playing a lot, you can have troubles. So playing a lot you will not or playing just a few tournaments you will have troubles.
So it’s very difficult to analyze, and it’s very difficult to say I’m going to play this, I’m going to play that thing. The thing is not about how many tournaments you play; it’s about how many matches you play. And my schedule is more or less done. Then always things can change.
Hartt · January 3, 2019 at 6:45 am
Bianca Andreescu just beat Wozniacki. The 18-year-old Canadian is a fighter, and has a promising future. Her ongoing back problem is a concern, however.
Bianca has played 3 rounds of qualies, plus 2 main draw matches. She faces Venus next.
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2019 at 8:12 am
yet Gimelstob punches a guy 50 times and the tennis twitter world is practically silent, yet Joyce is demonized for one f word. Insanity. Kyrgios getting $750,000 from Federer for Laver Cup can be construed as fishy or suspect, wonder if any strings are attached to that? Maybe it’s best for Kyrgios to crash to about 200 and see if he has the heart to work his way back. Sock will probably play next week. Kozlov 2-0 this year as is Hsieh. Deminaur is also 2-0, just a winning machine. I think Wozniacki is a full time model now and part time tennis player.
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2019 at 8:16 am
I support Nadal preserving his body from excessive hard court play and saving it just for the majors. There is no more physical player in tennis history than Nadal and excessive hard court action will only shorten his career, he is being smart. Federer has the right to map his career similarly, see no reason for Fed to skip clay entirely as it’s less taxing on his body. Skip Miami and do one clay 1000 and Roland Garros makes sense. Fed is a great clay player.
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2019 at 8:19 am
I support Nadal. he should play what and when he wants and not be forced to play ever. Same for Federer and every player. They know their bodies and they should have the freedom to choose. Federer skipping clay doesn’t make much sense, if he’s doing that because he’s conceding to Nadal that’s a bad look on Roger.
Hartt · January 3, 2019 at 9:45 am
I suspect that being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis is more on Wozniacki’s mind than modelling.
I did not see the match, but it sounds like Woz was below par, but Bianca was battling her back issue and cramping, so she had to fight to win the match.
Hartt · January 3, 2019 at 9:48 am
For my contribution to the tennis gossip, a very pretty brunette has been watching Milos’ matches in Brisbane. Apparently she is his GF, Belgian model Camille Ringoir. I thought Milos has been looking very happy lately! 🙂
catherine · January 3, 2019 at 9:57 am
Good mixed doubles between Greece and Switzerland in HCup. IMO far higher quality than the hyped USA v Switzerland.
catherine · January 3, 2019 at 10:00 am
Hartt – shame on you for joining the gossip columns !
Actually, I thought Milos has been with a model girlfriend for some time. Maybe a new model ?
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2019 at 10:09 am
Hartt, Wozniacki just posted a new cover of Elle she is on this week, her first cover of the year, she noted. She made no mention of arthritis.
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2019 at 10:11 am
Looks like Duke Carnoustie role has been sufficiently replaced 🙂 It’s now or never for Raonic.
Hartt · January 3, 2019 at 11:17 am
Catherine, lol, yes a new model! He was with a Canadian model for some time but apparently they broke up over a year ago. This new model is very lovely, much prettier than the old one!
Maybe Milos can work on his French. 🙂
Hartt · January 3, 2019 at 11:21 am
Catherine, I agree that the mixed doubles between the Swiss and the Greek teams was very entertaining. And Fed vs Stefanos was a terrific match as well. I love all the volleys you get with good doubles players. And Stefanos likes to go to the net, so lots of excellent net play in the singles as well. Fed had to use all his experience to win that match.
Hartt · January 3, 2019 at 11:29 am
Scoop, the rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis was certainly on Woz’s mind in her Dec. 27 tweet. She said she had been struggling for months before being diagnosed, and the diagnosis “gave me a new challenge to overcome and a new mission to raise awareness of the disease.” (She got the diagnosis in the summer.)
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Hartt, looks like the same old Wozniacki to me, just a little older and slower now. Not sure what to believe. This ailment certainly will get her a lot of media attention and it will probably even raise her fame profile and exposure. Exposure in glam mags and overcoming illness and disease always makes for good positive stories which is good for promoting the sport. I still find it curious that Venus is the only famous athletes to be afflcted by Sjogrens Syndrome yet she is still going strong at about 38 now. She has overcome it and that’s remarkable.
catherine · January 3, 2019 at 1:41 pm
I don’t think Sjogren’s disease is that common in the general population so the chances of a top athlete developing it would be relatively small. Bad luck for Venus but she seems to be managing the condition well.
Rheumatoid arthritis fluctuates like all auto-immune diseases. So I’d expect Caroline’s form to fluctuate as well if she hits a bad day or week. She probably doesn’t want to dwell on it overmuch.
Wayne Bradford · January 3, 2019 at 5:15 pm
Scoop, I agree that every player can do what he or she wants. But if I understand you correctly, we are on opposite sides here as far as how they should not play.
Fed isn’t showing up to tournaments and pulling out. As a Fed fan, I know not to say book a trip to Madrid since he won’t be playing there.
Rafa, on the other hand, enters these tournaments and has them promote his appearance and then withdraws. Perhaps he does intend to play but it’s a slap in the face of his fans who may travel somewhere to watch him play. Brisbane, is an exception, I’d say since he has be in Australia anyway.
All that I am saying is that the way Fed is doing it is more respectful. I do agree he should play a clay tournament. Skipping Miami doesn’t make sense since it’s on the way home from Indian Wells. I say add in a Madrid or Monte Carlo or Rome just to give the fans a treat.
I think based on the way Fed has breezed trough his Perth matches while Novak is struggling a bit in Qatar, this Aussie Open shapes up to be interesting. Also how bad is Tiafoe? Hard to take him seriously the way he has played this week.
Wayne Bradford · January 3, 2019 at 5:30 pm
I’ll add in some gossip from over on Reddit that Svitolina is dating Monfils. Quite a couple.
How cute has Sakkari been with Tsitsipas? This is a definite potential tennis romance to watch.
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2019 at 7:01 pm
Wayne, let me tell you, with or without Rafa and or Fed, these tournaments are still super eventful and high quality shows. Tennis does not really need Fed and Rafa to last forever, they are easily replaceable. I actually prefer Miami without Fed and Rafa, the traffic problems on Key Biscayne are minor instead of sitting in the parking lot for an hour after a Fed or Rafa night match. We’ve all seen Fed and Rafa enough, it’s actually a breath of fresh air to see the other talents strut their stuff. Fed and Rafa have done so much for the sport but tennis will survive without them and new superstars will emerge.
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2019 at 7:03 pm
Catherine, there is a theory that the medical industry fabricates new diseases and mental illnesses so they can sell new drugs. Big profits in diagnosing a patient to have an illness or disease of condition. Big profits. God created natural cures for just about everything. Keep that in mind. And don’t call me Doctor Scoop 🙂
Wayne Bradford · January 3, 2019 at 8:11 pm
Scoop, you just made my point by saying the traffic is so much worse for Fed and Rafa. Regardless I have seen plenty of complaints by Rafa fans for this entering and pulling out business. It’s disgraceful, if you ask me, but I guess no one has a thought on this subject of entering and pulling out repeatedly.
Also, Zverev has a Russian girlfriend Olga Shyrapova, who is in Brisbane with him. She also plays tennis and no doubt has Lendl’s approval as he tries to take the next step and win a Slam.
https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Tennis_Stories/63607/alexander-zverev-has-a-new-girlfriend-photos/
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2019 at 8:40 pm
Wayne, my guess on this would be Rafa is getting substantial appearance fees to pretend that he’s playing whichever event, to load up the tournament with big ticket sales and help with sponsor and promotion. The fact is that Rafa and Fed in the draw can totally alter the profit margin of any tournament, in terms of ticket sales, TV ratings and sponsor dollars. Rafa and especially Fed are BIG BUSINESS. So it’s no surprise there is some Monkey Business involved. This is the way tennis has always been. Tennis is a star driven sport.
Hartt · January 3, 2019 at 11:52 pm
Julia Goerges won a close match over Genie Bouchard, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6). They had identical points for much of the match, and Julia ended up with 107 points to Genie’s 105.
It was extremely windy, so it wasn’t always high quality tennis, but it was an entertaining match overall. Julia is the defending champ in Auckland, and has an excellent chance to win again.
Genie still has to play a doubles SF today. Even though she will be frustrated at losing, especially after having MP, I think this match was a good sign for Genie, to be competitive against a good player like Goerges.
catherine · January 4, 2019 at 2:10 am
Gossip – Zverev’s girlfriend might be in Brisbane but he’s in Perth 🙂
Sharapovac retires v Sabalenka in Shenzhen. End of the road in sight for Maria ?
Scoop – I know that theory and there is a point to it, particularly mental illnesses. But RA and Sjogren’s aren’t ‘new’ conditions so I’ll accept those diagnoses.
Hartt – that’s a good effort from Genie but I have to say Julia isn’t playing as well as she did for the first half of last year. Maybe it’s that post W’don SF jinx.
catherine · January 4, 2019 at 2:32 am
Glossies news – Angelique in Vogue Germany. Please, not the curse of Vogue. On the news stands, down the rankings.
And what about those girls who don’t make the glamour covers – what do they feel ? Jealousy ?(Angie can’t help what she looks like) Resentment ? (our crappy superficial values) or don’t care anyway because it’s the titles that count ? That last probably.
Rationale – you’re promoting the sport with glossy spreads but I’m not sure that’s the way to do it.