Whoa, in Acapulco, Sam Querrey barely squeaked by Tigre Hank, ranked #646 from Mexico, 67 64 63.
In Dubai James Ward followed up his Davis Cup heroics with a 76 in the third win over Gabashvili, who QFed in Delray last week.
Somdev Devvarman, fresh off a Challenger win, beat Del Potro in Dubai 76 00. Something must be amiss with Delpo.
I read in a Sarasota newspaper that it’s looking very good for Nick Bollettieri to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Nick has been asked by Fame officials to go to New York March 2-3 to attend a dinner, press conference and exo. Inductees for this year’s Hall of Fame class will be announced at a ceremony in Newport on March 3.
The Bryan Brothers oil painting above is by Bolivian artist David Bagenas who showed his work at the onsite gallery at the Delray Beach tournament last week. The Brothers signed the painting for charity – and also liked it so much they graciously requested a print.
Bollettieri looks like a lock for Hall of Fame this year
Dan markowitz · February 25, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Delpo has wrist problems now on the other, I believe, right wrist and he said it could be as bad as his other wrist that kept him off tour for 8 months.
Mitch · February 25, 2014 at 10:21 pm
It was the right wrist after he won the US Open. Now it’s the left wrist, which is why he sometimes struggles with the two-hander and goes to the slice too often. I really wish he could stay healthy.
Dan Markowitz · February 26, 2014 at 6:41 am
Some somewhat startling results so far from Acapulco. First, Kevin Anderson flew out early the next morning after his finals showing at Delray and won his first round match. Isner is just not playing dominant tennis. He lost in two tie breaks to Dr. Ivo who’s 34 now. You’d think Izzie could take the good Dr. at this stage. Gulbis is still hot winnning 1 and 1 against Lu, who was hurt last week in Delray and DY comes out with a good win, taking Nieminem in straight sets.
Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2014 at 7:38 am
Tough tough luck for Delpo, just when he finally gets back up to the elite echelon, he gets hurt again.
Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2014 at 7:43 am
Dan I thought you’d take a couple of rips at Querrey for almost losing to a total unknown WC named Tigre Hank ranked 646 in the world. Good wins for Gulbis and DY. Ivo is still a force, he finaled in Memphis. Isner has struggled to find his A game. Isner needs a big win to rebuild his confidence. I think he’ll get it soon.
Dan Markowitz · February 26, 2014 at 8:30 am
Can I take any more shots at Q-ball, really? After a while, it becomes piling on, and I’m really not that kind of guy. No, I actually saw some of that match and the Mexican lefty was pretty good. And Q-ball does have a sick serve/forehand combo.
This is an interesting tournament for Gulbis. He has a chance to win it with only Ferrer, Dimitrov and Murray in it. But will he and make himself one of the favorites in Indy Wells?
loreley · February 26, 2014 at 10:38 am
Gulbis came from Marseille, where he won the title on Sunday & had to play his first match on Tuesday.
Anderson’s trip was short in contrast to the one of Gulbis & it’s more or less the same time zone. Roger-Vasselin who won the doubles title in Marseille lost in first round already.
Gulbis can’t do well in Acapulco & Indian Wells. It’s hot & humid in Acapulco too. Murray told on twitter that it had 94% humidity.
Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2014 at 10:41 am
This shows Loreley, that Gulbis is very strong physically right now, to handle Lu so easily. Lu is fresh coming off retirements in Memphis and Delray because of some kind of minor neck injury. I say minor because I interviewed him as he was departing Delray in the parking lot (for my Facing Hewitt book) and he was carrying his bag and showed no apparent discomfort with his neck. Stiff necks, though seemingly minor, can be quite bothersome for a tennis player though.
loreley · February 26, 2014 at 1:24 pm
True, Gulbis became physically stronger. He made something similar last year, when he came from Marseille to Delray to play the qualification there & ended to win the title. Then he traveled to Indian Wells qualified again & reached 4th round where he was close to beat Nadal.
At least he in in main draw for Miami now as well.
Bryan · February 26, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Querrey was shockingly bad in that first set. Mentally he just doesn’t have it. No killer instinct. That should’ve been a double bagel against the world’s 646th ranked player.
I feel badly for Delpo. Seems his wrist is injured and I wonder if it’ll hamper him all season. Bummer, especially coming after his emergence last fall as a contender to break the big 4.
Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2014 at 2:55 pm
That was an exceptional streak of wins Gulbis ran off one year ago Loreley. Counting qualies and main draw wins, Gulbis sure had a lot around this time last year. He has shown signs that he can be a physical beast like Nadal.