Tennis Prose




Jul/13

10

Wednesday In Newport

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It looks like a rainout at 9 am, it’s misty, cloudy, no sign of sun. It looks like one of those days when it will rain all day. But by 11, it totally changes and soon enough it’s clear skies and sun.

So the tennis is on when I arrive to the courts at 1. ATP #84 Jack Sock is down 1-5 in the third set to Jan Hernych. Hernych barely qualified, edging Bozoljac in three sets after being down a set and a break. He then beat Pavic in the first round.

Sock battles back to 4-5 but Hernych closes it out to make the QF. Sock looked physically spent in the third set, he was not emoting strong body language but he almost pulled off the comeback.

Next up is Hewitt vs. wildcard Prakash Amritraj who was a finalist here five years ago. In the first round, Prakash beat Flavio Cipolla in straight sets. I later saw the Italian touring the museum during Tuesday’s rain delay.

Prakash’s famous dad Vijay is sitting right behind the baseline in a seat by himself, and he projects a curious, and most eye catching presence. With black Fila attire on, sunglasses on his forehead and eyeglasses worn the proper way, Vijay also has a newspaper in his hand. All the while he’s watching the match and fumbling around with the newspaper.

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Hewitt appears to notice the tennis legend’s presence when he plays on that side of the court. I mean, how could you not? But Hewitt is too tough and too experienced to be distracted by anything.

Vijay is not much help for Prakash, who loses 62 61. Hewitt is playing superb tennis. He said at yesterday’s press conference that his appearance last year in Newport sparked his career turnaround. He came back this year because he likes playing on this grass and he thinks he has a good chance to do well here. Last year he lost in the final to Isner.

Isner is next on center court and it was another basic routine performance by the highest ranked American player (#19). Isner Isnerized Adrian Mannarino 60 76.

Stefan Kozlov’s conquerer Michal Przysienzny, upset #8 seed Rajeev Ram in three sets and is now in the quarters where he will face the Mahut-Smyczek winner.

Prakash returns for doubles with Sam Querrey and they come back from a set and break down to beat Przysiezny/Bemelmans. After match point, Vijay yells from his bench by the media center, “Bingo!”

He verbally congratulates his son when he passes by and also shouts an enthusiastic “Way to go Sam!” when Sam walks by.

The Harrison brothers withdrew in doubles so an alternate team was added to the draw – Krasimir Kolev and Eduardo Gil (pictured above). Kolev and Gil lose 2 and 1 to Ebden/Sijsling and later I see them taking photos at the draw like two fans.

It turns out they were very lucky to eke into the main draw and it was their first time ever playing an ATP main draw. Kolev came here from the New York area as an alternate with his pal Gil. Kolev has three ATP points from winning three qualifing matches in Binghamton, NY 11 1/2 months ago. So he still has his three points for two more weeks and was eligible to play as an alternate.

Kolev told me an alternate team could have played in the US Open last year and Miami this year because so many teams dropped out. But he wasn’t prepared with a partner. He also went to the French Open this year as an alternate but he was sixth on the alternate list and never got the chance.

But luck changed in Newport and Kolev and Gil can now say they are/were professional athletes on the ATP Tour, if only for one match.

Kolev is a teaching pro and Gil, is also a teaching pro and an artist. Gil told me he used to play junior with Marcelo Rios.

For playing their first round doubles match today, Gil and Kolev, who held serve three times, will share a paycheck of $2390 but zero ATP points for the loss.

5 comments

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 10, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    Dr. Ivo is back playing his first event since spring after an illness and he’s in the QF after beating Pospisil in 3 sets. Dr. Ivo will play Isner.

    Hewitt meets Hernych. Top half QF matches are Mahut vs. Przysiezny and Sijsling vs. Iron Mike Russell who defeated Marchenko today. Sijsling beat Yuichi Sugita of Japan.

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 10, 2013 at 9:27 pm

    Dan, your pal Ryan is here and he said to say hello. He hopes you are coming here for the weekend, though it is expected to be rainy Thurs and Friday.

  • Andrew Miller · July 11, 2013 at 12:33 am

    Wonder how Prakash is doing. A very solid player in his own right – huge forehand. Solid player.

  • Dan markowitz · July 11, 2013 at 2:14 am

    I just got into Newport and its past 1 am; better not rain. I want to play and watch some tennis. Ill give you a call in the morning.

  • Steve · July 15, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    @Mahut biofile

    “Roger Federer. Because he’s simply the best.”

    Interesting that when the pro players you profile comment on “the best” player they mostly(if not always) say Federer.

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