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Andrew – your mention of scouting etc puts a finger on why I feel Angie doesn’t have quite the right team, or one which has not adjusted to her success and is looking forward. I remember Serena saying that is one of the great things with Patrick – he was always around scouting out opponents ahead of her matches. She totally trusted him on that.
Angie seems to parachute into tournaments, and then, having exited early, goes back home. She doesn’t seem to have any other strategy.
I would never ordinarily comment on anyone’s appearance, not polite, but I saw a closeup of Angie in one of her interviews and couldn’t help but notice her complexion – it’s the face of someone under great strain.
Pennetta was one of a generation of Italian women who inspired each other – had known each other since junior days and had a terrific camaraderie.
Kerber has contemporaries in German tennis but you don’t get the feeling they are particularly close. Could be wrong and none of my business of course 🙂
No Moxie, Andre will not get the blame if Djokovic does not repeat but it will still be a failure in his coaching cap. Just like Connors' coaching career ended after Sharapova dismissed him after one day which was not fair and not an accurate assessment of Connors coaching ability. Tennis coaches are not always treated fairly by players and media. It's unfortunate how no player will touch Connors since Sharapova.
Kerber enjoyed getting to the top not staying at the top. Very few freaks like Serena Graf Seles want to and manage to stay at the top. For most female players it's more "normal" to get to the top then drop back down into the mix.
In my book if Djokovic doesn't win I blame Querrey and Vesely and F Lopez because since those losses last year Djokovic'c confidence hasn't been the same. 🙂
Scoop –
Martina, Chris, BJK, Margaret Court and so on back before rankings existed ? ‘Freaks’ all.
I should say that great champions want and do get to the stop and stay there and the rest, who reach the top for a short time, male or female, conform more to your idea.
What’s notable about Kerber I suppose is the suddenness of her decline.
I think Connors lasted a week with Sharapova. Not sure if that’s the reason he doesn’t coach top players now. Don’t think he likes travelling too much.
I'm not sure this hire has long term legs Scoop. Andre has a lot of things going on outside – family, his academy… and outside of putting his name on a Udemy tennis course doesn't really seem to have to have shown much inclination to get involved in coaching. Also, he's US Based and Novak is Europe based. I can't see this being anything other than a short term hire.
Catherine, I needed a nap after getting up at 5:00 am to see Milos' match. Was very happy that he had an easy win over Darcis, with 44 winners to 15 UFEs. He had 15 aces, so a lot of those winners came from groundies or at the net. He just recovered from strep throat, so it looks like he is healthy now, after playing in Lyon with a 102 F temperature. As for Abanda, was pleased to see that she got her first win at a GS. But actually, am not a huge fan. I think she has under-performed. Would have expected her to be in the top 100 by now – she turned 20 in Feb. and showed a lot of early promise. Maybe now she will start to maximize her talent.
Harrtt – no wonder you needed a nap !
Milos’ win looked easy but didn’t know he had been ill. He does seem to have misfortunes in that direction for such a strapping young man.
I thought Abanda was younger – talking about young talent I see people are boosting Asiminova (?), US, who’s 15 and played and lost at RG. Seems to me a bit too soon for Next Big Thing. Twohanded, basdeliner, blonde hair in a plait – who does that remind you of ?
Boy, does Paire have the worst forehand in pro tennis, male or female?
Sorry to hear about Steve Johnson Sr. passing away at the early age of 58. This happened this month while Steve Jr. has been in Europe. This is the ultimate body blow.
Paire’s forehand is a real ugly duck (did he get that forehand from Marcel Granollers?); that goes double for the (generally) aesthetically pleasing French style of play. I would really have to rack my head for a French player (male or female) who had “ugly” strokes over the last 25 years.
You and me brother are the only ones on this site to tell the truth about Sock. The guy is hugely overrated. You can’t lose to Jiri Vesely in straight sets in the first round of the French especially since you beat him two weeks ago in Rome.
I don’t like to call for anyone to get the heave-ho, but Sock’s got to hire new blood and get rid of Trey Hahn (Trey Who?). I mean who is this guy to be coaching the no 1 American? He topped out at no 400 and his tennis claim to fame is he dated Lucie Safarova.
You look at a lot of Frenchman, Thomas, their forehands are their weaker side: Gasquet, Simon, Pouille.
Geez, horrible day for American men, besides Steve Johnson winning, everyone else (Harry, Tiafoe, Donaldson, Sock, Sandgren yesterday and even Young, 13-11 in the 5th set to Ferrer) lost.
Catherine and Scoop on Kerber, your points make a lot of sense. I think like Scoop said Kerber enjoyed scaling the mountain but not defending her crown from others that want to try it on. Great point Scoop and Catherine, indeed her expression these days is anguish. As in why do i hate this now? Maybe she still enjoys it. Like Scoop says it’s a different job being number one – the media all want a piece of you from your home country, the tour, the magazines, and since Kerber is to me a pretty good looking lady the fashion world wants in too.
YeS Catherine good point on Patrick and his scouting. Serena Williams and Sharpie also both had full time hitting partners that would adopt a similar playing style to the opponents that Serena and Maria would face in the next round. So they didn’t just get scouting on strategies that would work but also defended against exactly the kinds of routine they’d face. If Kerber isn’t doing that she’s underprepared.
As to others, the other German girl that Scoop likes, huge serve? Also made a Wimbledon final like Kerber? I think she was Kerber’s rival for tennis bragging rights in Germany. But she faded so much I cant even remember her name. I thought they had pushed each other but I’m wrong.
Dan, that’s impressive on Hahn and I love Lucy. To Steps Lucy may be the one that got away. (just kidding, but Steps as you know is a magnet for Czech wta players, which honest to goodness is true). Thankfully Steps is as good on the court and he’s still playing, he’s still going!
I’d recommend Boris Becker and Kerber, but then again, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t mind seeing Novotna back or someone in her corner like Sanchez Vicario or Hingis. I’d go with Hingis, the most aggressive pound for pound player in recent memory on any tour.
Why cant I root for Muguruza? I don’t get it. She’s hard to get behind. Maybe because of the video of her toying with her coach during on court coaching occ.
Scoop I think you’re right about the freaks. Being number one requires more than playing skills. It’s almost less what the top player thinks about it and more how they’re able to manage the stuff around them. It’s just not normal to be the best in the world because once you’ve gotten there the expectations are you’ll do it again and this time with a lot more scrutiny. Most players up there become just a little tougher with everyone outside their camp, only because they seem to have to do that.
Here is a quote from Bedene, who was unsurprised when finding out he will play Vesely instead of Sock in R2:
“It’s best-of-5. I don’t think Sock is the fittest; I think Vesely is really fit.”
The quote makes sense, but it is surprising that he would put it out there in such a matter-of-fact way, like it has become Sock’s reputation.
I am critical of Sock because we’ve seen great tennis and terrible tennis all within a few months. He has now played 9 consecutive bad or below average matches dating back to a couple months ago in Miami against Nadal. That is not the direction a 24 year old in the top 20 should be going.
I agree that Jack should possibly look into a new coach. The trend that his season has taken as well as some of the conditioning issues have to fall on the coach’s shoulders.
As for Tiafoe, it is hard to be disappointed with a barely 19 year old taking a beast like Fognini to 5 sets. I still think Frances’ future is very bright. He is playing doubles with Schwartzman for the first time at RG tomorrow so that should be interesting.
Isner will probably beat Jordan Thompson tomorrow but QBall could lose to Chung with the way Chung has emerged lately. All in all, a subpar tournament for the American men. They still haven’t turned the corner in majors.
Hey folks — Scoop, Dan, Andrew, etc. how are you doing? Haven’t been around here for a while now…
So the US score in RG is 1-7 right now i.e. 1 win, SteveJo in 5 sets, and 7 losses. Out of the losses the redeeming ones were Tiafoe’s 5 set loss to Fognini (well done Tiafoe) and DYoung’s 13-11 fifth set loss to Ferrer. I was impressed by Donald Young, really. Ferrer was playing very well, atleast the parts of the match I saw, but Young was holding his own, impressive. If Donald would have gotten a lesser opponent in this round, he would have progressed. Even Donaldson played well in his tight 3 set loss.
3 more American matches in come in the first round, tomorrow – and there’s a realistic chance of winning all 3. Isner against Thomson, Querrey against Chung (both of them playing well), and Escobedo against Istomin.
I love Escobedo’s game, I think he is very underrated. I simply love his aggressive returns, he is world-class in that! And in general his aggressive baseline game is impressive. I think he will get into top 35 within a year.
Speaking about the young Americans, unrelated to RG — I love Opelka’s game as well but his returns are really weak at the moment. If he is able to improve in that front, I think he holds a lot of promise as well among the young generation. I have lot of hopes on Fritz as well.
Agree with Gaurang -I thought Tiafoe’s 5 sets against Fognini was a terrific effort for a young player and I wouldn’t put that down as a bad loss at all. Very encouraging. He plays doubles too, which is good.
Dan would say I’m ‘obsessed’ with Kerber, which of course I’m not, only in a paradoxical way failure is more interesting than success, tells you more about human nature and life etc.
So there’s always something to think about, and Angie’s fall from grace has been pretty spectacular.
Kerber’s looks turned to her disadvantage I believe – forced onto her a public identity which is confusing. Her twitter picture for eg is nothing like the way she is naturally. Pure artifice. She might catch sight of it and wonder, who is that ?
Serena, reaching a low point at RG, called Patrick for help. Maybe Angie’s too loyal to Torben. Also, Serena had (has) her dog, Chip, who travelled with her (except to UK) to help keep her mind off things. Angie should get a dog, dachshund naturally. Martina had a series of canines too.
There’s something aimless about Angie’s play and preparation, or lack of it. When she goes home, what does she do there except practise ? Clearly that’s not helping.
I expect there’s a line forming around the block of potential coaches. If Angie’s out first round W’don then perhaps we’ll see a change.
I asked Sock in miami before the loss to Rafa if he thought a different voice would help him take it to the next level and he Hahn had taken him this far and he was already beating top five players (beat Kei in IW) and he felt Hahn was enough but that Sock opinion could have changed since march. I think he needs a super coach and should dismiss Hahn.
Andrew; Serena has basically given no 1 away but no one feels worthy of it. No WTA player is stepping up because it's like they all feel like no 1 is still for Serena. The Serena Syndrome is very real. Serena's ghost has a lot of players spooked 🙂
That’s interesting Scoop. I do wonder if he has changed his tune now with all that has happened since that time as well as the Nishikori win looking less impressive due to Kei’s poor year.
Gaurang: 1-7 is like the old days. That was a heartbreaker for DY as he has not won anything since the Fognini beat down in Key Biscayne. Have a bad feeling this loss could kill DY's year and he may not recover from this one.
Scoop – you have a point about Serena. I don’t think anyone considered Angie to be No 1 even when she was winning, and I don’t think Angie herself did either, at least not privately.
Maybe the WTA should ‘retire’ No 1 like they do with numbers in football and other sports 🙂
Zverev Alex lost? Terrible and embarrassing. He just doesn’t get it. Once you throw down the gauntlet other players take notice and go after you.
These young guys just aren’t registering the wisdom of other champions. So eager to make it and so green when they overlook their first round matches. It’s like they look too far ahead and then run into a battering ram.
Poor showing. He’s not alone, but still a poor showing.
As for the USA men losing early at a slam is bad. I give credit for leaving it all out there and yes, I’ve noticed that DY has MUCH more fight in him than ever before, at least for a year now. Maybe it’s the girlfriend that Scoop mentioned.
I would guess Rafa helped Verdasco with his gameplan to beat Zverev. Hsieh has been plagued by an ankle injury but suddenly scores one of her best singles wins. Chung is chugging his way up the rankings this year after injury issues last year.
Q: “What made the difference today?”
Zverev: “I played absolute sh!t. Made the difference. Quite simple.”
Scoop, Fritz said before the clay season that he would be skipping the entire clay season since he missed the latter part of last year because of injury and wanted to use the time to train. Which, based on an article I read in Tennis magazine, he does 12 hours a day. I don’t get it.
Nah..no shame in loosing to Ferrer, probably one of the greatest clay court of his era. DY jr will regroup and head to the grass courts. He has all the tools to do well meaning make it to the 3rd round if he has a favorable draw and plays low risk consistency skilled tennis.
Catherine, yes was very disappointed by Sascha’s loss, especially by his poor play in that match. But I have watched enough of youngsters to know that they, even the most talented of them, are inconsistent. So, like Sascha, they can be brilliant in one match and terrible the next.
And I did not expect Sascha to go deep in this tourney. Always thought that Thiem was more likely to do well, as the more consistent clay-courter. Right now am watching Dominic against Bolelli. Bolelli started off strong but now Thiem is living up to his “Dominator” nickname. He is a pleasure to watch on clay.
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« Previous 1 2 3 Next »catherine · May 29, 2017 at 3:08 am
Andrew – your mention of scouting etc puts a finger on why I feel Angie doesn’t have quite the right team, or one which has not adjusted to her success and is looking forward. I remember Serena saying that is one of the great things with Patrick – he was always around scouting out opponents ahead of her matches. She totally trusted him on that.
Angie seems to parachute into tournaments, and then, having exited early, goes back home. She doesn’t seem to have any other strategy.
I would never ordinarily comment on anyone’s appearance, not polite, but I saw a closeup of Angie in one of her interviews and couldn’t help but notice her complexion – it’s the face of someone under great strain.
Pennetta was one of a generation of Italian women who inspired each other – had known each other since junior days and had a terrific camaraderie.
Kerber has contemporaries in German tennis but you don’t get the feeling they are particularly close. Could be wrong and none of my business of course 🙂
Chazz · May 29, 2017 at 8:19 am
Terrible loss for Sock to lose in straight sets even though Vesely was a tough first round opponent.
Scoop Malinowski · May 29, 2017 at 8:33 am
No Moxie, Andre will not get the blame if Djokovic does not repeat but it will still be a failure in his coaching cap. Just like Connors' coaching career ended after Sharapova dismissed him after one day which was not fair and not an accurate assessment of Connors coaching ability. Tennis coaches are not always treated fairly by players and media. It's unfortunate how no player will touch Connors since Sharapova.
Scoop Malinowski · May 29, 2017 at 8:34 am
Carol; Reading between those lines it would seem the chemistry between Agassi and Djokovic is not working? One or two matches would be a failure.
Scoop Malinowski · May 29, 2017 at 8:36 am
Kerber enjoyed getting to the top not staying at the top. Very few freaks like Serena Graf Seles want to and manage to stay at the top. For most female players it's more "normal" to get to the top then drop back down into the mix.
mrzz · May 29, 2017 at 8:40 am
In my book, if Djokovic wins credit is 100% to him. If he looses, I blame 90% the witch doctor and 10% Agassi just because I don´t like him.
Scoop Malinowski · May 29, 2017 at 9:31 am
In my book if Djokovic doesn't win I blame Querrey and Vesely and F Lopez because since those losses last year Djokovic'c confidence hasn't been the same. 🙂
catherine · May 29, 2017 at 9:37 am
Scoop –
Martina, Chris, BJK, Margaret Court and so on back before rankings existed ? ‘Freaks’ all.
I should say that great champions want and do get to the stop and stay there and the rest, who reach the top for a short time, male or female, conform more to your idea.
What’s notable about Kerber I suppose is the suddenness of her decline.
I think Connors lasted a week with Sharapova. Not sure if that’s the reason he doesn’t coach top players now. Don’t think he likes travelling too much.
Here’s an idea – Connors + Kerber 🙂
catherine · May 29, 2017 at 9:41 am
BTW – where’s Hartt these days ? I though she’d be around celebrating Abanda’s win.
britbox · May 29, 2017 at 10:17 am
Djokovic talks some Agassi…
britbox · May 29, 2017 at 10:29 am
I'm not sure this hire has long term legs Scoop. Andre has a lot of things going on outside – family, his academy… and outside of putting his name on a Udemy tennis course doesn't really seem to have to have shown much inclination to get involved in coaching. Also, he's US Based and Novak is Europe based. I can't see this being anything other than a short term hire.
Hartt · May 29, 2017 at 10:38 am
Catherine, I needed a nap after getting up at 5:00 am to see Milos' match. Was very happy that he had an easy win over Darcis, with 44 winners to 15 UFEs. He had 15 aces, so a lot of those winners came from groundies or at the net. He just recovered from strep throat, so it looks like he is healthy now, after playing in Lyon with a 102 F temperature. As for Abanda, was pleased to see that she got her first win at a GS. But actually, am not a huge fan. I think she has under-performed. Would have expected her to be in the top 100 by now – she turned 20 in Feb. and showed a lot of early promise. Maybe now she will start to maximize her talent.
catherine · May 29, 2017 at 10:47 am
Harrtt – no wonder you needed a nap !
Milos’ win looked easy but didn’t know he had been ill. He does seem to have misfortunes in that direction for such a strapping young man.
I thought Abanda was younger – talking about young talent I see people are boosting Asiminova (?), US, who’s 15 and played and lost at RG. Seems to me a bit too soon for Next Big Thing. Twohanded, basdeliner, blonde hair in a plait – who does that remind you of ?
Hartt · May 29, 2017 at 10:58 am
Lol, your description actually fits a ton of WTA players – so many of them look like that and play like that.
catherine · May 29, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Hartt/Scoop
What happened to Hartt’s comment in reply to mine ?
Disappeared.
Needs fixing ?
And yes – that’s what I meant – could be any WTA player – just add the sun visor 🙂
Dan Markowitz · May 29, 2017 at 12:36 pm
Boy, does Paire have the worst forehand in pro tennis, male or female?
Sorry to hear about Steve Johnson Sr. passing away at the early age of 58. This happened this month while Steve Jr. has been in Europe. This is the ultimate body blow.
Thomas Tung · May 29, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Paire’s forehand is a real ugly duck (did he get that forehand from Marcel Granollers?); that goes double for the (generally) aesthetically pleasing French style of play. I would really have to rack my head for a French player (male or female) who had “ugly” strokes over the last 25 years.
Dan Markowitz · May 29, 2017 at 5:38 pm
Chazz,
You and me brother are the only ones on this site to tell the truth about Sock. The guy is hugely overrated. You can’t lose to Jiri Vesely in straight sets in the first round of the French especially since you beat him two weeks ago in Rome.
I don’t like to call for anyone to get the heave-ho, but Sock’s got to hire new blood and get rid of Trey Hahn (Trey Who?). I mean who is this guy to be coaching the no 1 American? He topped out at no 400 and his tennis claim to fame is he dated Lucie Safarova.
You look at a lot of Frenchman, Thomas, their forehands are their weaker side: Gasquet, Simon, Pouille.
Dan Markowitz · May 29, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Geez, horrible day for American men, besides Steve Johnson winning, everyone else (Harry, Tiafoe, Donaldson, Sock, Sandgren yesterday and even Young, 13-11 in the 5th set to Ferrer) lost.
Andrew Miller · May 29, 2017 at 8:01 pm
Catherine and Scoop on Kerber, your points make a lot of sense. I think like Scoop said Kerber enjoyed scaling the mountain but not defending her crown from others that want to try it on. Great point Scoop and Catherine, indeed her expression these days is anguish. As in why do i hate this now? Maybe she still enjoys it. Like Scoop says it’s a different job being number one – the media all want a piece of you from your home country, the tour, the magazines, and since Kerber is to me a pretty good looking lady the fashion world wants in too.
YeS Catherine good point on Patrick and his scouting. Serena Williams and Sharpie also both had full time hitting partners that would adopt a similar playing style to the opponents that Serena and Maria would face in the next round. So they didn’t just get scouting on strategies that would work but also defended against exactly the kinds of routine they’d face. If Kerber isn’t doing that she’s underprepared.
As to others, the other German girl that Scoop likes, huge serve? Also made a Wimbledon final like Kerber? I think she was Kerber’s rival for tennis bragging rights in Germany. But she faded so much I cant even remember her name. I thought they had pushed each other but I’m wrong.
Andrew Miller · May 29, 2017 at 8:03 pm
Dan you’re right to call out the losing USA men. I don’t get it. I thought Sock had it in him on the dirt. And Tiafoe too.
I’m sorry on Steve Johnson. Indeed that is a body and spiritual blow. Best to his family. I’ll root for him.
Andrew Miller · May 29, 2017 at 8:07 pm
Dan, that’s impressive on Hahn and I love Lucy. To Steps Lucy may be the one that got away. (just kidding, but Steps as you know is a magnet for Czech wta players, which honest to goodness is true). Thankfully Steps is as good on the court and he’s still playing, he’s still going!
Andrew Miller · May 29, 2017 at 8:10 pm
I’d recommend Boris Becker and Kerber, but then again, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t mind seeing Novotna back or someone in her corner like Sanchez Vicario or Hingis. I’d go with Hingis, the most aggressive pound for pound player in recent memory on any tour.
Andrew Miller · May 29, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Why cant I root for Muguruza? I don’t get it. She’s hard to get behind. Maybe because of the video of her toying with her coach during on court coaching occ.
Andrew Miller · May 29, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Scoop I think you’re right about the freaks. Being number one requires more than playing skills. It’s almost less what the top player thinks about it and more how they’re able to manage the stuff around them. It’s just not normal to be the best in the world because once you’ve gotten there the expectations are you’ll do it again and this time with a lot more scrutiny. Most players up there become just a little tougher with everyone outside their camp, only because they seem to have to do that.
Chazz · May 29, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Dan/Andrew:
Here is a quote from Bedene, who was unsurprised when finding out he will play Vesely instead of Sock in R2:
“It’s best-of-5. I don’t think Sock is the fittest; I think Vesely is really fit.”
The quote makes sense, but it is surprising that he would put it out there in such a matter-of-fact way, like it has become Sock’s reputation.
I am critical of Sock because we’ve seen great tennis and terrible tennis all within a few months. He has now played 9 consecutive bad or below average matches dating back to a couple months ago in Miami against Nadal. That is not the direction a 24 year old in the top 20 should be going.
I agree that Jack should possibly look into a new coach. The trend that his season has taken as well as some of the conditioning issues have to fall on the coach’s shoulders.
As for Tiafoe, it is hard to be disappointed with a barely 19 year old taking a beast like Fognini to 5 sets. I still think Frances’ future is very bright. He is playing doubles with Schwartzman for the first time at RG tomorrow so that should be interesting.
Isner will probably beat Jordan Thompson tomorrow but QBall could lose to Chung with the way Chung has emerged lately. All in all, a subpar tournament for the American men. They still haven’t turned the corner in majors.
Gaurang · May 30, 2017 at 2:08 am
Hey folks — Scoop, Dan, Andrew, etc. how are you doing? Haven’t been around here for a while now…
So the US score in RG is 1-7 right now i.e. 1 win, SteveJo in 5 sets, and 7 losses. Out of the losses the redeeming ones were Tiafoe’s 5 set loss to Fognini (well done Tiafoe) and DYoung’s 13-11 fifth set loss to Ferrer. I was impressed by Donald Young, really. Ferrer was playing very well, atleast the parts of the match I saw, but Young was holding his own, impressive. If Donald would have gotten a lesser opponent in this round, he would have progressed. Even Donaldson played well in his tight 3 set loss.
3 more American matches in come in the first round, tomorrow – and there’s a realistic chance of winning all 3. Isner against Thomson, Querrey against Chung (both of them playing well), and Escobedo against Istomin.
I love Escobedo’s game, I think he is very underrated. I simply love his aggressive returns, he is world-class in that! And in general his aggressive baseline game is impressive. I think he will get into top 35 within a year.
Speaking about the young Americans, unrelated to RG — I love Opelka’s game as well but his returns are really weak at the moment. If he is able to improve in that front, I think he holds a lot of promise as well among the young generation. I have lot of hopes on Fritz as well.
catherine · May 30, 2017 at 3:52 am
Agree with Gaurang -I thought Tiafoe’s 5 sets against Fognini was a terrific effort for a young player and I wouldn’t put that down as a bad loss at all. Very encouraging. He plays doubles too, which is good.
Dan would say I’m ‘obsessed’ with Kerber, which of course I’m not, only in a paradoxical way failure is more interesting than success, tells you more about human nature and life etc.
So there’s always something to think about, and Angie’s fall from grace has been pretty spectacular.
Kerber’s looks turned to her disadvantage I believe – forced onto her a public identity which is confusing. Her twitter picture for eg is nothing like the way she is naturally. Pure artifice. She might catch sight of it and wonder, who is that ?
Serena, reaching a low point at RG, called Patrick for help. Maybe Angie’s too loyal to Torben. Also, Serena had (has) her dog, Chip, who travelled with her (except to UK) to help keep her mind off things. Angie should get a dog, dachshund naturally. Martina had a series of canines too.
There’s something aimless about Angie’s play and preparation, or lack of it. When she goes home, what does she do there except practise ? Clearly that’s not helping.
I expect there’s a line forming around the block of potential coaches. If Angie’s out first round W’don then perhaps we’ll see a change.
catherine · May 30, 2017 at 5:04 am
Andrew
It was Sabine Lisicki, and no, she hasn’t done much since. Could be Angie’s age, haven’t looked it up.
Scoop Malinowski · May 30, 2017 at 8:57 am
Do WTA players need scouting reports? Don't they all play the same? 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · May 30, 2017 at 9:02 am
I asked Sock in miami before the loss to Rafa if he thought a different voice would help him take it to the next level and he Hahn had taken him this far and he was already beating top five players (beat Kei in IW) and he felt Hahn was enough but that Sock opinion could have changed since march. I think he needs a super coach and should dismiss Hahn.
Scoop Malinowski · May 30, 2017 at 9:04 am
Garbine "Tell me something I don't already know" Muguruza.
Scoop Malinowski · May 30, 2017 at 9:10 am
Andrew; Serena has basically given no 1 away but no one feels worthy of it. No WTA player is stepping up because it's like they all feel like no 1 is still for Serena. The Serena Syndrome is very real. Serena's ghost has a lot of players spooked 🙂
Chazz · May 30, 2017 at 9:11 am
That’s interesting Scoop. I do wonder if he has changed his tune now with all that has happened since that time as well as the Nishikori win looking less impressive due to Kei’s poor year.
Scoop Malinowski · May 30, 2017 at 9:12 am
Gaurang: 1-7 is like the old days. That was a heartbreaker for DY as he has not won anything since the Fognini beat down in Key Biscayne. Have a bad feeling this loss could kill DY's year and he may not recover from this one.
Chazz · May 30, 2017 at 9:17 am
Zverev losing to Verdasco is a shocker although Verdasco is a really tough 1R matchup.
Konta losing to Hsieh is probably a bigger shocker.
QBall losing to Chung – no shocker, Chung really emerging like Nishioka was earlier in the year.
Keys dominant in her win, great to see.
Kyrgios took care of Kohlschreiber much easier than I thought he would.
mrzz · May 30, 2017 at 9:24 am
The grunting varies a lot.
catherine · May 30, 2017 at 9:42 am
Scoop – you have a point about Serena. I don’t think anyone considered Angie to be No 1 even when she was winning, and I don’t think Angie herself did either, at least not privately.
Maybe the WTA should ‘retire’ No 1 like they do with numbers in football and other sports 🙂
Andrew Miller · May 30, 2017 at 10:14 am
Zverev Alex lost? Terrible and embarrassing. He just doesn’t get it. Once you throw down the gauntlet other players take notice and go after you.
These young guys just aren’t registering the wisdom of other champions. So eager to make it and so green when they overlook their first round matches. It’s like they look too far ahead and then run into a battering ram.
Poor showing. He’s not alone, but still a poor showing.
Andrew Miller · May 30, 2017 at 10:16 am
As for the USA men losing early at a slam is bad. I give credit for leaving it all out there and yes, I’ve noticed that DY has MUCH more fight in him than ever before, at least for a year now. Maybe it’s the girlfriend that Scoop mentioned.
Scoop Malinowski · May 30, 2017 at 10:33 am
I would guess Rafa helped Verdasco with his gameplan to beat Zverev. Hsieh has been plagued by an ankle injury but suddenly scores one of her best singles wins. Chung is chugging his way up the rankings this year after injury issues last year.
Scoop Malinowski · May 30, 2017 at 10:34 am
Where the heck is Taylor Fritz??
Chazz · May 30, 2017 at 11:08 am
Q: “What made the difference today?”
Zverev: “I played absolute sh!t. Made the difference. Quite simple.”
Scoop, Fritz said before the clay season that he would be skipping the entire clay season since he missed the latter part of last year because of injury and wanted to use the time to train. Which, based on an article I read in Tennis magazine, he does 12 hours a day. I don’t get it.
Andrew Miller · May 30, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Scoop, bad loss for Zverev A.
catherine · May 31, 2017 at 3:06 am
Hartt must be seriously depressed – A Zverev being one of her faves as I recall.
Mastoor · May 31, 2017 at 5:24 am
You may wish, but the partnership is set in stone. Agassi won't be fired and I don't think he will quit in hurry.
the AntiPusher · May 31, 2017 at 6:08 am
Nah..no shame in loosing to Ferrer, probably one of the greatest clay court of his era. DY jr will regroup and head to the grass courts. He has all the tools to do well meaning make it to the 3rd round if he has a favorable draw and plays low risk consistency skilled tennis.
Hartt · May 31, 2017 at 6:37 am
Catherine, yes was very disappointed by Sascha’s loss, especially by his poor play in that match. But I have watched enough of youngsters to know that they, even the most talented of them, are inconsistent. So, like Sascha, they can be brilliant in one match and terrible the next.
And I did not expect Sascha to go deep in this tourney. Always thought that Thiem was more likely to do well, as the more consistent clay-courter. Right now am watching Dominic against Bolelli. Bolelli started off strong but now Thiem is living up to his “Dominator” nickname. He is a pleasure to watch on clay.
kskate2 · May 31, 2017 at 7:20 am
At first glance you would think so, but there are a few players that have variety and their own style.
catherine · May 31, 2017 at 7:44 am
I think Scoop was joking (sort of) 🙂