Tennis Prose




Mar/16

28

Andy Murray Unsure if Dimitrov Can Win First Major

By Scoop Malinowski

After Andy Murray lost in three sets 67 64 63 to Grigor Dimitrov today at Miami Open I asked Andy the following question: “Dimitrov is kind of in the position you were at earlier in your career – hasn’t been able to win a major – Do you think he has the qualities to break through to eventually win that first major?”

Andy’s response was very interesting: “Yeah I mean yeah it’s possible for sure. He’s performed well in a few slams and had deep runs and had big wins as well. But it’s not an easy thing to do. I know that myself. And the group of guys that are coming up behind are really really good players as well. It depends a little bit how they develop too. A lot of them are huge guys big guys with big games and move well. Certainly possible that he wins a slam but nothing is a given in this sport. I know that. I have a lot of experience in that. You just have to wait and see.”

UPDATE: Andy and Dimitrov will meet for the 12th time at 2023 US Open second round. Murray leads the head to head vs the Bulgarian 8-3. 

 

 

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24 comments

  • Andrew Miller · March 29, 2016 at 9:57 am

    If there’s a Porsche for the tournament, Dimitrov can win a slam! I’m being serious. Dimitrov and Monfils are the only two fellas from the old guard, beyond Djokovic, who have taken the tournament seriously. This has been a wacky tournament. It’s as if everyone’s on vacation.

    Neither Sock nor Smyczek, who faced Raonic and Kyrgios (and by the scoreline seemed to make a match of it) are in the final 16 / 4th round of the tournament. For these guys it’s not a bad result. For U.S. tennis overall it’s a bit embarrassing two Masters events in row state-side not to see even a quarterfinal from a U.S. mens player, especially after a decent quarter year where players like Sock, Querrey, Ram, Fritzer all made a final, and where Isner scored a big win in Australia for Davis Cup. Unless they are planning to make a big showing at Roland Garros (possible – 2014 was the best year in decades for U.S. mens players) we’re dealing with slim pickings in terms of career results. Or good news.

    An honorable mention to Steve Johnson for a good Miami tournament. His best result this year.

  • Harold · March 29, 2016 at 10:53 am

    Interesting to watch today if Djoko comes out with the mindset to send a message to Generation Next, by sending Thiem to the woodshed. Milo R got the message in IW.

  • Andrew Miller · March 29, 2016 at 11:25 am

    Harold, no doubt. Djokovic would gladly shut out Thiem.

  • Dan Markowitz · March 29, 2016 at 11:54 am

    Sock had many chances to break Raonic in second set, but either hit too aggressive shots or missed shots–once when he had Raonic in a vulnerable position at the net–that were make-able. I still think Sock’s backhand and serve aren’t good enough to be a high-level player and I’ve never seen a guy look at his coach–mostly just to smile when he’s missed a shot–as much as Sock. It’s like the guy can’t take his eyes off Troy Hahn.

  • Dan Markowitz · March 29, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    Wow, that’s the biggest cross I’ve ever seen around a tennis player’s neck in Kyrgios. How about that Gilles Simon!? The guy makes Goffin look like Dick Butkus he’s so skinny, but boy can he counter-punch.

  • Andrew Miller · March 29, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    Djokovic is already running up the score on Thiem in set one, up 4-1 and the break. I think Djokovic is ALWAYS sending a message to the rest of the field – no matter if you’re the next best thing in tennis or you’re on a hot streak or you’re named as a future slam winner. As long as Djokovic is on the other side of the net, the buck stops when you play Djokovic.

    This tournament continues its bizarre wackyness. Halep lost. I guess I’m rooting for Mackarova to claim a breakout win if she can get by Svetlana Kuznetsova.

    I’d like to see Monfils man up and win the tournament. At least make the finals.

  • Krzysztof · March 29, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Djokovic volley and smashes vs Thiem were one of his worst performances ever. How is it possible that volley technique of no.1 player in the world is so poor? He kicks his legs like a goat when trying to hit a volley …

  • Harold · March 29, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    Djoko is a machine. Dont think he has ever been accused of having touch or feel. His slice BH is way too mechanical. Comes flying out of the stroke off balance

  • Andrew Miller · March 29, 2016 at 7:53 pm

    Really? I thought the Djoker volley was vastly improved. It’s never been awesome but I consider it more than serviceable . Awful hard to win Wimbledon without a decent volley, though Agassi clubbed his way to a title with a subpar volley to me.

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 29, 2016 at 9:49 pm

    Dan: Simon is a wonder of the tennis world – how this guy is as great as he is skinnier than a figure skater and jockey is just incredible – he’s 5-1 vs Cilic – another super skinny player is Andrey Rublev –

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 29, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    Andrew: Safarova is in the dubs still – took photos of her late afternoon hit – looks like she has a new coach –

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 29, 2016 at 9:54 pm

    Djokovic has excellent volleys the problem today was how well Thiem played – Thiem really pushed Djokovic hard and gave a tremendous fight – Djokovic really was threatened today had to save so many break points – Djokovic said after that Thiem is one of the heaviest hitters from the baseline – Thiem pushed Djokovic so hard I think we now know who the heir apparent is – And Djokovic will be worried if he has to play Thiem in Paris in his quarter of the draw – Excellent match by both players – this was high level tennis – After the match Thiem said he’s still not sure he can beat Djokovic and that he has to review the match again —

  • Andrew Miller · March 29, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    Amazing that Thiem is the youngest player in the top 20 at age 22. I still think this is going to change and change pretty quickly – by the end of the year more of the young guys will be in the top 20 I think.

    Scoop, I think Safarova’s game is excellent. I think Kerber won the Australian in part by playing more of a lefty attacking style that resembles Safarova’s game. Given all the flux on the WTA tour and the fact two straight slams have seen first time veteran winners, I’d pencil Safarova on the short list for slam winner soon.

  • Harold · March 30, 2016 at 6:36 am

    What match were you watching? Thiem got down a break very early in both sets. The only break point he converted was a Djoko double fault. Djoko had 9 double faults, a pretty high number for him.
    Thiem played ok, fighting all the way, but was always behind. Got broken back immediately

  • catherine bell · March 30, 2016 at 7:47 am

    Miami related: I’ve heard the Keys/Wilander coaching is over already – if true, this looks likely to break the record previously held by Connors/Sharapova mismatch.

    Might affect Key’s game in qfs ?

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2016 at 8:48 am

    There’s no reason why Safarova can’t win a major Andrew – she is right there in that mix – but the clock is ticking – she looks a little out of shape here as I saw her hitting yesterday in the afternoon she is still in the doubles – must have had some kind of injury –

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2016 at 8:50 am

    Thiem started off nervous – that’s what he said after – but he hung in there and really threatened Djokovic who expressed his primal screams and full fury fist pumps at key moments which indicates this was a huge match and a huge win also for Djokovic – he knows he subdued a very very dangerous young tiger and if he was a little off he could have been devoured by this young Austrian tiger who has the goods and the game to be the heir apparent –

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2016 at 8:51 am

    I read that too just before on twitter that Wilander is out after EIGHT days – hmmmmmmm – Keys is having a very good tourney so far – she is still with Jesse Levine who is here –

  • Andrew Miller · March 30, 2016 at 10:51 am

    Jesse Levine beats Wilander. One time only.

    Not sure if Thiem can up-end Djokovic – actually, I don’t think there’s a remote chance he’d even come close this year. He’d have to build some serious Del Potro/Wawrinka-like momentum. It’s not unheard of – but it’s rare.

    Raonic “was” the momentum guy but he got completely and utterly destroyed in Indian Wells by the Djokovic while claiming an injury. Couldn’t have been much of an injurt given Raonic coasted into the quarters in Miami. Maybe that kind of brutal defeat makes Raonic hungrier, and he’s certainly bounced back from it, but it was a brutal defeat nonetheless.

    Berdych? Monfils? Simon? All great games and all games that don’t cause a problem for Djokovic. I like Monfils a lot and he’d be a great slam champion – a “people’s champion” given how he plays for the crowd. He’s always threatened to become a top ten player but then backed off. Djokovic fears none of these players.

    I’d guess the only guy left with a shot is Kyrgios if he can channel some crowd support and power through Djokovic. At other tournaments, maybe Wawrinka if he can play like he has at his unreal best. Maybe Del Potro if he gets his confidence back.

    Lately I’m not buying into the idea that anyone can get to Djokovic’s level this year. He’s a two levels above his opponents at his best and one level above them on an off day. That leaves little more than crumbs. No one has his fitness. No one has his persistence. No one has his consistency.

    This year is open road for Djokovic. Maybe someone else will win a Masters tournament.

  • Dan Markowitz · March 30, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    If Keys really fired Mats in 8 days, that is sick. Mats is such a great guy as well as a champion, why would Keys do that? She’s getting a rep as a real knucklehead now.

    What about Stephens losing 3 and 0 in Miami. She is a really unappealing player with the way she seems to exist in her only Sloane-world. I wonder if she’s had it trying to be a top player.

    Simon gave Djoko a real tough time in Australia.

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2016 at 9:48 pm

    Keys said it was a tryout and the totally different styles just didn’t mesh with her game – at least she lasted a week longer than Connors did with Shapapova –

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 30, 2016 at 9:55 pm

    Dan: Sloane is lazy and her work ethic is poor – I got the inside scoop – Goffin is playing incredible tennis he just sideswiped Simon out of the tourney in three sets – Goffin on the way to top ten –

  • Thomas Tung · March 31, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    Of the “lesser-known” Top 50 players, I like Goffin best, followed by Anderson. Goffin plays smart, tactical tennis, backed up with smooth, wonderful shot-making ability. His backhand seems slightly awkward at times, though — maybe a slight hitch in an otherwise normal stroke.

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 31, 2016 at 10:05 pm

    Goffin is a joy to watch Thomas – another under sized guy wreaking havoc on the tour – he’s on the verge of the top ten – that’s incredible —

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