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Jul/19

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Can Sock Solve The Thompson Puzzle at Citi Open?

Jack Sock will try to win his first singles match of 2019 today against Jordan Thompson of Australia.

On the surface, it would appear to be a favorable draw for the 26 year old American, however it’s anything but. Sock has played the 25 year old Australian twice before and lost both matches in 2017, which of course was Sock’s career highlight year in the ATP when he finished the season ranked in the top ten.

In 2017, Sock lost to Thompson in four tough sets in Davis Cup and then again at the US Open in five sets, 62 76 16 57 64.

Thompson is at his career high right now, ranked 46 in the world (three notches below his career best ranking earlier this month). This year Thompson, coached by former Aussie player Jaymon Crabb, has a 21-16 won/loss record which is a major improvement from his career record of 38-56.

This year Thompson has some quality singles wins – he has beaten Gasquet, Tiafoe, Paul, Dimitrov, Khachanov, Lopez, de Minaur, Mannarino, He lost to Adrian Mannarino 63 76 in his first ATP final in s-Hertogenbosch. Before Citi Open, though, Thompson has been on a losing streak – he lost first round at Wimbledon, Newport and Atlanta.

It’s a big match today for Sock, ranked 178, and it will not be played in his favorite conditions. Sock will play second match on court 4 at around 2 or 3 in the afternoon on what will be a very hot day in the nation’s capital.

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112 comments

  • catherine · August 1, 2019 at 11:05 am

    I mean she didn’t give what appears to be the real reason. Obviously difficult as it involved someone else. So she skirted around it. All a big mess which can now be forgotten as time moves on.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2019 at 11:13 am

    It’s worked out perfectly for Bajin who now appears to be the secret weapon of Osaka’s success story. She has been mediocre without his presence and guidance. The new coach has failed to inspire Osaka’s best tennis. Bajin has only had fair results with Mladenovic so far. Clearly, Osaka and Bajin were a dream team.

  • catherine · August 1, 2019 at 3:04 pm

    IG from Kerber training at home (looking pretty fit) before off to Toronto. No mention of coach. So she’s either coachless or one will emerge in time for the USO.

    I wonder if she follows tournaments on tv or if she’s one of those who claim they never look at anything.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2019 at 7:45 pm

    Stick a fork in Raonic. Lost to a LL today, Peter Gojowczyk.

  • Jeff · August 1, 2019 at 10:05 pm

    Now we know that Sascha deserves a lot of credit for Naomi’s success. Whether he slept with somebody or not – and the tennis gossip has always been that he slept with Serena – it was strange for Naomi to throw him under the bus and not get villified for it since she is a media darling. Now we learn she is a mini-Kyrgios mentally who is never happy with the important exception that she wins Slams.

    No doubt Tommy Paul and Genie you know what. Good for them.

    In Cabos, Dimitrov outlasted Johnson in a thriller and then got butt-whooped by Pella. That shows Dimi and Stievie are both done.

  • Jeff · August 1, 2019 at 10:51 pm

    Tennis can be crazy. Peter Gojowzcyk loses to Donald Young in qualifying and now has beaten Rublev, De Minaur and Raonic in succession.

    Norbert Gombos didn’t even win a match in qualifying and now he faces Kyrgios in the QF.

  • Matty · August 2, 2019 at 12:41 am

    Gonna have to change my schedule around today for the Citi Open. The afternoon QF matches arenโ€™t worth the $25 it would cost to get in. But the night matches include Tsitsipas and Kyrgios- must watch tennis. As for the womanโ€™s draws today? Only Katherine could attend those and not ****….

  • catherine · August 2, 2019 at 1:12 am

    Matty – is it me you’re referring to as ‘Katherine’ ? If so please note my name is spelt with a ‘C’. I’m not proud or anything but you wouldn’t like it if I called you ‘Batty’ would you ?

    And as for puking at the women’s matches – I’ve always said the Citi shoud not be split with the West coast event because you get weak draws but ‘puking’ please….have some courtesy. I wouldn’t be attending anyway. I don’t like dull women’s tennis anymore than you do.

  • catherine · August 2, 2019 at 1:33 am

    Jeff – T-P is becoming a sleazy gossip sheet. We’ve really no idea who does what with whom – gossip is mostly just gossip, until it becomes libellous. In about 20 years time the truth might be revealed. When no one will care anyway.

    And you’re out of date – Naomi is no longer the media darling, that’s Gauff (for the next 5 mins) and in fact Osaka did get a bit of mud chucked at her for the way she dumped Sascha.

  • Hartt · August 2, 2019 at 6:38 am

    It was a bad day for Canadian tennis fans, with both FAA and Raonic losing. FAA vs Cilic was a strange match. Fรฉlix started off very poorly, and was broken in the first game. Then later played some brilliant tennis, but the DF woes were back, and he had something like 11 DFs to 10 aces. Cilic played well, it looks like he is finding his form again.

    Milos has always had problems with Gojowczyk, a streaky player. who can suddenly get hot. Gojo may have been the LL, but in the main draw he won against Rublev and de Minaur. A disappointing loss, but too early for fork-sticking.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2019 at 6:45 am

    Raonic has been a non factor all year, closer to journeyman status now than grand slam champ or even finalist. Gojo does have good return especially vs big giant servers like Isner, Ivo, raonic. Bad matchup for raonic.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2019 at 6:47 am

    Catherine, it’s no secret in the tennis world about Bouchard wild behavior off court. Trust me. Nuff said.

  • catherine · August 2, 2019 at 7:25 am

    Scoop – yes we know that. Which is why I think it’s probably not an interesting topic anymore. Maybe the WTA could have a word ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2019 at 7:46 am

    As one insider said, if I did a book Facing Bouchard, it would be the best selling tennis book of all time ๐Ÿ™‚ Okay, we will move on. Giorgi might be finally ready to win a major ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Hartt · August 2, 2019 at 7:48 am

    We’ve had some discussion here about just what a coach can bring to a player’s game, so I thought this was interesting. Swedish player Rebecca Peterson has started to work with Thomas Hogstedt, and this is what she said:

    “After Wimbledon I went to Mariestad and Barcelona to train with โ€˜Hoggeโ€™. Iโ€™ve had the chance to work with him for a few weeks before the hardcourt season,โ€ she said.
    โ€œIt has been great weeks and he has made me understand what it takes, how the best (players) work and think and how I can use my game to beat them.โ€
    (ubitneenis.net)

  • Hartt · August 2, 2019 at 7:52 am

    Scoop, Milos has had ongoing back problems for some time now, and had treatment for his back during this match. Even with that, he’s had some decent results this season. As a Milos fan, I do find all the injury problems discouraging, but haven’t given up hope yet.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2019 at 8:45 am

    Hartt, I looked up the head to head and he struggled in two earlier matches with Gojo five years ago, Gojo is always going to be a tough matchup for him, so maybe you are right, the fork is not necessary at this time.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2019 at 8:46 am

    Two very good Citi Open WTA QFs today, Giorgi vs Diyas and Hsieh vs Mcnally. Also have to give a lot of credit to Gauff for making the semis in doubles with her junior rival Mcnally who has an all court game and some of the best volleys in the WTA, possibly top 3 caliber volleys.

  • catherine · August 2, 2019 at 10:58 am

    I posted this on the very long stream earlier but I’ll repeat it here because I was so horrified – Gauff at 15 is already being lined up to play exhibitions ? Who’s guiding her ?

    And hanging out with Michelle Obama ? That’s not political by the way – just the wrong kind of thing for her to be doing at this point. IMO.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2019 at 11:20 am

    They are promoting her heavily already, photo op with Big Mike (I believe Joan Rivers allegations about the “first lady” being a transgender) is good for brand building. I think Coco is mature and smart enough to handle everything and this is the life she has chosen – to become a super champion in tennis.

  • Jeff · August 2, 2019 at 11:57 am

    Interesting debate on Reddit about who has achieved more – Genie or Kyrgios, who famously played mixed doubles together and whatnot.

    Genie has done better at Slams but she is off the radar now while at least Nick is in the top 50. My vote is for Genie since I would rather have my career highlight be a Slam final as opposed to beating Federer once out of six times at the Madrid Open. What do you think?

  • Jeff · August 2, 2019 at 11:58 am

    I wonder if Naomi’s problems is that Coco is the new darling and she isn’t. Obviously she is huge into social media so she is attention starved. Wouldn’t surprise me in the least for her to be jealous of Coco and that she is now yesterday’s news.

  • catherine · August 2, 2019 at 12:03 pm

    Well – we’ll have to disagree, on so many levels – but I just don’t think a 15 year old, who hasn’t actually won anything yet, has the life experience to make sense of ‘brand building’ etc (how could she ?) and all that goes with it – so I can only hope Gauff survives everything and ends up ok, in tennis and in the real world.

  • catherine · August 2, 2019 at 12:21 pm

    (My previous post was in answer to Scoop.)

    Jeff- people on Reddit must be desperate for something to argue about. What a non-question – how can you compare a man and a woman in this way ? And have you actually seen Genie’s ‘Slam final’ ? Kvitova obliterated her, and I’m with those who believe Genie never really recovered from that very public pasting.
    What’s this obsession with Bouchard ? A guy thing, obviously.

    I doubt Naomi’s jealous of Gauff. She’s probably more interested in working hard and getting a few good wins on the hard courts, which is her best surface. I’d like to think her Japanese heritage, which emphasises very different values from some Western ones, can help her here.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2019 at 12:21 pm

    All I know is Gauff making fourth round of Wimbledon and SF or first WTA doubles main draw at 15 is well ahead of Serena at 15. Wonder how the USTA feels about not being a part of Gauff’s development at all? Missed on Osaka and now Gauff. Meanwhile Fritz just keeps on winning, takes out Fognini.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2019 at 12:22 pm

    Very impressed by the effort level of Kyrgios last night vs Nishioka, Nick is definitely going all out now, physically and verbally he is laying it all on the line now and this is something we have been waiting for.

  • catherine · August 2, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    Kvitova withdraws from Rogers Cup – arm injury. I wonder how strong she is in upper body. She’s had a few arm/wrist injuries.

    Kyrgios admitted he had been struggling with ‘mental issues’ earlier this year. Presumably he found appropriate help and that’s showing.

  • Hartt · August 2, 2019 at 4:14 pm

    Gojowczyk just beat Kyle Edmund to get to the Citi Open SFs. He is making excellent use of that LL spot. He has moved from No.122 to No.85 in the live rankings.

  • Jeff · August 2, 2019 at 10:43 pm

    Catherine, yes it is a stupid question but Redditors are obsessed with Kyrgios and Genie since they are big on social media.

    Looking forward to Tsitsipas v. Kyrgios tomorrow.

    I do feel like these tournaments are lacking without the Big 3. It is like they are allowing the peasants too pick up some ATP points as they rest on their thrones. Then next week Rafa will win in Canada and the week after Djokovic will play Federer in the Cincinnati final just to restore order to the proceedings.

  • Jeff · August 2, 2019 at 11:06 pm

    Svitolina loses to Sakkari after being up 6-1, 5-2. She blew 3 math points What a choke job. She may not have the mentality to be a champion. I also don’t like the all-black look.

  • catherine · August 3, 2019 at 1:31 am

    Svitolina should spend less time on social media with Monfils and more time getting to grips with her profession – playing tennis. Sniff.

    Sabalenka beats CSN – Aryna never ceases to surprise.

    Can’t wait for Giorgi’s match. She gives me hysterics flouncing around in those tiny skirts and bashing the ball here there and everywhere. I’m amazed how her makeup stands the stress ๐Ÿ™‚

    Jeff – I have the same feeling about the women’s events. Like the cats are away and the mice are out playing and order will be restored shortly. But who knows ? There isn’t really a Big 3 in the WTA so the mice might come through.

    Donna Vekic is on a roll – wouldn’t it be fun if she plays coachless Kerber at some point – Donna’s coach being Angie’s ex-coach Torben Beltz ?

  • catherine · August 3, 2019 at 1:43 am

    McNally, who bt Hsieh, isn’t exactly a serve/volleyer but she’s the nearest I’ve seen to it in a young player for a long time. No fear of the net. Playing doubles is a big help.

  • catherine · August 3, 2019 at 4:22 am

    Read Dennis van der Meer has died. He was, among many other things, BJK’s coach when she played Riggs and I think he was her last regular coach. He had a place near Lake Tahoe in Nevada and I remember passing by there on my way somewhere else and it was the first time I ever saw blue tennis courts. Probably they were common in the US but pretty much unknown in Britain. Very attractive. You just wanted to go and play on them.

  • Harold · August 3, 2019 at 4:49 am

    Spent two weeks at Dennis Van Der Meers tennis club on Hilton Head , South Carolina. One week was a course to get certified, the other week was a camp..
    The man remembered your name, once he heard it. The first day he had 40 people line up to tape their service motion, you said your name, and served…at the review he remembered each personโ€™s name..Ran into him at the US Open years later, and he remembered my name.
    There was one day between the certification class, and the Tennis camp. I was wondering around, and he asked me to hit serves to a Greek girl, that was ranked around 130 at the time. We started hitting after awhile, then Dennis showed up with another of his teaching pros, and the 4 of us played some doubles..sometimes you know youre the worst player in a doubles match, but that day I felt like a beginner…had dinner with him and his wife..great people..sad to hear about his passing

  • catherine · August 3, 2019 at 4:50 am

    Hartt – luck of the draw in Toronto: Bouchard vs Andreescu 1st round.

  • Hartt · August 3, 2019 at 7:44 am

    Bianca vs Genie is strange, but the place will be totally packed. Bianca has already creamed Genie once this year. Although the forecast is for rain on Tuesday, which is a shame.

    The truly unfortunate match is FAA vs Pospisil in the first round. They met in the first round of a tourney recently, and FAA won. It’s just not fair – there are only a handful of Canucks in the draw and two face one another right away. ๐Ÿ™

  • catherine · August 3, 2019 at 8:24 am

    Hartt – hope the rain holds off. Did you know Pospisil used to be coached briefly by Rainer Scheuttler, recently departed coach of Kerber ? (who plays Kasatkina opening match) – I was reminded of ‘Six degrees of Separation’ and what a fun game something like that would be in tennis. You’d probably find everyone is connected to everyone else via coaches, trainers, relationships etc ๐Ÿ™‚

  • catherine · August 3, 2019 at 8:37 am

    Giorgi’s makeup didn’t get in the way – she crushed Diyas SS ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Hartt · August 3, 2019 at 9:07 am

    Catherine, I think a six degrees of separation tennis game would be brilliant.

    I did not know that about Pospisil.

    Poor Kasatkina. Unfortunately, with Dasha’s current form I don’t think Kerber will have much difficulty.

  • Hartt · August 3, 2019 at 9:09 am

    A “Toronto Sun” article had this about the Andreescu vs Bouchard match:

    “An all-Canadian matchup with almost too much intrigue to handle will unfold on Tuesday night on Centre Court with as much hype and fanfare as ever a first-round match can have.”

  • Hartt · August 3, 2019 at 9:15 am

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 3, 2019 at 9:44 am

    I have no personal memory or interaction with Dennis Van Der Meer aside from seeing him around at the US Open, a striking figure. Not sure which players he was associated with but he seemed to be around many years in the 90s and 2000s and then he disappeared. His academy or camp in South Carolina was very popular, students from West Milford High School went there every year. I think Amanda Coetzer was coached by Dennis or she used his facility as her base. Not a lot was written about Dennis so I don’t know much, will try to learn now with the obits. RIP.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 3, 2019 at 9:45 am

    Those Canadian match ups in the first round are too convenient. Raonic has trouble on his hands with Fritz. I forget who Shap plays.

  • catherine · August 3, 2019 at 10:15 am

    Hartt – re Kerber/Kasatkina – I don’t think Angie’s current form is that much better so Dasha has a chance ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Hartt · August 3, 2019 at 10:44 am

    Shapo will face Herbert. I think their h2h is 1-1, with Herbert winning their last encounter. The winner will face Thiem, who has a 1R bye, in the second round. They can hope that Dominic is exhausted after his exploits this week and then a long flight to Montreal.

  • Jeff · August 3, 2019 at 10:47 am

    The difference is like you say that the women’s tour has no Big 3. But really these smaller tournaments are for the other players while the big guns powder up their holsters. It’s another reason why the Big 3 have such an easy time with so many of these losers – they don’t have to waste energy chasing points in places like Newport and Atlanta.

    Dimitrov draws Wawrinka in Canada. That’s another loss for him. He has no chance.

    Re: all-Canada matchup – there was probably a good chance of it happening since so many Canadians in the men’s draw and none had byes including Felix.

    I too looking forward to Giorgi’s short skirts.

  • Harold · August 3, 2019 at 10:57 am

    Van der Meers place in SC back in the day was a Tennis Camp resort, that was the home of the USPTR teaching. Had certification weeks a few times a year..

  • catherine · August 3, 2019 at 11:04 am

    Jeff – you’ll have a chance to see Giorgi’s short skirts because she’s now in the SFs where she’ll play McNally. Unfortunately v Diyas Camilla was modestly attired in black, not her usual rainbow mash-up. She played quite well and the SF looks an interesting contest.

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 3, 2019 at 11:22 am

    McNally lost to gauff in Miami open main draw, a very close match I watches live. Gauff also beat her last year in Roland Garros final. This week mcnally has nosed ahead of gauff in their personal race. More complete game paying dividends?

  • Scoop Malinowski · August 3, 2019 at 11:26 am

    Shapovalov can’t afford to bomb out early this week. If he does it will prove he’s not only stagnated but even regressed. He’s had a journeyman year so far.

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