Observations…
Monfils and Zverev were having a good intense practice. Lots of hitting, lots of points. One observer was Sekou Bangoura who would later make his ATP main draw singles debut hours later vs Marius Copil. Qualifier Sekou told me Monfils is his guy, his inspiration. Sekou played well but Copil had a bit too much firepower. 6476.
Stefan Kozlov took on Yuki Bhambri in a tematch of their Aus Open quali duel won by the 25 yr old Indian in SS. Koz lost a tight first set 75 but looked fatigued or bothered by the heat. He retired at 02 in the second. I spoke with his agent after Kelly Wolfe who said he struggled with the heat and felt dizziness.
Caspar Ruud also retired down 03 in the third because of the heat to the suddenly surging Tommy Paul.
Bianca Andreescu had no trouble with the high eighty temos beating Camila Giorgi 64 in the third. Giorgi was quicker but Bianca was steadier.
Jared Donaldson blew a 50 first set tiebreak lead and lost the first set 68 but battled back to beat Dudi Sela in three. Montreal qualis next for Dudi who later gave me Harel Levy’s email to discuss his Rome win over Pete Sampras for Facing Sampras. Also spoke today with Juan Carlos Ferrero and Jan Mike Gambill on Facing Sampras.
I gave Dudi a copy of Facing McEnroe.
Question. Why is former no. 1 and two time Roland Garros Juan Carlos Ferrero not in the Hall of Fame?
One of the Bryan Bros was using a Wilson instead of a Prince during early evening practice. Hmmm.
Kyrgios and Sock practiced together again. If any players are having more fun enjoying tour life than these two buddies, please tell me who they are.
Nico Mahut had a Wash Post press request interview after his win. I think we all know what the story will center on.
Kiki Mladenovic came out to watch Thiem play doubles and nicely obliged all selfie requests. Thiems doubles record took yet another L to the Wimby kings Melo and Kubot.
Guido Pellas lefty forehand is about as explosive as any on the tour.
Domu Thiem is top seed in his first ever ATP event.
Isner has pulled out after consecutively winning Newport and Atlanta.
Tennys Sandgren looked really strong in practice today. He is still hunting his first ATP main draw win. Go Soeda will be Ten’s target tomorrow.
Very good crowd here for day one. One woman named Penny came all the way from Melbourne to see her fave Thiem. Next Penny is going to Montreal.
Stay tuned for more coverage tomorrow…
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1 2 Next »Dan Markowitz · July 31, 2017 at 11:53 pm
I don’t know Scoop. There were paltry fans for Opelks v Medvedev tonight and the 11 am matches had scarce, but you’re there and I’m watching on tv. Ted Robinson said he thinks Opwlka is destined for top 10, but I’m not so high on the Floridian. He’s got a big serve, but I think Medvedev who won has a better delivery and Opelka’s is certainly not Isneresque. Also, he’s got nice groundies but he air mails a surprising amount. I wouldn’t hold my breath on top 10 for Reilly.
Duke Carnoustie · August 1, 2017 at 12:40 am
And down goes Tiafoe in two tiebreaks to Kokk! Does he have time to fly home and play in DC?
Looks like Young and Smyczek are going the distance – fittingly I might add.
catherine · August 1, 2017 at 4:13 am
Am I reading the times wrongly (quite possible) or did some of these matches in DC finish around the early to late hours of the morning ?
If so, it seems barbaric.
Dan Markowitz · August 1, 2017 at 4:39 am
You’re right. The Young-Smyczek match didn’t go on until like 1130 pm. Maybe because it’s so hot in DC in the summer they start matches later. Your pal Simone starts matches today versus Sloan Stephens. Might be fun.
catherine · August 1, 2017 at 5:56 am
Outrageous – who’s watching at 4am ? Can’t think of any other sport that has such ungodly scheduling.
I can’t mention ‘my pal’ obviously. But she’ll win. Sloane hasn’t played much recently.
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2017 at 7:09 am
The stadium matches got backed up very late because they all went long. Very long. Unfort i was too tired to stay to watch the end of Opelka Med and DYSmee.
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2017 at 7:11 am
Opelka has had some good wins. Beat Anderson in Atlanta a yr ago. But this yr has been a struggle with no headline making wins yet.
jg · August 1, 2017 at 7:32 am
The side courts were pretty full for a Monday, Some of them packed. On Sunday Kyrigos was warming up with a someone who looked like a high school kid with mediocre strokes and we thought it was a goof that Kyrigos just picked up some random kid to hit with, then the kid does selfies with him, later same kid is hitting with Georgi, my friend commented that he didn’t even look like a Number 1 on a high school team, turns out it was Kozlov’s brother who is like 16 and actually has an ATP ranking ( like 1,000 or so)
catherine · August 1, 2017 at 8:01 am
Scoop –
re Hall of Fame, it’s mainly an American thing so I don’t know much about it but it seems to me some people get there for other than top ranking or GS trophy appearances. I can think of one player in the H of F who was never No 1 and never came near to winning a GS singles title.
So it’s clearly not just achievements, the criteria.
Dan Markowitz · August 1, 2017 at 8:28 am
What does a ticket into opening days of DC event go for? Do they sell grounds passes like in the open?
Catherine, nowadays, if you haven’t won at least one slam or come close to being no. 1 like Chang, you’re not sniffing the Hall of Fame. Also, there’s no way the matches went on until 4 am.
That’s pretty wild that the Koz’s brother didn’t look like he has good strokes.
Chazz · August 1, 2017 at 8:37 am
I watched most of Opelka-Medvedev. I’m not seeing it for Opelka. Not top 20 unless there is huge, huge improvement. I don’t remember who it is that harps on Sock’s backhand (Andrew?) but Opelka’s is at least 10 times worse.
JG · August 1, 2017 at 9:24 am
you can buy a general admission which does get you into the upper stadium for $25. At first I thought it was S Kozlov because they look alike, but then after seeing his strokes there was no way, S Kozlov has perfect strokes, these were a bit funky, although I do think perhaps Kozlov Jr hits a bigger forehand (I think I might as well) .
catherine · August 1, 2017 at 9:48 am
Dan – no, I thought that time was a bit strange. The site I looked at isn’t easy to follow. The match lasted 2.15 mins so it was quite late anyway.
H of F – yes, that was a while ago, the player I had in mind. So it’s probably different now. As I said, it’s not big outside the US.
Hartt · August 1, 2017 at 10:00 am
Doubles News: Andrew, you will be pleased to learn that Stephens and Bouchard have teamed up to play doubles in DC. Imagine it will be useful practice for both of them.
catherine · August 1, 2017 at 10:05 am
Hartt – I’m surprised at that pairing. Wonder if it’s a one-off or Bouchard doesn’t fancy her singles chances these days ?
Doogie · August 1, 2017 at 11:14 am
First Thiem seeded Nr1??
Sorry Scoop that is totally wrong.
At Antalya, Chengdu, Metz, Kitzbuhel, Nice he was on the top spot.
U mean Mahut to stop playing singles??
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2017 at 11:34 am
Right Doogie. Thiems first top seeding in atp 500. My mistake. Mirza is pairing with Niculescu. I saw kyrgios yesterday sporting an Nba all star west jersey. Guy loves hoops.
Dan Markowitz · August 1, 2017 at 11:46 am
Chazz,
You and I have a similar tennis view. I just don’t see it for Opelka either. He kind of slaps at his groundies instead of shaping them. It’s almost funny how American announcers talk in such hallowed tones about these NextGen American players. I just don’t see it for Donaldson either. He’s a nice player; has good focus and is dogged, but as far as talent is concerned, I don’t see anything special.
Chazz · August 1, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Very true Dan. I think we might differ on Sock & Tiafoe though. I see great talent and potential in the two of them. I’m just not sure if either of them will reach the top 10 and go into Slams, but it won’t be due to them lacking pure athleticism/talent. I also think Fritz is very talented but he has a lot of issue obviously.
Chazz · August 1, 2017 at 12:22 pm
That was supposed to say “reach the top 10 and go deep into Slams”
Andrew Miller · August 1, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Am pleased, Bouchard Stephens doubles pairing reminds me of my favorite dubs team, Hantuchova and Chanda Rubin. Excellent pairing. I’d pay to see it.
Duke Carnoustie · August 1, 2017 at 12:54 pm
Off topic but interesting fact. ATP World Tour finals titles:
Federer – 6
Djokovic – 5
Murray – 1 (2016)
No other active player has won this event, including Nadal.
catherine · August 1, 2017 at 1:30 pm
Interesting snippet – SH didn’t want to play Washington at all – she asked for a wc to Stanford and was turned down so ended up opposite side of the country.
Nearer to Toronto though and better chance of winning 🙂
catherine · August 1, 2017 at 3:25 pm
Reluctant participant or not looks on form – 76 60 over Sloane S.
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Shocked to hear Halep got rejected by Stanford. Good for Citi Open. Hope Halep uses this as mental fuel.
Scoop Malinowski · August 1, 2017 at 3:47 pm
My friend was at hotel last night and saw Kyrgios and Sock getting take out food together. Fan talk “Kyrgios is really good with the fans. You kniw who is not? Sloane Stephens.” Anderson working hard w Donaldson at noon. Harrison w Muller. Just saw Kyrgios going to late lunch with AZverev. Thiem just finished hitting.
Duke Carnoustie · August 1, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Scoop, too bad you missed the end of Young and Smyczek. Do you get a chance to talk to them the rest of the week? I’m still amazed by how often they play and their thoughts on it.
If Young gets smoked tonight, that’s disappointing. He has played well in spurts vs. Kei in the past. I’d expect Nishikori to win a couple of matches and then withdraw.
Hartt · August 1, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Bouchard has played doubles throughout her career, but not with a consistent partner. In fact her first big win was in doubles – junior Wimbledon in 2011 with Gracie Min. In 2012 she won the junior Wimby doubles with Taylor Townsend as well sas the singles title that year. In 2013 she and Taylor were RU in the Citi Open doubles. I fact, I wonder if Taylor’s ranking had been higher over the last few years if the two might have played more doubles together – they seemed to get along very well.
catherine · August 1, 2017 at 6:17 pm
Scoop – Apparently Simona left it a little late in sending in her entry and by then the wcs for Stanford had gone. So she was left with Citi which might actually work out better for her.
Doesn’t sound too organised – maybe busy with other activities in Romania.
Interesting thought – sometimes we imagine these people have all sorts of good reasons for doing things and then find out later it wasn’t that at all, just accidental.
catherine · August 1, 2017 at 6:27 pm
Notice the new adidas strip on SH – a rather hideous shade of lime green. FO was a lot nicer.
A certain German player models the gear in a striking pic apparently taken in the dark.
Maybe the best place for it.
Andrew Miller · August 1, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Bouchard Robson dubs!
Andrew Miller · August 1, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Opelka is 19! We can’t write off a player that tall who serves that huge and plays that big. Can’t. He needs to stay healthy, keep working on his game. Get some tips from Karlovic. If he keeps breaking down fine, but not much wrong with his game and a lot right with it.
Andrew Miller · August 1, 2017 at 7:50 pm
I know we use a win a slam or you’re awful perspective here on the blog, but gotta appreciate that USA men’s tennis is at a better point right now than its worst point three and a half years ago. There was no Opelka. We had #68 Brad Klahn, Isner, and that was it. Now Isner is surrounded by the hungriest cohort of USA men’s players in over a decade.
How soon we forget.
I’m guessing it wont be long before we argue for the days of the Maleeva sisters and Chesnokov and Cherkasov and Javier Sanchez and Javier Frana.
Please…let’s celebrate this. The sports future even in the States is very bright. No death spiral here.
britbox · August 1, 2017 at 10:59 pm
I think I’m liking Tiafoe more than Opelka as far as potential is concerned.
scoopmalinowski · August 1, 2017 at 11:34 pm
Baghdatis biofile tonight. Great biofile too. Sandgren going for first atp match win vs Go. One set a way. I will stay to see it.
scoopmalinowski · August 2, 2017 at 1:10 am
Sandgren did it. Held for 5-3 from 30 all then broke Soeda at love with mp being a double fault. 7663 at 9 min past midnight with about a dozen fans watching. A quiet fist pump was the muted reaction to winning his first atp main draw match win. Tennys Sandgren vs Kyrgios tomorrow. Very special moment.
Duke Carnoustie · August 2, 2017 at 1:57 am
Devastating loss for Young against Nishikori. He saved five match points, including serving at 4-5 and 5-6 in the third.
What a couple of days, playing past 1:30 both nights and edging past the journeyman Smyczek before narrowly losing to one of the best players in the world. If that doesn’t tell you the fine margins in this sport, I don’t know what will.
catherine · August 2, 2017 at 2:40 am
Sorry to see Cahill back in in the occ seat. In Washington ? Against Sloane Stephens ?
So we’ll have to wait until USO to see if S can do it on her own in a Slam. Couldn’t at FO, couldn’t at W’don. Other players know this I’m sure.
Andrew, I think you may be right 🙂
catherine · August 2, 2017 at 3:05 am
Federer confirmed for Rogers Cup. Now there’s someone who’s never requested occ 🙂
catherine · August 2, 2017 at 3:09 am
Yes, I know ATP don’t allow it, but can you just imagine if they did ?
Hartt · August 2, 2017 at 6:05 am
Nice to hear that Sandgren got his first ATP main draw win. I first heard about him in an in-depth article about a Challenger tourney a few years ago. And have been sort of curious about him ever since. (Seems to me he made the final of the Challenger but did not win.)
Hartt · August 2, 2017 at 6:13 am
I just checked on the Sandgren Challenger tourney I was thinking of and he did win – it was over Sam Groth and was Champaign in 2013, his first Challenger title.
scoopmalinowski · August 2, 2017 at 8:40 am
Hartt; Sandgren has won two Challengers. Hes playing extremely well and could shock Kyrgios. High quality stuff to beat Soeda who also looked a lot better than journeyman level. Incredible night last night.
Hartt · August 2, 2017 at 9:05 am
Scoop, it sounds like it was a lot of fun. Good for you staying to the end. I will try to watch some of the Sandgren vs. Kyrgios match. I imagine it will be a select few who are watching because of Tennys rather than Kyrgios!
scoopmalinowski · August 2, 2017 at 11:51 am
It was cool. It was nice to see the momentous occasion and be one of the only people there who knew it was his first win. We talked for a couple of minutes on court. Then a citi open radio guy came over to interview him and he didnt even know it was the first win. After i joked that he forgot to tell the interviewer of the special significance of the win. Really nice to witness something rare and unique like a pro player scoring his first atp win after turning pro about seven yrs ago.
Andrew Miller · August 2, 2017 at 1:36 pm
occ…is there an equivalent? I still enjoyed the video segment on ytube where wta players smack around their coaches during televised occ. It’s must see tv and the worst kind of tv, at the same time. And there are no gems.
Like Macci academy’s advice.
Hit Harder!!!!
catherine · August 2, 2017 at 2:19 pm
OCC – I’m baffled that SH should need occ at a minor women’s t’ment against Sloane Stephens who is hardly in the top rank of opponents.
What is it with Cahill? He knows S can’t use occ at GSs so why not try to wean her off it now ?
Or is it actually about Cahill so he can have something to say and be seen to be earning his money ?
When will S have the strength of mind to say no, I can get on by myself now ?
Simona Halep – slamless No 1. Maybe she’ll be happy with that.
Scoop Malinowski · August 2, 2017 at 3:50 pm
Andrew; you need to have a tennis academy. Just name it Hit Harder Tennis Academy. You will build grand slam champs and make a fortune!!
Andrew Miller · August 2, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Hahahaha! I think Ostapenko did the Hit Harder thing in the French final! Meanwhile Cahill patted his charge on the back and kept the money flowing!!!
Andrew Miller · August 2, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Scoop, somoone has to cover the Genie Sloane Stephens dubs match. Now that we know Sloane Stephens calls Genie the GenieSter or GeneSter I mean, that’s pretty top billing stuff! If they are all trick shots and laughs it will be worth it!