For the second year in a row Kiki Mladenovic lost in straight sets and left the court and went to a corner by the press center and sat on the ground and cried for close to 45 minutes with her mother/coach hovering over her and chastising and inspiring her. Kiki lost to Stosur and in plain view of many fans watching practice court action, sat on the ground and told her mom it was too hot, who scheduled her to play in the early hottest part of afternoon. Mom replied it doesn’t mater how hot it is, you have to win. On and on the discussion went just outside the press center entrance went, oblivious to fans and media looking at the odd scene.
Yulia Putintseva may be the most badly behaved player in pro tennis. A Russian reporter told some of the incredibly crude things she said on court about her Japanese opponent Nara…how am I losing to this fat pig?…maybe I should stop there, it gets worse. The chair ump was also a target of Miss Putintseva’s potty mouth. I don’t dare repeat that one.
Nick Saviano was scouting Sloane’s opponent Magda Linette from four courts down on p courts. I saw Sloane and Kudla chatting it up. Kudla lost a marathon heartbreaker to Guido Pella, boy were they playing some heavy hitting high quality tennis.
Lleyton Hewitt handled his business with JP Smith in straights. Smith flipped his cap backwards Hewitt style after rain delay in second, you knew it was over right then. It was a showing of too much respect, but a nice and classy gesture by Smith.
Hewitt suppresses his come ons now, he sort of yells them but the yell is stifled, it’s a sign of maturity maybe, but during the match on stadium you could hear Jack Sock’s come ons from grandstand while he defeated Belgian lefty Ruben Bemelmans.
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Dan Markowitz · August 5, 2015 at 1:51 pm
How did Sock look? It’s amazing JP Smith is playing in ATP events. He has possibly the worst groundies I’ve ever seen in a pro player. He never hits his forehand cross-court as he takes it late and behind him on every shot.
Scoop, you continue to amaze me with your interest in women’s tennis. Kiki Mladenovic and Julia Putintseva, you actually watched the matches they played?
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2015 at 1:56 pm
Some of putintseva because I met her Sarasota fl in Payne park. She’s a fighter and you know I love fighters. Saw none of Sammy v kiki but a bit of jersey girl McHale beating coco candy. I didn’t see one volley or net foray. Hewitt is hitting now with JP smith getting ready for f lo.
Dan Markowitz · August 5, 2015 at 1:57 pm
Here’s a stat for you fans who love to talk about the power of momentum. Tim Smyczek who lost again in the first round this week in D.C., played Nadal that memorable match where he lost 5 in the 5th set. You’d think that’d propel him into a great year. Right?
Uh, wrong! Since then, Timmy has won only 4 matches on the ATP Tour, and he’s lost in the first round in 8 of the last 9 events he’s played in. So much for the power of momentum.
Dan Markowitz · August 5, 2015 at 2:01 pm
Nice, Hewitt F Lo could be a good one. Coco is an interesting girl. I liked watching her at Wimby and how she stood up to Sharpova. But she seems to be mostly a one-trick pony, only really good on grass. She’s got a little of the Harry in her where she says she thinks she can be No. 1 and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.
Listen, Coco, I know you don’t know me and might not even read this blog, but you’ve got as much of a chance of being No. 1 as I do of being more racist than Donny Trump. So don’t go off talking about being No. 1. Just try once maybe to reach the Rd of 16 in any tournament not on grass.
Plus, her new coach, Craig Kardon, is one of the most egotistical coaches I’ve ever met. He was coaching Spadea when we were writing “Break Point,” maybe one of the 5 coaches he had that year, and the guy is really full of himself. Probably, a good fit for Coco.
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2015 at 2:33 pm
Well, that was a loss to Rafa and most of the times those losses don’t do much for the one who lost. Mike Russell did not go on any kind of winning streak after he gallantly lost to Guga at French Open. For one example.
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2015 at 2:36 pm
Coco is good player but slow to grow into a top player. Gambill had her for years. She is a racquet smasher par excellence.
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2015 at 2:42 pm
boy oh boy, I just saw Estrella hit with his coach and let me tell you he is bashing the ball so hard its making a snapping sound it sounds like a baseball bat cracking line drives. Either on the baseline hitting or practicing his serves, every ball sounds astonishing different than the other players nearby, McHale, Hewitt. Every ball strike is an explosion. Based on what I just saw and heard I’m predicting Estrella to upset isner. Wow.
Dan Markowitz · August 5, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Estrella will upset Izzie when he grows another foot. There’s really not one really good little guy in the game anymore after Ferrer, and he’s been down this year. It seems like the era of the sub-6 foot player even, is over. Nishioka is pretty good at 19 and 5-7, but the Chang, Agassi, Hewitt players reaching the top of the game, 5-11 and under, seems over.
Dan Markowitz · August 5, 2015 at 2:56 pm
I’m sorry, the only exception is Kei, who I’m surprised lost a set last night to Duckworth.
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2015 at 3:19 pm
A lot of big boys coming up, few smaller types. Fognini isn’t more than 6 maybe less. Coric isn’t a giant. But zverev Jarry kachanov fritz aliassime kokkinakis kyrgios opelka are all long armed and vertically gifted.
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2015 at 8:09 pm
Gallant effort by Estrella who was Iznerized to the tune of 36 67 5-7. Just to tough to nullify that serve and isner backs it up on the baseline well. I’d really like to see Estrella v Hewitt right now, what a fight that would be.
Scoop Malinowski · August 5, 2015 at 10:08 pm
I just chatted with Ivan Dodig, asking him what was sweeter, winning French Open doubles or beating Rafa in singles 76 in the third. He smiled and said beating Rafa but then said there was such a mixture of emotions for winning a grand slam. Dodig is now practicing dubs w Melo. They play klassen ram later. I saw some of niculescu doubles with Falconi vs Mestach and van uytvanck, Niculescu is a genius with volleys lobs uncanny ability to get balls back. Those who like different type players, watch Niculescu play doubles. Its awesome.
Bryan · August 7, 2015 at 8:03 pm
Saw Isner beat Pospisil last nigh. It didn’t finish til 1:30am which means he’s playing twice today. Hopefully the late night session. He needs longer to recover.
Scoop Malinowski · August 7, 2015 at 9:30 pm
Isner is looking very good right now, all he needs is that one big win, just a little bit of luck on the big points. I think Isner is on the verge of a big result.