Dimitrov unleashes a serve.
But Nadal wouldn’t let Dimitrov take that step. Nadal won 6-4 in the fifth and Dimitrov has suffered a severe downward spiral (though he did win his second title of the year in Bulgaria which was his next event after Australia).
Losing that match to Nadal has evidently damaged Dimitrov’s confidence as his season since early February has been a disaster. He lost a 7-6 in the third tiebreaker to Jack Sock in Indian Wells, blowing a match point.
Then Super G lost 36 67 to Guido Pella in the R64 in Miami.
Then in Morocco Dimitrov lost again in three sets to Tommy Robredo 46 61 16.
In Monte Carlo Dimitrov lost his first match again to Jan Struff 64 36 26.
Last week in Madrid came another heartbreaker, Dimitrov won two rounds over Kohlschreiber and Karlovic but then lost to Dominic Thiem in a third set tiebreaker 9-7, blowing five match points.
That kind of shattering loss is very hard to shake off and this week in Rome Dimitrov crashed again, losing to Juan Martin Del Potro in three sets after winning the first.
The 26 year old is ranked 11 in the world and has a nice record of 19-7 on the year but half of the seven losses have been devastating losses.
You have to wonder, why can’t Dimitrov finish any of these close matches at the wire?
Does Dimitrov have a reputation among the ATP players of being a choker who lacks sufficient killer instinct? Is the affable and friendly Bulgarian too nice, too soft in the heat of the battle of a ferocious tennis fistfight? Does Dimitrov lack the eye of the tiger?
Dimitrov showed in Melbourne he has the goods and he has the physical arsenal to win a major title. But some small element is missing, whether that mysterious element is still underdeveloped or totally absent and lacking remains to be seen.
Dimitrov will enter Roland Garros in two weeks as a seeded player. A seeded player with a very low supply of confidence.
(Photo by Henk Abbink)
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1 2 3 Next »El Dude · May 15, 2017 at 10:07 pm
Hi Scoop,
As a Federer fan and connoisseur of “finesse-style” tennis, I remain eternally disappointed with Grigor. I long gave up the hope that he was heading for greatness, and even up through 2016 I thought that, at best, he would have a career similar to someone like Tommy Robredo – maybe sneak in a Masters and win a bunch of lesser tournaments, but never an elite player. But then that match against Rafa happened and I felt that, finally, Grigor had arrived and was ready to take a place at the elite table. But he slipped back into his usual self, losing matches he should win and not showing much signs that he’s heading for elite status.
Grigor is too talented to not win a big title or two and even be a fixture in the top 10 for a few years. With apologies to Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori, he is the most talented of his generation, in my opinion, at least among players born in the Dark Years of 1989-92, and possibly as late as ’94 (Are Thiem or Pouille more talented? I think we have to go to ’95 and Nick Kyrgios to find a player with greater upside).
On the other hand, as you say he is missing that X-factor. Less talented but more determined players like Dominic Thiem are likely to have better careers, because they have a better chance in optimizing what they have (I realize that it is debatable that Thiem is less talented, but even if they are roughly similar in talent, I give Thiem a much greater chance of winning big titles going forward).
As far as the future is concerned, I don’t know what to expect. I could see Grigor being another Richard Gasquet: eternally talented, but never winning anything big (although to be fair to Grigor, unlike Richard he has actually won an ATP 500…it is amazing to me that Gasquet has won nothing but ATP 250s). On the other hand, maybe he does a Stan Wawrinka on us and finds that missing piece in his late 20s, even possibly this year.
So while I remain eternally disappointed by Grigor, I also can’t shake the hope that he surprises us and, at the least, wins a Masters or two, if not sneaking in a Slam.
Chazz · May 15, 2017 at 10:24 pm
I watched the end of that Dimitrov match today. He smashed his racquet halfway, then fully broke it off with his hands. Thought you would like that Scoop 🙂 That was a creative way to break his racquet, just like the creative way he lost again. I still root for him because I’m a fan of his technique and style of play.
Hartt · May 16, 2017 at 7:51 am
Dimitrov has not had a great career so far in relation to all the high expectations. He turns 26 today, so he can be compared to contemporaries 26-year-old Raonic and 27-year-old Nishikori.
Grigor was in the top 10 only briefly, with his top ranking No. 8. His career win-loss record is 60.5%, not impressive for a top player. His highest Slam finish is 2 SFs and he has 6 titles.
Despite all their injury problems, both Nishikori and
Raonic have much better results. Both have been in the top 10 consistently for some time, with a highest ranking of #3 for Milos and #4 for Kei. Milos has a win-loss record of 69% and Kei has 68%. Both have reached a Slam final and Kei has 11 titles, Milos 8.
So Dimitrov’s unexceptional results this season are not new. The difference is that he came close in some big matches. But that leads to an important aspect of Grigor’s game – he is not a great competitor, especially on big points. People are seduced by his lovely shot-making, forgetting that shot-making is just one element. The mental aspect of the game is huge and I think that is where Grigor falls down.
He is still young enough that he can have good results in the future, but becoming mentally tough at this stage of his career is a big task.
catherine bell · May 16, 2017 at 8:13 am
Hartt –
Quite a few players fit that mould – great shotmakers, nice people, never make the breakthrough they deserve because the steel is simply not there. Grigor’s racket-smashing is most likely sheer frustration because in his heart he knows that.
Scoop’s always going on about how nice Grigor is – I caught a small incident before Madrid – he and Simona had won that pre-tournament competition and they were both standing around not knowing what to do and Simona looking quite baffled about where to go and he reached out with his hand on her back and guided her in the right direction. A lot of guys wouldn’t have done that. They would’ve just barged ahead. Grigor was a bit more sensitive.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 8:35 am
El Dude; Dimitrov is on of the great mysteries of the tennis world: Why can’t Dimitrov take that next step? I think all the heartbreaing losses like the one to Rafa in Australia have had an accumulative effect and irreparably damaged Dimitrov. He no longer has the belief that he can do it when it matters most. The Aus Open SF was so critically important for Dimitrov. Winning that fourth set tiebreaker vs Rafa and then losing the fifth set 64 appears to be the final nail. That loss was a killer. Every top player saw that loss and they all have the belief that Dimitrov will blow it again against them too. Beating Rafa iin AUs would have changed everything, changed everyone’s perception. Dimitrov had his chance but he just couldn’t do it. Story of his career. So far. Would like nothing more than to see Dimitrov suddenly awaken and rampage his way to a major title. Looking highly unlikely at this moment. One hope is for the fans to will him with overwhelming support. Which is possible because fans love Dimitrov and everyone wants to see him do it. Dimitrov has to find a way to take advantage of that fan dynamic which is a very powerful source of energy.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 8:39 am
Chazz; Super G is now one of the most violent racquet destroyers in tennis history. He can really retire a racquet in a snap 🙂 He needs to keep doing it when it has to be done. Interesting that nobody boos when he does it. Fans respect and understand how extremely upset Dimitrov is at this stage of his frustrating career. Better to unleash the anger than bottle it up.
Hartt · May 16, 2017 at 8:40 am
Catherine, I agree that Grigor seems like a nice guy, doing things like helping an ailing ballkid during a match. I don’t know if being nice is a hindrance in being a top player or not. Certainly several of the current champs are nice guys. A champion can combine “niceness” with a fierce competitive fire and mental toughness. It looks like Grigor lacks the steel that you speak of.
I do get tired of commies continually waxing lyrical about Grigor, they were doing that again during his match with Delpo, even though Delpo was the better player that day.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 8:44 am
Hartt: I think Dimitrov is a great competitor because he’s taking these top players down to the wire but at the wire he’s always the one to fall short. Five match points vs Thiem. 6-4 in the fifth to Rafa. Blown match points vs Sock. He’s right there with the best. First move should be to send coach Valverdu home and hire a guy who knows what it takes. Valverdu does not know even how to play on the ATP Tour as he was a fringe Futures player.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 8:46 am
Catherine; I did not see that gentlemanly gesture by Dimitrov for Halep but it does not surprise me. He is a genuinely very nice person and top three most likable guy in the ATP. Never seen or heard a bad moment involving Dimitrov, only the complete opposite.
Hartt · May 16, 2017 at 11:16 am
During the match between Verdasco and Goffin, Robbie Koenig commented that Verdasco was a player with all the shots but who had not reached his potential as a player. His problem was “between the ears.” Sounds like he could have been talking about Dimitrov.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 11:36 am
Verdasco has shown many times he is a great player. But he does get exasperated too easily. Just look at his facial expressions between points – he looks very uncomfortable and anguished sometimes. He has the talent of greatness but he does not have the right body language and facial expressions which express for all observers and even the opponent: I am the man. Verdasco looks like he’s suffering out there and does not enjoy the heat of battle. At least that is the way I interpret the way he’s looked the last few times I’ve watched him play the last few years. maybe his confidence is low the last few years and he knows he only has a year or two left and that pressure and stress is taking a toll.
chris · May 16, 2017 at 12:42 pm
My observations on Dimitrov (a bit non-standard);
-Really “looks like a tennis player” (which may account for some of the hype) tall-ish, fit, etc.
-Doesn’t really move that well, either due to poor reaction to the ball (relative to the best players) or lacking in top level foot speed.
-The biggest issue: Poor shot selection: goes for too much off the wrong ball or isn’t aggressive on the right ball…it’s maddening to watch him throw away points, especially in tight matches. I’m sure the top players realize this and can count on him making poor decisions in tight matches.
Thanks!
Dan Markowitz · May 16, 2017 at 12:50 pm
You have to wonder, a lot of pundits say Sock’s best chance to win a slam–not that he’s anywhere close now–is on the clay at the French, but then he loses to Mahut of all people at Madrid and almost loses (7-5 in the 3rd) against Schwartzman. These are third tier if not lower players and Sock is struggling to beat them. Not a good sign.
Nice win for Haas, who’s making Fed look like a youngster, beating Escobedo and Harry beating JD.
Chazz · May 16, 2017 at 1:02 pm
Hey Dan, I agree with you about sock losing to Mahut. That was a bad loss. His loss to Johnson in Houston was a tad disappointing too. Schwartzman seems like a player on the rise though, I expected that to be a tough out. He needs to beat Vesely in the next round; Nadal after that is surely a loss though.
I watched most of Harrison-Donaldson yesterday. Both players didn’t look particularly sharp, but that may have been partially due to the terrible court conditions.
Chazz · May 16, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Roland Garros says no to Sharapova! Wow, no wild card and no qualifier.
Grace · May 16, 2017 at 1:57 pm
Chazz:
Finally a(n)(important) tournament that has the balls to refuse a wild card. Couldn’t agree more with the words of the French Federation President Bernard Giudicelli: “If there can be a wildcard for the return from injuries, there cannot be a wildcard for the return from doping.”
“So it is up to her, day after day, tournament after tournament, to find alone the strength to conquer major titles without being held to anybody.
“I’m very sorry for Maria, very sorry for her fans. They might be very disappointed and she might be very disappointed, but it is my responsibility and my mission to protect the game and protect high standards of the game played without any ‘doping’ on the result, so that is our decision.”
Now let’s see if Wimbledon shows the same balls!
catherine bell · May 16, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Wimbledon has already given her a wc to the qualifying I believe.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Chris. Well said. Do you think GD can break the chains that bind him?
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Harrison at his career high ranking #42. Well done by Harrison. An inspiration for all.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 3:11 pm
FFT should be commended by all for standing with all the worlds players and not bowing to the worlds most popular female player.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 3:14 pm
No shame in being pushed to the edge of the cliff by Diego Schwartzman. The diminutive Argentine smoked Ferrer in miami and is having his career year in 2017.
catherine bell · May 16, 2017 at 3:20 pm
I had some funny idea that once you have served a suspension, just the same as a jail term, you are considered to have paid for your crime.
There seems to be an exception made for Maria Sharapova.
And I doubt that all the world’s players agree with the FFT.
catherine bell · May 16, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Sharapova has retired in Rome so perhaps these questions may turn out to have resolved themselves.
Grace · May 16, 2017 at 3:38 pm
Sharapova out of Rome. Medical.
Catherine: Not sure if she actually got a wild card for the qualies or if her win against McHale in Rome secured her a spot for the Wimbledon qualies.
With regard to your suspesion remark: let’s agree to strongly disagree. Serving a suspension and then being allowed to come back fighting is one thing. Getting wild cards to get into the main draw another. That is simply completely unfair towards any of the other players. So, yes, I am sure that most, if not all players deep down (but for politically correctness reasons don’t dare to come out) agree with the FFT.
Really…? If I serve a jail term for cheating on my employer, then should I simply get my position back after having served my jail term?
Scoop: Not so sure she’s the most popular female player but that’s what makes tennis fun…many different opinions and tastes…
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Grace; well said. Which WTA player is more widely popular than Maria? Ok Maybe Serena.
Chazz · May 16, 2017 at 5:09 pm
As Fognini is blowing out Murray in Rome, I am pondering who I would pick right now if Murray played Djokovic. It is amazing how Murray/Djokovic have gone one direction and Nadal/Federer have gone the opposite direction in 2017. I would have to at least consider taking just about anyone in the top 30 or 40 over Murray/Djokovic in RG. That was an insane consideration 4-5 months ago.
Hartt · May 16, 2017 at 5:41 pm
Fognini was in the zone in this match. For much of it he just could not miss.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2017 at 8:11 pm
I would take Q Ball or Tiafoe to upset Andy or Djok right now if the odds were right – Fognini is the best ticket in tennis. Hardly surprised Fognini is beating top guys like Andy this year. I watched all of his matches in Miami and he was superb down there even in losing to Nadal in the SF he looked very good.
catherine bell · May 17, 2017 at 2:27 am
Grace –
We’ll agree to disagree. But I have to say it is actually illegal in Britain to discriminate in employment against ex-prisoners unless there are specific exemptions, and there are some.
I’m amused but not surprised to see that several (male) members of the press who were previously all over Maria have now decided that this was never the case and they always knew she was a) no good and b) a doper.
A lot of humbug around in this whole situation.
Maria’s exit in Rome should be cheering Angie up a bit.
But since her career seems to be shadowing Murray’s at present as failing No 1s I’m not too hopeful for her first match.
catherine bell · May 17, 2017 at 2:29 am
Sorry – it’s Kerber’s second match she could have played Maria.
Scoop Malinowski · May 17, 2017 at 6:55 am
Smart move by Maria. No need to waste energy on clay with no chance to win RG. Focus on grass.
catherine bell · May 17, 2017 at 7:22 am
Scoop –
Agree with that. And Angie should do the same maybe. Nil chance at RG. Murray too 🙂
Used to be a couple of grass tournaments held in England during RG so the dropouts there could enter. Good events I remember but that was long ago.
catherine bell · May 17, 2017 at 7:40 am
Something I find difficult to accept about Sharapova’s situation is the idea that she should go on being punished after her suspension has been served. That is, someone who has been suspended should be treated differently from a player who has been absent for other reasons.
This certainly seemed a subtext in the statement from FFT.
I might find myself lining up with Simon and the WTA on this one.
However what’s done is done and the case is presumably now closed.
Dan Markowitz · May 17, 2017 at 8:37 am
When Fognini is hitting the ball like he was against Murray yesterday, it is very impressive. The guy is like a little firebug; he holds himself with the big chest like Almagro, but he’s a better player than Almagro. Murray is really in a funk and Djoko just doesn’t have that mastery he had only one year ago.
Harry should refuse to play Cilic anymore. I remember the first chink in his armor was when Cilic routined him at the Open 2, 5 and 6. Harry did beat him once in Acapulco last year, but Cilic just destroys Harry.
Andrew Miller · May 17, 2017 at 9:56 am
Bad loss for Escobedo. He and other non Alex Zverev players have trouble against former top players. I’m afraid the us guys are soft. This is a gladiator sport and no player has the luxury of being too in awe out there.
Chazz · May 17, 2017 at 10:09 am
Yeah I couldn’t believe EE got bageled in the first set. He also lost 2 and 3 to Kevin Anderson in the qualifier. Hope he fixes whatever is wrong and gets in the main draw at RG. He played so well in Houston and Miami.
catherine bell · May 17, 2017 at 10:14 am
Kerber out in Rome 4-6 0-6 in 57″ to Kontaveit ranked 68.
Please Angie take a break, change coach, do something. It’s just painful to watch and probably a lot more painful to play.
Right from the start of the year, when she turned up in Aust she really has not been there. I can’t recall a faster decline, not when I’ve been following the game.
Chazz · May 17, 2017 at 11:58 am
Sock barely beats Vesely. That is now 7 straight matches that he has given up at least 1 set. Way too many unforced errors. He’s not playing too well right now and will likely get dominated by Nadal. Not that he needs any help, but Nadal will benefit from having extra rest because Almagro retired down 0-3 and Jack has to play doubles later today. It all adds up to a likely rout in favor of Nadal.
Dan Markowitz · May 17, 2017 at 2:22 pm
I was watching a bit of the third set of Sock v Vesely and Sock’s backhand is just not good enough to beat the top 15 players and on clay that number jumps up to guys in the top 50. Also, Sock has more of a doubles rather than a singles serve. He just doesn’t get enough free points off his serve. Also, for a guy who’s an excellent doubles player and covers the court with the best of them, Sock misses a lot of volleys and gets outright passed way too often.
He’s in a downswing right now, and I don’t expect big things at RG or Wimbledon, but maybe he can get back in the groove for Canada and the Open. I don’t take Cincy seriously as its basically a throwaway tournament.
Andrew Miller · May 17, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Kontaveit has a huge game. She’s like Cirstea. When she’s on cant stop her. When she’s off can’t stop her.
Andrew Miller · May 17, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Prediction: Sock d. Nadal. Nadal puts head in hands and curses on Spanish.
scoopmalinowski · May 17, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Very curious to see how Sock handles business w Rafa this time. Needs to play with down match point mentality from the first warm up ball. Casual cool demeanor will result in another L. He has the arsenal to beat Rafa.
Chazz · May 17, 2017 at 3:44 pm
If he beats Nadal that would be a pleasant shock. Then he would get to play Thiem, what a gauntlet! Sock showed again what a great doubles player he is, he and Isner took down 3 seed Murray-Soares in straight sets.
Q Ball with a nice decisive win over Struff but he has to play Thiem next.
Scoop Malinowski · May 17, 2017 at 4:19 pm
I think Sock has his best shot now vs Rafa who could have one eye on Rome and the other already on Paris – why kill himself to win Rome? Dan considers Cincy to be a throwaway tourney, Dan do you consider Rome to be a throwaway too just like Cincy?
Dan Markowitz · May 17, 2017 at 7:00 pm
No, for some reason I give Rome more credence. Rome is Rome, Cincy is in the middle of a vast country and not well known a city. People all over the world travel to Rome because it’s a beautiful historic city. Who travels to Cincy?
Are we giving QBall a big nod for beating Struff!?
What’s happened to Kudla? He was once a player who I thought would do rather well on clay.
Andrew Miller · May 17, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Kudla likes green grass and green clay.
Scoop Malinowski · May 17, 2017 at 7:24 pm
You say Cincy is a throwaway but looks at all the winners of Cincy – a lot of big names and no second raters win there – I think your perception of Cincy is wrong as clearly the top players take it pretty seriously – Will be interesting to see if Rafa goes all out to beat a vengeful Sock and likely face Thiem again – I would not be surprised if Rafa pulls out with a minor injury – If he continues on and wins Rome too it shows how super fit he is and how confident he is – also no 1 ranking would also probably be a big incentive to go all out in Rome – No 1 looks like another Rafa vs Fed battle –
Andrew Miller · May 17, 2017 at 7:28 pm
Sock has seen Nadal’s game up close in high pressure situations in Indian Wells and Miami. He didn’t manage a set but at some moments it seemed almost possible that he could make a match of it. Why not in Rome? The only one who doesn’t give himself a chance is Sock. It’s a good moment for him to put forward a bravado performance and he’ll have plenty of time to run around the backhand. Also since he just beat Vesely in three sets he’ll have enough lefty familiarity to go into the Nadal match and not have to worry about adjusting to a lefty game.
Anyways, this is all speculation but I don’t see why Sock can’t make a match out of it.
Andrew Miller · May 17, 2017 at 7:36 pm
Chazz seven straight three setters on euro clay for Sock? Not bad at all. Most USA men were sent packing or didn’t even bother to pack at all for the European clay season. Dan once pointed out that Sock was a lone wolf that does things his way, whether going for doubles success, single handedly taking out other USA men ahead of him like Isner or behind him like Fritz, or finding himself last USA player standing at last year’s US open by dropping a former us open champ like Cilic.
For better or worse Sock runs on Sock. He may not be a sports star here in the States, but he has capably made a case for himself.
Andrew Miller · May 17, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Cincinnati is a serious tournament. In the years the Olympics take place it’s got a weaker draw, but usually the Cincinatti winner makes a good run at the us open.