Tsonga was down 0-3 to Malisse but won 75 75 on court one. The court was jammed with Tsonga fans.
Dolgopolov struggled with Veic, was down a break early but came back to win 64 75 on court three. Dolgo had a good sized crowd cheering him on and he did not disappoint. The best point of the tournament I’ve seen so far was Dolgo ripping a serve to the ad court which he followed to the net, Veic absolutely crushed the ball as hard as he could right down the middle which Dolgo somehow managed to forehand volley from down low a laser beam winner which ticked off the net cord and landed in by a few inches. Dolgo could only raise his hand and apologize for the what some might call “lucky” winning shot. That shot game Dolgo the first game of the second set.
Nalbandian vs. Tipsarevic was overflowing on grandstand, Tipsy took the first set 75 and was down 1-3 in the second before coming back to win. Great early atmosphere for the fit looking Argentine who played so well vs. Nadal in Indian Wells but he could not follow up that run in Miami.
Novak Djokovic did his press conference at noon today in a business shirt, not the typical Tachini t-shirt. Asked the greatest moment of his career, Djokovic answered, “Well, Wimbledon has to stand out because I always had a goal and dream to win Wimbledon and become #1 in the world. I achieved it in one tournament. It was quite a remarkable experience, quite a remarkable achievement that I got celebrate with my family, friends and went back home to Serbia and had an incredible reception that I will never forget.”
Jelena Jankovic, the #13 seed, had little luck in losing yesterday to Mona Bathel 60 63. Today JJ was out on the practice court working on her game.
The funniest sight today was seeing Mirnyi and Nestor playing mini tennis with no racquets but some kind of crazy bouncing hard rubber ball. They catch and toss it across the net. Nestor had no problems fielding the balls and Mirnyi was hanging in there but couldn’t match his partner’s consistency. Mirnyi eventually bobbled one, eliciting a laugh from Nestor, and a few seconds later dropped the ball. The last point again featured Nestor not missing and then Mirnyi shorthopping a ball and tossing it long, Nestor claimed it double bounced and left the court trotting with a big smile and arms akimbo. It was a fun game to watch and you could see how helpful it is for a player’s reflexes. It was also fun to see two of the oldest guys on the Tour enjoying their life in tennis.
That was the warm up drill. Sitting watching their game was Troicki and Cilic who just finished practicing with each other. One court down were Llodra and Zimonjic, both shirtless. Llodra was wearing orange Lacoste shorts and green and black Asics shoes.
My buddy Geoffrey Gray from New York Magazine is here working on a feature, I know Geoff for years from covering boxing events. He’s working on trying to do a different type feature with Federer, with special access, not the basic press conference ten minutes before Roger is whisked away. Not sure if Geoff will be able to pull it off, but if anyone can…
Stay tuned…
Carlos Bernardez, chair umpire on working the retirement match of Fernando Gonzalez: “What do you tell if at the end of one match, not a normal one as it could be the last match or the finish of a great career, the player loses at tie break final set and after shake hands with the opponent, he look at you and ask to you come down from the chair and give you a big hug saying thank you for everything, all the years working together?”
Watched Dimitrov dig out of trouble vs. Chela. Chela pulled out the second set and was up a break and 40-15 at 4-3 on serve but the Bulgarian suddenly got hot and started playing his A plus game. He broke to level it and then just beat down Chela to close it out. Dimitrov was ecstatic with the win, as if he made the SF or F of a slam, he screamed loudly and then came over to hug his coach Patrick Moratoglu who was sitting to my left. This was a huge win for Team Dimitrov. Patrick said he’s been working specifically and officially with Grigor for two weeks but Grigor has trained at his academy in France for three years. Patrick said it was a big win for them because things were looking really bad after set two and the crowd was so pro Chela that it was like the match was in Argentina, the crowd was constantly singing Olay o lay o lay o lay CHE LA CHE LA and waving the blue and white flags. Great win for Dimitrov. And judging by his reaction, one of his best career wins. Chela played superbly too.
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Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Raonic wins a tight first set wtih Clement, 9-7 in the TB. Clement was battling as hard as he possibly could and broke Raonic when the Canadian was serving for the first set 5-4, AC broke him at love. When they were ready to start the second, after Clement changed his Lacoste shirt from white to sky blue and headbrand from white to yellow, the crowds were exiting and they had to wait at their baselines. AC decided he would change his socks, which took about two minutes, Roanic, a complete stoic, was not bothered in the least and tapped balls vertically against the back wall, to enertain himself during the brief delay. Guy Forget was there cheering on Clement but it was not enough, the big man outgunned the little veteran 76 62.
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Spotted recent Biofile subject outside the stadium talking with some fans/friends…while brother James was playing doubles with Harrison on court 5, where the second set went to 14-12 in the tiebreak. Stepanek crushed his Bradenton neighbor Tommy Haas 76 61, they live in the same development where Petr Korda also resides.
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Can’t believe I’m sitting right next to George Homsi the excellent French writer who used to contribute to Tennis Week and did that classic QA with his buddy Bjorn Borg about seven years ago. We’re seated next to each other in the media center. To my left are Wataru and Naomi from the Japanese Tennis magazine, in case you were wondering. Kerber lost today to Jie 67 16, surprising result as Kerber’s been on a roll. Isner just took out Davydenko on stadium court 64 in the third, Big John walked by me hours earlier after hitting and he seems nine foot tall. Big John is headed to a showdown with Rafa. I’m picking the American juggernaut to upset Rafa and raise his record to 3-1 vs. the Big Three in 2012.
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Oops, Melo and Monaco edged Blake and Harrison in a thriller 14-12 in the match tiebreak, must have been a great finale. Sorry to misread the score, that was my second blunder of the day. The other was putting one of those Lindor chocolates in my jeans pocket and it ended up melting and creating a sizeable stain on my left leg! Ayaya
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2012 at 11:22 pm
I got the Raonic Biofile! And it’s a great one too
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Harvey Fialkov, of the Sun Sentinel, is highly impressed by the interview abilities of Raonic and Harrison, how well spoken mature and intelligent they are. Tennis has two phenomenal young ambassadors in these two young guns, both of them will make for excellent #1 or top five ATP stars. Harvey said he almost started crying after hearing Harrison talk about starting foundations and giving back. Harvey is one of the great media characters in the press room, one of many actually. Sir Richard Evans is here today, he was speaking with Justin Gimelstob by the ATP station but I was busy and couldn’t join in.
Andrew Miller · March 24, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Dimitrov is probably the tour’s most talented player outside the top four. He really is Federer minus focus. Anyone who can just turn a match and then run up the score when it seems he was down and out is “that good.”
As for the press room abilities of certain players, tell you what James Blake gives the longest responses – hundreds of words – for so many questions given to him. You couldn’t ever say he didn’t tell you exactly what he thought – he told you nicely and in multi paragraph form.
My view on Harrison is same as before. His game needs serious work. His attitude doesn’t. And his wins speak for themself. I think Brad Gilbert was a much better player and I think Harrison could benefit from a strategy other than chase the ball down.
Andrew Miller · March 24, 2012 at 5:25 pm
As for foundations that is great Harrison and Raonic are doing that. Their best chance to make the foundation work move forward: improve 1000 percent, max their careers, and increase their star wattage.
Scoop Malinowski · March 24, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Dimitrov sure did turn it on Andrew, he got broken to start the third and looked to be in the doldrums, was missing returns and some short balls, at one point he dropped almost to his knees, in disbelief at a miss into the net, then retied his left shoe and then he seemed to go on a roll and came back and broke back that game. He went from looking like a dead duck to superman in a matter of minutes. One full stretch drop volley elicited a huge roar and fist pump uppercut. The kid can fight back from the brink, that’s for sure. I really liked the huge reaction after he won it, the screams of joy, running over to hug his new coach, big smiles, it showed how much it means to this kid. He is such a beautiful player to watch, he’s as nice and graceful just about as Federer, and it looks like he has an iron will to be a champion too. Blake is a good talker on the practice court too, he was out hitting with Isner and was making comments after points, after a drop shot backhand winner – “Get you ready for tomorrow (vs. Nadal)” – after an ace wide on deuce court “You didn’t go to your bail out 130 down the tee.” Blake’s in good spirits but Isner was dominating him out there. Brother and coach Thomas was in the corner wearing flip flops, not actively involved in the practice.
Harold · March 24, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Donald Young lost to David Goffin? Isnt he a 70 year old guy married to Carole King?
Andrew Miller · March 24, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Goffin is pretty good! That’s the thing out there – these players are all fierce – they all have way more game than is even fathomable.
At this point one thing you can say about Ryan Harrison – aint no way he would have lost to Goffin. He is like Roddick or Federer or Nadal or Djokovic in that way – it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side of the net, Harrison wants the win, every time. I can critique his shots or strategy, but not his fundamental understanding that he has to beat the guy across the net to get to the next round.
It’s a great thing. You can probably see Harrison in some public park match, just taking the opponent to school for the thrill of it. He seems to genuinely enjoy the sport.
If Dimitrov does also then we should be in for some good matches with him down the road.
Andrew Miller · March 24, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Some excellent insight from Scoop on Blake and Isner in the practice court. I think Blake doesn’t live too far from Isner or Querrey in Tampa. His ranking is also not awful – at 69 he definitely has a shot at seeing top 50 if a few things go right soon. It’s cool he cares about Isner’s game enough to be like listen – I will help Isner.
Another thing about this generation of U.S. players – Courier and Pat McEnroe have put the Team above the Ego – he keeps them competing but not at the expense of all of them playing as one. It’s a bit more in the Spanish model of Davis Cup – they are about making a strong team.
This is far and away different from the 90s or early 00s. Agassi and Sampras committed sometimes to Davis Cup, and their accomplishments in Davis Cup stand on their own, but it’s not the same sense of today’s U.S. team. They’re pretty united on and off the court and to the extent that Isner has risen in the rankings, it can be directly linked to opportunities in Davis Cup and the team environment.
Andrew Miller · March 24, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Finally I agree with Scoop on Dimitrov – he really has quite a masterful game. I don’t think Dimitrov has some of Federer’s attributes – such as the amazing return of serve – which would push him up the rankings. But in terms of sheer game? Hard to top Dimitrov. It really is incredible seeing what he can do with a tennis ball, and it really does make me think wait a second, didn’t Federer do this in a few matches I’ve seen?
I’d say it’s not a stretch to say that Dimitrov’s game is the closest out there to Federer. It’s brilliant. If you could win matches on talent alone, we’d be talking of Dimitrov’s assault on the top 10.
But tennis isn’t that easy at the pro level!
Scoop Malinowski · March 25, 2012 at 2:00 am
Goffin made the main draw of a MS he must be doing something right. Harrison has a super clear mind and his competitive fire can’t be questioned. I really liked how after the match today with Fed he was asked about feeling good about his gallant effort today, breaking Fed to prolong the match and force the TB, and he said he hates losing and won’t be celebrating this effort in any way, though many of the media tried to congratulate him for playing so well against a very sharp and confident Federer. Harrison said Federer seems to be playing better now than their last meeting, he’s hitting the ball now with more “authority.” Roddick also praised Harry for his work ethic and making all the right decisions and also for hiring a coach that HE wanted not who they were trying to set him up with. Harry is on the right path, no doubt, it’s just a matter of time. He says he knows the things he has to work on and is working on them.
Scoop Malinowski · March 25, 2012 at 2:03 am
Andrew Blake accepted Isner from the beginning and has always been helpful, as far back as Isner’s rookie year, the year he made the breakout in DC. They are good friends and that was evident by their talking and having fun during the practice. Agree about the Davis Cup unity of the US players but some of them do kind of go their separate ways for ATP events. You dont’ see Fish and Roddick and Blake and Harrison hanging out together or practicing together, at least I don’t. The Spanish guys are much more united. Hopefully Courier can implement this more into the US team morale.
Scoop Malinowski · March 25, 2012 at 2:05 am
Andrew Dimitrov is a great fighter! I did not know this but now do after seeing him come back from the brink vs. Chela and all the Argentine fans who made it a lively atmosphere. Very impressive by Dimitrov.
Andrew Miller · March 25, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Scoop – I read something on tennis.com this morning from Richard Pagliaro about Federer and Harrison. I think it was a pretty solid description! Essentially, both of them are ALL ABOUT THE MATCH – it’s about the fight. In so far as Dimitrov is up for it as well it is excellent for tennis. I excerpt Pagliaro below because I think it captures the spirit well. Even for a player like Federer, effort trumps talent. He puts in the effort every match no matter the opponent.
“Watching Federer dance behind the baseline choreographing controlled aggression reminded me of an old Andre Agassi response after a challenging match. Asked if the thought had crossed his mind that he should be beating a lower-ranked opponent more soundly, Agassi replied: “The only time you should be beating someone is when you are beating someone.” Elite players don’t often take opponents or matches for granted. During much of this inspired run in which he’s won 40 of his last 42 matches, Federer has shown that ruthless urgency and appeared on course for a one-hour routine win but Harrison refused to go quietly. The smooth service motion, vicious uppercut topspin forehand and his willingness to attack net are among his strengths, but what I like most about Harrison is his feisty defiance and desire. Harrison, whose appetite for the fight rivals Popeye’s fervor for spinach…”
Scoop Malinowski · March 25, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Love reading Agassi quotes Andrew, the man is a tennis wizard simple as that. Well said by RIP about the Fed Harrison match, that was nice to read.