Taylor Fritz had a sluggish start today vs veteran Alex Kuznetsov. With Fish and Jay Berger in his corner Fritz was up 1-0 then blew a break point he had total control of by casually blasting an overhead but not expecting Kuznetsov to get it back but he did for a forehand winner. Fritz funked after that and was down 4-1 and lost the set 64. But then Fritz stepped into a new gear and routed Kuznetsov 63 62 with another display of his patented brilliant tennis blasting winners on the full run and just making a variety of shots that wows the crowd. Fritz is still in his coltish stage but you just know when this kid becomes a thoroughbred he will be something very very special. After the match as Fritz walked back to the locker room I attempted to do a Biofile but another reporter was walking with Fritz trying to coax him to do some feature about the young guns etc and Fritz didn’t seem very interested as I heard him say to a sharp- dressed agent type “Is this mandatory?” So Fritz is already picking his spots with the media. I believe Fritz is the biggest US prospect in terms of potential and hype as Agassi. This kid will be BIG. Tommy Paul dominated Dutra Silva for his spot into the main draw (where he will play Smyczek – Fritz plays Bolelli). Andrey Kuznetsov came by to watch three games of Paul. Obviously the established ATP players are hearing the big hype about the young American guns. Federer who plays De Potro in the second round (if Delpo beats Pella in first round) today hit with Dolgopolov on stadium with a giant crowd there watching. Fed was wearing his new emoji shirt and was dominating The Dog with stunning ease. Fed is playing superb tennis just weeks after his knee surgery. Jared Donaldson lost a three setter to Alejandro Gonzalez but later got into the main draw as a lucky loser and will face Nishioka. But Donaldson is struggling now. He couldn’t hurt Gonzo with anything really. Taylor Dent was there coaching JD and Brad Stine and Tom Gullikson were also there but Donaldson’s ranking hit a wall last year and dropped to the 170 range after losing the points in Hawaii. Sam Crawford needed three sets to dismiss 16 year old Katie Swan of England. Sam was coached by Nick Saviano today. The most dedicated player in the history of pro tennis the oft injured but ever resilient Brian Baker got into the draw via PR and will face Kukushkin first round. The Harrison Brothers were watching Zhuk lose to Shuai Zheng on court two… For photos of today’s action please go to my Facebook page or the Tennis Prose Facebook page….
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Doogie · March 23, 2016 at 5:41 am
I read Donaldson took a medical time out at 2:3* in the third. So it is not fair to judge him by one match coming after 4 matches last week (til Saturday) and playing one very very tough match 3setter yesterday against Jaziri.
Yes he did not develop as he should but u cannot say his development stopped because of his loss against A.Gonzalez (esp beeing injured or cramping??)
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2016 at 8:14 am
We came back at 42 in the third Doogie so did not know about that injury TO – Donaldson looked in good health at the end but he just couldn’t seem to hurt Gonzo who was a little bigger and stronger and steadier – one thing that is clear about miami is that Americans are like foreigners against any south American player – Donaldson got zero support and Gonzo got it all – I think this factor can make a difference – US fans need to step it up –
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2016 at 8:22 am
Donaldson got lucky – into draw as LL will play Nishioka today –
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2016 at 8:23 am
Also was told by insider Donaldson is working on stepping in on the ball and playing closer to the baseline – that is the project right now hug that baseline –
Andrew Miller · March 23, 2016 at 11:31 am
In the qualies, tough luck for Cirstea. Such a good player. Schiavone moves into another main draw, still tripping up opponents with her smart game.
Nice also to see Krys Pliskova moving on the the main draw. She may not be her sister, but she hits one of the heaviest balls I’ve seen. She and her top 10 ranked sister are like Czech versions of Lindsay Davenport. Or maybe they are like Vaidisova.
I like Coco vs. Sam. I think Coco’s got it – her new commercial is awesome. Coco’s a very solid player. Someone everyone should root for.
I like Edmund’s chances today in dismissing Jiri Vesely. Vesely was the big thing here at TP a few years ago and now he’s not. He’s a streaky lefty who’s a worse player than other streaky lefties, despite a nice looking game.
Michael Mmoh gets his chance against Zverev. I’m sure he’ll throw the kitchen sink at him.
Gulbis vs. Youzhny. Enough said.
And a slew of other U.S. players have matches today, including Cici Bellis. Nice to see the first round stocked, we’ll see who gets a big result.
Andrew Miller · March 23, 2016 at 11:33 am
Would be dumb to move Miami tournament. Great venue, always found it easier to move around than US Open or any other U.S. tournament. Unique venue also in terms of the fans.
That they even consider moving it is a very bad joke.
jg · March 23, 2016 at 11:47 am
If the calendar was different by a few weeks, Miami would be a great 1000 Har Tru tournament in the US, there are no major clay court tournaments in the US, it would be a motivating factor for US players to improve on the surface and also great for the South American players, the Houston tournament is a minor tournament and it looks like its played on mud.
Cici Bellis playing past her bed time?
jg · March 23, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Scoop, were you at the M Mmoh match, looks like he put up a fight, how did he look, score says it could have gone either way.
Andrew Miller · March 23, 2016 at 2:36 pm
Miamis a good tourney to get a big win. Two of Roddicks wins against Fed were in Miami ( and near wins in other matches ) and players like Michael Joyce scored big wins in Miami. I think the Euro players get distracted by the sun and surf, so any player that concentrates has a shot. The South Americans do well also because of the crowd support, probably media also. I used to think of it as the fifth slam.
So the young guys should post some good wins.
Dan Markowitz · March 23, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Andrew,
What about Vince beating Safin and Rafter in Miami, destroying Blake if I recall and almost beating Fed’s coach? By the way, did anyone see Vince’s instructional bit on TC this weekend. If so, what’d you think?
Wow, Mmoh took Zverev to two breakers! I’d have thought the big Z would handle him easily. It’s interesting that Tiafoe and Mmoh might become the big young guns from US and not Kozlov, who was initially more highly touted than both those guys.
Andrew Miller · March 23, 2016 at 5:17 pm
Vince Spadea also. I saw Joyce knock off Stich there. Even if it can be strange for U.S. players to see their opponents getting the lion-share of support in Miami, I think a lot of players party in Miami so it opens the door for an upset and a huge win.
Agassi’s 1990 win over Edberg would count also. Suddenly Agassi was everywhere (even if he had been on tour for a while at that point). It’s a good place to make a big statement.
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2016 at 9:48 pm
jg: I saw the end of the mmoh match inside the stadium – he’s right there with Zverev who had a bit more firepower on both wings but mmoh was competitive – he had Zverev in that hangdog whiny mood looking up at his box whining after misses – mmoh was broken in the last game which he started off with a netted failed drop shot than a bh error into the net then Zverev just picked him apart and finished it – but very good match and mmoh accounted himself very very well –
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2016 at 9:49 pm
Kozlov just lost 3 and 4 to Escobedo in the Calabasas Futures –
Andrew Miller · March 24, 2016 at 9:09 am
Kozlov is on the long term plan. He’s too solid not ti develop into a force.
Scoop Malinowski · March 24, 2016 at 9:29 am
Yes he is Andrew and he won a Futures in Canada two tourneys back but he’s lost early in the most recent two –
Moskova Moskova · March 24, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Koslov ain’t gona do shate ! Let’s see a big win before you start sucking his knee caps 😉
Bryan · March 25, 2016 at 1:21 pm
Agree Taylor Fritz is the best prospect of the young Americans. Second is Tiafoe, third is Tommy Paul. Tiafoe was hugely hyped as a junior whereas Fritz only emerged a year ago and still got very little hype until a month ago on the ATP. Why?
Fritz made the finals at last year’s Jr French Open and won the Jr US Open. Tiafoe crash and burned in his first season on the ATP and busted early at the Jr French Open yet Tennis Channel was all over him at the FO doing interviews and showing him practice with Rafa.