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Miracle at the Delray Beach Open by The Venetian
17 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios, Scoop
One of the greatest miracles in ATP history has occurred today at the Delray Beach Open. Alternate team Sekou Bangoura and Vahid Mirzadeh upset the number two team in the world Butorac/Klassen 75 36 l0-7 in the supertiebreaker.
Bangoura is 22, from Sarasota, FL and has never played an ATP level match before. Mirzadeh is 27, from Wellington and Florida State, and also has never won at ATP match before.
They signed up as alternates last week upon Mirzadeh’s urging and got the call to play as alternates yesterday when Lu pulled out of the event with a neck injury after retiring during his singles match vs. Ryan Harrison.
Today’s first round doubles match was originally scheduled to play on an outer court but was moved to stadium after Ivo Karlovic retired (illness) after one game against Kevin Anderson.
Bangoura and Mirzadeh, fell behind 3-5 in the first set but battled back to win 7-5.
They lost the second set 3-6 and jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the superbreaker. At 3-3 it seemed inevitable the more established team would prevail but somehow the story took an unexpected route. The youngsters made some shots, some stunning returns and provoked some crucial mistakes to acquire a commanding 9-3 lead. Klassen and Butorac battled to 5-9 but the deficit was just too much to overcome.
All the sudden it was over and two black and blue clad unknowns have sent major shockwaves through the tennis world.
Mirzadeh’s brother told me after the match that Vahid retired from singles two and a half years ago and has been focused on doubles since. Bangoura, who I hit some balls with about seven years ago on public courts in Lakewood Ranch, FL, because I know his dad, is a well rounded young man who also plays classical piano and competitive chess.
I gave a copy of my “Facing Federer” book to Sekou on Monday for inspiration and he told me today he has been reading it and likes it every much, and he even asked me for a copy of my next “Facing” series book which I told him will be on Hewitt.
Now Sekou Bangoura and Vahid Mirzadeh have made their names known with their miraculous performance today.
Miracles do happen. And we saw another one today in Delray Beach, Florida.
Sekou Bangoura post match quotes: “We’re pretty happy. Like I said out there, we just wanted to come out here and make balls, make it tough for them, put as many returns back and try to make as many first serves. I don’t think it’s really hit me yet, it’ll probably hit me later on.”
“We were definitely glad to be here. It was really close getting in. We definitely did n’t play on playing. I was here playing qualies. He gave me a call, Let’s sign in for doubles. I said okay. Waited around and got really lucky. I’m glad we stayed, definitely.”
When did you start believing you could win win this match?
“Once we got the break back, that’s when our confidence started definitely going up. We settled down a little bit, started seeing the ball a little more, and we definitely served pretty well that set. Obviously, once we won the first set, we felt Yeah we can do this. At the same time we knew these are former grand slam finalists, so we just gotta keep our head in the game and keep on playing.”
Are you surprised yourself?
“A little bit, yeah, a little bit. Definitely. It’s a big win. We’ll try to keep it going.”
First time winning an ATP level match, right?
“First time, yes, first time. So it’s special.”
Mirzadeh and Bangoura will play the struggling team of Max Mirnyi and Sam Groth in the second round.
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Dan markowitz · February 19, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Good story Scoop. Did you see Cilic play? Do you think anyone can contend with him this week? I’m in Disneyworld back on Friday.
Scoop Malinowski · February 19, 2014 at 9:13 pm
Didn’t see it Dan, I heard Cilic was down 0-3 in second and won six straight games. Spoke with Benny after he said he hasn’t had a very good year so far, hasn’t been able to string a few wins together, just one or two here and there. He says he feels close to gettting over the hump. Also spoke to him about his Hewitt matches, once again he gave very thoughtful info about it. He’s one of the best guys to talk to. Fred Stolle just rolled in to meet with Woodforde. He says Matosevic Hewitt will be interesting for about one set. Johnson just beat Haas in a third set TB, maybe the best win of his career.
Dan Markowitz · February 20, 2014 at 5:16 am
Amazing. Haas has not played especially well this year, but you can see SteveJo’s confidence building. He might be the ascending star of American men’s tennis
Dan Markowitz · February 20, 2014 at 5:23 am
Too bad about Hewitt. I guess Stolle was right. It was aatch for one set, but it was Matosevic who prevailed. I’ve heard of so many shoulder injuries this week. It is the kiss of doom for a tennis player. Hewitt May need to take considerable time off.
Interesting SteveJo is coached by Boynton who was coaching Sock as late as the the Open last year.
Lang · February 20, 2014 at 8:07 am
Boynton works for the USTA. He coaches both Johnson & Sock (possibly Kudla as well). He was at their matches in Maui. But overall Berger still oversees everyone’s training. Other than Harrison, Rhyne is the only one with a personal coach (cousin who used to work under Tom Gullikson/USTA).
Haas wasn’t at his best but still a great win for Stevie J. His backhand looked better than last year.
Lang · February 20, 2014 at 8:18 am
In case you are interested, list of the USTA coaches.
http://www.usta.com/About-USTA/Player-Development/Staff_Directory/
Dan markowitz · February 20, 2014 at 8:34 am
Thanks, Lang. This list is informative. I was talking to Vince Spadea Sr. And he said V would like to work with the USTA coaching team but hasn’t been offered the opportunity. There isn’t even a recent Top 100 player on the USTA coaching staff? How can that be when we see guys like Goran, the Magician and Corretja coaching in other countries. They shod have guys like Vince, Gambilll and Tarango on the USTA squad.
Lang · February 20, 2014 at 9:45 am
I think they need more coaches and fitness trainers period.
I stumbled upon that list while doing research on Rhyne last year. Dustin Taylor (one of the coaches there) was Rhyne’s junior coach via Rhyne’s Italian-American grandfather (Mike DePalmer Sr). DePalmer co-founded the Bolletieri academy (was originally called the DePalmer-Bolletieri tennis club). Another interesting tidbit: Paul Annacone played for Rhyne’s grandfather at the University of Tennessee. Rhyne’s uncle Mike DePalmer Jr. was a former top 50 player who coached Boris Becker for several years. Rhyne’s mother was also a top 100 player but retired at age 21 (back). She was the reason behind the birth of the academy. Nick Bolletieri moved to Bradenton because he wanted to coach her.
Hopefully I didn’t bore you guys with the history. Thought it was interesting.
Doogie · February 20, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Thx for the very intresting story from this event!!
Who are the guys you heard about the shoulder issues??
Scoop Malinowski · February 20, 2014 at 2:01 pm
Talked with Craig Boynton this morning, he said SJ’s other big win was beating Anderson in Syndey. SJ is making his move.
Scoop Malinowski · February 20, 2014 at 2:03 pm
Hewitt did serve an ace wide after the injury timeout late in the first set though. So you wonder how bad it is. Maybe Hewitt just didn’t want to expend himself too much, with the very physical Anderson waiting in next round. Saw Matosevic on his bike this morning at around 9 on Atlantic Ave shirtless, coming from direction of beach.
Scoop Malinowski · February 20, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Lang, yes, Berger is an overseer, he was out this morning in the corner, arms crossed, watching Isner practice. His posture was the exact definition of “overseeing.”
Scoop Malinowski · February 20, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Great point Dan about Vince, Jan Mike and Tarango qualified to be on USTA staff.
Scoop Malinowski · February 20, 2014 at 2:17 pm
The dream run is over for Bangoura/Mirzadeh. They were up 5-3 in Mirnyi/Groth and had two set points at 5-4 on Bangoura’s serve but coudn’t finish, successive backhand winner returns got it back to deuce. The no ad deuce pt was served to Max who engaged Bangoura in a baseline rally, before a deep drive by Max on the line forced Bangoura to cough up a reply that Grothy smashed. In the tiebreak the young guns were up 2-0 but then lost five in a row. Final scoreline was 76 64.
Andrew Miller · February 20, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Why support sj and klahn? Because they aren’t the anointed players to save u.s. tennis. I read article on tennis.com about roddick and he talks about sock and Harrison. The article threw a challenge to klahn saying he was number 66 with only a 3-10 record ( how about the 700 ranking jump in 18 months?) While sock is showing up with better results personally I am glad there are more players to support outside two guys. Here is to thanks tennis p for keeping the dialogue real. No country gets its mojo back by backing a few preferred players. Keep it merit based so that the guys who win are the guys who earn their turn . Harrison unfortunately and injury taken into account does not deserve the wildcards anymore – his ranking is too low to justify it. I would do what they did in California with the USTA giving wildcards into the qualifying draws. If you can make it through that you deserve to be in a tournament.
If Harrison or when he makes it back it shouldn’t be on the back of favors. It’s harsh but that’s the way it goes . look no further than steve j. He got back to basics and could probably play Davis cup before end of year .
Point is stop the favoritism. I’m sure Harrison can improve and pull a Brian baker. Let him show that rather than letting him in the draw bases on terrible results.
Dan markowitz · February 20, 2014 at 3:18 pm
SteveJo has better chance than Harry of being Top 20 player.
Andrew Miller · February 20, 2014 at 10:35 pm
I look at Harrison’s game and don’t get it. But then again, Nadal saw it up close in august 2013 and he said this at the US Open:
Q. American men’s tennis, they’re looking for the next one. Ryan, what does he have to do to get into the upper class?
RAFAEL NADAL: Improve. Is always the same for everybody. For me. Keep improving all the time. If you are able to keep improving all the time, you will have the chance to be in the top.
For me today, I am going on court every day with the ball to keep improving. So for him should be the same.
If he’s able to keep doing better and better, he will have the chance to be in the top positions.
He has a good serve. He has good movements on the net. He has good shots from the baseline. So he’s able, you know, to keep improving and to be more regular, more stable, play with less unforced errors, so will have his chance. I am sure on that. We’ll see what’s going on.
But he’s one of the possible future top players. “