And today was one of the greatest days ever at the Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open with a packed schedule on six courts after two rain washout days.
Random observations and scoops…
Adam Walton dominated Mackenzie McDonald in two sets. Double M was clearly expecting a better result of you can read between those lines.
Jason Jung, remember him? Journeyman grinder near the end had hip surgery but is back on protected ranking and won his third match this week beating James McCabe 64 63. The cat quick Michigan Wolverine alum looks lethal. He’s here with wife and baby.
One Canadian player lost today playing hard court bang bang tennis which doesn’t work on grass. She said to her friend between points, “This is my final grass tournament.” Her American friend also lost in two.
I saw Bernard Tomic jogging by the media center practice courts to prep for his match versus last week’s Cary Challenger winner Braden Schick and said “the one and only Bernard Tomic” in deep respect. He appreciated the sincere compliment and put both hands on my shoulders and then he dominated Shick with a masterclass performance, one of his best in years. We updated his biofile after. He hinted he is not sure how much longer he will play at 33 so enjoy this unique wizard while you can.
Liam Broady was eating as I walked by and I once read he loved Marcelo Rios and I asked him to confirm if that is true and he emphatically said he loves the fellow lefty marvel from Chile. When I said I wrote a book on him he said he will buy it and added he would like to have a chat later in the week.
Adrian Mannarino totally outclassed Remy Bertola 61 61 and then did a biofile with me before heading to practice hard courts to fine tune his serve which he said was “pretty okay” vs. Bertola.
Jenson Brooksby withdrew from the tournament today after rushing here from Wimbledon where he lost 3r to Sinner. Garrett Johns got the LL and split sets with Patrick Maloney before darkness halted the duel.
Mark Lajal was practicing his serve later afternoon on the hard courts by himself. Lajal was practicing earlier with Yibing Wu and his serves were noticeably off.
Tournament director Brewer Rowe was spotted picking up a piece of paper trash which he put in the garbage. TDs do it all.
I was told 2026 inductee Roger Federer has not made any special demands but he did but half the tickets for the induction ceremony weekend which is late August. RF has never visited Newport.
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