26
Remember, it was Lopez who first exposed the crack in the Djokovic armor
120 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Feliciano Lopez is getting a lot of credit now for his superb grass results but one achievement of his career which is overlooked and forgotten is that the Spaniard was the first player to expose a crack in the mighty Djokovic armor last year.
Flashback to the Australian Open final last year. Djokovic was at the height of his power, having crushed Andy Murray in the Australian final 61 75 76 for his third consecutive major title. Djokovic had never looked better and was in top form.
Then in his next tournament in Dubai three weeks after conquering Melbourne, Djokovic appeared to be continuing his destruction of the ATP Tour. In the first two rounds of Dubai, Djokovic blasted Robredo and Jaziri by identical 61 62 drubbings. Then in the quarterfinal, Djokovic collided with Feliciano Lopez.
In an astonishing result, Lopez outplayed the world no. 1 with an impressive 6-3 first set. Djokovic strangely retired from the match citing or claiming a contact lens malfunction.
Djokovic had appeared unbeatable up until that set with Lopez but that one blip was considered a fluke result even though two weeks later Djokovic struggled to subdue journeyman Kukushkin in a five hour, five set marathon 67 76 46 63 62.
Djokovic regained his old dominant form by winning Miami and Indian Wells, Madrid and Roland Garros.
But it was that one curious, odd loss to Lopez which seemed to trigger the chain of events which eventually led to Djokovic regressing in the second half of the year with his poor results at Wimbledon, Rio Olympics and the US Open.
Is it possible Feliciano Lopez’s superb play caused the minute puncture in the Djokovic dam which subsequently eventually burst in total collapse?
Tennis history will forget this Djokovic vs Lopez duel in Dubai but it may have been the stimulus for the shift in the balance of power which saw Andy Murray to take over the no. 1 ranking in 2016 with now Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal now engaged in an epic fight to determine the 2017 world no. 1.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
« Previous 1 2 3catherine · June 30, 2017 at 7:39 am
catherine writes:
In the women's draw I never look beyond the next round for anyone 🙂
Andrew Miller · June 30, 2017 at 8:34 am
Andrew Miller writes:
Konta is a force. She lost a final to Vekic less than two weeks ago, to Vekic! Now, a match away from another final with a popcorn match against Pliskova in the semis, winner to meet Wozniaki in the final pre Wimbledon tune up. Unlike Muguruza Konta playing with poise and resilience. And that's why despite losing two weeks ago she's two weeks better!!! Credit to Konta.
Andrew Miller · June 30, 2017 at 8:34 am
Djokovic may win a tournament!!!
catherine · June 30, 2017 at 9:34 am
catherine writes:
Konta's withdrawn. Hopes to be ok for W'don. Heather Watson loses a bit of an epic with Woz who scrapes through 7-5 in the third. Good effort from Heather who hasn't had a terrific year. As I said previously, don't think Angie put her all into that match for obvious reasons although Konta was playing well. Simona must have been knackered, 2 long 3 setters in one day.
Andrew Miller · June 30, 2017 at 11:30 am
Andrew Miller writes:
Catherine Muguruza looking like a genius for tanking her match, even if it wasn't to get extra time for Wimbledon. She's not injured like poor Konta, who was the Spring most consistent player on the grass pre Wimbledon
catherine · July 1, 2017 at 3:22 am
catherine writes:
Muguruza has Conchita Martinez on board for W'don in Sam's absence so we'll see if that makes a difference.
Hartt · July 1, 2017 at 8:57 am
Hartt writes:
It will be interesting to see if a female coach, who literally speaks Muguruza's language, makes a difference. Pliskova just won over Wozniacki 6-4, 6-4. It was the classic matchup of a good server vs a good returner. Karolina is starting to look more comfortable at the net. If she develops a good net game to go along with that serve, she will be formidable.
catherine · July 1, 2017 at 9:21 am
catherine writes:
I might back Karolina for Wimbledon, if not this year then next if she continues down that attacking route. Ka must have the best serve among current women ?
Andrew Miller · July 1, 2017 at 9:25 am
Andrew Miller writes:
Not sure how much it matters! Muguruza isn't playing sterling tennis.
catherine · July 1, 2017 at 9:39 am
catherine writes:
Last time a Czech won at Eastbourne was Novotna in '98 and she went on to win Wimbledon 🙂
catherine · July 1, 2017 at 9:55 am
catherine writes:
I think I've discovered a reason for the downturn in Kerber's fortunes this year – microscopic inspection of photos reveals she had her front teeth capped late in 2016 and the slight gap there filled in. Myself, I thought the gap gave her a bit of character but then it's Angelique's face and her teeth…. (this isn't a joke – the gap really has disappeared)
Hartt · July 1, 2017 at 10:30 am
Hartt writes:
I don't watch the women carefully enough to know if Karolina has the best serve, but it is certainly very good. I enjoy good serving, so like to watch her. Should look up her serving stats, if that is not too tough to find out. Know that both she and her twin sister hit a lot of aces.
catherine · July 1, 2017 at 11:26 am
catherine writes:
From what I can work out Karolina served 37 aces in the tournament and 10 in the final. Of course these days serve isn't everything, and even in past days Chris Evert didn't do too badly without much of one, but it certainly helps.
Scoop Malinowski · July 1, 2017 at 1:03 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Not sure if I noticed any facial differences in Kerber or if such a thing could effect how she plays 🙂
catherine · July 1, 2017 at 1:52 pm
catherine writes:
Scoop – I'm half serious and half not. I noticed that Angie had had her front teeth capped when she turned up in Australia – it's only a slight difference but definitely there. As for the effect – it's tangential. Maybe she wanted to look her best for all those chat show appearances and other celebrity doings in Germany last year, activities which possibly interfered with her focus on tennis and left her unprepared for the new season. She might not have been entirely conscious of that. Martina N and Lendl both had their teeth fixed – by the same dentist I think. Lendl's orthodontic enhancement was part of his becoming American and the subject of great press discussion. His career really took off about that time. Connection ? He certainly smiled a lot more 🙂
Andrew Miller · July 1, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Andrew Miller writes:
Karolina Pliskova hits a great ball. She gets the ping sound off the racquet that Rios got.
Andrew Miller · July 1, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Andrew Miller writes:
Djokovic wins a tournament, finally! He must be relieved. Been a while since he's had that feeling.
Andrew Miller · July 1, 2017 at 6:01 pm
So does Sugita?
Scoop Malinowski · July 1, 2017 at 10:19 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Sugita Nishioka Nishikori … The Japanese are comimg.
Andrew Miller · July 1, 2017 at 10:37 pm
Andrew Miller writes:
Nice Davis Cup team potential for Japan. Now that would be big for Nishikori.