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Feb/16

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Sam Querrey Shows Snarl vs Smyczek in Delray Battle

110 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios

12717300_10207035083848785_8985683437354053219_nSan Querrey may be transforming from the gentle giant passive Californian into … Snarling Sam? There have been some hints of fire and fury in Sam during this heated three set night match quarterfinal vs grinder Tim Smyczek in Delray Beach. A couple of Smee fans apparently had some words with the usually impeccably mannered Sam. After he lost the first set 67 Sam has implored himself on with several mild come ons and soft fist pumps after clutch shots. I’ve also noticed Sam glaring and staring briefly at Tim before his service points – nothing remotely close to an ‘in your face’ type stare or non verbal taunt but still they were clear stares and glares with a trace of malice in the eyes and a showing of teeth like a wolf. For Sam Querrey this is shocking stuff. This is major swag. This is atypical ferocity and machismo. Or perhaps these two gents just happen to not like each other for whatever reason(s). Perhaps Sam is finally tired of all the media knocks about his underachieving results and has reached his breaking point and is now coming to terms with summoning and releasing his inner beast mode (which we have never seen before) as the 28 year old veteran is at his prime right now. I don’t know about you but I see and sense some changes in Sam’s intensity and court demeanor. At the moment it appears Snarling Sam approach is not quite working as Tim has just broken Sam to take a 3-2 lead in the third set.

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110 comments

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 19, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    Wild card entry Tim Smee is playing for his very first ATP SF – and is ranked 129 right now – so this is a huge match for his career – Querrey’s last title was in 2012 – so he needs this as well –

  • Jg · February 19, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    Scoop gets big mention on Tennis Channel, way to go!

  • Andrew Miller · February 19, 2016 at 11:16 pm

    Quite a day in tennis.
    In Rio, Thiem is on verge. Another semifinal in a good draw. And he beat Ferrer in 73 minutes. Nadal V Cuevas in the other. Dint be surprised if Cuevas gets the final, he is playing near his home turf.
    In France, Kyrgios beat Gasquet in under an hour. He gets Berdych next, while Paire, beating up on Stan Wawrinka, gets Cilic.
    In Delray, Delpo versus Qball and Ram vs Dimitrov. I’d love to see Ram get the final. Maybe Qballs newfound dissing will unnerve delpo?
    Also in Rio, nice to see Cirstea in the semis. Had no idea Schiavone was still on tour and in a semi also.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 20, 2016 at 8:12 am

    Thiem is really looking like an elite player right now – just so efficient and focused and relentless – slays Ferrer 62 63 – you have to put Thiem as a dark horse for the FO and top ten this year – Querrey outlasts Smee in a great battle 67 75 75 – both players really feeling the fire and intensity but did a good job of harnessing it before it got into the gamesmanship range – very enjoyable match made even better with Arias and Shiras – I really enjoy those two together how they take the conversations to different places like Shiras asking Arias what his own game’s weaknesses were and Jimmy funnily replies: What are your strengths? Shiras asking Jimmy if he can handle the 400 horsepower in that on court Porsche and Arias replying he needs 500 – Just such intricate analysis of what’s happening on the court tactics wise – Q misses a forehand winner and Arias says he should go for the deep approach and force Smee to make the pass from behind the Palm Beach Country logo behind the baseline – next time Q does and Smee uncorks the forehand which Q’s fh volley nets and then Arias mocks himself for the wrong advice – just a lot of fun hearing these two discuss the match and tennis – they are great together – is anybody else enjoying them as much?

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 20, 2016 at 8:15 am

    And Leif Shiras answered my tweet – he said Wisconsin guy Smee was a Packer fan and Arias asked “Are you sure about that or are you hoping?” And I remember Smee’s Biofile and he did say he likes the Packers Brewers and Bucks as his favorites to watch (along with golfers Woods Luke Donald and Rory) and so I tweeted the confirmation to Leif that he was right and Smee is a Packers fan and he mentioned it and gave me credit which was cool 🙂

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 20, 2016 at 8:17 am

    Kyrgios just manhandled Gasquet – only very good players can do that – Now takes on Berdych which will be an interesting rematch of their contentious Aussie Open four setter – Paire is playing beautiful tennis again as he takes out Stan and now gets Cilic – Paire is up there as one of the most aesthetic players to see – what a nice backhand –

  • Moskova Moskova · February 20, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Ferrer and nadal have to be on the top of the list of suspected dopers….

    Elvis is dead and the Holocaust did happened too..

  • Andrew Miller · February 20, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    Kyrgios beat Berdych easily. Thiem and Kyrgios are seizing the day outside of masters and slam competition. I think we now have the outline if the year in tennis. The former young guns are now young vets lining up behind djojovic. Thiem, Kyrgios and a few of their elders Raonic, Monfils. Raonic has the edge as he proved he can go deep at slams with his second slam semifinal, but all of these guys especially are sharks in the water. If Murray, Wawrinka slip, these guys will pounce, maybe even win a masters if Djokovic stubs his toe or something.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 20, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    What about Ram beating Dimitrov in straight sets? This guy is unreal. He’s almost 32 and for a long time, had trouble playing out of the Challengers, but now Ram is playing solid tennis on hard courts as well as grass.

    “I wanted to make sure I was on offense a lot,” said Ram. “I didn’t want to run side-to-side chasing his forehand.”

    “My career has always been about improving and enjoying myself,” said Ram, who will reach a career-high ranking next Monday. “Some of the things I’ve worked on in the last eight month have really translated. Things such as switching to a bigger, more powerful racquet to stay on offense a bit more.”

    Ram like QBall switched to a Babolat stick. This is one of the feel-good stories in all of tennis. Ram is a really nice guy. He was staying at the same hotel as me in Boca and I saw him before his Quarters match against Becker, and wished him luck and told him he was one of my favorite players to watch, and he was really gracious and open.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 20, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    Jeevesy Ram is one of those unsung and underrated players – not many believe in him but he’s still out there grinding and getting results – he obviously believes – I watched him straight set Harrison at US Open last year first round night match and it was three close sets but Ram just keeps attacking every ball – very hard to play against that – big serve and constant attack constant pressure – huge win today for Ram – when you think of USA tennis no one has Ram in the equation but here is in the final –

  • Dan Markowitz · February 20, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    huge win for Qball too. Tennis Channel has been showing Nadal v Cuevas in Rio so I didn’t see Qball’s upset of Del Po, but so rare to have an all-American finals. Hats off to Qball.

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2016 at 1:16 am

    Cuevas d Nadal. Sheesh.
    Ram modeled his serve in Sampras, I like rams game also. Nice to see qball and ram square off. Makes Memphis look like yesterdays news.

  • catherine bell · February 21, 2016 at 3:53 am

    I’m not sure why some people think it is ok online to make allegations or suggestive comments about tennis players doping – there is so far no evidence whatsoever that any top players have been taking PEDs – and until that evidence is revealed (very unlikely IMO)than I suggest commenters, especially anonymous ones, should keep their views to themselves.
    (Websites can be sued as far as I know).

    On a different topic – seems like Dimitrov is fulfilling some of our predictions. Just don’t think he’s got it.

  • Harold · February 21, 2016 at 7:34 am

    Future TMZ Sports headline

    SPANISH INQUISITION

    Top Tennis players from Spain, Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer have sued a tiny Tennis blog from the US citing lies about PED use. Vince Spadea was also named as a defendant, seems they are the only people in the tennis community that seek out his opinion.
    Carlos Costa, Nadal’s agent, and a former player,took the stand first. In his testimony, he stated he was on a long flight back to Spain, from the Austrailian Open, when out of boredom he googled ” Tennis” and opened TP. A site he never heard of, abd was dismayed at the open attacks on Nadal and Ferrer, and others. No proof was cited, other than it seems to be a site that wallows in the downfall of US tennis. Costa went on to say, they harp on events he never even heard of, and discuss players who should be taking PED’s. Because Uncle Toni says they couldnt find the semi of a 500 or stronger event with a map

  • Harold · February 21, 2016 at 7:54 am

    Defense attorney Mario Ancic yelled ” hearsay” citing Uncle Toni hasnt said or done anything in 2 years other than that Nadal should go back to the sleeveless Nike shirts and those hideoues pants or whatever they were.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 21, 2016 at 9:20 am

    moskova should put a lid on the PED accusations with zero proof – or at least substantiate the allegations with concrete evidence – yelling accusations like a lunatic do damage his credibility and we do wish he’d refine himself on that topic as otherwise he’s a good commentator here –

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 21, 2016 at 9:24 am

    Horrible loss for Rafa – he just can’t finish like he used to – unable to finish matches like this is another tell that he’s losing his powers – it’s over for Rafa as a major contender even the French Open – he should try to summon the golden years by bringing back the long shorts and sleeveless – the very short shorts look all wrong on him – credit to Cuevas he’s another Ram type – totally unsung and underrated but a smart veteran who knows how to win a lot of matches –

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 21, 2016 at 9:27 am

    Congrats to Querrey this is a gigantic win for him – he’s added the sharper edge to his court intensity with a bit more snarl – and it’s maing a difference – also reckon Q is inspired and motivated now with all these young American whippersnappers coming up now and nipping at his heels – very important year for Q Ball and he’s off to a flying start – now he’s just got to chalk up big results like this in masters and majors and Davis Cup – perhaps a win like this vs Delpp will give him the confidence necessary to do that —

  • Dan Markowitz · February 21, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    Look it’s a nice win for Qball and he is hitting his backhand better, but he hasn’t done anything in a slam or Madters Event in a long time to think he can be a big time player again. As Steely Dan sings in Pretzel Logic, “Those times are over a long time ago.”

    As for Nadal, we’re not the only tennis web site that has published these rumor or suspicions. There’s one with the domain, Nadal Does Steroids or something like that.

    I’m excited by Thiem, Kyrgios and Zverev. What a trio!

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 21, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    Querrey is one of those players who can blast people off the court – he has the serve record ten straight aces – I saw Q blast Querrey off the court at US Open grandstand 62 62 62 – the capacity is there for Q to blast people off the court – we wonder when he will put it all together and find the mental and physical synchronicity – the eye of the tiger – the unleashing of his inner beast – and suddenly start blasting big players off the court and winning titles as he was doing earlier in his career – beating Delpo could be a turning point –

  • catherine bell · February 21, 2016 at 1:27 pm

    Dan –
    ‘Nadal does steroids’ doesn’t mean he does them Not at all.
    I’m with Scoop on this one. And so many other real and interesting things to talk about.

  • Bryan · February 21, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    How many times have we seen Querrey choke? He goes against my man Delpo and suddenly he’s cool as a cucumber. Meh. He better win the final today.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 21, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Didn’t say Nadal does steroids I just said there’s a web site devoted to the subject. His sudden decline at 28 is one of the oddest descents of any athlete. He went from dominance on clay to just better than average in a very short period. And he didn’t have any big injury the way s Hass or Delpo had. Astonishing.

  • Moskova Moskova · February 21, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    Of course the allegations are not confirmed but the smart money points to that direction…the Spanish cyclists who were busted have the same doctors….why is tennis holier than thou ??

    I agree with most of the bloggers here except that IMO – doping is rampant in tennis as well and that the future of US tennis isn’t as bright as some blow it up to be 😉

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 21, 2016 at 6:08 pm

    Dan we know things can change quickly in tennis – but Rafa’s decline has been very gradual in my opinion – he’s fought it off for years but now it looks like his fighting spirit is just not enough – I believe Rafa’s last two FOs were won by fighting spirit and Djokovic was the better player – those wins maintained the illusion but Rafa hasn’t been the same Rafa for years –

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 21, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    Congrats to Querrey what a fantastic win – also the doubles final was one of the best doubles matches I ever saw – oliver marach and fabrice martin saved six mps to beat the bryans – they looked dead all second set struggling with serves coming back from behind every game also down 0-3 and 1-4 in each tiebreaker but somehow won it – Bryans were up 9-5 and bungled it – incredible doubles display – fabrice was playing the sarasota challenger last year as a scrub with raja purav – now he’s an ATP champion –

  • Andrew Miller · February 21, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    Kyrgios d. Cilic, wins title.
    Querrey d. Ram, wins title despite Dimitrov, Del Potro.
    AND: CUEVAS TAKES ON PELLA FOR THE RIO TITLE!
    (Left unsaid: Cuevas beat Nadal for this match, and Pella beat Thiem.)

    I like Cuevas a lot, he’s been playing his best tennis over the last 15 months. Dont know Pella’s game. But they both beat overwhelming favorites. Goes to show what being on the home turf or near it can do for a player.

    This week was a nice right-sizing of last week’s way out off the mark ultra expectations and hyperbole.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 21, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    First title today for Kyrgios- first of many –

  • Gaurang · February 22, 2016 at 2:17 am

    Kyrgios stuns the tennis world. Defeating 3 top 12 players in succession, without loosing a set.

    Look at this complete demolition of Berdych by Kyrgios highlights:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNHnkcPVXAM

    The way he played that day he would have destroyed any other player incl Djokovic and Federer. The only question is whether he can play at such a high level on an outdoor court…?

    Kyrgios almost played at a GOAT level in these 3 matches – I think. (based on scorelines, news articles and highlights). Kyrgios has announced his arrival. Djokovic should start preparing right away — how will he defeat this young prodigy??

    Meanwhile Sam showed brilliant tennis against Ram. There are highlights available on youtube – check them out (cannot link here, else the post will go into moderation). If Sam plays like this consistently, then he will get back to top 30 where he belongs.

    I love Ram’s playing style — he plays almost identical to Sampras. Each of his shots – forehand, backhand, serve, slam dunk, volleys, etc is pretty much identical. He may have learned how to play tennis by watching Sampras tapes playing on a loop. Ram deserves more than he has achieved, he should try harder.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 22, 2016 at 6:24 am

    Oh I think Ram has been a big over-achiever Gaurang. He has kept himself in the game and now is having this late Renaissance with a body you would not think could survive on the pro tour. Yes, maybe he could’ve taken better care of his body, but that’s something only Ram and his trainer know.

    When I heard Kyrgios won Marseilles, an indoor event, I was less impressed by his performance. While still impressive, we’ve seen players like Nalbandian beat Federer and Nadal on a fast indoor court and it didn’t translate to an outdoor court.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 22, 2016 at 8:16 am

    Gaurang that was an awfully impressive demolition of a top player – like the announcer said “Kyrgios is turning this into an exhibition that’s how well he’s playing” – he just masterclassed Berdych – you can see Nick will be the ATP top dog one day – and when that day arrives that Djokovic loses a fraction of speed and agility and confidence Nick will be the one to take the champion down – monumental display by Kyrgios in marseilles – Ram does not have nearly the panther like body of Pistol Pete Sampras – he’s far less gifted physically and looks scrawnier and a weaker older more elongated version of Pete but still he has created himself into a great player – you would look at Ram and guess he’s a division III college doubles specialist not in the top 65 ATP singles – Ram is an incredible player –

  • catherine bell · February 22, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    Fast indoor courts: I once watched an international team match played on polished wood boards indoors at the Queens Club in London. Don’t think I saw the ball once.
    There was a serve and that was it.
    Sounds like Kyrgios played a bit that way – interesting to see how he does in Paris.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 22, 2016 at 1:05 pm

    Kyrgios just outgunned and outsMarted Berd in baseline rallies which is not easy to do – also showed deft touch with several drop shot winners –

  • Andrew Miller · February 22, 2016 at 1:10 pm

    Dan’s been right on the indoor courts since the Fall. I had said that Sock, Johnson were to be commended for their late season surge and Dan said hold up a second, these are lower tier Euro indoor tournaments.

    Now, Kritz does well indoors in Memphis, Kyrgios wins matches he normally doesn’t indoors as well – the results almost don’t matter.

    I think it matters because he now has a tournament win. But beyond that it’s a weaker result. Now, down in clay world in South America, those wins by Thiem actually mattered a lot. He won one event and got semis in another, all on dirt against dirtballers.

    And Querrey has a respectable return to good form in winning Delray. He might be on his way to getting the Davis Cup nod back and partnering with Isner again to become Quisner.

  • Andrew Miller · February 22, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    Also liked how Ram played. His game really is Sampras-lite. People say Dimitrov plays Federer’s game, but Ram REALLY plays Sampras’ game. He’s not Sampras, not by any stretch, but he plays Sampras’ game.

    And he played awesome. Ram keeps earning his keep out there. This was a good week for players who are constantly in the T-P comments box – Smyczek, etc. Ram.

    It was a terrible weak for Nadal. And I think Scoop’s right here – Nadal’s been looking less like himself since late 2013 or so. Must’ve been the Djokovic losses mounting and suddenly his movement starts suffering, Wawrinka flat out beats him like a drum in Australia (a tough match but Wawrinka still beat him like a drum), and fast forward two years, Nadal’s sliding out of the top 10.

  • catherine bell · February 22, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    Scoop – yes I agree Kyrgios is a pretty all round player and he should do well on slower courts but his serve game is so good, as he mentioned himself about the match, that a fast surface will give him some easy wins.

    Nadal’s body, legs are suffering from all those years pounding. No great mystery there.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 22, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    The big question is if Courier will tap Q’s shoulder for Davis Cup. We know The Rock is not the biggest fan of Q Ball’s and he’s seen more than enough of his Davis Cup flops but who else can Courier turn to? Sock and Johnson perhaps. Johnson has a good record vs Tomic head to head. The Bryans are also a question mark now. Losing six championship points yesterday to a rag tag team of Fabrice Martin and Oliver Marach is a confidence buster and that loss could cancel their trip to Australia in favor of four singles options and Isner for doubles and one singles match. BTW Fritz Harrison and Paul all qualified for Mexico this week. Good job.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 22, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Catherine: Maybe the loss to Darcis at Wimbledon is when Rafa’s fall really began. And it’s been smoke and mirrors and guts ever since.

  • Andrew Miller · February 22, 2016 at 7:21 pm

    Sock enjoys Davis Cup, becomes almost a different player. Only Isner, Sock have shown leadership for u.s. Players in Davis cup singles.
    I’ll agree with Catherine. Kyrgios is flat out great. It looks an awful lot like Raonic, Thiem and Kyrgios will be playing with the big guy Djokovic soon. Someone will have to start challenging him and it should be someone with youth and experience, which spells Raonic, Kyrgios, Thiem.

    That’s good news from Mexico. You know, u.s. tennis looks on better footing this week. Just surprised with Sock, Johnson’s early exits and frankly not great play at the Australian and soon after.

    It was a big deal for Isner and Sock to head to South America, hit the clay. We haven’t seen that from u.s. players ever, who usually play it safe, play Memphis and Delray.

    Courier should definitely consider Querrey. I don’t think he has won back his spot yet. One more big tournament and that would do it.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 23, 2016 at 8:12 am

    No, it’s got to be Sock and Izzie and Bryan Bros. Did you see who played Kozlov in the first round of that Futures in Plantation, Fla? It was none other than Columbia U grad, Winston Lin, who the Lov beat in straights.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 23, 2016 at 8:33 am

    Actually Kozlov needed three sets to beat Lin 62 57 63 – I think Lin is from NJ – Hewitt just named his squad – Kyrgios Tomic Groth and Peers (debut) – Johnson has beaten Tomic in singles at least the last two times they played –

  • Andrew Miller · February 23, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Today we get some answers. Outdoor courts. Mexico. How are U.S. players faring in robust draws after two weeks of cream-puff U.S. hardcourt tournaments with so-so draws.

    Round one.
    DY d. Mueller. Always tricky.
    Marchenko d. Paul. See ya tommy.

    Fritz vs. Chardy
    Harrison vs. Cilic.
    Querrey vs. Sela.
    Kudla vs. Dimitrov
    Ram vs. Tomic
    Johnson vs. Dolgo

    We might be going 0 for today.

  • Moskova Moskova · February 23, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    Tommy Paul’s done for the season…..reaching that 250 final and losing it to kei has taken its toll and potentially the wind from his young sails as well..

    Only querrey’s has a decent shot in acapulco this week (if he’s not outta gas). The other us players are too streaky and cant string wins day after day nor week by week..

  • Dan Markowitz · February 23, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    Uh, Tommy Paul didn’t reach the finals of Memphis, Taylor Fritz did.

  • Leif Wellington Haase · February 23, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    Bring back the hype! Fritz takes out Chardy in Acapulco, moves into top 100…love Fritz’s even temperament, ability to rebound back week to week like an experienced pro. Last week against Smyczek in Delray was a classic “trap game”: short rest against opponent who knows his game and was desperate to defend points. Speaking of which, Harrison, defending beaucoup points in Mexico, on the brink of upsetting Cilic?

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 23, 2016 at 10:18 pm

    Wow – Fritz taking out Chardy is another huge win – it’s just non stop huge wins by this kid – and Harrison over Cilic – biggest win of his life right there – US tennis is erupting now like a volcano – big wins are flying all over the place like molten lava 🙂

  • Andrew Miller · February 23, 2016 at 11:46 pm

    Querrey d Dudi Sela. 52 minutes.

  • Moskova Moskova · February 24, 2016 at 12:31 am

    *meant fritz not paul…..fritz will prlly beat the juiced up midget estrella as well but not kei (potential rematch in the following round)

  • Andrew Miller · February 24, 2016 at 1:11 am

    Dolgo beat Johnson in tiebreaks. Poor Johnson, this is his worst stretch in years.

    Tomic beat Ram. Ram was last weeks Fritz.

    Dimitrov DY.

  • Gaurang · February 24, 2016 at 1:25 am

    Bottom quarter of Acapulco is like Memphis redux. Kei will beat Querrey and then beat Fritz to reach the semi-finals.

    Superb showing by Fritz by defeating Chardy. It is looking certain that this kid will be in top 50 by the end of the year. He may even cross Zverev but thats hard to say. His live ranking is already 86, and will be about 80 if he beats the 35-year old Estrella (or something) in the next round.

    Kyrgios defeated Klizan. I saw parts of that match. Kyrgios was broken 3 or so times (he was not even broken once in Marseille), so he showed that he is mortal, but his game translated well after taking a slow set to adjust. He played very well. Kyrgios is really the threat in Dubai, and might go all the way to the finals to play Djoko.

    Querrey is around 40 in the live ranking. Looks like he is head back into top 30 surely. He finally gets some fighting spirit back after many years.

    Ram lost to Tomic in a tight match.

    Where the heck is Tiafoe?

    As you can see 5 of the top 10 in under-19 are US players — I think thats the golden belt for US right now:
    http://tennisabstract.com/reports/rankingsByAge.html

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