Diego Schwartzman achievd one of the great ATP final wins of the decade – at the expense of a devastated Grigor Dimitrov. The diminutive Argentine showed extraordinary resilience in battling back from 67 25 to astonish the struggling Dimitrov who was bidding for his much needed fifth ATP singles title (and first since Queens two years ago). Schwartzman was an iron man today showing rock wall qualites and getting every ball back and ultimately breaking the will and body of the super fit Bulgarian. Dimitrov showed cramps at the end of the second set but it looked more like extreme stress and desperation in response to the way Schwartzman was playing. Dimitrov was two points away at 5-3 30-all but couldn’t finish. He was also at 3-3 in the second set tiebreaker but it was Schwartzman who rose to the occasion with Hewitt like defense and consistency. Dimitrov did not attempt any serve and volleys the entire match and he did not draw in the shorter opponent with Federer short slices followed by lobs. After losing the second set in what has to be considered one of the worst chokes of the decade Dimitrov smashed a racquet and then could not recover or change the match pattern – he was down 0-4 in the third. At deuce at 4-4 the fifth – that’s right FIFTH – string broke on his Wilson racquet and he lost another point with a broken string. Five broken strings in one match could be an ATP record. Dimitrov went to get another Wilson and was so frustrated that he smashed another racquet at his chair which earned a point penalty which cose the game and then a game penalty to lose the third set 6-0. In all Dimitrov broke three racquets. It was a tragic loss for Super G who unofficially has dropped from one time Grand Slam challenger to now being a Vince Spadea journeyman level player. The five-foot seven 23 year old Schwartzman won his first ATP singles title and $75 880 in prize money with the victory. The Argentine is an example of perseverance – just weeks ago he lost 60 60 to Baghdatis in Houston and on Friday he saved a match point vs Dzumhur. (Photo by Henk Abbink)
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jg · May 1, 2016 at 5:35 pm
I don’t think Spadea would have lost that match, I watched about 10 minutes with Dimitrov up like 5-2, he was rolling serves in, not going for winners, I had a feeling he would choke it, I turned it off, can’t believe he lose 6-0 third set, he may be done as far as top 10 goes, no fire power, and the younger players are ready to pounce.
Scoop Malinowski · May 1, 2016 at 6:57 pm
jg: we never see a player blow a final like that especially a top player like Super G to an outsider like Diego who is ranked in the 80s – I thought Super G was too casual and took it for granted – he did not expect DS to raise his level like he did – he did not expect DS to escape off that fish hook – this was one of the worst blown leads I’ve ever seen in a final – close to Gaudio vs Coria – this could be devastating for G Force –
Rob · May 1, 2016 at 7:51 pm
Guys, how much did GD take in appearance fees?
Harold · May 1, 2016 at 8:24 pm
Good week for two guys that seemed to be on the practice courts all the time at the US Open, DS and Kohlshreiber.
Thomas Tung · May 2, 2016 at 12:20 am
Nice win for Almagro over Thiem over in Estoril, Portugal. Basically resurrecting the career of Nicolas.
catherine bell · May 2, 2016 at 7:05 am
Scoop –
Off topic here but if you see this you might be interested in an interview with Judy Murray in today’s Guardian (British) online where she explains the background to Jaimie’s switch to doubles – you mentioned something about that in a previous thread I recall.
Scoop Malinowski · May 2, 2016 at 7:16 am
Rob are you insinuating Super G tanked the final?! Now way!
Scoop Malinowski · May 2, 2016 at 7:17 am
Please share link Catherine –
Scoop Malinowski · May 2, 2016 at 7:24 am
Kohlschreiber beat Thiem in munich and is now 2-0 vs Thiem – ATP story said Thiem was 14-0 in matches this year determined by a deciding set – this was his first loss in a deciding set – that’s a remarkable stat – Thiem has the most match wins in the ATP this year – Kohlschreiber also has a winning record vs Isner – Kohlschreiber is a remarkable and underrated player – seven career ATP singles titles and third in munich and approaching $10 million in career prize earnings – He’s #25 in the world at age 32 –
Scoop Malinowski · May 2, 2016 at 7:27 am
TT: Almagro won his 13th title in Estoril vs Carreno Busta – first title for Almagro since 2012 – he’s 30 now –
Moskova Moskova · May 2, 2016 at 8:11 am
down goes fritz ! lol
dimi was a stud / over-hyped player but now just a dud..
catherine bell · May 2, 2016 at 8:44 am
Scoop –
I’m really sorry but for some reason I often can’t get links to work – which is why I didn’t put it in.
The website is the guardian.com and it’s in the sports section. There’s a US edition but I don’t know if they’re carrying the story.
Good read if you can pick it up.
Scoop Malinowski · May 2, 2016 at 8:51 am
Just read it Catherine – good read but not as revealing or controversial as what I had read or heard before said by Andy about how the one year of developMent stagnated JaMie’s growth as a player –
catherine bell · May 2, 2016 at 9:51 am
Maybe Judy sees, or remembers things in a different way – as a mother perhaps that’s understandable. And I guess she wouldn’t want to stir up controversy now.
Andrew Miller · May 2, 2016 at 10:01 am
Scoop, Judy Murray’s the power behind the throne and the king-maker! She said to her boys: eldest brother, you are going to play dubs. Younger brother: time to be the singles champ. Cold, hard truth.
“I had to tell Jamie it was not going to happen for him in singles. At least I could also tell him his skills were suited to doubles.รขโฌย”
Andrew Miller · May 2, 2016 at 10:06 am
And was Judy Murray wrong? NOPE. She knew what she was dealing with. And how bad is it? Not at all. It’s basically the Bryans’ decision – they knew they were awesome at doubles. They knew also that, on their own as singles players, their results were mixed. A few good matches here and there from Bobby, and Mike basically getting his hat handed to him every match (I saw some of those hat getting handed to him matches – I confirm, he had his hat handed to him).
Wayne Bryan probably thought to himself: listen, few NCAA singles champs become durable top 50 players. My boys are awesome doubles players and can probably win grand slams and stay afloat and more financially. We have an opportunity with doubles having a low profile, we can generate enthusiasm around twins making things happen in doubles.
It was open road.
I think Judy Murray saw that Jamie had an aptitude for doubles. She also (VERY IMPORTANT) cut out the competition between them. There would no longer be the threat of bitterness from the older brother – so each could focus in their area. Andy would be a singles champ. Jamie a doubles champ. Each would approach their own “career” without the other suffering.
And on occasion they’d play together. Win some extra bucks.
This is ingenious.
Andrew Miller · May 2, 2016 at 10:11 am
Harold’s right again. Thiem’s French Open “contender” status has been reduced to “draw entry”, “ringer for round 2 *if the stars align*”, “most likely to get “shock upset early”, “on the potential mid-match injury watch-list”, “the bookies best bet to fizz out early”, etc.
Andrew Miller · May 2, 2016 at 10:14 am
Actually, Thiem still made a final. He may be losing to “a poor man’s Robredo” in Kohlschreiber, but he’s the most consistent clay player this year.
A ringer for Nick Almagro.
But his inability to close the deal against some players makes me wonder whether Thiem is avoiding meldo. I mean, if he loses these winnable matches at the later stages, something must not be going on, such as the non-popping of meldo.
Scoop Malinowski · May 2, 2016 at 10:24 am
Fed out because of back – anyone think it’s because he’s not ready for Rafa in the QF?
Rob · May 2, 2016 at 10:36 am
I am not suggesting a tank at all. Not at all. He went stone cold mad. I am genuinely interested in the fee. Sub question – how does he fix himself?
catherine bell · May 2, 2016 at 11:01 am
Fed/Serena – swansongs together ? Let’s hope they’re graceful.
Just replace ‘politics’ with ‘sports’ and Enoch Powell had it right:
‘All political lives, unless thay are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure because that is the nature of politics and of human affairs’.
Andrew Miller · May 2, 2016 at 11:26 am
FED! It’s been great.
Harold · May 2, 2016 at 11:39 am
Tough loss for Thiem, but Kohly seems to be a very tough out in his home country. 4 of his 6 tourney championships have been won on his home soil.
Great work ethic pays off
Thomas Tung · May 2, 2016 at 2:58 pm
Scoop — thanks for the correction (I read both headlines on the ATP website and confused the names). Kohlschreiber is basically the definition of a rock-solid Top 20-50 player — tough as nails, doesn’t give you too much to work with, very steady and consistent, with a great backhand and an underrated spot serve. Pretty good tactician, as well. Nice win for him.
I enjoyed watching the highlights of the Almagro-Kyrgios match; Nick had flashes of brillance here and there, but was unable to put it together (he’s not the most natural mover on clay, as it were). Almagro basically ground him down with “consistent” heavy firepower, while Nick was all hit or miss (TBH I blame that on his “NBA flashy” mentality, going for flashy shots, rather than patient, smart play). Kyrgios is very talented, but still very much a work in progress. I personally think that A. Zverev will be the much better tennis player, and (unless Nick makes the mental adjustment) Kyrgios will become the Monfils of his generation.
Scoop Malinowski · May 2, 2016 at 5:44 pm
Fed wasn’t supposed to play till Weds – why would he pull out on mon? The back could feel a lot better on Tues or Weds – to withdraw on mon seems strange – like he really doesn’t want to play the event – perhaps he collected a fee for doing media in miami and madrid and practicing at each – Fed could probably get a million just for that –
Scoop Malinowski · May 2, 2016 at 5:50 pm
TT: SOunds like young Kyrgios could benefit greatly with Brad Gilbert as his coach – how BG helped wild child Agassi he could do the same for Nick – not sure if BG is into a full time coaching gig though –
Thomas Tung · May 3, 2016 at 12:31 am
Yeah, Gilbert or Rasheed would be a nice fit for Kyrgios.
Rob · May 3, 2016 at 6:23 am
Before this wraps up. I want to add that for some reason (sorry to go against the grain here) but with that third set I kind of like GD a bit more. It was a weirdly entertaining event that you don’t get too often on the big circuit. I’m sort of rooting for the kid now in a way I couldn’t previously as his shtick was a bit too polished for my worker bee mentality.
Scoop Malinowski · May 3, 2016 at 8:13 am
Rob: Good point – Dimitrov is now a sympathetic figure after losing that match to Diego Schwartzman – that suffering was difficult to watch – we all hope he gets through this struggle period and shines like a champion some day – on top of that Dimitrov is about the nicest person you will ever meet in pro tennis – just a really really nice good real person – like a Wozniacki or Clijsters or Del Potro –
Moskova Moskova · May 3, 2016 at 8:19 am
dimi need to taste blood lol
how about that stepanek – keeps on trucking. good for him…plays murray next though.
Moskova Moskova · May 3, 2016 at 10:55 am
btw, “G force” in the title is not appropriate ๐
dimi or maria’s ex or Serena’s ex would suffice until he turns it around haha
Hartt · May 3, 2016 at 11:36 am
And Grigor just lost to Pablo Carrena Busta in SS.
catherine bell · May 3, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Is Grigor too nice ?
I think he’s stuck – he’s had a lot of coaching in his relatively short life but just doesn’t seem to have the spark.
Seems an age since he beat Djokovic – can’t recall where, but he did.
Harold · May 3, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Everyone who had a good week last week is out of Madrid. Kohl, Thiem, Dimitrov, Almagro
Moskova Moskova · May 3, 2016 at 1:36 pm
“sorry to tell you mate but kokkinakis banged your gf” rematch in round 2 should be interesting LOL
Scoop Malinowski · May 3, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Dimitrov is shattered – that loss to Schwartzman was shattering and it showed everyone that Dimitrov is very very fragile right now – every player saw that choke or heard about it and they know to just hang in there and break him down – Going to be tough for Dimitrov to regain the lost respect – When a player loses/chokes away a win the way Dimitrov did that players loses a LOT OF RESPECT – I remember a sectional 35s USTA tourney at the National Tennis Center at US Open a few years ago – a player I know lost a close three setter and two other guys who were his friends told me that he blew mps and they snickered about it – showing no respect to the player even though I thought he was good friends with them – very easy to lose respect on the court as a player by choking – hard to regain that lost respect –
Scoop Malinowski · May 3, 2016 at 4:26 pm
I have interviewed Dimitrov a few times in his career in the beginning and last year and he is too nice Catherine you are right – Nobody is nicer than he is – to be the best you have to be a ruthless SOB on the court – you just need to be – you have to kill careers and you have to destroy players hopes and dreams and give them heartbreaks – the best are ruthless killers who have ruined the careers of many many players – I think Super G is too nice to be that kind of player –