Mischa Zverev lost eighteen out of nineteen matches but never lost confidence and his decision to play Newport has resulted in acquiring what he needed most – victories.
Zverev has rolled through to the quarterfinals with two impressive straight set wins against Tim Smyczek and Guido Andreozzi.
“It feels good,” said Zverev. “It hasn’t happened in a while. I always felt like I was going to play well again at some point. I tried to stay positive and I did most of the time.”
Zverev streak of failure was approaching historic proportions – Vince Spadea holds the unofficial record of 24 losses in a row – but it appears the left handed German’s career is back on track. “I always had a rational explanation of why things did not go well so I wasn’t wandering around in the dark. I had a plan and just tried to hang in there.”
Zverev will attempt to execute his plan further in a few moments on center court against Marcel Granollers for a semifinal slot on Saturday.
No tags
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 2 Next »Dan Markowitz · July 18, 2019 at 1:08 pm
What’s the vibe at Newport this year, Scoop? Besides Sandgren and Izzie there are no prominent Americans there. Has anyone asked Todd Martin what’s happened to the American players non-interest in playing Newport? Where’s Tiafoe, Fritz, Sock, Qball and Donaldson, the native Rhode Islander. It seems hard to muster much interest in a tourney that only boasts tertiary European players, no South Americans and Australians pretty much and only scant American interest.
Scoop Malinowski · July 18, 2019 at 2:05 pm
In a light drizzle delay now with Granollers up a st 63 on Z. The tournament gets better Every year. I love it no matter who shows up and who plays wtt instead like Foe, Opelka, etc. There will be an ATP champion on Sunday. Crowds seem slightly better this year. Same mix of young, old, vets scavenging for points, grass court specialists, etc. The atmosphere is the same except for those two NJ guys pumping up Brayden Schnur vs Ebden for the whole match.
Scoop Malinowski · July 18, 2019 at 7:13 pm
They cancelled the day around 4 after hopes of resuming play at 3 and then 4 failed to materialize. Steady mix of soft then steady rain. But the rain and Newport shows it’s beauty and charm in another way. Nice to see Brett Connors on the scene for Tennis Channel.
catherine · July 19, 2019 at 12:26 pm
https://www.ubitennis.net/2019/07/alexander-zverev-tells-coach-lendl-commit/
I think we should be told more about the dog 🙂
Hartt · July 19, 2019 at 1:09 pm
The dog, and also Lendl talking about his golf game. 🙂
catherine · July 19, 2019 at 2:29 pm
I’ve been waiting for this: Kerber and Schuettler part company. So that’s Angie and Garbine on the market.
Angie has handled this one a litle better than her split from Fisette.
Hartt · July 19, 2019 at 2:37 pm
So from last Nov. until now – that didn’t last long. It seems like Kerber has had several coaches, but I couldn’t find the info.
Scoop Malinowski · July 19, 2019 at 2:38 pm
Granollers beats Zverev today in Newort and Bublik beats Sandgren by the odd scoreline of 06 63 60. Looks like it’s all set for Isner to reign again as champion. My hunch is A Zverev and Lendl are near the end.
Hartt · July 19, 2019 at 2:45 pm
I came to report the Bublik win over Sandgren, and the odd scoreline, but Scoop beat me to it. I guess that is why he is “Scoop.” 🙂
But I can add that young Humbert beat Ivashka in 3 sets.
catherine · July 19, 2019 at 2:50 pm
Angie has had a revolving door of coaches going back to her early years – she was the longest with Torben Beltz but she parted from him 3 times I think. Once he left for a year to coach Carina Withoeft (and what happened to her ?) then returned to be finally dumped in 2017.
It was clear to me that this one wasn’t going to last when I saw an occ, I think in Doha, Angie was playing Hsieh. She called Schuettler out twice and the second time she wasn’t listening to him at all. Completely negative. Hsieh won 0-6 in the 3rd.
It’s a shame there’s no German equivalent of Conchita Martinez. That might work.
Scoop Malinowski · July 19, 2019 at 3:22 pm
Smiley Humbert, guy always seems to have a smile on his face, continues to score good consistent results.
Hartt · July 20, 2019 at 2:28 pm
There is a Challenger and an ITF event in Gatineau Quebec this week. As you can imagine, there were several Canadian players in each. Pospisil withdrew with a wrist injury before the start of the tourney, and all the male Canadian players are out now.
However, the Canadian women fared better. Sixteen-year-old Leylah Annie Fernandez will face another Canadian, Carson Branstine, in the final. Carson had to go through qualies and won her SF match today. Leylah won her SF when Francoise Abanda retired in the 2nd set. Fernandez also is scheduled to play the doubles final with partner Rebecca Marino.
catherine · July 20, 2019 at 2:57 pm
Gossip time: Tennis Tonic has exclusive pictures of Simona’s current boyfriend, a 40 year old businessman with interests in Romania. The two certainly seem close and are not hiding their relationship. Can this be the reason for Simona’s recent improved form ?
Hartt · July 20, 2019 at 4:59 pm
Well-done on the gossip front!
Scoop Malinowski · July 20, 2019 at 8:38 pm
Very curious about Leylah A. Fernandez. Good to see Abanda out there in a semi. Branstine is a name we’ve all heard but hasn’t broke through yet as a pro.
Scoop Malinowski · July 20, 2019 at 8:41 pm
I’ve received some major gossip intelligence in the last week which I feel obligated to share and one up Catherine 🙂 Italian FP and CM decided to do the wild thing in a US Open locker room bathroom a few years back. As did American star JC and Argentine MZ at US Open early 2000s in a car in the player’s parking lot. Also Chilean MR brought his underage gf into US Open locker room for similar activities. All from most reliable source.
Scoop Malinowski · July 20, 2019 at 8:45 pm
Also the most famous visible “coach” in the world today pays his two top stars to been seen as their coach. He also recently signed up two red hot already developed and proven under 14 year olds to train at his academy in France. The idea is to hitch his wagon early to two proven young junior stars both of whom I’ve seen play at Eddie Herr. Very smart moves. I know a player who was just a fraction behind one of the girls, so it would be wise for her family to not pay any coach as the top coaches will come looking for and try to poach a proven successful junior with proven results. Great young players already developed make their newest coach look like a genius developer of young talent even though the player already developed and was coached elsewhere.
Vijay · July 20, 2019 at 9:19 pm
Scoop, you’re leaving out all the interesting details. What kind of car was it? Stretch limo or mini-Korean? How big are the bathrooms in he locker rooms at the US open? Typical gym size or much more luxurious? Like in Mar a Lago.
Jeff · July 20, 2019 at 9:42 pm
Scoop,
I had heard that Capirati story but not the male player. Zabalata is interesting, a lot of women were all over him including a famous movie star I shall not name but you can easily read about.
That Macedonian bf of Simona is quite pudgy but his riches no doubt make up for that flabby bod.
catherine · July 21, 2019 at 12:55 am
Jeff – I doubt Simona is exactly poor 🙂
Hartt · July 21, 2019 at 6:46 am
Scoop, Abanda had to retire in the 2nd set. She was off for several months, so it looks like she has a continuing injury. So young Fernandez will play Branstine in the final. I have been very impressed by Leylah Annie. She is quite small, but she is a fierce competitor. There is a photo of her with Rebecca Marino after they won the doubles yesterday, and Rebecca towers over the youngster. But they have equally big smiles. 🙂
catherine · July 21, 2019 at 11:03 am
I’ve heard that Osaka will play for Japan in the Olympics, so I assume she is taking Japanese citizenship. I know that previously Japan did not allow dual citizenship over 21 but I thought that had been changed recently. In any case Naomi had to declare one way or the other if she wants to go to the Olympics.
Scoop Malinowski · July 21, 2019 at 12:21 pm
USA had the chance to support and sign up young Osaka but decided not to.
Hartt · July 21, 2019 at 3:52 pm
There was a detailed article in the NY Times about Naomi’s citizenship. Apparently a Japanese citizen with dual citizenship is supposed to choose before their 22nd birthday, but there is “wiggle room” to keep both.
Hartt · July 21, 2019 at 4:58 pm
Leylah Annie Fernandez won her first pro singles event today, after winning the doubles title yesterday.
From Tom Tebbutt twitter:
GATINEAU ITF $25K Event: Leylah Annie Fernandez, 16, defeats Carson Branstine, 18, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the final. Fernandez, the French Open junior champion, will see her No. 373 ranking rise to about No. 302 while Branstine goes from No. 559 to about No. 461.
Scoop Malinowski · July 21, 2019 at 7:37 pm
Sebi Korda was in his first Challenger final today in Kazakhstan or Uzbekhstan, five weeks in a row over there, with his dad Petr as his coach. Still ranked in 300s at 18 with a super backhand and good forehand, the rise has been steady and gradual for Korda. Very interesting to see if the father son coach situation succeeds as it’s very rare in pro tennis.
Jeff · July 22, 2019 at 1:21 am
Bublik is down 4-3 in the 2nd set and battles back from 40-0 down on Isner’s serve to get to 40-30. Hits a great return that Isner pops up in the middle of the court for an easy passing shot but Bublik uses the Kyrgios Shot Selection and nets a tweener.
Bublik also double-faulted twice on game point against. I wasn’t too impressed with his antics but he did reach the first final of his career.
Jeff · July 22, 2019 at 2:12 am
Tennis fun fact. Martin Klizan, ranked as high as No. 24 and a six-time winner including two 500 events, has never advanced past the second round in a Masters event. He is a dismal 10-30 all-time in Masters tourneys compared to 16-24 in Slams.
catherine · July 22, 2019 at 5:11 am
Fun fact: Angelique Kerber, currently in search of a coach, has never won a Premier Mandatory tournament.
Response: who cares ? I’ve won 3 GSs and been ranked No 1.
catherine · July 22, 2019 at 5:24 am
Thoughts on coaching for the ‘older player’. Ambitious young coaches don’t want to associate themselves with a fading star. Instead they will grab on to any young player who flashes across the firmament and hope they’ve hit the jackpot. Fill in the blanks….
For the older player – is it more handholding and emotional support ? Not so much technical innovation because it’s possibly too late for that although Federer might not agree, and he’s written the textbook on geriatric tennis supremacy 🙂
Hartt · July 22, 2019 at 6:10 am
What is so amazing about the Big 3 (or one thing among many) is how they try to improve even in their old age. Novak is even making some good smashes these days! So being the coach of one of these guys is probably still interesting, not to mention very prestigious.
catherine · July 22, 2019 at 7:34 am
That’s what makes them exceptional – and I wonder actually how much the coach contributes – whether the innovations come more from the player and the coach is around for support and and maybe a kind of sounding board. I certainly get that impression about Djoko and Fed.
On the other hand we had Serena going on about ‘new things’ and as was discussed before here, there didn’t seem much evidence of anything new – unless Patrick somehow persuaded her that more of the same was ‘new’.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 7:39 am
Vijay, i disclosed all the info given, will assign Dan to dig for more.☺
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 7:40 am
Catherine zeta jones in bermuda kissed him three times at trophy awarding and on lips.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 7:42 am
Bublik is another wacky talented headcase showman, kyrgios 2.0.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 7:44 am
Kafelnikov never won a masters series.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 7:47 am
The ‘new things’ mention probably was a sophisticated, veiled excuse, I tried new things but they didn’t work so if I just stick to my normal tactics I will beat simona next time.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 7:48 am
Serena has not shown any creativity on court in over a decade.
Hartt · July 22, 2019 at 9:14 am
Regarding coaches for the Big 3, I think they can make a difference. Edberg certainly helped Fed improve his net game. Rafa has been doing some things differently under Moya, and it’s a good thing Novak went back to Vajda or he could still be mired in a slump.
Hartt · July 22, 2019 at 9:20 am
There is a Challenger and an ITF tourney in Granby this week. Naturally there are tons of Canadians in both, including Pospisil for the men’s and Marino for the women’s, plus lots of youngsters, including Leylah Annie Fernandez, who got a special exempt because of being in (and winning) the Gatineau final.
One match that has interest for American fans is Brandon Holt, Tracy Austin’s son, who received a WC. He will play a Canuck youngster, Liam Draxl.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 9:46 am
Really? Federer’s net game was always strong, he used to be a serve and volleyer. Not sure if Edberg helped much. Don’t ever really hear Rafa give any coaching credit to Moya. And if Moya was so valuable wouldn’t he have him there at Wimbledon the last few years?
catherine · July 22, 2019 at 9:46 am
Hartt – yes, at times the coach definitely will make a difference but with older players, say the age Djoko, Fed, Nadal are now, it’s possibly more mental – eg Agassi and Djoko clearly didn’t connect at all although Andre’s certainly full of good technical advice. Going back to Vajda was the right thing to do. Huge comfort zone 🙂
And that sort of frees the mind. So the coach can tweak things and everyone’s on the same page.
This is the kind of coach Angie needs (IMO) and she wasn’t getting with Schuettler. It was pretty obvious early on. She could’ve dumped him after the AO. Her behaviour was off but it wasn’t really Schuettler’s fault. He just couldn’t deal with her ups and downs as well as her game – which isn’t going to change much.
As I mentioned before – a German Martinez ? I don’t think there is one. Barbara Rittner knows her pretty well but she’s not an individual coach. I wonder how supportive the Germans are to each other. Does Boris talk to Sascha ?
Hartt · July 22, 2019 at 10:34 am
Scoop, Fed’s net game had regressed. As soon as he was passed a couple times he tended to abandon it. I think the reason he was so keen to have Edberg was specifically to get that aspect of his game back, especially knowing when and how to approach the net.
I wouldn’t be surprised if part of the agreement between Moya and Rafa was that Moya would not be at Wimby so he could be with his kids during their summer vacation.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 10:38 am
Cant take the vacation a week after the biggest tournament of the year?
jg · July 22, 2019 at 11:23 am
This has to be the most ridiculous scheduling on the ATP, yesterday in what must have been horrendous conditions to play (I played for an hour at 8 and it was bad), Tommy Paul went 3 long sets in the qualifying in Atlanta, he won and then had to play another match a few hours later–in what must have been still horrendous conditions. If you look at today’s schedule, there does not appear to be a match of any significance–why not hold it over till today (does anyone want to see Roddick-Ginepri?)Really not fair to the players. Wonder if the ATP is taking any climate change measures, lets see about rain delays at the summer tournaments–continued rain and heat delays like last summer may require venue changes. I can’t see fans enduring these conditions. Tommy Paul should consider playing over in Europe on the clay courts.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Dems the breaks JG, that’s tennis. Players get no breaks. We had a very very good 60 plus guy play the NJ States last summer, he entered the open, 35s, 45s and 60s and had to play three matches in one day – Open, 35, 45 and he lost them all in straight sets, including me in the 35s 75 75. Players get mistreated sched wise on every level.
Vijay · July 22, 2019 at 2:36 pm
Scoop, Roger’s volleys have been sketchy for most of his career, even during his serve and volley days a decage or so ago. There was lots of arm movement. Look back and you’ll notice that in every big match, he’s lost crucial points on his forehand volley. It was never consistent.
Edberg helped him clean up his forehand volley a little, but I think this year his volleys were the best I’ve ever seen. I don’t mean the drop volleys or half volleys, I mean the stick volleys, like Pat Cash, that land with slice 2 feet from the baseline. You don’t win points with this volley, but it sets you up for the next volley to close out the point. This also seems to be something Ljubicic has successfully worked on with Fed.
As for giving credit, that’s a hard one. It’s a team effort. But the player, at the end of the day, is the one who does 90% of the work. I think everyone understands that there’s more to coaching that technique (especially at the top level), and that it’s hard to have a formula that works with everyone.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 2:56 pm
It’s easy to forget excellent coaching Vijay, who remembers the guy who helped two ATP players reach no. 1? Larry Stefanki with Rios and Kafelnikov. Coaches get little credit or glory unless they are high profile attention seekers like Nick and Patrick M.
Vijay · July 22, 2019 at 3:27 pm
Catherine, thanks for the link about Zverev on Lendl (though I’m a little late to it).
I think it’s well known that Lendl has always had and loved dogs. 30 years ago, when he was based in Connecticut, he had 5 German Shepherds. I’m guessing he has a new German Shepherd pup.
As someone who has been fortunate enough to have GS’s in my family, I feel this is a very bad turn for Zverev. Does he really want to be known as a GS puppy-hater? Surely, the GS puppy can’t be the source of all his problems.
Scoop Malinowski · July 22, 2019 at 3:59 pm
Zverev loves dogs and has a famous dog himself. Seems like he’s laying the groundwork for the inevitable firing of Lendl.