Sunday, January 20, 2019

Closing Time : Final Australian Open report

My Australian Open adventure is over, yes I do watch matches where Andreas Seppi is not involved. At this stage most of the matches are moved to the major courts so there is less to report.

As this is the last report. Today history made at both ends of the spectrum. We have three new quarter finalists, two at the beginning of their careers the young American Francis Tiafoe aka Big Foe this is a man who never missed a day of bench press and Stefanos "El Greco"

Tsitsipas who eliminated the defending champion Roger Federer. El Greco took his chances and unlike his peers Tsitispas is not afraid of the net. He now plays Roberto Bautista Agit aka Bautigol who has come through 3 5 set matches to make the quarter finals deating crowd favourites Andy Murray, the Mailman and today was too good for the 2018 finalist Marin Cilic.

Bautista Agut

Bautigol is very underrated, his main goal was to make a Slam quarter final a goal he has finally achieved at 30 years ago. He is very unusual for a Spanish player his best surface is hardcourts, doesn't have the heavy spin, solid serve, very understated and non flashy game which makes it easy for him to be forgotten when compared to his countrymen.


Bautista Agut

He could have been a footballer as he was on the books of Villarreal who have an outstanding youth academy. Bautigol used to be a forward but he chose tennis at 13 because he was playing a year above his age group, he was unable to connect with his team mates and chose tennis instead. He is undefeated this year winning Doha defeating Djokovic and there is a massive opportinity ifor a semi final spot, the question will be who can play the match and not the occasion.

Big Foe

Frances Tiafoe who has made the quarter finals defeating Big Kevin Anderson, my man Seppi and pretty boy Grigor Dimitrov today. Big Foe is box office, he is very entertaining, huge forehand with its own unique technique, reasonable hands, even hititng some reasonable volleys this tournament.




As for why the Foe is over, his background is very interesting. His parents won the green card lottery from Sierra Leone, his dad got a job as a construction labourer that built the Junior Tennis Champions Center. He and his brother were living there with his dad who was given a room at the club. Tiafoe took advantage of the situation, thankfully his raw talent was spotted early by a coach. It's very unlikely if not for the living conditions as a child that he would not have been playing tennis.




What happens against Nadal who knows, but he has a lot to build on. His background won't allow him to change in spite of any success as he has good people around him. The thing I noticed there were a lot of kids of African descent more than usual, they were there supporting Big Foe. This is a n excellent thing especially when you are a member of a minority group when you see one of your own succeeding, doing it in their own style is definitely an inspiration.

Talking Points

People at the tennis who take selfies while the match is going iare totally disrespectful and deserve kidney punching.

Friday night and Saturdays are the worst days to go to the tennis if you actually want to watch the sport. Unfortunately it's the old classic go there to be seen, most could not tell the difference between forehand and forehead.

The venue is expanding at a great rate hopefully some of the money they are generating is going to the expansion. It's not like the players are getting a fair slice of the pie which leads to the latest stuff with the ATP and Chris Kermode. The North American faction and Djokovic want Kermode to be gone, but most of the players are happy with Kermode. Yes, he has been far from perfect but there have been significant improvements.

Qualies are free which is the only Slam which is the case and is a fantastic time to go. It's definitely a very different feel before the main tournament it consists of family, friends, tennis nuts and intelligent gamblers. The results were shit but still recommend going to qualies.

Jose Acasuso and Igor Andreev were there still look like they are in playing shape. Ryan Harrison confirmed what most people know that he is very unlikeable. Andreas Seppi is still the man. Stephane Robert had a successful start to the coaching career and yes he's still on the tour, not leaving us yet.

The best part thanks to one of my best friends Sammy who is such a tennis but, very knowledgeable who managed to help me through some shit days with his enthusiasm.

My younger sisters from another mother yes that is Kristen and Peta, met them years ago and they've not changed at all. Tennisguru Phil Mardh who is top quality, thanks for the Berlocq atory which almost made me spat out my water. The 2 Maltese brothers of destruction who are entertaining as hell , plus my very niche audience who I appreciate

Last of all the players I happen to support. Sure it's great when they win, but tennis is like life sometimes you play like shit and get away with it and others you do well without getting the rewards.

On that note we need a Tiafoe and Bautista Agut semi final and the Aus Open is over for another year.

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Frances Tiafoe : It Can Be That Good

Thankfully after the rain the weather was much cooler which was needed after the awful humidity.

Seppi vs. Tiafoe

This was an intriuging match with the raw power of Tiafoe against the guile of Seppi. The first set was the feeling out the process both were holding serve easily. Unsurprisingly the 1st set went to the tiebreaker which Seppi took.

Big Foe has definitely not missed chest day at the gym, he definitely has a unique technique but generates so much power it's always a question of how the technique holds up under pressure. The crowd was very much pro Foe the spectacular will always get the people on side as they want to be entertaining.

Tiafoe took advabtage of a poor service game from Seppi and took the 2nd set, there was so little between these guys with the match played in a fun atmosphere and court 3 is easily the best show court at the Aus Open.

Seppi is a calm character, continues to serve well and use his forehand to open the court and expose the Foe forehand on low balls. Seppi served for the 3rd set at *5-3, anyone who follows the sport knows Seppi serving out sets and matches is akways interesting.. The Foe breaks serve and then plays a very loose game to lose the set 6-4.

This is the point where Seppi needed to be at his strongest mentally but was broken in the opening game. Tiafoe isn't missing much on the backhand side, he used some short shots which Seppi made easily but unusually did not make the next shots. Big Foe is starting to get into the groove while Seppi is getting further behind the baseline and Tiafoe levels 2 set all.


Tiafoe

Deservedly this match is going 5 sets, the one lowlight was Sharapova screaming so loud from Rod Laver Arema that everyone heard it on the court, they really should put a muzzle on her it's fair for nearly everyone.



Seppi started serving first and he went down 0-40, saving 2 break points and then the dead let cord. Big Foe breaks and is down 0-40 but the American was serving very well especially body serves and huge kickers on the ad side. With all that strength not a surprise he can generate that power.

Tiafoe is riding the momentum train which was definitely express using the huge forehand to slap winners once Seppi was unable to break back straight away. Tiafoe was clearly dominant there was a very small window of opportunity where Seppi got a bit passive. The Foe ran with that opportunity and broke for the match.

Excellent and hard fought match with Taifoe a deserved winner, the Lebron James celebrations at the end was quality. As they say in the pro wrestling Tiafoe is well over the crowd. Now take out Dimitrov


Bautista Agut vs. Khachanov

After 2 big 5 setters the question was how would Bautigol pull up against an opponent who has the power but lacks variety. The conditions were much cooler and with these balls fluffing up, Bautigol dialled in the radar and was his usual accurate self.

Khachanov needed it to be slightly quicker with his very heavy forehand to get more pop off the court. Bautista is undefeated ths season and it's easy to see why. He is not the most powerful but places the serve well, hardly misses backhands and yes for a Spanish player he hits very flat anf his timing is exceptional.


Bautista Agut

Bautigol takes the frist 2 sets and as per previous matches against Murray and Millman went down an early break in the 3rd set. Thankfully for Bautista he was able to break back with his solid play while the big Russian was trying to dominate with the forehand.

Khachanov definitely has a lot of hype, but this is a match where he didn't deliver especially as Bautista Agut has had 2 previous 5 set matches and didn't make him work him hard enough. A very delighted Bautista Agut wins in straight sets this was a case of brain over brawn.

Talking Points

Got to see some points of the Dream Team of Taro Daniel and John Millman having a hit of doubles. Great to see the brothers from another mother having a great time. Even Taro Daniel called Millman a machine when it comes to his subjects, but we know the Mialman is a man of the people.

Friday nights are not always fun at the tennis as the non tennis people who have been on the sauce with their expert commentary on matches and trying to get themselves over, they can get lost.

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Day 4 : João Pedro Coelho Marinho de Sousa this is your day

Yes, it's Day 4 from a very humid Australian Open which was lacking air like Andre Agassi is lacking hair.

Sousa vs. Kohlschreiber

This was the highlight match of the day, the classic match up between the shotmaker and the grinder in very hot and humid conditions. In the previous round Joao Sousa played a very tough & high quality match with Guido Pella overcoming him in 5 sets. I thought this one would be a 4 setter but this was proven to be incorrect.

Kohli rocking the purple shoes think I may have to get a pair is a little bit off not passive but not aggressive , he was struggling to impose himself on the match. Sousa has dialled in 1800 time to grind, placing the serve well and looking to extend the rallies working Kohli side to side using the off forehand pinning Kohli deep in the corner. Sousa takes the 1st set, there was very little between them.


Sousa

The 2nd set continues along the same way as the opening set, the difference was that Sousa played a sloppy game and was made to pay for it. Kohlschreber breaks and able to take the 2nd set. In such a close encouter the 3rd set was going to be key especially in the heat, there weren't many opportunities to break. They get to the buster where Sousa was just more solid using the off forehand to dominate and takes a 2 sets to lead.



In the 4th set Sousa just dropped the level a bit, though he had a great serve for an absolute idiot who was walking in to the court in between points this was at *5-6. Sousa did not miss and it's something that has become plague like, then again at the US Open they will either call the police or shoot you. Kohli finally breaks on the 9th break pont to take the set 7-5.

At the start of the 5th set Kohli has a bit of a letdown and Sousa breaks serve. From there Sousa who is tougher than $2 steak was using his off forehand tempting to Kohli hit the backhand down the line which he wasn't able to hit often enough. Sousa did not lose serve for the rest of the match and a well deserved celebration at the end.

Shapovalov vs. Daniel

This was quite a fun match the young Canadian Shapovalov playing some aggressive tennis and flashy shots against Taro Daniel who was serving well & attempting to use his forehand.

The main take away from this match is that Shapovalov is just a better player on a quick hardcourt than Daniel. There was some stop start with the annoying rain drops which get the lines all wet, it was difficult to get momentum. Shapo had one break point in the 1st set and was able to take it with aggressive play.


Shapovalov


In the 2nd set, Daniel forced break points but was unable to convert due to some excellent play from Shapo along with not making a few returns. Daniel needed to win the 2nd set tiebreaker to have any chance in this match as the only way he could turn this around was Shapo making a lot of errors which did not happen in the tiebreaker. Shapo takes a 2 sets to 0 lead.

The 3rd set was pretty much the same as the 1st, Shapo just needed the one break and was able to run the match out comfortably. Daniel was 0/7 on break points and Shapovalov was 2/2 that's efficency.

Good for Taro D to sign autographs after the match even though he lost, most players tend to get off the court as soon as possible.

Talking Points


Fognini

The Fog won easily against the Alligator Leo Mayer and had an interesting outfit. I don't mind but there are others who disagree.

Danil Medvedev the less douchey racist routinely took out Ryan Harrison which is always a good day for the sport.

Pouolle and Marterer was an entertaining match wth both guys going for it. Pouille was very generous with the fans after the match, plus he hates the Pique Cup so points for him.

Alex Bolt is somehow in the 3rd round that's tennis for you. Gilles Simon that is one of the worst losses of his career.

Spoke to the ESPN Latin American guys, they interviewed Pablo Cuevas last night and stated that was the most downcast they've seen him after a loss in a long time. That's the thing about the sport, some days you will play well and not win, others you play like crap, yet get the W. Well it's a bit like life isn't it

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Day 3 : Too good Seppi and the Mailman delivers the effort but not the victory

Sorry for the no report on Day 2, there wasn't that much though the best match I've seen was on this day and will include it in the talking points.

Definitely didn't expect 4 from 4 today but one can only do their best. The two expected winners got up but the other two were defeated but put on excellent performances.

Seppi vs. Thompson

There isn't much to say except this was routine, expected and never in doubt. Seppi started off with a double break to jump out to a 3-0 lead, then Thompson double break back to get to 3 all. Seppi steps up and takes the next 3 games to win 6-3.

The second set just went aloing very comfortably until the 10th game where Seppi breaks to take the second set and the third set was exactly the same.


Seppi

This match showed a clear difference in class between the two players. Thompson is a solid player at Challenger level but how will get more aggressive from the baseline to survive at tour level, whereas Seppi is a very solid professional who has maximised his talent though some would argue that he could have more titles. The match was very comfortable for the South Tyrolean and another 3rd round in Melbourne.

Schwartzman vs. Kudla

Was following this on the scoreboard seen Schwartzman was up 2 sets to 0, then seen he dropped the 3rd and 4th set. The court was packed and could smell the pig sweat in the air but was able to see the last set.

Topsy turvy and breakathon describe this perfectly. Schwartzman up a double break in the 3rd, loses was 5-4 40-0 up on serve in the 4th set and doesn't get the job done. Kudla dances to his own tune , turned the match around with free hitting.


Schwartzman

Kudla gets an early break in the 5th which didn't mean much in the context of the match. After the 4th game the super journalist, shrill & individual who thinks Slams should be best of 3 sets for the man aka Benjamin Rothenberg decides to leave the media room for the match. He could not even wait for the change of ends, definitely should know better.

Schwartzman kept fighting hard and Kudla started to think about what was happening on the court which is not his strong point. Schwartzman was able to turn the match around and sent the crowd home happy. Coming back from 2 sets down and losing in 5 must really suck.

Cuevas vs. Dimitrov

This was always going to be the toughest of the 4 for my guys to win. It needed Cuevas to play very well and Dimitrov to be a bit off. The court was packed with mostly drunk bogan, a few Bulgarians, fangirls and the odd tennis fan which made it an interesting mix.Unfortunately I had this older Andre Agassi fangirl behind me, yes it was as awful and they marked out when they saw his sanctimonious bald head in the player box.

Cuevas started slowly and dropped his first service game and was unable to get into Dimitrov's service games and the Bulgarian ran out a comfortable first set winner. In the second set Cuevas started serving better, though his usual quality kick serve on the ad side due to the cooler conditions was not jumping up and out as much as usual giving Dimitrov chances to return effectively.

In the second set Cuevas had 2 break points, one was saved by a good serve and the other was a passive return. No breaks of serve before entering the tiebreaker. Cuevas was able to play some quality tennis mixed in with a double fault frm Dimitrov, not long after Cuevas levels at 1 set all which shut the bogans and fangirls up.

The match was pretty much Dimitrov serving like Karlovic hitting the corners and Cuevas working the angles to open up the court. The Uruguayan was more aggressive from the baseline as in the first set and a half he was too passive and pushed around. The one break in the 3rd set was due to three double faults from Cuevas that is Christmas in January, players generally aren't getting away with 3 doubles in a game which was the case here.



Dimitrov took a 2 sets to 1 lead and the familar pattern continues with Dimitrov serving very well, playing some fine shots. Cuevas attempting to be more aggressive but unable to make any inroads into the Dimitrov serve. In the fourth set it was exactly the same pattern until the 11th game Cuevas was leading 40-0 up, served a double and then proceded to get broken. Dimitrov served out the match and continued the usual of winning matches when you don't want him to do and vice versa.

Based on what was seen here Cuevas should be fine for the clay season as long as he keeps fit.

Bautista Agut vs. Millman

This was the classic of watching one match and following the other at the same time. Bautigol was his usual solid self and Millman was a bit off, but anyone who has a clue about tennis knows what a great fighter Millman is.

With the local crowd driving Millman on he was able to take the 3rd set. The grinding continues and Bautigol had 4 match points in the tiebreaker but was unable to take then with Millman levelling at 2 sets all.



The question whether Millman train was powering through or Bautista Agut like he did against Andy Murray troll the crowd favourite to let them get back even and step up the pace. Unsurprisingly this match was about extended rallies and Bautigol was able to get the decisive break and was able to run out the match, letting it rip with an almighty roar.

Bautista showed great mental strength that's what confidence does to an individual when in difficult moments they're able to come through. The main difference between Bautista Agut and Millman is that Bautigol can flatten the ball more consistently which he did to get the break in the 5th. The embrace at the end made it worth it.

Monday, January 14, 2019

Day 1 Main Draw : Tennis wins when Tennys loses & the Mialman delivers another win

To use a wrestling analogy the pre show has been done and today was the start of the main PPV. For those who don't get that it means it's Day 1 of the Aus Open Yes, it was very warm and not much breeze around, as per usual it was a mess with the accreditation and picking up tickets that were being left for pick up was a sham.

Caught up with the main man Sammy and lookiing at the order of play it was pretty easy to see which matches I was going to be out and surprise surprise that's where I went.

Cuevas vs. Lajovic

Thankfully the first WTA match did not last too long, once the Seppi and Mackenzie McDonald finished their hitting session went over to court 20 to watch Salto's finest Cuevas against Lajovic. Cuevas hasn't been in good form for a while this is due to some injury issues and playing through them.

Cuevas started well got an early break in the 1st set. He was down a break point and Lajovic got a dead letcord to break back. Cuevas handled the setback, he kept hitting good length on the groundstrokes, moving Lajovic around to expose the movement and the backhand. Cuevas broke and served out the 1st set.


Cuevas backhand

The 2nd set was a familar pattern Cuevas serving well moving it around the box to open the court from where Cuevas was able to dominate from the baseline using quality angles with the forehand to set up the signature backhand down the line. The match was progressing comfortably on serve for both until the 11th game where Cuevas stepped it up and broke.

After taking a 2 sets to 0 lead in the searing heat Lajovic was demoralised. Cuevas sensed it and made very unforced errors which lead to an easy 3rd set win for Cuevas who got out of the heat with a straight sets win. The best match of the year for the Uruguayan and there were a couple of times where Cuevas hit kick serves to the ad where it bounced out of the court, too bad they were wide.

Schwartzman vs. Molleker

This match followed Cuevas on court 20 aka the car park as it's away from the main courts and suffers from a lack of shade. Schwartzman aka "The Big Man" with Chubby Chela in his corner started very well and showed Molleker what the main level tour is about.

The Big Man got into the groove early on serve and making very few unforced errors pressing Molleker into errors and frustrating the hell out of him. Schwartman took the first 2 sets easily and it looked like a routine straight sets win for the Big Man.

At the 3rd set had a couple of Gremio fans sit next to me and they were fans of Schwartzman which is always a good thing. Yes, Gremio is a football team in Brazil, they said when there no Brazilians they will support other South Americans which is a good thing. Molleker starts hitting better length while holding serve with more ease. The Big Man is crusiing along until the 10th game where plays an absolute stinker of a game and gets broken to lose the 3rd set.


Schwartzman

Schwartzman goes for a toilet break and gets cheered by the Argentine fans as he comes past them. That was the thing which annoyed me during this match there were people taking selfies with the tennis going on in the background. These are the people who go to a gig watching the whole thing through their phones or the ones who complain about 1 gram over on food at the deli.

After the break Schwartzman gets focused after the 3rd set lapse, becomes the human backboard and hitting the corners with the groundstokes. He easily takes the 4th set and was mobbed by fans after the match. If you get a chance to watch Schwartzman do it.

Seppi vs. Johnson

Of course what is this blog without a Seppi report. It's like a pizza without cheese or having a 20 year single malt whisky with coke. This was a tough match for Seppi as he was 0-3 in head to head meetings and only arriving in Melbourne yesterday afternoon.

The key to this match was Seppi attempting to break down the Johnson backhand. Johnson is a good fastcourt player serves well and a good forehand but the backhand is mostly slice. Seppi was a bit sluggish at the start which was understandable but was able to dig in and dominate from the baseline especially the backhand to backhand rallies.

It's not easy to back up after a big week previously especially when losing a final where Seppi let the occasion get better of him anf not play the match. Seppi was able to get the break and managed the serve the 1st set out comfortably which is something Seppi doesn't normally do.

The 2nd set continues on in the same manner. Johnson using his serve and forehand to get on the front foot. Seppi having some issues on serve but once the point was starting working Johnson side to side going to the forehand to expose the backhand. The match was progressing along comfortably until Seppi lost his concentration made a game of errors where Johnson broke and took the 2nd set.

Even afer 1 set all the match feels like it's Seppi's to lose. Johnson does not have a great Slam record and his return game is not a strength. Seppi was hitting well off both sides, got an early break and ran out the 3rd set fairly easily using his groundstokes to keep Johnson pinned on the baseline.


Seppi

We begin the 4th set which continued in the same as the 3rd. Both were holding serve fairly easily, Seppi grinding away and Johnson hitting the spots on serve until a controversial moment in the game where Johnson was broken.

At the first point Johnson cleans the line with a first serve which was an ace. Seppi was walking to the other side and gestured Johnson to challenge. Hawkeye showed it was on the line and the umpire called first serve. Johnson was very pissed off with the decision and debated with the umpire which is like arguing with a female, even when they are wrong, they are right. Seppi returned well after the first point and was able to get the break point where Johnson was being pushed around who floated a slice backhand long for Seppi to break.

Seppi having a few hiccups on serve but these were not fully exploited by Johnson who was making some poor errors especially on the backhand, In that rare moment Seppi served out a match easily and got the W.

After the match Seppi was delighted that the match did not go too long as he said he was feeling flat. He was grinding and Johnson made a lot of mistakes on the backhand after 3 or 4 shots, which Seppi said was unsuual for Johnson as he normally hits it well and keeps it deeps. Now, Seppi is going to enjoy his day off and have a very gentle hit with the coach.

Talking Points

The Mialman delivered with the effort and the victory over Delbonis in 4 sets. It was impossible to get a seat on the court which was way too small for Millman. He should have been placed on court 3 but Millman does not have the right management company, more on that later.

Millman was fantastic as per usual with the fans aftet the match. It's interesting as anyone who has followed this rather strange blog that I have been advocate for Millman. He is a hard and fair competitor but more importantly a fantastic individual. After defeating Federer last year at the US Open, there has been a bandwagon of course, but definitely a sense of happitness that there are more people realising what he's about.


Millman

After the match Millman spent at least 40 minutes taking photos with and signing autographs for fans making sure no one missed out. It's genuine and not done for PR purposes which will give fans fantastic memories. He will go on to play one of his friends Bautista Agut in what will be a big grindfest in the next round.

Roberto Bautista Agut is definitely playing the villain role this week. He played the dry witted Scot Andy Murray who announced that he will be finishing his career due to injury. The fact a player can't retire on their own terms is one of the worst things for a pro sportsman. Bautigol took the first 2 sets, then Murray came back taking the next 2 tiebreakers but once Bautista Agut saw Murray getting fatigued, he got focused.

Now to end this entry with some controversial comments from Nard Dogg Tomic. After losing straight sets to Marin Cilic. Tomic came out and made comments about Lleyton Hewitt's role within Tennis Australia and a conflict of interest. Hewitt is the Davis Cup captain, has a say in who gets the wildcards and in addition has a management company. When there are a multitude of hats being worn, the potential for perceived conflict of interest is clear, especially when Hewitt is still playing doubles when he has been retired, giving himself wildcards to the Australian events and his playing partners are part of the management company. In addition to that, while getting a salary from TA, he is getting prizemoney for the doubles which is double dipping and the fee from the clients.


Tomic on Hewitt

As for Tomic he is not the brightest or most articulate individual. He's definitely a character who manages to divide people, thankfully he doesn't give a monkeys and will answer questions without fake palatitudes or cliches. In the above comments, which have been discussed the issue seems to be the messenger in this case and not so much the content. As they say in the classics a broken clock is right twice a day.

On that note time to end this successful tennis day especially as the big 4 won and Trimp lover Tennys Sandgren lost.

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Two for the Price of One : Qualifying Reports

Robert vs. Kuhn

The battle between the teenager and the man known as Stephane Robert who is almost old enough to be his dad. As for Kuhn he's a German-Russian born in Austria who plays for Spain, who said tennis wasn't an international sport.

Kuhn can tell he has been in the Spanish school of tennis, where there is a lot of work, work and a bit more work it's a tough system whereas Robert is on the eccentric side which is great in a sporting world with increased homogenisation which is what happens when big business gets in the way.


Nicola Kuhn

Kuhn was moving Robert around in the rallies and Robert wasn't able to change the direction often enough. The only break in the 1st came when Robert was up 40-30 had Kun wrongfooted and missed a forehand wide from there.

Robert starts playing better in the 2nd set able to get the rallies on his terms and exposing Kuhn on the backhand side where he has to run. The turning point was Robert was up a break and two opportunities for the insurance breakm but failed to make the returns. Kuhn held

Both are holding serve comfortably enough until they hit the tie breaker. Robert was up a mini break but Kuhn got a couple of miss hits go his way and Robert made errors. Possible missed opportunity but Kuhn was too good.

Gimeno-Traver vs. Davidovich Fokina


This match DGT was waiting for about 5 minutes and I was thinking can he Davidovich be timed out if he doesn't get there in time. Well he' s from Malaga via Russian and Swedish parents so he was on Malaga time.

DGT is never good early in the year as he needs matches and I've only seen Davidovich on a computer screen, it's always so much better to watch live as there aee more nuances you can see.

Gimeno Traver broke serve, then decided to hand the break back due to a multitude of errors. He broke leading 4-2, then at 4-3 plays a game of errors hands it back to the Malaga man who was playing very intelligently working the ball around. Gimeno Traver after hitting the big forehand as soon as he leant back, Davidovich got him with excellent drop shots. When serving to stay in DGT, continued to serve poorly and got broken to lose it 7-5. Can't be winning matches with a first serve percentage of 35%.


Davidovich

In the 2nd set DGT starts serving better and able to use his massive forehand and even the backhand was reasonable when at times it resembles a club player. Davidovich was getting his foot looked at by the physio kept good length on the groundstrokes, defended when necessary and hit winning drop shots. The set went along comfortably a the end DGT had to save some match points got to the tiebreaker. A bit like the first set DGT up a mini break, unable to consolidate the youngster kept fighting and took his chance and put away the veteran.

Davidovich Fokina isn't the tallest but he has good court sense, solid and uses the dropshot well. He'll get stronger for sure but have to get the balance right where it doesn't take his speed away.

Brown vs. Arevalo

Another slow start for Brown who was getting pissed off with the people walking in during the point when they are in their own world holding up the players. Arevalo was solid hardly making any errors as Brown was happy to provide them . The El Salvadoran took the 1st set.

Brown become more aggressive, because he needed to and also due to agitiation with those fans and some poor linecalling contributed. Brown wasn't serving and volleying as much, he stayed back a bit more and ripping forehands which pressured Arevalo into hitting shorter balls which Brown took advantage of breaking serve. From that point on Brown was serving better and took the ride on the momentum train taking the 2nd set.


Dustin Brown

The Brown Expreess was travelling and he never looked his losing in the 3rd, yes anything can and will happen in a Brown match but this had a feeling on inevitable about it. Brown into the final qualie round.

Rola vs.Polansky

Polansky was his solid self just putting the ball into the court and letting Rola self destruct. In the first set a bit Rola was moving like a slow Karlovic, there was no energy from his end, not getting to the ball and just making very cheap errors. Polansky did not have to do much and these are the days which one has to take advantage of.

Halfway through the second set Rola realises he can move his feet and geting more pop on the groundstrokes though not serving as well as Tuesday. There was too much of the same serve, not enough body serving whwich when he did was successful every ti.

They manage to get to a tiebreaker where Rola was more the proactive , though there was hilarious incident amoing many average calls in the match at 6-6. The linesperson forgot to change sides, Rola served and the first serve was 1m long, Polansky hits it and Layhani then calls fault before Rola hits it and Polansky is urined off. Rola takes the set.

Polansky must have had a shit and a shower since his toilet break was 10 minutes plus. It was good enough as Rola lost momentum and started playing like he did early in the set. Polansky broke and then Rola broke back, the standard of tennis wasn't great from either guy. The 6th game where Polansky broke was 4 gifts rom Rola, yes there is Christmas in July. Polansky couldn't believe his luck, while he struggled to serve out the match, his running forehand pass to take the match was excellent which could not be said about this match.

Rosol vs. Troicki

The match started in cool and overcast conditions with no sun which Rosol was enjoying. The big Czech was playing well hititng the ball cleanly, got an early break and had chances for double break but was unable to convert due to a mixture of good play from Troicki and gifts from Rosol.

Rosol served for the set at 5-4, but got tight as a drum and forgot what he got him into the lead. Troicki is a very good albeit a threatrical competitor who is not going to give anything away and broke back. Both held serve until the tiebreaker, then at 1-0 when Rosol steps up for his 2 serves he throws up 2 double faults. Troicki can't believe these presents and gains confidence to take the teiebreaker.


Troicki

In the second set Rosol is just making errors, going for winners at times when not in position to do so. Troicki is defending well and while not being passive, he essentially let Rosol self destruct which he happily obliged.

Not sure if the conditions changing threw Rosol's timing out, my Czech isn't good enough to get the mutterings. Coming back from injury isn't easy, getting the confidence back and that impacts on movement while Rosol was never the quickest, he looked a bit slower which of course means the crisp shots aren't going to be as effective.

Troicki is back with Jack Reader the supercoach. It will be a long way back but Troicki as long as he stays fit should be back in the top 100.



Talking Points

Mo Layhani did not damage any more eardrums with the screems of "correction the ball is good". He is very approachable and has plenty of fans.

Daniel Evans was being Daniel Evans pretty much saying in these exact words Australia is full of pussies.

Rosol against Bellucci he was so rubbish in the 1st set, then took a toilet break which lasted more than 10 minutes. He must have had the mother of all dumps, but as they say in the classics better out than in. Thge dump break worked as he was moving and hitting better.

Jurij Rodiinov is from the Jurgen Melzer school of left handers and not Thomas Muster. Lots of attacking tennis though definitely doesn't havet the hands of Melzer.

There is a big upside to Davidovich Fokina and Kuhn barring injuries

Darian King is a great guy.

Tuesday, January 08, 2019

All Beginnings Are Difficult: Day 1 Australian Open Qualies

It's that time of year where the Aus Open qualies and for the first time there was a lack of anticipation but was hoping that would change once I entered the grounds, alas this did not happen.


2018 was a pretty poor year besudes John Millman beating Roger Federer at the US Open to make the quarter finals. The overnight success where his father Ron The Fox Millman cemented legendary status fielding all the media requests. It hasn't changed John and it won't, he has solid people around him.


John and the Fox

The coolest Japanese man of all time Taro Daniel won a title out of nowhere in Istaanbul doing a Marvel celebration and coming back from 04 in the 3rd against Rogerio Dutra Silva in the quarter finals. Diego Schwartzman was just being Diego Schwartzman.


Schwartzman

Changes

Before we start on the qualies action these are the lowlights. Davis Cup has ended and what has been put in its place is an absolute joke. Can't say Davis Cup is special when all the special elements have been taken away. If they agreed to paly it every 2 years in odd years, it would not clash with the Olympics which the ITF make a big deak out of. The Pique Cup is a joke, just a cash grab which needs to fail.

This leads into my next point the players are not consulted at all about these changes. The vast majority are against the Pique Cup. The Australian Open decides to have a 5th set tiebreaker which is garbage. In a major players should be breaking to wn a 5th set in a major not rely on a crapshoot. Then the organisers have a Champions Tie Break which is rubbish, sure Wimbledon had a hybrid solution but it's better than what's on offer. The mental aspect is takem away, as they know the end is coming and the fitness is part of this great sport.




Qualifying for some reason was changed from Tuesday to Friday for reasons that are unknown just like the extensive consultation about the tiebrakers that allegedly that happened from the tournament organisers. None of the players were asked yes that includes Sascha Zverev, Nadal and Severin Luthi stated Federer was not asked. Who was clamouring for the change it was definitely commercial interests, this is where you need an organisation that has the skill to balance the interests out. With the qualifying finishing on Friday, some will play their next match on Tuesday, they will be able to go to Phillip Island and back, then off on the Great Ocean Road return and still have time to prepare. So, no the organisers did not stop, collaborate and listen to all parties necessary.

Day 1 qualifying

Rola vs. Pavlasek

Rola who is coached by Grega Zemlja one of the blogger's favourtires. In the past year he has opened up an academy where Rola is playing out of. Looking to turn promising juniors into pros but of course getting better facilities is a challenge.


Rola

Rola served well , moving the ball around the service box and using his forehand to attack Pavlasek's backhand which is mostly slice and not of the Estrella Burgos kind. He is most notable for being an ex of Petra Kvitova, not that this is a bad thing in itself.

Pavlasek was very passive but holding comfortably as well as Rola was serving in the 1st set, he was returning like Karlovic and not on a good day. In the 12th game with Pavlasek serving to take into the tiebreaker. Rola starts hitting some solid returns, waiting for the inevitable short ball from Pavlasek and took the set 7-5.

The 2nd set begins in the same way but Rola is returning better overall. Once they get into the rallies the greater weight of shot from Rola exposed the Czech's backhand and ran out a comfortable winner in the end with a small wobble while serving it out.

Brown vs. Berlcoq

Total contrast between the flair of Brown and the grinding of Berlocq. In his first service game, Brown was not switched on and got broken. For the first 5 games Berlocq hardly made an unforced error and Brown was getting frustrated but was getting more balls into the court. Berlocq deservedly took the 1st set which lead to Brown being more aggressive and not necessarily in ballbashing mode.

In the 2nd set Brown gets on a roll, not missing many serves, dominating with the forehand and moving forward to knock the volleys off. Brown is tough to stop when he is riding that momentum train, whereas Berlccq the level between best and worst isn't as extreme as Brown who takes the 2nd set.


Dustin Brown

Brown got an early break in the 3rd and was sailing along fairly comfortably on serve, while playing way too many dropshots and not having a great success ratio. Berlocq is tougher than $2 steak and gives nothing away, manages to break back. The match is Berlocq's grunting and grinding against Dreddy's serve/colleying, 200km/h forehands, slice and drop shots.

Berlocq serving at 5-5 40-0 up. Brown hits the backspin drop shot one bounce on Berlocq's side & bounces on Brown's side, from there Dreddy rides the momentum train breaks Berlocq and serves out the match. There was a proper warm embrace at the end of the match.

Talking Points

Good to see Steve Darcis back around the courts he was at the De Greef match.

Janko Tipsarevic sighting has been confirmed and Viktor Troicki smiling they were watching the Serbian derby.

Chris Eubanks saw the last set of his match and like his game. His forehand takeback is similar to Lukas Rosol, apart from that he is a lot quicker and doesn't have Rosol's on court temperament.

Domi Thiem was watching his compatriot Ofner win his match.

Casper Ruud played an absolute shit match today, pretty much it was just cheap errors and most of them were rally balls. Laaksonen was solid, but he did what was necessary since Ruud thought it was still Christmas with all the presents he was handing out.

The final set champions tiebreak is rubbish as witnessed with the initial one played in the Jung match. It was dumb then and it's dumb noiw.

Tomorrow will be a fun day have Robert, Lorenzi, Dutra Silva, Gimeno-Traver, Baghdatis and Rosol all gracing the courts at some stage.