The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

The 2021 Australian Open has been completed and in a huge upset that Novak Djokovic won his ninth Australian Open title but this post won't be about Djokvic as there are other outlets and individuals who can cover his trial and tribulations better than myself.

As we are living through some strange times due to the pandemic this has impacted in all areas of life including professional sport. Australia has done an excellent job in damage limitation of the beer virus. This was due to the regional governments imposing tough restrictions, which were a bone of contention for many people. Successful suppression of the virus was necessary for the event to be held with spectators, where this had not been an option for previous events due to the virus being at higher levels.

Many of the players were not prepared for the strict quarantine measures that were required for the event to go ahead and more imporantly that there was not a community outbreak which is a lot more important than a tennis event. Some players made the best of the situation and others did not handle it all which impacted on their performance. Now, that they have gone through this, they should better equipped to deal with challenges.

Pablo Cuevas Quarantine

As a fan it was a very different experience attending the Covid major. The complex was divided into three zones and the organisers didn't account for tennis fans who want to see everything and bought tickets to more than one zone, as there was no freedom of movement between the zones. People had to scan tickets out of one zone and then travel to another zone to scan in. It wasn't all shit as the numbers were less due to the event being held not in school holidays and limiting numbers made watching tennis a much more confortable experience. In the last few years the Australian Open has become almost unbearable to watch to excess crowds which tend to consist of gronks who go there to be seen and not give a shit about the tennis ruining the experience. Sure, most of the players I like tend not to do as well and that the ruins the experience in other ways.

Tennis


Now the on court stuff, there was some good stuff. The progress of the Prince Jannik Sinner, sure he lost in 5 sets to Shapovalov but his body gave out on him and some questionable tactics on the second serve in the 5th set. He's a kid with a big game and a great attitude, which will stand him in good stead.


Jannik Sinner


The challenge of playing in a home Slam can either lift players to above their regular levels or they can be burdened to the point where they can't play their best tennis. John Millman he wants so badly to do well in Melbourne, but his loss to Moutet was disappointed. Normally the Mailman gets pumped up by the crowd, but there was a lack of energy at his match and also the way he played was more not to lose, than to win. Tennis is not like football where you can play to protect a lead.

Pablo Cuevas and the Seppi match was very difficult to watch. Cuevas with the right draw can do well in the South American clay season, definitely showed some good signs. On the hardcourts, he just doesn't have the firepower to win consistently on the surface. Seppi did not play well, but managed to get some wins this week in Biella. There maybe some hope for another top 100 finish at the end of the year, but he's getting ready for the next phase and time does not wait.

The Gael Monfils breakdown after the loss to young Finn Ruusovori was tough to watch. Before the beer virus he was in good form, then after the return to the tour. He has been unable to win a match and the more he tries, the worse it gets. At his best Monfils is an entertainer and tennis needs characters in the sea of robots. As for how Monfils gets out of the funk. He has to remember why he started playing the game initially. I don't expect him to break Vincent Spadea's record of first round losses.

Aslan Karatsev the man from Ossetia who had been on a tear from last year dominating the Challenger tour. He qualified and ended up winning 5 matches in the main draw to join 4 other players to make the semi finals as a qualifier in a major. The Challenger tour is definitely worth following if you are a fan of the sport, it has a great mix of players. The young ones starting their career, guys who were highly ranked but have dropped down due to injury, loss of confidence and the seasoned battlers. Karatsev has had some issues in the past, but finally having his breakthrough at 27. Now the challenge for him will be to establish himself on the main tour.

Danil Medvedev made another major final but was unable to get the job done. The first set was tight and he really needed to win it, but the bulshit Russian got an early break in the 2nd, which was not confirmed. Djokovic decided to set up and Medvedev capitulated mentally. It's an experience he needs to learn from. The Big 3 have been dominating so long, there are flashes but the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Red card to the absolute shitheads booing the Vic government and the other gronks. Melbourne was lucky to have the event. Those in the crowd wouldn't be there if it wasn't for getting the beer virus under control. Let's be honest the government aren't even close to perfect, but got to pick your moments. Yes, lockdowns are shit but yes as anyone with functioning eyesight knows the alternative is worse

This version of the Australian Open will be memorable for many reasons. There were fans, no fans, fans again, some good tennis and some rubbish. I don't think 2022 will be like this. On that note I'd like to give a shout out to Lance and Owen, you two cats love the sport, do it with humour and cynicism which always makes it a pleasure to see you at the event. Hope next year we are doing qualies in Melbourne. Andres it was great meeting you. The great men Seppi and Cuevas no matter the result and also super coach Stephane Robert who wins at life.

Day 3: Save Pedro and Mannarino cutting like a surgeon Australian Open reports

Today was very hot and tomorrow will be worse. As for the tennis, some of it was hot and then there was the Kyrgios show which many people can not look away from whether they like or loathe him .

Martinez vs. Ruusovori

Interesting fact about this match Martinez is coached by 2 guys, one of them the great man known as Daniel Gimeno Traver with the massive forehand. Gimeno Traver had defeated Ruusovori in 2019 at the Scheveningen Challenger.

Martinez started slowly and was unable to get into the match at all. Ruusovori was solid, but not really having to do much at all as Martinez was making errors and hitting a lot of short balls. The young Finn takes the set 6-1 .

In the 2nd set Martinez is holding serve but not without difficulty, At 3-3 *0-40 on Martinez's service game was the turning point of the match. After a huge hold like this, it is very common for the player who came through the tough situation is able to break serve in the next game. Martinez is freed up from some nerves and is able to break serve and serves out the set to take it 6-3.

There was a bizarre incident which is something I have not seen before. Rafael Nadal was training on the next court and there is someone from the tournament setting up in a spot next to us to film a video camera and microphones. My friends and I are looking at each other and thinking what is this nonsense, there's a match going on. Martinez hears them talking loudly and glares, then has enough and told them to be quiet. Finally they get the message and move.

After taking the 2nd set Martinez is now hitting the bal with much greater depth, defending when he needs to and taking advantage of the short balls. Ruusovori is unable to make much of an impression and is feeling the heat. Martinez strolls to a 2 sets to 1 lead .

Martinez starts the 4th set in the same manner and runs out to a 4-1 lead with a double break and this is where the next twists begin. Martinez got a bit passive forgetting what got him to the lead and manages to lose the double break. Ruusovori is making less errors but not really going for it, whereas Martinez was playing the situation and not the score.

Ruusovori at 5-5 plays a game of errors which gave Martinez a chance to serve for the match which he fails to achieve. The 4th set tiebreaker was more a question of who is able to manage a combination of fatigure and pressure. Martinez took the long way home but got it done in 4.



Lajovic vs. Bublik

Bublik is always entertaining, you will get a running commentary in Russian and English whereas Lajovic is all business and do everything not to hit a backhand.

It's an interesting clash of styles Bublik is all power and drop shots and Lajovic is working the angles with his forehand waiting for the short balls. One of Bublik's comments was why won't Lajovic serve a double fault on Bublik's break chances.

Bublik had his chances in the 2nd set but Lajovic saves them and Bublik plays his one dumb service game a set, which Lajovic took and leads 2 sets to 0.

Bublik is still continuing with the monoloigue and I believed that he was going to tank the set. Thankfully Bublik hung around and with a mix of big groundies and deft volleys while taking the 3rd set. The Russian's attitude has not changed and played a dumb game with errors and Lajovic broke taking the match. Bublik's response well I am leaving with 150K.


Mannarino vs. Kecmanovic

This match intrigued me and was wondering why Kecmanovic was the favourite. First thing I noticed about the strong Serbian player is that he is not a great mover this was from last year against Seppi. It didn't change my mind at all here. Kecmanovic is excellent when he is set, but not good on the move.

Mannarino he looks so sleepy and you think what does this guy have to keep winning matches. He's one of those players who is more interesting to watch in person. The crafty French left hander was moving the ball around getting Kecmanovic on the stretch to expose the average movement. Mannarino took the first set easily.



The match continues on the same path. Mannarino using angles and then going down the line to wrong foot Kecmanovic. In reality this was a dissection of Kecmanovic, a bit like the star junior who plays the wily club veteran who knows where to put the ball in spots that the upstart can't handle and they implode. To be fair Kecmanovic wasn't screaming but he got his pants pulled down..

Day 2 Australian Open Cuevas wins the match but Seppi wins at life

Yes,  it's the Australian Open the corona virus edition.   There have been quite a few strange happenings,  but it fits the times we are living in.

No qualies in Melbourne which is my favourite part of the event.   There are 3 zones and it's very inconvenient if you want to go from one zone to the other.   Security has been very strict when it comes to standing up at matches on the outside courts.   The one positive is that there are less people around which is a good thing.

Here are the Day 1 reports,  as it was an awful day for a few reasons and they were done as a microblog.  Read below if interested.

Day 1 Australian Reports

Now onto business at hand,   the reports from the outside courts as that's where the best action happens in the early part of the tournament.

M Ymer vs.   Hurkacz

This was an interesting match for a number of reasons.   For those who aren't aware there are 3 Ymer brothers.   The eldest Elias who lost to Diego Schwartzman in 4 sets yesterday and the youngest Rafael.

Micke Ymer is the highest ranked Swede,   yes there are black people in Sweden. He was a good junior, but has taken his time to transition to the seniors.   It's a combination of a game which was great in juniors but not good enough in seniors and not rushing the development.   For Ymer to get the most out of his abilities he needs to be more aggressive.

Hurk,  it's hard to say what his caper was today.   Maybe he doesn't like the heat,  has a decent serve  but was not really hitting the ball.  It wasn't ballbashing, but it wasn't Gilles Simon passive.   Hurk has been playing well this season and took the first set fairly comfortably.

With Elias giving support,   younger brother Micke starts hitting ball with better depth making it difficult for Hurk to attack or come to the net.   As Micke became more aggressive in the match,  he created opportunities which he took to take the 2nd set.  Micke was definitely into the match,   yes he was defending well and he loves it.  Hurk took the 3rd, but Ymer full of self belief hangs around and manages to change the momentum by being more aggressive  than usual.

                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Ymer takes the 4th set and breaks in the 5th to get an excellent win over an in form player. Mikael has to be more aggressive, the passive 10m behind the baseline stuff needs to go. It's the classic trust the process and now plays boom youngster Alcaraz for a place in the 3rd round.

Cuevas vs.  Seppi

This match between two of my favourite players.  Who did I cheer for?  You just clap for both players when they hit good shots and hope for an entertaining match.

Seppi started very slowly and was down a double break.   This was due mainly to Seppi's errors on both sides.  Cuevas was having some issues with the kick serve on the ad side,  but was able to resolve it and Seppi was having a lot of issues handling it which lead to a lot of errors.

Cuevas gives back one of the breaks but was able to take it 6-4. The level wasn't great and continued in the 2nd set. Seppi was making less errors and serving better. Cuevas was playing at the same standard and this lead to a closeness in the scores. On cue when Cuevas served to stay in the set, he managed to be broken and Seppi gets to 1 set all. There was still a strange mood around the match Cuevas got an early break and Seppi digs in and the first 4 games of the 3rd set are the best ones of match where both players are at a reasonable level. Seppi had some chances to get back on serve but was an unable to do so. Cuevas using his excellent kicker to open up the court and control the rallies, not making many errors takes the 3rd set 6-2.

With Cuevas up 2 sets to 1,  still thought this had the potential to be a 5 setter but the theme of the 3rd set continues.  Seppi was unable to put enough pressure on Cuevas services game due to the unforced errors from both sides.   Cuevas wins the match in 4 and the last set was more about Seppi's level than Cuevas being brilliant.

Cuevas will play and has played better matches where he will lose and that's the joy of tennis you only need to be better on the day.   As for Seppi,  he is in the southern part of his career and he loves playing in Australia,  but there were signs that he isn't enjoying  the game at all.

Its difficult to watch,  we all lose a step in speed. Seppi is one of the most professional players out there and a great competitor.  Today and last week,  it seemed something was off mentally,  as for physically who knows.   He is a new father and enjoying his life off court in Colorado and understandably the priorties have shifted.   Going to be an interesting year for both players,  but for different reasons.

Troicki Blows It

It's almost time to stick the fork in Viktor Troicki, though being named Serbian Davis Cup captain is an indication of his future career.   In his match against Michael Mmoh was up in the 4th set serving for it.   He was up 4-0 in the 5th set and manages to lose from this position.

You know it's Slam time when there is a 5 setter with Troicki on the outside courts,   It's as natural as breathing but this time he couldn't get it done and Mmoh was delighted.   One thing about Mmoh he is one player who never skipped chest or biceps day at the gym.

Norrie vs.  Evans

This was a very enjoyable match and not just the result either.    I'd only seen the 4th set and standing next to me was Jan De Witt one of the better coaches out there on the ATP.   He isn't working with anyone but it was fantastic to get a bit of insight .   He said "Yes,  I'm watching for fun,   but the inner coach never really sleeps".

Norrie and Evans know each other so well,  they have trained together and played Davis Cup.   Evans has a crafty game and his patterns happen to suit Norrie's game.     Evans has the game but is generally not the most pleasant,  whereas Norrie  has a bit of a  Guido Pella like backhand and a bit unorthodox,  great competitor and a solid citizen.

Evans won the title last week and Norrie tactically played  it very well not  giving Evans rhythm.   He'd hit maybe 2 to the forehand,  then backhand the line to open the court up and breaking down Evans backhand in the process.

UKIP Evans served for the 4th set.   Norrie was grinding and believed in the process as Evans was getting tight which can happen.  Evo serves a double for Norrie to get the break back,  at this time Evans is starting  to get tired after the effects of last week.   Norrie serves it out and deserved the victory.

Highlight of the day