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