Yes, it has been a while since I have done one of these, but thankfully there are a couple of people who wanted to read my nonsense related to the event and thank you for that.
Before we get to the matches today, there are few things that I will point and address now. Two of my personal favourites as players and as people John Millman and Pablo Cuevas have retired, they will each get an individual write up after the tournament is over for me.
The organisation have decided to start the event on a Sunday now. Of course it's a clear money grab, though there have been some interesting findings of the local government giving the organisation a massive loan that didn't need to repay. The reasoning behind it was to prevent late finishes and player welfare, sure you may prevent it on the main courts, though it won't change on the outside courts. The fact they had 87K on Sunday means it is here to say, but an absolute awful customer experience. There were way too many people for the matches provided and almost impossible to get into courts, including matches that would normally get their coaches and friends there.
As evidenced on Day 1 with the great man Chris O'Connell defeating Cristian Garin in 5 sets with a great atmosphere and also Diego Galan beating Jason Kubler in 5 sets in 4 hours and 59 minutes. The Colombian fans are awesome, always provide a lively atmosphere and the Colombian players are so appreciative, especially the recently retired Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah.
Another addition next to Court 6 is a bar, not sure how this is going to work. Seems like they are trying to take from the party hole idea from LIV golf. Can imagine some drunk gronks annoying some players, this could be entertaining in its own way.
Now onto the tennis for the day and there was definitely a lot of variety and drama.
Shelton vs. Bautista Agut
This match was the classic contrast in styles. Shelton huge serve, creativity and a lot of energy vs. Bautista Agut who is the ultimate professional and plays to well rehearsed patterns. Both guys are in different parts of their careers, Shelton is in the early part of his career and RBA in the latter part after a difficult year with injuries and looking to restablish himself on tour.
Bautista Agut is a guy who have play well to beat, but there comes a time in all players careers where they lose that little step. This impacts in so many ways, especially if they are not a player who is serve reliant. If they are not as fast, then they won't be able to get into position to maximise their groundstrokes, will lack depth and get punished by opponents. The jury is out whether he has reached that stage.
Shelton started off a bit nervously, but the difference in this match was Shelton's serve. Bautista Agut had lots of break points and the conversion rate was poor, though this was due to Shelton saving break points through his own play more so than blown opportunities by RBA, Shelton loves the big stage and the tennis tour needs more characters.
Davidovich Fokina vs. Lestienne
Foki does have a reasonable draw this time around and has to take advantage. He is on the cusp of a big result in a Slam, then again he could the guy who will provide the great moments but riddled with inconsistency. Then that's part of the charm, if I wanted to watch a robot then I'd watch Milos Raonic.
Just outside the court where was a mouse that had been walked on. Not a huge fan of mice, but even this one needed to be put out of its misery.
The result was never in doubt. It was humid today and Foki did have the trainer out early in the 2nd set to check his blood pressure. After the break, Foki was able to settle enough to win in 3 sets, though in his words he was playing shit. Some days you play shit and win, then vice versa. Only need to be good enough on the day.
Daniel vs. Eubanks
The great man Taro Daniel who made the Auckland final last week and career high ranking against the very well spoken and big serving American Eubanks. This was another contrast of styles.
Backing up from doing well the week before the Aus Open is never easy. The match up on this surface was not good for Daniel, especially as Eubanks was serving from tree, he did not lose his first point on serve until the 2nd set.
Both guys were holding serve comfortably until Daniel lost the 10th game and the set 6-4. The warm conditions were helping Eubanks as he was hardly missing first serves and consistently in the 220km/h range. As he was holding so easily, he was able to more aggressive on Daniel's service games and after the American took the 1st set, the momentum express was not stopping.
At one point the great man Fernando Vicente the coach of Andrey Rublev was there too look at the opponents. His commentary was hilarious about how Eubanks would never break as he doesn't use them a lot in the rallies.
Daniel was under pressure the whole time and was unable to have long extended rallies as Eubanks was teeing off on the groundstrokes, yes including some backhand winners among the ones that bounced into the next twice.
Matches between countrymen always carry a different dynamic and this one was no different. Grenier now coached by the great man Stephane Robert who qualified for main draw. His former coach Lisnard is now coaching Muller, so that had the extra edge.
It's really hard to do this match justice. Was it the highest quality, well I would not say that but it was damn entertaining and a clash of styles. Muller does not have weapons, just a very consistent player where Grenier has a decent serve and is willing to go for his shots.
Muller was up a set and a break, then Grenier managed to steal the 2nd set. Muller's level did not vary too much, whereas Grenier who is up and down having some issues and goes down 2 sets to 1. Towards the end of the 4th set Grenier started cramping badly, could hardly walk and was on the pickle juice.
Grenier serving big and just slapping the ball was able to break back and Muller did not know how to play in this situation. Muller had an early break in the 5th set, but Grenier still cramping and fighting hard was able to get it done in the final set tiebreaker. As much as I hate final set tiebreakers, the champions tie break is the least worse option.
The Rest
Tough day for Chilean fans both Jarry and Tabilo losing in 5 sets. Jarry with his massive serve losing from *5-3 up in the 5th was a surprise.
Young Czech lad Jakub Mensik continues on his winning ways against the formerly overrated Canadian Denis Shapovalov. Mensik just gets it and for a young lad understands the game very well. He was impressive in qualies and it's not a surprise that he beat Shapo who is clearly underdone, but even then the best way to describe the Canadian is all sizzle and no steak.
Jakub Mensik
Big shout out to the agent Corrado who manages both Foki and Struff. Foki was the second match of the day and at the Struff match which went past midnight. Struff defeated Hijikata in a champions tiebreak, he has not done well in Australia as of late. I think Casper Ruud is happy that Struff isn't in his section of the draw.
On that note, the circus never stops.
3 comments:
Welcome back and an excellent write up. It's unsurprising the bigger the event the more unfriendly it becomes as the pursuit of profit dominates all.
The Grenier match was pure entertainment.
As always a great read and that Vicente story too funny.
Excellent match reports as always! Nobody but you can write them and make one feel as if I were there!
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