Here We Go Again

Sorry for the lack of a blog yesterday,  but it takes longer to recover these days and I wish it was from partying,  so there'll be two for the price of one.

Davidovich Fokina vs. Menšík

Both players defeated seeded players in the last round.   Fokina who took out Auger-Aliassime in 5 sets whereas Menšík defeated Norwegian Casper Ruud.  Foki had a poor 2024,  but has made changes and looking to bounce back.  Menšík last year had qualified for the event and is now finding his way on tour.

Menšík was serving from the tree in the first 2 sets,  hitting big bombs and placing the ball well.  Foki came out a bit flat,  lacking energy, could not get into the Menšík service games at all and was struggling to get into the match.  The young Czech took the first 2 sets comfortably.

Foki is one of the more unpredictable players on tour.  There are days when he fights very hard and others not so much.  The challenge so far with Foki is to get the balance right between flair and when to defend,  limiting the bad days,  so far that has been difficult.

In the 3rd set Foki started to serve a little better and Menšík could not keep up that outstanding serving levels.  The first 2 sets went fairly quickly as there weren't many extended rallies.   Foki had decided to change up the return position,  which helped him make more returns as it forced Menšík to look at different options.  Foki was finally able to break serve and tried to work the crowd up.  Then they traded breaks which lead to the tiebreaker.

This was a memorable breaker,  not so much for the standard which was better than before.  Foki saved 2 match points and one in particular, Menšík shanked a forehand return and hit a let cord that went over.  Thankfully Foki saved it and took the 3rd set.

Both players came back from a kit change. Menšík is starting to feel the pinch, he called the trainer. The conditions have changed as it was warm with the sun out,  the balls were flying.  As the shadows came over the court,  slowing it down Foki was making more returns allowing the rallies to be extended where Menšík was being exposed physically.  With a combination of shotmaking and solid net play he was able to take the 4th set, levelling at 2 set all.

Foki was riding the momentum train and raced to a 4-0 lead,  luckily for him he had an insurance break as he had lost serve. At 4-2 Foki was able to break and then served it out to take his second 5 set win a row from 2 set down.   First time he ever made the 4th round here and did not remember saving he matchies.   Good for the game.

Other stuff

One thing about the crowds here,  they are a lot worse behaved before.  This does not come from someone who wants it to be a church,  but there are times to shut up.  Had a few drunk bogans next to me who were very annoying.   One lady apologised,  I said there is only so much you can housetrain them.   Sure it maybe the Kyrgios effect,  but at the same time TA love talking about the record crowds and nothing will change.

Altmaier vs.  Monfils :  Monfils is one cool hombre,  some people are just cool without trying.  I mean 38 years young,  won a title last week,  got the family with him.  Not too sure how long he has left on tour,  his matches are always full.

Altmaier served for the 1st set at 5-4 and sadly played a very poor game to get broken.  Monfils looked a bit gassed and wasn't really serving hard and going for it unless necessary.  Altmaier needed to win that first set for sure,  but he was unable do that or put enough pressure to expose a tired Monfils who will play Fritz next up. Altmaier,  I can see the potential for improvement,  but definitely needs to improve serve and more aggressive on the forehand,  as the single hand backhand is world class.

Etcheverry vs.  Giron :   Tennis is a brutal sport,   some days you play well and lose,  others you play shit and win.   There wasn't much between the players,  but Etcheverry will still be kicking himself for losing this one.

Giron has huge quads and is a calfzilla was moving the ball around with timing,  whereas Etcheverry was pure grunt using the off forehand to pin Giron in the corner.  That was pretty much the match for the 4 sets which were split.  Etcheverry managed to lose twice at 6-5 when serving to stay in the set,  unable to hold his nerve and serve.

Giron towards the end of the fourth required a medical timeout as there were issues with his back and could hardly move on serve.   Etcheverry jumped to an early break in the 5th had points for the double break,  but unable to do so.  Giron struggling with movement was like that turd that won't flush away.  Etcheverry forgets how to play tennis and Giron steals a win.

Coach Horacio de la Pena is very animated during the coaching and at the end was shattered by the defeat.

If Foki wins his next match in 5 sets he will equal his coach Felix Mantilla's record of winning 3 5 set matches in a row.   As those great philosophers once said history never repeats.  I tell myself before I go to sleep.