Tennis: All Purpose Tennis Thread XII

[Hadoop]

Denis took the first set but things didn't go so well after that.

Indeed. A less than happy 20th birthday for him. The clay courts will be a good test of his patience as he is definitely weaker on this surface than others.

 

[Tuggy]

Felix into the 2nd round in straight sets.

He was broken serving for the match but got it done eventually.

He'll need to learn how to close.

Zverev next in a fun matchup.

 

[discostu]

Felix into the 2nd round in straight sets.

He was broken serving for the match but got it done eventually.

He'll need to learn how to close.

Zverev next in a fun matchup.

Jumps up a few slots in the live rankings to be top 30.

Him and Denis play doubles later this morning as well. It will be interesting to see how they do as a pair.

 

[Tuggy]

Canada will be in the Czech Republic this weekend for the Fed Cup WG playoffs.

Gonna be very tough for Canada. No Andreescu.

They are going with Marino, 16 year old Leylah Fernandez and doubles specialist's Dabrowski and Fichman.

Not sure if they'll throw the kid in there in singles or play Dabrowski.

Either way, Canada is big underdogs.

 

[MsMeow]

So Fichman came out of retirement? I've seen her name a couple of times in doubles.

 

[Tuggy]

So Fichman came out of retirement? I've seen her name a couple of times in doubles.

Yeah, I think she is just playing doubles.

 

[Hadoop]

Felix into the 2nd round in straight sets.

He was broken serving for the match but got it done eventually.

He'll need to learn how to close.

Zverev next in a fun matchup.

Nice! Zverev's form is consistently world-class outside of the majors, so this is a good opportunity for Felix to see where his game is at.

 

[Tuggy]

Denis/Felix doubles match is off the schedule. Not exactly sure why, but with Felix playing Zverev tomorrow, could be his team managing the workload.

 

[kihei]

Man, that Monte Carlo crowd looks well dressed and RICH.

 

[kihei]

Nole in three tough sets against Kohlschreiber, and it wasn't pretty. Novak was broken four times in the match, accumulating eight double faults. By the end he was hitting second serves so tentatively that if it wasn't for Kohlschreiber's patented comic ineptness, Nole should have lost the match. Big backhand woes today, too. But he survives to fight another day.

 

[discostu]

Denis/Felix doubles match is off the schedule. Not exactly sure why, but with Felix playing Zverev tomorrow, could be his team managing the workload.

It seems Verdasco/Kohlschreiber have taken their place. I'd like to see them work on their doubles, but, focusing on singles is probably the smarter play.

 

[MsMeow]

 

[MsMeow]

Felix is on now. Ugh. He is broken in his first service game after being up 40-30.

 

[Tuggy]

Yeah it's been a tough start for Felix. Zverev not giving him much.

 

[MsMeow]

This has been a hideous set for Felix. If he doesn't figure it out soon he's going home. 6-1 with 3 breaks.

 

[Tuggy]

This has been a hideous set for Felix. If he doesn't figure it out soon he's going home. 6-1 with 3 breaks.

Yup, not pretty.

Better start to the second though.

Gets the break, up 2-1.

 

[MsMeow]

Yup, not pretty.

Better start to the second though.

Gets the break, up 2-1.

Of course, because I took a shower and missed it!

 

[Tuggy]

Felix gives the break back...

 

[Tuggy]

And Zverev gives the break right back lol

Another break...back on serve.

Zverev holds, Felix to serve to stay in the match at 4-5.

 

[Tuggy]

And Zverev breaks to take the match.

Felix really didn't play with any confidence today.

 

[kihei]

Rafa ravages Bautista-Agut 1 and 1. Clay has magical powers of rejuvenation for Nadal, it seems.

 

[kihei]

Medvedev continues his terrific play this year (and last) with a three-set win over Nole. For Nole, he may not be ready to push the panic button yet but he better keep it handy.

 

[MsMeow]

Medvedev continues his terrific play this year (and last) with a three-set win over Nole. For Nole, he may not be ready to push the panic button yet but he better keep it handy.

Wow, I saw that Medvedev took the first and lost the second. I'm surprised at Nole but it will be interesting to see if he goes into a swoon.

 

[kihei]

Wow, I saw that Medvedev took the first and lost the second. I'm surprised at Nole but it will be interesting to see if he goes into a swoon.

I think that Djokovic might already be in one. He played very passively, relied on the drop shot to distraction, and just muffed some very easy shots all along the way. I don't think it is physical, but whatever it is he better come out of it soon.

 

[kihei]

The spell is broken. In a slugfest reminiscent of the last three sets of their 2015 US Open encounter, Fognini outblasts Nadal 4 and 2. Fabio didn't even look that interested at the start of the tournament, but he came to play today, going for the corners and finding them time and again. A one-sided win on clay against Nadal if there ever was one.