A Standing O for Big 'Fo!

[markowitz]

Frances Tiafoe came into his match in Cincy today against Sasha Zverev ranked exactly 70 ranking spots behind the German. But in a tough three-setter, the young American, a year younger than Zverev at 20, Tiafoe prevailed when a weary Zverev backhand sailed long. Tiafoe gave Zverev a hug at the net that the German half-reciprocated and then danced, juked, jumped his way across the court to his team where he slapped palms with his twin brother. Tiafoe’s post-match celebrating was almost as big as his win.

The D.C. native has shown a penchant for not backing down against bigger, much higher-ranked opponents. Before beating a qualifier in the first round of Cincy, Tiafoe had not won a match on the ATP circuit since downing Robin Haase at Wimbledon in the first round. In the second round, Tiafoe was toasted by Zverev in straight sets. His US hardcourt season was proving to be a dud with losses to Lorenzi, Kokkanaikis and Millman, not exactly a Murderer’s Row, and his win today was tainted as Zverev was coming off titles in D.C. and Montreal. But still, Tiafoe has the hops on the live arm to possibly be an elite player unlike the other 19-year-old he has left behind in his dust, Stefan Kozlov.

Right now Donaldson rules the roost of the young Americans, but Tiafoe, Paul and Fritz are all still alive and well with Kozlov, Rubin and Mmoh having faltered and Escobedo and Opelka not winning much, but still showing great potential. One thing is certain, Tiafoe is hungry and he’s coming.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Chazz, Very interesting match Fritz vs Tennys. I will try to tune in.

 

[markowitz]

Dan Markowitz writes:

I love Mannarino's game. He's another lefty who really has a high tennis IQ. He doesn't have any big weapons, but he's winning on guile. Qball might've been saving himself which is why I really don't like or trust Cincy because I don't think most of the players go full out. Tuesday Aug 22 is first day of USO Qualis. My favorite day of the tennis year. Just love being out at Flushing Meadows again with the tournament starting and three weeks of big time tennis ahead of us. If Brydan Klein plays on either Tues or Weds, I'll be there and would love to have any Tennis-Prose readers/posters come over and say hello, root for Brydan and talk tennis.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

scoopmalinowski writes:

Querrey was apparently going all out. After losing and shaking hands, Q went shake chair umps hand but tv camera guy was in his way. Q said to him "fu@$ outta my way." Saw the short vid by tv camera guy on twitter.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

Looking at the real time rankings, Donaldson has now moved ahead of Donald Young to #56. It's been a remarkable climb for JD, who I think started the year in the 80s.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I'd say Donaldson is the biggest US surprise. He looked so deflated and harmless as a player losing in the Miami Open qualies and then in the main draw after he Lucky Losered his way in. I was so close to sticking a fork in his career right there. But it just goes to show that you can't count anyone out at any time. Self-belief, hard work and the right coach can revive a broken player. Kozlov needs a different voice right now. I guess it's safe to say a lot of players need a different voice. And just to keep punching, keep pounding that ball.

 

[markowitz]

Dan Markowitz writes:

I am surprised by Donaldson's rise, but if you look at his background, he has done his junior career and now nascent pro career, the best way. Going to Argentina to train and then working with Dent and now Gambill, two very fine players themselves. It seems JD and Tiafoe are both going with solid former players to coach them, and recent ones, unlike Craig Boynton and David Nainkin.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Duke Carnoustie writes:

Once again, buzzkill Isner stifles our American dreamers. He crushed Paul and dismissed Tiafoe - who will learn that you don't celebrate like that with plenty of work left in the week. Expect Isner to similarly demolish Donaldson as well. This men's draw stinks and the women's event is much better.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Isner is still very dangerous and he can get hot at any time. Like right now. I would not count Donaldson out yet. Horrific loss by Keys, blowing three match points to Muguruthless. First time Keys lost to Muguruthless who is clearly the best player in the world right now.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

It has to be frustrating for younger players to see 32 year old Izzy winning or nearly winning every match he plays largely because of his serve, while not needing to expend as much energy. He gets in a 15-40 and serves his way out of it by hitting a couple 140 mph serves. He could probably play until he's 45 if he wants to.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

You have to like where Keys and Stephens are right now. They are both capable of beating anyone on the tour. Barring any injury setbacks, next year looks like a return to the top 10 for Keys and maybe 15 or 20 for Stephens.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Duke Carnoustie writes:

Chazz, Fritz clobbered Sandgren 2 and 2. I did not see it, did you? I'm a little surprised after last week's match was tight. I say the Fritz Express is gaining steam just as much as Tiafoe beating a worn-down Zverev.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

I didn't see it Duke but was also surprised at the score. Hopefully it means Fritz has figured some things out rather than Sandgren just being injured or fatigued. I'm hoping for no first round exits among Nextgens in the Open in a couple weeks.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

If the success of Ivo at 38 is any indication, Isner is going to continue to frustrate the ATP and American #NEXTGEN players for at least another six years. Isner said something interesting in Washington that he has never really had any serious injury as a pro and that he works very hard on his fitness and body maintenance. Ivo's best success has come post 30 and I think Isner's best results are ahead also.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Chazz; Keys and Sloane have shown they are capable of beating anyone for years now. Now they just have to do it when it really counts. Both are capable of being top five players.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Fritz is clearly breaking out of his slump now. Tuned in and it was over. It's a very good win to beat Sandgren like that because Sandgren is at the top of his game right now but he could be a bit fatigued after a long successful summer. Could have been a subconscious tank to center all his focus and energies on US Open. Sandgren and Fritz both still looking for their first Grand Slam main draw match win.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Murray confirms he will play US Open.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

dan markowitz writes:

Nice to hear Murray's in. Bit problem with Izzy is he's had only one qf in a slam. That says something about his inability to play well in five set matches. Dr. Ivo I believe is the same way. I can't remember him ever making a deep run in a slam. Maybe Wimpy once he reached qf. So it's nice and dandy these guys play well in smaller events, but they're not going to be top 10 players for the most part. They're in Spadea category with one slam qf and Spadea really made that one slam qf with a career win over Agassi, but then in qf he got mauled by Haas. So it's not like Spadea reached qt's and then lost a tough five set match. I thought when Donaldson dropped Dent he was in trouble, but Gambill all along has more comparable game to JD than Dent did. Two handed backhanderr, more grinding baselines than a consummate net charger like Dent. Gambill's probably the one guy coaching a player right now who had the most success on the tour. There's Chang, but I don't see him out with Nishikori much. I guess Looby had a career similar to Gambill, but longer. Lendl's a part time coach at best.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Muguruza, Pliskova, Goerges go through. Muguruza in long 3 setter. Stephens coming back v Makarova. All interesting matches.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Gambill is a brilliant tennis mind. Has wins over Sampras and Hewitt. I interviewed him for Facing Hewitt, Facing Sampras an my Rios book and he's a very smart interesting guy. No doubt that Donaldson's rise is due in large part to Gambill's presence, instruction and inspiration. As he told me in Wash Dc he always tries to inspire Donaldson in different creative ways. Trust me, Gambill is the goods. He also told me for Facing Sampras that he felt he had better ground strokes than Pete.