Djoke out in his 1st match to a LL. There were actually folks picking him to win this event w/ Bean on a ban.
Fiero425
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As with Novak going down to Van de Zandschulp in the 2nd Rd.! This now makes 3 straight losses going back to A.O. SF ret. vs Sascha!
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MargaretMcAleer
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No 6 seed Djokovic out, four of the Top 7 mens seeds have now lost their opening matches, Zverev (1) Ruud (4) Rublev (7)
Alcaraz (2) Fritz (3) Medvedev (5) are the only Top 7 seeds still in the draw.
Alcaraz (2) Fritz (3) Medvedev (5) are the only Top 7 seeds still in the draw.
MargaretMcAleer
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Good to see Griekspoor backing up his biggest win, ( Zverev), defeating Perricard (29) 76(3) 63 he handled Perricards serve brillantly
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El Dude
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El Dude
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I know we all like to bag on the Greek, but I'm starting to believe. He's just cutting through people like butter. His revived backhand and new racket seem to be doing wonders....I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes the year in the top 5, ahead of Medvedev and Zverev. In fact, he might be my third favorite for RG, after Alcaraz and Sinner (and considering Novak's struggles).
MargaretMcAleer
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It is strange that Stefanos after changing to a new racket he has found his game? his return and his bhand return has improved out of sight, his best surface to me is the clay, we shall see, I am still not sold on him yet., though the gritty surface and slower conditions at IW does suit his game
In regards to Sinner, clay isnt his best surface, though he did reach the SFs last year, lets see how he goes at Rome first I still rate Alcaraz as the favorite on current standings
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MargaretMcAleer
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Michelsen (31) had to retire in his match against Mededvev 0-2, apparently a case of food poisioning
Moxie
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This is a little late, but I haven't had much posting time or energy. Just to say I'm not sure how many people saw all or most of those 2 big upsets, (Zverev and Djokovic,) but they were kind of interesting. Definitely not especially good matches, and the Zverev one was downright weird in ways. But I don't think that just anyone could have pulled off these upsets, and it wasn't just a matter of the locker room smelling blood in the water.
Zverev had a woeful 1st serve pct. for the first set and into the 2nd, but did very well off his 2nd serve. Obv. he could have won in straights, but Griekspoor was very dogged. The momentum swings in that match were crazy. Zed was also guilty of some passiveness, which is a flaw of his, but it was not for lack of wanting that match, or getting petulant, or lots of the things I often fault him for. I was even rather pulling for him to win it...he's too good to be moving in the direction he's going right now. Griekspoor was sturdy, though, and kept his nose to the grindstone that whole match.
Van de Zandschulp was a little bit the man for the job to beat Novak, given his solid and growing Giant Killer credentials. When he first broke Novak, and every time thereafter, he never showed one bit of emotion. Like, "this could all change in a moment, so don't get ahead of yourself." Belief, because he'd had the big wins before, did help, though. Novak was a hot mess in the first set. But when he got the break in the 2nd, it looked like he'd settled in and was finding his rhythm, and the lines. Even he has said, though, that it doesn't just click back together as quickly as it used to.
Is anyone else wondering if Novak plays Miami? I mean, one more HC tournament before the clay season...is it worth it? He seems to need the match play. Or, should he just take it easy and start early prep for the clay season, because what he wants is the Major win.
Zverev had a woeful 1st serve pct. for the first set and into the 2nd, but did very well off his 2nd serve. Obv. he could have won in straights, but Griekspoor was very dogged. The momentum swings in that match were crazy. Zed was also guilty of some passiveness, which is a flaw of his, but it was not for lack of wanting that match, or getting petulant, or lots of the things I often fault him for. I was even rather pulling for him to win it...he's too good to be moving in the direction he's going right now. Griekspoor was sturdy, though, and kept his nose to the grindstone that whole match.
Van de Zandschulp was a little bit the man for the job to beat Novak, given his solid and growing Giant Killer credentials. When he first broke Novak, and every time thereafter, he never showed one bit of emotion. Like, "this could all change in a moment, so don't get ahead of yourself." Belief, because he'd had the big wins before, did help, though. Novak was a hot mess in the first set. But when he got the break in the 2nd, it looked like he'd settled in and was finding his rhythm, and the lines. Even he has said, though, that it doesn't just click back together as quickly as it used to.
Is anyone else wondering if Novak plays Miami? I mean, one more HC tournament before the clay season...is it worth it? He seems to need the match play. Or, should he just take it easy and start early prep for the clay season, because what he wants is the Major win.
MargaretMcAleer
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From what I am hearing Novak is heading to Miami along with his coach Andy Murray unless his plans will change
I agree he needs match play, and yes he does have his sights on winning RG, playing Miami and winning a few matches, might be what the doctor ordered, though it wont give him the clay practice he will needs. I am also curious to see how many tournaments he will play before RG?
In regards to Zverev who stated he thinks he can win RG that was before his woeful results at the Golden Swing, and now going out in his first round match at IW
Zverev said he knows he is playing bad and will head to Miami to practice hard, I mean it is the same old song with Zverev he has a lead and loses? how many times have we all seen that movie script over the years.? our game is 80% mental and he just hasnt got the mentality to win in front or behind in a tennis match
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Moxie
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The racquet change worked for Roger's one-hander, late career, so could help, but I'm with you as to preferring to wait a bit on the New Tsitsipas.
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New Tsitsipas is exactly the old Tsitsipas. The prick has spent a lot of time in the top ten so it was to be expected that at some point he would string some good results again. I have saw some of this recent matches and there is nothing special there, specially the backhand...
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Federer's backhand didn't change that abruptly or even fast by any means after the racquet change in 2014. To me it was more a change in attitude than anything else. Nobody was talking about a neo backhand before 2017.... The racquet change helped? Sure, but maybe more the forehand than anything else (way less shanks).
Moxie
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Well, he's got some renewed confidence, which he's needed. Zverev's confidence is in the toilet.
MargaretMcAleer
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Fiero425
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Some people can't handle the heights of being elite in tennis! So many guys have gotten to #2 never to be seen or heard from again including Michael Stich who's highest rank was #2 in '93, long after def. Becker at Wimbledon to win in '91! I still SMH when Magnus Norman is referred as '#2' in the world! I was atually paying attention back then, but totally missed his ascension to YE #2; sorta like when Massú won Olympic Gold in 2004 in Athens! WHO?
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Who the heck is this Japanese kid that took Big Toe for a ride? Rode him right outta here in straights! Look up and see Ferreira in his box. Now it all makes sense, he coached his new charge to beat his old one. Oops Frances. 
MargaretMcAleer
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I did a bit of research on Yosuke Watanuki, he missed 7 months last season with a knee injury, entered IW with a PR into qualifying, ( ranked 349 ) beats 2 Top 20's players, reaches his first Masters 4th round,Who the heck is this Japanese kid that took Big Toe for a ride? Rode him right outta here in straights! Look up and see Ferreira in his box. Now it all makes sense, he coached his new charge to beat his old one. Oops Frances.
