Tata Open Maharashtra, Pune, India, ATP 250

[herios]

I agree with you on this. He committed briefly, and injuries don't explain the rest.

I don't need to split hairs regarding Ernie's career. He is inconsistent. He is not the only one, many are.
He is just more than others. No biggie.

 

[herios]

I think this is directly related to the amount of money involved and nothing else.

The prize money is identical to the Brisbane event, I doubt that is the criteria.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The prize money is identical to the Brisbane event, I doubt that is the criteria.

Doha pays much higher than both Brisbane and Pune. I guess the identical prize money at play in Brisbane/Pune is probably the minimum you need to dole out to run a ATP250. But, Brisbane bribes people to come and play there. Pune does not. Also, Brisbane has advantage in the sense that people who want to be in Australia early and get adjusted to the time zone would prefer to play there as opposed to the other two places.

 

[britbox]

Quarter-final ..

1-Kevin Anderson (RSA) beat 7-Jaume Munar (ESP) 6-3 6-3
3-Gilles Simon (FRA) beat 5-Benoit Paire (FRA) 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4
Steve Darcis (BEL) beat 4-Malek Jaziri (TUN) 7-5 6-2
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) beat Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 7-6(5) 7-6(5)

 

[britbox]

Doha pays much higher than both Brisbane and Pune. I guess the identical prize money at play in Brisbane/Pune is probably the minimum you need to dole out to run a ATP250. But, Brisbane bribes people to come and play there. Pune does not. Also, Brisbane has advantage in the sense that people who want to be in Australia early and get adjusted to the time zone would prefer to play there as opposed to the other two places.

What do you mean "Brisbane bribes people to come and play there"?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

What do you mean "Brisbane bribes people to come and play there"?

Check OED, the 7th definition is given below.

"bribe"

7. An appearance fee paid to a player to participate in an itsy-bitsy 250 tourney.

 

[britbox]

Check OED, the 7th definition is given below.

"bribe"

7. An appearance fee paid to a player to participate in an itsy-bitsy 250 tourney.

 

[isabelle]

great for Darcis, he seems to come back strong

 

[britbox]

Semi-final

1-Kevin Anderson (RSA) beat 3-Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-3 7-6(3)





Ivo Karlovic (CRO) beat Steve Darcis (BEL) 7-6(3) 4-6 6-3



Final

Anderson v Karlovic

Anderson leads the H2H 3-1

2014 FO - RG R32 Clay Kevin Anderson Ivo Karlovic 6-3
2014 Delray Beach R16 Hard Kevin Anderson Ivo Karlovic 1-0 Ret'd
2013 Bogota SF Hard Ivo Karlovic Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-7(4) 6-3
2011 Queen's R64 Grass Kevin Anderson Ivo Karlovic 6-4 7-6(2)

 

[Moxie]

I don't think anyone is really interested in this tall-man, big serving final. But good on Karlovic for still hanging in at his age.

 

[mrzz]

I am actually watching it! It is on TV here in some sports channel. Not exactly the most entertaining thing, but Karlovic is a pure S&V player like someone from 40 years ago, so it is kind of fun to see (ok, I have my lap top on my lap and I am finishing some latte work at the same time). He has very good hands at the net. What kills him is his pour ground strokes (more than his movement). He has just won the second set.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

I am actually watching it! It is on TV here in some sports channel. Not exactly the most entertaining thing, but Karlovic is a pure S&V player like someone from 40 years ago, so it is kind of fun to see (ok, I have my lap top on my lap and I am finishing some latte work at the same time). He has very good hands at the net. What kills him is his pour ground strokes (more than his movement). He has just won the second set.

Mostly his BH.He can rip some wicked FHs from time-to-time.

 

[mrzz]

Mostly his BH.He can rip some wicked FHs from time-to-time.

Yes, but in specific conditions. From the back court, only when the ball is well above his hips. His rally forehand is still poor. One thing he does well with the forehand is the approach shot on slow balls in the middle of the court. He takes those on the rise, applies some middle pace in a wide angle.

Match just finished and Anderson won in the third set tie-break. Karlovic had it in his racquet serving at 5-4, but lost the two points with good second serve returns from Anderson. Fair as I think the referee made a bad call that cost Anderson the first mini-break.

 

[herios]

Just read that this was the tallest final of an ATP event in the open era.
At the same time, it could be one of the oldest finals as well.
Anderson winning at 32 an event is not unusual these days, but when his opponent is 39, it means the average of the 2 finalists was 35.5.

 

[Moxie]

No surprise it went 3 TBs. Nice for Anderson. I hate to begrudge Karlovic. He's meant to be a sweet guy, and after that terrible health scare a couple of years back. But I just can't watch him play.

 

[britbox]