Category Archives: ATP Tour
Structural Reforms
Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, Final Nadal d. Ferrer, 6/2 6/4 There’s not much to say about the Barcelona final that wasn’t said about the Monte Carlo final. Rafael Nadal sliced David Ferrer to ribbons in both, although we might say … Continue reading
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Those Bedroom Thighs
Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, Semifinals Nadal d. Dodig, 6/3 6/2 Ferrer d. Almagro, 6/3 6/4 Sadly, RFET’s Davis Cup kerfuffle has dominated tennis headlines, and has thus easily claimed line honours as Bummer of the Week. Although somewhat overshadowed, there … Continue reading
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All Bets Are Off
Monte Carlo Masters 1000, Final Nadal d. Ferrer, 6/4 7/5 I am proud to declare, without a trace of deceit, that I picked Rafael Nadal to win the Monte Carlo Masters. Impressive, I know, but quell your awe. Stay your … Continue reading
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A Very Difficult Opponent
Monte Carlo Masters 1000, Semifinals Nadal d. Murray, 6/4 2/6 6/1 Rafael Nadal has moved through to his seventh consecutive Monte Carlo final, a necessary step towards his inevitable seventh Monte Carlo title, but the real story today was Andy … Continue reading
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What About Me?
Monte Carlo Masters 1000, Quarterfinals Melzer d. Federer, 6/4 6/4 It is a fine point whether losing to his close contemporary and closer buddy Jurgen Melzer will scar Roger Federer more deeply than losing to, say, Rafael Nadal, or even … Continue reading
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Humble Pie
Monte Carlo Masters 1000, Second Round Robredo d. Verdasco, 6/4 6/3 Almagro d. M Gonzalez, 6/7 7/5 7/6 By losing today to Tommy Robredo – and the scoreboard does the flaccidity of the loss scant justice – Fernando Verdasco has … Continue reading
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Band-chariots and Backstops
Monte Carlo Masters 1000, Second Round Raonic d. Gulbis, 6/4 7/5 Can you envisage the chaos that results when bandwagons collide? What does a bandwagon even look like? (It looks like this.) As a metaphor for the slavish and temporary … Continue reading
The Sin of Pride
US Men’s Clay Court Championship, Final Sweeting d. Nishikori, 6/4 7/6 Ryan Sweeting is a generally unappealing piece of work, and perhaps the most ironically named tennis player since the diminutive Sebastien Grosjean bestrode the court. At least, on his … Continue reading
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Back and Forth
US Men’s Clay Court Championship, Quarterfinals Karlovic d. Isner, 6/7 7/6 7/6 As advertisements for professional tennis go, you could probably come up with something less enticing than Ivo Karlovic versus John Isner, but you’d have to get creative. It … Continue reading
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Hardcourt Retrospective (Part 2)
Welcome to my continuing look back at the hardcourt season just ended. The first part, which goes into slightly more detail about why I’m even bothering, can be found here. Part One looked at the top players. This part examines … Continue reading
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