Tag Archives: Benneteau

Interesting Times

Kuala Lumpur, Final Sousa d. Benneteau, 2/6 7/5 6/4 “I took my chance, it didn’t pay off and it’s hard, it’s hard, it’s very hard. But it’s sport.” Not immediately but surprisingly quickly, Julien Benneteau grew philosophical about his loss … Continue reading

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A Tepid Glow

Sao Paulo, San Jose, Rotterdam: Finals Rafael Nadal won a tournament on clay, again. Julien Benneteau finished runner-up, again. Milos Raonic won San Jose, again. Whatever else one might expect from men’s tennis in February, do not expect the unexpected, … Continue reading

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Obscure Trivia and the Pursuit Thereof

Rotterdam, Quarterfinals Momentous events are unfolding, at least as the term ‘momentous’ is understood within the constricting parameters of men’s professional tennis in February. Of the three events being conducted this week, two managed to lose their defending champions within … Continue reading

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There Has Been Only One

Last year there were ten players (all men) who claimed their maiden titles on the ATP Tour, although history remains coy about what indignities they visited upon them after that. This year, in an outcome doubtless endorsed by immortal Scotsmen … Continue reading

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A Gibbering Wreck

Olympic Games, Day Three My patriotic commitment to follow the planet’s least understated sporting festival in real time was always going to result in total exhaustion eventually, given the cruel decision to stage it ten time zones in the past. … Continue reading

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Top Shelf Trogglehumpers

Wimbledon, Days Four and Five The BFG was getting more distressed every moment. ‘Oh bash my eyebones!’ he cried, waving the jar in the air. ‘I come all this way to get lovely golden dreams and what is I catching?’ … Continue reading

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Sodden Balls, A Tin Sky

Monte Carlo Masters, Third Round Haase d. Bellucci, 6/2 6/3 Last week in Casablanca, Robin Haase, not the latest great hope of Dutch tennis but still arguably the best, lost to Lamine Ouahab, ranked No.752. It was another low point … Continue reading

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Hardcourt Retrospective 2012 (Part Two)

This is Part Two of my look back at some of the players for whom the hardcourt season proved definitive, for better or for worse. The selection of players discussed might seem odd, although this is hopefully only because it … Continue reading

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Stern, Assured and Aromatic

Brisbane, First Round (8) Tomic d. Benneteau, 6/2 4/6 7/5 Baghdatis d. Harrison, 7/6 6/4 Mixed results for the scourge of troubled youths in Brisbane. Bernard Tomic showed a stern and rare manliness in overcoming Julien Benneteau in three sets. … Continue reading

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The Undemonstrative Frenchman

Winston-Salem, Final (4) Isner d. (Q) Benneteau, 4/6 6/3 6/4 Julien Benneteau is a player I would say I have a lot of time for, and I even believe it as I say it, but the truth is that I’ve … Continue reading

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