2022 In Between Grand Slam Thread

yerwanthere123 · 17-02-2022 5:22pm

Hope the winner of Dubai comes from the top half. Either one of Ostapenko, Halep or Jabeur is fine with me.

#61 ranked Arthur Rinderknech into the SF's of Doha. He peaked at #48 in January but I've somehow never heard of him, despite the fact he played Kokkinakis in the Adelaide final just a few weeks ago. Guess I was so focused on Thanasi winning I didn't pay any attention whatsoever to his opponent.

yerwanthere123 · 17-02-2022 5:24pm

Meanwhile, De Minaur being investigated on suspicion of buying a fake covid passport.

https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1494338417978605574

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest, I'd imagine he's one of many. Iirc the ATP said a few months back that there'd be serious repercussions for anyone suspected of falsifying any covid related documentation. Let's see how they respond to this.

17-02-2022 6:18pm

Quite ironic that it's Australia's top-ranked male player.

He has put out a statement denying it.

Maybe he's not at fault.

If it was a certain other player there would quite probably be 20 posts about how he should be burnt at the stake yesterday.

A bit reminiscent of all the shade the Brits were throwing on the Italian Olympic 100m winner and then a British sprinter had failed a drug test for not one, but two banned substances it turned out and ended up with their relay team facing being stripped of a silver medal. (even if that Jacobs guy did have "impressive" improvements)

https://www.rfi.fr/en/aussie-tennis-star-de-minaur-investigated-over-false-covid-pass-purchase-scheme

yerwanthere123 · 17-02-2022 7:06pm

Well obviously if a famous, prominent player was accused of doing this, as opposed to a player few casuals have probably heard of, the reaction would be far more scathing.

Ujah failing a test after pointing the finger at Jacobs was delicious though. The Olympics was six months ago now, I wonder when a decision will be made regarding the British medal.

Just saw this from De Minaur now

https://twitter.com/alexdeminaur/status/1494344912560701447

Sounds plausible, so hopefully telling the truth.

klr87 · 18-02-2022 3:56pm

In Dubai, Ostapenko has beaten Halep 2-6 7-6(0) 6-0, her third win in a row from a set down. Quite a turnaround after the first set. Halep was gassed in the third, even though it was not a long match.

Vondrousova gave a walkover to Kudermetova in the other semi-final. Both singles finalists are also in the doubles semis later today, but in different matches.

In other news, Osaka - who couldn't be bothered with the Dubai/Doha swing - has been given a wild card into Indian Wells.

klr87 · 19-02-2022 5:26pm

Ostapenko rolls over Kudermetova 6-0 6-4 in the Dubai final. Kudermetova went up a break at the start of the second, but Ostapenko generally bossed it. This is "only" her 5th singles title, as in she really ought to have won quite a few more by now,

They both get to do it again in the doubles final.

yerwanthere123 · 20-02-2022 12:04am

Always a good day when Ostapenko wins a title 😎 She probably won't win a match for the next three months now, but hey.

In other news, Sara Errani lost to a 14 year old in Guadalajara qualifying tonight. In fairness, she lost to widely-tipped prospect Brenda Fruhvirtová... but still!

yerwanthere123 · 20-02-2022 12:12am

Alcaraz gets revenge on Berrettini, into the SF's of Rio to play Fognini. Hope he'll take the title now, would be his second of what many assume will be many. It actually passed me by that he's already won a title in Umag last Summer.

Delighted to see FAA into his second final in as many weeks, would love to see him take the title in Marseille after just winning his first. Tsitsipas lost in the QF's to #163 ranked Safiullin, bit of a weird result.

My hopes for Shapovalov didn't come good this week, lost in the QF's of Doha to Rinderknech. You'd expect a bit more from a player who's made the top ten and with a grand slam SF and two QF's to his name.

klr87 · 20-02-2022 1:42am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118661318#Comment_118661318

I've heard of Fruhvirtova, but have yet to see her play. She only won her first ITF tournaments earlier this month, two of them back to back in Argentina. She must have a lot of promise to be getting a qualifying WC in Mexico. Maybe the Mouratoglou Academy (where she trains) swung it for her.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118661364#Comment_118661364

Like the South American clay swing in February, those European clay events in July such as Umag tend to pass a lot of people by. You can get all tennised out after Roland Garros, the grass warm-ups and Wimbledon, and lose focus until the North American hard court season.

Girly Gal · 20-02-2022 8:43am

I thought there was a minimum age limit introduced in the WTA a few years back- thought it was set at 16 - which prevented under age players from playing on the tour, to allow them develop properly and help prevent early burn out. It was common enough up until the early noughties for 13 or 14 year olds to start completing on the tour e.g. Capriati, Hingis, Graf etc.

yerwanthere123 · 20-02-2022 1:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118661937#Comment_118661937

The limit is actually 14. A 14 year old can play on the tour but is limited to "8 professional events (WTA & ITF Women's Circuit), no more than 3 of which can have prize money at $60K or greater; plus Fed Cup". Age Eligibility Rules can be seen here on the WTA website.

Itssoeasy · 20-02-2022 7:23pm

Victoria Azarenka is 1-1 in sets against putintseva and in the third set has already got a violation for swearing and slammed her racket into the court.

Itssoeasy · 20-02-2022 7:41pm

Azarenka was 4-0 down in the third set but it’s now 4-3.

yerwanthere123 · 20-02-2022 8:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118664528#Comment_118664528

Thankfully Azarenka gets the job done. Putin even tried the aul 'MTO before opponent serves for important game' trick but thankfully Azarenka pulled through.

Disappointed FAA couldn't get the job done today, but no shame in losing to Rublev.

Alcaraz-Schwartzman coming up later, hoping for title #2 for Alcaraz.

whiterebel · 20-02-2022 9:08pm

Alcaraz - Schwartzman could be an interesting match up.

yerwanthere123 · 20-02-2022 10:23pm

Alcaraz' patience in rallies is remarkable, constructs the point so well and waits for his moment to strike. Beautiful touch at the net too.

klr87 · 20-02-2022 11:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118664679#Comment_118664679

Azarenka isn't exactly without sin herself when it comes to gamesmanship, but Poots is in different league. I'm kicking myself I missed this. It sounds like it had everything.

Brenda Fruhvirtova won her second (and final) round qualifier 6-2 6-1, and is into the main draw in Guadalajara. Her 16-year old sister Linda won a 25K ITF tournament in Cancun, where she beat some decent players en route to the title.

Cam Norrie beat Reilly Opelka in two tie-break sets in the Delray Beach final. There were no breaks in the match, and Opelka had no break points - Norrie was 0/5. Opelka's semi-final win over Millman was in three tie-break sets, although there was one break to each player.

yerwanthere123 · 21-02-2022 12:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118665655#Comment_118665655

True, Azarenka hasn't been an angel throughout her career but, to be fair to her, she left all that behind years ago. Putintseva is 27 now and has been the exact same way since she was a teenager. Here's Azarenka letting rip earlier tonight 🤣

https://twitter.com/tennis_gifs/status/1495472863004045320

Delighted to see Alcaraz win his second title in Rio, many more to come in the upcoming years.

Lots more great tennis coming next week, a lot of eyes will be on Dubai for Djokovic's return. I expect him to win the title without too much trouble, but we'll see.

21-02-2022 2:43am

Alcaraz improving all the time.

Didn't see this match but his shot selection and rally construction was really quite poor at times in Australia vs Berrettini which cost him the tie and I found it disappointing as would have liked to see him face Nadal instead of someone like Berrettini who has a terrible backhand weakness which gave Nadal the match

A grinder like Schwartzman, albeit a good one, was thankfully not able to prevail here

Alcaraz's first ATP 500 - what a player to watch.

whiterebel · 21-02-2022 12:26pm

Alcaraz-Schwartzman looked like good match from the highlights. Some brilliant drop shots from Alcaraz, tough to get right against speedster Diego. Some of Schwartzman's backhand winners in the first set were brilliant.

21-02-2022 8:55pm

Djokovic returns to tennis.

6-3 X 2 vs Musetti who has a record run of 2 wins in a tournament proper ever since he decided to quit on the court at RG vs Djokovic just for the sake of quitting as he admitted himself afterwards.

I said that that was a bad omen for Musetti's future prospects (despite what others protested).

So it has proved.

Now hopefully De Minaur can beat Khachanov to set up Djokovic vs Australia part deux in the second round.

Might see Djokovic "trying a bit" in that match if it happens.

Maybe De Minaur might take a dive here in the first round!?

yerwanthere123 · 22-02-2022 12:18pm

Zverev beats Kozlov in Acapulco, finished at 4.55am local time! Latest finish in tennis history.

whiterebel · 22-02-2022 12:27pm

Zverev really struggled in the first set, got his act together on his serve in the second. Brooksby seemed to be running out of steam, but kept going, in fairness to him. He is one awkward customer, that two handed drop shot is murder, the way he can disguise it. Sascha was afraid to sit down from the end of the 2nd, he seemed to be afraid of cramp. Hardly surprising as the temperature didn't go below 28 degrees all day and night.

22-02-2022 2:21pm

Unfortunately Khachanov beat De Minaur so no Djokovic vs Australia

FAA pulls out of Dubai with back injury (downside of being that tall) after getting back to normal ways with a final loss to Rublev at the ATP 250 in Marseille

klr87 · 22-02-2022 5:29pm

In Doha, Ostapenko continues on her merry way, beating Amanda Anismova 6-3 4-6 6-4, having easily beaten Oceane Dodin yesterday. She plays Krejickova tomorrow, in a repeat of their R3 match at the Australian Open, which Krejickova won 6-4 in the third.

Azarenka has given a walkover to Madison Brengle, robbing us of a potential Azarenka vs Muguruza match in R3.

Murray vs Sinner in Dubai tomorrow could be interesting. Murray won their only previous meeting in Stockholm last autumn.

yerwanthere123 · 23-02-2022 9:04am

Zverev defaulted from Acapulco for behaviour during a doubles match.

Royale with Cheese · 23-02-2022 10:00am

https://youtu.be/4g58OtknXYA

Stay classy Zverev

dublin49 · 23-02-2022 10:20am

Zverev gives some further evidence of his uncontrollable temper,his ex may recognize this behaviour.

whiterebel · 23-02-2022 10:48am

Shocking behaviour from Zverev. Right in front of lots of kids too. Hopefully the punishment really hurts.

poppy37 · 23-02-2022 11:51am

The ATP are certainly taking their time over the investigation into the domestic violence allegations made by Zverev’s former girlfriend. This kind of behaviour doesn’t help his case at all.

I see Radacanu retired injured in her match last night against Daria Gavrilova now playing under her married name Saville. The match was already in play for over three hours and Saville was struggling with cramp when Radacanu retired with a hip injury. Hopefully her stamina and fitness improves in the near future or it could be a very short lived career.

cannonballTaffyOjones · 23-02-2022 12:12pm

Thats the worst I've ever seen from a tennis pro, almost assault on the umpire there, he would have been genuinely frightened, I see a general ban coming.

cannonballTaffyOjones · 23-02-2022 12:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677391#Comment_118677391

I feel the British pressure will destroy her, this wimbledon should be very telling ... can you imagine Sue Barker and the BBC ???

Christ it will be (Henman*Murray)^10

poppy37 · 23-02-2022 12:38pm

Yeah you are right, I’m beginning to feel sorry for her even though I’m not a fan of her game. Winning the US Open could be the worst thing that has happened to her, the hype and pressure is way too much and she hasn’t helped matters with her red carpet appearances and promotional deals. She needs to get the head down, concentrate on her fitness and stamina, and enter more lower level tournaments. Her current level of play is more related to top 60-80 than top 20.

Gavrilova is a tough cookie too and is only ranked so low because she has missed over a year with Achilles problems. She’s a grinder that will stay out on court all day especially against an opponent who doesn’t have any huge weapon in their game.

All is not lost yet and she could do worse than have a chat with Murray who also struggled with his stamina in the early days as did Djokovic, it all depends on how much she wants it really.

I’m already dreading the Wimbledon hype and she has a lot of points to defend there as well.

josip · 23-02-2022 3:03pm

Nice touch that Zverev made sure the youngest kid at the gate got his souvenir racquet 😀

redlad12 · 23-02-2022 3:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677629#Comment_118677629

Winning the us open worst thing to happen to her haha. Think of the class players who have never won a slam. Ridiculous comment in my opinion.

klr87 · 23-02-2022 3:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118677391#Comment_118677391

3 hours 36 minutes for the Raducanu-Saville match. Had it ran its course to (say) 7-6 or 7-5, it could have been 4 hours long.

No such worries for Ostapenko, who just has taken care of Krejickova in Dubai, 6-3, 6-2, in under 75 minutes. 8 wins in a row matches her career best, which she has done twice before. She will also overtake Raducanu in the rankings next week.

I've just seen a clip of that Zverev incident. He really doesn't have a leg to stand on. Karolina Pliskova did something similar in Rome a few years ago after losing to Maria Sakkari, but she aimed her racket at the side of the chair. Although she was fined, she escaped serious sanction, supposedly because other senior players intervened on her behalf (it was a really, really bad call that upset her at a critical point in the match).

23-02-2022 4:02pm

Mad from Zverev - especially considering that it was just a doubles match.

Moronic stuff.

Raducanu, nice girl etc but that has nothing to do with the tennis where she has a pretty limited overall tennis game (e.g. doesn't seem to have a running forehand for one thing, although not alone in that on the WTA and volleying is not really a feature) and it remains to be seen if it can be added to to be competitive over a career.

The task of adding more strings to the bow at a high level is pretty difficult.

12th in the world rankings (having actually moved up 3 places after the Australian Open despite having only made the 2nd round purely due to the inconsistency of last years' entrants) and that is going to face a precipitous drop after this years' US Open most likely.

I don't think that even the BBC can hype her up too much if the results have not improved dramatically by the time Wimbledon rolls around.

whiterebel · 23-02-2022 4:42pm

One of the weirdest matches ever last yesterday with Dimitrov and Kozlov. I don't know was Dimitrov put off by the whole thing, but he seemed very gracious in defeat and tried to help him with the cramps. He seemed to ease up, maybe expecting Kozlov to throw in the towel?

The court in Cancun is so slow, it makes clay look like grass. Could probably give the trophy to Nadal now.

whiterebel · 23-02-2022 4:58pm

Just saw Millman having to retire yesterday as well, with a freak accident. This is becoming a very strange week

23-02-2022 7:23pm

Monfils pulls out of Davis Cup, probably after vaccine booster reaction he says

This follows three consecutive tournament withdrawals.

For high-level sports-people where it's their livelihood, their career or their achievements at stake it's not the same consideration as Joe or Mary Soap tbh, more especially in the Omicron world which since the turn of the year is the dominant variant worldwide where huge spread is happening everywhere regardless of vaccination rates and infection mild for fit athletes in the prime of their life

"I want to give you some news following my recent tournament withdrawals," the 35-year-old Frenchman said on social media. "I have been experiencing a small health issue (probably from my third dose). Upon the advice of my doctor, I have decided to take some time to rest. I cannot, unfortunately, play Davis Cup next week. I hope to come back in the United States."

https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/gael-monfils-won-t-play-davis-cup-criticizes-vaccine-speculation-covid-19

23-02-2022 9:50pm

Alcaraz -> more stats on his rise so far to the Top 20

Youngest player since 1993 to crack the ATP Top 20

Nobody currently younger than him the top 250 players on the ATP tour.

I see that he's out with an elbow injury after his Rio win - can be tricky.

Hopefully not anything serious as he's one of the best players on tour to watch.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-historic-top-20-breakthrough

24-02-2022 11:59am

Andy "Wildcard" Murray's "comeback trail" rolls on after Sinner dispatches him 7-5 6-2

He still has no appointed coach and is not playing clay this year.

His old coach is making some headway with Shapo who could well match up with Djokovic in the semis in Dubai which could be an interesting test.

Murray has been pretending to forget how the professional commercial sport business model works again also I see also - would have thought that was clear enough at this point for him really?

Seriously, if one drew a fair analogy to the movie business, it's like saying that Tommy Lee Jones should be the same as Jennifer Lawrence even though Jennifer Lawrence can directly influence way more movie ticket revenue and produce higher ancillaries (sponsor product placement etc).

yerwanthere123 · 24-02-2022 4:42pm

The Zverev video got deleted so here it is again incase anyone didn't see it

https://twitter.com/KevinNegandhi/status/1496631301075611650

There was also this from the same match

https://twitter.com/NosolohayFut_/status/1496367714197282816

Of course he's also got previous form for abusing umpires

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNn4jSWLAoY

It'd be great if the ATP actually took some kind of a stand on this and gave him a ban. Doesn't have to be for very long, maybe a 2-3 month ban would suffice. Just send the message that this sh*t shouldn't be allowed to go down. My guess is they'll stick their heads in the sand though and wait for it to blow over. I mean, they've already announced they'll be returning to China this year, so..

24-02-2022 5:00pm

Djokovic playing pretty shite against world the current no. 121 left-hander Veselý who is a big brute of a physique and has lost the first set.

Veselý won their only previous meeting back in 2016.

yerwanthere123 · 24-02-2022 5:10pm

#1 ranking on the line here. Vesely would also lead the h2h 2-0 if he can get the job done, there can't be many players who can say that against Djokovic? Although Kyrgios is one 😬

whiterebel · 24-02-2022 6:09pm

Wow, Vesely wins. Medvedev new No1. Who'd a thunk.

tiegan · 24-02-2022 6:09pm

Djokovic out!! Sloppy game he played, looked out of practice

yerwanthere123 · 24-02-2022 6:16pm

Medvedev the new World #1, a good day 😎

Djokovic looked a bit rusty at this stage of the season, I wonder what he could've done to avoid that? 🤔

yerwanthere123 · 24-02-2022 6:22pm

I wonder how many players have a winning h2h against Djokovic? Must be a pretty select group.

Ostapenko routs Muguruza. Has now won 9 consecutive matches and defeated 6 grand slam champions along the way. Didn't have Ostapenko steamrolling her way through the Middle-Eastern swing on my 2022 bingo card, but I'm enjoying it! Hope she can keep it going.

klr87 · 24-02-2022 6:23pm

The first three quarter-finals in Dubai have all gone with recent form

Sakkari d, Gauff 6-3 6-3

Kontaveit d. Jabeur 6-4 6-1

Ostapenko d. Muguruza 6-2 6-2

I didn't see the first match. Kontaveit was very impressive, but Ostapenko even more so: 39 winners and 21 UEs against 5 & 10 for Muguruza, Sabalenka and Swiatek are up in the last match of the day.

2022 In Between Grand Slam Thread

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