ATP ATP 2023

[Drummond]

ADM was impressive, a comfortable win. Clean ball striking, just looked really efficient. He even spoke some French at the end of his on-court interview, wow! And spoke it very well! Faces Bonzi, in the QF, very winnable however the local is very talented.

And I thought I was losing my mind not being able to see Fils’ reply because I swear he was scheduled. Sinner handed him a walkover! Knew he would’ve been fatigued but didn’t expect that, I wonder why he didn’t withdraw prior to the tournament and giving a LL his spot? Maybe he thought he‘d be okay. Anyway Fils into the QF and faces Wawrinka. Wins and he sets up a possible clash with ADM.

 

[Drummond]

Just watched FAA vs Davidovich Fokina, great match, very high standard. I’m really interested to follow ADF as I honestly think if it all clicks he could be something really good. Has an enjoyable game, beautiful groundstrokes, probably just needs more free points off serve. The commentator said it’s, for the want of a better word, a “lazy“ serve. And I can see why he would say that. More than capable of 200kph+ but often just plays it safe. Up the serve, hit a little closer to lines, and I don’t see why he why he can’t have some really great results. Only 23, plenty of time.

With the win FAA books another match against Medvedev. He needs to win and I think this court is certainly better for him than Rotterdam was.

Worth mentioning Bernard Tomic saved a MP in spectacular fashion and beat his first top 100 opponent since 2021 in a challenger tournament. Say what you want about Bernie but I’m happy for him, it’s a long road back but I’m enjoying his application.

 

[samFFC]

Murray saving three match points at 0-40 and then breaking!
Bravo!

 

[Gigantic]

Oh man, Murray. What a player he is.

 

[FreoRicci]

5 match point saved. That’s crazy from Murray. Into a final. Who would’ve thought

 

[AdelaideGT]

Worth mentioning Bernard Tomic saved a MP in spectacular fashion and beat his first top 100 opponent since 2021 in a challenger tournament. Say what you want about Bernie but I’m happy for him, it’s a long road back but I’m enjoying his application.

And then retires in that match..

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Murray what a week he's having.

ADM badly beaten in his QF.

 

[Some Idiot]

And then retires in that match..

I think he's retired in his last 3 tournaments? Just hard to see how he's going to re-learn how to play 5 setters if he retires to conserve energy whenever he's down a set and a break

 

[FreoRicci]

Don’t doubt Alcaraz, but the last two tournaments has been hideously woeful in terms of competition. Just hand him the 500 points.

 

[Drummond]

Murray saving three match points at 0-40 and then breaking!
Bravo!

Unbelievable. The big chances were the first on Murray’s serve, missed a FH, and then one at 40-30 on serve, had a half court backhand and instead of going after it he simply bunted it back. Otherwise it was Murray coming up cluch. Lehecka missed two awful shots when it got back to deuce though. That was a choke. I know he’s young and rapidly improving with a bright future, but man, you can’t throw away those matches. Makes me wonder about the mental toughness, which obviously is massive.

As for Med/FAA, it’s a bit deflating watching the guy you want to win just be incapable of doing so because of a matchup. Med too strong, 6-0 now H2H. Felix backhand just lets him down too often, and Med too solid from the baseline. Did well to fight back in both sets, in the first was down 4-2 and 15-40 but got it back to 4-4 40-15 then broken, and in the second down a break at 3-2 but forced a TB and had 3 set points but couldn’t convert.

And Fils beat Wawrinka comfortably to book another SF. What a month he’s having.

 

[FreoRicci]

Unbelievable. The big chances were the first on Murray’s serve, missed a FH, and then one at 40-30 on serve, had a half court backhand and instead of going after it he simply bunted it back. Otherwise it was Murray coming up cluch. Lehecka missed two awful shots when it got back to deuce though. That was a choke. I know he’s young and rapidly improving with a bright future, but man, you can’t throw away those matches. Makes me wonder about the mental toughness, which obviously is massive.

As for Med/FAA, it’s a bit deflating watching the guy you want to win just be incapable of doing so because of a matchup. Med too strong, 6-0 now H2H. Felix backhand just lets him down too often, and Med too solid from the baseline. Did well to fight back in both sets, in the first was down 4-2 and 15-40 but got it back to 4-4 40-15 then broken, and in the second down a break at 3-2 but forced a TB and had 3 set points but couldn’t convert.

And Fils beat Wawrinka comfortably to book another SF. What a month he’s having.

So right about mental toughness. These little points have huge impact on a player’s mental fortitude. After the 40-30, which Murray fought hard for, Lechecka just gave it away with awful shot selection.
Funny how tennis works. Jiri could be sky high right now playing the final and gaining tour points to perhaps propel him into the top 35.
Murray is just a different beast. His body is coming up stronger now. Who knows what can happen at French open and even Wimbledon. He’s not that far off top 20 level. Moving well and changed his game with powerful rally shots

 

[samFFC]

Norrie and Alcaraz both challenged, but get the job done.

This was pretty nuts

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Medvedev is back, but will likely have to wait until the US open for a shot at a slam.

 

[Drummond]

Murray was pretty good, but was always going to be up against it. Medvedev just isn’t making errors right now, just a brick wall, and even when Murray rightfully mixed it up by coming into net, Med just passed him with some incredible BH winners. Andy had his chances, but more often than not Med came up with huge serves.

Bonzi beat Fils 6-4, 6-4. Fils played the worst match of his last two tournament runs, just couldn’t really get going. The MP was an insane rally though, wow.

 

[samFFC]

Alcaraz saving BP after BP at 5-5 in the 3rd

 

[samFFC]

Alcaraz saving BP after BP at 5-5 in the 3rd

But then loses game
Norrie 6-5 serving for the match

 

[FreoRicci]

Full credit to Norrie. Took Alcaraz on and break point down. Not easy to beat on clay too

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Yeah massive win for Norrie. Apparently Alcaraz started to struggle physically ?

 

[Drummond]

Yeah massive win for Norrie. Apparently Alcaraz started to struggle physically ?

Yeah wasn’t really running much in the latter stages of the second set. It was all or nothing tennis, and it almost worked. Even went an underarm serve at one stage. His drop shots are absolutely ridiculous, best I’ve ever seen. There was also a running FH late in the match that was incredible.

 

[Drummond]

Another 3 tournaments this week, 2x500’s and a 250. Lots of big names in action, including the return of Novak!

Dubai:



Djokovic is back!! Medvedev is looking for his third consecutive title, and Khachanov plays his first tournament since making the semis at AO. Murray/Hurkacz and Zverev/Lehecka are some of the first round matches. I think the semis are Djokovic/Medvedev and FAA/Rublev. Kokkinakis gets the tournament underway against LL Halys, who was defeated by O’Connell in final round of qualifying. Popyrin got a WC and plays a qualifier. All the Aussies with very winnable R1 matches.

Acapulco:



Alcaraz is the top seed, but got to wonder if he plays given his injury concerns. Struggled to move in the final set and a half of the Rio final, so would he risk further aggravating it here? And of course wherever Alcaraz is, Norris must be too! He’s the 5th seed but I really can’t see them playing each other for a third time! Tsitsipas and Korda were meant to be here but pulled out with injuries. Fritz has Isner first up which is dangerous, and if he wins could face Shapo but his game is in a weird place at the moment. And then Tiafoe likely QF. Tough draw but if Fritz is at his best I think he wins this.

Santiago:



Yeah there’s a 250 on this week too, and given Musetti is the top seed who’s playing terribly, it paints the picture. He should win this but he won’t. Incredibly uninspiring draw, I guess interest is in if Thiem can get a win or too, he’s got a WC. Sad that all the big boys are at the 500’s and this former slam champ is a wildcard at a 250 event.

 

[DougalHoward]

Murray withdrew from Dubai

 

[Drummond]

Murray withdrew from Dubai

Ahhh that sucks, but I understand completely. Kokki takes the court in under an hour!

 

[DougalHoward]

Ahhh that sucks, but I understand completely. Kokki takes the court in under an hour!

Hope he has a good run, back in to top 100 now and not many points to defend so can cement himself.

 

[Drummond]

Kokkinakis takes it 6-4, 7-6. Eventually got there on his 5th MP in the TB. He played really well, I expect him to reach the QF here.

 

[BobbyMorri]

That was an impressive win by Norrie. Yes Carlos was injured but I never really rated Norrie, and on clay.

I know it is the South American leg of the tour, but back-to-back finals and beating the world number 2 is a good fortnight.