ATP

Novak Djokovic Survives Gilles Simon Ball Machine into the Quarters

Published

8 years ago

24/01/2016

The crowd inside Rod Laver Arena today got their money’s worth and then some in Novak Djokovic’s match with Gilles Simon today. Time after time, Simon refused to fade away and battled his way back into the match to the very end. The world #1 eventually held off the French resistance after over 4 and a half hours in a grueling 6-3 6-7(1) 6-4 4-6 6-3 win.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand in his fourth round match against Gilles Simon of France. (Source: Quinn Roone/Zimbio.com)

The match began routine enough, with Novak holding at love for 1-0. Simon, who is known to have epic long rallies with his countryman Monfils, chose to be more aggressive coming into the match today, which seemed to backfire right away as he faced 2 break points. As he would do throughout the rest of this epic 5 setter, he fought back to hold his first service game. On his next service game however, he again faced 3 more break chances, and this time Novak secured the lead for 3-1. In retaliation, Simon went for big returns of serve, and the first of many unforced errors from Djokovic gave the break right back. In fact, in very uncharacteristic fashion the Serbian committed an astounding 100 unforced errors today. Simon then reverted back to his usual counter punching style, winning a huge long rally to hold for 3-3, back on serve. This lack of pace from the Frenchman was plaguing his Serbian opponent, who started to struggle with his form, showing obvious signs of nerves. Yet another long game ensued, where Novak managed to hold for 4-3 after several deuces. The next game found Simon down 2 break points once more, and this time he showed his uncharacteristic side by going for a big forehand, which he missed long. What should have been a quick game to serve out the set, Novak’s nerves showed prominently in his footwork and shot selection, and he faced break point at 5-3. Unofortunately for Simon, who would continue to threaten the upset for the remainder of the match, he failed to capitalize on this crucial opportunity by dumping a backhand into the net. This slight opening was enough for Djokovic to wrap up the set. The match was already an hour long.

In set 2, both men continued to struggle with their form, especially in Novak’s case. It looked like the players were playing not to lose, trading rally balls over the net in hopes of an error. In the 3rd game they came in the form of 0-40 on Simon’s serve. The world #15 stayed determined, saving all 3 break chances to deuce. The next point was quite long, until the higher ranked player missed wide. But Simon was unable to dial in on his forehand, and it was back to deuce once more. This would turn out to be a pattern for the rest of the match. After a lucky net cord for ad in, Simon finally hit a big serve to hold. It was only 2-1. His next service game was taken to deuce as well, and once again he managed to hold for 3-2. On the other side of the net Novak continued to make errors, often going to the defensive slice or a dropshot in the middle of the point as if trying to end it quickly. Simon merely threatened the break however, failing to convert his chances. Finally Novak looked more comfortable in the 8th game, holding for 4-4 in a much shorter game. Just as quickly he went back to his erroring ways, missing a routine forehand long to give Simon deuce. Then deuce again. Then deuce #3. Finally, after deuce #6, Simon stood his ground for 5-4. Just as telling as his unforced errors today was Novak’s break points won, which was a dismal 24%. His game grew seemingly more tight as the match went on. Lucky for him, the Frenchman kept missing on the big points. And so we go to tiebreak. Here Novak went for more dropshots, which he missed giving the mini break to Simon for 0-2. A very long rally then unfolded, and finally Simon decided to pull the trigger first with a big backhand crosscourt for a winner. Novak helped out even more by coughing up another unforced error to make it 0-4. Then yet another missed dropshot for 0-5. It was looking ugly for him. The tiebreak ended with Djokovic dumping a return into the net. He had won just one point.

With the match back at even, the world #1 finally showed signs of his normal form in set 3 by grabbing an early break for 2-0. Then he continued the momentum by holding at love for 3-0. Simon played catch up, holding the next game for 1-3. Back to his error prone mode, Novak hits a wild forehand for 0-40. He then missed again right away to gift the break back at 2-3. The Frenchman thanked him by saving break points in his own service game to level it at 3-3. Cutting down on the errors momentarily, Novak holds the next game for 4-3, back on serve. For his service game, Simon delighted the crowd with a backhand winner down the line, followed by a cross court pass to make it 4-4. With the pressure mounting towards the end of the set, Novak finally started hitting with more pace. When Simon missed a forehand to give him set point chance, the world #1 wasted no time to take the lead 2 sets to 1.

Boris Becker was starting to show his emotions by the start of set 4, and Novak responded in kind by hitting bigger and bigger. Both men stayed on serve to begin the set. In the 6th game, Simon double faulted to face break point, but Novak’s forehand landed long. Like so many points throughout this match, each player failed to take advantage and so Simon held for 3-3. By the 8th game, Novak seemed out of sorts, wasting challenges as if to buy more time between points. He looked visibly upset on court by this point, the frustration clear. At 30-40 he missed another forehand wide to give Simon the break for 5-4. The meltdown continued as Novak missed another dropshot. The Frenchman did not make things easy for himself though, and allowed the game back to deuce. Once more, the Serb went for another dropshot. This time Simon took advantage. The match was going the distance.

Novak served to begin the deciding set, and held for 1-0. With more forehand errors off Novak’s racket at 40-30 Simon also held, 1-1. A good 4 hours into the match, Simon’s ball machine like consistency was breaking down, and he overhit a backhand long, followed by yet another to give the first break for 1-3. Novak seized the moment like a champion, serving big to hold for 4-1. In his next service game, Simon quickly faced yet more break points. Imitating Novak, he then hit a forehand long to make it a double break for 1-5. But whereas everyone expected the match to be over, the French ball machine made a last push. A wise challenge on a sideline call gave Simon several break chances. He converted on the 2nd for 2-5. The crowd was very much joining in the French resistance now. As if riding the wave, he held for 3-5 after yet even more crucial challenges. Even Novak was shaking his head at the referee for the bad calls. Finally, the world #1 gathered himself and served out the match.

Afterwards he said “I am just glad to get through this one”, and speaking of Simon: “he’s a counter puncher, one of the best on tour if not the best”. He faces Nishikori in the quarters, to which he quipped “whoever loses, Uniqlo wins.”

Some crazy stats for the match: 6/25 break points won for Novak, 4/18 for Gilles. 100 unforced errors for Novak, 68 for Gilles. Total points won: 195 vs 174.

ATP

Carlos Alcaraz In Doubt For Madrid Open Title Defence

Published

3 days ago

16/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Carlos Alcaraz admits that he is not certain if he will be ready in time to play at next week’s Madrid Masters.

The 20-year-old is yet to play a clay tournament in Europe due to a forearm injury which ruled him out of both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He hurt his right arm whilst training shortly before the Monte Carlo event began.

It is the latest in a series of injury issues that has affected Alcaraz throughout his young career. Since the start of 2023, he has also been derailed by issues with his abdominal, hamstring, post-traumatic arthritis in his left hand and muscular discomfort in his spine.

“My feeling isn’t right, but it is what it is. Now I’m fully focused on recovery and I have a little more time,” Alcaraz told reporters in Barcelona on Monday.
“My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain. I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
“I can’t say I’ll be 100% in Madrid, but that’s my intention. We’ll train and do everything we can so that the feelings improve so I can play a match … It’s also a very special tournament for me.”

Alcaraz has won the past two editions of the Madrid Open, which is classed as a Masters 1000 event. In 2022 he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final and then 12 months later he beat Jan-Lennard Struff in the title match.

The setback comes after what has been a steady start to the year for Alcaraz who has reached the quarter-finals or better in four out of five tournaments played. He successfully defended his title in Indian Wells and then reached the semi-finals in Miami.

Should he not play in Madrid, it is likely that the Spaniard will lose his No.2 spot to Jannik Sinner who is just over 100 points behind him in the standings. He will still have the chance to play a clay-court event before the French Open with Rome taking place early next month.

ATP

Olympic Qualification Is Not the Only Goal For French Veteran Gael Monfils

Published

1 week ago

10/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Gael Monfils (image via https://twitter.com/atptour)

Gael Monfils admits he doesn’t have too many years left on the Tour but this doesn’t mean his targets are any less ambitious.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise up the rankings over the past 12 months following battles with injury. At his lowest, he was ranked 394th last May but is now in 40th position. As a result, he is closing on securing a place in the Olympic Games which is being held in his home country of France for the first time since 1924. The tennis event will be staged at Roland Garros.

“When I was 400, I was thinking the Olympics would be great, but it’s going to be tough,” Monfils told reporters on Tuesday.
“There are younger players playing well. If I don’t qualify, I don’t mind. It will just mean I’m very close to the ranking I want to be. That ranking will allow me to find another goal.”

Monfils is already a three-time Olympian but has never won a medal at the event. He reached the quarter-finals of the singles tournament twice in 2008 and 2016.

Another goal of Frenchmen is the Wimbledon championships which concludes just three weeks before the Olympics begin. The proximity of these tournaments will be a challenge to all players who will be going from playing on clay to grass and then back to clay again.

“I really want to go and play Wimbledon. I don’t have so many Wimbledons to play in the future. The Olympics is one goal, not the only goal.” Monfils states.
“My dream is of course to be part of the Olympics. I played three times at the Olympics. I’d like to be there again. But I also really want to do well in Wimbledon this year. To reach my goal, it has to be including Wimbledon.” He added.

Monfils is currently playing at the Monte Carlo Masters where he beat Aleksandar Vukic in his opening match. In the next round, he will take on Daniil Medvedev in what will be their first meeting since 2022. He leads their head-to-head 2-1.

Medvedev has openly spoken about his roller-coaster relationship with playing on the clay. He admits it is not his favourite surface but how much of a factor could this be in his upcoming clash with Monfils?

“Of course, it’s not his favourite one, but he’s still Daniil Medvedev, and whatever the surface, it’s always very complicated to play him,” Monfils concludes.

ATP

Matteo Berrettini wins in Marrakech displaying quality tennis

Published

2 weeks ago

07/04/2024

Kingsley Elliot Kaye

Matteo Berrettini - Marrakech 2024 (photo X @ATPTour_ES)

Matteo Berrettini defeats Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets, 75 62, and proves that his comeback is well grounded

If life is often considered a continuous narrative, it may be no coincidence that today Matteo Berrettini’s comeback journey intersescted Carballes Baena, a player he had faced twice in straight tournaments, Florence and Naples in October 2022, shortly before plunging into his annus horribilis, an injury-plagued 2023.

Just like resuming the story from where it was left.

Carballes Baena, the defending champion, got off to a sharper start, holding serve with ease and earning a first break point in the second game. Berrettini averted the threat by hammering down three serves but lost his service two games later.

Doubts on the Italian’s recovery from his energy-draining semifinal may have been starting to come afloat. However Berrettini broke back immediately, unsettling the Spaniard’s consistency with changes of pace and alternating lifted and sliced backhands.

The next six games neatly followed serve. Figures witness how close the match was. After 45 minutes the scoreboard read 5 games all, and stats reported 27 points apiece.

The eleventh game was to be crucial. Carballes Baena netted two forehands, while trying to hit through the Italian’s skidding spins and conceded a break point. Berrettini followed up two massive forehands with a delicate, unreachable drop shot and secured the break.

Carballes Baena was far from discouraged, and fired two forehand winners dashing to 0 40 with the Italian serving for the set.

Berrettini was lucky to save the first break point with a forehand that pinched the top of the net, and trickled over. Then he hit two winning first serves to draw even. Then again two first serves paired with their loyal forehand winner: Berrettini’s copyright gamepattern sealed a 59 minute first set.

The match seemed about to swing round at the very start of the second set when Carballes Baena had three break points and was winning all the longer rallies. Once more Berrettini got out of trouble thanks to his serve. Carballes Baena’s disappointment turned into frustration after he failed to put away two quite comfortable smashes and lost his service immediately after.

Unforced errors were seeping into the Spaniard’s game and when Berrettini won a 16-shot rally with a stunning crosscourt forehand on the stretch and went on to grab a two-break lead, the match appeared to have taken its final twist.

Berrettini did not falter when serving for the match at 5 2, despite an unforced error on the first point. Three first serves chauffeured him to two match points.

Carballes Baena only succeeded in bravely saving the first, well steering the rally. But the 2021 Wimbledon finalist produced a massive serve out wide and joyfully lifted his arms to the sky, for a most emotional victory. It means so much to a player whose talent and career have been incessantly diminished by injuries.

“It’s been a tough last couple of years” Matteo Berrettini said, holding the trophy. “Thanks to my team I was able to overcome all the tough moments my body didn’t allow me to play. I thank you and all the people that made my comeback possible: all my friends and my family, the people that were with me all the time when I was sad, injured and I didn’t think I could make it.”