The start of the 2017 ATP Tour saw Novak Djokovic face a tough challenge, while Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray steamrolled over their competition during their opening matches in Brisbane and Doha.
Curious fact: all of their first round opponents were ranked between the 62nd and 69th spot in the ATP rankings. And another coincidence: Federer and Nadal has been drawn against the Zverev brothers in their second match of the year respectively.
Big time tennis is finally back into full swing after a month and a half of abstinence. The Fab Four took the stage during the first two days of the new season and all won in straight sets with very similar scores against four players ranked between the 62nd and 69th spot in the ATP rankings, which represented an unusual and interesting coincidence.
Roger Federer’s return to the sport at the Hopman Cup in Perth confirmed that he is still the most loved and adored tennis player with the biggest following from both the fans and the media. After a 178-day hiatus from the tour, his 63 64 win against the 66th ranked Dan Evans of Great Britain was the most anticipated, followed and talked about match worldwide. His second match on Tuesday was another blockbuster, attracting a record-breaking crowd at the Perth Arena. Nevertheless, it is fair to say that Roger’s early tests was probably not comparable to a real tournament match. The Hopman Cup is a fun and enjoyable event, but it is nothing more than an exhibition disguised as a team competition. Roger fittingly decided to start his comeback with a softer approach.
The fairytale return of the Swiss legend came crashing down on Wednesday. Facing 19-year-old German talent Alexander Zverev, Federer was edged out 7-6(1), 6-7(4), 7-6(4), in what felt more like a tour-level match than a exhibition.
On Monday Djokovic kicked off his 2017 campaign in Doha with a 7-6, 6-3, win over the 63rd ranked Struff of Germany, one of the many players managed by Corrado Tschabuschnig. Djokovic got off to a shaky start and immediately went down 5-1 before staging a comeback and clinching an unconvincing first set before the match. Djokovic lost the most games among the Fab Four in their first match of the season, nine in total.
A more convincing display from Djokovic occurred in the second round against Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos. Clearly more relaxed than that start of the week, the Serbian took a selfie at the end of his 72-minute 6-3, 6-4, win.
Eehhh sorryy. Creo que tengo la mejor selfie del dia jejeje. Que groso Nole.un genio!! Y yo figuretiiii.. Me encanto!! pic.twitter.com/lMXDqKdcyl
— horacio zeballos (@HoracioZeballos) January 4, 2017
Rafa Nadal – showing off a new fuller head of hair – didn’t start particularly well against the 62nd ranked Dolgopolov in Brisbane, but ended up with a comfortable 63 63 win after the Ukrainian gifted the decisive break with a double fault in the second set. Nadal had previously won their first five meetings against Dolgopolov but then lost the following two. Nadal’s forehand was particularly sharp throughout the entire match, even though his form and shot-making ability will have to be tested against more solid opponents. In the first set Rafa only made four unforced errors as we were used to seeing in his best days. On the other hand, he was able to hit only three winners, a stat that reminded us of his worse days instead.
The last Fab Four to take the stage was Andy Murray in Doha. His first set was a walk in the park: 6-0 against the 69th ranked Chardy of France, who perhaps was still distracted by his new fiancée watching from the stands. The second set proved to be tougher for Murray, but the Scot managed to wrap things up with a fairly routine 60 76 win. Murray overall lost the same amount of games as Nadal, one fewer than Federer and three less than Djokovic. This was Murray’s twenty-fifth consecutive victory (on the ATP Tour) and he will definitely be the man to beat at Melbourne Park, or shall we say “Djokovic Park”.
Victory No.26 for Sir Andy occurred after he survived a two-and-a-half-hour marathon against Gerald Melzer, Prevailing 7-6(6), 7-5, in the last 16 at Doha.
Another welcome return to tennis was staged by Serena Williams, who secured her first match of the year with a convincing 63 64 win over Parmentier of France. After a long break in the Fall, Serena appears to have lost some weight. Rafa Nadal certainly has lost weight as well. Unfortunately the more slender look failed to prevent Williams’ shocking exit in the following round after she hit 88 unforced against against Madison Brengle on her way out of the ASB Classic.
In terms of suspense and entertainment, the match between Muguruza and Kasatkina in Brisbane excelled expectations. I have always admired Kasatkina’s playing style and her ability to produce a wide array of shots with ease. If she was a few inches taller and built a few more muscles, I believe that Kasatkina could become a top five player. She saved a match point against Muguruza in the third set tie-breaker before having a match point herself. She wasn’t able to capitalize on the opportunity and Muguruza ended up winning the match.
An honourable mention should be awarded to sixteen year old Destanee Aiava, the first girl born in the third millennium to win a match on the pro tour. Daughter of a New Zealander, Aiava now competes for Australia and defeated Mattek-Sands – who is 15 years older – in the first round of the Brisbane International. Sadly Aiava’s dream run was ended in the following match by fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Finally, I learnt that Gael Monfils has decided not to play in Rome in order to exclusively focus on Roland Garros this year. His showmanship will definitely be missed, but on a lighter note, missing one of the Fab Four would be far worse.
Ubaldo Scanagatta
(Article translation provided by T&L Global – Translation & Language Solutions – www.t-lglobal.com )
