Tag Archives: del Potro
A Profane Space
Madrid Masters, Semifinals (3) Federer d. (7) Tipsarevic, 6/2 6/3 To the extravagant array of trying conditions already prevailing at the Madrid Masters, today’s second semifinal added a fitful and swirling breeze. Roger Federer was already favoured to win, and, … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
First Strike
Madrid Masters, Quarterfinals David Ferrer was tonight defeated in clinical fashion by Roger Federer at the Madrid Masters, whereupon he shocked the attendant media by failing to threaten a boycott of the event next year. Unspoken words, reflecting unthought thoughts, … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
The Thing About Assumptions
Davis Cup, Quarterfinals, Day Three Czech Rep. d. Serbia, 4-1 Berdych d. Tipsarevic, 7/6 7/6 7/6 In twenty years’ time, someone poring over old tennis scores might chance upon today’s Davis Cup results, and might make certain assumptions – entirely … Continue reading
Filed under Davis Cup
Forced Perspective
Miami Masters, Second Round (28) Anderson d. Querrey, 6/3 6/7 6/3 (11) Del Potro d. Karlovic, 7/5 6/4 When Kevin Anderson broke Sam Querrey for a decisive 5/3 lead in the third set of their second round encounter, the American … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
The Usual Rules of Taste or Sanity
Indian Wells, Quarterfinals (3) Federer d. (9) del Potro, 6/3 6/2 (2) Nadal d. Nalbandian, 4/6 7/5 6/4 The quarterfinals at the Indian Wells Masters are now complete. The question of whether anything new can be said of Roger Federer … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
What a Difference a Court Makes
Dubai, Semifinals (4) Murray d. (1) Djokovic, 6/2 7/5 (3) Federer d. (8) del Potro, 7/6 7/6 What a difference a topcoat makes. Every few years, for reasons entirely its own, a tournament will lay down a hardcourt that plays … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour, Other Writing
If You Pay Them
Dubai, Quarterfinals Having laboriously convened the most august congregation of men’s tennis players it could afford, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships was today blessed by the finest assembly of quarterfinalists since . . . well, it’s been a while. … Continue reading
The Nowhere Men
Buenos Aires, Semifinals (2) Almagro d. (6) Wawrinka, 6/4 3/6 7/5 A good day of tennis will sometimes come at you from nowhere. When it occurs on the final Saturday of a slow week boasting nothing more glamorous than a … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
The Twilight of the Ponies
Rotterdam, Final (1) Federer d. (3) del Potro, 6/1 6/4 For no defensible reason, Juan Martin del Potro remains inextricably connected with Nikolay Davydenko in my mind. There are, of course, the striking physical similarities (I’m astonished Ivan Reitman has … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Gravitational Forces
Australian Open, Quarterfinals (Day Nine) (3) Federer d. (11) del Potro, 6/4 6/3 6/2 As I made my way in to Rod Laver Arena tonight, where Rafael Nadal aimed to become the first Spaniard to defeat Tomas Berdych ten times … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams