Tag Archives: Djokovic
A Picturesque Picture
Monte Carlo Masters, Semifinals (1) Djokovic d. (6) Berdych, 4/6 6/3 6/2 ‘It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque picture than this,’ remarked Chris Wilkinson on the Tennis TV feed, his verbal inspiration failing him (and us) just when he … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Hardcourt Retrospective 2012 (Part One)
The ATP calendar has never made a great deal of sense, which is no great issue, since nowhere is it written that sporting schedules need to be sensible. In the case of tennis, a global concern with a vast delta … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour, By the Numbers
Too Much Luck
Miami Masters, Final (1) Djokovic d. (4) Murray, 6/1 7/6 Andy Murray reached the Miami Masters final with only three wins, usefully augmented by a pair of walkovers and a bye. To that diverse collection of results Novak Djokovic has … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Drama or Quality
Miami Masters, Quarterfinals (2) Nadal d. (6) Tsonga, 6/2 5/7 6/4 My stated intention to write about last night’s Miami quarterfinal between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Rafael Nadal was, as the second set wore tediously down, coming up hard against my … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
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
It Was An Ace, It Was Victory
Indian Wells, Semifinals (11) Isner d. (1) Djokovic, 7/6 3/6 7/6 (3) Federer d. (2) Nadal, 6/3 6/4 The worst thing about the constant finals between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is not necessarily the length of the matches (which … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Forehand Compliments – A Ramble
Indian Wells, Quarterfinals (1) Djokovic d. (12) Almagro 6/3 6/4 It’s curious where one’s mind wanders while watching Novak Djokovic idly construct a routine victory over the twelfth best tennis player in the world, who at this moment is Nicolas … 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 Outward Display of Prestige
In the scheme of things, awards ceremonies mean little. That Novak Djokovic won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award tells us nothing about his 2011 season that we didn’t already know, although I suppose more people might now … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour, Grand Slams, ITF