Tag Archives: Gasquet
Found Very Out
The central narrative of Wimbledon 2011 has thus far followed those players who aren’t of the top four, yet have progressed to the final eight. That the top four are there as well no longer merits a chapter apparently, although … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Epic
French Open, Day Six (13) Gasquet d. (23) Bellucci, 6/2 6/3 3/6 6/3 The stylistic cliches that define tennis coverage are legion, and cover the entire spectrum of suck, from bowel-wrenching cringeworthiness to the extravagantly pointless. Examples of the former … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Important Points
Rome Masters 1000, Third Round Two more contenders for Match of the Year emerged today, happy news for a season that has hitherto produced few classics. Initially, however, the prospects for even mild diversion looked grim. Nadal d. Lopez, 6/4 … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Hardcourt Retrospective (Part 2)
Welcome to my continuing look back at the hardcourt season just ended. The first part, which goes into slightly more detail about why I’m even bothering, can be found here. Part One looked at the top players. This part examines … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour, By the Numbers
A Betrayal of Egalitarian Ideals
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Semifinals Federer d. Gasquet, 6/2 7/5 When Roger Federer gifted a break of serve to Richard Gasquet in the second set of their Dubai semifinal, the was a collective worldwide exhalation as tens of thousands … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Damp Squibs
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, First Round I am quite taken by the stadium court at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Notwithstanding the fact that it is hemmed in by city, neatly wedged between the airport and a golf course, it … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
More Sizzle
Heineken Open, Auckland Nalbandian d. Isner, 6/4 7/6 Insofar as disparate gatherings of strangers can boast anything – beyond a tendency to wildly applaud any celebrity pledging self-reform – tennis crowds often boast distinct personalities. It is frequently remarked upon … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
The Professional
Roddick d. Gulbis, 6/3 7/6 After some weeks devoid of almost any discernible suspense, the eight qualifiers for the World Tour Finals have been decided. In the end it all came in a flurry, and panned out exactly as expected. … Continue reading
Bercy Notes, Round One
Clement d. Lopez, 6/7 7/6 6/3 The more I contemplate depressing tennis careers – and I’m compiling a post on it, though it’s really crying out for a gritty miniseries – the more names I feel compelled to add. The … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
We Sell Sizzle
Basel, Quarterfinals Roddick d. Nalbandian, 6/4 6/4 Unremarkably, when David Nalbandian is winning he looks unbeatable. Curiously, he looks equally infallible when he loses, which is to say that most of his losses feel like upsets, even though there are … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour