Best volleyer in the world today is Jan-Lennard Struff

[scoop]

Jan-Lennard Struff made two insane volleys today to defeat Tomas Berdych 76 in the third in Qatar. One was a backhand at his ankles for a winner and the other was in the final tiebreak – a forehand volley cross court winner also at his ankle.

Lennard ventured to the net eighteen times and only lost three points at close range. Many of his volleys were astonishing to see and, to my eyes, better than the volleys of Federer, Nadal and Lopez.

The only criticism of the six-foot-five German 27 year old, was his choice in attire. Versus Berdych he wore a disastrously ugly Diadora outfit consisting of red knee high socks, black and red shoes, black shorts, red shirt and a red hat.

Despite his questionable taste in court wear, Struff is a major league talent. He hung equally with Berdych from the baseline but was more aggressive in his net attacks. Berdych is now the third top ten scalp of Struff, who has also defeated Wawrinka and Dimotrov.

Lennard, who was ranked 46 three years ago, said after the match he’s worked on strengthening his mental game and he feels it’s all coming together now, finally at age 27. He says his hero was Pete Sampras and he certainly showed flashes of Sampras in today’s sensational win which could trigger a breakout year for this vastly underrated powerhouse.

Another player who played a spectacular match today was Borna Coric. The Croatian saved match points against top tenner Pablo Carrena Busta today, and twice broke the Spaniard when he was serving for the match.

Twice on match points Coric serve and volleyed successfully vs Carrena Busta, the no. 2 seed. Coric finally won the epic 57 62 76.

It was the best win I’ve ever seen by Coric and it looks reasonably probable that today’s win will spur Coric, who had an inconsistent 2017 which included two losses to Adrian Mannarino, to a breakout run in the forthcoming weeks.

Coric and Struff were both so impressive today that I’m very curious to see how they do for the first quarter of the new season.

 

[Moxie]

I saw parts of both matches, and agree, generally, Scoop. I'm not sure if Struff is the best volleyer in the game, but he did show great stuff at the net today. And Coric was very sturdy, in the face of so many MPs against, while PCB was disappointingly lacking in aggression with so many chances. I like both Struff and Coric, but they have to show us more consistency in the day-to-day matches, not just getting energized for big ones.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Moxie; Struff volleys today was the best volleying performance I have seen since Sampras played. Seriously, Struff was spectacular today. He is a big strong guy who went toe to toe with one of the best in the business Berdych and prevailed. Coric I thought for sure was going to crumble but somehow he hung in there and finally won. Busta is a tough nut to bust, he's so steady and such a solid counterpuncher. Coric took it to another level today. I will be shocked if Struff and Coric do not vault up the rankings by the summer. That's how good they were today.

 

[Moxie]

Both were encouraging performances. I will debate you on Struff's outfit, which I saw the commies were against, too. But he says he likes the long football socks. If they gives him confidence, I'll be fine with that.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Not sure if socks can give a man self confidence but anything is possible. The only other time I can recall seeing anyone wearing red knee high socks is Ronald McDonald the hamburger clown I don't even think Mattek Sands has dared to go red knee high. But hey, if he keeps winning, keep wearing em. If he wins the title, I might start wearing them too

 

[Moxie]

Remember when Raonic kept wearing that sleeve, when he was winning? And let's not pretend that red knee socks are beyond Bethany M-S. She'll out-rageous anyone. I do have to laugh when tennis breaks out the fashion-police, though. I think the knee-highs are about to infiltrate.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Kyrgios is Philippoussing his career away. If only he had a work ethic and dedication as Hewitt or Courier...

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

De Minaur with two monster wins this week. To beat Johnson and Raonic is probably the most impressive achievement of the year so far. Johnson and Raonic both had poor years last year (to their standards) and wanted to make statements but De Minaur, who has the skinny body of a junior, must be a special talent. Mmoh is also off to a hot start, finally winning his first ATP main tour level match and then the follow up win vs Zverev. Kid could be ready for a smashing breakout later this month. And a spot on the Aussie Davis Cup roster.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I like the intensity Gavrilova plays at, she plays tennis like a kamikaze, full throttle all over the court. A lot of players play like they are wearing a gown or top hat but Gavrilova digs down deep and goes all out. She just looks like she's trying harder than everyone else. Love her workrate and intensity.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Nope. Some players need that level of intensity and drive to win their matches, without it they don't win. I can relate with how Gavrilova plays and I have noticed her quality in other USTA tournament players I have seen in tournaments in NJ NY and Florida. If Gavrilova can raise her intensity even more I think she will win more.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Tsitsipas scores a major league win defeating Gasquet 63 64. Domination by the teenager. Tsitsipas flows around the court like silk but he can wallop that ball with his long Kuerten like loosey goosey limbs. Tremendously focused and mature beyond his years, it's now easy to envision Tsitsipas becoming the most aesthetic player on the tour, like a Federer or Sampras. And the concept of Tsitsipas becoming the ATP king some day and Wimbledon champion look anything but far fetched.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Michael do you see the traces of Federer and Kuerten in Tsitsipas?

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Michael; Felix is in that echelon too. He beat Tsitsipas at US Open junior semis in 2016 in straight sets. Also like Sebi Korda, Fritz, Kozlov, Paul, Opelka but right now Tsitsipas is the leader of the pack. Because Shapovalov is still stuck in a mini slump and hasn't had a big win in a while.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Kerber looked very good today beating Bouchard 61 64. She looks rejuvenated and back to her old self when she was at her best. She's going in the right direction and she just needs a big win to send the message to all the players that she is indeed back with full confidence. She looks like she really wants it and intent on proving last year was an anomaly.

 

[Moxie]

How're you fancying Struff's chances v. Roger this evening? Court is fast, by all accounts.

 

[El Dude]

How're you fancying Struff's chances v. Roger this evening? Court is fast, by all accounts.

She says with hope .

The title of this thread should read "Best volleyer in the world faces Jan-Lennard Struff."

 

[Moxie]

She says with hope .

The title of this thread should read "Best volleyer in the world faces Jan-Lennard Struff."

"She says," (more accurately,) "with irony." Don't think for a second I don't want a Rafa-Roger rematch, for the revenge.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Moxie, no I did not fancy Struff's chances but he put up a respectable challenge to the Almighty One. Looked like Fed went headhunting on that one backhand ripper.

 

[mrzz]

Struff is indeed a world class volleyer.

 

[DarthFed]

"She says," (more accurately,) "with irony." Don't think for a second I don't want a Rafa-Roger rematch, for the revenge.

You are right, Roger still owes Rafa a ton more revenge! Long ways to go though.

As for this thread I'd say Struff had some really good volleys and some really bad misses. Pretty common for 90% of players on tour. Tough to say who is the best volleyer today. Roger and Mischa Zverev are on the short list.