Miami Open, ATP Masters 1000, 2019

[Murat Baslamisli]

I don't think Domi was particularly prepared for this tournament mentally or physically. On top of that, played a guy who is on the rise. Not too surprised.

 

[Moxie]

He lacks flair. There is nothing in his game that is exceptional. Younger guys like Kyrgios, Tsitsipas, FAA etc look more talented than him.

He seems to be one who has done awfully well based on hard work and fitness. Maybe he'll be the taller, stronger version of Ferrer. I'm not convinced that "flair" is an essential component, but, as @El Dude mentioned above, I think imagination is, which might feel like the same thing. Or improvisational skills. Didn't see the match v. Hurcacz, but, if nothing else, he needs to be able to back up big wins.

 

[atttomole]

I expected Thiem to win. After playing the final on Sunday, he had 5 days of rest and the Sunday match was only 3 sets. If he wants to be among the elite, then he has to be consistent. He should have targeted the semifinals at least.

 

[Moxie]

Djokovic leading, but not completely convincing.

 

[atttomole]

He seems to be one who has done awfully well based on hard work and fitness. Maybe he'll be the taller, stronger version of Ferrer. I'm not convinced that "flair" is an essential component, but, as @El Dude mentioned above, I think imagination is, which might feel like the same thing. Or improvisational skills. Didn't see the match v. Hurcacz, but, if nothing else, he needs to be able to back up big wins.

Kind of the same. He is not imaginative and there is nothing in his tennis that would keep me on the edge of my seat.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

As I anticipated Thiem went out early. Nobody expected him to win a sunshine double though.

 

[Moxie]

Kind of the same. He is not imaginative and there is nothing in his tennis that would keep me on the edge of my seat.

I thought he played some of the best tennis of his career the last couple of rounds at IW, and some of it was pretty thrilling. Especially for those in the cult of the one-hander. I'm not so bothered by his lack of flair as his lack of consistency, tournament to tournament. I have no problem appreciating the moderately talented ones who work hard. But if the ones with bigger weapons and more overall talent apply themselves, as well, he won't get to the upper echelons.

 

[El Dude]

Nothing really new re: Thiem: he's a solid second tier player. He won't win a Slam unless he's lucky (e.g. Rafa is hurt, Novak returns to satsang, Zverev is especially petulant), but he'll hang around for a few years, win a bunch of tournaments, even another several Masters. I do think he has a chance of eventually winning RG, but only under the right circumstances (see above). Think Berdych, Ferrer, Davydenko, Chang, etc. Nothing wrong with these types of players, they're just not true elite.

 

[Moxie]

Nothing really new re: Thiem: he's a solid second tier player. He won't win a Slam unless he's lucky (e.g. Rafa is hurt, Novak returns to satsang, Zverev is especially petulant), but he'll hang around for a few years, win a bunch of tournaments, even another several Masters. I do think he has a chance of eventually winning RG, but only under the right circumstances (see above). Think Berdych, Ferrer, Davydenko, Chang, etc. Nothing wrong with these types of players, they're just not true elite.

I think he'll hang around for a lot of years. You mention Berdych, Ferrer and Davydenko. We've also talked about the 'wild west' when the Big 3 hang 'em up/start to become less relevant. When the great re-shuffle starts to happen in men's tennis, there could be a lot of players who win 1 Slam, as in the late-90s/early-aughts.

 

[Andy22]

Its too bad thiem lost early but now he can focus on the clay court season, where thiem does best looking forward to see nadal vs. Thiem part 5.

 

[tented]

ORDER OF PLAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2019

STADIUM start 12:00 noon
ATP - [30] S. Wawrinka (SUI) vs F. Krajinovic (SRB)
WTA - [1] N. Osaka (JPN) vs [27] S. Hsieh (TPE)
Not Before 4:00 pm
ATP - [Q] R. Albot (MDA) vs [4] R. Federer (SUI)
Not Before 8:00 pm
ATP - [WC] D. Ferrer (ESP) vs [2] A. Zverev (GER)
Not Before 9:30 pm
WTA - B. Andreescu (CAN) vs [8] A. Kerber (GER)

GRANDSTAND start 12:00 noon
WTA - [3] P. Kvitova (CZE) vs [26] D. Vekic (CRO)
ATP - [24] G. Dimitrov (BUL) vs F. Lopez (ESP)
WTA - [Q] M. Niculescu (ROU) vs [13] C. Wozniacki (DEN)
ATP - [8] S. Tsitsipas (GRE) vs [LL] M. McDonald (USA)
Not Before 7:00 pm
WTA - A. Tomljanovic (AUS) vs [21] A. Kontaveit (EST)

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
ATP - [20] D. Shapovalov (CAN) vs [LL] D. Evans (GBR)
ATP - [6] K. Anderson (RSA) vs J. Munar (ESP)
ATP - [Q] A. Rublev (RUS) vs [9] M. Cilic (CRO)
WTA - V. Kuzmova (SVK) vs [7] K. Bertens (NED)
ATP - [28] F. Tiafoe (USA) vs [WC] M. Kecmanovic (SRB)
After Suitable Rest - [3] S. Hsieh (TPE) / B. Strycova (CZE) vs K. Christian (USA) / A. Muhammad (USA)

BUTCH BUCHHOLZ COURT start 11:00 am
WTA - [19] C. Garcia (FRA) vs [15] J. Goerges (GER)
ATP - J. Thompson (AUS) vs [10] K. Khachanov (RUS)
WTA - [12] A. Barty (AUS) vs S. Stosur (AUS)
Not Before 4:00 pm
ATP - [Q] R. Opelka (USA) vs [21] D. Schwartzman (ARG)
ATP - [3] B. Bryan (USA) / M. Bryan (USA) vs M. Fucsovics (HUN) / R. Jebavy (CZE)

COURT 2 start 11:00 am
WTA - L. Kichenok (UKR) / N. Kichenok (UKR) vs [WC] A. Anisimova (USA) / A. Riske (USA)
ATP - J. Chardy (FRA) / G. Simon (FRA) vs N. Jarry (CHI) / F. Skugor (CRO)
WTA - D. Jakupovic (SLO) / I. Khromacheva (RUS) vs [5] G. Dabrowski (CAN) / Y. Xu (CHN)
After Suitable Rest - R. Bopanna (IND) / D. Shapovalov (CAN) vs A. Krajicek (USA) / A. Sitak (NZL)
WTA - A. Rosolska (POL) / Z. Yang (CHN) vs K. Flipkens (BEL) / J. Larsson (SWE)

COURT 6 start 11:00 am
ATP - J. Sousa (POR) vs [31] S. Johnson (USA)
ATP - [13] D. Medvedev (RUS) vs A. Mannarino (FRA)
After Suitable Rest - J. Goerges (GER) / S. Halep (ROU) vs [2] T. Babos (HUN) / K. Mladenovic (FRA)
WTA - [8] H. Chan (TPE) / L. Chan (TPE) vs I. Begu (ROU) / M. Buzarnescu (ROU)
WTA - After suitable rest - [1] B. Krejcikova (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE) vs [WC] V. Azarenka (BLR) / A. Barty (AUS)

COURT 8 start 11:00 am
ATP - L. Mayer (ARG) vs [26] G. Pella (ARG)
ATP - P. Andujar (ESP) vs [18] D. Goffin (BEL)
ATP - [8] H. Kontinen (FIN) / J. Peers (AUS) vs R. Ram (USA) / J. Salisbury (GBR)
After Suitable Rest - G. Pella (ARG) / J. Sousa (POR) vs [WC] T. Fritz (USA) / N. Kyrgios (AUS)
After Suitable Rest - A. Groenefeld (GER) / L. Hradecka (CZE) vs M. Niculescu (ROU) / A. Spears (USA)

COURT 9 start 11:00 am
ATP - J. Rojer (NED) / H. Tecau (ROU) vs [5] O. Marach (AUT) / M. Pavic (CRO)
ATP - [14] M. Cecchinato (ITA) vs D. Dzumhur (BIH)
ATP - R. Haase (NED) / D. Inglot (GBR) vs [4] J. Cabal (COL) / R. Farah (COL)
WTA - A. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / A. Sevastova (LAT) vs V. Kudermetova (RUS) / D. Schuurs (NED)
After Suitable Rest - [1] L. Kubot (POL) / M. Melo (BRA) vs M. Cecchinato (ITA) / A. Molteni (ARG)

 

[Moxie]

Just checking the scores and Stan and his GF Vecic lost at the exact same second. Also, Khachanov lost...rat. He spoiled my draw.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Stan just did not want to get spanked by Roger anymore...It was hurting their friendship
Seriously though, I was hoping for Stan to win but looks like he has a bum achilles now.

 

[El Dude]

I rejoined the draw challenge for the first time in like a year. I actually predicted the Wawrinka upset...helps make up for earlier stupid errors of judgement .

 

[El Dude]

I just really like watching Rublev play - he's so intense.

 

[El Dude]

3 for 17 on breakpoints. Wow...Rublev really struggling in pressure situations.

 

[herios]

Albot wins the first set against Roger.

 

[El Dude]

Roger looking distinctly mediocre today. You've got to think he can turn this around, though.

 

[El Dude]

OK, that was impressive to take the second set. Roger pulling out some really nice shots to break Albot.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Today is one of those days Roger has to remind himself that he does not have to play goat tennis, he just has to play a bit better than the other guy and just move on.