Live Reports From the 2008 Legg Mason Classic
Legg Mason coverage at TennisTalk
- Somdev Devvarman vs. Taylor Dent preview
Day 5: Friday
The Thursday magic ran out on Friday, but it was still a fun last day of tennis in Washington, D.C. After all, there is no bad day to watch professional tennis live, especially when you have a press pass, a parking pass, and don't have to buy tickets or food.
As usual I perused the practice courts to begin with, before John Isner and Juan Martin Del Potro were set to play the first of the day's four quarterfinal matches at 2:00. Marcel Granollers was warming up for his doubles match on the last court of the main stretch of practice courts Somdev was playing mini-soccer on the very last practice court that stands by itself in the corner of the tennis center, and Tommy Haas was hitting on Court 1 with some guy decked out in UVA gear (perhaps one of Somdev's friends on the Virginia tennis team).
Tommy Haas preparing for his match against Alejandro Falla.
Somdev playing mini-soccer with one of his former UVA teammates.
Somdev working on his serve. So I guess UVA fared pretty well in the ACC while he was there.
My worst fears at a tennis tournament.
Troicki after his shocking comeback win.
Somdev vs. Kunitsyn from the front row in the Stadium.
Next stop: the U.S. Open!
As usual I perused the practice courts to begin with, before John Isner and Juan Martin Del Potro were set to play the first of the day's four quarterfinal matches at 2:00. Marcel Granollers was warming up for his doubles match on the last court of the main stretch of practice courts Somdev was playing mini-soccer on the very last practice court that stands by itself in the corner of the tennis center, and Tommy Haas was hitting on Court 1 with some guy decked out in UVA gear (perhaps one of Somdev's friends on the Virginia tennis team).
Tommy Haas preparing for his match against Alejandro Falla.
At first I was in disbelief that tournament organizers put Isner and Del Potro on court first at 2:00. Only later did I realize that ESPN2 surely made them, because the worldwide leader in sports had Legg Mason coverage on at 2:00 and obviously that's the match it wanted.
John Isner vs. Juan Martin Del Potro from a box in the Stadium.
Isner blasting a service winner. He needed a lot more.
After a break in the action in between the day session and night session, Andy Roddick and Viktor Troicki started shortly after 7:00. For the first time all week the ushers were actually checking tickets; not only in the boxes but even the upper section. I guess that what happens on a Friday night, and Roddick in action could not have helped matters in terms of getting down low. So I headed up to the press box to watch from there, and the good news is there wasn't much to see.
John Isner vs. Juan Martin Del Potro from a box in the Stadium.
Unfortunately it turned out to be a pretty big dud for both ESPN and the fans, especially since most fans there were staunchly for Isner. I guess it wasn't too big of a surprise though considering Del Potro had won three straight tournaments and 16 straight matches coming into this one. Isner stayed on serve easily until 4-4 in the first, but a break at that point was more than enough for Del Potro to take the set. After a 30-minute rain delay at 2-2 in the second, Isner came out to hold serve for 3-2 but it went downhill for the 6'9'' American after that. He got broken at 3-3 and never came close to breaking back. It ended 6-4, 6-4 and left me more sure than ever that Del Potro will win his fourth consecutive event.
Isner blasting a service winner. He needed a lot more.
Del Potro giving a fist pump to his box after match point.
Haas and Alejandro Falla took the court next and for a while this one proved to be both more surprising and more exciting that the day's highly-anticipated first match. Falla came out absolutely on fire--like I have never seen him before--and jumped out to a two-break lead at 4-1. That's when it all turned around. Haas won the 11 of the last 13 games of the match to blow past the Columbian 7-5, 6-1. While Falla's game really fell apart (how could it not?), Haas went from looking helpless to putting on a remarkable display of tennis just like that.
Alejandro Falla.
Tommy Haas waving to the crowd after the win.
Alejandro Falla.
Tommy Haas waving to the crowd after the win.
After a break in the action in between the day session and night session, Andy Roddick and Viktor Troicki started shortly after 7:00. For the first time all week the ushers were actually checking tickets; not only in the boxes but even the upper section. I guess that what happens on a Friday night, and Roddick in action could not have helped matters in terms of getting down low. So I headed up to the press box to watch from there, and the good news is there wasn't much to see.
Andy Roddick vs. Viktor Troicki from the press box.
Somdev playing mini-soccer with one of his former UVA teammates.
The
first set of Roddick-Troicki was so lopsided and uninteresting that I
spent most of the time in the press box watching Somdev practice on
Court 1. The funny thing about Somdev is he spends more time practicing soccer than he does practicing tennis. All three times I saw him practice this week, he started his routine by playing two-on-two mini-soccer. It's hard to explain but it looked like it used the same general rules as mini-tennis except that you could keep it on your side of the next for as long as you wanted as long as you were successfully dribbling it. Somdev and his UVA crowd wouldn't just to it the start; they would play that for the MAJORITY of his practice time. Only at the end would he resort to picking up a tennis racket to hit a few groundstrokes and some serves.
After Roddick won the first set against Troicki 6-0 in a mere 21 minutes, I went down to Court 1 to watch Somdev's practice exclusively. I mean there was no point in watching a 6-0, 6-0 blowout from the stratosphere.
After Roddick won the first set against Troicki 6-0 in a mere 21 minutes, I went down to Court 1 to watch Somdev's practice exclusively. I mean there was no point in watching a 6-0, 6-0 blowout from the stratosphere.
Somdev working on his serve. So I guess UVA fared pretty well in the ACC while he was there.After about 15 minutes I went back over towards the Stadium to find out if Roddick had put a merciful end to Troicki yet. Much to my surprise I saw on the outside scoreboard that Troicki was up a break in the second. Needless to say the upper-deck ushers were no longer around after that first-set abomination, so I went up to a decent seat behind the baseline not quite as high up as the press box.
A second rain delay of the day took place late in the second set and this one lasted for a bit longer. I wasn't as mad as usually am at rain delays because this meant the Roddick-Troicki match would end later and hopefully convince fans to leave after it was over rather than stick around for Somdev vs. Igor Kunitsyn. So front row for the last match of the day became a distinct possibility.
A second rain delay of the day took place late in the second set and this one lasted for a bit longer. I wasn't as mad as usually am at rain delays because this meant the Roddick-Troicki match would end later and hopefully convince fans to leave after it was over rather than stick around for Somdev vs. Igor Kunitsyn. So front row for the last match of the day became a distinct possibility.
My worst fears at a tennis tournament.
It would go even longer when Troicki held on easily to win the second set. He came out of the delay on fire and won the second 6-2. More outstanding play from the Serb continued, but Roddick stayed right with him until 4-4. At that point a weak serving day from Roddick caught up with him one final time. Troicki broke serve and then closed out the match with a service game that made it look like he was used to playing in ATP quarterfinals. To say this was a shocking comeback--after the 6-0 bagel in the first set--would be an understatement.
Troicki after his shocking comeback win.
I went to Roddick's press conference after the loss to see what kind of mood he was in. Obviously he was none too pleased, but somewhat surprisingly he took no shots at his opponent or the media. He called his serving "unacceptable," but he also gave credit to Troicki. "He played really well," Roddick said. "He played really, really well."
As hoped, a decent exodus from the Stadium took place and I was able to get into the front row for Somdev vs. Kunitsyn. Both players had a terrible time holding serve in the first set and Somdev used three breaks to go up 4-3. That's when Kunitsyn buckled down and ran away with the match. The problem for Somdev was that Troicki could do everything he could do--except not quite as fast--and do it better. Kunitsyn played like a ball machine, just as Somdev had throughout qualifying and his first two matches. A tired Somdev uncharacteristically made too many errors as well. He made only five in three sets against Kendrick, but on this night he made five in a span of less than two games on a number of occasions. All credit to Kunitsyn, he played great and won 6-4, 6-1.
Somdev vs. Kunitsyn from the front row in the Stadium.
It was a disappointing end to a quarterfinal day that failed to live up to expectations by producing any epics, but I guess it would be too greedy to expect that after Thursday.
That's all from Washington, D.C.! It was a great week and has me--and hopefully all other tennis fans--fired up for the U.S. Open.
That's all from Washington, D.C.! It was a great week and has me--and hopefully all other tennis fans--fired up for the U.S. Open.
Next stop: the U.S. Open!
Day 4: Thursday
The fact that the practice courts were the best yet was a good sign. On the main practice courts Germans Mischa Zverev and Denis Gremelmayr were hitting together and Andrea Stoppini was hitting with Scoville Jenkins. None of those guys are in the tournament anymore, and Jenkins was never even in the tournament to begin with!
Scoville Jenkins on the practice courts. I have no idea what he is doing here, as he is not in the tournament--singles or doubles.
After a while I went to see if the match courts had some more exciting action going on. Juan Martin Del Potro was sitting in a chair on Court 1 so I stopped by to see if he would continue practicing. He was there with coach Franco Davin, you might know if you were a huge Gaston Gaudio fan back in 2005 (like me). Davin coached Gaudio to the Argentine's stunning French Open title that year.
Juan Martin Del Potro and coach Franco Davin.
I knew Del Potro was finished with his practice when none other than Andy Roddick walked out onto the court. At that time it was Roddick, Del Potro, their coaches, two other fans, and me on Court 1. Then Bobby Reynolds came out to hit with Roddick, and of course the fans did as well once they noticed Roddick there.
Bobby Reynolds.
Andy Roddick
At one point Roddick said, "How about James?" referring to James Blake's win over Roger Federer at the Olympics.
Reynolds: "I know. First time (referring to first time beating Federer). What a time for it. And he likes playing Rafa."
Roddick: "He plays Gonzalez first."
Reynolds: "How does he do against Gonzalez."
Roddick: "He's down. Probably two or three down." (Referring to their head-to-head record).
Reynolds: "Well you can't complain about the semifinals."
It started raining a little, enough to force them off the practice court since they did not want to do anything stupid before their respective matches coming up later in the day. The rain only delayed match play, however, for about 15 minutes.
The first match on Stadium was doubles between Americans Paul Goldstein and John Isner against American Travis Parrott and Slovak Filip Polasek. Parrott and Polasek are regular partners while Goldstein and Isner were teaming up for the first time, so it's not surprising that Parrott and Polasek won in straight sets. The first, however, ended in a hard-fought tiebreaker and overall it was a good match.
Reynolds: "I know. First time (referring to first time beating Federer). What a time for it. And he likes playing Rafa."
Roddick: "He plays Gonzalez first."
Reynolds: "How does he do against Gonzalez."
Roddick: "He's down. Probably two or three down." (Referring to their head-to-head record).
Reynolds: "Well you can't complain about the semifinals."
It started raining a little, enough to force them off the practice court since they did not want to do anything stupid before their respective matches coming up later in the day. The rain only delayed match play, however, for about 15 minutes.
The first match on Stadium was doubles between Americans Paul Goldstein and John Isner against American Travis Parrott and Slovak Filip Polasek. Parrott and Polasek are regular partners while Goldstein and Isner were teaming up for the first time, so it's not surprising that Parrott and Polasek won in straight sets. The first, however, ended in a hard-fought tiebreaker and overall it was a good match.
Paul Goldstein and John Isner in between points.
Handshake after the match. Goldstein and Polasek, and fellow University of Georgia grads Isner and Parrott.
Then it was time for singles action. Bobby Reynolds and Viktor Troicki were already in the second set when I arrived at the Grandstand. Reynolds dropped the first but was on fire from the moment I took my seat. He took the second easily and was in control of the third until Troicki righted the ship. The Serb won broke Reynolds in his last two service games and closed out the match serving at 5-4. A very disappointing loss as an American tennis fan, but it was good to see Reynolds playing at such a high level for two and a half sets.
Viktor Troicki relieved after his win over Bobby Reynolds on the Grandstand.
John Isner at an autograph session. He is never without that UGA football hat.
The Reynolds-Troicki match obviously lasted a while so Roddick and Eduardo Schwank had already finished a set when I got back to the Stadium. I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that Roddick--who hasn't been that great recently--lost the first, but I'm sure the fans (most of whom probably have no idea who Schwank is) were stunned.
Roddick won the second and was up a break in the third, but Schwank stormed back to break twice and hold two match points while serving for a spot in the quarterfinals. Roddick saved the first and then the Argentine double-faulted on the second. Two points later it was 5-5 and two holds later we had a third-set tiebreaker on our hands. Roddick came up with the goods, including a massive forehand passing shot at 5-1, and prevailed seven points to two.
Roddick won the second and was up a break in the third, but Schwank stormed back to break twice and hold two match points while serving for a spot in the quarterfinals. Roddick saved the first and then the Argentine double-faulted on the second. Two points later it was 5-5 and two holds later we had a third-set tiebreaker on our hands. Roddick came up with the goods, including a massive forehand passing shot at 5-1, and prevailed seven points to two.
In the stratosphere for Andy Roddick vs. Eduardo Schwank. Fortunately the stratosphere in this stadium is about the equivalent of mezzanine level in Arthur Ashe.
Roddick service preparation.
Fortunately the Roddick-Schwank lasted longer than expected, so a mass exodus ensued and that opened up the front row for the most anticipated match of the day: Somdev Devvarman vs. Robert Kendrick.
Both players came into this one red hot, especially Somdev, the two-time reigning NCAA singles champion who won four consecutive Challengers and Futures events right out of college. He also won three matches over the weekend to qualify for the Legg Mason main draw and then beat Taylor Dent in the first round. Kendrick also won three weekend matches to qualify for the main draw and scored a big upset of Feliciano Lopez in round one.
Kendrick was positively awful for one and a half sets on this night. All Somdev had to do was track down a few balls and get them back in the court on every point, and that's what Somdev does best. Out of nowhere, however, Kendrick turned his game completely around, got back on serve in the second, and forced a tiebreaker which he won seven points to five.
Despite the turnaround and continued stellar play in set three, Kendrick never got over the fact that the American crowd was pro-Somdev, who is from India. It probably did not effect the outcome of the match, but Kendrick was never in a good mood throughout the proceedings.
Both men had chances to break in the final set, and to the delight of many in the crowd (although by this time not many were still around) one finally came at 5-5. With Kendrick serving, Somdev played a game reminiscent of the third-set tiebreaker in his 2007 NCAA title match against Isner (I doubt more than 400 people saw that live or on TV, but I've never seen anyone play a better tiebreaker). He came up with several amazing passing shots and one awesome topspin lob to finish off the break. Somdev the closed out the match in routine fashion serving at 6-5.
Both players came into this one red hot, especially Somdev, the two-time reigning NCAA singles champion who won four consecutive Challengers and Futures events right out of college. He also won three matches over the weekend to qualify for the Legg Mason main draw and then beat Taylor Dent in the first round. Kendrick also won three weekend matches to qualify for the main draw and scored a big upset of Feliciano Lopez in round one.
Kendrick was positively awful for one and a half sets on this night. All Somdev had to do was track down a few balls and get them back in the court on every point, and that's what Somdev does best. Out of nowhere, however, Kendrick turned his game completely around, got back on serve in the second, and forced a tiebreaker which he won seven points to five.
Despite the turnaround and continued stellar play in set three, Kendrick never got over the fact that the American crowd was pro-Somdev, who is from India. It probably did not effect the outcome of the match, but Kendrick was never in a good mood throughout the proceedings.
Both men had chances to break in the final set, and to the delight of many in the crowd (although by this time not many were still around) one finally came at 5-5. With Kendrick serving, Somdev played a game reminiscent of the third-set tiebreaker in his 2007 NCAA title match against Isner (I doubt more than 400 people saw that live or on TV, but I've never seen anyone play a better tiebreaker). He came up with several amazing passing shots and one awesome topspin lob to finish off the break. Somdev the closed out the match in routine fashion serving at 6-5.
Robert Kendrick.
Somdev Devvarman.
A very happy Somdev high-fiving fans in the tunnel after the huge win.
Fabio Fognini and Igor Kunitsyn were scheduled to play on Stadium AFTER Somdev and Kendric, but that would have been ridiculous seeing how long the two previous matches lasted. So they were moved to the Grandstand; a good thing since Somdev and Kendrick ended around midnight.
Although most people didn't even consider going back over to the Grandstand at that point, I'm ashamed to admit that I did not make it to the end of Fognini and Kunitsyn. I stayed until the start of the third set, and wouldn't you know it, I ended up missing another third-set tiebreaker. I have to say, though, it says more about the two players involved than my own tennis fandom that I did not stay for the end. I don't feel too bad; there was barely a sole around (except for Somdev and his UVA crowd stayed to scout his next opponent) and almost no cars left in the parking lot when I headed out.
That's all for Day 4! Day 5 features all four quarterfinal showdowns, starting with Isner and ending with Somdev.
Although most people didn't even consider going back over to the Grandstand at that point, I'm ashamed to admit that I did not make it to the end of Fognini and Kunitsyn. I stayed until the start of the third set, and wouldn't you know it, I ended up missing another third-set tiebreaker. I have to say, though, it says more about the two players involved than my own tennis fandom that I did not stay for the end. I don't feel too bad; there was barely a sole around (except for Somdev and his UVA crowd stayed to scout his next opponent) and almost no cars left in the parking lot when I headed out.
That's all for Day 4! Day 5 features all four quarterfinal showdowns, starting with Isner and ending with Somdev.
Day 3: Wednesday
Fortunately the Stadium matches turned out to be just fine, otherwise I would have been in trouble.
But first I ran into the official U.S. Open Series bus, the one in all of those commercials, inside the players/media entrance.
I'm making three of the stops on "The Greatest Road Trip in Sports."
Then, naturally, it was time for an hour of practice courts before the matches started. Vince Spadea and Coach Sanguinetti were on the same court at the same time as yesterday. I watched a little of that even though I had seen more than enough of those two exactly 24 hours earlier. Plus there was some decent action going on the courts next to them (Rajeev Ram, Andrea Stoppini, Marc Gicquel, and Robert Lindstedt, among others). After a while I headed into the Stadium where Haas (what a surprise!) was warming up for his match against Nicolas Mahut. Granted Haas had a match coming up soon so one could only expect him to be practicing around that time, but I swear to God that guy is always on the practice courts. Either that or the two of us just always happen to be at the same spot at the same time.
Jesse Levine came out and watched the end of Haas’ practice. At one point Haas hit a flurry of nice winners against his hitting partner at net, and after one especially stellar topspin lob he said, “Don’t mess with the Zohan” (a reference to a recent Adam Sandler movie). Levine thoroughly enjoyed that and expressed disappointment that he had not seen that movie yet. Haas finished up shortly thereafter and went over to talk further with Levine. I have no idea how or why, but Levine and Haas seem to be really good friends (at least judging from their interaction).
Tommy Haas.
Levine telling Haas about his match the previous night against Juan Martin Del Potro. A close look makes it clear Haas is not looking at Levine. He’s looking at several 15-year-old girls who were making comments to him throughout his practice session. Right around this time one of them gleefully yelled at Haas that she was 19, to which Haas laughed and responded, “Yeah right.”First up in the Stadium was a doubles match between Americans Eric Butorac and James Cerretani against Thai twins Sonchat and Sonchai Ratiwatana. The announcer had Sonchat raise his hand during warm-ups so the crowd could tell them apart, of course that didn’t do much good the minute he put his hand back down. The only way to tell who was who for good was listening to the chair umpire announce who was serving first (Sonchat) and then keeping your eye on him after the service game to see which side he returned from the next game. Then you knew who played forehand and who played backhand (and hopefully they didn’t switch after the first set!).
One fan in the front row kept talking to Butorac during warm-ups and I heard Butorac say to the guy, “I heard Sonchat is better, but I have no idea which one that is.”
Ratiwatana twins. No idea who is who. Still have no idea.
A Ratiwatana twin serving as the Thai fans look on. They arrived with their red shirts and thundersticks midway through the first set and eventually had about 15 people there. I still call them the “Srichaphantics,” which is what they were called when Paradorn was still playing.
Butorac and Cerretani won in two sets; a solid match, though certainly not at Bryan Brothers level.
Butorac and Cerretani after the win.
Next I watched all of Haas vs. Mahut from the front row. Haas got up 5-2 in the first but then dropped serve at 5-3 and it ended up going into a tiebreaker. Seven double-faults in the first set did not help Haas, but he ended up winning the ‘breaker 7-4. The second was on serve with Mahut leading 3-2 until Haas really started playing well to win the last four games of the match.
Tommy Haas serving.
Nicolas Mahut.
As expected almost all of the seats in the courtside boxes filled up for the (all-American) match of the day, John Isner vs. Donald Young, so I moved back into the second level; still a great seat right behind the baseline and a great vantage point looking down on the court.
John Isner vs. Donald Young in the Stadium.
It would not be an Isner match without a tiebreaker (more like a third-set tiebreaker), and the second set produced one. Neither player had a break point throughout the set no game even when to deuce. Young got up a mini-break in the tiebreaker 2-1 when Isner double-faulted, but Isner got it right back on Young’s next round of serves. After changing sides at 3-3, Isner won the last four points of the match to advance to the quarterfinals.
Donald Young.
John Isner preparing to deliver another bomb.
After waiting around for a while near the media tent (instead of watching the final match of the day between Juan Martin Del Potro and Dudi Sela), Isner finally emerged for his press conference and it was another good one; not surprising since he had every reason to be in a good mood. I wanted to ask him if he was going to watch the current match on Stadium (Del Potro vs. Dudi Sela; Isner plays the winner) and whether he wanted a shot at Del Potro (15-match winning streak) or if he would gladly settle for the “easier” opponent in Sela. Problem was that Del Potro had just won the first set 6-0, so the outcome was a foregone conclusion (at least at the time it was!). Plus someone else asked a similar question anyway.
I eventually asked him if he had now made it deep enough in the tournament to invite the “drunk idiots” (referencing an Isner comment from the previous press conference). He said one friend had just started driving down from New York and would be staying in his hotel room before night’s end. From the sound of it, it will be just that one guy and no more, but who knows. Later I commented that I had noticed Levine and Haas watching Isner’s match against Young and asked him if he would spend tomorrow watching, for example, Somdev or practicing or just relaxing at the hotel. That question was somewhat of a gaffe since I forgot Isner had a doubles match slated for 4:00, but fortunately I didn’t use the phrase “off day” in the question, which I almost did, so it wasn’t a complete party foul on my part. Isner quickly pointed out that he had a doubles question but then added that he would watch some of Somdev, noting that they are “really good friends” (and he’s great friends with Somdev’s opponent, Robert Kendrick, as well). Then it would be back to the hotel early for a good night’s sleep.
He’ll need a good sleep to be properly energized for Del Potro, who took out Sela in three sets. I headed over there after Isner’s press conference and Sela broke to get back on serve in the second. Shockingly, Sela ended up taking it 7-5 to level the match; quite the turnaround after getting bageled in the first. I wanted Sela to pull it out mainly because he would make for an easier match for Isner, but at the same time Isner-Del Potro would be incredible. Del Potro proved to be too much in the end and won the third 6-2, exactly what I predicted at the start of the final set.
Rowdy fans with an Israel flag. And their man Dudi Sela.
Del Potro.
Day 1: Monday
Another great event and another great day of tennis, although this tournament is nothing like the other three that I attend or have attended. First of all, it's not a Grand Slam. It's not even a Masters Series. The bad news about that is there are fewer players, little action the practice courts, and most importantly only match courts, Center Court, the Grandstand, and Court 1. The good news is that 1) it is much less crowded and 2) ushers (at least so far) don't even check tickets for the court-side boxes, I guess because the tournament just isn't that prestigious and the crowds aren't packed. Contrast that with Arthur Ashe Stadium at the U.S. Open, where they sometimes check tickets where binoculars are required just to find out who is playing.
I arrived well before matches started at 4:00 so I headed out to the practice courts where Tommy Haas was getting ready for his match against Rik De Voest. Unlike at a Grand Slam or Masters Series, Haas is one of the biggest attractions here (probably third behind Andy Roddick and Marat Safin, and maybe last year's Legg Mason sensation John Isner). Not surprisingly, however, his practice court was far from a mob scene.
I arrived well before matches started at 4:00 so I headed out to the practice courts where Tommy Haas was getting ready for his match against Rik De Voest. Unlike at a Grand Slam or Masters Series, Haas is one of the biggest attractions here (probably third behind Andy Roddick and Marat Safin, and maybe last year's Legg Mason sensation John Isner). Not surprisingly, however, his practice court was far from a mob scene.
Haas fooling around during his pre-match practice session.
Then it was time for the first match of the day and the match I was most excited about: Somdev Devvarman vs. Taylor Dent. Devvarman, who recently left UV to go pro, is the 2007 and 2008 NCAA singles champion (he beat Isner on Isner's home turf of UGA in 2007). He went undefeated in his first four professional tournaments post college life, winning Futures events in Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania, and a Challenger event in Kentucky. He also had to win three qualifying matches over the weekend just to get in the main draw, so to say Somdev is on fire would be an understatement. Dent, meanwhile, was forced into semi-retirement by recurring back problems and he did not play a single ATP match over a span of exactly two years, three months, and one week. Once ranked as high as No. 21 in the world back in August of 2005, Dent is just now coming back to professional tennis. While it is a fan-friendly first-round showdown, it's kind of shame they are meeting this early because I would be rooting for both Dent and Devvarman to go deep in this tournament.
I headed up to see what the view from the press box was like and while it is as high as you can get in the stadium, it's actually a great seat: right in the middle of the baseline and perfectly overlooking both the Grandstand and Court 1.
For my assigned seat in the press box.
I headed up to see what the view from the press box was like and while it is as high as you can get in the stadium, it's actually a great seat: right in the middle of the baseline and perfectly overlooking both the Grandstand and Court 1.
Center Court from the press box.
View of the other match courts from my seat in the press box.
For my assigned seat in the press box.
The match definitely lived up to expectations, especially considering Somdev was looking for his first-ever ATP win while Dent barely plays tennis anymore. Somdev won the first set in a tiebreaker, but Dent (surprisingly) fought back and dominated the second. As expected (since Somdev is so match-tough at the moment having played more matches over the last two days than Dent has played in two years), Somdev caught fire and wore Dent down to win easily in the third. He hit almost every single return right at Dent's feet and that allowed for easy passing shots. And Somdev's speed consistently put a what-do-I-have-to-do-to-win-a-point look on Dent's face throughout the final set. All in all: stellar showings from both men.
I moved into a baseline box for the last two sets for better viewing and better pictures.
I moved into a baseline box for the last two sets for better viewing and better pictures.
A ball-kid gets Somdev ready to serve.
Taylor Dent. He still has a big serve but Somdev really started handling it in the third set.
Somdev signing a UVA hat after his first ATP win.
Taylor Dent. He still has a big serve but Somdev really started handling it in the third set.
Somdev signing a UVA hat after his first ATP win.
Haas and De Voest were next up so I stayed down low in the stadium for that match. I had never seen De Voest play and his scrambling and counter-punching game was impressive. He even took the second set off the heavily-favored German, but Haas was near-flawless in the third and dominated.
Tommy Haas serving.
I went to Haas' press conference after the match and he definitely gives a good interview; or he was just in a good mood after the win. I asked him if he is following the Olympics and if he has any regrets about not being there. He said he does really enjoy following on the internet, either via live scores or live feeds of matches. As for second thoughts about not playing, he has none because he won Silver in 2000 (Sydney, Australia) so he can "just sit back and relax at home and look at mine all the time if I want to." Interestingly, Haas absolutely LOVES the bronze medal match. Absolutely LOVES it. He went on and on about how excited he is to watch it because he thinks it is the most pressure match in all of tennis. "Either you win a medal, or nothing," he said. "Fourth place: you want to shoot yourself."
Then came the second most anticipated match of the day between Isner and No. 8 seed Marcel Granollers. On hard courts it's a match Isner should definitely win, but since there are so few breaks of serve and so many tiebreakers in most of his matches, anything can happen. Two tiebreakers were what ended up happening, after Isner took the first set 6-3. Granollers won the second and then seized the first break (seemingly a match-clinching break) of the third set with Isner serving at 5-5. But just as he did against Gael Monfils in last year's semifinals (his fifth straight win in a third-set tiebreaker), Isner broke back to force a tiebreaker and dominated the rest of the way. 2007 all over again. Unbelievable.
I started watching the match from the press box since Bobby Reynolds and Marc Gicquel were going to a third set on the Grandstand. Able to keep an eye on both courts, I saw Reynolds prevail 6-4. Then I moved down low for Isner.
Isner mobbed by autograph-seekers after the huge win.
I started watching the match from the press box since Bobby Reynolds and Marc Gicquel were going to a third set on the Grandstand. Able to keep an eye on both courts, I saw Reynolds prevail 6-4. Then I moved down low for Isner.
Isner vs. Granollers, night match on Center Court.
Isner mobbed by autograph-seekers after the huge win.
Obviously I was not about to miss Isner's press conference. First I asked him if he immediately started thinking about the Monfils match when he got broken at 5-5 in the third set. He said right at that moment he wasn't really thinking about it but he recalled how similar the circumstances were: got broken on the same side of the court, came back to "dominate" the tiebreaker each time. After a few more questions and responses--including a comment that Isner is "not going to invite those drunk idiots (his friends who cheered him on to last year's final) until I make it a lot deeper in the tournament"--I asked him if he has been following Somdev's incredible progress and what he thinks about Somdev's potential. He said he has definitely been keeping track of Somdev's results and compared how similar their stories are, including winning the Lexington Challenger event right out of college (Isner last year, Somdev this year). He added that Somdev "never gets tired" (very true) and "will be up to where I'm at (in the ATP rankings) in no time; that's for sure."
After the press conference I headed back over to Center Court for the last match of the day between Donald Young and Luis Horna. Even though Young is just 18 years old, it's fair to say he start of his pro career has been a struggle so I really wanted to see him get a win (especially after watching him get blown out by Monfils in the Cincinnati first round). I got there after Young won the first set 6-3, but since it was already after 11:00 (because the first three matches all went three sets) the crowd was sparse and I planted myself in one of the many available front-row seats. Young played really well as Horna imploded, and he took the second set--and the match--6-1.
A very happy Donald Young. It has to be one of the best performances of his short career.
That's all for Day 1! Day 2 will feature big names in Mardy Fish, Marat Safin, and Andy Roddick.
My press pass.
With three of my this-week favorites (Devvarman, Isner, and Young) posting huge wins on Monday, I knew it would be hard for Day 2 to live up to those standards. It definitely did not (Mardy Fish and Marat Safin to blame), but it was still a great day of tennis.
I arrived well before 4:00 match time again and the only thing that was going on was Vince Spadea (practicing with someone who nobody--including even me--knew).
Yes, Davide Sanuinetti--of 2005 U.S. Open fame--is coaching Vince Spadea. Fame at least in our household, because he beat Thai legend Paradorn Srichaphan in a five-set classic, arguably the most epic of several five-set epics I have seen at the Open. Still for some reason it's kind of hilarious that he is coaching Spadea. Sanguinetti is, or was, one of the biggest pushers in tennis history. Then again, I guess Spadea could learn a thing or two about the benefits of doing nothing other than keeping the ball in play.
Fish was first up on Center Court playing Alejandro Falla in what I assumed would be a first-round blowout, so I started on the outer courts. Viktor Troicki and Denis Gremelmayr were playing on the Grandstand, and from the top row of the Grandstand you can see Court 1 perfectly, so I watched Igor Kunitsyn vs. Mischa Zverev at the same time.
Viktor Troicki on the Grandstand.
The cool thing about Court 1, however, is that if you are sitting in the front row on the side with bleachers, you are literally sitting on the court (at least with your feet on the court, and not even that far away from the sidelines). So as Troicki was in the process of crushing Gremelmayr, I went over to Court 1 to watch from courtside. The match was far from thrilling but it was cool to be that close.
The scoreboard showed Fish down a break when I took a seat in a baseline box on Center Court. I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised; Fish has been awful ever since reaching the final in Indian Wells. But he stormed back to win the last four games of the first set for what I again assumed incorrectly would be an insurmountable lead. Fish collapsed over the final two sets--although Falla often produced tennis few thought he was capable of.
American tennis had better luck over on the Grandstand. I arrived with Robert Kendrick having already taken the first set off heavily-favored Feliciano Lopez. Kendrick broke serve late in the second, and with the way he was serving, that proved to be enough to score the upset. That sets up a Kendrick-Devvarman showdown on Thursday (rematch of a Challenger match a few weeks ago, which Somdev won in straight sets).
Kendrick serving. Handshake. Kendrick pumped after the big win.
I stopped by Court 1 right next door briefly for a doubles match between Americans Bobby Reynolds and Rajeev Ram against Rogier Wassen and Lovro Zovko. The Americans ended up losing (expected), but it's a lot of fun to watch doubles from that close.
Reynolds getting down low in the i-formation.
Day 2: Tuesday
My press pass.
With three of my this-week favorites (Devvarman, Isner, and Young) posting huge wins on Monday, I knew it would be hard for Day 2 to live up to those standards. It definitely did not (Mardy Fish and Marat Safin to blame), but it was still a great day of tennis.
I arrived well before 4:00 match time again and the only thing that was going on was Vince Spadea (practicing with someone who nobody--including even me--knew).
Vince Spadea and coach..."Is that Davide Sanguinetti for crying out loud?" might you ask. Actually you would have to be an extremely hardcore tennis fan to recognize Davide Sanguinetti, but that was exactly my first question (to myself) when I walked up to the court. A closer looked confirmed the suspicion.
Yes, Davide Sanuinetti--of 2005 U.S. Open fame--is coaching Vince Spadea. Fame at least in our household, because he beat Thai legend Paradorn Srichaphan in a five-set classic, arguably the most epic of several five-set epics I have seen at the Open. Still for some reason it's kind of hilarious that he is coaching Spadea. Sanguinetti is, or was, one of the biggest pushers in tennis history. Then again, I guess Spadea could learn a thing or two about the benefits of doing nothing other than keeping the ball in play.
Fish was first up on Center Court playing Alejandro Falla in what I assumed would be a first-round blowout, so I started on the outer courts. Viktor Troicki and Denis Gremelmayr were playing on the Grandstand, and from the top row of the Grandstand you can see Court 1 perfectly, so I watched Igor Kunitsyn vs. Mischa Zverev at the same time.
Viktor Troicki on the Grandstand.
The cool thing about Court 1, however, is that if you are sitting in the front row on the side with bleachers, you are literally sitting on the court (at least with your feet on the court, and not even that far away from the sidelines). So as Troicki was in the process of crushing Gremelmayr, I went over to Court 1 to watch from courtside. The match was far from thrilling but it was cool to be that close.
The scoreboard showed Fish down a break when I took a seat in a baseline box on Center Court. I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised; Fish has been awful ever since reaching the final in Indian Wells. But he stormed back to win the last four games of the first set for what I again assumed incorrectly would be an insurmountable lead. Fish collapsed over the final two sets--although Falla often produced tennis few thought he was capable of.
Mardy Fish.
American tennis had better luck over on the Grandstand. I arrived with Robert Kendrick having already taken the first set off heavily-favored Feliciano Lopez. Kendrick broke serve late in the second, and with the way he was serving, that proved to be enough to score the upset. That sets up a Kendrick-Devvarman showdown on Thursday (rematch of a Challenger match a few weeks ago, which Somdev won in straight sets).
Kendrick serving. Handshake. Kendrick pumped after the big win.
I stopped by Court 1 right next door briefly for a doubles match between Americans Bobby Reynolds and Rajeev Ram against Rogier Wassen and Lovro Zovko. The Americans ended up losing (expected), but it's a lot of fun to watch doubles from that close.
Reynolds getting down low in the i-formation.
The Fish disappointment was soon rivaled by what took place in the next Center Court match. Safin and Fabio Fognini were on serve when I got there, but that quickly changed. At 5-5 Safin dropped serve. Immediately after Fognini closed out the set, Safin walked up to the net and shook hands with him. The chair umpire said something inaudible (presumably that Safin was retiring) so most of the crowd didn't even know what was going on. It was extremely bizarre and looked like Safin was just quitting for no other reason than that he was losing. I would not put it past Safin to do that; after all, just two weeks ago in Cincinnati down match point he called a Dmitry Tursunov serve in that had been called out (and it was probably a foot out) just so he could get off the court as fast as possible. Anyway, Safin's post-match comments made it sound like he really did have a neck injury, but that is questionable at best.
Safin vs. Fognini on Center Court.
Back-and-forth from Center Court to Grandstand I went, this time for Sebastien Grosjean vs. Eduardo Schwank. It turned out to be probably the best match of the day in terms of long points and high-quality stuff from both players. Grosjean did a ton of scrambling, especially impressive considering his "old" age (30). In the end, though, the up-and-coming Schwank simply had too much power and too much game.
Schwank will play Roddick in round two, and that could be a really good one if Roddick's serving doesn't improve. Roddick fired 21 aces against Ramon Delgado, but the part I saw (end of the second set) did not look good. He double-faulted eight times, most of which came near the end when Roddick shockingly failed to serve out the match at 5-4. He got the job done in the tiebreaker, however.
Back-and-forth from Center Court to Grandstand I went, this time for Sebastien Grosjean vs. Eduardo Schwank. It turned out to be probably the best match of the day in terms of long points and high-quality stuff from both players. Grosjean did a ton of scrambling, especially impressive considering his "old" age (30). In the end, though, the up-and-coming Schwank simply had too much power and too much game.
Eduardo Schwank.
Schwank will play Roddick in round two, and that could be a really good one if Roddick's serving doesn't improve. Roddick fired 21 aces against Ramon Delgado, but the part I saw (end of the second set) did not look good. He double-faulted eight times, most of which came near the end when Roddick shockingly failed to serve out the match at 5-4. He got the job done in the tiebreaker, however.
As part of some contest, Roddick hitting a ball to some fan who then has to hit one of these targets. My only question is what the heck happened to Roddick's shirt in between the time he put it on and the time this photo was taken. Surely he did not put it on with it looking like that. Disgusting design.
As expected, a mass exodus of fans occurred after the Roddick match so I moved into a baseline box for the last match of the day between Jesse Levine and Juan Martin Del Potro. I was excited for this one because 1) I (stupidly) gave Levine a fighting chance of at least making it competitive if not pulling off the upset altogether, and 2) I wanted to find out just how Del Potro has won three straight tournaments and 14 matches in-a-row. The Argentine, just 19 years old but already 6'6'', showed how. Let's just say Levine played very well and still came out on the short end of a 6-2, 6-3 blowout. Del Potro beat Roddick in the L.A. final last week and I am attempted to change my Legg Mason prediction to the exact same outcome.
That's all for Day 2! Day 3 is going to be all about John Isner vs. Donald Young.
As expected, a mass exodus of fans occurred after the Roddick match so I moved into a baseline box for the last match of the day between Jesse Levine and Juan Martin Del Potro. I was excited for this one because 1) I (stupidly) gave Levine a fighting chance of at least making it competitive if not pulling off the upset altogether, and 2) I wanted to find out just how Del Potro has won three straight tournaments and 14 matches in-a-row. The Argentine, just 19 years old but already 6'6'', showed how. Let's just say Levine played very well and still came out on the short end of a 6-2, 6-3 blowout. Del Potro beat Roddick in the L.A. final last week and I am attempted to change my Legg Mason prediction to the exact same outcome.
That's all for Day 2! Day 3 is going to be all about John Isner vs. Donald Young.