The Random Tennis News Thread

[The Special Juan]

First topic message reminder :

There's not really a thread up for random tennis news that perhaps doesn't require it's own topic.

First of all, it's sad to hear of the death of Brad Drewett, Chief Executive of the ATP. I don't know if anyone's mentioned that and I've missed it.

Secondly, here's an interesting bit of tennis gossip about Evert and Connors: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/05/04/tennis-connors-evert-idUKL3N0DL05G20130504

[JuliusHMarx]

Rage against (Florence and) the Machine

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/33782370

[temporary21]

Fed does indeed miss Canada this year.  If forgotten that he had final points to defend when Tsonga beat him. Murrats chance to make some ground and Tsonga must be under some pressure now too

[temporary21]

I some more news. Andy ad Kim are expecting a baby! My best wishes to them both

[summerblues]

Andy hit pretty good form after he got married but in the two slams he played since then he lost to players that were married, with children. So maybe that was the missing ingredient in his game.

[summerblues]

...and checking further, it turns out that Teymuraz Gabashvili is also married, with a child.

[Guest82]

Did anyone hear about Dan Evans last night?

Playing in a challenger in Vancouver, beat Stepanek in the previous round. Was 1 set all and 0-5 down in the decider. Saved 7 match points and came back to win a tie-break.

[LuvSports!]

Awesome. He's now outside the top 10 for Brits I think. 25 now.

[Born Slippy]

A win or two more in Vancouver and he won't be though. Promising signs as he came through qualies as well.

[Guest82]

Was down at 700+ in the world. Will now be back inside the top 400.

Plays Brydan Klein in the quarter finals. Klein beat Bemelmans in a final set TB too.

[lags72]

A little snippet for the Random Tennis News thread .....not exactly hot news - but nice & random at least

Serve-bot Karlovic recently passed the 10,000 milestone for career aces. He is now just 160 behind all-time leader, good old Goran of course.

Third on the list is Federer with a total of 9279 to date. But of course that has to be put in the context of matches played, which to date is 1224 for Fed ; whereas it has taken Dr Ivo only 528 to get his tally.

(stats exclude current Cincy AFAIK)

[YvonneT]

Davis Cup Semi Finals Nominations:

Australia has announced that Bernard Tomic, Sam Groth, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Lleyton Hewitt will make up Wally Masur’s team for their trip to Glasgow to face Great Britain in the semifinals. Tomic, who has an impressive 14-2 win-loss record in Davis Cup, replaces Nick Kyrgios in the only change from the team that recovered from 0-2 down to defeat Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals.

Great Britain has made one change to the team that earned a place in the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time since 1981, with James Ward making way for world No. 103 Kyle Edmund. Despite a stunning win over John Isner in the first round in Glasgow in March, Ward hasn’t won a match since reaching the third round at Wimbledon. Andy Murray, who should benefit from a few extra days rest following his fourth round exit at the US Open, will lead the line for Leon Smith’s men, with doubles specialists Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot completing the line-up.

Belgium has named the same team that defeated Canada 5-0 in the quarterfinals for its semifinal tie with Argentina in Brussels. World No. 15 David Goffin, who couldn't hide his excitement about the upcoming tie last week, leads the home side's bid for a first Davis Cup Final since 1904, flanked by Ruben Bemelmans, Steve Darcis and Kimmer Koppejans.

Argentina’s hopes of reaching a fifth Davis Cup Final rest on Leonardo Mayer, Federico Delbonis, Diego Schwartzman and Carlos Berlocq – the same team that carried Daniel Orsanic’s men past Brazil and Serbia in the opening two rounds and into their 10th semifinal since 2002.

http://www.daviscup.com/en/news/211785.aspx

I notice that James Ward is currently playing - down 1-6 1-3 in the first round of a challenger against Ivashka (WR430). Pretty hard to be picked on current form, despite the previous massive upsets. Big moment for Kyle to come in to Davis Cup at this level though.

[Guest]

Five New York Policemen jump and rough up a black man allegedly in possession of a beard:  
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34205643

[Haddie-nuff]

A piece of news that is worth noting... whilst it may not be considered a justifiable reason for Rafa's lack of form, it certainly hasn't helped.. Rafa's Grandfather died this week who was also called Rafael and to whom Rafa was very attached. Sad news for him.

[Guest]

I think something has definitely changed physically (and permanently) with Nadal: I think his record at Wimbledon proves it:

2006  2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
F .........F .....W......A.....W..... F..... 2R.... 1R... 4R... 2R

With Wimbledon there is less predictable grip (various degrees of slipperiness) and more low shooting balls - which requires more bending at the knees and more pressure on the knees.  That said he should still be able to challenge at the French Open and perhaps AO.  I think he could have managed his body better: there were some examples in the past where his preparation for the Australian Open seemed manic.

I would say he and Borg were the two stand out clay court players of the modern era. Borg lost interest in the game at an early age, while Nadal wore his knees out.

[Guest]

James Blake being arrested:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34226016

The suspect (he was only a suspect and apparently was later cleared):
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3230271/The-suspect-cops-mistook-James-Blake-pictured-time-Mayor-Bill-Blasio-apologizes-tennis-great.html

James Blake interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzUayW7KjgI

Three points I noted:  
1) Blake was mistaken in saying the "arresting" officer was wearing shorts.  He was wearing long trousers.  This is consistent with studies that show eye witness information can be unreliable even when they observe something in front of their nose.  It's linked with the way the brain creates - recalls - reconstructs memory.
2) There clearly is a them and us type culture in the NY Police Force (the officer was part of a team of five plains clothes officers according to Blake).
3) James Blake is highly articulate (went to Harvard University but dropped out after the second year to pursue tennis as a career)

[Guest]

I wasn't sure where to put this, but I wonder what people think of this?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zg9vgk7

[temporary21]

Sort of explains why Novak and rafa go soo long

[Guest]

Well I thought it was intriguing. I think confidence in ones body or even ability can have such a profound effect on performance.

[lags72]

A little snippet for the Random Tennis News thread .....not exactly hot news - but nice & random at least

Serve-bot Karlovic recently passed the 10,000 milestone for career aces. He is now just 160 behind all-time leader, good old Goran of course.

Third on the list is Federer with a total of 9279 to date. But of course that has to be put in the context of matches played, which to date is 1224 for Fed ; whereas it has taken Dr Ivo only 528 to get his tally.

(stats exclude current Cincy AFAIK)

Just bumping/updating my own post here (I know you've all been waiting with bated breath ....) with the news that Ivo has pulled clear of the mighty Goran.

Another 26 aces in last night's match puts him the outright leader, and now 10 ahead, in the all-time record. It still wasn't quite enough for him to win against Cuevas, with Karlovic finishing on the wrong side of a (surprise surprise) 7-6 7-6 scoreline.

Perhaps of more interest is the fact that Karlovic became the oldest winner of a tour-level title this year since Jimmy Connors way back in 1989

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/karlovic-becomes-new-ace-king-2015

[dummy_half]

lags

since you seem to be the king of the stats, how about checking out other potential Karlovic records:

Most tie-breaks played / won / lost

Highest proportion of sets ending in tie breaks

Most 7-6 7-6 wins

Most 7-6 7-6 losses

[lags72]

Hi dummy_half

Thanks for the invitation, but I will politely decline if I may !

I'm honestly no "king of stats" rest assured.

Just occasionally, the odd wacky snippets & stats trivia grab my attention. But spending time in researching detailed records of a guy whose game & style of play has never sparked my interest ....well it ain't my thing, sorry.

Hopefully someone else may (or alternatively may not ....given how quiet the forum is these days !) step in. And in the meantime I can only imagine that the non-numerical answer to your questions is likely to be....er "a lot"

[Henman Bill]

So Karlovic has 10,247 and Goran has 10,237.

But it says Goran turned pro in 1998 and aces records were kept from 1991, so Goran still has more than Ivo. We just don't know how many more.

The only record Karlovic has is the most aces of all pros that turned pro after/during 1991.

[sirfredperry]

Pre-1991 guys who probably chalked up a good few aces included Roscoe Tanner who was good enough to reach a Wimbledon final in 1979.
Let's hope Dr Ivo has a happier post-retirement time of it than Tanner who has had several brushes with the law in recent years.

[Guest]

Eugenie Bouchard is suing the USTA and USTA National Tennis Center for negligence at the US Open that resulted in a "severe injury to her head, including, but not limited to, a concussion", - the same injury also caused her to withdraw or retire from the subsequent Japan Open, Wuhan Open, China Open and Hong Kong Open tournaments ... she continues to suffer pain as a consequence of the fall, resulting in medical costs and a loss of income, and that it affects her quality of life.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/34536144

[Guest]

Don't mess with Serena. Serena Williams sees red when a man steals her mobile phone in a restaurant:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/34725563

[Guest]

Kyle Edmund stakes Davis Cup final claim with tournament win beating Carlos Berlocq to win Challenger Clay Court Title in Buenos Airies. He should move back into the top100 next week:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/34828177

[Born Slippy]

Dan Evans also won a Challenger today. Good form from the lesser Brits.

[Guest]

Dan Evans also won a Challenger today. Good form from the lesser Brits.

Yes just saw that.  I haven't heard from James Ward so I guess it will be between Kyle Edmunds and Dan Evans to compete for the second slot assuming Murray will be fit to play.

[Guest82]

Evans beat Tiafoe from a set down in the final. Watched that match on the stream on the ATP Challenger website.

Ward lost in an early round of the challenger Edmund won (I think). If Bedene gets cleared I guess he will play, would think Edmund if not. I'd like to see Evans given the chance, but not sure about him on clay.

[Born Slippy]

Evans is now up to 185 in the rankings, having been 763rd at the end of June. Not bad progress!

Edmund is back into the top 100.

Even though its clay, I think I would still go with Evans (unless Bedene is available). Edmund hasn't yet really had a breakthrough win in a big event and has tended to look a bit nervous on the big stage. Evans is on a great run and is the type of personality who might turn it on when its the biggest stage.

[Guest]

I assumed Bedene was available but would only be considered for next year because he hasn't been part of this years team ... I didn't realise that he maybe doesn't qualify for the Davis Cup.

[Guest]

Rule change early in 2015 bans players from ever representing more than one country in the Davis Cup. As Bedene has represented Slovenia three times he cannot play for GB ever. However he submitted his application to represent GB before the rule was changed. He has 30 minutes in which to present his case:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/34790346

[Guest82]

Bedene finds out tomorrow if he can play.

I expect Smith will pick Edmund if not. Edmund playing another clay challenger this week. Evans playing another hard court challenger. Think I read somewhere that Murray has been practicing with Bedene on clay.

[Guest]

The decision as to whether Bedene can play for Great Britain has been adjourned until March 2026. Until that time he is ineligible to play for GB in the Davis Cup.

erratum: decision adjourned until March 2016 (not 2026).

[temporary21]

makes it easier. Either Edmund on form or Ward for big match play

[Guest]

Andy Murray complains the ITF are disrespectful. Bedene, his lawyer & a member of the LTA had been given a 30 minute time slot to present their case to the ITF on Tuesday, to be held in Prague. They flew out there only to be told the ITF had cancelled the meeting because the ITF want to have more time to strengthen their case to oppose Bedene's application (maybe).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/34863468

This sort of treatment is reminiscent of the shenanigans of other sporting bodies such as FIFA with dodgy character.

[Guest82]

Yes very unfair on Bedene.

I wonder if Smith will pick Ward, given his history or Edmund, given his form. Got to believe that Darcis on clay is winnable for either of them.

[YvonneT]

According to the Guardian ...

"...the Lawn Tennis Association did not submit a 70-page summary of its support for the player until just before the ITF convened its meeting in Prague this week. It was this, it seems, that forced the ITF to put back the hearing until its next board of directors’ meeting in March as much as any bureaucratic stubbornness."

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/nov/17/aljaz-bedene-davis-cup-appeal-adjourned  

I can understand them not wanting to make a decision just before the final, but it is harsh to have to wait until March after the next round of Davis Cup. I don't particularly care about whether he is allowed to join the GB Davis Cup team, but it is leaving him in limbo over the Olympics which is essentially an individual competition (with a flag stuck on it).

[Guest82]

Edmund lost in second round of clay challenger yesterday.

Dan Evans also lost to Taylor Fritz. Fritz won back-to-back Challengers earlier this year, could be one for the future.

[YvonneT]

I see that Federer has committed to Stuttgart for 2016 and 2017. That's the grass tournament the week between Roland Garros and Halle/Queens. Well, he does like grass, but does he really want 2 weeks' prep for Wimbledon? Does it indicate that's he's really written off success at Roland Garros? I'm a little surprised he's adding to his schedule in that busy stretch.

[Guest]

Belgium on high alert. Not good for the Davis Cup Final:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/34890874

[lags72]

Not good at all.

What a troubled world we inhabit.

[temporary21]

Bad news indeed

[Guest]

Not good preparation for the British Davis Cup team in their attempt to acclimatise to court conditions etc as their trip to Belgium and Ghent is delayed over the security issues:

"Great Britain have delayed their departure to Belgium for next weekend's Davis Cup final as Brussels remains on its highest level of alert amid fears of an attack.

The team - including Andy Murray - are now not expected to travel until Monday for the tie in Ghent.

The Belgian capital entered a second day of a security lockdown on Sunday, with Metro services suspended until Monday and residents told to avoid crowds.

The country's government will review the security situation in Brussels later on Sunday.

The maximum security alert in the capital will remain in place in the meantime, as Belgian police and security services hunt for suspects linked to the Paris attacks and those said to be planning a similar attack in Belgium."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/34894679

[Henman Bill]

I guess if Federer reaches the French Open final he just pulls out of Stuttgart.

[temporary21]

Its pretty bad , the city centre has been emptied. The tie itself is in serious jeopardy at the moment

[Guest]

If it has to be postponed then it is going to be difficult to reschedule it. Surely if Belgium swamps its streets with Belgium troops etc it should be safe.  I remember for the London Olympics the UK government had to station anti-aircraft missiles on top of a few appartment blocks to satisfy the concerns of the Americans.

[YvonneT]

It's just Brussels that's on high alert, Ghent is fine and everything there is going ahead as normal. The problem (as far as Davis Cup is concerned) is that virtually everyone has to pass through Brussels to get there.

[Henman Bill]

well the other thing is that the Davis Cup is itself a possible target being a well-publicized gathering of people. although it may be tricky to get a machine gun into the stadium it would be very easy to stand outside the stadium and fire on a crowd of hundreds of people who have not yet gone in.

of course the odds of it being targeted are fairly low but do you really want to be the one who gave the approval and gets the blame for the decision later.

I personally would go ahead with the tie, but most people tend to play it safe.

[lags72]

Hardly 'random' news, but just tagging on to previous Davis Cup posts ......Kyle Edmund reportedly confirmed to open the singles play tomorrow.

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