Pre-Wimbledon Grass Court Tournaments 2021

by sirfredperry Mon Jun 14, 2021 9:06 pm

Only two weeks of grass court play this year before Wimbledon. Two 500-pointers at Queen's and Halle already underway.

As mentioned earlier on the French Open topic, there was an excellent win by Jack Draper, 19, who beat fellow 19-year-old and number three seed Sinner 7-6, 7-6 at Queen's to register his first man tour victory.

Draper was 0-4 down in the first set and also trailed 4-6 in the first set tiebreak having fought his way back into the match. He also had to come from a back down in the second set.

There was another British win in the following match with Cameron Norrie, having a terrific season, overcoming Ramos-Vinolas in three. It was great to see Feliciano Lopez back in action with a win at Queen's where he's twice won the trophy.

In Halle Federer had a bit of a struggle before beating Ivashka 7-6, 7-5 on his fourth MP.

Talk over the next few days will be about Federer's ability to make a fist of it at SW19 where it's been announced that there will be full capacity crowds at the men's and women's singles finals and 50% capacity on other days.

Probably be the odd paragraph or two on Djoko's chances of another Wimbledon, a possible Grand Slam and even a Golden Slam if you chuck the Olympics in.

by sirfredperry Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:22 pm

Medvedev, who Federer might have had to face, is out in Halle, beaten in straight sets by Struff of Germany.

Another number one seed, Berrettini, is a set up at Queen's against fellow Italian Travaglia.

by sirfredperry Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:38 pm

Dan Evans and Andy Murray had wins at Queen's.

Murray was up against a somewhat diffident Benoit Paire so it's difficult to assess his form. But from the bits I saw Murray seemed to be moving well.

Much more of a test awaits, as Andy will now have to play number one seed, the big-serving Berrettini, who won his match 7-6, 7-6.

by CaledonianCraig Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:44 pm

sirfredperry wrote:Dan Evans and Andy Murray had wins at Queen's.

Murray was up against a somewhat diffident Benoit Paire so it's difficult to assess his form. But from the bits I saw Murray seemed to be moving well.

Much more of a test awaits, as Andy will now have to play number one seed, the big-serving Berrettini, who won his match 7-6, 7-6.

Very true with regards Murray. Kind of Paire to offer himself up for a training match for Andy. How he recovers and fares against a much tougher opponent in Berrettini will tell us a little more on where he is fitness-wise.

by **88Chris05** Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:28 pm

After losing the first set, Auger-Aliassime has recovered to do a nice little number on Federer in Halle. He comes through 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. I've just watched the highlights of the match and Federer really looked as if he was struggling to make any inroads against Auger-Aliassime's serve for most of the match, and the last two sets in particular. Just saw a statistic that he only won 11 out of 58 points on the return which backs that up.

I think if he makes the quarters at Wimbledon he'll have done very well. He won't be satisfied with that, of course, but his reactions and movement just don't seem to be there at the moment and it's fanciful to suggest they'll ever return, at least to anything like their 2017 / 2018 levels when he was first on the comeback trail.

Am loath to write the great man off but he's looking his age at the moment. No shame in that given how extraordinarily well he's done in his post-35 years, mind you!

by No name Bertie Wed Jun 16, 2021 5:55 pm

That was the first time Federer has played Auger-Aliassime so maybe he wasn't able to read AA serve. AA hasn't played Djokovic and played Nadal once two years ago on clay (Nadal won in straight sets). He is 20, Canadian, has already won nearly $4 million in prize money and has moved to the tax haven of Monte Carlo. Wikipedia describes his playing style as: an all-court tennis player. His favourite surface is clay.

by **88Chris05** Wed Jun 16, 2021 7:17 pm

Yeah, Auger-Aliassime is still a bit of a mystery for me. I do remember listening to Jim Courier talking about him a few years back. He said that Auger-Aliassime was his pick amongst all the juniors or fledgling pros to go on and do really big things. Hasn't quite put down a truly memorable marker just yet but he's made pretty steady progress all the same. Strange that his favourite surface is described as clay seeing as his results there haven't been anything at all to write home about so far.

Halle is pretty open now with a few big seeds gone already, so it could be a big chance for him after this confidence boost. Hasn't made a Slam quarter final yet, Wimbledon this year might just be the time to break that duck.

by sirfredperry Wed Jun 16, 2021 8:37 pm

Disappointing that Fed could not have gone through, especially as number one seed Medvedev was out of the way.

Yet, what would it have said about the tour if a near-40 yr old, who has hardly played for 18 months, was able to beat a highly-ranked player?

This is not 2017 when Fed amazed everyone with an AO Slam triumph. He's probably still good enough to beat the lesser players and maybe even the better ones if they don't play well.

Yes, Djoko and Nadal are still ruling the roost. But they are years younger than Rog and have not been out of the sport for the length time the Swiss has.

Elsewhere wins by Norrie and Draper, who now meet in the quarters, mean there will be at least one Briton in the semis at Queen's.

Draper looked good. He's got a big lefty serve which he backs up with strong ground strokes. Norrie is having an exellent season

by No name Bertie Thu Jun 17, 2021 8:01 am

I am not au fait with the male physiological development with age. However I have heard something called the "male menopause" and I have heard that male testosterone decreases with age after a certain point, so maybe the male menopause is associated with a significant decrease of testosterone at a certain age. There is also something called middle age spread and I think lower testosterone levels is a significant contributary factor.

I've heard that Mike Tyson may have got permission to take testosterone replacement therapy in order to keep his physique and activity levels up that presumably helped him in his recent senior fights. Are tennis players allowed to take testosterone replacement therapy?

by Oakdene Thu Jun 17, 2021 12:41 pm

Rafa announces he won't be playing at Wimbledon or the Olympics this summer.

by sirfredperry Thu Jun 17, 2021 12:52 pm

Bit sad about Rafa. The shortened time between the two Slams has helped no one.

by sirfredperry Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:08 pm

While we digest the Rafa news, Dan Evans has had another good win at Queen's, beating Mannarino in straight sets.

The Frenchman enjoys the grass and has a good slice and nice net play, so this was a good win. Means there will be at least three Britons in the quarters at Queen's.

Elsewhere, Sebastian Korda, who is fast climbing the rankings, beat Nishi in a long three-setter in Halle.

by No name Bertie Thu Jun 17, 2021 3:48 pm

Despite the top four moving into their geriatric phase - the next gen can only win a slam by default - literally US Open 2020. For Wimbledon 2021 35 year old Rafael Nadal has pulled out, 34 year old Andy Murray is playing with a replacement hip, Federer will be a month away from his 40th birthday and then we have a 34 year old Djokovic who has just won the French.

by Guest Thu Jun 17, 2021 4:19 pm

Novak will clean up in the next 18 months, and move ahead in the GS totals. Sad news about Rafa, but half expected it really, and his chances on grass are slim anyway.

by sirfredperry Thu Jun 17, 2021 4:21 pm

Berrettini was far too much for Murray. The Italian looks a big threat on grass.

by **laverfan** Thu Jun 17, 2021 5:08 pm

88Chris05 wrote:Am loath to write the great man off but he's looking his age at the moment. No shame in that given how extraordinarily well he's done in his post-35 years, mind you!

Federer is already in the Pancho G. territory.

Also, from Nadal Withdraws From Wimbledon, Olympic Games,

“The goal is to prolong my career and continue to do what makes me happy, that is to compete at the highest level and keep fighting for those professional and personal goals at the maximum level of competition.”

Interesting that both 'old' men want to play as long as they can. clap

by No name Bertie Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:20 pm

bbc wrote:Nadal said the shorter turnaround between the French Open and Wimbledon - which starts at the All England Club on 28 June - was a key factor in his decision....

"The fact that there has only been two weeks between Roland Garros and Wimbledon didn't make it easier on my body to recuperate after the always demanding clay-court season," Nadal said in a Twitter post announcing the news.

"They have been two months of great effort and the decision I take is focused looking at the mid and long term."

by No name Bertie Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:29 pm

laverfan wrote:
88Chris05 wrote:Am loath to write the great man off but he's looking his age at the moment. No shame in that given how extraordinarily well he's done in his post-35 years, mind you!

Federer is already in the Pancho G. territory......

True although in Pancho G. era heavy wooden racquets probably made it even more difficult for the older player to keep up with the youth.

by sirfredperry Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:08 pm

Queen's organisers no doubt relieved to get all four matches played today despite a poor weather forecast.

Rain predicted for tomorrow when Evans, Norrie and Draper all due to be in action.

by sirfredperry Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:57 pm

Osaka has also pulled out of Wimbledon. The Wimbledon people, by their own account, were trying to do everything to encourage her to come.

Osaka seems happy enough to get behind causes and be a kind of poster girl for a better world. But, to me, she hasn't got the mental strength to do all that AND play tennis.

She is going to have to work out exactly what she wants to do. Someone should tell her she can have a terrific tennis career and THEN do all the other stuff.

by Atila Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:20 pm

The WTA must be a little worried about where their next "star" is going to come from. It seemed to me that they were trying to build Osaka into being the next Serena. Now with her withdrawal from the French and Wimbledon, you have to wonder if she can ever be the face of women's tennis.

by No name Bertie Fri Jun 18, 2021 12:45 am

Atila wrote:The WTA must be a little worried about where their next "star" is going to come from. It seemed to me that they were trying to build Osaka into being the next Serena. Now with her withdrawal from the French and Wimbledon, you have to wonder if she can ever be the face of women's tennis.

Coco Gauff? 17 years old, American, ranked 23 and someone the media can present as some sort of savior to humanity.

by **laverfan** Fri Jun 18, 2021 4:50 am

No name Bertie wrote:
Atila wrote:The WTA must be a little worried about where their next "star" is going to come from. It seemed to me that they were trying to build Osaka into being the next Serena. Now with her withdrawal from the French and Wimbledon, you have to wonder if she can ever be the face of women's tennis.
Coco Gauff? 17 years old, American, ranked 23 and someone the media can present as some sort of savior to humanity.

We have tried Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Taylor Townsend in the past in the US, but the durability of the Williams sisters has been missing. Osaka was (is?) a wonderful candidate.

by sirfredperry Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:07 pm

Queen's organisers must have been thrilled to have got so much tennis in on Friday. Berrettini was far too strong for Evans, while Norrie got the better off Draper who at least put up a good show.

Today, Shapovalov saw off Tiafoe. Noticeable how poor the Canadian's ball toss is. He had one horrible game when he served two DFs in a row and was lucky to hold.

Mention above of Gauff leads me to think that she could be an outside bet for Wimbledon. Could depend on whether some of the high-ranking women - Halep, Barty, Kvitova - are fit enough to play.

by **laverfan** Sat Jun 19, 2021 4:20 pm

In Halle, AA loses the third-set TB to Humbert. Shapovalov wins vs Tiafoe, but loses to Norrie at Queens.

by sirfredperry Sat Jun 19, 2021 4:50 pm

It'll be a Berrettini-Norrie final at Queen's after the big-serving Italian was just too strong for a gutsy de Minaur and Norrie overcame Shapovalov.

The Canadian needed treatment during the match and slipped a couple of times at key moments. But this was a good win by Norrie after a dreadful opening service game which, luckily for him, did not prove costly.

Norrie looks to have added a bit of oomph to his game this season and has now chalked up 29 wins.

But Berrettini has looked brutally impressive so far and I can only see Norrie winning if the Italian has an off day.

by sirfredperry Sun Jun 20, 2021 3:05 pm

Into a final set at Queen's after Norrie won a second set tiebreak. Berrettini serving huge but not playing his groundstrokes so well today.

At Halle Humbert beat Rublev in straight sets in the final.

by sirfredperry Sun Jun 20, 2021 3:41 pm

Two poor service games - one in the first set, one in the third - cost Norrie dear as he went down in three to Berrettini.

This was probably the Italian's poorest performance groundstrokes-wise during the week. But his serve kept him afloat.

Not sure we can read too much into this for Wimbledon. None of the big boys was at Queen's and Berrettini will have to return a lot better and hit better BHs if he's to go far at SW19.

by sirfredperry Sun Jun 20, 2021 9:12 pm

With Rafa and Stan the Man both absent from Wimbledon, Cameron Norrie should be high enough ranked to be seeded at SW19.

Norrie is due to play Eastbourne this next week but I wonder if he might pull out having gone all the way at Queen's.

Djoko will be firm favourite for Wimbledon, but I doubt whether anyone will forecast the women's winner with any certainty. There was yet another upset in Berlin today with a woman qualifier outside the top 100 taking the trophy.

by sirfredperry Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:50 pm

Raonic, runner-up in 2016, is another who will miss Wimbledon which frees up another seeded position.

One former champion back in action today was Kvitova who won her opening match in Germany. Halep was due to play but pulled out and her participation at Wimbledon must be in some doubt.

by No name Bertie Mon Jun 21, 2021 11:02 pm

atptour news wrote:Del Potro Back On Court Practising, Jun08 2021, ATP Staff

There was good news for Juan Martin del Potro fans on social media Tuesday. The Argentine revealed he is back on court practising — albeit in a brace — following his fourth right knee surgery, which he underwent in Chicago this March.

Del Potro, a fan favourite who has climbed as high as No. 3 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, has struggled with injuries throughout his career. The 32-year-old has had one right wrist surgery and three left wrist surgeries.

The ’Tower of Tandil’ last competed in 2019 at the cinch Championships. Del Potro is currently World No. 265.

Fans and players alike shared their support for the Argentine, including countryman Federico Delbonis, who made the fourth round at Roland Garros. Delbonis tweeted, “I’m going crazy, JM!!!!”

by sirfredperry Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:58 pm

Finally some tennis at Eastbourne and at the W'don qualifying.

At Eastbourne, Heather Watson followers would have feared the worst when their favourite player went a double break up against 2020 French Open champion Swiatek in the final set.

Sure enough, Watson contrived to lose the match 7-5. Sadly, this was a typical Watson performance. You lose count of the number of times she chucks away good positions.

More happily for GB tennis fans, there were some encouraging victories for young British men in the Wimbledon qualifying, with some of the victors overcoming opponents hundreds of places above them in the rankings.

by sirfredperry Wed Jun 23, 2021 9:05 am

Thiem had to retire after leading 5-2 in the first set of his match in Majorca.

May be only a precaution with Wimbledon coming up but possibly another big name won't be at the Championships.

Hope you've not been affected by this Ticketmaster difficulty which has seen a number of people having their successful Wimbledon ticket deals rejected because they used the same credit card on multiple occasions.

It's been claimed the rules were clearly stated but there have been protests.

by sirfredperry Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:09 pm

An excellent win at Wimbledon qualifiers by 18-yr-old Briton Arthur Fery who beat experienced Aussie Matthew Ebden 7-5 in the third to go on to the final round.

Ebden has been as high as 39 in the rankings.

20-year-old Briton Anton Matusevich is also thru to the final round of qualifying.

Always something of a shock to see just who has to qualify for these big events. Thru to the last round is our old friend Ernests Gulbis who was once good enough to reach a Slam semi.

by dummy_half Thu Jun 24, 2021 11:08 am

Really difficult to look past Djokovic for Wimbledon based on the warm ups. With Nadal out, only Federer and Murray that have the established pedigree to take him on on grass, and neither are anywhere near match sharp. A chance for a younger player to reach the final, especially if Thiem is a doubt and Raonic missing?

Cam Norrie up to 34 in the rankings, and an even more impressive 12 in the race. Could be the first time since Henman and Rusedski GB have two seeds in the men's singles draw (I did a quick check and Henman wasn't seeded by the time Murray was, and Evans wasn't seeded in 2019 when Edmund was).

by Atila Fri Jun 25, 2021 11:22 am

Simona Halep out of Wimbledon

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/57609992

by sirfredperry Fri Jun 25, 2021 1:07 pm

Briton Katie Swan, 22, has qualified for Wimbledon with a 6-0, 6-4 in her final qualie at Roehampton.

Pity about Halep. She would have been defending champion last year and now this year she is injured.

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