Feb/March 2023 Tournaments

Alcaraz roared back from a long lay-off by taking the title in Buenos Aires, beating Cam Norrie in straight sets.

Medvedev's title in Rotterdam means he's returned to the top 10. Fritz was also a title winner last week while Swiatek absolutely wiped the floor with everyone to win in Doha.

We still await a decision by Wimbledon on whether the Russian and Belarus players will be allowed to compete at SW19 this year. I've seen reports that Queen's and Eastbourne could be threatened if the ban continues.

There's also talk of Wimbledon throwing the ball back into the UK Govt's court by saying "If you want Russian and Belarus players banned then refuse them visas to come to Britain". This would get Wimbledon off the hook with the tennis authorities as a ban would be seen as a political thing rather than a tennis one.

Murray having a bit of success in Qatar - after tight vicorties v Sonnego and Zverev, he's won through in 3 sets in the quarter final. Lehecka in the semi final

Norrie through to the ast 8 in Rio

There's a little rankings oddity to follow this week - If Alcaraz wins in Rio, he will tie Djokovic on points for #1.
Anyone know if that's ever happened before?

Also, if FA-A wins Doha, he'll be tied on points with Rublev at #6. Obviously, because the points gaps are typically smaller, ties lower down the rankings are more likely and hold less significance, although I do wonder how they would be split for seedings or tournament entry cut-off purposes.

Murray picking up some useful points and ranking positions - had fallen to about 70 in the last couple of weeks, but these points put him back to #61 and one more match win would push him up to 51 and immediately above Draper (who has dropped a few points and places by not playing for a few weeks).

As I write, Murray has saved five MPs in the final set v Lehecka in their semi in Doha and it's 5-5.

Winner will play either Medvedev or FAA. Not sure what happens with the equal-points-in-the-rankings thing mentioned above.

I see Djoko has applied for special dispensation to play the sunshine double.

Do not ask me how but Andy Murray is through to the final in Doha. He ved a total of five match points and came from 5-3 down in the final to beat Lehecka 6-0 3-6 7-6. It is his first final since Stuttgart last year and the much needed ranking points will see him climb the rankings back up to No 51 at present.

Even by Andy's standards that was some comeback.

Incredibly, Andy won. He saved two MPs at 3-5 in the final set and then three more after his opponent reached 40-0 at 5-.4. Murray then took the tiebreak 8-6. Is there no end to this man's brinkmanship?

Daniil Medvedev wins 6-4 6-4 against Andy Murray. Both players were not at their best but Andy can take much from this run in the tournament and he takes some handy ranking points too.

Great run by Murray, but think he will be disappointed with today. Medvedev was there for the taking but Andy missed some easy shots on important points to get broken on a few occasions. Quite a few routine forehands dumped into the net which wasn't the case the rest of the week so perhaps his legs were feeling the effects of the week. Hopefully he'll only take positives from the week but I do feel it's a shame he couldn't cap it off with a title as that would have made it such a legendary run with all the saved match points! He is playing some very good tennis right now though. Really hope he can put in a good run in one of the upcoming masters as that would be a huge boost to his ranking which is sorely needed for his draws.

From a British point of view, Cam Norrie made up for Murrays' final disappointment by beating Alcaraz in the title match in Rio after being a set and a break down.

Good effort by Norrie, although reports suggest Alcaraz was hampered by injury.

Andy Murray has a tough opener in Dubai this week although opponent Hurkacz will have to travel from France having been in, and won, his final there yesterday.

Very good result for Norrie, continuing with what has mostly been a good astart to the season at least in the smaller tournaments (3rd final, first title).
Encouragement for Andy that he can still mix it with some very good players. Back up to the fringes of the top 50, and with a decent chance to move up in the next few weeks - between now and June he only has 50 points to defend (25 at each of IW and Miami), and he's carrying a couple of zeros from other possible countables, Gaining 400 points would see him back to the edges of the top 32 seeds, which certainly seems within the bounds of possibility by RG or Wimbledon.

Was wondering if Jack Draper was injured, but he's in the draw for Indian Wells and also for the Phoenix Challenger that overlaps. He's got a few more points to defend int he next couple of months than Murray, but also the opportunity to play some bigger (MS1000) tournaments than he was in this time last season, so there's potential to gain.

Murray has pulled out of Dubai and will next play IW. I see that three others have also withdrawn which means there are four LLs in the tournament.

Alcaraz is still in the draw for Acapulco and is not due to play until tomorrow. He, too, may have to pull out.

One British success yesterday, in Austin, Texas. The now lowly-ranked Heather Watson, who came thru qualifying, won her first round match against the considerably-higher ranked Kovinic.

Dan Evans plays Coric today, with the winner tackling Kokkinakis next.

Very little to excite British fans this week, with Evans withdrawing after 4 games of his first round match, and the other top men taking a break before Indian Wells.

Watson to play Sloane Stevens later today in Austen.

Looking like Djokovic and Nadal will miss Indian Wells and Miami, I would say the tournament directors not chuffed about that. I tend to agree with McEnroe that its ridiculous that Djokovic may not be able to play because vaccinations required into US until May. I am surprised that is still the case with most countries elsewhere now opened up.

Medvedev on a good run at the moment. It really felt like his confidence was shot since he lost that Oz open final to Nadal last year but he has won his last couple of tournaments. I suspect we will only really know when bigger tests lie ahead. He could face Djokovic in semi finals in Dubai. Probably the ideal time for him to play Novak as this is his first tournament since winning Australian open and he looked very rusty in his opening match, to be expected I suppose.

Astonishing fight-back by Rublev to bt D-Fokina in Dubai. The Russian faced five MPs at 1-6 down in the second-set tiebreak but won the next seven points to level the match.

He then won the final-set tiebreak for an incredible win.

ATP and WTA threats to strip LTA of pre-Wimbledon events hasn't pleased Dan Evans. A real stand off over the Russian and Belarus players eligibility this year.

LTA caught in a rotten position. My personal view is that the British government should take responsibility and just refuse them entry. Not fair to make the sporting body wear all the flak.

But although it is rough on individual Russians , I reckon having them play while their country is trashing International law is just not right.

Prepared to get savaged for those views but that's the way I see it.

alfie wrote:ATP and WTA threats to strip LTA of pre-Wimbledon events hasn't pleased Dan Evans. A real stand off over the Russian and Belarus players eligibility this year.

LTA caught in a rotten position. My personal view is that the British government should take responsibility and just refuse them entry. Not fair to make the sporting body wear all the flak.

But although it is rough on individual Russians , I reckon having them play while their country is trashing International law is just not right.

Prepared to get savaged for those views but that's the way I see it.

I think you'll find widespread agreement on here, bar perhaps one or two willfully contrary souls. It's unfortunate when there are several Russians near the top of the game, and (as far as I'm aware) they are mostly based outside Russia and have no close connection to the Putin regime (unlike for example racing driver Danii Kvyat's family).
I do wonder if Medvedev could switch allegiance to France, as he's lived there for most of the last decade...

Djoko and Medvedev both won in Dubai today and now meet in the semis.

Rublev, following his miraculous escape yesterday, is thru to the semis, too, and will face Zverev.

Djoko loses....for the first time this season. Novak was beaten 4 and 4 by Medvedev who certainly seems to have run into a bit of form.

It will now be an all-Russian final in Dubai after Rublev beat Zverev in straight sets, although six MPs were needed.

Medvedev beat Rublev 6-2 6-2 to win third consecutive title.

A rather satisfactory three weeks for Medvedev who may be getting more good news soon if reports that Wimbledon will lift their Russian ban are true.

Meanwhile in Acapulco, a marathon first semi followed by another long semi meant a near-3am finish for the winner de Minaur who takes on Tommy Paul in today's final.

Surely it's time for the players to make a stand about the crazy scheduling.

First round of Indian Wells sees Murray win after dropping the first set tie break, Draper return to action with a comprehensive 6-1 6-1 win over Reidl and Raducanu comfortably through.

Katie Swann did well to qualify, but the missed chances, holding set points in both sets but losing 7-6 7-5.

Draper v Evans in the 2nd round, with Andy potentially to meet the winner in R3

Raducanu beats the seaded Magda Linette in the second round, her highest profile victory of the year.

It will be an all-British affair in round three after Draper bt Evans in straight sets and Murray, at last, had a straightforward win, taking out Albot also in straight sets.

Emma R will have to face Haddad Maia in the next round and even if she wins that will probably have to take on Swiatek who is, once again, serving up bagels and breadsticks.

Emma Raducanu appears to have weak wrists or some sort of wrist injury. I wonder whether this is the reason why Raducanu has never been able to repeat the top level consistency displayed during her 2021 US Open run.

Good fight back by Cam Norrie who triumphed over experienced Taro Daniel despite being a set and 4-2 down.

Number 3 seed Ruud follows Tsitsipas out of the tournament, losing to Cristian Garin of Chile who had to qualify but was once as high as 17 in the rankings.

Interesting match up from a GB perspective tonight, with Murray taking on Draper. The old taking on the new. Both around 50 in the rankings (Draper just a little ahead), so if either have aspirations of being seeded for GS events later in the year this is a good chance to gain a few points - the winner will pick up 45 points, although a likely meeting with Alcaraz in the last 16 is likely to see this particular run ended.

Draper won the Battle of the Brits, defeating Murray 7-6, 6-2. As expected, Jack now has to take on Alcaraz.

There was another good win for Emma R, beating Haddad Maia who had a stellar year in 2022. Alas, Emma will now have to play Swiatek.

Stan the Man is still alive. He shrugged off the disappointment of failing to clinch his match in straight sets to see off the fast-rising Rune.

Neither Brit could make much headway against their top-ranking opponents, so Draper and Emma R have bowed out.

But at least they had some good wins between them. Meanwhile, Cam Norrie, who has rapidly become Mr Consistency, had an excellent straight-sets win over Rublev.

Norrie now takes on Tiafoe. Medvedev survived a nasty fall to beat Zverev in a 3hr-plus encounter, while Kvitova saved four MPs to beat Pegula 13-11 in the final-set tiebreak.

Thought Norrie would have a good chance v Tiafoe but the American won fairly comfortably in straights.

Wins yesterday also for Medvedev, Sabalenka and Sakkari.

Alcaraz and Sinner through to meet in the semi, while it will be Swiatek v Rybakina in the women's semi.

Alcaraz will return to number one should he take the title, although Medvedev is on a terrific run at the moment.

Swiatek well beaten by Rybakina who also beat her at the AO. By all accounts, including the player herself, R played really well.

So there will be a repeat of the Melbourne final after Sabalenka bt Sakkari in the other semi.

Men's semis today. I guess the sensible money will be on a Alcaraz-Medvedev final but both have tough semis to negotiate. Could be two terrific last-four matches.

Medvedev needed a string of MPs to finally overcome Tiafoe and will now face Alcaraz in the final.

You could argue that the Russian is due for a defeat but I think he may edge the final. Could be a good match. Perhaps Alcatraz will be the fresher and that fatigue could be a factor.

Rybakina toppled Sabalenka to get her first win against an opponent she trailed 0-4.

Alcaraz made short work of Medvedev, making light of the windy conditions. The Spaniard returns to number one although he'll have to go all the way in Miami to hold on to the numero uno spot.

From a British perspective, Murray, Raducanu and Kyle Edmund all beaten in Miami.

Swiatek has had to pull out with a rib injury.

As Miami progresses, news that Rafa is set to return from injury at Monte Carlo.

He always strives to be in peak condition for the clay-court swing, culminating in RG where he has dominated for so long.

I think I'll wait to see how his fitness is before making any RG predictions.

Meanwhile in Miami the men's seeds progressed well on Friday with Alcaraz dropping just two games v Bagnis. Norrie and Evans in action today.

Norrie and Evans both knocked out. A rare early exit for Cam.

Extraordinary brinkmanship from Hurkacz who beat Kokkinakis after the Aussie had had MPs in the second set and third set tiebreaks.

Rybakina had to ward off an MP, too, before overcoming Badosa. Gauff served for the match in the second set but eventually went down to Potapova.

Looking more and more like an Alcaraz-Medvedev final but a repeat of the IW title match in the women's won't now happen, after Sabalenka was beaten in straight sets by Cirstea.

Rain meant two of the planned singles from yesterday have been put back to today.

Sinner did manage to play and got thru in straights. He'll meet the winner of Alcaraz-Paul in the semis.

Alcaraz made short work of in-form Fritz who was full of praise afterwards for the number one.

Medvedev came thru v giant-killer Eubanks and will now meet Khachanov in the semi, with Alcaraz taking on Sinner.

Rybakina trailed in both sets against Pegula but managed to win both to make it to the final. Her opponent will be either Cirstea or Kvitova.

Meanwhile, as expected and predicted, Wimbledon have lifted their ban on the players of Russia and Belarus for this year's championships.

Equally predictably, the Ukrainians have condemned the move. But  with the threat of tournaments such as Queens and Eastbourne being taken off the schedules should there be a 2022-style ban, it was inevitable that Wimbledon would welcome back the banned players this year.

Wimbledon went out on a limb last year with their ban. I can't recall what the Ukrainian view has been of the other Slams allowing everyone to play. But it seems harsh that the organisers of the one tournament that stood out in their opposition to the war should now get it in the neck from the Ukrainians.

Having said that, it could be argued that if your country had faced and was facing what Ukraine is now contending with you'd be pretty upset, too.

No Sunshine Double for either Alcaraz or Rybakina, with Alcaraz knocked out in the semi by Sinner in three hours and Rybakina being beaten in the final by Kvitova.

Alcaraz was suffering cramps towards the end of his three-hour struggle. In the women's final Kvitova saved five SPs before winning a marathon 16-14 first-set tiebreak and then took the second 6-2 and with it the title.

Those two Wimbledon triumphs seem a long time ago for Kvitova but she's clearly still a big threat on the tour.

Daniil Medvedev beats Jannik Sinner 7-5 6-3 to win Miami 1000 for the first time in his career. The Russian’s love affair with hard courts continues. Medvedev’s 5th ATP 1000 equals the Russian record with the mercurial and magnificent Marat Safin.
Sinner’s time will come.

Wonder whether Sinner's long semi was a factor in the final. Medvedev is now comfortably the year-so-far points leader.

Both he and Alcaraz will be among those battling it out for the year-end number one. Their main challenger, I reckon, will be Djoko who, unlike last year, will be able to play all four slams AND get points for Wimbledon.