AO Day 2: How Cold Should Revenge Be?

Hey Y'all. Galileo here.

For seven years that match has hung over Verdasco like a pall. Had he won that match, his career would have been different. He was the better player on the day, but when he surrendered the match on a double fault he was not to know it would be a changing point in his career.

The big serve and forehand went to waste. Ferver found it hard to stay in the top thirty, to compete. He became increasingly erratic. He could no longer be counted on much except as a spoiler. And when he lost to Murray at Wimbledon in excruciating circumstances, it was another blown opportunity.

Finally, though, he has done it. He has beaten Nadal for just the third time. Rafa won the first 14 in a row, but Ferver has won the past three of four. Redemption finally belongs to the world number 45. Nadal, it now seems clear, is on the way out. That world ranking of five is misleading and his recent losses to a player he never loses to are further proof of that.

With regards to Wawrinka’s match, his opponent retired. Tursunov battled foot injuries all through last season. This was his first main draw appearance since the 2014 U.S. Open, so that is the good news. This time it was his hip that let him down. Well, shall we take a look at some matches?

I think so. Let’s do it.

*Suicide Picks*
MS 1st Rd: Dimitrov d. Lorenzo {W}
MS 2nd Rd: Kyrgios [29] d. Cuevas
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WS 1st Rd: Gavrilova d. Hradecka {W}
WS 2nd Rd: Mladenovic [28] d. Gibbs


ROD LAVER: VERDASCO D. NADAL
...It took Verdasco four hours and forty minutes to come through against Rafa 7-6[6], 4-6, 3-6, 7-6[4], 6-2. Ferver went an incredible 90-91 on the winners while Rafa went 37-38 in this incredible match. 90 winners just never happens. Both men won almost 40 per cent of receiving points but Nadal broke six times to Verdasco’s five. In the first set neither saw a break point. They exchanged holds until the breaker, which Verdasco won because of his aggression. He broke early in the next set but Rafa broke back and slowly squeezed Verdasco, breaking again and taking control. The crucial game was at 2-4 on the Verdasco serve in the third set. Ferver came through a lengthy game and it gave him some confidence. Rafa won the next two games but his compatriot came back at him in the fourth set. Down 3-5, Nadal saved a set point before coming back and forcing a breaker. This time he really flopped in the breaker, limply handing the set to Verdasco. Up 2-0 in the 5th, Nadal crumbled as he lost six games in a row to hand the match and the upset to his less celebrated compatriot. With Sela up next, the usurper should get some deserved respite.
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ROD LAVER: HEWITT D. DUCKWORTH
...In two hours and ten minutes, Hewitt sealed what could be his last ever win on Rod Laver. What a roller-coaster it has been. No wonder he fell down in celebration - I would and so would you. This time it was over compatriot Duckworth, with whom he had a very friendly handshake at the end. Nothing but respect for tennis’ greatest warrior. Breaking five times to 2 and hitting 28 winners, Hewitt rolled to a 7-6[5], 6-2, 6-4 victory. This isn’t about stats, victories or even tactics. It is about a grizzled warrior fighting one last war. Broken, injured and full of great stories with one of the best five set records there is, Hewitt is almost done. If he can beat Ferrer then he will have one last superb run. Ferrer is up next and BACKSPIN wants Hewitt to win. One last win against a top-tenner, please.
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MCA: MURRAY D. ZVEREV
...In an hour and 11 minutes Murray leapt out to a 6-1, 6-2 victory. He broke four times and won about 50 per cent of receiving points. He controlled every game. But forget those two sets. It took Murray 56 minutes to close out the third set 6-3. Zverev showed us all why there is such a big fuss about the rising star. Both players hit 12 winners but the 18 errors off the German’s racket needs to be improved. But he won 40 per cent or so of the points. It is a good start and it gives us some proof he has something. Murray is in great form as he showed and his next match against Groth will be a good litmus test. That will be closer with the crowd and that serve. Andy will come through but there should be a breaker. If there is, then watch out. Anything can happen in a breaker if Groth can just get there.
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HISENSE: GROTH D. MANNARINO
...Speaking of Groth, he beat tricky Frenchman Mannarino 7-6[6], 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. The stat of the day is that Mannarino hit 30 winners. Groth hit 27 aces. 64 winners from the Aussie, but 51 errors. Murray had better watch out for that. His defence is better than Manny’s but weapons are weapons, regardless of the armour. Of course, Groth can be a little too aggressive. He broke five times but did lose his own service four times. His 66 per cent of first serves in is good, as is winning 75 per cent of those points. He serves and hits big. He also got to net a lot and returned well. These are all key to beating Murray. He can punish the second serve. The most important thing to do, of course, is to hold onto the serve. That is of the utmost importance.
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HISENSE: TOMIC D. ISTOMIN
...This was always going to be a test, but with help from his 16 aces, and no doubles, the Aussie came through 6-7[4], 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Istomin had a superb 56-35 winner ratio but Tomic at 51-43 passed, too. Bernie returned and served better as he broke four times, losing serve just once in the process. This kid is for real. 74 per cent of net points won and 69 per cent first serves in is playing to a very high standard. Like Thiem, he has showed his growing maturity by avoiding the upset. Istomin went 23-1 on the aces in this big-hitting, aggressive match. But this happened and I hope this person is alright.


In his next match against Bolelli, I hope the crowd remain unharmed.
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OUTER COURT SELECTION: MULLER D. FOGNINI
...Just two breaks in this four set match, which is a rarity in today’s game. Muller took out the win 7-6[6], 7-6[6], 6-7[5], 7-6[1]. The 20th seed goes down fighting, but really he should have done better. The big lefty went 34-8 on the aces front, but Fognini’s 20 was pretty good. Fabio’s 70-65 on winners is good, too, but not as good as 66-51, which is how his opponent did. In exactly three hours and 59 minutes, the Luxembourgian advanced to face John Millman. It is just another upset in a string of them.
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