Isner, Raonic On Track For Memphis Finals; Almagro, Ferrer Alive In Buenos Aires

by Staff | February 24th, 2012, 11:34 am
  • 116 Comments

Big men and former finalists John Isner and Milos Raonic remained a track for a Sunday collision in the Memphis finals. The top-seeded Isner beat fellow American Donald Young 76(3) 64 yesterday in the second round.

“Yeah, it was a tricky match,” said Isner who hit 22 aces. “I wasn’t playing my best at the beginning but I competed well and that helped me out a lot. From that I was able to win a very close first set and play better in the second set. So I was very happy.”

Ranked a career-best No. 13 this week, Isner will play Austrian lefty Jurgen Melzer tonight.


After his second San Jose title, the trip east hasn’t affected the Canadian Raonic who won his 6th straight match and 12th straight set with following a 64, 64 win over Sergiy Stakhovsky.

“I feel like I’m just getting better this week,” said Raonic. “I felt last week I played really good tennis and I’m happy that this week I’m backing it up.”

The fourth-seeded Raonic meets the shortest player on the tour, Olivier Rochus, who ended 19-year-old American Ryan Harrison’s Memphis hopes.

Brad Gilbert has his new protege, Sam Querrey, playing well. The 99th-ranked Querrey upset Kevin Anderson yesterday to set up a showdown with Radek Stepanek this afternoon. Querrey won Memphis in 2010.

In Buenos Aires, top seeds Nicolas Almagro, David Ferrer and Stan Wawrinka remain alive. Ferrer faces former Top 10 Fernando Gonzalez. David Nalbandian is also in the quarterfinals.

And in Marseille, Juan Martin Del Potro will clash with Richard Gasquet in the marquee later today. That match is followed by Ivan Ljubicic v. Janko Tipsarevic. Already today Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won his 200th career to advance into the semifinals.

The monster serving 20-year-old Albano Olivetti, who blasted 23 aces in a stunning win over Mardy Fish yesterday, is locked in a tight battle with fellow Frenchman Michael Llodra. The 6-foot-8 Olivetti had never won a pro ATP level match until this week.

STADIUM start 10:00 am
S Arvidsson (SWE) vs A Brianti (ITA) – WTA
V Dushevina (RUS) vs [4] M Erakovic (NZL) – WTA
Not Before 2:00 PM
[3] R Stepanek (CZE) vs [WC] S Querrey (USA) – ATP
[1] J Isner (USA) vs J Melzer (AUT) – ATP
Not Before 7:00 PM
O Rochus (BEL) vs [4] M Raonic (CAN) – ATP
L Kubot (POL) vs B Becker (GER) – ATP


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Raonic, Almagro, Del Potro Back In Sunday Finals
4-Time Defending Champ Nishikori Abandons Memphis for ATP Buenos Aires; Previews

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116 Comments for Isner, Raonic On Track For Memphis Finals; Almagro, Ferrer Alive In Buenos Aires

Wog boy Says:

Milos is winnig Memphis, too. It is going to be his third one this year what makes him, well…most successful player in 2012, in a way :)


Kimmi Says:

happy for julia. she has a great game but has always made too many errors at important points and then loses. Big win to beat wozniacki again, she has beaten her the last 3 times.


Kimmi Says:

carlo – why did i forget ferrer, i think it will be between ferrer and almagro. dont give stan and nalby a chance. hope they prove me wrong.

btw, our new clay specialist nishikori lost to wawa. congrats to stan, he needs good results here after disappointing davis cup weekend.


Wog boy Says:

Kimmi, I haven’t seen match but it looks like Wozniacki is fading away, what do you think? She can’t win anymore!


Kimmi Says:

wog boy, she is probably too much in-love with that golfer, she is losing focus. :)

To be serious, she never had big weapons, she is won lots of matches due to her great movement,consistency and mental strength. I think some players might have figured her out. She is still a top 5 player though. I think she can win a GS if she avoids big hitters.


Kimmi Says:

hmm, i see melzer beat isner.. the big guy had a good run, beating federer for the first time. I was actually thinking he could win this tournament. too bad.

good too see melzer back.


Wog boy Says:

Thanks, Kimmi. I didn’t know she has got a golfer too. Ana has one and she doesn’t do well either, may be they should switch to some other sport , when it comes to boyfriends, like boxing :)
May be it is time for Wozniacki to say good by to her father (as a coach) and change her game, she pretty young it might work. You don’t know unless you try.


Wog boy Says:

goodbye


Kimberly Says:

kimmi says: I think she can win a GS if she avoids big hitters.

I think avoiding big hitters at a grand slam is tough. Imagine, she would essentially have to avoid, Serena, Kvitova, Sharapova, Azarenka, Li Na, Clijsters, but even the counter punchers start getting aggressive against her like Cibulkova as they know they have to beat her as she is not going to miss. Usually they fail but in one out of 4 matches (discount the first three rounds) someone is likely to succeed in hitting her off the court, even if the player is not really an aggressive player.


carlo Says:

Bad day for US tennis again, Kimmi.

I got to stream some Melzer v Isner. Jurgen proved why on any given day, you can’t count out a former top ten! He coolly picked off the big man’s serve and really beat up on Isner’s backhand side. Melzer stayed on attack and wasn’t pushed back – enjoyed watching his strategy. Okay, so why couldn’t Federer beat Isner?! Melzer made it look fairly easy.

;) Ferrer is on course to spoil Almagro’s fun. Last year, Ferrer didn’t show up on the Golden Swing until the last event, Acapulco. I don’t think Almagro or anyone can beat Ferrer – he’s in charge.

I didn’t see Wozniacki play/lose. But the other day, there was a rumor on livestream chat that the golfer, Rory, broke her heart? That could throw her off, definitely. Hope it’s not true.

Meanwhile, Milos! Go Milos!


Kimberly Says:

Almagro never going to beat Ferrer. Ferrer too mentally tough and almagro mentally weak.


Kimberly Says:

i’ve always believed tiebreaks are mostly mental, and ive noticed almagro loses most of them.


Wog boy Says:

Didn’t he, Meltzer, beat Nole after two sets down at FO, I still can’t get over that one;(
What happened to Nole that day only God knows and maybe Nole.


carlo Says:

I (vaguely) remember that Wog boy. Melzer has beaten Federer too. Jurgen made John look very ordinary I thought.

But Melzer can be fairly awful too. I watched Gasquet humble him last year at Indian Wells. Never can count on him, or count him out, that Melzer.

BTW, Wog boy, some Nole fans on livestream chat have changed the name Indian Wells to “Serbian Wells” ha, thought that was cute :D


carlo Says:

Almagro is dangerous if you are counting on him to win, Kimberly. Never can be sure or safe – not quite as bad as Dolgopolov though or Monfils.


Wog boy Says:

Carlo, I have to check that one, thanks.


Kimmi Says:

I like isner but i never really like his game, to me it is kind of boring! ok, not as boring as dr ivo but still…

So good on you melzer.

Now for the tournament, I say Go milos. Lets not forget the worm (sexy stepanek)likes this time of the year too. he loves the american hard courts. He is in the semi.


carlo Says:

Nole’s fans have reason to feel confident, don’t you think? They were being nice about re-naming Indian Wells for Nole – and at the same time, being optimistic that Nole will win there again.

Nalbandian won easily over Berlocq 6-0, 6-3

And Raonic v Rochus is on. Rochus not going to be intimidated.

I’m watching all this online, Wog boy and alison. There’s no coverage for tennis live on TV where I live other than for Grand Slams and sometimes, the quarters, semi’s and finals of a Masters 1000. But it costs nothing to stream online, other than my monthly internet, which isn’t exactly cheap.


Kimmi Says:

tomorrow in Buenos Aires
wawa vs almagro
Nalbandian vs ferrer

Nabandian was a former top 3 player and reached wimbledon final. I cant rule him out. one of these days he could feel good again and produce the tennis that saw him beat rafa and federer numerous times, for just one match (just like fed beating nole at RG), that kind of tennis is possible for these champions. am I dreaming? go nalbandian.


Wog boy Says:

The only player I am not making prediction is Nole, I can and I wiil cheer for before and during tournament but will not say that he is going to win. It has somethung to do with bad luck.
I am at work so I am checking results on my phone and your posts about games, I do record them at home and watch them in the evening with bottle of good chardonnay and some meze, I deserved it after hard day work:-)


Kimmi Says:

Milos wins three games in a row.


Kimmi Says:

Milos serve is a killer.


Kimmi Says:

milos hitting 13 aces. 70% first serves. it is a serving display. The guys is very good from back of the court too. I can see good things coming for milos in the future.


Kimberly Says:

Carlo, no I would never put money on almagro one way or the other


carlo Says:

While I made dinner, Raonic took the 1st set 6-3.

Olivier gives 110% and you gotta love him but he’s no match for Raonic. Raonic is much more than a big serve imo.

Rochus is 1-0 2nd set. Raonic’s turn to serve. 13 aces so far for Milos; 2 for Ollie. Both serving well, (Milos serving spectacular)

What is “meze” ?? corn = maze


carlo Says:

I was thinking more about bracket picks, Kimmi ;)

Not brave or crazy enough to actually put money on anyone. Though the thought is tempting!

Milos serve is killer.


carlo Says:

Meant “Kimberly” in that post


Kimberly Says:

Me neither, did once and lost!


Kimmi Says:

break! that is for “ollie” i am afraid. how will he crack milos serve.

another game for milosh!


Wog boy Says:

Meze is food that comes on the table while you are drinking, brandy and later wine or beer. That is not main meal but sometimes is bigger than main meal depending how long is drinking session (in this case how long is tennis match). Variety of salats, cheeses, smoked meat, olives, chees and meat pastry, home made bread and so on, and so on. If mat4 is around he might be able to explain better than I. I have to go talk to later, Go Milos!


Kimmi Says:

ooops serving for the match,

0-40 rochus. unforced errors, how did that happen

milos saves one

BREAK! Sloppy sloppy game.


Kimmi Says:

we are back on serve. unbelievable. i guess milos still lacking that killer instinct to finish matches


carlo Says:

That was a mini Milos choke, wasn’t it?

And Ollie holds – going to a tie break, unless Raonic gets broken again. Nah…

6-5 Rochus in the 2nd set


Kimmi Says:

big serves are back for milos, he couldnt find any when serving for the match.

6-6 tie break.


carlo Says:

It’s not that I feel any danger for Milos losing the match, but he needs to FOCUS, or …Rochus

I think Milos record in tie breaks is ridiculous good.
4-2 Raonic in the tb


Kimmi Says:

milos steadied the ship! maybe not rochus fighting

5-2 milos


Kimmi Says:

6-2 4 match points

6-3 ollie saves one

now on his serve milos, second serve..ace. i mean second serve ace to finish.

wobbled a little but came good at the end.

congrats milos


Kimmi Says:

commentator says milos does not have personality. i can see what they mean. the guy is ice cool. Rooting for him all the way.


carlo Says:

Milos – 26 aces. 6-3, 7-6

Again, I can’t see past Raonic to win Memphis. If I were betting…


carlo Says:

Meant i cant see anyone left beating Raonic! This tournament is his.

My dinner is waiting. Later, Kimmi.


carlo Says:

I hope the live streams are working. Good matches this weekend – cheers!


Kimmi Says:

cheers carlo. see you tomorrow.


Humble Rafa Says:

hope the live streams are working

Live streams where?


skeezerweezer Says:

HR,

Re: streaming

Go on your playstation, play Topspin 2 and beat Fed. this unlocks the streaming tennis channel( only if you beat Fed, but that should be easy for you ). Press LR, then double tap right arrow, then throw at TV, then say Vamos!…then you will see streaming.

You are welcome.

Your pal, skeezer.


dari Says:

I read on atp web site that Jo W and Juan Martin each had their 200th wim yesterday, and now facing off in the semi here shortly. Hope its a great match!


Kimmi Says:

dari the match has started. I am on it. delpo with an early break.


Kimmi Says:

ah, these guys are crushing the ball. great match so far


dari Says:

tsonga teed off on a couple back hands there for a bp opportunity


dari Says:

oh, it was a nice couple of points for delpo to hold serve there, huh, kimmi?!


carlo Says:

Delpo serving for set – I’m nervous


dari Says:

excellent, first set to juan martin!

off to gym, hope he keeps it up for a nice straight set win, he is playing a lot lately, so efficiency here will be good for him going to next week


carlo Says:

Delpo takes 1st set 6-4 :)


carlo Says:

The rankings are getting very tight between top 8-11
and Tipsy, delpo, Nico, are all playing this weekend – Fish and Tipsy might trade places? I forget how fish did last year and what points he is defending.

I tried to post a link – in case HR was serious about the livestream but my post didn’t go through. Really, is there a filter editing L E M O N S P O R T??


carlo Says:

What I’m wondering is how Delpo wasn’t moving well yesterday letting balls go by and appeared to just get the job done v Gasquet? Was he really holding back? What an actor! lol, He’s looking just fine today.

It’s a good match.


Kimmi Says:

second set is much better from tsonga but he needs to break, delpo does not allow him.

lost of 40-0 or 40-15 games to hold from both. who will crack first


Kimmi Says:

as i type from 40-0 delpo. tsonga is crawling back 40-30. great point from both


Kimmi Says:

duece. tsonga at the net is hard to pass.

delpo goe long. adv tsonga. wow, that game lookd dead and burried for delpo.

big serve from delpo. duece


Kimmi Says:

delpo holds. so close for tsonga but not to be.


Kimmi Says:

hope you were able to read my few posts carlo. lot of typos. ah, i should get out of bed maybe.

0-30 tsonga in a hole


carlo Says:

3-3 that’s some good serving from Delpo to hold. The crowd is going crazy each point Jo wins, naturally.


carlo Says:

I’m going to have to get out of bed and make some coffee, Kimmi. But the match is too good.

Slept through my phone alarm and missed most the 1st set


Kimmi Says:

tsonga comes out of hole. 3 big serves and an error from delpo.

your stream is a little behind carlo, it is 3-4 delpo now.

crowd to trying to lift tsonga up.


Kimmi Says:

i want a third set. i am cheering for tsonga now. but delpo to win this ofcourse.


carlo Says:

Can you believe the difference in crowd? – packed arena in Marseille v empty seats in Memphis and Marseille only a 250 tournament. French adore their tennis!


Kimmi Says:

delpo keeps bring tsonga right back in his games. good thing he is able to focus and close it out.

yap, the french loves tennis.


Kimmi Says:

c’mon tsonga..ah, too many errors


carlo Says:

I think Delpo likes silencing the crowd with those clutch aces. He’s determined to break…

But Tsonga playing to the crowd lol…

Anything you can do…aces 12 for Jo – 8 Delpo


Kimmi Says:

hmm, my stream just died.


Kimmi Says:

crunch time now. delpo serving to stay in the second set.


carlo Says:

Kimmi, I don’t get the feeling Delpo will win if he doesn’t get this over in 2 sets.

Cheering for Jo is dangerous, even though I want more tennis. Tsonga will win if this goes 3 sets is my prediction – betcha.. ;)


Kimmi Says:

is it the third time from 40-15 to deuce. delpo in trouble again


Kimmi Says:

ah, adv tsonga. set point


Kimmi Says:

tsonga so wild. no wonder he cant take his chances.

your probably right carlo. lets cheers for delpo to finish in 2


Kimmi Says:

risky challenge by delpo bt he got it. game point now


carlo Says:

Tsonga has a big crowd cheering him!

He’s got deuce… nervous for Delpo now.

adv Tsonga My commentators are French! very French

oh this is a tense. Delpo challenged a call and he was RIght!

Delpo needs another clutch ace now, the crowd isn’t at all kind about this… Vamos delpo


Kimmi Says:

crowd is really into tsonga even for delpo errors


Kimmi Says:

SILENCE in the stadium. delpo ACE. no one likes it.


Kimmi Says:

40-0 for jo. we might have the tie breaker.


carlo Says:

very proud of Delpo for that challenge and remaining cool enough to serve the ace when he needed it :D

But not sure he can hold off the fans and Tsonga


Kimmi Says:

tsonga showing off. catches the ball with his shorts pocket lol


Kimmi Says:

tie break


carlo Says:

you could hear a pin drop. the crowd absolute silence while Delpo served a LOVE game :D :D!!

Tie break. I guess Delpo can endure the situation if this goes 3


carlo Says:

I know. that was cute, Tsonga is cute. Fans love him, undestandably :)


carlo Says:

Ah bon! who says Delpo is slow?

Did you see that around the post running forehand winner , Kimmi?!


Kimmi Says:

4-3 delpo, what a save. great defense. tsonga with first ue..delpo with mini break


carlo Says:

Fans didn’t even cheer that shot


Kimmi Says:

back on serve, tsonga gets the mini break back.


Kimmi Says:

OMG, tsonga takes both delpo points. he has set point.


Kimmi Says:

mini break back. 6-6 change of ends


carlo Says:

The fans should at least cheer Delpo a little, when he deserves it.

8-7 Delpo in tb….


Kimmi Says:

ah, match point no. 1 for delpo. can delpo take it.


Kimmi Says:

error..at the WRONG time


carlo Says:

now 9-8 Tsonga


Kimmi Says:

they both dont take their set point/match point.

now tsonga set point


carlo Says:

ace! Delpo hang on Vamos..

9-9


carlo Says:

Matchpt Tsonga

this is it :(


Kimmi Says:

oh no! bad FH error, tsonga takes the mini break

10-9..tsonga set point

takes it. tsonga second set in the bag. can delpo recover form this?


carlo Says:

Kimmi, i’m back to doubting Delpo can win in the 3rd. It’s too much.

Time to have some French Roast coffee


Kimmi Says:

I am going to be switching back and forth between dubai wta and tsonga/delpo


Kimmi Says:

delpo in control now 3-0 up


carlo Says:

Is Agnieszka winning, Kimmi?

I make the best coffee lol

And wow, Delpo is up a break. If Delpo wins this, I’ll be extremely happy for him – doing it with no support at all. It has to be stressful serving. But he’s a champ.


carlo Says:

haha… I meant “set point” above, not “match point”


carlo Says:

Bless his Delpo heart, he served another Love game in silence.

5-2 Vamos Delpo!


carlo Says:

Feeling for Tsonga’s parents. I thought Tsonga would come out and finish off Delpo.

5-3 Delpo about to serve for the match


Kimmi Says:

they r on serve the girls.

good to see delpo regrouping in the third


Kimmi Says:

congrats delpo. he wins.


carlo Says:

Well, in the end, I did feel bad for the fans, Tsonga’s family there, and Tsonga – but what champion spirit from Juan Martin del Potro :D


carlo Says:

My stream went right to cycling! how fortunate.

Allez Sylvain Chavannel

I guess my post to you, Humble Rafa, with a link to live stream was ‘moderated’ ???

L i v e s c o r e hunter .com


nadalista Says:

“……….Almagro, Ferrer Alive In Buenos Aires”

Eh, they better be! Can’t have corpses playing in Buenos Aires, can we?


carlo Says:

Congratulations Radwanska!

That was an enjoyable WTA match.


jane Says:

Wish I could’ve seen the Delpo / Tsonga match; it looked like a doozy. Congrays to Delpo. He should beat Llodra, I am assuming.


alison hodge Says:

yeah so glad for delpo,and hope he goes on to grab that title,great win over the very talented tsonga,sorry dissapoined that have not been able to catch any of the matches this week,carlo you must be delighted,and good for you lol.


alison hodge Says:

^so dissapointed.^


jamie Says:

Psychic Predictions for 2012:

AO: Djokovic(duh)

FO: Nadal

Wimbledon: Murray

Olympics: Federer

USO: Djokovic

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