The X Blog - Dysfunctional Tennis Blogging at its Finest

Del Potro Withdraws From Queen’s After Knee Injury; Murray Makes Return Thurs.

Posted by Staff on June 20th, 2019 @ 12:51 am

Following a win today over Denis Shapovalov, Juan Martin del Potro has withdrawn from the Queen’s tournament due to a right knee issue.

Del Potro sustained the injury tumbling on the grass during the win over the Canadian earlier today. But pain and swelling, the Argentine opted to pull out ahead of his next match against Feliciano Lopez.

After a full Tuesday washout, some matches did get in today other than Del …

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Garcia Tops Vekic For Nottingham Crown

Posted by Staff on June 16th, 2019 @ 8:05 pm

Caroline Garcia collected her 7th career title beating Donna Vekic 2-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(4) in a thrilling Nottingham final.

“I’m very happy and very proud of all of the week, and the way I fought today on court,” Garcia said. “The first set was tough for me, she was starting very well, but I knew there was only one way to go, and it was by fighting. I didn’t know if I …

Mannarino Finally Wins First Title, Defeats Thompson In Den Bosch

Posted by Staff on June 16th, 2019 @ 6:58 pm

After six previous failed attempts, Adrian Mannarino won his first championship match Sunday defeating Jordan Thompson 7-6(7), 6-3 for the Den Bosch title.

On a rainy weekend, Mannarino had to put away Borna Coric earlier in the day in their delayed 3=set semifinal. Then he returned to face the Australian for the title.

“People are going to stop talking,” said Mannarino of finally winning. “In France, we have another player, Julien Benneteau, …

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Berrettini Beats Auger-Aliassime For Stuttgart Title

Posted by Staff on June 16th, 2019 @ 6:41 pm

Italian Matteo Berrettini won his third career title on Sunday denying Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6(11) to take the Stuttgart crown.

The 23-year-old Berrettini never dropped serve during the week and never faced a break point during the Sunday final.

“On grass, the first tournament of the year, beating these unbelievable guys.. there were a lot of tough moments,” said Berrettini, who did not lose a set during his run, ousting second seed …

Sharapova Set For Return In Mallorca, Could Meet Kerber In 2nd RD

Posted by Staff on June 16th, 2019 @ 12:04 pm

After being sidelined since February with a shoulder injury, 5-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova is set to make her return this week in Mallorca.

“[My shoulder] is doing well. I took this time in order to come back to my first event and feel like I have a really good chance at it,” Sharapova said.

“Being away from the game for a few months is always challenging, because you miss a …

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WTA Top 3 — Osaka, Barty, Pliskova — Lead Way At Birmingham

Posted by Staff on June 16th, 2019 @ 11:49 am

The Top 3 women in the world — Naomi Osaka, Ash Barty and Karolina Pliskova — headline the Birmingham grass event this week. A rarity on the women’s for a lower level, non-top Premier event.

Not only will the title be at stake, but so too the No. 1 ranking as all three can end the week on top.

French Open semifinalist Johanna Konta, former Wimbledon Venus Williams, Elina Svitolina and Aryna …

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Murray In Queen’s Doubles; Tsitsipas, Del Potro, Wawrinka In Singles

Posted by Staff on June 16th, 2019 @ 11:33 am

The big story this upcoming week is the return of Andy Murray… but to doubles. The former World No. 1 is playing his first event of any kind since undergoing hip surgery back in January.

Murray hopes to play doubles at Wimbledon as well, then get back to singles at some point in the future if things go well.

“I’d like to try and play every week if I can, …

Federer Opens Grass Season In Halle Seeking 10th Title

Posted by Staff on June 16th, 2019 @ 11:19 am

Following his first clay season — and a successful one at that — in three years, Roger Federer turns to his favorite surface grass at one of his favorite tournaments, Halle.

Seeking a 10th title in Halle, Federer opens play against the man who knocked him out at the US Open, John Millman.

The Swiss will meet either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Benoit Paire in his second match, then potentially Roberta Bautista …

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12 Things I Think I Thought About Rafael Nadal And The French Open

Posted by Sean Randall on June 11th, 2019 @ 7:44 am

Wrapping up some thoughts on a predictable men’s French Open and a wild women’s tournament.

1. Rafael Nadal
Even in his mid-30s, which he’s now entering, Rafael Nadal is still simply unstoppable. He’s the King of Clay with good reason. For most players, 12 titles is a great career, but he has 12 just at the French Open! That’s absurd when you think about it.

And there’s no signs of him …

Nadal Too Tough For Thiem, Wins 12th French Open Title

Posted by Staff on June 9th, 2019 @ 4:57 pm

After a second set scare, Rafael Nadal rolled to his 12th French Open title Sunday beating Dominic Thiem 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in a rematch of their final a year ago at Roland Garros.

“It is truly incredible. I cannot explain it,” Nadal said after holding his 12th Coupe des Mousquetaires.

“I want to say is congratulations to Dominic,” he added. “I feel sorry because he deserves it. I really hope he …

2019 French Open Men’s Final Open Thread: Rafael Nadal v Dominic Thiem

Posted by Staff on June 9th, 2019 @ 4:32 am

In a rematch of the 2018 final, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem tangle in the French Open final. Nadal is seeking his 12th career French Open title along with an 18th Grand Slam, first in a year.

Thiem is trying to back up his big win over Novak Djokovic and take down Nadal to win his first Grand Slam.

The 25-year-old Australian has four wins over the King of Clay but never …

Thiem Topples Djokovic, Will Meet Nadal For French Open Title; Who’s The Pick?

Posted by Sean Randall on June 8th, 2019 @ 5:34 pm

Goodbye to another Nole Slam, a second Career Slam and any hopes at a Calendar Slam. Novak Djokovic has to say goodbye to all that after it all went kaput on Court Chatrier today at the French Open.

In the resumption of their semifinal from yesterday, Dominic Thiem took down Djokovic in five tough sets 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 in 4 hours, 13 minutes.

The conditions today weren’t that much better …

Incredible Barty Barrels Over Vondrousova For French Open Title

Posted by Staff on June 8th, 2019 @ 3:54 pm

Ash Barty collected the biggest title of her career Sunday in Paris, dominating teen Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 6-3 to win the French Open title.

“It’s remarkable,” Barty said after the win. “At the moment it’s a bit too much and a bit out there, really. But it’s amazing. I mean, we have done the work, and we tried to put ourselves in these positions. Now that we’re here, it’s just incredible.

“It’s …

Nadal Weathers Federer At French Open; Djokovic-Thiem Suspended

Posted by Sean Randall on June 7th, 2019 @ 6:09 pm

In some of the worst conditions they have played in, Rafael Nadal convincingly and comfortably knocked out Roger Federer from the French Open with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win.

Unfortunately, the story of the day did turn out to be the weather and it wasn’t the rain, which didn’t play any role in the Nadal-Federer match, but it was the wind. Extreme wind. Hurricane wind. And it all but made the …

Barty Overcomes Colossal Collapse To Beat Anisimova And Reach French Open Final v Vondrousova

Posted by Staff on June 7th, 2019 @ 3:35 pm

In one of the wackiest women’s Grand Slam semifinals in recent memory, Ash Barty advanced over Amanda Anisimova 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3 to reach the finals at the French Open, her first major final.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for myself and my team,” Barty said. “We have worked so hard to put ourselves in these positions. Now, we get to go out there and really enjoy it.

“That’s the only way to approach …