Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Wednesday 'Nati Analysis

Carlos Moya over Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-1
I don't care if you had a feeling that Djokovic would be tired and ripe for an upset after last week, this is shocking any way you cut it. It's not that shocking that Moya won, but that score is just incredible. Did Djokovic tank? Some say he did but I doubt it. There's a difference between tanking and simply not being quite motivated enough (and tired). Plus Moya is no slouch on hard courts. He's been playing well pretty much everywhere this whole year, so we need to give Moya some credit rather than spend the whole time asking what was the deal with Djokovic.

Juan Monaco over Rafael Nadal 7-6 (7-5), 4-1, retired
Even before Djokovic bowed out, the tournament lost another one of its big stars in Nadal, who retired with a left forearm injury in the second set. Even in the tight set Nadal looked awful and was thoroughly outplayed. It will be interesting to see just what the status of the injury is, and fans should have a close eye on Nadal when he takes the court for the first time at the Open. Like in Moya's case, though, we must give some credit to Monaco. He is having an amazing year with three titles (all on clay) and a ranking that is skyrocketing. Nonetheless, you've got to think the door is open for Monaco's next opponent, Sam Querrey.

Sam Querrey over Mikhail Youzhny 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
I don't feel like scourging through Querrey's match history but I have to think this is the biggest win of his professional career. It's also the second straight match in which he's come back from a break down in the third set (first round against Gicquel). At a time when American tennis isn't exactly prospering, this provides at least a glimmer of hope (especially for the future). Plus with Nadal out of the way, this could be the springboard for a career-changing run by Querrey, as he goes up against Monaco next and then - if he wins - either Blake or Ferrero.

Nikolay Davydenko over Robby Ginepri 6-2, 6-7 (9-7), 6-3
Ginepri is just looking for victories - not moral victories - right now, but if there is such a thing this was one of 'em. I was shocked Ginepri even won his first match over Jonas Bjorkman (he hadn't won a single match in ages) and I'm almost as surprised that he made this one close. It's no secret that Davydenko has not been playing up to his standard recently, but still, Ginepri must be playing decent tennis. Plus it's nice to see that he didn't throw in the towel after the first set drubbing, and even better, saved match points in the second set 'breaker to eventually force a deciding third set.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have to say I was also shocked by the Djokovic score. I honestly thought he would roll to a second straight victory in Cincinnati using the momentum that he captured in the amazing win over Federer. there's just no sure thing in pro tennis.

Anonymous said...

I hope Nadal is okay and can reach his game at the US Open.