It would take a minor miracle, or perhaps a trip to the U.S. Open final to be more exact, but Grigor Dimitrov really hopes Stan Wawrinka is seeded at next year’s Australian Open.
With Wawrinka ranked much lower than usual due to a long injury layoff and therefore unseeded at slams, Dimitrov has now run into the Swiss in first rounds of back-to-back majors. It worked out equally bad on both occasions. After falling to Wawrinka right away at Wimbledon, the Bulgarian succumbed 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 on Monday afternoon in New York.
“We played already in Wimbledon, so it was a surprise again to play each other,” Wawrinka commented. “I’m really happy first with the victory, that’s for sure, but (also) with my level in general. I think I have been practicing well. I have been playing some good tournaments–Cincinnati, Toronto…and keep improving there day by day. I arrive here a week early to practice, get a lot of time on the court, and I’m happy with today’s match. I think it’s a great start.”
It was a good start for the Big 4–and Big 5 if you count the three-time major champion Wawrinka–in what is their first tournament all together since Wimbledon last summer. Joining Wawrinka in the U.S. Open second round on Monday were Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Nadal got a second-set retirement from fellow Spaniard David Ferrer to abruptly end the night session in Arthur Ashe Stadium, while Murray battled past James Duckworth 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.
Murray-Duckworth was the first men’s singles match in the new Louis Armstrong Stadium, and a best-of-five struggle must have felt like something new to the Scot, as well. This is his first major since he exited the All-England Club in 2017, touching off his extensive hip problems. But Murray performed admirably given the circumstances while managing to outlast Duckworth in three hours and 18 minutes.
“I actually felt like I could have moved better,” the former world No. 1 admitted. “I struggled a little bit with that earlier in the match. I don’t know for what reason; it was extremely lively, conditions out there. It was a lot quicker for me, anyway, than what we have been practicing in since we got here. I felt a little bit slow at the beginning.
“And then the positive was that actually towards the end of the match, I made some quite good moves. Like the second to the last point of the match, I moved pretty quickly up to the drop-volley (before putting it away for a winner) and kind of maintained my serving speeds throughout the match, as well.
“So there was some good stuff, but I think I can get better.”
Reigning U.S. Open and Wimbledon runner-up Kevin Anderson will also have a chance to get better after surviving a scare from Ryan Harrison on Monday night. Anderson trailed by two sets to one before recovering for a 7-6(4), 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
[polldaddy poll=10091056]
[polldaddy poll=10091176]
second to last point that Murray mentioned was epic
Hopefully it will be included in the highlights.
Dimi just lacks the fire power that Stan has; and he doesn’t have the tennis acumen of Rafa that could help him defuse the raw power of Stan. He really has to put in the hard work and add in some varieties into his game.
Too late lucky. He most probably will never achieve his highest potential. He was/is/will be squeezed between the top 3 magicians and the new guard. IF and when he decides to wake up, Shapo, Tsitsi, Zverev will already be close to their prime.
It surely doesn’t help Dimi that he seems to be as much a playboy as a tennis player! That’s the aspect of him I find most irritating…he is way too much into his looks…
One news report I read said “Dimitrov upset!” Did anyone REALLY think Dimitrov was going to win that match? I mean, it’s not really an upset if Stan was the odds on favorite to win….
Some “sportswriters” don’t know beans about tennis, as you’ve observed before. I’m sure that one said “upset” because of the ranking differential.
Where has the Dimi of 2017 gone? I thought he was making good progress in 2017? How come he regresses so soon, when he should be in his prime and reaching his peak?
The lost gen – that of Raonic, Kei, Goffin, Dimi and maybe also Thiem – they’re either affected by injuries , or simply regressed (Dimi), not a good sign for them. Maybe the likes of Tsitsipas and Sasha will win slams before they do.
Some players like Dimitrov don’t take tennis as serious as Fedal for example. It’s a way to earn and maybe enjoy, but the first priority. He most likely prefers long legs instead. He’s free to choose what works better for himself. It’s fans who suffer, they shouldn’t put too much heart into any player, until he/she proves that serious intention/ dedication towards growing through tennis, not necessarily becoming World no.1, but reaching the best version of him/herself.
Good points, Eugene. I wonder if Dimi has a version of the “Jack Sock” syndrome. Bedazzled by success figures he can relax and enjoy a bit. While great champions like Roger, Rafa and Nole like the taste and want more and work even harder after success.
I hope Tsitsipas, Sasha and maybe FAA and Shapo are more like the big four than Dimi, in terms of dedication and putting in the efforts. I don’t know about FFA, but Tsitsipas and Co have family members (father) as coach, so I think they should have no problem staying focused and motivated I feel.
Tsitsipas has the right mental frame to become great. Hopefully his game will raise up to that level too. Still risky to predict anything.
Zverev must hurry up. Nothing to adf about him.