Fabio Fognini will be right back in action after finishing runner-up in Munich when he takes the court on Tuesday in Madrid against Alexandr Dolgopolov. Ernests Gulbis and Jerzy Janowicz are also bidding for a spot in the second round.
(13) Fabio Fognini vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov
Fognini and Dolgopolov will be doing battle for the fifth time in their careers at the ATP level when they clash in round one of the Mutua Madrid Open on Tuesday. Dolgopolov has won all four of those previous encounters, including two this season. The Ukrainian dominated 6-1, 6-1 on the clay courts of Rio de Janeiro and scored a 6-2, 6-4 victory at the Indian Wells Masters. He also won 6-2, 6-4 at the 2012 clay-court event in Munich. Fognini has at least beat his opponent once before, having won 7-5, 6-3 at a clay-court Challenger tournament back in 2007.
Dolgopolov’s solid 19-11 record this year is highlighted by a third-round Indian Wells upset of Rafael Nadal. The world No. 22 went on to reach the semifinals and also the quarters in Miami, but he is a modest 1-2 during the current red-dirt swing. Fognini is coming off a runner-up showing last week in Munich, where he had a meltdown in Sunday’s title match against Martin Klizan. The 15th-ranked Italian is 26-9 for his 2014 campaign, with two runner-ups and a title in Vina del Mar. Players rarely get more unpredictable than Fognini and Dolgopolov, but Dolgopolov may have an edge being more well-rested and based on his past success in this matchup.
Pick: Dolgopolov in 3
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Ernests Gulbis vs. Jerzy Janowicz
Janowicz went into 2014 with a foot injury and he has not been able to get on track. The world No. 21–still ranked that high because of Wimbledon semifinal points from last summer–has been especially ice cold since mid-February. In fact, he has not won a match since beating Tommy Haas in the Rotterdam second round. Janowicz lost openers in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, and Barcelona while winning only a single set in the process. He also dropped two lower-level Davis Cup singles rubbers against Croatia (although one was a five-setter versus Marin Cilic).
Janowicz will look to stop the slide in his Madrid opener with Gulbis, against whom the Pole is 2-1 lifetime at the ATP level and 3-2 overall. They have faced each other only once on clay, when Janowicz pocketed a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win at a 2012 Challenger event in Rome. They most recently squared off last fall on the indoor hard courts of Stockholm, where Gulbis advanced to the semifinals via a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 decision. The 20th-ranked Latvian is a stellar 18-8 for the year, which includes a title in Marseille, a quarterfinal finish in Indian Wells, and a recent semifinal performance in Barcelona. With a massive edge in current form and confidence, this should be one-way traffic for Gulbis.
Pick: Gulbis in 2
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Fog meltdown coming…………..
Why can’t The Fog let go………..just L.E.T I.T G.O. man!!!!!!!!!
His capacity to self-destruct is breath-taking.
Still muttering at Mo……
The rot set in when he asked for the physic between games and was upset to be told the rule was he must wait for the changeover as it was an existing injury. From then on he picked an argument with Mohammed at every opportunity.
The ATP/ITF need to have a signed declaration from players stating they have read and understand the rule book. Ignorance of fhe law is no excuse when you break it.
I think, all the players have signed a contract.
…and players also need to be reminded that this is a gentlemen’s sport, tawdry on-court behavior is unacceptable.
rafaisthebest@May 6, 2014 at 2:56 pm
J.McEnroe obviously wasn’t reminded…
Video. John McEnroe is madddddd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koE_e_LX4c0
Fognini also swore at Mohamed – It sounded suspiciously like the ‘F’ word.
Augusta@2:48pm
Now you mention it I think I did know that. In which case they should be tested on their knowledge of the rules every two years.
ed@6:26
If a player doesn’t follow the rules, he’ll get fined. Simple.
See VIII.The Code
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Corporate/Rulebook.aspx
Rafa will play his good friend Juan Monaco tomorrow.
Vamos Amigos!
I’m pleased that Rafa is playing Monaco…………lots of rallies will be good for him.
Lukasz Kubot (ATP-78, POL) is instead of Fed in the draw.
Dolgo-Ernie to come
#Popcorn
RT @raviubha: “Fabio to Mohamed Lahyani: “I want to see you now. Don’t be scared.””
I am so not seeing the funny side of The Fog’s histrionics anymore. Coming across as a brat with potential, nothing more, these days………
I don’t get it. He is obviously talented but he seems to expect matches to be handed to him; as soon as he’s down or gets broken he starts to lose it. I’m sure he’ll be fined for his outburst. Barry Cowan thinks he shouldn’t be allowed to play Rome, but I’ve never heard of a play being suspended.
He is probably a member of he Mafia.
I agree with Barry Cowan. Fabio’s histrionics definitely qualify as bringing the game into disrepute. Such insolence should not go unpunished. These are the issues Fed should go after in his capacity as Pres of the Players’ Council instead of selfishly pursuing Rafa with time violation edicts.
Fognini is out of control.
But then how would that help Fed win?
#Rhetorical
augusta08 says: May 6, 2014 at 3:11 pm
I never quite understood why people saw comedic value in Johnny Mac’s antics. I thought they were embarrassing……..used to cringe each time he started.
I was a big, big fan of JMac. I used to defend him against everyone because I liked his style and much preferred his antics to Nastase who got on my nerves. McEnroe’s game made up for his behaviour. At the time I thought he had a point in wanting officials to get things right. After McEnroe, my favourite was Edberg, fire and ice I know, but Edberg also had a beautiful game.
I had to wait decades after McEnroe retired to find Rafa who even surpasses McEnroe in my estimation and loyalty. I never thought that was possible.
I was, and still am, a fan of Johnny Mac’s game, not his antics. Never thought his game needed embellishing with those crude antics, it was good enough on its own.
Yep, I’m old school in that respect. Authority figures, like Umpires, are there for a reason. Can’t imagine anyone agreeing to sit in those ridiculous high chairs, dressed in even more ridiculous uniforms, just to make a player’s life miserable.
In spite of what said about JMac in those days, he was big, big box office. People flocked to see him.
I think we can credit McEnroe for the introduction of hawkeye.
^^That.
That’s what Fed didn’t like!
Yahoo, Jul 8, 2007. ¤¤ Federer Whines and Wins at Wimbledon Despite Hawk-Eye.
A poll was taken before the U.S. Open began using the system and Federer made it clear he felt Hawk-Eye was unnecessary. In the fifth set today his dislike of the system became evident to everyone watching the match on TV.
Federer had a disgusted look whenever Nadal made a challenge. He also made the same face when he, himself made a challenge. At least he was consistent in his dislike of Hawk-Eye.¤¤
http://voices.yahoo.com/federer-whines-wins-wimbledon-despite-hawk-436867.html
^^Hehehe! I think he has the worst record in terms of hawkeye challenges, no?
What is going on with Ferru?? He cannot seem to dispatch………….Ramos?
Ramos had a raw deal in the 1st set. At set point, Ferrer’s ball went long and Ramos didn’t challenge nor did the umpire see it, but the studio hawkeye showed that it was long and should have been 1st set Ramos. Ferrer went on to win the set in a tiebreak.
That’s what I call bad luck, not crashing into the net.
Well, the tennis Gods intervened and he won the 2nd set. It’s 2 -all in the 3rd and Ferru may very well be shown the door….
Oh please, don’t mention net crash-gate…………… 🙄
you can’t challenge on a clay court
Ricky, I thought you can challenge, but Hawkeye is not used i.e. if you challenge, the Umpire gets off his high horse, literally, and comes to inspect the mark……….
ritb is correct!
RT @SI_BTBaseline: “Fognini to ump, not happy about ball abuse warning in 1st set: “You have to think [with] your mind sometimes. I know it’s difficult for you””
Yep……..
…The Fog could use his own advice, no?
RT @bgtennisnation: “I did not see it happen only read the tweets but if true and Fogs wanted to fight the umpire, he should have a huge suspension 6 months”
Agree…..
make it 12 cause it was Mohamed
^^Agree Ricky. They must throw the book at Foggy.
A player can ask for the umpire to confirm the ball is in or out but the umpire’s decision cant be challenged and I think I’m right in saying there is no limit to the number of times they can ask for verification. This is a grey area because it is open to abuse if players use this procedure as a diversionary tactic too often.
Something I dont understand is if the mark is on the other side of the net from the player querying the call he is not allowed go round to see it for himself. But if it is on his side of the net he gets to have a close-up view. This was another of Foggy’s gripes.
Ferru scrapes through……………..
https://twitter.com/MutuaMadridOpen/statuses/463706696503017473
So Fer Verdasco remembered what he does best…………….pulling defeat from the jaws of victory!
RBA has a good shot at the quarters here……………
Settled in nicely with my red wine glass watching Wawa/Thiem. Wawa has that look in his eye……..I feel for young Thiem.
#LambToTheSlaughter
Wawa needs to put a cork on it…………he’s showing off right now!
Eh, Dominic. Donating points through double faults is not a good idea, especially if you are trailing 1/4 in the 1st set.
So Stan is being coached????
Looks like he was having a running conversation with a spectator, sounded like Stan was telling the spectator off. Kept Thiem waiting to serve while he yakked away…
I really am not liking Diva Stan..
Fed got twins!
What sex are they? Must be IVF to have 2 sets of twins.
It’s twin boys! Perfect.
Two boys.