Washington, Kitzbuhel, Los Cabos Review

A flamboyant champion in the U.S. capital, and a first title on home soil for a rising star. This is the Up The Line Tennis tournament recap for last week on the ATP Tour.

Washington- ATP 500

Nick Kyrgios (AUS) can be described as many things, however, talented will always be correct. His talent was put on full display this week, as he captured his second title of his 2019, both at the 500 level, as he defeated Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 7-6(6), 7-6(4) on Sunday. Kyrgios admittedly did not battle the toughest of opponents through the first few rounds, including a quarterfinal win over lucky loser Norbert Gombos, who had taken the place of fourth seeded Kevin Anderson, who withdrew from another tournament with a continuing elbow issue. However, a stern challenge awaited with top seed and one time doubles partner Stefanos Tsitsipas, which ended up with a 9-7 third set tiebreak win for the Aussie, in what most would call the match of the week. The final was a more straightforward affair in the scoreline, but Kyrgios would not compete without drama, as the Russian took a 5-2 lead in the first set tiebreak, and had a set point at 6-5, and both times Kyrgios upped his level with some commanding groundstrokes to flip the momentum on its head. The second set was more straightforward, with Kyrgios capturing a mini break early on in the tiebreak to take control. The Aussie rises back inside the top 30 for the first time in almost a year, and seems to be finding his form at the right time on his favorite surface.

Kitzbuhel- ATP 250

Dominic Thiem (AUT) had never won a title at the Generali Open in Kitzbuhel, only reaching the final in 2014, at the tender of age of 20. He had to wait five years since that day, but finally won on his home soil, defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP), champion at Gstaad last week, 7-6(0), 6-1. The first set was a marathon, including 5 break chances on the Thiem serve and a rain delay midway through. However, Thiem’s level skyrocketed during the tiebreak as he skunked the Spaniard, and broke twice quickly in the second to grab the match by the throat. Continued heavy groundstrokes sealed up the match, and the third title of his 2019, one at each ATP level (Indian Wells 1000, Barcelona 500, Kitzbuhel 250).

Los Cabos- ATP 250

Diego Schwartzman (ARG) seems to post good results on all surfaces, including R4 appearances at both the U.S. Open and Wimbledon in the past year, and a semifinal in Rome on clay. However, the Argentine posted the biggest hardcourt result of his career with a title in Los Cabos, Mexico on Saturday, defeating rising star Taylor Fritz (USA) 7-6(6), 6-3. Schwartzman saved three set points at 0-40, 5-6 in the first set, before setting up three of his own at 6-3 in the tiebreak. However, neither of those sets of three were converted, as Fritz stormed back to 6-6, before a crucial nervous patch caused him to throw in a double fault, allowing Schwartzman to serve it out on set point #4. The second set slowly tipped the way of Schwartzman, as he captured the break to go up 3-1, and from there took the match. An impressive week from both players, as Fritz gets to a career high of 25 with the final, while Schwartzman is slightly higher at 23.

Wimbledon Day 2 Review-

More stars came out to play today, and one top seed was toppled in a big upset. This is the official Up The Line recap of Wimbledon’s Day 2.

Featured Matches-

(2) Federer d. Harris 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2

An odd first set from Federer, as Harris was the one seemingly in control, with big serves plus forehands, exemplifying first strike tennis. Once Federer donated a backhand for the break, Harris quickly took the first set. This seemed to light a fire in Federer, who quickly shaped up his footwork and tactics, proceeded to blitz Harris as the match went on. Only five games won on serve from the South African from that point on, as Federer started returning deeper and more consistently, leaving less room for the big forehand. A decent effort from the youngster, seemingly hampered by a calf problem from the third set on, but Federer on grass was too much for him today.

Federer takes on Jay Clarke next.

(3) Nadal d. Sugita 6-3, 6-1, 6-3

Nadal started out the match with a very awkward slip on the very first serve and proceeded to go down 0*-2 0-40, spraying balls everywhere. From there however, he reined in his groundstrokes, and proceeded to take control of both the first and second sets. Nadal let up slightly in the third set, but the level of Sugita was not enough to take advantage, and Nadal broke late in the third to wrap up the win. Rafa’s first serve percentage was not great, but 11 aces for the lefty bodes well for the potential later stages of the tournament.

Plays Kyrgios (!!) on Thursday.

Querrey d. (5) Thiem 6-7(4), 7-6(1), 6-3, 6-0

Disappointing performance from the RG finalist, but credit to Querrey for coming back from a set deficit. The first set was only separated by a mini break in at 3*-4 in the tiebreak, where Querrey missed a forehand, allowing Thiem to serve it out. The second set was more of the same, except this time, Thiem completely crumbled in the face of pressure, and Querrey produced a flurry of winners to even it up. The next two sets were all Querrey, as Thiem got very frustrated on both the break point to lose the third set, and the first break in the fourth, and seemed dazed and confused after that. Querrey takes out the toughest challenge in his part of the draw, and could be a surprise quarterfinalist?

He will take on Rublev next.

(12) Fognini d. Tiafoe 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

What a back and forth match from these two. The first set seemed to be Tiafoe’s until he gifted multiple errors for a break back. However, Fognini felt generous as well, dumping a backhand for the last break of the set, letting Tiafoe calmly serve it out. However, the next two sets went the way of Fognini, courtesy of some crucial misses on big points for the young American. It seemed as if the Italian would finish it in four, but his consistency had other ideas, gifting four unforced errors in a game to let Tiafoe break back at 3-4*, and double faulting down set point. This comeback was quickly stopped with an opening break of the fifth set, and Fognini did his part to hold down the stretch.

Fognini plays Fucsovics next.

Kyrgios d. Thompson 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(10), 0-6, 6-1

In typical Kyrgios fashion, this match could have been over in three or four sets, but nothing ever goes normally in the land of Nick. Thompson led the first set 5-2*, but proceeded to squander the lead, and Kyrgios tightened up in the tiebreak, pummeling serves to clinch a lead. He lost focus in the second, and in the third he was oscillating between amazing and confusing, holding two set points before dropping in an underarm serve in one of them, sending them to a tiebreak. Six more set points in the breaker went by until he clinched it 12-10. The fourth set was one of the strangest of the Championships so far, taking only 18 minutes as Nick seemed to just tank, for lack of a better work, only winning 5 total points in the set. The fifth set went the opposite way, like a pendulum on a clock, as Kyrgios seemed to be rested and became quite engaged, and Thompson started to miss much more. An important win for him, getting the better of the notion that he can’t perform against lower rated players.

Plays Nadal (!!) Thursday.

Other Matches-

(9) Isner d. Ruud 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(9)

(13) Cilic d. Mannarino 7-6(6), 7-6(4), 6-3

(8) Nishikori d. Monteiro 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-4

Tsonga d. Tomic 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 (this was an absolutely awful tank from Tomic, fines should be incoming)

(27) Pouille d. Gasquet 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4)

Evans d. Delbonis 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3

(20) Simon d. Caruso 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-2

(33) Struff d. Albot 6-4, 6-3, 6-2

Fucsovics d. Novak 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-2

Koepfer d. Krajinovic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(9), 6-1

Kukushkin d. Andujar 6-3, 6-2, 6-4

Sandgren d. Uchiyama 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3

(31) Djere d. Andreozzi 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(3), 6-3

Johnson d. Ramos-Vinolas 6-4, 6-2, 6-3

Millman d. Dellien 6-2, 6-3, 6-4

Baghdatis d. Schnur 6-2, 6-4, 6-4

Clarke d. Rubin 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4

Rublev d. Garin 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4

Berrettini d. Bedene 3-6, 6-3 6-2, 7-6(3)

Barrere d. Bublik 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3

Berankis d. (29) Shapovalov 7-6(0), 6-4, 6-3

(25) De Minaur d. Cecchinato 6-0, 6-4, 7-6(5)

(24) Schwartzman d. Ebden 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

Norrie d. Istomin 6-2, 6-4, 6-4

Fritz d. Berdych 6-4, 6-4, 6-3

(18) Basilashvili d. Ward 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6

Sousa d. Jubb 6-0, 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-1

Day 4 Preview- Australian Open

Australian Open Men’s Matches to Watch

(7) Dominic Thiem vs (WC) Alexei Popyrin
Not Before 2 AM EST, 6 PM AEDT
Thiem has gone through what feels like two matches in one rounds in his five set thriller vs. Benoit Paire on Tuesday night. One may worry about his physical condition with the oppressive heat and humidity bearing down on him, but he will have another chance to play an evening match against the youngster Popyrin. Popyrin gave a thorough hiding to Mischa Zverev in the first round, pounding 16 aces and an UNREAL 60-13 winner to unforced error ratio. Popyrin has the talent to beat Thiem, but Thiem has the GS experience, and the more consistent game to dodge the plucky youngster’s bullet.
Prediction- Thiem, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

(1) Novak Djokovic vs (WC) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Aproximate Time- 4:35 AM EST, 8:35 AEDT
The nightcap on RLA tonight will recreate a past final, one from 2008, where these players were in similar positions. Djokovic as the world #1, and Tsonga as an unseeded player, this time being ranked 35 spots lower, at 73 in the world. Tsonga battled well past Martin Klizan in straight sets, using his trademark serve and forehand to win his points. However, Djokovic has been too good for almost everyone (we see you Karen Khachanov!) since August of last year. The Djoker will ride the wave of his game over Tsonga in a delightful spectacle for the Melbourne crowd, but don’t be surprised if this one goes the distance.
Prediction- Djokovic 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-6

Stan Wawrinka vs (16) Milos Raonic
Approximate Time- 830 PM EST, 1230 PM AEDT
This. This is the match, that if you’re trying to get to bed at a fairly reasonable hour, that you should watch if you’re in the United States. Wawrinka, the former Grand Slam champion, has been getting into his rhythm lately, only losing in Doha to the eventual champion, the on-fire Roberto Bautista Agut. He only had to play one set against Gulbis on Tuesday, but was hitting his backhands cleanly enough, and winning points off of his first strike tennis. Raonic put in a very good performance as well, taking out King Kyrgios in straights in a hugely partisan crowd. His serves are firing well, and he even is moving well now, the back seems to be hurting him much much less. This should be an absolute stunner, one without a clear favorite.

Prediction-
Raonic- 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, 6-7, 6-4

As will be per usual, keep checking back every day for updates on not just the Grand Slams, but all ATP, Challenger, and certain ITF World Tennis Tour events!