Roger Federer Tops Winners and Losers in Tune-Up to 2015 Madrid Masters
The week before the 2015 Madrid Masters was another title for Roger Federer and a belated opportunity for Andy Murray on clay. But Murray is still alive with the drama of rain at the BMW Open in Germany.
How about young Nick Kyrgios as he turned 20 years old? Did he come through with his first title against a journeyman who used to be one of those potential phenoms a decade ago?
The Winners and Losers this week is a smorgasbord of three small tournaments and one impending Masters 1000 event at Madrid. Who is riding the wave, and who is licking his wounds? This is our latest recap of another great week of tennis.
Loser: Raining on Andy Murray
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After nearly a decade, it’s fitting that Andy Murray must wait an extra day for a chance to win his first clay-court title. Blame it on the rain, again.
Murray’s quest to win the BMW Open in Germany was tested when he had to win two Saturday matches just to reach his first clay-court final. Now he must sleep on the agony of waiting to continue his match, trailing 3-2 but on serve, against German native and veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber.
This could be a nervy finish for Murray, and a rain delay often helps an underdog player if conditions or routines are compromised.
At the 2012 French Open final, rain was a big factor in changing the tide of a match that Rafael Nadal had controlled against Novak Djokovic. Depending upon whose perspective you want to adopt, rain may have stymied Nadal or allowed Djokovic to establish his rhythm and charge back into the match. The match was then postponed in the fourth set, Nadal down a break. This may have given Nadal the break he needed to regather himself and win the title the following day.
So, we will see if Murray finishes off an important milestone, but this may not be the last time that rain plays a role in a big match this spring.
Winner: Janko Tipsarevic
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It's been nearly three years since Janko Tipsarevic defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Madrid's blue clay. The Serbian peaked at No. 8 in the world.
Since, a lot has happened, especially injuries and foot surgery that kept him out of action for a year-and-a-half.
He is making a comeback, and his stated goal is to get back into the top 10. "I’m aware that I’m turning 31 this year, Tipsarevic said, according to the ATP World Tour website. "I don’t have many years left. My goal and dream would be to come back to the Top 10, and I don’t have many weeks to waste."
Tipsarevic appeared at the BMW Open in Germany as a wild card this week. He was ranked at No. 635 in the world and facing No. 6 seed Bernard Tomic. It might not have been the biggest victory of the week, but for Tipsarevic, his 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(3) win was one important step on the long road back.
A round later he lost another three-setter, but at least he is out there playing. His rise to No. 528 is progress indeed.
Loser: Feliciano Lopez
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A month ago we praised Feliciano Lopez for climbing to the edge of the Top 10. The veteran has been tough and smart with good runs at Australia (fourth round), Ecuador (finalist) and Indian Wells (quarterfinalist). He looked ready to compete for some deep runs on European clay.
He is 2-4 since Indian Wells and was ousted in home country Barcelona by underdog compatriot Pablo Andujar. This week was a greater disappointment. After a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed at Portugal's Estoril Open, Lopez was dismissed in a tight match by Robin Haase, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4.
This was a chance for his first clay-court title, which seems remarkable given that he is Spanish and has carved out a nice career the past decade. He could have used the wins and points, but now that Barcelona and Portugal are finished, it's not likely he will make this up at Madrid or Rome.
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Winner: Richard Gasquet
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While everyone else was falling apart at the Estoril Open, 28-year-old sage Richard Gasquet reemerged for his first title since 2013. The Frenchman used his experience and patient groundstrokes to whip past Aussie youngster Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 6-2.
In 2006, Gasquet was the potential phenom, taking three titles and showing marvelous skills. Although he has never had neither the tenacity nor a big tennis weapon to be an elite player, he has carved out a fine career with a dozen titles.
Kyrgios is looking for this first title, but despite reaching his 20th birthday last week he has a long way to go before reaching any superstar status. For one, his serving power and prowess has edged him up to No. 35 in the world, but he will need to develop the steadiness that Gasquet has often shown.
But this is Gasquet’s moment. He moves up five spots to No. 23 in the rankings and might have a few good moments left in his career.
Loser: Grigor Dimitrov
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Our latest look at Grigor Dimitrov is hardly earth-shattering, but there are the usual questions in wondering if he is settling into a role as the No. 11 player in the world or if he is soon to make the kind of progress we've seen from Kei Nishikori.
His biggest problem in losing as the No. 2 seed at Istanbul was evident as he fell 6-2, 6-4 to Pablo Cuevas. Dimitrov rarely tries to impose a more aggressive offensive game. Against a clay-courter like Cuevas, he is throwing away some of his advantages.
First, Dimitrov settles back very deep on the baseline, but unlike Rafael Nadal, master of this tactic, he is uncertain of how to turn his defense into offense. His transitions are more dependent upon an opponent like Cuevas breaking down or giving him short balls. If not, he loses the war of attrition.
Second, Dimitrov's weaker backhand is rarely offensive. While clay takes patience, and Dimitrov has shown excellent scrambling abilities on this surface, he has been reluctant to set up big forehands. He's letting too many opponents dictate how the match is played.
There may yet be a breakthrough, when everything comes together with his offense and when things begin to click in his mind. He needs the confidence of a game plan that will utilize his offensive gifts.
For all of the conditioning and work under coach Roger Rasheed, it might take another perspective from someone like Magnus Norman, who could perhaps coerce more offensive aggressiveness and build up bigger confidence for Dimitrov.
Winner: Roger Federer
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It was not a surprise that Roger Federer won the inaugural title at Istanbul, finishing off Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 7-6(11). It wasn’t easy, however, as the Swiss star noted in ATP World Tour, “It's been a tough week; four tough matches.”
There’s a lot to admire about Federer’s resilience and consistency the past five years even as he has watched Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic dominate most of the biggest majors. The thing is, it’s just not so easy to be as physically dominant once a player hits 28 years. Federer has one major in five years, and he will need a few breaks if he is to capture another.
This is why it’s important to consider that Nadal’s last major title came a year ago, just after he was blowing out the candles on his 28th birthday cake. Whatever can be said about his injuries or rust, the evidence shows it is very difficult to extend a champion’s physical peak beyond 28 years.
Federer is right up there with the greatest tennis players of all time and it’s a pleasure to see him compete as the No. 2 player in the world. He is still winning titles at a time when we see younger potential stars fall well short of winning tournaments like Istanbul. Grigor Dimitrov is nodding his head in agreement.
Loser: Retro Look at 2012 Madrid
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It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since one of the infamous tennis debacles. In 2012, Madrid—behind the “vision” of Ion Tiriac—pushed aside traditional red clay to showcase a more TV-friendly spectacle on blue clay.
The smurf turf turned out to be something more appropriate for an Ice Capades tour. The bounces were faster and players skidded like Bambi. There were times it looked like Novak Djokovic’s ankles were snapping off sideways.
In the end, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal threatened to boycott Madrid if it did not restore the red clay. The ATP capitulated, saying (via ESPN) "...there were clearly issues with the quality of the courts in Madrid this year, which were not acceptable."
And who was the eventual winner? None other than all-surfaces maestro Roger Federer, who could probably win on water, wood, snow or hot coals. He certainly proved he could win on ice.
Winner: Early Matches at 2015 Madrid Masters
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Although Madrid 2015 loses a little luster with Novak Djokovic resting up for Rome and French Open, another fine draw features several interesting early matches.
How about Jiri Vesely taking on Marin Cilic? Lots of power in that one and plenty to observe about their chances to be factors on clay over the next month. Will Cilic find his form once again, or will Vesely take another step up from No. 36?
Ernests Gulbis vs. David Goffin is a contrast of volatile talent against gritty tenacity. Will Gulbis resurrect what’s left of his career or will he continue to flounder all the way to the French Open? Goffin could prove to be a second-week player at the French Open, but it will be very difficult to defeat Gulbis and then Kei Nishikori just to reach the third round at Madrid.
Round two could be a blockbuster event with No. 1 seed Roger Federer taking on powerful serving and charismatic Nick Kyrgios. If so, expect Federer to be at his best. He often thrives when given the chance to teach the next generations a few lessons of championship tennis.
We might even get Andy Murray taking on Philipp Kohlschreiber in the second round, days after their Monday battle for the BMW Open.
Oh, and what about Rafael Nadal? The Spanish superstar admits he is struggling with his confidence, but a stellar week and title defense would get the media doing a 180.
Enjoy the week ahead.
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