Category: Monte-Carlo Masters 2018

Barcelona Open 2018, Kei Nishikori, Monte Carlo Masters, Monte-Carlo Masters 2018, TennisLeave a comment

Despite a run to the Monte Carlo final the usual questions are still there!

iainfordyce

Kei Nishikori still confuses me! When he made the final of the US Open in 2014 this seemed like the start however it hasn’t kicked off. Injuries have played a big part in his career haltering his progress however is there only so much you can put down to injuries? Just look at Juan Martin Del Potro, no-one would have thought he’d return as he has but he’s always been a determined player and of course everyone’s bodies are different! I watched a lot of Kei during the week in Monte Carlo as he saw off Seppi, Rublev, Cilic and … Continue reading Despite a run to the Monte Carlo final the usual questions are still there!

ATP, Barcelona Open 2018, Grigor Dimitrov, Monte Carlo Masters, Monte-Carlo Masters 2018, Tennis1 Comment

A much needed good week for Grigor!

iainfordyce

2017 ended as good as it could for Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian played some of the best tennis we saw on the tour which saw him end the season picking up the World Tour Finals trophy in London but this season he hasn’t found momentum. The defeats have raised questions, his game does look like it lacks trust at times and that usual ruthless streak which was so frightening to play against but this year we have seen his second serve taking a pelting especially in Rotterdam; Dimitrov may be ranked No.4 but his second serve needs big improvement I … Continue reading A much needed good week for Grigor!

ATP, Monte Carlo Masters, Monte-Carlo Masters 2018, Rafael Nadal, TennisLeave a comment

Monte Carlo Title No.11… was it ever in doubt?

iainfordyce

Sometimes you can’t describe you just need to admire. Rafael Nadal’s tennis this week in Monte Carlo has laid down a marker showing everyone if they want to upset the odds on route to Roland Garros then game’s need to be up’d. I can only admire Nadal. I was sceptical of his decision to play Davis Cup but then played brilliant but didn’t look like a man who just sat out 2 1/2 months injured and then to return to the competitive tour environment and has now won 36 continuous sets of tennis on clay with straight forward victories against … Continue reading Monte Carlo Title No.11… was it ever in doubt?

ATP, Monte Carlo Masters, Monte-Carlo Masters 2018, Rafael Nadal, TennisLeave a comment

Rafa’s in the mood…

iainfordyce

Well, world number one Rafael Nadal is playing some simply beautiful tennis right now. On a clay court there is no one better to watch. The way he strokes the ball around the court is like poetry. There isn’t a better sight in tennis. I was listening to Henri Leconte on Sky Sports and he said on a clay court he’s looking better than ever. His game has never looked so solid and this is a man who has won multiple titles and is on a 32 winning streak on the clay and his demolition of Thiem was outstanding. If … Continue reading Rafa’s in the mood…

ATP, Monte Carlo Masters, Monte-Carlo Masters 2018, Novak Djokovic, TennisLeave a comment

Novak Djokovic – A good week, focus areas, Vajda to stay on & Barcelona wildcard

iainfordyce

From the usual Novak Djokovic standards a third round exit at a Masters 1000 event is not great but in his return to the tour and trying to find form and following his horror show at Miami and Indian Wells I’d take a lot from it if I were Novak. Everyone wants to play Monte-Carlo and there are no easy matches. First up for Novak was Borna Coric who has been in very good form this year. The Croat put up a good fight but struggled to break down Novak when it mattered with the Serbian taking the match 7-6 … Continue reading Novak Djokovic – A good week, focus areas, Vajda to stay on & Barcelona wildcard

Andrey Rublev, ATP, Coaching / Analysis, Dominic Thiem, Monte Carlo Masters, Monte-Carlo Masters 2018, TennisLeave a comment

Thiem steps it up just in time to stay in at Monte Carlo!

iainfordyce

Dominic Thiem is one of the big challengers to Rafael Nadal on a clay court however the Austrian hasn’t been involved in the action as much as he would like over the last month or so with this ankle injury that forced him to miss Miami. No one should expect miracles from Thiem over the week as this is his first tournament back but there were some things that impressed, improved throughout the match and will naturally come with game time. Improvement throughout the match is something I like to see as it’s easier to continue to do the same … Continue reading Thiem steps it up just in time to stay in at Monte Carlo!

ATP, Borna Coric, Monte Carlo Masters, Monte-Carlo Masters 2018, Novak Djokovic, TennisLeave a comment

Novak Djokovic – 1 game dropped, looked sharp, but let’s not get too carried away!

iainfordyce

I don’t like to be the one to ruin the party but in any sport it is very easy to get carried away. Now I will be fair and say the former champion did look good but this is one match against the world number 93 he won 6-0 6-1, we can’t read too much into it. Watching Djokovic there is no doubt in my mind it was a better performance than what we saw at Indian Wells and Miami where he wasn’t ready. This week Marian Vajda is back in his corner a year after they split and sometimes … Continue reading Novak Djokovic – 1 game dropped, looked sharp, but let’s not get too carried away!