Miami Open, Master's 1000

[jimlosaltos]

Anyone else seen 16 yo Fruhvirtova? I only caught a bit of this match but she looked awesome. And the ending of this match ...

You know a teenager has game when she beats Vika Azarenka so badly that, at 6-2, 3-0 Vika just walked off the court. The Ref was saying "Vika, please wait ..." while she grabbed her bag and left. No call for a trainer, no signs of injury just gave up. Linda Fruhvirtova in now the youngest player into a Miami R16 since Maria Sharapova in 2004. Next up, number 5 Paula Badosa.

https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2552314/fruhvirtova-16-becomes-youngest-player-into-miami-round-of-16-since-2004

[glacierguy]

Anyone else seen 16 yo Fruhvirtova?

I watched all of the match after reading your teasing post. On Prime Video in the UK, the commentators were Sam Smith & Annabel Croft - they did a hilarious (with hindsight) introduction to Azarenka, saying what a fierce competitor she was, always brings her A-game, etcetera. As for the tennis, Azarenka couldn't settle early on, going down 0-3 against some excellent baseline play. I wouldn't say Fruhvirtova's level was something Azarenka hadn't dealt with before, but somehow in this match, she couldn't (deal with it). Fruhvirtova was able to inject some pretty fearsome pace at times, which was impressive. But Azarenka did win some great rallies, usually finishing with a crosscourt forehand winner. However, Azarenka continued to lose the plot and was constantly gesturing and moaning to her team. It must have been particularly frustrating for her not to be making more of Fruhvirtova's serve, which is slow. Azarenka started to "tee-off" (as we used to say) with occasional success, but much more frequent failure, until 0-3 in the second set, when she kind of asked for the physio, but then just walked off, with the umpire pleading "please wait Vika". The 16 yr old Fruhvirtova looked bemused (as you would), gestured as much to the crowd, then took the win with a smile and a wave.

[jimlosaltos]

I watched all of the match after reading your teasing post. On Prime Video in the UK, the commentators were Sam Smith & Annabel Croft - they did a hilarious (with hindsight) introduction to Azarenka, saying what a fierce competitor she was, always brings her A-game, etcetera. As for the tennis, Azarenka couldn't settle early on, going down 0-3 against some excellent baseline play. I wouldn't say Fruhvirtova's level was something Azarenka hadn't dealt with before, but somehow in this match, she couldn't (deal with it). Fruhvirtova was able to inject some pretty fearsome pace at times, which was impressive. But Azarenka did win some great rallies, usually finishing with a crosscourt forehand winner. However, Azarenka continued to lose the plot and was constantly gesturing and moaning to her team. It must have been particularly frustrating for her not to be making more of Fruhvirtova's serve, which is slow. Azarenka started to "tee-off" (as we used to say) with occasional success, but much more frequent failure, until 0-3 in the second set, when she kind of asked for the physio, but then just walked off, with the umpire pleading "please wait Vika". The 16 yr old Fruhvirtova looked bemused (as you would), gestured as much to the crowd, then took the win with a smile and a wave.

Appreciate your commentary -- on the commentary. How recursive <g>. Yes, I love when commentators use absolutes, such as "Rafa goes for every ball" just before he turns away from a player hitting a put-away (Just an example. I'm not criticizing Rafa. Enjoy seeing him these days. Keeping memories of Fedal alive).

Hope Fruhvirtova can improve her serve to support that ground game.

[jimlosaltos]

Coco Gauff vs Iga Świątek seemed deserving of hype but was disappointingly one-sided,

Straight sets to Iga: 6-3, 6-1, total points Ig 67 to 43 or plus 24 !

Can one consider this a referendum on the "liner, flat forehand" vs the "ATP forehand"?

IGA's relative weakness is her second serve but she won 58.8% behind seconds. Yikes.

Iga won 4 of 10 break points, Coco 0-2.

And auto-correct keeps changing Iga to IPA.

(No, I did not see the match. I've been glued to my photos from Indian Wells. You don't know how much drudgery there is in part of dealing with that many photos. Click. Delete, Click edit, no delete, Click Hmmmm. Click, click, click. Yes ! <g> )

[jimlosaltos]

Naomi Osaka is causing with zero drama, which for her is huge. Hope she maintains this. Just signed on with a therapist. Causation?

6-3, 6-4 over Alison Riske

[jimlosaltos]

If I already posted this, I apologize. I'm getting punchy from staring at my monitor editing tennis photos from Indian Wells.

Jannik Sinner vs Nick Kygrios could be an interesting barometer for each, albeit in different ways.

On form, Nick should win readily IMHO. But in my imperfect memory, Nick has never continued a stretch of concentration and quality play for this long before. Can he maintain his composure and motivation?

It's New Improved Nick!

Meanwhile, Sinner fought off match points against Pablo Carre?o Busta yesterday but I fear, if "New Nick" is for real, Sinner is in for a tough day. I believe their match will be tomorrow. Note: Interesting commentary by the broadcast analyst (not sure who): "Pablo is following the book vs Sinner by hitting behind him. Sinner's legs are not yet as strong as the tour veterans' so he can't change directions the way they can."

[stotty]

Greeting from Seville, Spain, where I am taking a well earned break. I watched a little of Karatsev last night against Hurkacz. Hard to understand why he hasn't done better during his career so far. He has the guns, the physique, yet never makes a consistent run in the bigger events - save his semi-final Aussie Open achievement.

Nick versus Sinner...yes, interesting. A bit like good versus evil and as always evil is way more interesting. With a game like Nick's the outcome of that match is on his racket as there is zero a player can do it he on his best serving form. I don't rate Nick's 'bunt' backhand as highly as most though agree on return of serve it can be an asset. I rather liked the way Roger disarmed Nick a few year's back at SW19. Once he got beyond Nick's serve he picked Nick apart quite easily. I notice Nick pays respect to Roger and clearly respects a greater talent above the industrious work ethic of Rafa and Novak. He respects talent above greatness it would seem.

Met a Ukrainian whose parents live in Kyiv and who haven't set foot outside the city for 40 years. They refuse to leave whatever the outcome. You have to admire that kind of resolve.

[stroke]

I was at the Miami Open yesterday. Saw JB take RBA in 3, Hurkacz beat Karatsev, Alcaraz over Clic, and Fritz defeat Paul. JB has a wonderful bh and weak serve. RBA is just what all expect, just a rock solid worker. Hurkacz has a great serve, the best 1st and 2nd I saw yesterday. It was definitely the difference maker in his win over Karatsev. Alcaraz on cusp of very big things, court coverage unmatched, mentally strong, great hands, great technique on all shots. Fritz seems to really have come to terms with his enormous talent.

Alcaraz vs Tsitsipas looks like the match of the day. I like Alcaraz. Great matches today.

[jimlosaltos]

I was at the Miami Open yesterday. Saw JB take RBA in 3, Hurkacz beat Karatsev, Alcaraz over Clic, and Fritz defeat Paul. JB has a wonderful bh and weak serve. RBA is just what all expect, just a rock solid worker. Hurkacz has a great serve, the best 1st and 2nd I saw yesterday. It was definitely the difference maker in his win over Karatsev. Alcaraz on cusp of very big things, court coverage unmatched, mentally strong, great hands, great technique on all shots. Fritz seems to really have come to terms with his enormous talent.

Alcaraz vs Tsitsipas looks like the match of the day. I like Alcaraz. Great matches today.

You're making me jealous. Enjoy !

[jimlosaltos]

Streamed Badosa vs the 16 yo Fruhvirtova and it didn't disappoint. Lots of drama but not for the anticipated reasons.

Badosa went to her first NBA game, Miami Heat, and woke up sick. She was either very ill or a better actor than Will Smith

She didn't quite go full Pete Sampras vs Corretja at US Open, though. But it was a gutsy performance. Didn't have her normal first serve pop, so she moved it around more. Played more human-backboard than normal, which surprised me given her presumed lack of stamina, but I guess she retreated to her comfort zone.

Fruhvirtova has a big forehand at 16 yo and seems to have competitive drive. Also hit a handful of great winners off body-backhand serves. Has that Djokovic "slide out of the way/ hit inside out" return down.

Here's a short vid of a 35 shot rally from their match last night:
https://twitter.com/WTA/status/15086...Q9Xj06jJ2kzf2A

[stroke]

Nick has been an absolute jerk out there today vs Sinner, as he always is when not winning. Carlos in the chair has handled him pretty well, but truth be told, Nick should have already been defaulted.

[stroke]

Well done by Sinner. So cool and professional. His parents have to be very proud of who he is. Sinner and Alcaraz are going to have some massive battles in the future.

[jimlosaltos]

Who had 3 weeks in the over/under on how long Good Nick would last?

Sinner saves a couple of breakers, then ... point penalty in TB, game penalty to start next set.

ATP: "It all came apart for Kyrgios in the ensuing tie-break. Sinner gave him no free points early on, and the Australian then received a point penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct following chatter about the chair umpire. Kyrgios was unable to overcome that, eventually hitting a frustrated double fault to lose the set.

"The wild card then smashed his racquet against his bag and the court, which led to him receiving a game penalty. That cost the Aussie dearly, as he was set to serve to start the second set. It essentially gave Sinner a break advantage to begin the second set, which the five-time ATP Tour titlist took full advantage of."

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/sinner-kyrgios-miami-2022-tuesday

[stroke]

To be honest, the Kyrgios bad behavior started well before the tiebreaker. Carlos let him off very easy. But who am I to dispute the ATP company line?

[stroke]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/nick-kyrgios-goes-into-complete-meltdown-disgraces-himself-again/news-story/e4d0ed8f2fdd789c2ddb29af4a707c3c