Monday, January 18, 2021

Weekend Tennis Roundup

 My (tennis) head is already spinning less than three weeks into the new year, but here's what I've got. With the ATP/WTA app apparently never coming back, I haphazardly gathered there was action in Delray Beach, Turkey and Abu Dhabi. From there, it seems the men's and women's tours chartered planes to Melbourne -- only to have a flight attendant turn up positive, forcing everyone on board to quarantine in their hotel rooms for two weeks. (Australia has handled the coronavirus pandemic better than most countries and isn't kidding around.) Last I heard, 72 players were in quarantine, with six people associated with the tournament having tested positive, including one unnamed player. As a result, a lot of the players are becoming deeply bitter about not being able to practice, leading to a lot of bitching and moaning, as well as some fun in-room improvisation, as you will see BELOW.


Great start of the year for Alex De Minaur, who beat David Goffin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the semis and then won the final of the Antalya Open in Turkey on Wednesday when his opponent, Alexander Bublik, retired hurt after only two games, both of which De Minaur won.


In doubles, new team Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic captured their first team trophy. The top-seeded Croatian team completed a dream week at the Antalya Open on Tuesday by beating second seeds Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek 6-2, 6-4 in the doubles final, which lasted 67 minutes.


Aryna Sabalenka won her third straight tour title and 15th straight match by beating Veronika Kudermetova 6-2, 6-2 Wednesday in the Abu Dhabi Open final.


Hubert Hurkacz was too good for Sebastian Korda in the final at the Delray Beach Open, defeating the young American 6-3, 6-3 victory Wednesday for his second career ATP Tour title.


In doubles, Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar have started the year on the right foot after taking home their first ATP Tour title at the Delray Beach Open.


Playing in their first tour-level championship match on Wednesday, Behar and Escobar edged past brothers Christian Harrison and Ryan Harrison to win 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 10-4.


Kudos to the Harrison brothers for giving up their "liberties" long enough to accept the runners-up prize. 


Holger Rune came up a little short against Frenchman Evan Furness at the ITF stop in Spain, losing 6-2, 7-5, 6-0. FYI: Just 101 days until we can officially perv on him. 


Big man Reilly Opelka for Fila


 J.J. Wolf and Mikael Torpegaard, aka The Great (Big) Dane, look ready to take on any and all Challengers




Hubba-Hubba: They don't make British men like they used to ...


Matt Ebden didn't qualify for his home tournament ...




From Bosnia With Lust: Damir Dzumhur made it to Melbourne, but not through the qualifying 


Does Stefanos Tsitsipas have the hottest relatives? His brother and cousin would certainly indicate so


The tournament in Dubai doesn't begin until Feb. 14, so I'm not sure what cosplay action Karen Khachanov was taking part in ... 


(I think a lot of the men train there.)


The Russian daddy is on to Australian 


Borna was all smiles getting tested before flying to Melbourne ...


Not just another passenger ...


Now that he's there, it seems quarantine life isn't so much fun


Masked and Dangerous: Robert Farah


Sexy Quentin Halys qualified for the Aussie Open, but is part of the large group of players on a two-week lockdown in Melbourne 


Suffice to say I'd feel very comfortable having Matteo Berrettini in the exit row on my flight


Playing it Safe: Nikola Cacic and Laslo Djere


Melbourne-bound Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul -- and the woman ruining my life





Charter flight to Melbourne 


Vasek Pospisil takes a break from seceding from the ATP to quarantine Down Under




How do I get invited to one of Tracy Austin's tennis parties? 

1 comment:

joepelpro said...

JJ ans Mikael are Sean Cody ready