It's youth and age today: Bublik beating Pouille, Rublev beating Lu, de Minaur beating Gerald Melzer, Khachanov beating Mannarino ... and then Victor Estrella Burgos and Federer weighing in, too. The former two have impacts on Mr Murray's draw ... and there was a point when I wondered whether Cilic and Wawrinka were going to go down as well!
I was surprised by Mr Bedene's loss - really thought that was a gift of a draw. But while it's a pity, I'd agree with you, Jaggy, that VEB seems like a very decent sort ... and it's nice to see him do well. Was glad also for Noah Rubin, one of my favourite players to watch - as with Mr Evans, relatively tiny, but good movement, lots of skill and lots of tennis intelligence. He was defending second round points, having won the US WC and a first-round match last year. Didn't think he'd do it, but he came through a nasty qualifying draw and then made the most of an easy first round.
Cilic went to 5 in the heat. If Evo can return well and stay in the point, you never know! A win will finally get him into the top 50.
Isn't Cilic one of those ones that often goes '5' ? So he's pretty used to it.
Cilc, Nishikori and Wawrinka are the usual suspects for 4 and 5 set wins in Grand Slams and they all seem to end up in the last 8 or better, so I agree we can't look at their first round results as meaning anything.
fingers crossed for Evo! anybody notice that the guy Evo played in the 2 challenger finals last years ranking? He's up to 50 in the live rankings. Karen Khachanov they have both taken off since those 2 finals!
What a bizarre thing to troll about. He famously playing Konstantin Kravchuk in successive Challenger finals. I don't recall any matches between Evo and Khachanov.
Really rattled me that has, so I suppose mission accomplished for you. Simply can't believe the things people troll about these days.
While most players have a sliced backhand for defensive purposes, its easy to think that theres no way they can have the slice as their standard backhand and be a factor in the worlds top 100. But Daniel Evans is enjoying the form of his life, and he seldom hits anything other than a slice on his backhand side. Evans, whose victory over Facundo Bagnis will see his ranking enter the top 50 for the first time after this Australian Open, does have an aggressive backhand, but he only uses it when he knows the slice will be too soft. A return to the era of Ken Rosewall, whose slice backhand was one of the most feared weapons of his day, is not imminent, but Evans shows you dont have to be all power to break into the top 50.
I don't think it's quite accurate to say he seldom hits anything else than slice but good to see he's drawing wider attention for his attractive style of play.
I also don't agree that his victory will see him into the Top 50. He had 35 points from last year as well, so up to now, he only has a net gain of 10 points. Live rankings only has him at 52 at the moment and there are plenty of players below him still in the tournament, so he will have to beat Cilic at least.
fingers crossed for Evo! anybody notice that the guy Evo played in the 2 challenger finals last years ranking? He's up to 50 in the live rankings. Karen Khachanov they have both taken off since those 2 finals!
What a bizarre thing to troll about. He famously playing Konstantin Kravchuk in successive Challenger finals. I don't recall any matches between Evo and Khachanov.
Really rattled me that has, so I suppose mission accomplished for you. Simply can't believe the things people troll about these days.
apologies if I dont get this but I didnt see any trolling here? Seemed like a case of mistaken identity (one KK for another KK?) but generally supportive of Evo as we all are? Or am I missing something of history or context (I am quite new to the board!). Apologies for getting involved in someone elses discussion but I think I missed something in terms of what was really amiss on the first note re Evo and KK (whichever KK it was!)
Well done, Mr Edmund. Nice that he's done so well that it doesn't come as a surprise - though very welcome!
There are some nice second round matches shaping up across the board in the men's: Muller/Raonic? Baghdatis/Nadal? Stepanek/Goffin? Chardy/Nishikori? Khachanov/Sock? And the long awaited Spanish futures rematch!