On a happier note, Nicholas Monroe and Jack Sock have made the final, where they will play Kubot and Melo, who after ending the Murray/Soares run also beat Brian Baker and Daniel Nestor. The final is not a big deal for Jack Sock, who has more than enough doubles trophies. But it's a very big deal for Nicholas Monroe, who will turn 35 in a few weeks and has played only three Masters tournaments in his life, never progressing beyond the QFs.

It would have to be said that his fortune owes quite a lot to Jack Sock - who I suspect may be one of the best doubles players going right now (take a look at the highlights of the SF match). But Monroe is a good player himself, and it's a nice reward for someone who has done more than his fair share of grinding it out in lower-level tournaments over the years.