Doubles Second to Singles—Nathan’s Blog
By: Nathan M. Cuny
Has anyone noticed the lack of attention doubles tennis receives in comparison to singles? As I read and write about Barclays I am bombarded constantly by images of the top eight singles players. It’s as if the sport of men’s tennis revolves around four players only, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Roger Federer. It’s disappointing how little recognition doubles players obtain.
Recently drastic developments have occurred in the men’s doubles arena. One such development is Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi’s advance to the world No.5 doubles team over the last two tournaments. They even have the potential to finish as the No.4 team, requiring little more than 110 points to take the No.4 spot from Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes. If any singles player rose up the ranks as quickly as IndoPak Express did, especially just before Barclays, it would be all over the place.
There’s also the comeback team of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes who reached a doubles career high of No.1 many years ago. For the first time since 2002 they are playing together in the ATP World Tour Finals which is a big deal. Again nothing is heard about it. If this were a singles player making a huge comeback (theoretical example—Federer suddenly rising from No.4 back to No.1) the tennis world would be ecstatic.
There’s the old saying two heads are better one, and although two players aren’t necessarily better than one they can definitely make a tough team. Singles World No.1 Djokovic would have more trouble than Heracles did with the Hydra if he was pitted against the No. 6 doubles team of Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau. I guess doubles tennis is really just a different sport than singles.
Well before I blow my top here’s some information of use:
Doubles Group A features such teams as No.1 Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan, No.4 Mahesh Bhupathi/Leander Paes, No.6 Robert Lindstedt/Horia Tecau, and No.7 Jurgen Melzer/Philipp Petzschner.
Doubles Group B features the likes of No.2 Michael Llodra/Nenad Zimonjic, No.3 Daniel Nestor/Max Mirnyi, No.5 Rohan Bopann/Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, and No.8 Mariusz Fyrstenberg/Marcin Matkowski.
At 12:15 PM tomorrow Group B doubles players Daniel Nestor/Max Mirnyi smash it out with Rohan Bopann/Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi. Then at a time after 6:15 PM Group B doubles players Michael Llodra/Nenad Zimonjic wield their racquets against Mariusz Fyrstenberg/Marcin Matkowski.
On Monday November 21, Mahesh Bhupathi/Leander Paes counter Robert Lindstedt/Horia Tecau on center court at 12:15 PM. At an undisclosed time following 6:15 PM Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan brandish their racquets against Jurgen Melzer/Philipp Petzschner.
All top eight teams have the potential to go all the way. The tournament functions as a round-robin giving the teams of each group the pleasure of playing every other team in their respective groups. Which doubles team would I like to see win this year’s ATP world tour finals—IndoPak Express. If Bopanna and Qureshi acquire the Barclay’s title this year maybe that’ll stir up the tennis pot enough to give the men’s doubles some of the recognition it deserves.
Topics: Barclays, Doubles Team
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