Men Tennis Update 08-04-12 : Olympics, Washington, and Rankings

Written by: Staff on 4th August 2012

Men Tennis Update 08-04-12 : Olympics, Washington, and Rankings

epa03338874 Andy Murray of Britain in action during his Men's Singles Semi Final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the London 2012 Olympic Games Tennis competition in Wimbledon, Greater London, Britain, 03 Augst 2012. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Olympics

Singles – Semifinal: (1) R Federer def. (8) J del Potro 3-6 7-6(7-5) 19-17

With a score like that, you can tell this could have gone either way. It started with Juan Martin del Potro playing brilliantly — perhaps his best since the injury that cost him so much. In the second, he made just a few errors. In the third… the struggles went both ways. Roger Federer had the chance to finish it several times, but couldn’t, and so ended up playing the equivalent of about two more sets. And while that clinched a medal for him, he still didn’t know if he would stay #1. #1, in fact, was the only Top Ten ranking still in play after this; Juan Martin del Potro will remain at #9. Which in turn means that #1 and #2 were the only Top Ten rankings that might change hands!

To add to the list of records at this Olympics, the four hour, 26 minute duration of this match is a new men’s singles record, breaking the old record by 23 minutes.

It is reported that, after this, Federer has pulled out of the Canadian Open.

Singles – Semifinal: (3) A Murray def. (2) N Djokovic 7-5 7-5

This was the second semifinal, so Novak Djokovic knew he had to win to have a shot at the #1 ranking. The fact that Federer won’t play in Canada perhaps helps Djokovic a little, but Djokovic won the Canadian Open last year, so this probably means Federer is safe on top — especially if he can win gold.

Andy Murray remains at #4, and will be there even if he wins gold. But he’s now only about a thousand points behind #3 Rafael Nadal, and Nadal will also be skipping the Canadian Open. So Murray has a real shot to move up before the U. S. Open. Even if he doesn’t, he has guaranteed a medal for Britain.

Doubles – Semifinal: (1) Bryan/Bryan def. Benneteau/Gasquet 6-4 6-4

This is the best Olympic showing the Bryans have ever had. And the field still looks favorable for them.

Doubles – Semifinal: (2) Llodra/Tsonga def. Ferrer/F Lopez 6-3 4-6 18-16

Theoretically we’ll have a #1 versus #2 final, but the #1 team is a lot more experienced playing together than #2…. This started while Federer/del Potro was still going on, so people could spend most of the day watching sudden-death third sets…. The combination of this and all the other long matches resulted in postponements and court changes all over the place.

Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinal: (3) Raymond/Bryan def. Dulko/Del Potro 6-2 7-5

A long, long day for Juan Martin del Potro, obviously. For Raymond/Bryan, the big news is, they’re in the semifinal a day before two of the other semifinal teams.

We also find ourselves thinking that, in women’s doubles, Lisa Raymond and Liezel Huber are tied for #1. Should this perhaps count as a tiebreak? It would make the mixed a little more interesting.

Mixed Doubles – Quarterfinal: Lisicki/Kas def. Vinci/Bracciali 4-6 7-6(7-2) 10-7 (Match TB)

A very Olympics-ish result: Neither of these teams would have been at all likely to play except when players from the same nation have to be together.

Washington

Singles – Quarterfinal: (1) M Fish def. X Malisse 6-3 6-4

This took place in the afternoon heat of a very hot day, so Mardy Fish did well to be so efficient. We show him rising to #14 as a result of the win. And, unlike all those guys who played the Olympics, he’ll be adjusted to the conditions of the Canadian Open.

Singles – Quarterfinal: (2) A Dolgopolov def. J Blake 7-6(7-3) 6-4

Alexandr Dolgopolov is still at #23 in safe points, but a final would take him to, it appears, #21, and a title would make him Top Twenty.

Singles – Quarterfinal: (8) S Querrey def. (3) K Anderson 6-4 6-4

Sam Querrey just keeps marching on. He’s now up to probably #35. Kevin Anderson remains right around the cutoff for a U. S. Open seed.

Singles – Quarterfinal: (4) T Haas def. T Kamke 6-1 6-2

Tommy Haas asserts his place in the German hierarchy — and moves to within a few dozen points of a U. S. Open seed.

Doubles – Semifinal: Anderson/Querrey def. Mahut/Roger-Vasselin 6-3 6-4

Estimated ATP World Tour Rankings

As of August 3, 2012

Rank &

Prior…Player………..Points

1..(1) Federer………..11525