Dolgopolov in Form

[Love Game]

Dolgo's form on the road to Roland Garros is, in a word, "scintillating."

Yes, I know one match does not form make, and we've all seen Dolgo blow hot and cold since he first broke into the top 100 in January, 2010. One match he dazzles us, the next he disappoints us.

If his first round Monte Carlo match vs. J.I. Chela (with 21 winners against Chela's one) is any indication of his current form, Alex Dolgo fans are gonna enjoy this clay season all the way to it's destination, Roland Garros! Next step on that road is Dolgo v Tomic in less than an hour.

So what's your prediction?
Will Alex stay on track and surpass his best French Open showing of third round? He's currently no. 21 on the ATP world tour rankings and no. 28 on today's Race to London, having improved two levels already this week with his first round victory ...

[Love Game]

Dolgo consolidates the early break, 3-0

hummin along that road so far!

btw, Bernie's dad is there, looking PO'd ATM

[ledwix]

Dolgopolov must be Tomic's most frequent opponent on tour. He's played him 5 times and has only 65 career matches.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by ledwix

Dolgopolov must be Tomic's most frequent opponent on tour. He's played him 5 times and has only 65 career matches.

really? I thought it was only four times. maybe one was in challengers? at any rate, of the four I know of, only one was finished in straights, so on paper that might happen again today.

regardless, Dolgo takes the first set with a break, 6-2
more errors than yesterday to start, but he's dialing it in. Lookin like Alex is gonna take this one in straights ...

[niff]

Hope Bern can take this set.

[kimbahpnam]

Originally Posted by Love Game

wth....where's the racquet? Trippy.....

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by kimbahpnam

wth....where's the racquet? Trippy.....

it's there ... but this is just a screen cap, which can't capture fast motion very well at all, so that means the racket is moving very fast

i know you know that already ... it's a good point to show that dolgo has a very fast service motion indeed ...

=====

woof!
second set almost complete turn-around, atomic taking it 75

[Zildite]

Classic hot and cold Alex.
Win in the bank. Djokovic in the next round

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Zildite

Classic hot and cold Alex.
Win in the bank. Djokovic in the next round

aaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhh!!! ooops looks like the monte carlo road w/b a short one after all

Bernie did play a lot better in the second set, but Alex went cold in addition, donating 22 UEs that set!

ah well, it's been fun, Alex ... see ya in madrid

[Bobby Jr]

Just watched this match. Man, if Dolgopolov could channel his efforts and not have the lulls he so often does he would be a permanent top 10 player. He's one guy who, with a little more consistency, would be the no-one would want to see in their section of the draw.

On another note, he should try to coax Fabrice Santoro to play some doubles with him. I'm sure Santoro would still be pretty handy at doubles. They would make an amazingly entertaining combo.

[pennc94]

Originally Posted by Bobby Jr

On another note, he should try to coax Fabrice Santoro to play some doubles with him. I'm sure Santoro would still be pretty handy at doubles. They would make an amazingly entertaining combo.

I know what you mean, but I am not sure their "shenanigans" translate well to doubles.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Bobby Jr

Just watched this match. Man, if Dolgopolov could channel his efforts and not have the lulls he so often does he would be a permanent top 10 player. He's one guy who, with a little more consistency, would be the no-one would want to see in their section of the draw.

On another note, he should try to coax Fabrice Santoro to play some doubles with him. I'm sure Santoro would still be pretty handy at doubles. They would make an amazingly entertaining combo.

Top 10 ... that's what I was wondering about the other day. The highest Alex has been ranked was no. 13 in January of this year, but now he's no. 21

His game is high risk, and I'm not sure, but sometimes I think he'd rather lose a match than play conservatively ........ seems he should rise in the rankings during the clay season, but there's a lot of competition for the top 10 spots, tho I'd like to see him make it by RG

[Bobby Jr]

Originally Posted by Love Game

His game is high risk, and I'm not sure, but sometimes I think he'd rather lose a match than play conservatively ........ seems he should rise in the rankings during the clay season, but there's a lot of competition for the top 10 spots, tho I'd like to see him make it by RG

I agree... but, with only minor improvement in consistency, he would be a fundamentally better player than Fish, Isner, Tipsarevic or Almagro.

[Marius_Hancu]

good task to focus on tomorrow

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Marius_Hancu

good task to focus on tomorrow

focus is the word. dolgo's as limber as djoko, but he's not as strong. he has maybe as good movement around the court, but he takes more chances ... here goes ...

[Love Game]

Oh my. Didnt see this coming. Dolgo takes first set from Djoko 6-2

[sillymonkey]

What a lovely way to wake up...go dolgo

[The Bawss]

Dolgo owning the resident GOAT. I like it.

[JayChu]

Originally Posted by The Bawss

Dolgo owning the resident GOAT. I like it.

You do realize that the resident GOAT is suffering from a tragic loss as he found out that his grandfather passed away a few hours ago.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by JayChu

You do realize that the resident GOAT is suffering from a tragic loss as he found out that his grandfather passed away a few hours ago.

omg that's terrible for him. no wonder he seems distracted. brave of him to play under the circumstances.

fanTAStic BH by Alex there. He's putting the no. 1 thru his paces, and novak is up a break here in the second, soooo

to tell the truth, it might be easier for novak if he doesnt have to play more matches at this tragic time.