2017 Monte Carlo R1 - Gilles Simon vs Malek Jaziri

[The Green Mile]

A bit annoyed that they have to meet so early. Simon leads H2H 3-0, last win coming last year in Metz.
But I am also excited, as the winner will face off against presumably Djokovic in the 2nd round.
Starts after the Goffin/Darcis match which is scheduled not before 1:00 pm local time.

 

[stringertom]

I'm less sure about Simon than either Sousa or Goffin winning today. This should be tight.

 

[tennis08tarheels]

Jaziri is playing much better than Simon this year but it's hard to trust him on clay.

 

[The Green Mile]

I'm less sure about Simon than either Sousa or Goffin winning today. This should be tight.

That makes two of us. Highly anticipated match for me. I'm not at all confident in Simon's serve right now, and Jaziri's clay game isn't as polished as it is on other surfaces.

 

[Meles]

That makes two of us. Highly anticipated match for me. I'm not at all confident in Simon's serve right now, and Jaziri's clay game isn't as polished as it is on other surfaces.

You (and everyone else) are lucky this is being televised. In previous years Sunday matches were not. I saw the match day and felt bad, but glad to see this will be viewable.

 

[The Green Mile]

On court now, about to warm up.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon to serve first. A couple of UEs from Simon to start, and he's already down love 30. Ace for 15-30. Simon's forehand skids off the baseline, Jaziri whiffs the forehand. 30-30.

Simon comes through for 1-0.

 

[The Green Mile]

Short angled return from Simon, Jaziri hits the backhand cross-court but leaves too much court open. Simon powers the backhand dtl, and forces the forehand error. 15-15. 30-30.

Jaziri wins the backhand cross-court drill lol. 40-30. Deft touch on the drop shot from Jaziri, and Simon can't make up the ground. Holds for 1-1. Always a good play against Simon.

 

[The Green Mile]

Jaziri pulling the trigger maybe a little too early. A bit too low percentage for my liking. Simon's court coverage on full display early on. Holds to love for 2-1.

 

[Cenarius]

Simon en 3 mangas.

 

[The Green Mile]

What a rally. Jaziri using the whole court there, but Simon outlasts him, as Jaziri finally nets the backhand. Deuce.

Simon has BP. Simon gets a couple of errors out of Jaziri, and he has the early break. Leads 3-1, in the 1st set.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon struggling with the 1st serve again. A brilliant inside in forehand winner from Simon here though. 30-30.

Simon dropping the ball slightly short, and Jaziri goes back behind Simon with the inside in forehand. Gets the short ball, and puts it away with the overhead. BP. Saved.

2nd BP here, as Jaziri outlasts Simon in a grueling baseline exchange. Jaziri gets the break back.

 

[The Green Mile]

Huge Tee serve from Malek. 30-15. Unfortunate net cord for Jaziri, and it allows Simon to get into position for the easy forehand winner. 30-30. Simon not as good on the running pass anymore. A shame. 40-30. Simon with the huge 2nd serve forehand return winner for deuce.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon with the sneak into the net, anticipating the chip backhand, and volleys the ball away for the winner. BP.

Jaziri winning quite a few extended rallies. Deuce.

Simon aggressive off the 2nd serve again here, and forces the backhand error. BP #2.

Lack of 1st serves hurting Jaziri. Simon quickly takes over the point from the return, and gets into position for the big inside out forehand winner. Takes it, and breaks for 4-2.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon pulling away here. Simon actually wins a point where he has to chase down a drop shot. Simon distracted from somebody in the crowd there, also saying Malek will be distracted once he goes down that end. I think flash photography.

Simon up 5-2.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon breaks again for 6/2. Jaziri struggled big time on serve that set, broken three times. Both guys 1st serve percentage below 50. Did not defend his 2nd serve well at all. Simon a bit more patient in the rallies, a much more natural mover and defender on the dirt that's for sure.

 

[The Green Mile]

LOL, linesman calls fault, then corrects himself. Umpire has a little laugh.

Simon has 15-30 here, the error count creeping up for Malek. Wayward forehand from Malek, and Simon has 2 BPs.

Simon gets the early break for 2-0. Shot selection becoming a bit more desperate for Malek.

 

[The Green Mile]

Malek's best point of the match there. Hanged in there, and managed to transition from defense into offense excellently. Huge power angle on the forehand cross-court forcing the error.

Simon not missing right now, Jaziri having to work hard for every point earned. 40-30. Deuce.

Another forehand error from Malek. Simon holds for 3-0 with a trademark backhand dtl.

 

[Meles]

Peak Jaziri getting his hat handed to him by Gilles.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon in the drivers seat. Breaks again for 4-0.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Malek's best point of the match there. Hanged in there, and managed to transition from defense into offense excellently. Huge power angle on the forehand cross-court forcing the error.

Simon not missing right now, Jaziri having to work hard for every point earned. 40-30. Deuce.

Another forehand error from Malek. Simon holds for 3-0 with a trademark backhand dtl.

is It save to say Simon is gonna play against djokovic ?

 

[Meles]

Malek's best point of the match there. Hanged in there, and managed to transition from defense into offense excellently. Huge power angle on the forehand cross-court forcing the error.

Simon not missing right now, Jaziri having to work hard for every point earned. 40-30. Deuce.

Another forehand error from Malek. Simon holds for 3-0 with a trademark backhand dtl.

Jaziri strikes back with break to 1-4.

 

[The Green Mile]

is It save to say Simon is gonna play against djokovic ?

It's looking more and more probable!

GOAT one handed pass from Jaziri! Holds for 2-4.

 

[The Green Mile]

Fricking useless 1st serve, focus man. One error too many from Jaziri, and Simon holds on for 5-2. Simon roars, as it goes wide.

 

[The Green Mile]

I'm happy with Simon's baseline and especially return game. Should attack Djokovic's 2nd serve if he gets through. It's been wonderful today. Serve is still a problem, though Djokovic traditionally hasn't attacked the 2nd serve of Simon, as much as he maybe could.

This match could be a good thing for Djokovic and his fans though, may play him into some sort of form.

 

[I Am Finnish]

I'm happy with Simon's baseline and especially return game. Should attack Djokovic's 2nd serve if he gets through. It's been wonderful today. Serve is still a problem, though Djokovic traditionally hasn't attacked the 2nd serve of Simon, as much as he maybe could.

This match could be a good thing for Djokovic and his fans though, may play him into some sort of form.

Simon is a tough match up for djokovic especially on slow courts

Would not be surprised if he struggles again like the last 2 meetings

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon finishes it off in style with a return winner. 6/2 6/2. Overall, nice match from Simon. Looking forward to the Djokovic/Simon match in R2.