ATP week of July 27 - August 2: Washington 500 and Los Cabos 250

[helterskelter]

The start of the hard-court season.

The 500-level event in Washington has trimmed its draw to 32 players. The seeds are:

1. De Minaur, 2. Shelton, 3. Fritz, 4. Musetti, 5. Tien, 6. Tiafoe, 7. Mensik, 8. Fils.

Nice to see Musetti and Fils fit again. No return to DC for last year's runner-up Davidovich Fokina, who lost in a final set tiebreak against De Minaur in last year's final.

Exciting first-round clashes include: De Minaur v Tsitsipas, Fils v Jodar, Fritz v Bergs, and Michelsen v Draper, among others. Nice to see Draper playing again, too.

The 250-level event in Los Cabos has 28 players, so the top four seeds get a bye. The seeds are:

1. Lehecka, 2. Darderi, 3. Cerundolo, 4. Khachanov, 5. Norrie, 6. Moutet, 7. Landaluce, 8. Shapovalov.

Surprised to see Darderi playing, as he's coming off final appearance in Bastad and a semi-final appearance in Estoril. Wouldn't be surprised if he withdrew.

Wild cards for youngsters Blanch and Kouame, veteran Dimitrov, and local player Pacheco Mendez. Kouame and Dimitrov play in R1, which could be fun.

 

[Shield]

Good draws at both tournaments. Looking forward to both tournaments

 

[Vincent-C]

Go, Tien! And, uh.. Shap.

 

[Shield]

Go, Tien! And, uh.. Shap.

Lol maybe Tomić will qualify. Hadn’t checked the scores. Hoping Brooksby can win a match, although unlikely. Poor De Minaur draws Tsitsipas first round. I hope Tien can make a run Nice to see Musetti back too.

 

[ghostofMecir]

Washington has some really great first round matchups, e.g., Fils vs Jodar, AdM vs. Tsitsipas, and Michelsen vs. Draper.

 

[Shield]

Washington has some really great first round matchups, e.g., Fils vs Jodar, AdM vs. Tsitsipas, and Michelsen vs. Draper.

Fils and Jodar along with Draper and Michelson did catch my eye. Wonder if De Minaur can finally get his first win against Tsitsipas. Kind of surprised how bad of a matchup it is for him

 

[ghostofMecir]

Cruz Hewitt qualified for the main draw after both of his opponents had to retire mid match. He’s up to #612 in the world and will play Giron in the first round.

 

[Shield]

Cruz Hewitt qualified for the main draw after both of his opponents had to retire mid match. He’s up to #612 in the world and will play Giron in the first round.

I didn’t get to watch his Wimbledon final, so I’ll try to watch that match if it’s shown on the tennis app. Not very familiar with his play style as I haven’t seen anything but a couple of clips here and there.

 

[Moose Malloy]

Cruz Hewitt qualified for the main draw after both of his opponents had to retire mid match. He’s up to #612 in the world and will play Giron in the first round.

Svajda was up 6-1, 5-3 - then retires down 1-6, 7-6, 2-0 and gets in anyway as a LL...

 

[helterskelter]

Svajda was up 6-1, 5-3 - then retires down 1-6, 7-6, 2-0 and gets in anyway as a LL...

He probably knew that he was in already, although I'm somewhat surprised that retiring from the qualifying match is compatible with playing a main draw match. I'd have thought that by retiring from the match, he forfeited his right to be an LL.

 

[bluetrain4]

Foe v. Atamane again. I'm sure Foe is thrilled. Lol. He's 3-0 vs. him, but it's always a difficult, tricky out.

 

[helterskelter]

I'm surprised that Fonseca isn't playing this week.

 

[Alley]

Fils vs Jodar should be interesting!

 

[ghostofMecir]

He probably knew that he was in already, although I'm somewhat surprised that retiring from the qualifying match is compatible with playing a main draw match. I'd have thought that by retiring from the match, he forfeited his right to be an LL.

Sane with atomic in Los Cabos. there has been some Internet activity for people are saying this isn’t fair.

Svajda was up 6-1, 5-3 - then retires down 1-6, 7-6, 2-0 and gets in anyway as a LL...

Apparently, it was a stomach illness. He has been set as a relatively strong favorite vs. Vukic, so i doubt it was serious but still it’s interesting he’s turning around the next day to play. He’s been playing really well though so hope it continues.

 

[helterskelter]

Sane with atomic in Los Cabos. there has been some Internet activity for people are saying this isn’t fair.

I think there are two issues here:

1) A player withdrawing in the final round of qualifying doesn't count as them withdrawing from the main draw. Hence Svajda and Tomic withdrew but still are in the main draw.
2) They let the lucky losers in by rank. This means that players can know before they step on court that they are into the main draw come what may. This means that they probably don't give their best effort in the final qualifying match, which is unfair to the players in the other qualifying matches. It would probably be fairer and more in keeping with the moniker of "lucky" loser to draw the final round qualifying losers out of a hat when players from the main draw withdraw, as this would reduce the incentive not to try in the qualifying match.

 

[Shield]

We could potentially see a Musetti/Fils match in QF if they both get that far. Would be an interesting match if both are playing well

 

[Moose Malloy]

I think there are two issues here:

1) A player withdrawing in the final round of qualifying doesn't count as them withdrawing from the main draw. Hence Svajda and Tomic withdrew but still are in the main draw.
2) They let the lucky losers in by rank. This means that players can know before they step on court that they are into the main draw come what may. This means that they probably don't give their best effort in the final qualifying match, which is unfair to the players in the other qualifying matches. It would probably be fairer and more in keeping with the moniker of "lucky" loser to draw the final round qualifying losers out of a hat when players from the main draw withdraw, as this would reduce the incentive not to try in the qualifying match.

The ATP changed the lucky loser rules a few years ago - they randomly pick LLs to prevent highest ranked players from tanking etc their last round of qualifying when they know someone will withdraw (this used to happen a lot - I remember TT threads about this). I don't believe they changed it back to the old rules (the slams definitely didn't change, LL's were picked randomly at the 3 slams so far this year)

 

[helterskelter]

The ATP changed the lucky loser rules a few years ago - they randomly pick LLs to prevent highest ranked players from tanking etc their last round of qualifying when they know someone will withdraw (this used to happen a lot - I remember TT threads about this). I don't believe they changed it back to the old rules (the slams definitely didn't change, LL's were picked randomly at the 3 slams so far this year)

Thanks. I had missed that change, but it is a good one. That being the case, either Svajda just got lucky or they did change it back at the regular tour. He was the #1 seed in qualifying. Tomic was also the highest-ranked player to lose in the final round of qualifying at Los Cabos, so if they didn't use the rule that the highest-ranked player gets in automatically, this was a weird coincidence with a one in sixteen chance of having happened.

 

[aus89]

Musetti bagels Arnaldi on comeback

 

[Shield]

Arnaldi retires in second set down 1-3. Couldn’t tell exactly what was bothering him. I don’t know if he came in dealing with something. Hopefully it isn’t something serious again.

 

[aus89]

Draper pulls out of Washington

 

[Shield]

Draper pulls out of Washington

He has to be the most injury prone player in recent years. The guy can’t seem to stay healthy. They say the reason for the withdrawal?

 

[aus89]

He has to be the most injury prone player in recent years. The guy can’t seem to stay healthy. They say the reason for the withdrawal?

left arm injury so probably the same thing. I assume he felt some pain after practicing and pulled out to not damage anything and get it checked out.

 

[Shield]

left arm injury so probably the same thing. I assume he felt some pain after practicing and pulled out to not damage anything and get it checked out.

I wonder what else they can do to treat it, as he’s had so many problems with it. Thanks for the update.

 

[helterskelter]

I wonder what else they can do to treat it, as he’s had so many problems with it. Thanks for the update.

Lop it off and get a prosthetic.

 

[Moose Malloy]

Thanks. I had missed that change, but it is a good one. That being the case, either Svajda just got lucky or they did change it back at the regular tour. He was the #1 seed in qualifying. Tomic was also the highest-ranked player to lose in the final round of qualifying at Los Cabos, so if they didn't use the rule that the highest-ranked player gets in automatically, this was a weird coincidence with a one in sixteen chance of having happened.

just checked, per rulebook if one spot is open there is a draw between the 2 highest ranked players that lost in qualifying. So Svajda/Tomic had a 50% shot of getting in. If there were 2 spots, they would then draw 2 from the 3 highest ranked players. Once draw starts, they just go by highest ranked(so when Draper withdrew McDonald got in)

Vukic beat Svajda today

 

[Shield]

Dimitrov pulled out of Los Cabos. I’m not familiar with the guy that took his place. Winter from Australia. Anyone seen him play before?

 

[RossiBhoy]

We could potentially see a Musetti/Fils match in QF if they both get that far. Would be an interesting match if both are playing well

Was certainly a good tussle in Barcelona. Fils power was too much for Lorenzo that day unfortunately.

 

[helterskelter]

Comfortable win for Coleman Wong against Darwin Blanch in Los Cabos.

And an absolute cruise for Bernard Tomic against Alex Hernandez. It'll be interesting to see whether Tomic can test Khachanov.

 

[Vincent-C]

Go, [Lord] Bernie!

Now, can Shap d. Hijikata? Mmm..

 

[Vincent-C]

Tien's got Mannarino 1R. Wonder how that one will go.

 

[Alley]

Jodar is moonballing like crazy. Already at deuce.

 

[Alley]

Terrible game from Jodar. Already broken by Fils.

 

[Shield]

Tien's got Mannarino 1R. Wonder how that one will go.

Could be a tricky match for Tien. I like Mannarino, but I’ll be pulling for the young fella . Up 3-2 at the moment

 

[Vincent-C]

Could be a tricky match for Tien. I like Mannarino, but I’ll be pulling for the young fella . Up 3-2 at the moment

Yep, all same here. Go, Learner!

 

[Vincent-C]

5-5..

 

[helterskelter]

First set to Hodor against Son in a tiebreak.

38-year-old Mannarino takes advantage of the age advantage to win the first set 7-5 against 20-year-old Tien.

 

[Vincent-C]

First set to Hodor against Son in a tiebreak.

38-year-old Mannarino takes advantage of the age advantage to win the first set 7-5 against 20-year-old Tien.

So, Tien in a third-set TB?

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Kyrgios and Tiafoe teaming up for doubles today in DC. Good for them. Keep doubles alive.

 

[Shield]

So, Tien in a third-set TB?

Not looking good so far. Making a lot of errors, especially on the FH. Hopefully he can clean it up, but down a break in the 2nd 4-3.

 

[helterskelter]

So, Tien in a third-set TB?

Mannarino in two, with a break in each (7-5 6-4).

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Tres Bien Magic Man, he's got the magic hands. I like Tien too, but I always root for the outliers and oldtimers.

 

[Shield]

Mannarino in two, with a break in each (7-5 6-4).

Disappointing loss. Not to who lost he to, but the play itself. A lot of rally errors, errors in general. Good match from the Old Timer. Watching baby Hewitt now. Just won the first set 6-3 against Giron.

 

[helterskelter]

Tres Bien Magic Man, he's got the magic hands. I like Tien too, but I always root for the outliers and oldtimers.

I, too, generally root for the older player.

 

[Vincent-C]

Good job by the Old Guy! Back to old draw board for Tien, I guess, but he'll work through it.

 

[Kafel69]

what in the world happened to Giron? to lose to Hewitt Jr in straights without a sniff at a BP - smells like some kind of match fixing lol either that or Sr must've taken his family hostage or something...

 

[Shield]

what in the world happened to Giron? to lose to Hewitt Jr in straights without a sniff at a BP - smells like some kind of match fixing lol either that or Sr must've taken his family hostage or something...

Hewitt actually looked good out there, but Giron did suck it up. Hewitt had some pretty smart shot selection, and didn’t just try to blast through Giron. Defends and moves pretty well too, although not as fast as Pops in his day lol.

 

[Shield]

Jodar beating Fils on HC. is an impressive win. I actually favored Fils before the match, but Jodar played a good match. Nice win off the clay for him.

 

[Vincent-C]

Jodar beating Fils on HC. is an impressive win. I actually favored Fils before the match, but Jodar played a good match. Nice win off the clay for him.

I have a good feeling about Jodar, but we will see.

 

[Vincent-C]

So Majchrzak took out Tommy Paul in straights, five and six? I didn't see it, but he's had some good results lately.