James Blake at MensClayCourt!!!

[GRANITECHIEF]

James Blake has an interesting first round match against a player that probably few have heard of; Ivo Minar.

I watched Ivo at Sydney before AusOpen where he qualified and then beat Davydenko, Verdasco, Pavel, and Stepanek before losing to Hewitt in the final. Ivo's favorite surface is clay.

Minar had great strokes, a sampras-like forehand and was a real hustler.

I see an upset brewing in that match.

Also, i hope Donald Young wins his first ATP match against Calatrava. Doesn't Calatrava have a masters shield from German Open or Monte Carlo from 6 +/- years ago. If Young wins, guess who's up next? Agassi. That would be a good learning experience!!!

 

[GRANITECHIEF]

Oh yeah, about Minar. I Dubai he played Roger Federer and won the first set in a TB (5), then lost 6-3, 7-6 (5). Again, very impressive.

 

[gugafanatic]

Although Blake is not a clay court specialist, he has been playing really well this yr and showing top 20 potential. I think Minar will be a real test though. Hope Blake can get a few wins under hes belt after winning an exhibiton on clay (defeating Haas).

 

[TennisD]

Blake can win. Young, however, can not.

 

[Haka Boy]

Blake won the River Oaks International on clay recently so he's capable of doing well.

 

[Haka Boy]

James Blake won his first round match against Minar 6-2 7-5

 

[gugafanatic]

great win!! Glad to see Blake on the road to success. I really think he is the most talented American rookie out there. Considering he turned pro 20 and hes spinal condition as a teenager, he is doing really well. I think Blake is ready to break the top 20.

 

[GRANITECHIEF]

Great match for James, not as easy of a draw as it may have seemed. I'd like to see him beat Massu and K.Kim for the pleasure of running corner to corner chasing the ball of Andre Agassi.

When i first saw Fish vs. Ginepri draw, i thought "I bet Robby will win on clay". It seemed obvious to me, thus it turned out that way. Why didn't Robby play in Davis Cup v. Spain last year. Much better footwork/lower center of gravity on the slippery stuff.

Don't be too surprised if Ginepri wins against Roddick.

 

[gugafanatic]

Ginepri has a massive serve and forehand. I saw him take ferrero apart at Wimbledon a few yrs back. I think guys like Blake and Ginepri can do well on clay as they are good movers and quick around the court.

 

[Shaolin]

Doesn't Calatrava have a masters shield from German Open or Monte Carlo from 6 +/- years ago. If Young wins, guess who's up next? Agassi. That would be a good learning experience!!!

You might be thinking of Christiano Carratti (sp?), he won a Super 9 and then faded into obscurity.

 

[unkast]

Blake's no longer a rookie at age 25.. but yeah he may still have his best years ahead of him. About Blake and Robby Ginepri winning on clay: they both move well, but on hardcourts.

 

[spinbalz]

Blake does not know how to move and play on clay, it is even laughable at times when he has to face a clay specialist. What I saw from him on clay are basically those errors: wrong shot selections, weak balance, he runs then hits the ball then slides, instead of running then sliding then hitting the ball, he is easy to wrong foot, and he arrives often late on the balls because he slides when he starts to run, he doesn't know how to grip the court. But he has a great heart and usually gives his best and fights until the last point.

 

[slice bh compliment]

You might be thinking of Christiano Carratti (sp?), he won a Super 9 and then faded into obscurity.

Re: Shaolin - Masters Series/SUPER9 a few years ago: you also may be thinking of Roberto Carretero, who qualied at Hamburg in '96 (I think), then went ahead and won the whole tournament.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

Yep. I actually thought immediately of Albert Portas, though I figured he was much more recent than "5-6 years ago." Looked him up, and found the following line in his bio:

2001 - Became first qualifier to win a TMS event since countryman Roberto Carretero won Hamburg in 1996

I know Portas has also faded into nowhere after his one win...

 

[Shaolin]

Re: Shaolin - Masters Series/SUPER9 a few years ago: you also may be thinking of Roberto Carretero, who qualied at Hamburg in '96 (I think), then went ahead and won the whole tournament.

LOL. Thats who I meant. Portas also came to mind, but that seemed too easy.