17 months ago, the darkest day of Nikoloz Basilashvili's career struck. He was on a role. He had foiled Thompson, Karlovic, Ebden and Kukushkin on his way to the final in the Memphis Open. This was his chance to write his name in the history books as the last winner of the iconic Tennessee tournament. Standing in his way was Ryan Harrison, a man on a mission. Harrison was on a high following his epic 6-4, 6-4 victory over former Delray Beach finalist Donald Young in the semi-finals. "It doesn't get much better than this," said the Louisiana native. The two giants of the men's game stepped onto the court. Would it be the local hero, the people's champion Harrison, or Basilashvili, most probably a Russian hacker looking to influence the congressional elections in Tennessee's 9th district?
The result thrilled the crowd. Harrison was victorious in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, putting down poor Basil with the ruthlessness of his opponent's countryman Joseph Stalin.
Basilashvili was devastated. His life had been building up to this moment. The improbable run to the third round at 2015 Wimbledon, winning the hearts and minds of the British people (except for dear Judy after his victory over Deliciano), the challenger victory in Heilbronn the previous May, the semi-final in Sofia the week prior, where he had taken out renowned hard-court master Dominic Thiem in straight sets...
Now this.
In the months since this cataclysmic event on the ATP World Tour, so Greek in its tragicness that one may have thought that Tsitsipas had been the one defeated, Basilashvili has been waiting for his moment to strike back. And in July 2018, on the courts that have previously been graced by the tennis royalty that are Cyril Saulnier and Potito Starace in Hamburg, his moment came.
Our beloved Georgian destroyer had come through qualifying, defeating Tobias Kamke and Jurgen Melzer to reach the main draw. There, players were struck down by the irresistible Basilashvili. Kohlschreiber, Cuevas, Carreno Busta and Jarry were all left behind in the dirt as Nikoloz swept to the final.
What awaited him was the most terrifying sight known to man. Leonardo Mayer, in his natural habitat on the famed red clay at Am Rothenbaum. Men previously stoic had fallen at the great one's feet. Ramos Vinolas, Monfils, Schwartzman and the greatest challenge of all, Braunschweig challenger finalist Josef Kovalik, had all been defeated.
To the shock of tennis enthusiasts across the world, Basilashvili took the first set 6-4. Mayer looked forlorn, his famed backhand no longer so graceful, he was left kicking the dirt. But Nikoloz could not maintain his level. His mind was fixed on that fateful day in Memphis. So desperate was he to write the wrongs of history that he became so caught up in victory that he was soon returning to his chair befuddled, as Mayer took him to the bäckerei and served him up a deliciously baked bagel. At this point, there was no doubt in the minds of everyone inside the arena that the first set was a blip, and this court remained Mayer's hunting ground.
But this time, the Georgian destroyer was resolute in his resistance. Mayer threw everything at him, but Basil refused to buckle. At last, at 5-5, the elusive break came. At 6-5, Nikoloz was serving for the match.
It is clear that the demons of that fateful defeat in Memphis had still not been exorcised. Serving for the match at 30-30, his backhand sailed wide, giving Mayer a lifeline back into the match. The pressure was clearly weighing down on Nikoloz's shoulders. Basilashvili serves, and groundstrokes are exchanged. Mayer is presented with an opportunity to take it to a breaker, the ball coming to his backhand like a fox ready to be shot. But Leo's rifle misfires, and the ball flies long. Then, all of a sudden Mayer hits another ball long and it is match point.
The next point commences, and Mayer's backhand appears to go wide. For a fleeting moment, Nikoloz thinks he has won, but the umpire is not so sure, and orders a replay of the point.
Serve, return, forehand, out.
Basilashvili is the German Open champion.
So, Nikoloz Basilashvili, thy greatest Georgian destroyer, I doff my cap to you. Godspeed, brother, and best wishes for many future successes.
The result thrilled the crowd. Harrison was victorious in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, putting down poor Basil with the ruthlessness of his opponent's countryman Joseph Stalin.
Basilashvili was devastated. His life had been building up to this moment. The improbable run to the third round at 2015 Wimbledon, winning the hearts and minds of the British people (except for dear Judy after his victory over Deliciano), the challenger victory in Heilbronn the previous May, the semi-final in Sofia the week prior, where he had taken out renowned hard-court master Dominic Thiem in straight sets...
Now this.
In the months since this cataclysmic event on the ATP World Tour, so Greek in its tragicness that one may have thought that Tsitsipas had been the one defeated, Basilashvili has been waiting for his moment to strike back. And in July 2018, on the courts that have previously been graced by the tennis royalty that are Cyril Saulnier and Potito Starace in Hamburg, his moment came.
Our beloved Georgian destroyer had come through qualifying, defeating Tobias Kamke and Jurgen Melzer to reach the main draw. There, players were struck down by the irresistible Basilashvili. Kohlschreiber, Cuevas, Carreno Busta and Jarry were all left behind in the dirt as Nikoloz swept to the final.
What awaited him was the most terrifying sight known to man. Leonardo Mayer, in his natural habitat on the famed red clay at Am Rothenbaum. Men previously stoic had fallen at the great one's feet. Ramos Vinolas, Monfils, Schwartzman and the greatest challenge of all, Braunschweig challenger finalist Josef Kovalik, had all been defeated.
To the shock of tennis enthusiasts across the world, Basilashvili took the first set 6-4. Mayer looked forlorn, his famed backhand no longer so graceful, he was left kicking the dirt. But Nikoloz could not maintain his level. His mind was fixed on that fateful day in Memphis. So desperate was he to write the wrongs of history that he became so caught up in victory that he was soon returning to his chair befuddled, as Mayer took him to the bäckerei and served him up a deliciously baked bagel. At this point, there was no doubt in the minds of everyone inside the arena that the first set was a blip, and this court remained Mayer's hunting ground.
But this time, the Georgian destroyer was resolute in his resistance. Mayer threw everything at him, but Basil refused to buckle. At last, at 5-5, the elusive break came. At 6-5, Nikoloz was serving for the match.
It is clear that the demons of that fateful defeat in Memphis had still not been exorcised. Serving for the match at 30-30, his backhand sailed wide, giving Mayer a lifeline back into the match. The pressure was clearly weighing down on Nikoloz's shoulders. Basilashvili serves, and groundstrokes are exchanged. Mayer is presented with an opportunity to take it to a breaker, the ball coming to his backhand like a fox ready to be shot. But Leo's rifle misfires, and the ball flies long. Then, all of a sudden Mayer hits another ball long and it is match point.
The next point commences, and Mayer's backhand appears to go wide. For a fleeting moment, Nikoloz thinks he has won, but the umpire is not so sure, and orders a replay of the point.
Serve, return, forehand, out.
Basilashvili is the German Open champion.
So, Nikoloz Basilashvili, thy greatest Georgian destroyer, I doff my cap to you. Godspeed, brother, and best wishes for many future successes.
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You are right in theory (Klizan obciously winning two 500 titles that year), but I just hope Basilashvili isn't a flash in the pan and these more consistent results are thanks to the work with his new team.
