Week of 04/04/22: ATP 250 Houston (clay) and ATP 250 Marrakesh (clay)

Winner?

  • Total voters
    17
  • Poll closed .
James P

James P

G.O.A.T.
Clay season is upon us. Not a lot of high powered men in the draws this weekend. Houston is fairly loaded with most of the top Americans playing, 6 of the 8 seeds, in fact. Marrakesh will feature Felix Auger-Aliassime, who joined the draw with a wild card, and little else.

Houston (DRAW):
(1) Ruud
(2) Fritz
(3) Opelka
(4) Isner
(5) Garin
(6) Tiafoe
(7) Paul
(8) Brooksby

Marrakesh (DRAW):
(1) Auger-Aliassime
(2) Evans
(3) Fognini (withdrew)
(4) Ramos-Vinolas
(5) Delbonis
(6) Van de Zandschulp
(7) Davidovich Fokina
(8) Djere
(9) Griekspoor

You can make two votes if you choose to participate in the poll, one for each tournament.
 
Nostradamus

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
James P said:
Clay season is upon us. Not a lot of high powered men in the draws this weekend. Houston is fairly loaded with most of the top Americans playing, 6 of the 8 seeds, in fact. Marrakesh will feature Felix Auger-Aliassime, who joined the draw with a wild card, and little else.

Houston (DRAW):
(1) Ruud
(2) Fritz
(3) Opelka
(4) Isner
(5) Garin
(6) Tiafoe
(7) Paul
(8) Brooksby

Marrakesh (DRAW):
(1) Auger-Aliassime
(2) Evans
(3) Fognini (withdrew)
(4) Ramos-Vinolas
(5) Delbonis
(6) Van de Zandschulp
(7) Davidovich Fokina
(8) Djere
(9) Griekspoor

You can make two votes if you choose to participate in the poll, one for each tournament.
Click to expand...

I think Nick Kyrios will win houston next week. he is very dominant player on clay and he showed that during clay court challengers few years back when he dominated
 
Aabye5

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
James P said:
Clay season is upon us. Not a lot of high powered men in the draws this weekend. Houston is fairly loaded with most of the top Americans playing, 6 of the 8 seeds, in fact. Marrakesh will feature Felix Auger-Aliassime, who joined the draw with a wild card, and little else.
.....
Click to expand...

Marrakesh - Jiri Vesely
Houston - Alejandro Tabilo
 
Aabye5

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
From the Houston qualies, Christian Harrison just beat older brother Ryan Harrison in their first meeting.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Aabye5 said:
Casper Ruud withdraws, not unexpectedly, from Houston citing a tooth issue.
Click to expand...
Tooth? More like he woke up and realized he’s now a top 10 player and should dial the 250 schedule down a bit.

It’s admirable that he and PCB stay loyal to tournaments where they got their first titles but it’s a bit questionable decision making when those events are sandwiched between bigger competitions and deeper runs reduce down time even further. Busta playing W-S the week before USO is just plain stupid.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Marrakech is the rare ATP250 to be a full 32-draw with no byes. I’m picking Felix to add another title by getting five much needed matches under his belt.

He has added Marrakech at the last moment after being booted at both IW and Miami one-and-done style. It seems he will now skip M-C and Barca in favor of Marrakech and Estoril before he gets to the mandatory Madrid/Rome combo.
 
Aabye5

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
stringertom said:
Tooth? More like he woke up and realized he’s now a top 10 player and should dial the 250 schedule down a bit.

It’s admirable that he and PCB stay loyal to tournaments where they got their first titles but it’s a bit questionable decision making when those events are sandwiched between bigger competitions and deeper runs reduce down time even further. Busta playing W-S the week before USO is just plain stupid.
Click to expand...

I know, but that's what the ATP reported. I thought it was curious that he didn't cite his back as the reason for his withdrawal. After all, he received an MTO in the match for it.

Then again, if it was a tooth issue, there's probably nothing that the trainer could have done.
 
Aabye5

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
stringertom said:
Marrakech is the rare ATP250 to be a full 32-draw with no byes. I’m picking Felix to add another title by getting five much needed matches under his belt.

He has added Marrakech at the last moment after being booted at both IW and Miami one-and-done style. It seems he will now skip M-C and Barca in favor of Marrakech and Estoril before he gets to the mandatory Madrid/Rome combo.
Click to expand...

He'll play MC, right? Unless he's injured it doesn't make sense to skip the home tournament.
 
Aabye5

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
No play in Marrakesh after rain washes away Monday's schedule. Houston also has a heavily reduced schedule due to rain.
 
guanzishou

guanzishou

G.O.A.T.
What the heck is the design on Verdasco's shirt? Looks like some kind of cryptic symbols or something...

Screenshot-20220405-215033-Tennis-TV.jpg


Screenshot-20220405-214959-Tennis-TV.jpg



He choked as usual.... Failed to serve for the first set.. is very very very windy though!
 
Last edited:
Aabye5

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
Jiri Vesely had to retire from his match, and Jiri Lehecka went out in straights to Laslo Djere.
 
V

Visionary

Hall of Fame
I've heard the Canadian Steven Diez had his qualifying match in hand but lost to the umpire in 3 sets. I guess his LL chance to play in the main draw now is deserving.
 
Rafa.the.Magnificent

Rafa.the.Magnificent

G.O.A.T.
stringertom said:
Marrakech is the rare ATP250 to be a full 32-draw with no byes. I’m picking Felix to add another title by getting five much needed matches under his belt.

He has added Marrakech at the last moment after being booted at both IW and Miami one-and-done style. It seems he will now skip M-C and Barca in favor of Marrakech and Estoril before he gets to the mandatory Madrid/Rome combo.
Click to expand...
What could be the reasoning behind that decision? Seems very strange to me, skipping M-C and Barcelona.
 
norcal

norcal

Legend
why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why why

is TC showing Bencic playing a nobody then Bencic being interviewed when they could be showing Brooksby v Wolff?

And why do they treat Shelby Rogers like she's Roger Federer, showing her every time she plays?

Any livestreams out there for Houston?
 
M

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
norcal said:
why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why whywhy why why why why why why why why

is TC showing Bencic playing a nobody then Bencic being interviewed when they could be showing Brooksby v Wolff?

And why do they treat Shelby Rogers like she's Roger Federer, showing her every time she plays?

Any livestreams out there for Houston?
Click to expand...

TC doesn't have the rights to show Houston, it is exclusively on ESPN3(if you have cable you should be able to access it)

Mens Clay Court Championship

Mens Clay Court Championship
www.mensclaycourt.com www.mensclaycourt.com
 
M

middleballs

Semi-Pro
Did anyone else see the Brooksby situation just now? The ball was on its way out but Jenson hit it before. Didn’t acknowledge it however and thus won the point. Foul play.
 
norcal

norcal

Legend
middleballs said:
Did anyone else see the Brooksby situation just now? The ball was on its way out but Jenson hit it before. Didn’t acknowledge it however and thus won the point. Foul play.
Click to expand...

Didn't see it but not surprised, he has shown many instances of behaving like a bratty junior player. Saw him (forget against who) wave his arms around trying to distract his opponent who had a sitter. Commentator said, "that's not going to be well received in the locker room".
 
M

middleballs

Semi-Pro
norcal said:
Didn't see it but not surprised, he has shown many instances of behaving like a bratty junior player. Saw him (forget against who) wave his arms around trying to distract his opponent who had a sitter. Commentator said, "that's not going to be well received in the locker room".
Click to expand...
I’m completely with you there. I also have a memory of that event (Delray Beach?).
Seems like he can’t let go of his bad habits, which is a shame. Almost makes me think he keeps his ridiculous grunting the way it is in the hope of irritating his opponent. I really hope he’ll let go of these elements to his personality, it really makes him that much harder to like.
 
Aabye5

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
stringertom said:
I can only guess that he feels a need for some confidence to be rebuilt after that dreadful Sunshine Double swing. Until today he had not won a match since 19 February.
Click to expand...

Is playing Marrakesh better or worse than playing Houston? I feel like Houston success doesn't always translate well to European dirt.
 
Pmasterfunk

Pmasterfunk

Hall of Fame
Did anyone catch Moose-ARV? The replay wasn't available last time I checked and I want to see if the Musetti magic was on in the second set.
 
V

Vamos Rafa Nadal

Guest
Wolf defeated Brooksby 6-4, 6-4 in Houston today.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Aabye5 said:
Is playing Marrakesh better or worse than playing Houston? I feel like Houston success doesn't always translate well to European dirt.
Click to expand...
The transition from Houston’s synthetic (red Har Tru) to real red brick clay can be tricky but also think about the shorter commute from Manacor to Marrakech and it was an easy decision for Felix to ask for the WC in North Africa rather than East Texas. He will probably hop on the plane and pit stop back at RNTA in between the two 250s while the 48-draw Barca 500 is played.

I’m sure he made his way to RNTA very soon after the IW/Miami fiascos for the transition to clay and mapped out this unique scheduling with Tio giving consultation.

The phrase, “Never change a winning game, always change a losing game” comes to mind in this situation. Felix went through a miserable 4-6 clay season last year using the more traditional M-C, Barca, Madrid, Rome path to RG (added in Lyon). This change to Marrakech/Estoril may be some fresh air he needs before returning to the mandatory Madrid and Rome slots on the schedule.
 
guanzishou

guanzishou

G.O.A.T.
It was great to see Kyrgios really plays tennis. I hope he keeps it up.

And, did I see Brooksby hit a 78 mph second serve? He should really add some racquet head speed on the second serve!!!!!!
 
Bubcay

Bubcay

Legend
I have not seen Kyrgios playing on clay recently. It looks like he was not bad in the first round @guanzishou?

Kyrgios/Opelka matches should be interesting to see for the sheer clay adaptability factor.

kyrg-opel.jpg
 
Bubcay

Bubcay

Legend
Just realised that Kyrgios has not played on clay since 2019 - the infamous "chairgate" incident.
 
guanzishou

guanzishou

G.O.A.T.
Bubcay said:
I have not seen Kyrgios playing on clay recently. It looks like he was not bad in the first round @guanzishou?

Kyrgios/Opelka matches should be interesting to see for the sheer clay adaptability factor.

kyrg-opel.jpg
Click to expand...
Great serving by Kyrgios. Good to see he didn't give up after losing the first set. He kept hitting it hard. Huge forehands! Plenty of aces! Come forward and hit smash!!! Great aggressive game.
 
Bubcay

Bubcay

Legend
guanzishou said:
Great serving by Kyrgios. Good to see he didn't give up after losing the first set. He kept hitting it hard. Huge forehands! Plenty of aces! Come forward and hit smash!!! Great aggressive game.
Click to expand...
Sounds like I will have to watch the recording/replay. Thanks.
 
guanzishou

guanzishou

G.O.A.T.
Bubcay said:
Just finished work so watching it now. What a strange colour of clay....
Click to expand...
Yeah it's made by Har-Tru and is known as American Red Clay, which has Burgundy colour. I watched this tournament when Hewitt was still playing...

Har-Tru also makes green clay court, made from green rocks from Virginia.

hartru.com

Har-Tru Classic American Red Clay | Har-Tru

Beautiful Red Courts for a Professional Look Feel and Touch. The Best Courts for Tennis Lovers by Har-Tru.
hartru.com hartru.com
 
V

Vamos Rafa Nadal

Guest
Kyrgios vs Paul in Houston could be a very entertaining match!
 
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