Balls to the wall coverage of the ATP tour
The players kicked off the beginning of the ATP Newport tournament at the draw ceremony. Enjoy some pictures I took of the event (and come on down to Newport this week to check out the action!).
Rajeev Ram, John Isner, and Michael Berrer pose with fans
Dustin Brown
Group picture of the field on the grounds
Ryan Harrison
Nicolas Mahut signs an autograph
Nicolas Mahut
John Isner
(Pics via Racquet Required)
There were not a lot of surprises today at Wimbledon. Roddick rolled in straight sets over Beck, 6-4, 7-6(6), 6-3. Federer, Djokovic, and Ferrer also won their respective matches.
Delpo also finished up his match that was rained out yesterday, beating Cipolla 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.
Harrison made the most of getting into the draw as a Lucky Loser by defeating Dodig 7-6(5), 6-0, 7-5.
Not every match was won so easily. A total of 9 matches were battled out in 5 sets: Mannarino beat Ireland’s Niland 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(9), 4-6, 6-4; Blake battled back from 2 sets down but still lost an absolute heart-breaker to Baghdatis 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 4-6, 6-4; Andreev defeated fellow Russian Gabashvili 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 4-6, 6-3; Kubot, Beck, Rochus, Youzhny, and Mello also notched 5 set wins.
Oh yeah, and this idiot managed to come back 2 sets down to Steps to move on to the next round. Guess it’s better than tanking out 1st round like last year, right Fer?
Sod prevailed in a tight 4 sets over Petzschner 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5). Whatever…
And in the much talked about rematch, Isner managed to beat Mahut in straight sets this time. He even broke serve, winning 7-6(7), 6-2, 7-6(6).
Don’t worry, they still bros 4 life. Seriously, how cute are they!
(Pics via AP and Getty Images)
Is it sad that all I could think was why isn’t he wearing his hat backwards? Was it really that sunny, or bad juju? Yep, I’m great at tennis analysis 
(Video via ESPN)
The announcement this past Friday that John Isner and Nicolas Mahut would play each other in the first round at Wimbledon for the second year in a row was met with gasps, groans, laughter, tears, or and a plethora of really, really bad jokes. After what these two went through out on court 18 last year, the joke does seem to be particularly cruel.
The match between Isner and Mahut last year made headlines because it was a spectacle, not of actual tennis (because, let’s face it, the tennis was less than stellar). It was an epic display physical and mental fortitude that words cannot adequately express, though many have tried. What Isner and Mahut did took the world by storm because it was a once in a lifetime freak of sport, to go down in the annals of history, never to be reapted.
Yet a repeat seems to be exactly what many are hoping will happen. As we speak, media with no other stories to write about, Wimbledon PR men, and other assorted sadists are gleefully rubbing their hands together, hoping to wring one more buzzy story. I have to ask the obvious: why? The first time was a marvel because we did not know the script. How long could it go on? Who will blink first? This time around, how can any of the outcome possible outcomes compare?
And even if Isner and Mahut give us another multi-day even, is that even remotely interesting? Why would anyone want to witness again two athletes killing themselves physically and emotionally? Both Isner and Mahut were so spent both in body and in mind from last year’s match that the rest of their seasons were a wreck. Mahut has been struggling with injuries ever since, and John is only now finding his game again.
No matter what does happen tennis-wise between Isner and Mahut on Tuesday, whether they play for a quick 3 sets or for another 3 days, what can be said for certain is that this time they will take the court with a profound respect for one another, both as athletes and as people.
But please, Wimbledon,one request: for the love of all that’s holy, can you put them on ANY court but 18? There’s only so much that Mahut’s perfectly coiffed head can take.
But doe-eyes was not to be denied his 3rd round spot, sentimental favorite be damned. He’s off to face bestie Djokovic in the 3rd round. That should be a tasty one, indeed.
Nishikori was also impressive, taking out Eyebrows 6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4. Thinking (hoping?) he’s due for a major break out from the pack this year. The BG effect can only be a win
And Mahut continues to warm out hearts (cause real men plays qualies), winning in 3 over Dabul. Normally, I would be totally excited about this, and don’t get me wrong, I am. But now he has to play Troicki.
Mahut won his first qualifying match 6-0, 6-1 over Luke Saville. In 45 minutes. Cause real men play qualies…
I think this man has more than earned a wildcard to the AO. God bless…
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