#paris m1000

[stateofsport211]

Paris M1000 D R1: Novak Djokovic/Miomir Kecmanovic def. Gonzalo Escobar/Aleksandr Nedovyesov 6-4, 6-2 Match Stats

📸 Tennis TV

There were 13 opportunities for Novak/Misha to break, including a lot of deciding points, but they could only convert 4 of them despite G. Escobar/Nedovyesov converted 33% of them, slightly more in percentage while they only had 3 break points. This happened thanks to their anticipation from the baseline while utilizing the doubles alley well, which pressed G. Escobar/Nedovyesov’s second serves more in the process. As a result, G. Escobar/Nedovyesov became outpaced, hence they were not able to sustain the rhythm toward the second set as Novak/Misha took control of the flow.

Novak/Misha also appeared more solid on their serves. Despite landing only 60% of their first serves, 6% lower than G. Escobar/Nedovyesov, Novak/Misha still stood out on their first serves by 13% (with a 76% winning rate compared to G. Escobar/Nedovyesov’s 63%) although they scored one less ace, while G. Escobar/Nedovyesov’s second serves became the most vulnerable with only 33% points won from there, almost half lower than Novak/Misha’s 68%. Their 4 double faults did not help anything either, except risking their serves even further, making the vulnerability even more visible for Novak/Misha’s aggressive returns to shape up.

A fun but intense clash awaits in the second round as Novak/Misha will face third seeds Rohan Bopanna/Matthew Ebden, who received a bye in the first round. Knowing both pairs, this could be an intriguing match where it all boiled down to their point construction under pressure, to what extent they anticipated and executed the shots as accurate as possible, as well as how solid their service game will be to back it up. This could be tricky for both pairs, but the margin is thin on paper, where anything could still happen until the match was called. It is highly recommended to watch/follow this match!

[beckscast-blog]

Ciao Roma, bonjour Paris

[stateofsport211]

📸 🎥 Tennis TV

Novak/Misha became even more aggressive in the second set, leaving less to no room for Nedovyesov/G. Escobar to properly respond. G. Escobar’s double fault somehow opened the gate for Novak/Misha to attack their second serves, ultimately committing a +1 unforced error while trying to respond to Misha’s return for Novak/Misha’s break point. Novak’s forehand return ace then secured the break to 1-0 before having a big hold to 2-0, even if they survived a double fault problem with an ace. A possible demolition was averted when Novak/Misha’s 3 break points were saved thanks to their ace, unforced errors, and a working smash (2-1), but Novak/Misha kept their rhythm as an important volley from G. Escobar/Nedovyesov signified their increased level of play, but the former still held their service games (3-1).

The next points became crucial in construction for Novak/Misha, as a forehand winner from Novak to finish a point secured the equalizer to 3-1* 30-30 before they broke 2 points later thanks to Misha’s backhand return ace. As a result, Novak/Misha doubled the break to 4-1, and consolidated to 5-1 slightly after. Novak/Misha almost served the second set breadstick after Misha’s cross-court forehand winner secured their 2-point lead before Novak’s volley was insufficiently responded through G. Escobar’s final volley, prompting a deciding point where G. Escobar/Nedovyesov still managed to hold their service game to 5-2 thanks to their working serve+1. As such, Novak/Misha had to serve for the match, where they eventually did without any further hesitation to take the second set 6-2, as well as securing their spot in the second round.

[stateofsport211]

📸 Tennis TV

Even though Jannik Sinner/Stan Wawrinka had to withdraw from their doubles match after an intense night in Wawrinka’s singles match yesterday (local time), it was not a problem for Novak Djokovic/Miomir Kecmanovic as the Serbian pair faced alternates Gonzalo Escobar/Aleksandr Nedovyesov, who had been one of the most interesting pairs to watch within the Challengers/250s. Knowing both pairs, this could be a fun match, which action delivered in one way or another right from the start.

Novak/Misha had a powerful start to the first set thanks to Misha’s early forehand returns, which not only created the break point, but also converted it 2 points later (1-0), which got Nedovyesov run over to the net. This was followed by a statement consolidation to 2-0, 2 points after Novak’s successful smash to give themselves a 2-point lead. Subsequently, G. Escobar double-faulted for Novak/Misha’s break point, which was saved with an ace, but a working serve+1 secured G. Escobar/Nedovyesov’s service game hold to 2-1 on the deciding point, followed by a smooth hold on Novak’s serve (3-1).

Interestingly, an exchange of breaks occurred in the next two games. Misha’s forehand return set he and Novak a point ahead all the way before they created their break points, where a backhand return ace from Novak converted their break point to 4-1, only to be broken back thanks to a similar shot from Nedovyesov for the break-back (4-2), where Novak missed his potential volley response. This was followed by a service game hold from G. Escobar/Nedovyesov to 4-3, and it took three consecutive holds for Novak/Misha to serve for the first set, where they convincingly took it to 6-4 despite a little hiccup in between, setting themselves one set ahead to proceed to the second round.

[stateofsport211]

Valencia Ch SF: Fabio Fognini [8] def. Albert Ramos Vinolas [3] 6-4, 6-1 Match Stats

📸 ATP Challenger Livestream

It was a solid, statement performance from Fognini, which started from his solid service games. Despite the chaos throughout the match, he still stood out on his first serves with a 64% winning percentage, 12% more than Ramos Vinolas. On the other hand, Ramos Vinolas' second serves became the most vulnerable toward the end of the match even if he double-faulted just once compared to Fognini's 2. The rushed forehand finishes to close his follow-ups did not help anything except for Fognini to press his defenses more from the baseline, thus he landed several winners in some critical points to get Ramos Vinolas' balance completely off.

Speaking of Fognini's important winners, it helped him enhance his return game, making him look even more aggressive as the match went by. This not only out-pace Ramos Vinolas, but also tore the latter's service game apart until it affected his second serve. Ramos Vinolas might have tried to catch up when he set up the second-set lead, but even if he had 10 opportunities to break, they were insufficient because of Fognini's clutch returning, where it helped him converting 66% of his break points with only 9 chances to break thanks to his balanced approach to the shots.

First seed Roberto Bautista Agut already awaits in the finals, who previously defeated qualifier Denis Yevseyev 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinal. Interestingly, this would be their first Challenger-level meeting after their first meeting came in the Paris M1000 first qualifying round all the way in 2010, with Fognini winning 8 of their 11 overall meetings. Knowing both players, this could possibly bring a fruitful clash where every element counts for the title, as close as it looked on paper. It is highly recommended to follow/watch this match!

[stateofsport211]

Brest Ch F: Pedro Martinez def. Benjamin Bonzi [4] 7-6(6), 7-6(1) Match Stats

📸 ATP Challenger Livestream (via website)

At a glance, it looked like there was a thin margin between Bonzi and P. Martinez. However, even if Bonzi had his chances, especially at the cost of P. Martinez’s frequent unforced errors, Bonzi only converted 20% of them, rewarding P. Martinez the risk to his aggression. Even then, P. Martinez converted 40% of his break points (only 5 of them) thanks to his more aggressive play, risking things to find his lines and even volleyed his way when needed, which contributed toward Bonzi being off balance toward the end of the match.

Interestingly, Bonzi scored 6 more aces than P. Martinez, slightly ahead from his first serves by a 6% difference, with Bonzi standing out with 78% winning percentage from there compared to P. Martinez’s 71%. On the other hand, P. Martinez took a lot more risks from his second serves with 3 double faults, committing 2 more double faults than Bonzi, but Bonzi’s vulnerable second serve caused a lot of trouble in the pressure points with only winning 11% lesser points than P. Martinez, hence the sensibility of it being sought after during the rallies.

This title marked P. Martinez’s first Challenger title of the year, as well as his first Challenger title since the Sevilla Challenger 2021. Besides, he then rose 14 lines behind the Top 100, aiming to get back to the Top 100 for the first time after going down the ranks within the last few months. On the other hand, Bonzi stayed in the Top 100 with 77 live, but this could be interesting to see how he carried his form in the Paris M1000 next week. Could be an interesting one to follow!