Fish at Indian Wells

Mardy Fish has clearly turned a corner in his career.  With the US Davis Cup team down 1-2, Mardy started very strong leading the first set with a break, yet ultimately losing the first set as well as the second on a break at 5-6.  In the third set, with the match approaching 4 hours, Mardy Fish dug deep into his newly fashioned fitness.  Mardy saved the third set down 4-4 (love – 40) by winning 5 straight points and ultimately the third set 7-5.

In the fourth set, Mardy was down a mini-break in the tie break at 0-3, at which time he served up a couple of Mardy Aces and a mini-break to get to 3 all.  At 5 all, Mardy wisely decided to attack, yet was handcuffed by Ferrer’s kick serve  and his attacking backhand return veered cross-court allowing Ferrer an open lane for the passing shot.  On the ensuing serve at 5-6, Mardy abandoned his successful serve and volley tactics and withdrew into an unsuccessful groundstroke rally to end the US Davis Cup bid for 2011.

Tennis Channel’s commentator, Doug Adler, apparently needs time to warm up to the prospect of a US player defeating his beloved Federer.  Even though we, at USTN, will call attention to opportunities for more U.S. success, we are ultimately in the corner of our U.S. players during every match we attend.

Here is Doug Adler’s comment after Harrison went down 0-1 (15-40) last night at Indian Wells, “Yeah, I think he’s going to give a clinic tonight I think” followed by a question to Adler from Robbie Koenig: “Is it going to be as close as the Devvarman-Nadal match?”  Adler: “No, it wont even be anywhere that close” (Harrison’s match ended 6-7, 3-6 vs. Devvarman’s loss of 5-7, 4-6.  The lack of support from Adler is extraordinary.  Adler continued:  “I mean that’s child’s play for Federer.” (after Federer hit an easy winner from Ryan’s topspin approach shot from the baseline)

At deuce, 1-3…  Ryan Harrison has an aggressive play which Federer barely reaches with a flick backhand overhead that ricochets off Ryan’s frame.  Ryan looked solid putting Federer on the move.  Adler’s comment?  “Shame… Ahh.. This is a mismatch right now… Harrison just trying to do what ever he can, but if you don’t hit just the right shot against Federer, he makes you look really bad.”  Robbie Koenig was notably silent.

When Ryan misses a shot or doubles, “he is excited…”  when Federer misses a sitter, it is “so unusual.”

Harrison opened vs. Federer at Indian Wells with an impressive 6-6, (3-3) start, and later lost the tie breaker.

Ryan ended by saving three match points serving at 6-7, 2-5, (0-40) – Then at deuce, the crowd cheered watching him serve to the deuce court, ripping a cross court forehand winner on the short return followed by 134 mph down the T for his ad, and finally 121mph to the Fed backhand for a service winner bringing the score to 6-7, 3-5.  Unlike the first set, Federer was able to serve out the match on his first attempt.

Ryan Harrison is coached by his father and USTA coaching staff… Both of whom are not able to convince him to stop using the cross court approach shot.  Twice in the second set, Ryan was soundly beat with easy passing shots after a cross court approach.

One more point on USTA tactical coaching issues… Ryan won only 12 of his 29 second serves…  A long noted USTN principle states that more double faults are acceptable when 2nd serve win percentages are low.  In other words, since Ryan’s first serve percentage was 69%, if Ryan had attempted more ‘first serves’ on his second attempt, he may have won up to 20 2nd serve points instead of 12… Even if he double faulted 8 additional times, he would end up with same 12 points won on his 29 second serve attempts… Not to mention this may increase 1st serve percentage by grooving the serve.

Harrison’s Bag Check?  Likes his Babolat Pure Stone Limited GT Racquet, Nike wrist bands, Eats the Muscle Milk Bars, has a USTA “Strength and Conditioning Program” with his name on the cover (which appeared to be a bit generic for US Tennis’ best furure prospect.)  Ryan’s quote?   “Tennis players have some of the most dangerous feet to look at”

Some of Adler’s positive comments?  “Gotta admire the guts of this kid”  “Never allowing Federer to feel comfortable”

P.S.  Watch out for his younger brother Christian Harrison…

Harrison Seizing His Opportunity (Photo by Hilton @USTN)

Ryan Harrison and Taylor Dent After Harrison's First Round Win (Photo by Hilton @USTN)

Harrison took out Dent in the first round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, 6-3, 6-4.  In a match that was punctuated by Dent’s frustration and disbelief, Harrison showed a fortitude that many young players fail to secure when the opportunity for success presents itself.

Harrison’s quality serve, consistent heavy ground strokes kept Dent on the move as Harrison effectively used a Nadal style forehand as he alternated between a two handed and slice backhand.

Harrison Forehand (photo by Hilton @USTN)

Early on it appeared that Harrison’s strategic inexperience may let the match slip away, but the match lost it’s innocence when the umpire negated a Dent serve stating that the “receiver was not ready.”  Dent proceeded to double fault leading to a break and then a warning as Dent sent a ball into the scoreboard at 3-5 in the first set.

Warning to Dent for sending ball to the Scoreboard

The second set was tight once again with Dent changing to a backhand slice and successfully attacking the net, but once again (this time on break point,) Harrison put his hand up as Dent was ready to serve.  The subtlety of the move sent a message that Harrison was not intimidated, not in awe and prepared to do what it takes to win.  Dent received the message and was broken.

Dent's Leaping Forehand (Photo by Hilton @USTN)

Harrison Serve (photo by Hilton @USTN)

Harrison held serve the remainder of the match to put himself officially in an exclusive group of teenagers that have won at Indian Wells:  Agassi, Nadal, Sampras and Chang.  All but Chang will play in the Hit for Haiti exhibition this evening.

If Harrison manages to avoid his tendancies to come to the net on cross court approach shots, Ljubicic may be the next to fall to Harrison on Saturday.

Ryan Harrison and Taylor Dent After Harrison's First Round Win (Photo by Hilton @USTN)

Tight losses for Lester Cook (4&5), Donald Young 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(8) and Ryan Sweeting 3-6, 6-7(7)

Donald Young in Indian Wells

Sweeting in Indian Wells

Coco Vandeweghe,  Alison Riske,, Julia Boserup, and Lillia Osterloh, Abigail Spears were eliminated.  Spears had to pre-qualify and lost 2-7 in the third set tie-breaker to Parmentier.

Coco Vandeweghe, Sloan Stephens, Alison Riske, Varvara Lepchenko, Julia Boserup, battle in the desert tomorrow while fellow Americans Shawna Perry and Lillia Osterloh must play each other in their first round match.

Lepchenko at Indian Wells

This is your chance to prove you have what it takes to be a champion without the need to travel the country building ranking points.

Pay your $125 dollar registration fee for one of 16 regional playoffs, win the tournament and then win the national playoff to receive your US Open wildcard.

US Open Playoff Schedule:



Oudin in Indian Wells

The US Team was eliminated from the Hopman Cup tonight.  Melanie Oudin lost to Samantha Stosur and John Isner was defeated by Lleyton Hewitt to mathematically eliminate the Americans from winning their group.

Isner in California

Roddick in LA

American Serena Williams reigns again as Wimbledon champion and Venus Williams holds second place.  American Andy Roddick comes within a backhand volley of a Wimbledon championship and yet American fans want more…

For years I have been reading articles about the dominance of Russian and French tennis programs producing players in the top 100 and more so, the top 10.

Let us take a moment in the aftermath of the dramatic second week of Wimbledon to appreciate the accomplishment of our three American Wimbledon Singles finalists.  Let us recognize the unique heart of our veterans, the unique work ethic of each, and, just for the moment, remember that it is not in the French Tennis Federation’s, Patrick McEnroe’s or the USTA’s control to breed a Wimbledon Singles Finalist.

Reaching a Wimbledon final is influenced by hundreds or even thousands of events and influences that transcend coaches and organizations, local media, education, peers, cultural undertones, luck, perseverance, health, expectations, competition, distractions and trainers.  The fact that we had three Americans in the finals last weekend at Wimbledon is an extraordinary accomplishment by Serena, Andy and Venus.

Congratulations to our seasoned and uniquely powerful veterans that have survived the test of time and proven to all of us that champions are not created by harsh and bold journalists, but rather by dedicated, focused and powerful athletes committed to their profession and themselves.