Novak Djokovic Rome

Zverev Makes Masters 1000 Breakthrough in Rome
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

Key breaks and a spine of steel allowed 20 year old Alexander Zverev to defeat Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-3 in the 2017 Rome Masters final. Djokovic’s serve was relatively poor, while Zverev moved well, keeping Djokovic on his back foot. Zverev is the first player of his generation to win a Masters 1000 title, and he joins the ATP top 10 for the first time, setting him up for a potential deep run in Paris after winning two clay court titles this Spring (Munich and Rome). It was a great tournament overall for young guns, and is another indication that the changing of the guard from the current big 4 may be coming sooner rather than later.

Zverev’s stiffest tests en route to the biggest title of his career came against big servers Kevin Anderson and John Isner, who both notched sets against him only to succumb in the third. Zverev also beat Viktor Troicki and Milos Raonic, who fell apart in the second set, with another key win coming against Fabio Fognini, who a fortnight prior had dismantled world #1 Andy Murray and sent him packing for Paris in poor form. The American Isner had one of his best ever showings on clay and scored wins over Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic to reach the semis.

Djokovic, reaching his first Masters title of the season, will be disappointed with the loss, but he’s adding the legendary Andre Agassi to his new coaching team and had a relatively dominant week in the Italian capital defeating Aljaz Bedene, Roberto Bautista Agut, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Dominic Thiem, who stunned Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-3 to reach the semifinals and has had a solid clay court season as well.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut defeated Ivan Dodig/Marcel Granollers in three sets to take home the doubles title.

Murray Defeats a Hindered Djokovic to Capture ATP Rome Masters Title
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

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Andy Murray, the world #2, improved to 1-2 on the season against world #1 Novak Djokovic, as he toppled the hobbled Serbian 6-3 6-3 in rather routine fashion. Djokovic faced break points early on, and was broken once midway through the set, failing to challenge further as Murray took it. In set 2 he gave Murray a tougher fight, the Brit had to save break points in both of his early service games before he broke midway through and went on to serve the set out without too much difficulty. Djokovic was clearly not at 100% this week, and it’s understandable that a player as talented and consistent as Murray would find a way to defeat him at less than his best. Djokovic still will be the favorite to win the French Open though, with Rafael Nadal, and Murray, along with Rome semifinalist Kei Nishikori serving as other possible champions.

Murray moved to 20-5 on the season and took his first Masters title of the year with straight set wins over Mikhail Kukushkin, Jeremy Chardy, David Goffin, and Lucas Pouille, as none of those players are elite and failed to give him much of a contest, even on clay. Pouille, a qualifier, broke through with wins over Ernests Gulbis and David Ferrer, before he got a walkover against Juan Monaco in the quarterfinals. Pouille got the seedline of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga when Tsonga withdrew. Monaco pulled out after upsetting Stan Wawrinka. The Frenchman certainly gained more fans in advance of Roland Garros 2016.

Djokovic dropped sets against both Thomaz Bellucci, and Kei Nishikori in the semifinals. He also vanquished Stephane Robert, and his rival Rafael Nadal, narrowly edging Nadal in two sets. Against Nishikori he had to win a third set tiebreak, and though he was injured, the Japanese #1 couldn’t take advantage, choking under the pressure of trying to beat the world #1, something he has failed to do since reaching the US Open final some time ago.

The Bryan brothers returned to the winners circle in doubles, capturing the title in Rome for the fourth time over the North American pairing of Jack Sock/Vasek Pospisil. This year’s French Open doubles action promising to be quite entertaining, and interesting with a host of teams in contention for the title, including the veteran American twins.

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Djokovic Rolls Past Federer to Record Fourth Rome Title
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

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Novak Djokovic repeated as champion in Rome, and certified himself as the favorite to take the Roland Garros crown with a 6-4 6-3 drubbing of Roger Federer, who failed yet again in his elusive search for a title in Rome, one of the few titles he has failed to win in his illustrious career. Djokovic, the world #1 has won all but one major tournament this year (Madrid) as he claimed his fifth title of the season (4 Masters+the Australian Open). Federer cracked under the pressure of Djokovic’s wallball defense, and had little chance, as he was a set and a break down rapidly, and Djokovic never looked back, putting on a clinic in the match between the world #1 and world #2.

Djokovic progressively improved as he advanced through the tournament this week, as he surprisingly showed signs of struggle early, dropping sets to Nicolas Almagro, Thomaz Bellucci, and Kei Nishikori before recording routine wins over David Ferrer, and Federer. Almagro, Bellucci and Nishikori all had their chances, while Ferrer was able to hold Djokovic close to the vest, but they were all unable to raise their level when it mattered, as Djokovic has the ability to slam the door even when struggling against opponents these days, and has cemented himself, going into Roland Garros as the favorite, though he has never won the title there, the only Slam he hasn’t won in his career.

Federer continued to impress given his age, and recovered from prior struggles this clay court season to record routine wins over Pablo Cuevas, Kevin Anderson, Tomas Berdych, and Stan Wawrinka, who shocked an abysmal Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. Nadal has serious question marks going into RG, while Wawrinka found his form, but wilted against his countryman Federer. Berdych once again struggled against a top tier opponent, after doing well against others.

Cuevas and David Marrero took the doubles title over Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez, as three Spaniards were represented in the doubles final in Rome this year.

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Steen Kirby (Marseille)

2015 ATP Draw Challenge Week 17 (Rome)
Staff, Tennis Atlantic

The ATP Tour heads to the ancient city of Rome, with the final clay court Masters event of 2015. Our experts make their picks as to whom will triumph on famed Italian red clay.

2015 BNL Internazionali D’Italia Predictions

Steen Kirby’s Picks

Round 2 Matches: Djokovic vs. Almagro, Schwartzman vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Tomic, Vesely vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Rosol, Goffin vs. Tsonga, Garcia-Lopez vs. Dolgopolov, Gasquet vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Monaco, Bolelli vs. Sock, Isner vs. L. Mayer, Ilhan vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Giraldo, Fognini vs. Dimitrov, Anderson vs. Kohlschreiber, Cuevas vs. Federer
Round of 16 Matches: Djokovic vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Tsonga, Garcia-Lopez vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Sock, Isner vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Dimitrov, Kohlschreiber vs. Federer
Quarterfinals: Djokovic vs. Nishikori, Tsonga vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Federer
Semifinals: Djokovic vs. Ferrer, Nadal vs. Berdych
Final: Djokovic vs. Nadal
Champion: Djokovic

Niall Clarke’s Picks

Round 2 Matches: Djokovic vs. Almagro, Schwartzman vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Tomic, Vesely vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Rosol, Goffin vs. Tsonga, Garcia-Lopez vs. Dolgopolov, Gasquet vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Monaco, Bolelli vs. Sock, Isner vs. L. Mayer, Ilhan vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Giraldo, Johnson vs. Dimitrov, Anderson vs. Kohlschreiber, Lorenzi vs. Federer
Round of 16 Matches: Djokovic vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Tsonga, Garcia-Lopez vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Bolelli, Isner vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Dimitrov, Kohlschreiber vs. Federer
Quarterfinals: Djokovic vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Federer
Semifinals: Djokovic vs. Murray, Nadal vs. Federer
Final: Djokovic vs. Nadal
Champion: Djokovic

Joe Craven’s Picks

Round 2 Matches: Djokovic vs. Almagro, Bellucci vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Troicki, Vesely vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Rosol, Goffin vs. Tsonga, Cilic vs. Klizan, Gasquet vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Monaco, Bolelli vs. Simon, Isner vs. L. Mayer, Ilhan vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Giraldo, Fognini vs. Dimitrov, Anderson vs. Kohlschreiber, Cuevas vs. Federer
Round of 16 Matches: Djokovic vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Tsonga, Cilic vs. Ferrer, Monaco vs. Bolelli, L. Mayer vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Dimitrov, Kohlschreiber vs. Federer
Quarterfinals: Djokovic vs. Nishikori, Tsonga vs. Ferrer, Monaco vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Federer
Semifinals: Djokovic vs. Ferrer, Nadal vs. Berdych
Final: Djokovic vs. Nadal
Champion: Djokovic

Jeff McMillan’s Picks

Round 2 Matches: Djokovic vs. Almagro, Bellucci vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Tomic, Vesely vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Chardy, Goffin vs. Tsonga, Cilic vs. Dolgopolov, Gasquet vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Monaco, Bolelli vs. Sock, Isner vs. L. Mayer, Mannarino vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Giraldo, Fognini vs. Dimitrov, Anderson vs. Kohlschreiber, Lorenzi vs. Federer
Round of 16 Matches: Djokovic vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Tsonga, Dolgopolov vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Simon, Isner vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Dimitrov, Kohlschreiber vs. Federer
Quarterfinals: Djokovic vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Ferrer, Simon vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Federer
Semifinals: Djokovic vs. Murray, Nadal vs. Berdych
Final: Djokovic vs. Nadal
Champion: Djokovic

Chris de Waard’s Picks

Round 2 Matches: Djokovic vs. Almagro, Bellucci vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Troicki, Vesely vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Rosol, Goffin vs. Tsonga, Garcia-Lopez vs. Klizan, Gasquet vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Monaco, Bolelli vs. Sock, Isner vs. L. Mayer, Mannarino vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Giraldo, Fognini vs. Dimitrov, F. Mayer vs. Kohlschreiber, Cuevas vs. Federer
Round of 16 Matches: Djokovic vs. Bautista Agut, Kyrgios vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Goffin, Garcia-Lopez vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Sock, Isner vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Dimitrov, Kohlschreiber vs. Federer
Quarterfinals: Djokovic vs. Nishikori, Murray vs. Ferrer, Wawrinka vs. Nadal, Berdych vs. Federer
Semifinals: Djokovic vs. Ferrer, Nadal vs. Berdych
Final: Djokovic vs. Nadal
Champion: Djokovic

It’s a consensus on the final, and the champion, with everyone expecting Djokovic vs. Nadal, with Djokovic winning. David Ferrer, Roger Federer, and Tomas Berdych are also picked to do well, while opinions are mixed on Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka among others.

Week 16 Standings

Madrid
1: Joe (212 points) (+1000 overall)
2: Chris (198 points) (+600 overall)
3: Jeff (196 points) (+360 overall)
4: Niall (164 points) (+360 overall)
5: Steen (146 points) (+180 overall)

An excellent job by Joe as he wins another big event, Chris and Jeff were also solid.

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Overall standings (after week 16)

1: Steen: 7660 ranking points (+180 points overall)
2: Niall: 6510 points (+360 points overall)
3: Joe 6440 points (+1000 points overall)
4: Jeff: 5720 points (+360 points overall)
5: Chris: 5400 points (+600 points overall)

Everyone gained on Steen, and Joe of course gained the most as he’s in striking distance of second place now.

ATP Draw Challenge (London Queens)