Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️☀️
Today’s tennis mood: Waiting to be entertained. 🍿
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
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🎾 First Round: Action on Monday eased into the first round in Linz for the WTA and Monte-Carlo for the ATP. Here are a few noteworthy results, ICYMI…
Sloane Stephens battled back against Tatjana Maria 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 to score her first top 100 win in two years in Linz.
In Monte-Carlo, Belgian upstart Alexander Blockx earned a nice win over Denis Shapovalov, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Arthur Rinderknech took out the 12th seed, Karen Khachanov, 7-5, 6-2.
Francisco Cerundolo handled Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets 7-5, 6-4.
Jiri Lehecka staved off a challenge from Emilio Nava 7-6, 6-7, 6-2.
Sebastian Baez came back from an early break to defeat Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 7-5.
🎾 Patience, please: For a couple of years now, Joao Fonseca has been one of the few names floated as a potential third to the current Big Two. And, at times, there’s been a lack of patience among his biggest supporters. Luckily, the Brazilian teen has some perspective as to what it will take to be in the same conversation with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
What he said: “I played both of them, and they were good matches. But I’m not close yet. I hope in the future I’ll be able to say it was close every match. They play this level every match and I need to be more consistent. I need to work harder. But I think I’m on the right path,” Fonseca said after his first-round win in Monte-Carlo over Gabriel Diallo. “I want to be there competing against them. But people need to understand that I need time to become what they want me to become and what I want to become. I want to be number one, but I need to be humble and understand that things take time.”
🎾 Tumbling: That’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, who will drop down to approximately 65 in the world after losing to Francisco Cerundolo in the first round of Monte-Carlo on Monday. That will be his lowest spot since 2018. More than that, it looks like his lowest spot physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He appeared defeated well before the match was over. During the two sets, he was barking at his box while his father yelled at him in Greek and his mother in Russian. It’s hard to imagine how he climbs out of this hole. It’s a family business that can’t/won’t be solved by getting a new coach, and the family dynamics are entirely too screwed up for success. What a shame.
🎾 One to watch: Gael Monfils vs. Alexander Bublik (2nd round - ATP 1000 - Monte-Carlo): Watch this one for the pure entertainment value. These two will look to outdo each other on trick shots, absurd winners, and something akin to gamesmanship.
The record: Gael Monfils leads the head-to-head record over Alexander Bublik 2-1.
On the line: In his final year on tour, it’s one last shot at everything for Monfils, and there’s little doubt he wants to make it count — especially as he heads into his home slam. For Bublik, he’s had a streak of early exits. He wants to get things on track — especially as he prepares to defend quarterfinal points at Roland-Garros.
And that’s game.
