Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️☀️
Today’s tennis mood: Tickled by Rafa’s efforts and frustrated by time zones.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
🎾 On tap: It’s second-round day for the women in Singapore and Seoul, while the men are solidly in the first round in Hangzhou and Chengdu. In action: Jelena Ostapenko, Alex Eala, Michael Zheng, Denis Shapovalov, Moise Kouame, and more. And in Shenzhen at Billie Jean King Cup Finals, Ukraine will take on Belgium, and Italy will face China.
🎾 One to watch: Tallon Griekspoor vs. Denis Shapovalov (1st round - ATP 250 - Chengdu): Watch this one because it’s a dramatic battle each time they play. Expect explosive play from both players, as well as serving and volleying. Who wins? The player who can better control the ball in their first indoor tournament of the year.
The record: The head-to-head record between Tallon Griekspoor and Denis Shapovalov is tied at one apiece.
On the line: These two are separated by just five spots in the rankings, but well below where they belong. The indoor season is a time when they both tend to do well and can make up some of those ranking points. Unfortunately, only one gets through today.
🎾 🏆 🎤 YOUR CALL
(Yesterday’s poll results: 75% of you called for Maya Chwalinska to defeat Oleksandra Oliynykova. Chwalinska won 6-0, 6-1.)
And that’s game.
