Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️
Today’s tennis mood: Intrigued. Very intrigued.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
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🎾 Flashback: But it’s today. That’s Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas facing off in the second round of Doha. And, boy, have they served memories. But the ATP missed one.
🎾 An unlikely pair: In the truest instance of “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” we’ve seen here at Court Theory HQ in quite some time, a brand new doubles pairing: Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien. The two have signed up for the doubles draw at Indian Wells, where they’ll be on their happiest surface (even if it’s a touch slower than Meddy would prefer). But watch your back, Learner. This might be a reconnaissance mission for Medvedev to even out that 1-3 head-to-head record.
🎾 One to watch: Alex Michelsen vs. Sebastian Korda (2nd round - ATP 250 - Delray Beach): Watch this one for two promising Americans — and crowd favorites, at that — playing in front of a home crowd.
The record: Alex Michelsen leads the head-to-head record over Sebastian Korda, 1-0, after meeting in Brisbane last month.
On the line: Michelsen has quarterfinalist points to defend from last year’s tournament. Otherwise, they’re looking for some stable tennis in what has been an erratic start to the year for both of them before getting into the Sunshine Double next month.
🎾 🏆 🎤 YOUR CALL
(Yesterday’s poll results: 57% of you called for Alex Eala to defeat Jasmine Paolini in Dubai. Eala won 6-1, 7-6.)
And that’s game.
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Now booking: Indian Wells, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon & more!
Matches we’re monitoring today:
Dubai - WTA 1000 (Hard)
Janice Tjen vs. Amanda Anisimova (3rd rd)
Coco Gauff vs. Elise Mertens (3rd rd)
Sorana Cirstea vs. Alexandra Eala (3rd rd)
Iva Jovic vs. Jessica Pegula (3rd rd)
Belinda Bencic vs. Elina Svitolina (3rd rd)
Doha - ATP 500 (Hard)
Daniil Medvedev vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas (2nd rd)
Alexei Popyrin vs. Jannik Sinner (2nd rd)
Arthur Fils vs. Quentin Halys (2nd rd)
Fabian Marozsan vs. Andrey Rublev (2nd rd)
Jakub Mensik vs. Zhizhen Zhang (2nd rd)
Jiri Lehecka vs. Zizou Bergs (2nd rd)
Rio - ATP 500 (Clay)
Alejandro Tabilo vs. Francesco Passaro (2nd rd)
Yannick Hanfmann vs. Juan Manuel Cerundolo (2nd rd)
Delray - ATP 250 (Hard)
Brandon Nakashima vs. Coleman Wong (2nd rd)
Marcos Giron vs. Casper Ruud (2nd rd)
📺 Learn how to watch today’s action over at Tennis Watchers.
💬 For real-time match commentary and conversation, follow Court Theory on Bluesky.
The WTA is doing something about the schedule with an aim for effect for the 2027 season.
If you can’t watch the Corentin Moutet vs. Tommy Paul replay, catch this replay.
For Racquet, Court Theory friend Wendy Laird went to Patrick Mourtatoglou’s camp and scored a Q&A.
Fabio Fognini doesn’t mind putting on a show still.
The Tennis Insiders Club revisits a 2024 interview with Eugenie Bouchard.
