👋 Welcome back to The Daily Theory, our morning rundown to help you stay on top of your favorite sport. I’m Allen McDuffee, your guide to all things tennis.
Let’s tennis!
Three Points
🎾 Filthy in Buenos Aires: Joao Fonseca won his first ATP Tour title on Sunday in Buenos Aires by defeating Argentine Francisco Cerundolo. For nearly two hours, he played some of the best tennis we’ve seen this year thus far. What’s so incredible about Joao Fonseca is not just how good he is at 18 years old but how quickly he transitioned from the juniors to the top level of the ATP Tour. He’s rapidly marching to the top 50 after winning this week in Buenos Aires. Now up to number 68.
🎾 Doubling up: Miomir Kecmanovic, the Serbian player who can pull off the biggest wins and log some of the most baffling losses, strung together five solid matches to take home the title in Delray Beach on Sunday. Along the way, he notched wins over Marcos Giron and Alex Michelsen before defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final (staving off two match points in the third set). Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he pulled off a repeat performance in doubles with Brandon Nakashima as his partner. Kecmanovic pulled Viktor Troicki into his camp this year. Is this the missing piece?
🎾 Hold on, hold on: The British press is falling all over themselves to celebrate Emma Raducanu’s first-round win over Maria Sakkari in Dubai on Sunday. It’s somewhat understandable after losing four straight first-round matches and a number of wild cards. But let’s give it a rest. There’s little doubt that much of her spotty performances have to do with the immense pressure she feels from the media at home, even if there are plenty of self-inflicted unforced errors at play, too.
And, that’s game.
What They Said
Of course I want to be number one. Of course I want to win Slams, titles. But my dream is just to play tennis, and I am living it.
-Joao Fonseca after winning his first title.
Watch This!
🔥 Grigor Dimitrov vs. Jiri Lehecka (1st round ATP 500 - Doha): If last month’s meeting in Brisbane is any indication, this should be a great match. Unfortunately, this incredible battle was cut short when Dimitrov retired because of injury. Lehecka is facing his own injury issue, which sidelined him in Rotterdam. Still! These two are beautiful ball strikers with styles of play that are sure to press their opponent.
- The record: Lehecka leads this head-to-head 3-1. Dimitrov’s only win was three years ago at the Australian Open.
- On the line: Both players will be testing their fitness after their recent injuries. Beyond that, Dimitrov is looking to regain his place in the top ten. And Lehecka wants to break into the top 20 for the first time. But only one gets through this first round to have a shot at their respective goals.
On The Radar
- Ons Jabeur vs. Peyton Stearns (1st round WTA 1000 - Dubai)
- McCartney Kessler vs. Amanda Anisimova (1st round WTA 1000 - Dubai)
- Facundo Diaz Acosta vs. Thiago Monteiro (1st round ATP 500 - Rio)
- Jaume Munar vs. Thiago Seyboth Wild (1st round ATP 500 - Rio)
- Hady Habib vs. Christopher O’Connell (1st round ATP 500 - Doha)
- Carlos Alcaraz vs. Marin Cilic (1st round ATP 500 - Doha)
- Alexei Popyrin vs. Jack Draper (1st round ATP 500 - Doha)
Learn how to watch today’s action over at Tennis Watchers.
Read, Watch, Listen
- Amanda Anisimova breaks into the top 20 after winning in Doha.
- Emma Raducanu ends her losing streak.
- Angelique Kerber is pregnant with her second child.
- At 41-years-old, Fernando Verdasco is calling it a career in Doha by playing doubles with Novak Djokovic.
- Tennis is the centerpiece of another film. And, once again, the sport isn’t painted in the most flattering light.
