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Brian Swartz · 01-27-2016, 03:19 AM

Monte Carlo

Anil Mehul was the only one of the top three players here, as usual. The third round was his first potential test, John Condon. Condon is about at his peak, a true clay specialist and while he's not developed his baseline game much, the focus on his serve has made it the best in the world. A tough combination, but Mehul went in having taken all six career meetings, including two years ago in the quarterfinals here, where he lost a tiebreak, then dominated the rest of the match. After winning the first set, he lost a close second and a tense third went to a tiebreak. Annoyed that it had come down to this, Mehul led 3-0 and 5-3 ... and lost the last four points to blow the match, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) the scoreline. Condon earned it too, just slightly the better player on the whole, his first win now in seven meetings. Condon proved his mettle by sneaking past Herrera and reaching the final where he lost to Marcek; the Czech claimed his second Masters, continuing what is looking like it might be a career year.

Three is a trend they say ... three disappointing tournament results in a row now. There is still time to save it, but the year is turning south quickly for Mehul.

Two weeks before the Madrid/Rome back-to-back Masters starts up.

01-27-2016, 03:19 AM	#246
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	Monte Carlo Anil Mehul was the only one of the top three players here, as usual. The third round was his first potential test, John Condon. Condon is about at his peak, a true clay specialist and while he's not developed his baseline game much, the focus on his serve has made it the best in the world. A tough combination, but Mehul went in having taken all six career meetings, including two years ago in the quarterfinals here, where he lost a tiebreak, then dominated the rest of the match. After winning the first set, he lost a close second and a tense third went to a tiebreak. Annoyed that it had come down to this, Mehul led 3-0 and 5-3 ... and lost the last four points to blow the match, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) the scoreline. Condon earned it too, just slightly the better player on the whole, his first win now in seven meetings. Condon proved his mettle by sneaking past Herrera and reaching the final where he lost to Marcek; the Czech claimed his second Masters, continuing what is looking like it might be a career year. Three is a trend they say ... three disappointing tournament results in a row now. There is still time to save it, but the year is turning south quickly for Mehul. Two weeks before the Madrid/Rome back-to-back Masters starts up. Last edited by Brian Swartz : 01-27-2016 at 03:20 AM.