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Brian Swartz · 05-20-2018, 09:00 PM

Q2 Rankings Update

It was pretty much a bizarre, topsy-turvy spring on the tennis courts this year.

1. Mateo Kaspar(FRA, 30) - 15,230

King Mateo is still the unquestioned #1. He only added one Masters(Rome), losing a tight Wimbledon final to Dudwadkar that he should have won for the second straight year(nine straight finals there, but it should be eight straight titles as well). In Madrid, his clay season got off to a rocky start as none other than Chiba bounced him in the third round. At RG, a straight-set loss to Prince Karl in the semis was a lot more palatable. Those are his only three losses of the year, and kept him in a safe lead but not nearly the dominance we've seen in the past.

2. Ritwik Dudwadkar(SRI, 29) - 10,850

Ritwik looked to be falling off a cliff in the clay season; third-round exits in both Masters, then a 4th-round departure at Roland Garros, straight-sets to Stuart Pargeter. Clearly Dudwadkar was no longer in the conversation of the tour's best players -- until he won the Halle(500) warmup and then trounced his way through the Wimbledon draw, coming back from two sets down against the King in the final for a second straight year. This season's scoreline was 6-7(4), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 8-6. Second slam this year with an 8-6 final set between these two; the first was Kaspar's triumph in Australia. In any case, Sri Lanka's current senior statesman ensured he'd be relevant for at least another year with this surge, which saw him also beat Mackenize in five in the semifinals beforehand. There's not much in Mateo's career to quibble with, but his late-career Wimbledon results are a real sore spot - and Ritwik's responsible. Enough to keep him in the top-challenger spot for now.

3. Karl Kaspar(FRA, 24) - 9,360

Karl could well be #2 by year's end or before. After semifinal exits in Rome and Madrid, he staked to claim to being arguably the best clay player on the planet with a run to claim his first Slam title at Roland Garros. Didn't lose a set until the final, which could have gone either way; 10-8 in the 5th over Pargeter who definitely needed it more. A great tournament by both players, but the heir apparent is stepping forward here. He's closed most of the gap needed to move up to #2.

4. Dick Blake(USA, 27) - 4,890

Look at the points gap here; Karl Kaspar has almost double Blake's total. It looks like it's going to be a merry-go-round for this 'best of the rest' spot until someone separates themselves from the herd.

5. Gilberto Chinaglia(ITA, 26) - 4,840

Chinaglia proved to be a one-hit wonder as the best on the dirt, but beat a couple of pesky Brits to get to the Wimbledon semis and stay in contention for the 4th spot.

6. Stuart Pargeter(USA, 26) - 4,350

Better late than never? Showed a lot more moxie on clay than I thought he possessed, inches away from winning RG and also making the final in Rome. He figures now to peak somewhere in the 3rd-5th range, depending on how things go for him the next couple of years. This is the break he needed two years ago.

7. Tristan Allende(USA, 25) -- 4,040

Easy to forget about him this time of year. It'll be a lot harder in the summer.

8. Hamal Sbai(MOR, 26) -- 3,860

Another player finally pulling his cranium out of his posterior. Final at Monte Carlo, SF at Madrid, then kind of fell flat in the Channel Slams. Overplaying was part of it, but he's taken another step here for sure.

9. Hugo Cordova(USA, 25) - 3,660

Trying to have his cake and eat it too by playing in doubles, Cordova got away with it; SF at RG, QF at Wimbledon. That's enough to vault him into WTF contention, but eventually he's going to have to choose.

10. Gregory Mackenzie(USA, 28) - 3,595

Half of this Top 10 hails from the United States.

12. Kenneth Brasher(GBR, 24)

Interesting situation now with the top players from Great Britain good enough for that homecourt edge at Wimbledon to get them a round or two. Haven't run into that before in this dynasty because none of them have been strong enough players for it to matter. That's no longer the case.

13. Sushant Chiba(SRI, 23)

The defining moment for Chiba was his shocking run to take the title at the Madrid Masters. King Mateo and Prince Karl both were victimized, as was Chinaglia in the final. The one thousand points he got there is still just over a third of his total. I definitely wouldn't give the title back, but it also had some negative side effects. I wasn't planning on him going that far obviously, and it played into an early Rome loss and a third-round defeat to Prachuab in four at Roland Garros. Then at Wimbledon, third-round out again, 21st-seeded Chad Duncan in a close four. Chiba is never going to be a great player on grass with how slow he is, and combine that with the crowd edge to Duncan and it's a understandable loss. Sushant is now at his career-high ranking, knocking on the edge of the Top 10, and has yet to make it past the third round of a Slam(six straight losses at that stage). It's no real secret what he needs to do now for the next step.

14. Veini Aikio(FIN, 25)

19. Chalerm Prachuab(THA, 23)

A surprisingly strong year for him.

20. Adam Hagans(GBR, 24)

21. Chad Duncan(GBR, 24)

23. Esteban Cortina(ESP, 26)

Looking like perhaps he has peaked. Spain sure ain't what it used to be.

24. Jacek Andrejova(CZE, 23)

Big jump already from 35th last year.

26. Stanley Edleman(USA, 24)

Seems to be treading water here, but still has time.

27. Venicio Penni(ITA, 26)

Only 48th at the start of the year, Penni is making a bid to come this year's 'surprise newcomer/journeyman'.

28. Tomas Guadiana(ARG, 24)

A 4th-round showing at Wimbledon was his best in a Slam yet, and has Guadiana thinking bigger thoughts. Up from 40th.

30. Nino Tarkhan-Mouravi(GRG, 23)

Umm, who??? After hovering just outside the Top 32 last year this foreigner is moving up. He's got established management and is playing an eclectic mix of events, mostly losing early in big ones. Still, one to watch for the future.

31. Brian Meikeljohn(IND, 21)

Top 32 at age 21. That's impressive. I kept seeing this name as a qualifier in various events. Figures that those days are largely over now. He was just 74th at the start of the year. A quick survey of his abilities shows that he could be a great one. Possibly the best returner-of-serve ever, with speed topping at out ... brace yourself ... 5.4 right now. Endurance and strength are quality but not great, fairly good mental game, and a good technical balance for his age right now. Manager doesn't have a long track record, but clearly doing something right here. Quality but not great trainer(4.8). As I write this he prepares the final of another 250.

I'm solid. Watch the name Brian Meikeljohn. Great first name(*snicker*) and for us Sri Lankans, he hails from nearby India. What else is weird? Not a created player, a natural regen. Who was hired by hugoboy(the House Kaspar manager) early on, then fired two years later. Then the current manager picked him up right away, and has stuck with him for over five years now. To impressive effect I might add. He's my 'too-early' favorite for the next non-Kaspar to sit on the throne of international tennis.

32. Henri Sorel(CAN, 25)

Despite his somewhat youngish age, Sorel's basically at his peak. Clearly wasn't quite good enough.

33. Mike Rhodes(PHI, 21)

This phenom is stuck in 'not quite there yet'. But he's close.

442. Anil Mehul(SRI, 43)

Up to 132nd in doubles now that he's back on the national team for that. Generally not making it very far even in tier-3 futures.

112(J). Amrik Kasaravalli(SRI, 17)

Endurance really showing itself to be a problem; still has issues at the end of the JG3 events. Two finals and two semis in the last four though, so I think it's just the being worn out that is stopping him from winning them.

05-20-2018, 09:00 PM	#786
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	Q2 Rankings Update It was pretty much a bizarre, topsy-turvy spring on the tennis courts this year. 1. Mateo Kaspar(FRA, 30) - 15,230 King Mateo is still the unquestioned #1. He only added one Masters(Rome), losing a tight Wimbledon final to Dudwadkar that he should have won for the second straight year(nine straight finals there, but it should be eight straight titles as well). In Madrid, his clay season got off to a rocky start as none other than Chiba bounced him in the third round. At RG, a straight-set loss to Prince Karl in the semis was a lot more palatable. Those are his only three losses of the year, and kept him in a safe lead but not nearly the dominance we've seen in the past. 2. Ritwik Dudwadkar(SRI, 29) - 10,850 Ritwik looked to be falling off a cliff in the clay season; third-round exits in both Masters, then a 4th-round departure at Roland Garros, straight-sets to Stuart Pargeter. Clearly Dudwadkar was no longer in the conversation of the tour's best players -- until he won the Halle(500) warmup and then trounced his way through the Wimbledon draw, coming back from two sets down against the King in the final for a second straight year. This season's scoreline was 6-7(4), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 8-6. Second slam this year with an 8-6 final set between these two; the first was Kaspar's triumph in Australia. In any case, Sri Lanka's current senior statesman ensured he'd be relevant for at least another year with this surge, which saw him also beat Mackenize in five in the semifinals beforehand. There's not much in Mateo's career to quibble with, but his late-career Wimbledon results are a real sore spot - and Ritwik's responsible. Enough to keep him in the top-challenger spot for now. 3. Karl Kaspar(FRA, 24) - 9,360 Karl could well be #2 by year's end or before. After semifinal exits in Rome and Madrid, he staked to claim to being arguably the best clay player on the planet with a run to claim his first Slam title at Roland Garros. Didn't lose a set until the final, which could have gone either way; 10-8 in the 5th over Pargeter who definitely needed it more. A great tournament by both players, but the heir apparent is stepping forward here. He's closed most of the gap needed to move up to #2. 4. Dick Blake(USA, 27) - 4,890 Look at the points gap here; Karl Kaspar has almost double Blake's total. It looks like it's going to be a merry-go-round for this 'best of the rest' spot until someone separates themselves from the herd. 5. Gilberto Chinaglia(ITA, 26) - 4,840 Chinaglia proved to be a one-hit wonder as the best on the dirt, but beat a couple of pesky Brits to get to the Wimbledon semis and stay in contention for the 4th spot. 6. Stuart Pargeter(USA, 26) - 4,350 Better late than never? Showed a lot more moxie on clay than I thought he possessed, inches away from winning RG and also making the final in Rome. He figures now to peak somewhere in the 3rd-5th range, depending on how things go for him the next couple of years. This is the break he needed two years ago. 7. Tristan Allende(USA, 25) -- 4,040 Easy to forget about him this time of year. It'll be a lot harder in the summer. 8. Hamal Sbai(MOR, 26) -- 3,860 Another player finally pulling his cranium out of his posterior. Final at Monte Carlo, SF at Madrid, then kind of fell flat in the Channel Slams. Overplaying was part of it, but he's taken another step here for sure. 9. Hugo Cordova(USA, 25) - 3,660 Trying to have his cake and eat it too by playing in doubles, Cordova got away with it; SF at RG, QF at Wimbledon. That's enough to vault him into WTF contention, but eventually he's going to have to choose. 10. Gregory Mackenzie(USA, 28) - 3,595 Half of this Top 10 hails from the United States. 12. Kenneth Brasher(GBR, 24) Interesting situation now with the top players from Great Britain good enough for that homecourt edge at Wimbledon to get them a round or two. Haven't run into that before in this dynasty because none of them have been strong enough players for it to matter. That's no longer the case. 13. Sushant Chiba(SRI, 23) The defining moment for Chiba was his shocking run to take the title at the Madrid Masters. King Mateo and Prince Karl both were victimized, as was Chinaglia in the final. The one thousand points he got there is still just over a third of his total. I definitely wouldn't give the title back, but it also had some negative side effects. I wasn't planning on him going that far obviously, and it played into an early Rome loss and a third-round defeat to Prachuab in four at Roland Garros. Then at Wimbledon, third-round out again, 21st-seeded Chad Duncan in a close four. Chiba is never going to be a great player on grass with how slow he is, and combine that with the crowd edge to Duncan and it's a understandable loss. Sushant is now at his career-high ranking, knocking on the edge of the Top 10, and has yet to make it past the third round of a Slam(six straight losses at that stage). It's no real secret what he needs to do now for the next step. 14. Veini Aikio(FIN, 25) 19. Chalerm Prachuab(THA, 23) A surprisingly strong year for him. 20. Adam Hagans(GBR, 24) 21. Chad Duncan(GBR, 24) 23. Esteban Cortina(ESP, 26) Looking like perhaps he has peaked. Spain sure ain't what it used to be. 24. Jacek Andrejova(CZE, 23) Big jump already from 35th last year. 26. Stanley Edleman(USA, 24) Seems to be treading water here, but still has time. 27. Venicio Penni(ITA, 26) Only 48th at the start of the year, Penni is making a bid to come this year's 'surprise newcomer/journeyman'. 28. Tomas Guadiana(ARG, 24) A 4th-round showing at Wimbledon was his best in a Slam yet, and has Guadiana thinking bigger thoughts. Up from 40th. 30. Nino Tarkhan-Mouravi(GRG, 23) Umm, who??? After hovering just outside the Top 32 last year this foreigner is moving up. He's got established management and is playing an eclectic mix of events, mostly losing early in big ones. Still, one to watch for the future. 31. Brian Meikeljohn(IND, 21) Top 32 at age 21. That's impressive. I kept seeing this name as a qualifier in various events. Figures that those days are largely over now. He was just 74th at the start of the year. A quick survey of his abilities shows that he could be a great one. Possibly the best returner-of-serve ever, with speed topping at out ... brace yourself ... 5.4 right now. Endurance and strength are quality but not great, fairly good mental game, and a good technical balance for his age right now. Manager doesn't have a long track record, but clearly doing something right here. Quality but not great trainer(4.8). As I write this he prepares the final of another 250. I'm solid. Watch the name Brian Meikeljohn. Great first name(snicker) and for us Sri Lankans, he hails from nearby India. What else is weird? Not a created player, a natural regen. Who was hired by hugoboy(the House Kaspar manager) early on, then fired two years later. Then the current manager picked him up right away, and has stuck with him for over five years now. To impressive effect I might add. He's my 'too-early' favorite for the next non-Kaspar to sit on the throne of international tennis. 32. Henri Sorel(CAN, 25) Despite his somewhat youngish age, Sorel's basically at his peak. Clearly wasn't quite good enough. 33. Mike Rhodes(PHI, 21) This phenom is stuck in 'not quite there yet'. But he's close. 442. Anil Mehul(SRI, 43) Up to 132nd in doubles now that he's back on the national team for that. Generally not making it very far even in tier-3 futures. 112(J). Amrik Kasaravalli(SRI, 17) Endurance really showing itself to be a problem; still has issues at the end of the JG3 events. Two finals and two semis in the last four though, so I think it's just the being worn out that is stopping him from winning them.