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Brian Swartz · 07-06-2015, 04:46 PM

Madrid

Anil Mehul's maiden clay-court Masters was definitely one to forget. He had probably the worst first-round matchup possible, 10-seed Eric Gorritepe. Anywhere else he'd have a decent chance at winning, but not on clay. A competitive but clear straight-set loss sent him packing. It was the first time he'd lost in the first round of anything in nearly a year, but there's nothing to be embarrassed about in losing to the GOAT on their best surface.

Rome

The script flipped here. Mehul won easily against a qualifier, and then had a fairly favorable matchup in the next round against Giorgio Becerril(ARG, no. 14). Becerril is another player that he could probably beat anywhere else, but he's also a clay specialist. Another straight-set loss resulted, 6-4, 6-4. Anil played well enough to have a chance at stealing it, but didn't take any of the five break chances he got and a close defeat resulted. Becerril did go on to make the semifinals, which made him feel a bit better about things.

Despite only winning one match and actually seeing a small net loss in points, Mehul moved up a spot to 19th due to Oberg finally sliding past him on his way down. There was some high drama at the top in Rome. Bjorn Benda won in Monte Carlo and Madrid, but Gabriel Alastra stopped him in an epic final, 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(3). It was Alastra's third match of the week to go the distance, and second straight final-set tiebreak after outlasting Elder in the semis. Benda led 5-1 in the first-set breaker, only to drop the next six points and the set, ultimately costing him the match. Despite losing the total points 118-122, Alastra took his 8th Masters shield, but more importantly assured that he'd stay in the #1 position until at least Wimbledon. The heart of the champion was on full display here, staving off the changing of the guard for a little while longer.

Girish Girsh knocked off a couple of seeds in a challenger tournament in Uzbekistan, but it had a disappointing end as he played inexplicably poorly in his last match. A semifinal defeat with only four games won against a player he should have beaten leaves a bad taste in his mouth, but it was enough to crack the Top 200 for the first time.

A week off now, and then it's off to Roland Garros.

07-06-2015, 04:46 PM	#58
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	Madrid Anil Mehul's maiden clay-court Masters was definitely one to forget. He had probably the worst first-round matchup possible, 10-seed Eric Gorritepe. Anywhere else he'd have a decent chance at winning, but not on clay. A competitive but clear straight-set loss sent him packing. It was the first time he'd lost in the first round of anything in nearly a year, but there's nothing to be embarrassed about in losing to the GOAT on their best surface. Rome The script flipped here. Mehul won easily against a qualifier, and then had a fairly favorable matchup in the next round against Giorgio Becerril(ARG, no. 14). Becerril is another player that he could probably beat anywhere else, but he's also a clay specialist. Another straight-set loss resulted, 6-4, 6-4. Anil played well enough to have a chance at stealing it, but didn't take any of the five break chances he got and a close defeat resulted. Becerril did go on to make the semifinals, which made him feel a bit better about things. Despite only winning one match and actually seeing a small net loss in points, Mehul moved up a spot to 19th due to Oberg finally sliding past him on his way down. There was some high drama at the top in Rome. Bjorn Benda won in Monte Carlo and Madrid, but Gabriel Alastra stopped him in an epic final, 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(3). It was Alastra's third match of the week to go the distance, and second straight final-set tiebreak after outlasting Elder in the semis. Benda led 5-1 in the first-set breaker, only to drop the next six points and the set, ultimately costing him the match. Despite losing the total points 118-122, Alastra took his 8th Masters shield, but more importantly assured that he'd stay in the #1 position until at least Wimbledon. The heart of the champion was on full display here, staving off the changing of the guard for a little while longer. Girish Girsh knocked off a couple of seeds in a challenger tournament in Uzbekistan, but it had a disappointing end as he played inexplicably poorly in his last match. A semifinal defeat with only four games won against a player he should have beaten leaves a bad taste in his mouth, but it was enough to crack the Top 200 for the first time. A week off now, and then it's off to Roland Garros.