KARL CORBETT in SAVANNAH
On site at the Savannah Challenger Photo: Karl Corbett
The game of tennis is all about diversity: differing styles, different surfaces, differing skills and strengths. The world is well represented here in Savannah. Today’s singles matches pit nation against nation: Two French players match up against an Argentine and an Indian, two Americans face an Australian and an Italian in the Challenger’s quarterfinals.
There’s diversity in these athletes, as well. Differences in height: 9 inches (23 cm), in weight, 35 pounds (16 kg) and in age: 17 years. They rank from #108 in the world to # 354.
This diversity creates uncertainty. Who will be ‘on their game’? Whose style will stymie their opponent? The stage is set: four battles on the green clay of Georgia. Four winners will emerge. When the dust clears, we will share what we have seen.
Federico Coria of Argentina Photo: Karl Corbett
First match results: Coming off a surprise win against #1 seed Tennys Sandgren the previous day, Federico Coria would be favored by most against Frenchman Alexandre Muller, and this match really was not a contest. Coria is quite comfortable on clay. 38 of his last 40 tournaments have been on this surface, while 8 of Muller’s 10 tournaments in 2019 were on hard courts. From the first ball, Coria’s footwork was on display, shuffling with geometric precision to set up each shot.
Muller, ranked #310 in the world, is not afraid to show his emotions, punishing himself with his racket and talking softly to himself after each miss. His most notable moments have been a 2017 wild-card entry into the French Open, where he ran out of gas and lost the 5th set 6-0. At the time, he described the event “a dream, to be playing against top 100 players.” His biggest win came in 2018, when he returned to the French Open and beat American Donald Young in the qualifiers.
Coria has been recently surrounded by controversy. In June of 2018, Coria was banned from the sport for two months for behavior referred to in press releases as "gambling-related activities”. By August, he was back on the clay, winning his first tournament, a Futures event in Romania.
Today in Savannah, Coria defeated Muller handily, 6-4, 6-1. In the second set, Muller won just 9 points in total, including a love hold when he served at 0-5.
Frenchman Alexandre Muller Photo: Karl Corbett
The second scheduled match never happened. Tommy Paul withdrew, citing a turned ankle. His aggressive baseline style has served him well in recent weeks, and earned him a wild card entry into the 2019 French Open. After winning 11 of his last 12 matches, Paul was unable to continue his winning streak.
As a result, Aleksandar Vukic of Australia advanced to the semifinals without having to hit a ball today. In fact, Vukic needed just one set to reach the quarters when his opponent in the 3rd round, American Collin Altamirano retired after losing the first set in a tie breaker.
American Tommy Paul won the USTA Wild Card into the Main Draw of Roland Garros Photo: Karl Corbett
Australian Aleksandar Vukic Photo: Karl Corbett
Third match up: The smallest players left in the draw, Sumit Nagal and Corentin Moutet, are equals in age, height and weight, but they have little else in common. Moutet, from France, ranks # 126. Nagal, from India, stands at # 332. Nagal is a right-hander, Moutet a lefty. Nagal was cool under fire. Moutet gave up break points at critical moments.
Nagal is lightning quick, with a massive forehand, which he played cross-court to the Moutet backhand with great effect. Any weak effort from the Frenchman saw Nagal at the net, putting angled volleys away for winners. Moutet was steady, with an occasional flare of acrobatic skill as he elevated to put away backhand winners.
Nagal always seemed to be a step ahead, however, Moutet did save critical points with stunning drop volleys, never afraid to work his way to the net. In the end, Nagal took it away in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.
Sumit Nagal of India Photo: Karl Corbett
Corentin Moutet of France Photo: Karl Corbett
Besides wearing their hats with the bill in back, Chris Eubanks and Paolo Lorenzi have very little in common.
Eubanks was born in Atlanta, Lorenzi in Rome. Eubanks is 22, Lorenzi 37. Since last year’s French Open, Eubanks has played in 2 clay court tournaments, Lorenzi in 20.
The Italian took the first set 6-3 on 2 consecutive unforced errors by the American. Lorenzi consistently out-rallied Eubanks, winning a great majority of Eubanks’ second serve points, and even more of his own. Use of the drop shot showed Lorenzi’s experience, as he kept his 6’ 7” opponent scrambling and guessing.
Eubanks started to show his emotions in the opening game of the second set, giving voice to his frustration and slamming his racket onto the green clay of Savannah. He held off 5 break points, but could not hold off 6, and Lorenzi was off and running for a 6-3 win, and a slot in Saturday’s semis in Savannah.
Christopher Eubanks of the United States Photo: Karl Corbett
Paolo Lorenzi of Italy Photo: Karl Corbett
Saturday's Semifinals feature Federico Coria vs. Alaksandar Vukic and Sumit Nagal vs. Paolo Lorenzi. There is up to a 90% chance of rain for the middle of the afternoon on Saturday in Savannah.
Fantastic article...Wonderful descriptions of the players and the matches; especially why the respective players won!
Posted by: Harry Settle | 05/09/2019 at 06:09 AM