Monday, August 24, 2015

ATP Winston-Salem Open: Saturday Part II

This is Part II of the Winston-Salem Open Saturday coverage.  ICYMI Part I.

Saw the beginning of Mischa Zverev and Sanam Singh match but didn't stay long because Court 5 had no place to sit (standing room only).  Per the qualifying draw, Mischa retired trailing 6-4 3-1.

Sanam Singh and Mischa Zverev getting ready for their match

Sanam Singh


Mischa Zverev

One of my favorite pictures...

Patriotic Fan

Sam Querrey was out practicing next to Stadium Court.

Sam Querrey

Sam Querrey

Ryan Harrison and former UCLA star, Clay Thompson, were battling in the 2nd set when I arrived.  Clay had won the 1st set tiebreak.  He had a big serve and possessed a serve&volley game.  In the 2nd set tiebreak, Thompson had several S&V and FH errors and it continued into the 3rd set.  I left after Ryan went up 3-0.  It was getting way too hot on center court.

Ryan Harrison serving

Clay Thompson

Center Court/Stadium Court

Ryan Harrison during changeover

I was in awe of Clay Thompson's hair


Tommy Haas and Marcos Baghdatis were practicing next to each other on Practice Courts 4 & 5.

Tommy Haas

Marcos Baghdatis

Due to the lengthy Harrison and Thompson match on Center Court, 17 year old Frances Tiafoe and Patrick Daciek were moved to the outside court.  Patrick was off to a flying start, broke for an early advantage.  Frances's body language was negative early on.  I left during the middle of the 1st set (if you remember, Court 5 is standing room only). 


Frances Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe getting ready to return serve

Frances Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe serving

Patrick Daciek serving

Patrick Daciek

I was impressed that Slim found me at the Tiafoe/Daciek match or maybe it was by luck ;) 

Deiton "Slim" Baughman
On my way to the Grandstand (aka Court 2).  Passed by Steve Johnson and Thanasi Kokkinakis on PC 4 & 5.

Steve Johnson

Thanasi Kokkinakis

Thanasi Kokkinakis
Thanasi Kokkinakis
While waiting to get into the Grandstand to watch Bjorn Fratangelo and NCAA champion, Ryan Shane, I was distracted by the Haviland and Spencer match next door (more on that later).  So by the time I got back to this match, it was pretty much over.

Bjorn Fratangelo signing autographs

Bjorn Fratangleo

Bjorn Fratangelo talking to the Dookies

Getting back to the Ryan Haviland and Will Spencer match.  This was my first time seeing these guys.  Read about 34 year old Haviland making a comeback to the pro ciricuit after taking 11 years off due toinjury and 25 year old Wil Spencer’s unconventional pro career path via On the Rise tennis blog.  So this was a rare opportunity for both players to get to the final qualifying round.  Haviland possessed an old school serve&volley and net game.  He had a nice backhand from what I saw in the opening set.  He started off slow, but crawled his way back from an early hole to take the set 7-5.  He was fun to watch when on.  It was hard for me to judge Spencer’s game because he struggled chasing down Haviland’s volleys.  But he had the crowd’s full support from the get-go (perhaps he have family and friends in the area) and found a way to win.  I left after the 1st set so didn’t get to witness the comeback.

Ryan Haviland

Ryan Haviland

Ryan Haviland

Wil Spencer

Wil Spencer

Wil Spencer


The last match I saw on Saturday was between Detion Baughman and top seed Martin Klizan.  The Slovakian is ranked No.34 in the world and would have gotten in directly into the main draw had he signed up before the deadline.  Despite losing 6-4 3-6 6-0, the young American showcased himself well against someone ranked almost 400 spots above him.  He went toe to toe with Klizan for the first two sets (ran out of gas in the decider).  His forehand let him down at various times throughout the match, however, his backhand was solid.  He has height, big serve, and power so there is a good foundation to build on.  Needs to work on consistency and the forehand.


Martin Klizan during changeover

Martin Klizan posing for picture

Deiton Baughman

Deiton Baughman serving

Deiton Baughman serving on the Grandstand

At the net
And that concludes the Saturday coverage.

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