2021 Qatar ExxonMobil Open...ATP 250...Doha, Qatar

[stroke]

It was a very close match. Really kind of came down to break points. Medvedev was 3/6, Herbert was 1/5. Once again, Herbert looked like another player that hard to believe ranked in low 90's.

[stotty]

Hebert's serve certainly propels him nicely to the net after contact and delivers a decent payload. I didn't see the final but am curious to know how Medvedev handled someone serve and volleying against him? He's touted as having a high tennis IQ so I am assuming he didn't stand 20 feet behind the baseline to return? It's not Medvedev strong suit to take returns early.

Regardless, anyone who with a 130mph serve should be able to serve volley, especially when you consider how far back players like Medvedev and Nadal stand to return. It's a tragedy some players don't have the confidence or competence to serve and volley. Zverev has a humdinger of a serve but never follows it up. He wouldn't have much to put away a lot of the time.

Well done Herbert. I should like to have seen the final but it wasn't televised here.

[stroke]

In Marseille, P Herbert served and vollyed his way to the final and loses to Medvedev 6-4 in the 3rd, very competitive match, very small margains. Herbert on #93 in the world, a very good player. It is nice to see a serve and volley game out there.

[stotty]

Yes, Bash plays well. He basically had too much pace for Roger when they played and knocked him off in the end. He was just so solid. Missed the final but the result didn't surprise me.

[stroke]

Bash wins the tournament, basicly just keeping outfitting his opponent, this time RBA, just as he did to Fed. He came into this tournament with bad results, and as one of the commentators said, not an exaggeration to say he was probably #28 likely to win this tournament going in, out of 28. Tennis very tough depth. Bash has a very big forehand, a solid strong backhand, and a very strong tennis build. Hard to believe he has not won more. I guess similar to Fucsovics. It is good to see a nice guy like Bash on the post match winner interview.

[stroke]

Obviously both those match outcomes surprised me. Rublev and Fritz just did not get it going. Not really interesting matches. Tsitsipas looks to be in a toss up vs Herbert in his match. Herbert has a nice all court game.

[stotty]

Rublev seemed to be struggling for breath at times against RBA - something not quite right? He also dashed over for a drink at deuce in one of the last games, which is unusual. For a while I was thinking that after receiving two walkovers into the semis, he was going to retire!

Well, it was remarkably easy week for Rublev. Lost two routine sets and cops 36k. Not bad work if you can get it.

[glacierguy]

Rublev seemed to be struggling for breath at times against RBA - something not quite right? He also dashed over for a drink at deuce in one of the last games, which is unusual. For a while I was thinking that after receiving two walkovers into the semis, he was going to retire!

[arturohernandez]

Thought Roger was going to nick that match. He's so good at biding his time and nicking matches. Early days in Roger's comeback. It's a stunning start after more than a year out of the game.

I thought Fed looked good. His movement is just unreal. I mean even at close to 40 and with one year off the tour, he still looks great. The only issue is how much he can play back to back. In some ways, I think the French might be the least draining because it is softer. The uneasy footing will make it harder for the others to beat him. He would need to catch a break and have some of the better players beat each other up.

Wimbledon seems primed for him. He has more experience than almost the entire field on grass. But again, he will have to catch a break. Not sure that he could beat Djokovic at Wimbledon or Nadal at RG.

But as uncle Toni said, "You cannot beat the best player of all time. But if you can create doubt..."

Even the greatest can blink and with Federer having literally nothing to lose at this point could prevail. A la Sampras...

[stotty]

Rublev looking strong favourite and should have the firepower to hit RBA off.

[stroke]

Marseille has some good matches today also, highlighted by Medvedev vs Sinner. I am looking for Fritz to get through to the final in Doha, probably against Rublev.

[stroke]

A brutally physical battle out there. RBA (like chewing gum stuck to your shoe as usual) is prepared to stay out there all night if he has to. I believe he has a superior head to head versus Thiem.

So spot on. RBA is a pro's pro who has absolutely gotten all he can out of his potential. He is kind of like a gatekeeper type to the very top of the game. He is an example of what is possible. And now he has Rublev. Another hard hat match. If I were Thiem's coach, the first change I would make is no more run around forehands. Just gives up to much court to me. Gasquet the template there for 1 handers to me.

[stotty]

A brutally physical battle out there. RBA (like chewing gum stuck to your shoe as usual) is prepared to stay out there all night if he has to. I believe he has a superior head to head versus Thiem.

[stroke]

I would put the Goblin as the favorite to win this tournament. He is rested at this point and I love how he hugs the baseline a la Agassi to apply pressure. He is clearly a way better mover than Andre was though.

[stroke]

RBA wins 1st in tiebreaker. Theim is not winning many 2nd serve points, and he is simply making too many bh errors in contrast to rock solid RBA bh. Definitely a hard hat match.