Rogers cup happenings

Dimitrov wins

            Grigor Dimitrov has now won three matches in a row, an achievement for him these days.  His last one was over Ivo Karlovic, who has played exceptional tennis over the past few weeks.  Karlovic has backed up his serve with a great volley game and even some service return winners, and has won a lot of matches over the lately.  Dimitrov has been in a funk, playing aimless tennis, but he seems to have come alive in this tournament after surviving a close one in the first round.  In an earlier post (He’s no Fed, Baby!) I pointed out the reasons I believe Dimitrov is not as successful as he certainly should be.  Let’s see if his run here starts his engines.

            Similar to the surprising success of Karlovic lately is that of Gael Monfils, who actually looks like he’s interested in winning matches.  His attractive dreadlocks are gone, but his focus is better than I’ve ever seen.  Boy can he move around the court!  He beat David Goffin, a very tough customer, yesterday. 

            Milos Raonic is doing what he always does – winning his early round matches and giving himself a chance to go all the way in tournaments.  He has had a very consistent year and is threatening to break down the door that separates the “big four” from the rest of the tour. 

Kucova continues.

            Kristina Kucova defeated Eugenie Bouchard to continue her improbable run at the Rogers Cup.  Kucova, ranked outside the top 100, had already beaten Yanina Wickmayer and Cara Suarez-Navarro.  Bouchard dominated this match until the middle of the second set, when she rather suddenly went off the rails and started missing balls left and right.  As Bouchard acknowledged afterwards, her problem was mental.  Bouchard has progressed well this season after a poor 2015, but clearly she hasn’t completely exorcised her demons. 

            Madison Keys looked quite good in defeating Venus Williams, who was of course provided the injury excuses that the Williams sisters often get from the American press when a match doesn’t go well for them.  Also playing very well is Simona Halep.  A match between Keys and Halep would be fun to watch.  Angie Kerber has been tested but has also prevailed so far.  I believe one of these three will win the tournament.