I just wanted to post about this because I’m so sick of doing the “another top seed on the WTA tour loses early!” posts. (You’ll notice I skipped the Safina/Venus lament yesterday.)
Juan Martin del Potro, world No. 5 and Tokyo’s top seed, lost to world No. 189 Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the first round of the Japan Open on Tuesday: 4-6, 4-6. It was the French qualifier’s first match win on the ATP tour since July of 2008.
This is a bad loss, but still not as bad as Dinara Safina’s defeat to No. 226 Shuai Zhang in the second round of Beiijing on Monday – the worst ever loss by a reigning WTA No. 1 in terms of ranking.
Here’s what Del Potro said afterwards (via the BBC):
“I didn’t feel 100 per cent. Everybody could see that. I had a little bit of jet-lag and a stomach ache but that’s not the reason I lost.”
That’s what we call a “here’s-my-excuse-but-it’s-not-really-an-excuse-so-don’t-say-I-make-excuses-excuse.”
The Japan Open is more like the French Open – of the top 8 seeds, 3 are French (Monfils, Tsonga, Simon) with Roger-Vasselin, Richard Gasquet and Fabrice Santoro rounding out the 32-man draw.
Tags: ATP, DelPotro, dinara safina, Japan Open, Roger-Vasselin, tennis
Loading ...
This guy was very good in the US Open against the best, Federer and now lost to a Roger Vasselin, 189 ranking. Consistancy matters.
it's an excuse – and a valid one (jetlag)… So he is excused :p
Agree. And while I'm sure he flies first class, long flights are terribly cruel to tall people! I'm sure he has a hard time stretching his legs even on 1st class. He certainly doesn't fit his seat. I hope he at least had a few days rest before the match, but it seems it wasn't enough.
He'll get used to it, I believe, but he's still young has been having these trips for less years than, say, Karlovic. Excused, Delpo.
To quote Delpo at his interview after Roger made minced meat of him at the AO 09 quarter finals, “If you no be good, you lose.” He may have delayed Roger’s 16th, but I’m not conceding yet that he’s the future of tennis. The future is quite far off anyway.
yep – we have quite a number of young, up-and-coming players… let's see who's the next Fed…
There will never be another Fed!
that pic says it all, doesn't it? he looks like he needs a hug. oh well, it's the end of a very long season. it's all a crap shoot at this point.
besides, many would kill to even win a GS, esp in the era of fed and nadal! still an excellent year for JM.
TC was replaying the FO fed vs haas match and husband remarked that roger really should have won the USO this year. no offense to del po, but it was mostly in fed's hands. just when i thought i was over it!
In DelPo website he confirms what I always thought: He is a fedophile major, he went to a show in Argentina and he is talking about his win in the US Open, he said that he thought the people were going to be all cheering for Roger but on that day he felt like the fans where cheering half for Roger and half for him, I bet that gave him a lift, he also said that it was very weird to be the one holding the trophy and the numero 1, the real numero 1 was holding second place, he told Roger, "I don't know what to do" and Roger told him: " This is your moment, enjoy it". To end the piece he said: " The swiss is a gentleman inside and outside the tennis court, that is why he is numero uno everywhere".
My sentiments exactly…
Thanks for that ranjolie, Del Po is so sweet.
awesome del po tidbit. i like him a lot. this also goes to show why we LOVE roger. what a guy!
lovely kid!
Oh! about this post, why he couldn't lost against the right Roger?
Delpo is SO young. Also very likable IMO. He has a really powerful game, especially suited to the USO courts. I think he'll be a force in tennis for years to come. And if he continues to model himself on Roger, he'll learn to tidy up his comments after the match.
Chin up Delpo! Even champions can have a bad day .Yes you're human. You're still my favourite player.
Best of luck next tournament and many more victories to come.
Federer is a world champ we know, however why can't compare Delpo to him just because he beat Fed in US- too many expectations of the young man. Give him a chance to develop further and play his own style.
Poor Juan. He looks so confused. How did I whip Roger's ass at the USO and now lose to this qualifier. It must be that long flight and airplane food. Maybe Delpo needs to arrive a few days in advance of these tournaments when flying long distance. Frankly, I think he's going to continue to give Roger a run for his money as well as a few others on the list. I think it's all about confidence for this kid. Now that he knows he can beat Roger in a slam, it's just a matter of time before it happens again, and again, and again……………..
Your right Fae. No one is tougher mentally than Nadal. You can ask anyone on tour. The guy managed to get to the semis of the USO with an abdominal tear and no serve in sight. Next year may very well be the best tennis year ever!!!