ATP 500 Series – Selected Quarterfinals- 6th August

2021 ATP Tour

ATP 500 Series

Citi Open

William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Centre, Washington (Outdoor Hardcourts)

Selected Quarterfinals- 6^th August

Jannik Sinner (5) (1/2) vs Steve Johnson (13/8)

One of the poster-boys of this current age’s NextGen, Jannik Sinner is surely a Grand Slam Champion in the making (but we also said that about Grigor Dimitrov).  The 19-year-old is already a two-time ATP Champion- capturing his 2^nd title at this year’s Adelaide International.  Sinner is reminiscent of Federer in his on-court composure.  He has also shown crucial all-court capabilities.  He reached his first Masters 1000 final in Miami just weeks before a blistering semi-final run at Barcelona.  That two-handed backhand is a handful, making him equally powerful on both wings.  Having said all that, things have gone slightly quiet for the rising Italian star of late.  Prior to this week’s event, Sinner was on a four-match losing streak dating back to his 4^th round French Open defeat to Rafa Nadal.  But he has looked imperious this week, beating Ruusuvuori and (more crucially) Korda in straight sets.  His season win-loss stats are still very healthy at 26-14 and I think that he could be primed for a strong American summer. 

 Steve Johnson has emerged as a real dark-horse contender this week.  The world number 81 has endured a few middling years on the tour.  He really rose to prominence in 2016, winning the Olympic Bronze Medal and reaching a career high ranking of 21.  But players soon started to recognize his weaknesses on the backhand side.  But Johnson seems rejuvenated this week, with his characteristically potent serve working wonders for him.  The highlight of his week was that gritty come-from-behind victory against 3^rd seed Alex de Minaur.  Johnson is just one of those guys who comes alive on American soil, regardless of the surface.  He has reached four ATP Finals in America on three different surfaces.  His last final came on the Winston-Salem hardcourts in 2018 (he lost to Danil Medvedev on that occasion).  Johnson is something of a maverick who will look to upset the rhythm of the stoic Sinner.

Verdict

Sinner leads the head-to-head 1-0, beating Johnson in three sets on the Rome clay in 2019.  This is quite an interesting tussle.  Sinner seems to have regained some form while Johnson has always been a strong competitor in his home country.  I really think that Johnson could serve himself to one set in this match.  But Sinner should have enough in his arsenal to outlast the veteran American.  I imagine his dominance on the backhand wing could be telling over three sets at 3/1. 

Jensen Brooksby (1/2) vs John Millman (11) (13/8)

There’s something retro about Brooksby.  The young American plays a brand of tennis seemingly plucked out of the late 70’s, constantly changing angles and dazzling with his slice and drop shots.  The speed of his emergence over the last month or so has been frightening.  There were murmurs of his potential earlier in the season: he has won three Challenger titles this year.  But it was his run to the Newport final a few weeks ago that really got people talking.  Having lost to Kevin Anderson in the Newport final, it must have been cathartic to eliminate the South African in his opening match here.  In fact, he hasn’t dropped a set in Washington despite receiving a rather nightmarish draw: Anderson, Tiafoe and Auger Aliassime.  I never expected him to shape this week, actually backing Tiafoe to end his recent Cinderella antics.  But perhaps I underestimated this awkward, ungainly American. 

Easily the most likeable of the current Aussie contingent, John Millman is a player who has managed to carve out a career for himself despite his limitations.   If only the likes of Tomic and Kyrgios had one iota of his work ethic.  He has managed to reach the final of an ATP event in each of the last three seasons.  The 32-year-old actually won his first title on the Astana hardcourts last season.  There has certainly been steady progression over the past few seasons.  But he does seem to be in something of a stagnant patch.  But he has looked quite impressive this week, especially in dismantling the serving juggernaut that is Reilly Opelka.  But Brooksby is an altogether different proposition from compatriot Opelka.  His movement is far superior and he can match Millman in courtcraft. 

Verdict:

 I was actually surprised to discover that these two have actually met once before.  Millman trounced a very naive Brooksby at the 2018 US Open.  This will be a different test entirely.  Brooksby was devastating against Auger Aliassime and he should have too much firepower for Millman.  Brooksby to win in straight sets at 6/5.