2012 Thailand Open Preview

While most of the tennis world is still recuperating from the long grind of the US Open Series and the Davis Cup Semifinals, most of the guys on the tour are back to work in Asia for the start of the indoor hard court stretch. This stretch runs from September until the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in early November.

Until then we are focusing on the current indoor tournaments in Asia and one that is starting today in Bangok is the 2012 Thailand Open featuring players such as Janko Tipsarevic, Richard Gasquet, Milos Raonic and Gilles Simon.

The draw sets up really nicely for the one seed Tipsarevic as he faces virtually no real threats until a potential quarterfinal matchup against the eight seed Fernando Verdasco. The same cannot be said for the second seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet. He most likely has a second round matchup against the young up and coming Bulgarian who also has a beautiful one-handed backhand, Grigor Dimitrov.

Final Prediction and Score: Milos Raonic def. Janko Tipsarevic 7-6, 6-3.

Q&A With Top Tennis Recruit Ronnie Schneider

Tennis Globe: Ronnie, you decided you will be playing your college tennis at the University of North Carolina next year. Was it tough to choose just one school when you had so many offers?

Ronnie Schneider: It was definitely a tough decision, but in the end UNC was the perfect choice for me. I really enjoy the coaches and the guys on the team. The academics are great, and the campus is absolutely beautiful, so it ended up being the right fit I felt like.

TG: Did turning pro immediately after high school ever cross your mind as a possibility?

RS: It never really did. Ever since I was young, my parents and I have placed an importance on the value of an education. So I went into the recruitin process knowing I was for sure going somewhere. There was no waivering, which is also why I think I committed so early (last February). 

TG: You are currently ranked number 1 in tennisrecruiting.net's class of 2013 rankings. How often do you and other top guys actually check those rankings?

RS: I would say now that the recruiting process is long gone, I hardly ever check it actually (I'm glad to hear I'm still #1 though haha). I would say that is the general consensus of all the guys I'm around. 8th grade through sophomore/early junior year though, I would say the TRN ranking get talked about quite often, because people are still jockeying for position in their mind.

TG: What would you say is your favorite junior tournament to play in?

RS: Well, I would say far and away the US Open Juniors, just because of the awe factor of being there in New York playing at the same facility as the big guys and hanging out and eating with them right around. This year, I got to hit with John Isner and a few other pros, so that was a neat experience. But outside of that, Kalamazoo is definitely the best. They do such an awesome job there every year.

TG: What are your goals while in Chapel Hill?

RS: As a team, I would like to win the ACC and contend for a national title on a yearly basis. Individually, I would like to be an All-American more than once, and shoot for the individual titles. All while preparing my game for the pro level.

TG: What are your long term tennis goals?

RS: I would like after college to go pro and make it inside the Top 100. I really believe it can be accomplished with a lot of hard work, and I think I am headed in the right direction!

Q&A With Young American Tennis Phenom Bjorn Fratangelo

Bjorn Fratangelo enjoyed an incredibly decorated junior tennis career that included the 2011 French Open Junior title. Now Fratangelo is on the pro tour, and has been enjoying recent success at the Futures level very early in his career. Here is Tennis Globe's exclusive Q&A with one of America's most promising young tennis pros.

Tennis Globe: Bjorn, you have decided to skip college and test the ropes of the professional tour. How hard was that decision to make?

Bjorn Fratangelo: The decision to turn pro was the hardest thing I've ever done. Turning down a scholarship to college was something that I couldn't believe I was even considering. I always saw myself playing college tennis. However, my dream had always been to play pro ball, but I never thought it was realistically possible. I always played cause I enjoyed the competition of my sport. Every day it would go back and forth. Should I go to college, should I turn pro? I figured I had the chance to do something I always dreamed about, so I decided to go for it. I know college will always be there, and I've always been serious about my academics. If I don't make it, there is plan B. It isn't such a huge risk like everyone thinks.

TG:  You are currently ranked 696 in the world. What are your short and long term goals as far as the ranking goes?

BF: I try not to put a number on things. I want to worry about improving parts of my game that need to be improved and the ranking will come. I want to finish the year on a good note and ultimately make my way into the top 100.

TG: Today you defeated fellow American Tennys Sandgren in the second round of the Futures tournament in Toronto. How hard is it to get through the daily grind of the Futures level?

BF: Beating Tennys was a good win for me as he's been having a great year. With that being said, futures are very tough to deal with. These tournaments aren't in the most glamourous places and the atmosphere can be pretty dead. But, it is what it is and it's a stepping stone that most players go through. Hopefully, I won't be here for very long.

Fratangelo captured the 2011 French Open Junior title with a  3-6, 6-3, 8-6 win over Dominic Thiem of Austria.

TG: You won the 2011 French Open Juniors title, how big was that for your confidence and how did that effect your choice to skip college and turn pro?

BF: Winning the French Open was huge for me. It was a dream because ever since I was a little kid, I was obsessed with red clay and the French open was my favorite tournament to watch. I felt on top of the world after that win. My confidence was very high and 2 weeks after, I went on a futures swing and picked up 16 points. Unfortunately, i didn't get to finish out the year because of injury. Winning a junior slam was great and I had no idea that I was going to get so much attention. I became a little celebrity in my hometown for about a week. It was different and winning it definitely influenced my decision. I'm in pretty good company with guys like Wawrinka and Monfils. It gave me the belief that I could really do this without the help of college.

TG: Were you surprised by the success of the young Americans Jack Sock, Steve Johnson, and Bradley Klahn at the Open?

BF: I wasn't that surprised with Jack's results. He's playing some great tennis right now and he's proven that he can beat top 20 guys. He's got the self-belief that he can compete with the best  players in the world. He's always had that swagger. I've never been around Steve much, but winning 70 matches in a row helps the confidence. He obviously knows how to win big matches and it showed. Bradley also played very well and if he gets hot, he can be dangerous. I've practiced with him a few times and I can see how he's going to be a threat on the tour.

TG:How hard is it to manage the money aspect of traveling around and playing Futures events?

BF: It's very tough. In futures, you don't make much money. I'm young, and I'm still learning how to manage my money, but it can be very tough.

TG: What tennis player did you idolize growing up?

BF: I always looked up to all the top guys. I never had one specific player, but federer is amazing of course. I don't need to go any further. I also admire guys like djokovic who took their games to a higher lever, higher than they already were. I admire Guys who are at the top and want to improve more. David ferrer is another player I really like.

TG: What is your favorite shot?

BF: My forehand has always been my favorite shot.

Q&A With Former USC Star Daniel Nguyen

Recently, Tennis Globe caught up with Four Time National Champion (2009-2012) from USC Daniel Nguyen. Nguyen clinched the team championship in both 2010 and 2011, this earned him the nickname 'Mr. Clutch.' 

Here is the Q&A with the Former Trojans Star.

Photo via Chris Roman: Daily Trojan

Tennis Globe: You were a four time National Champion at USC, what will you miss most about your time there?

Daniel Nguyen:  I will definitely miss hanging around my teammates, coaches, and friends the most.

TG: You clinched USC's title in 2011 and in 2010 with victories in the final round. Your win in 2011 was against Sanam Singh of Virginia with the teams tied 3-3. Was that the biggest win of your life?

DN: Yes this was probably one of the biggest wins of my tennis career.  It was an incredible feeling and the atmosphere was electric. It was the perfect stage playing in the finals of NCAA’s against number one ranked Virginia, I couldn’t ask for more. Just being the last match on and winning the NCAA title for USC not only made this a very memorable match, but impacted me positively for my career in tennis.

TG: Your buddy and ex-teammate Steve Johnson just beat your other ex-teammate Robert Farah in the finals of a challenger in Aptos. Did you expect Steve to win?

DN: It was great seeing those two play each other in the finals of the challenger.  I knew the match between Stevie and Farah was going to be a battle so I did not expect Steve to win. You know they’re both incredible and hungry competitors that play at the highest level possible, so I would expect nothing less from them.

TG: What impact has USC Head Coach Peter Smith had on you?

DN: Peter Smith has played a huge role in my development in tennis. I’m thankful for everything he has done for me. He has helped me mature as an individual on and off the court and I have gained a strong relationship with him.

TG: How do you like USC's chances of getting number five in a row?

DN: I love their chances. No question about it. I think USC has a great chance to grab title number five. There are going to be tough college teams out there but I think our experience, coaching staff, and players have the determination and skill set to win another title.

TG: You just won your first professional doubles title at a Futures tournament recently with Ryan Rowe. Were you expecting a title this quickly after finishing college?

DN: I did not expect winning a pro event after finishing college. I just try to enjoy each moment on the tennis court and not worry about the titles. Ryan and I had great chemistry on the court and ended up playing well during the tournament. 

TG: You're currently ranked 1390 in singles and 979 in doubles. Have you set a goal for a high rank in singles and doubles?

DN:  I haven’t really set a specific goal for a high ranking in singles or doubles. I definitely want to win a futures event in singles, and eventually make it into the challengers and ATP Events.

TG: In 2009 you and J.T. Sundling won the USTA Boys Hardcourt 18's Doubles Championship in Kalamazoo which gave you guys a wildcard into the US Open. What was that experience like?

DN:  It was a phenomenal experience playing in the US Open and in my first grandslam doubles.  It was incredible being around in New York essentially on center stage and surrounding myself with the best athletes in the world. I remember while playing the New Yorkers were getting behind me and J.T. chanting “U-S-A, U-S-A…!” Then the crowd for the other team started chanting “VIVA ARGENTINA!” It went back and forth the entire match. That right there got us hungry to compete. Playing in the US Open has motivated me to make it back there one day.

TG: How has playing on the pro tour compared to the expectations?

DN:  I expected the pro tour was going to be tough so now I’m just getting use to the daily grind. 

TG: Is it difficult to manage money when you are on the road at smaller tournaments at times?

DN: Yes it is quite difficult to manage money on the road since your really not making much money in these smaller tournaments. It was different in college because I had most of the things paid for but since graduating I now have to worry about my expenses and choose tournaments that are not outrageously expensive to travel to.

TG:  Which player did you look up to growing up?

DN:  As a child I grew up watching Michael Chang. I really admire Novak Djokovic’s game now.

TG: Who is your favorite (Non USC) pro player?

DN:Number 24, Kobe Bryant

TG:  What is your favorite shot?

DN: Return of serve

TG: Who do you think will win the 2012 US Open?

DN: Roger Federer

Former College Standouts Qualify For US Open

All three guys dominated at the college level. All three guys are American. And now all three guys have the chance to make noise at the US Open.

Rhyne Williams, Bradley Klahn, and Bobby Reynolds each came through in one of the biggest matches of their life to qualify for the US Open.

Williams, 21, was a two time All-American at the University of Tennessee, and after two years of success he decided to turn pro. Williams has been constantly climbing the rankings in the year and a half he's been on the tour and came into the Qualifying tournament ranked 283 in the world.

In the final round of qualifying, Williams was matched up with Germany's Petr Gojowczyk, the world number 197. Williams came out guns blazing and took the first set 6-3, and the second set was no different as the match ended with Williams clinching his first career grand slam berth 6-3, 6-2. Williams will face off against the 2003 US Open Champion and American tennis icon, Andy Roddick in the first round of the main draw.

Reynolds, 30, has been somewhat of a journeyman on the tour since leaving Vanderbilt after his junior season, but has made a good living and has a current ranking of 149. With the opportunity to play in his ninth Open, Reynolds was faced up against a young Spaniard, Sergio Gutierrez-Ferrol.

The match didn't start out well for Reynolds, as Gutierrez-Ferrol broke him early and raced out to a 3-1 first set lead. But just as the doctor ordered, Reynolds broke right back to even the match, and it stayed even until the first set tiebreak, which Reynolds claimed 7-5.

The second set saw Gutierrez-Ferrol getting frustrated with the rowdy American crowd and he got down an early break as a result of being flustered. Reynolds then never looked back and punched his ninth ticket to the US Open 7-6(5), 6-3. Reynolds will meet fellow American qualifier Tim Smyczek in the first round of the main draw.

American Bradley Klahn qualified for his second US Open Friday. Here he is hitting a backhand in the 2010 Open.

Klahn, 22, and the only one of the three to stay all four years in college excelled at Stanford. In 2010 he claimed the NCAA singles crown which earned him a wildcard into the Open. There he actually took a set before falling in four sets in the first set to fellow American Sam Querrey.

Out of the three guys Klahn probably had the toughest matchup, as he had to battle against the former world number 36 and current number 113, Florent Serra of France.

Klahn dominated his service games as he didn't face a single break point and converted both of his on Serra's serve, to claim the match and clinch his second US Open berth 6-4, 6-4. Klahn will face 2010 French Open Semifinalist, Jurgen Melzer of Austria in the first round of the main draw.

24 year-old American Tim Smyczek also qualified for the Open with a 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5 win over the world number 89, Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania. As stated earlier, he will face Reynolds in the first round of the main draw.

The lone American qualifier on the women's side was 17 year-old Samantha Crawford of Florida as she defeated Eleni Daniilidou of Greece 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.

Great Day For American Tennis

In an era where American Tennis isn't automatically considered a top tier tennis country, Thursday was one of the days American Tennis Fans come to appreciate as they have suffered through a lot of rough ones as of late.

In Winston Salem the 'Twin Towers' John Isner and Sam Querrey both advanced on to the semifinals of the ATP 250 event.

Isner did so by edging past the up and coming 58th ranked 21 year old Belgium David Goffin 7-6(5), 6-3. Isner lit up the court in the first set with his serve by producing a jaw dropping 16 aces in the set alone. Although he only had 5 aces in the second set his proficiency while serving remained outstanding. Just as the first set, he didn't face a break point in the second and finished the match off by breaking Goffin's serve for the second time.

While David Goffin is an up and coming talented player, Sam Querrey faced a much more difficult test in his Quarterfinal match with the world number 15 Alexandr Dolgopolov. Querrey was able to pull through past the crafty Ukranian by being efficient on his serve just like Isner. He didn't face a break point in the deciding set and came up clutch in the tiebreak to punch his spot in the semifinals with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(3) win over Dolgopolov.

While guys like Isner and Querrey are prepping themselves in a US Open tune-up event, there are some other guys who are working their tails off just to get a chance to compete in the Open.

Five Americans advanced to the final round of qualifying Thursday meaning those five are now just one win away from a spot in the US Open and the opportunity to show test their talents with the very best players in the world.

Daniel Kosakowski, Tim Smyczek, Rhyne WIlliams, Bradley Klahn, and Bobby Reynolds were the Americans to advance to the final round of qualifying.

Kosakowski, a 20 year-old who turned pro after his Freshman year at UCLA had perhaps the most difficult matchup of the five as he had to battle with the second seeded Aljaz Slo Bedene who is also ranked 82nd in the world, meaning Bedene just missed a direct acceptance to the Open.

Kosakowski struck first in the match taking the first set, but after dropping the second, the match and the chance to advance one step closer to the main draw was hanging in the balance with a third set tiebreak. Kosakowski though played the big points better eking out the tiebreak 9-7 and claiming the match 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7).

All five Americans competing Friday will not only be competing for a chance to do something special in the Open, but also for a nice paycheck to throw in the wallet as a first round loser in the Open will be taking home $23,000.

Sam Querrey picks up big win in Winston Salem

                                         Sam Querrey rips a backhand in his Winstom Salem  
                                         third round match win against Feliciano Lopez.

The world number 28 and American number 4 Sam Querrey picked up a nice win over the lefty Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4 in Winston Salem Wednesday afternoon.

Sam worked through the match against the crafty southpaw by utilizing an array of powerful serves (12 aces) and converting on 3 of 5 break points.

Querrey now moves on to the Quarterfinals for a sure tough match against the winner of Alexandr Dolgopolov and David Nalbandian.

Up now watching some US Open Qualifying on CBS Sports Network. Nice move by them to broadcast this coverage.

Will be posting my thoughts on sports, with a large focus on tennis here very often.

      Pierce