Novak Djokovic Tops Andy Murray In Year’s First Tournament - Mondays with Bob Greene

Mondays with Bob Greene

STARS

Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray 6-3 5-7 6-4 to win the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, Qatar

Karolina Pliskova bet Alizé Cornet 6-0 6-3 to win the Brisbane International women’s singles in Brisbane, Australia

Grigor Dimitrov beat Kei Nishikori 6-2 2-6 6-3 to win the men’s singles at the Brisbane International in Brisbane, Australia

Katerina Siniakova beat Alison Riske 6-3 6-4 to win the Shenzhen Open in Shenzhen, China

Roberto Bautista Agut beat Daniil Medvedev 6-3 6-4 to win the Aircel Chennai Open in Chennai, India

Lauren Davis beat Ana Konjuh 6-3 6-1 to win the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand

OTHER

France beat the United States 2-1 to win the Hopman Cup title in Perth Australia

SAYING

“Best scenario I could ask for at the beginning of the season. Playing all five matches in this tournament and then three hours against number one of the world, biggest rival, and winning in a thrilling marathon match.” – Novak Djokovic, following his victory over Andy Murray in Doha, Qatar.

“Obviously disappointed not to win tonight, but I played pretty good the last couple of matches. I think physically it was a good test to start the year, and I did good there.” – Andy Murray.

“I didn’t miss in almost the whole first set. Yeah, I was feeling pretty good.” – Karolina Pliskova, who lost only five points in the opening set of her win over Alizé Cornet in the Brisbane International women’s final.

“I go out there because I love to play tennis and to compete. It’s how I’ve always been, whether it was a game of Monopoly or Candy Land. My sister used to let me win because she’d say, ‘It was worse for me when I won, so we can still be friends.’” – Bethanie Mattek-Sands, after becoming number one in the world in women’s doubles.

“I think that was an emotional win for me, but at the same time it wasn’t unexpected. I have put in the work. I think I have learned a lot. I have gone through some serious work and I have just been working on myself on and off the court.” – Grigor Dimitrov, following his victory in the Brisbane International men’s singles final.

“You always feel rusty for your first match. But mentally I knew how to get it back and get in there.” – Serena Williams, after beating Pauline Parmentier 6-3 6-4 in her first match since the US Open semifinals in September.

“The feeling is indescribable, it’s definitely an incredible feeling to win my first WTA title at my favorite tournament. I’ve been waiting for this moment for quite a few years.” – Lauren Davis, after winning her first title in Auckland, New Zealand.

“I’m trying to think of a word for (my performance) that’s not obscene, but I can’t.” – Serena Williams, following her 6-4 6-7 (3) 6-4 second-round loss to fellow American Madison Brengle at the ASB Classic.

“I loved the moment, it was great. In my backyard… being in the final, not being seeded, it’s already a great start to the season.” – Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, after teaming with Rohan Bopanna to win the Chennai Open doubles title.

SERB SWATS SCOT

Novak Djokovic has given his first warning of 2017 to the man who usurped his world number one ranking, Andy Murray. Djokovic, who lost to Murray in the ATP World Tour Finals title match two months ago, took revenge this time beating the Scot 6-3 5-7 6-4 to capture his second straight Qatar ExxonMobil Open crown. It was Djokovic’s first title since he won in Toronto, Canada, last July. “It was a really, really thrilling performance from both of us,” Djokovic said. “Just a great way to start the year.” Murray staved off three match points in the second set as his Serbian foe was serving. Not only did Murray break Djokovic, but he then won the next two games to level the match at a set apiece. But Djokovic continued his aggressive play, putting pressure on Murray by continually coming to the net. “You have to construct the point well and find the right time to approach, but you need to come in,” Djokovic said. “That controlled aggressive style of play is the way to win.” The loss stopped Murray’s 28-match win streak. Djokovic has now won 67 career tour-level titles.

SPARKLING WIN

Karolina Pliskova was nearly perfect as she clobbered Alizé Cornet to win the women’s singles at the Brisbane International. The Czech right-hander won all but five points in the opening set against her French opponent. Her seventh WTA title raises Pliskova’s ranking to fifth in the world. She needed less than 20 minutes to grab the opening set when she didn’t lose a point on serve until the last game. Cornet finally got on the scoreboard when she held to open the second set. Cornet said it was Pliskova’s serve that dominated the match. “When you have a serve like this, it’s such a weapon,” Cornet said. “It’s pretty much nightmare, actually.”

Following her victory, Pliskova withdrew from this week’s tournament in Sydney, Australia, citing a left inner thigh injury.

SUCCESS, FINALLY

It’s been a long time, but Grigor Dimitrov is finally back in the champion’s circle. The Bulgarian upset Kei Nishikori in the final to capture the Brisbane International men’s singles crown, his first ATP World Tour title since June 2014. The two split the first two sets, both winning in 6-2. But after leveling the match at a set apiece, Nishikori underwent medical treatment. “I don’t know how I got the second set, because it was hurting at two-all and 3-2,” Nishikori said of the hip injury he sustained during the week. “I think he had a couple easy mistakes and that helped me to get the two breaks. In the third set I think he was playing better. I had a couple bad decisions and he played another good level in the third.” With Nishikori serving at 30-15, Dimitrov won the next seven points to close out his fifth career title. Dimitrov beat three Top 10 players in his title run, including eighth-ranked Dominic Thiem in the quarterfinals, top-seeded and third-ranked Milos Raonic in the semis before beating fifth-ranked Nishikori.

STRAIGHT-SET WIN

Roberto Bautista Agut is finding Chennai, India, a perfect place for his game. The Spaniard picked up his fifth ATP World Tour title by beating Russian Daniil Medvedev in the Aircel Chennai Open final. “I think it’s a great tournament and that’s why it’s my fifth time in a row coming here,” Bautista Agut said. “This tournament has helped me a lot to get into the Top 50 players. I’m a much better player now than five years ago. I have more experience I’ve improved a lot of things.” Against Medvedev, the winner didn’t face a break point and won 84 percent of his first-serve points in the 73-minute victory.”

SINIAKOVA SHINES

Katerina Siniakova won her first WTA Tour title by stopping American Alison Riske in the Shenzhen Open final. It was the Czech’s third career title match. “I think I didn’t play my best, but I’m so happy that I did it,” Siniakova said of the victory. The right-hander ripped off four straight games to take a 5-2 lead in the opening set, then won four of the first five games in the second set. It was the second straight year Riske lost in the Shenzhen final.

SWITCH AT THE TOP

In a strange twist of the rankings, Bethanie Mattek-Sands has taken over the number one WTA doubles ranking from Sania Mirza. The strangeness comes because Mattek-Sands and Mirza are partners and won the women’s doubles in Brisbane. The switch ended Mirza’s streak of 91 weeks as the world number one. “Being number one is something that you dream of from the time you pick up a racquet,” Mattek-Sands said. “You’re not given number one – you have to earn it, and I feel really proud of myself for getting there.” The Brisbane title was the 23^rd of the American’s career. Mattek-Sands has won three Grand Slam tournament doubles titles, all with the Czech Republic’s Lucie Safarova, including last year’s US Open. “I feel like I’m handing over the Miss World Number One crown,” Mirza said. “Congratulations to her for becoming number one. She has had an amazing year.”

SURREAL

“It’s definitely surreal,” American Lauren Davis said after winning her first WTA title. “I had two finals last year, and it was definitely discouraging and frustrating. But I guess third time’s a charm.” In the ASB Classic final, Davis beat Ana Konjuh 6-3 6-1. With a strong serving game, Davis was able to dominate her Croatian opponent. “Of course I’m disappointed to lose in a final,” Konjuh said, “but it’s not a bad way to start the season.” Konjuh’s game was plagued with mistakes. Two of her five double faults gave Davis break points, while a third gave Davis a match point.

SQUEAKY VICTORY

France won its second Hopman Cup title when Kristina Mladenovic and Richard Gasquet beat Americans CoCo Vandeweghe and Jack Sock 4-1 4-3 in the deciding mixed doubles match in the Perth, Australian, team competition. Gasquet saved a match point in the third-set tiebreaker to down Sock 6-3 5-7 7-6 (6), giving France the early lead. But Vandeweghe knotted the score by beating Mladenovic 6-4 7-5, setting up the title-winning mixed doubles. The mixed doubles was played under the Fast4 format of four-game sets, no deuces and a five-point tiebreaker when sets are tied at 3. France blanked the Americans 5-0 in the second-set tiebreak.

The French pair defeated Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the deciding mixed doubles to advance to the final.

Organizers announced that the tournament would remain in the Western Australian state capital for at least the next five years. The state government extended its contract with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Tennis Australia to host the exhibition event at the Perth Arena until at least 2022.

SUFFERING SISTERS

It was not the start of the season the Williams sisters were expecting. Serena Williams was the top seed at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, while her older sister, Venus was seeded number two. Instead of meeting in the final of the year’s first tournament, as they hoped, neither reached the third round. Venus withdrew from her second-round match with a right arm injury. Serena, frustrated by swirling winds, was shocked by fellow American Madison Brengle. “At least I can get out of these conditions,” Serena said after her 6-4 6-7 (3) 6-4 loss. “I would say it’s my least favorite conditions I’ve ever played in. Again, my opponent played in the exact same conditions. She was able to adjust better than me. I really abhorred these conditions.” In their only other meeting, Serena William had beat Brengle 6-0 6-1.

STRAIGHT IN

Alex De Minaur, a Wimbledon junior finalist last year, and 23-year-old Andre Whittington have been given wild-card entries into the men’s singles draw at the Australian Open. Other wild cards into the main draw were given to Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, Quentin Halys of France and American Michael Mmoh.

SUPER RETURN

Thanasi Kokkinakis is back – and his return is a winning one. Kokkinakis underwent shoulder surgery in December 2015 and didn’t play a match on the ATP World Tour last year. His return was successful when he teamed with fellow Australian Jordan Thompson to win the Brisbane International men’s doubles. It was the first tour-level doubles title for both men. “It’s pretty crazy,” Kokkinakis said. “I haven’t experienced that for a while. To be honest, I haven’t experienced a competitive match for a while. To go on a run like that with a mate and to beat some really quality teams, and to do it in a place like Brisbane, such a good event, as an Australian, as well, the home crowd, yeah, it’s pretty.”

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Auckland: Kiki Bertens and Johanna Larsson beat Demi Schuurs and Renata Voracova 6-2 6-2

Brisbane (men): Thanasi Kokkinakis and Jordan Thompson beat Gilles Muller and Sam Querrey 7-6 (7) 6-4

Brisbane (women): Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sania Mirza beat Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova 6-2 6-3

Chennai: Rohan Bopanna and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan beat Purav Raja and Divil Sharan 6-3 6-4

Doha: Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin beat Vasek Pospisil and Radek Stepanek 6-4 7-6 (3)

Shenzhen: Andrea Hlavackova and Peng Shuai beat Raluca Olaru and Olga Savchuck 6-1 7-5

SURFING

Sydney: www.apiainternational.com.au/

Hobart: www.hobartinternational.com.au/

Perth: http://hopmancup.com/

Melbourne: www.ausopen.com/index.html