Squandering a chance to improve his image - 5/1/2011

Date: 5/1/2011
Result: Madrid R1, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Nicolas Almagro, 6-1 6-3
Why it matters:
- This was to be Nicolas Almagro's big chance.  In front of his home crowd, in his nation's biggest event (rankings-wise at least, there's some argument about the prestige factor/history of the Barcelona event), Almagro was going to make a run as a newly minted top 10 player, into the quarterfinals at least with his favorable draw, and maybe even threaten Federer in the quarters or Rafa in the semis, as he put up a game fight last year.  But he just didn't show up today.  Sunday starts are always a bit awkward for the top guys, but that shouldn't be an excuse.  Almagro should recognize this as a missed opportunity and learn from it.  Look for him to bounce back in Rome.
- Tsonga continues to mystify.  Coming in without a top-10 win on the year and playing on his worst surface against a player who excels on clay, of course Tsonga was destined to win this match.  He always seems to perform best when least expected.  Unfortunately for him and the crowd a Roland Garros, the immense attention he always receives in Paris likely means that no matter how far of a run he makes in Madrid, he'll probably flop at the French.

Honorable Mentions:
- Madrid R1, Bethanie Mattek-Sands def. Ana Ivanovic - 06 64 64 - Another one of those "this is why tennis is great" matches.  When a player takes the first 6-0, it seems like it should be proof that they are far superior and ready to roll.  In hockey, soccer, or baseball, a 6-0 headstart is going to be almost impossible to overcome.  But  Mattek-Sands remembered that in tennis, a set, no matter the score, is worth one set.  And so she put the first behind her and geared up for the next two.  Ivanovic was allowed to lose this match, but not this way.  After aggravating her ab injury during Fed Cup, if she needed an event to get back into the mix, it would've been acceptable, but blowing a lead reflects that health-wise she's ok, but mentally she's still prone to collapse.  She performed well in Rome last year, and will need to again to make sure her momentum doesn't crap out again.
- Belgrade F, Novak Djokovic def. Feliciano Lopez - 76 62 - This was an ugly match, but Novak still pulled through. This is the type of effort that maintaining a winning streak requires.  He was extremely lucky that he didn't have a serious injury when he took a tumble in the second set, but his flexibility seemed to really save him when an person of average build would've had something snap.  Lopez did well to mix it up with Djokovic to make sure he couldn't get a grooved rhythm, but Lopez's game plan seemed ONLY to be mixing it up.  He didn't have a clear enough idea of how to close points when he got an opening.  But Lopez may have given some hope to those looking to challenge Djokovic during his hot streak about how to stay in the match.