Author: Mertov

US Open Men’s Preview: Anyone (non-Big 3) Ready to Step Forward?

Nuance: I am not talking only talking about “stepping forward” in the figurative sense in this piece I wrote for Tennis with an Accent on the upcoming US Open men’s competition. Can anyone get past the Big 3 and lift the trophy?

Click the link for my preview: US Open Men – Anyone Ready to Step Forward?

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“The Body Has No Limits” – Albert Portas (Parts I and II)

I spent a couple of weeks in Europe during which I got to chat plenty with Albert Portas, nicknamed the Dropshot King, former top-20 ATP player and the winner of the 2001 Hamburg Masters Series, one of the only two players to ever win a Masters Series tournament as a qualifier to this day. I put together a two-part write-up of my chats with him for Tennis with an Accent.

Prague – July 2019

In Part 1 of my piece entitled “The Body Has No Limits – Albert Portas,” you can find all the details of Albert’s magical run to the title, as well as some fascinating anecdotes from the Spaniard himself.

In Part 2 of “The Body Has No Limits – Albert Portas,” Albert tells the tale of a remarkable three-week period in the spring of 1997 that had a decisive impact in his career. Spoiler: It’s the story of how he played 22 matches (19 singles, 3 doubles) in 20 days, in three different tournaments, two different locations.

Enjoy!

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Wimbledon Semis, Federer vs Nadal: Roger Holds Down the Fort

Roger Federer needed a near-perfect performance on Friday’s semifinal match to defeat an in-form Rafael Nadal on Centre Court at Wimbledon. Read my post-match analysis on Tennis with an Accent by clicking on the link below:

For Federer, Near-Perfect is Good Enough

Federer hitting a drive backhand return in practice at Wimbledon

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Match Report, Wimbledon Semifinal: Simona Halep vs Elina Svitolina

Sometimes, it’s all in how it begins rather than how it ends. One got off the gates (only slightly) better than the other and kept riding, and riding, and riding.

Clink on the link below to read my post-match analysis on Simona Halep’s victory over Elina Svitolina in the semis of Wimbledon today on Tennis with an Accent.

Match report: Simona Halep (7) – Elina Svitolina (8)

Photo: Getty Images Europe

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Wimbledon Match Report: Jo Konta vs. Sloane Stephens

On Saturday at Wimbledon, Johanna Konta emerged victorious in an impressive comeback effort against Sloane Stephens on Court 1. My post-match analysis focuses on those sequences where she managed to turn the match around. You can read it on Tennis with an Accent by clicking on the link below:

Match report: Jo Konta – Sloane Stephens

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