Looking for Tennis and Racket Sports International News?

Djokovic won Eastbourne today for his 2nd title of the year by defeating Monfils 6-3, 6-4. Regrettably, I couldn't watch the match but I followed live scores and watched the highlights.

I said in my last post that if he kept improving he should win the final and I think that is exactly what he did. Monfils is a talented player and to break him three times on grass in two sets is a good effort.

Judging from the highlights and the match stats Djokovic's returns and backhand is still in good shape while he made 72% of his first serves. Another thing that occured to me this week was his net game and he was 9/12 at the net vs Monfils.

Like Djokovic's game in general, his volleys are underrated. His backhand, movement, and returns are not underrated. Everyone knows those are world class. But I think his net game, serve, forehand, and touch is underrated.

You are not going to be an all-time great on grass like Djokovic without having some net skills. He has many strengths but his volleys are an important part of his game on grass especially. He has some pretty average overheads and he can look stupid at the net but when he plays well he can also play surprisingly well at the net.

Daria Gavrilova was in a confessional mood in her post-match press conference as she attempted to process her heart-breaking loss to Petra Martic at Wimbledon.

London, UK, 5 July 2017 | AAP

Daria Gavrilova dubbed herself a Grand Slam choker after adding a despairing first-round Wimbledon defeat to her depressing run at the majors.

Little more than a month after also falling in the opening round at Roland Garros, the new Australian No.1 suffered a gut-wrenching 6-4 2-6 10-8 loss to Croatian qualifier Petra Martic.

Despite her steady rankings rise to 20th in the world, Gavrilova has won just four Grand Slam matches in her past five majors – and only one outside of Australia.

It was another tough Grand Slam main draw but Thanasi Kokkinakis pushed Juan Martin del Potro all the way before falling in a three-hour battle at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

London, UK, 5 July 2017 | Matt Trollope

Juan Martin del Potro has seen off Thanasi Kokkinakis in an entertaining four-set match to take his place in the second round at Wimbledon.

The Argentine, seeded 29th, overcame the 21-year-old Aussie 6-3 3-6 7-6(2) 6-4 to set up a meeting with Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis.

It was yet another rough Grand Slam draw for Kokkinakis, who just a few weeks ago at Roland Garros faced world No.9 Kei Nishikori in his opener and pushed the Japanese star to four sets.