There are lots of images/GIFS in ‘The Racquet’ so it may take a while to load depending on your wifi/4g. I promise it’s worth it 😅.

NO SPOILERS 🎥

If you don't want to see the results yet, and want to catch up with the highlights first, stop scrolling now. (If these links have been taken down, tap the ‘view in browser’ button at the top of this email and there should be updated links):

Murray 🎥 Medvedev (Brisbane)

Kyrgios 🎥 Chardy (Brisbane)

Dimitrov 🎥 Millman (Brisbane)

Nishikori 🎥 Kudla (Brisbane)

Djokovic 🎥 Fucsovics (Doha)

Basilashvili 🎥 Rublev (Doha)

Jarry 🎥 Wawrinka (Doha)

RESULTS 🎾

💥 = Beatdown \\ 🤕 = Injury \\ ‼️ = Upset

Brisbane 🇦🇺

(ATP 250 - Hard)

Medvedev d Murray: 7-5, 6-2

A brilliant performance from Medvedev, who looks to be picking up in 2019 where he left off last year, on an excellent run of hard court form. Murray looked a little sluggish footwork and timing wise, finding it hard to hit the ball as cleanly as he had done vs Duckworth yesterday. This is entirely understandable given how short of match play Andy is at the moment, but also shouldn’t detract from how impressive Medvedev was today. The Russian comprehensively picked Murray’s 2nd serve apart, winning 14/21 or 67% of 2nd serve return points over the course of two sets. Medvedev’s flat, yet impressively consistent, groundstrokes constantly rushed Murray’s shot selection, making the 3 time slam winner look quite flat-footed for large portions of the match. Medvedev’s serve also looks to have benefited from some off-season work, blasting 16 aces and winning 65% of his 2nd serve points. These kinds of numbers, against a returner as good as Murray, should make the Russian particularly happy. Especially because if there was one thing Medvedev’s game needed, it would be more free points. As for Murray, this week should still be considered a success. At his best, he would relish, and thrive in, the matchup with Medvedev. But it’s still very early days for Andy.

Chardy d Kyrgios: 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3 ❗️

Largely listless loss for Kyrgios, who seemed to completely check out of the match after going down a break in the 2nd set. Both guys played a very good quality first set, dominating their respective service games (Kyrgios won 25/25 1st serve points and Chardy 23/25), and had to be separated by a tiebreaker. Similar to his match yesterday vs Harrison, Kyrgios managed to find a rare patch of good form on return, during a couple of Chardy service points, and the Aussie took a one set lead. Unlike yesterday though, Kyrgios’s serve couldn’t get him out of trouble as the match wore on. Nick served a measly (by his standards) 5 aces in the 2nd and 3rd sets (13 overall vs Chardy’s 17), and this exposed his non-existent return game to stand unprotected up to scrutiny. The result was not pretty: Kyrgios won just 9/46 points (19%) on return in the final two sets (two of which were Chardy double faults) as the Aussie basically sat back and stopped trying. Chardy, to his credit, was serving plenty of bombs that would have been hard to return even if he was facing an engaged opponent. Good win for Chardy, more questions raised about Kyrgios’s fitness and motivation.

Dimitrov d Millman: 6-3, 6-4

A tale of two different sets, even if the match ended in routine fashion in Dimitrov’s favour. The first set saw a much improved serving performance from Grigor (vs his previous Rd), winning 12/14 1st serve points, but importantly 8/13 or 62% on 2nd serve. Thanks to these numbers, Dimitrov faced zero break points and looked very comfortable in the early exchanges, dominating rallies with some fantastic forehands. Some good returning, especially off Millman first serves (Millman won just 9/18 1st serve points), put Grigor firmly in charge of the match with a one set lead. The 2nd set however, featured some of the same old Dimitrov problems on 2nd serve, winning just 5/15 points (33%), and facing 4 break points as a result (saving 2). Thankfully for Grigor, his return game was sufficiently good today that he managed to break Millman 3 times to finish the 2nd set with quite a straightforward scoreline. Overall some encouraging signs today from Dimitrov (his forehand was incredible all match), even if the same old demons tried their hardest to ruin the party.

Nishikori d Kudla: 7-5, 6-2

Great first match of 2019 for Kei. Hitting the ball very cleanly and finishing the match with a 2:1 winners to unforced errors ratio. Serve also looked slightly bigger than usual which hopefully means that troublesome wrist is feeling good.

De Minaur d Thompson : 6-4, 6-2

Raonic d Kecmanovic : 6-3, 7-6(2)

Uchiyama d Edmund: 7-6(6), 6-4 ‼️

Doha 🇶🇦

(ATP 250 - Hard)

Wawrinka d Jarry: 6-4, 7-6(3)

Another very solid win for Wawrinka, who didn’t face a single break point and continues to look streets ahead of where he was during his stop-and-start comeback in 2018. Jarry also continues to improve, and the Chilean’s big point play was impressive today, saving 5/6 break points with some clutch tennis. Stan had a slight wobble on his 1st serve % in the 2nd set, dropping from 60% in the opener to 42% in the second. That aside, Wawrinka served really well, winning 28/30 points on 1st serve, and an equally impressive 65% on 2nd serve. A tense 2nd set tiebreaker was decided by a mixture of great serving (Stan converting MP on an ace) and some gritty defence from Wawrinka at 4*-2. Jarry dominated the point and looked set to grab the mini-break back, but a failure to follow a huge forehand into the net undid the Chilean, and Wawrinka weathered the short-lived storm to close out the match.

— This is a problem the vast majority of the tour currently have against the best players. They consistently refuse to follow big groundstrokes into the net and take time away from those who defend so well. This was the most important point of the match. Jarry (this end) needed to take time away from Stan and follow the big forehand (his first shot in this GIF) in to the net. He doesn’t, and therefore lost all the advantage that such a great forehand gave him. Here is Fucsovics showing him how it’s done vs Djokovic today:

Djokovic d Fucsovics: 4-6, 6-4, 6-1

Fucsovics played an exceptionally impressive first set, featuring high-margin, aggressive tennis, and, as above, bold net play to take time away from Djokovic. Multiple backhand errors from Novak, while serving at 4-4, set up the first break opportunities for Fucsovics, slightly out of nowhere. But Djokovic responded with some ludicrously good defence to get back to deuce. A Djokosmash then set up another BP opportunity for Fucsovics, and this time the Hungarian took it with a huge forehand that forced an error from Djokovic. Fucsovics calmly served out the set to love, and took a surprise lead. Aside from those few uncharacteristic backhand errors, Djokovic played at a high level and put in a solid serving performance (76% 1st serve in and 71% of 2nd serve points won). The second set started in similar fashion, with Fucsovics still red-lining his game. More opportunities came Fucsovics’s way with Djokovic serving at 2-2. The Hungarian got to 0-30 before he was reeled back in by some sublime Djokovic baseline play. 20+ shot rallies suddenly became the norm for a period of gloriously combative and entertaining games. Djokovic started to make moves with some better depth, but Fucsovics came through three tough service games in a row with more big serves and crushing forehands. Finally, after Novak set up a couple of set points with Fucsovics serving at 4*-5, the Hungarian faltered. Down set point, he erroneously challenged a Djokovic ball (mid-rally) that ended up scraping the baseline by a millimetre. At long last a mistake from the, up until that point, near-perfect Fucsovics. Djokovic’s mental strength and resolve to stay engaged in the face of such a tough opponent, was flawless as usual, and the third set ended as a predictable washout after Fucsovics ran out of steam. A dominant Novak romped home (aside from a random donation of serve) for an impressive, if hard fought, win.

Berdych d Verdasco: 4-6, 6-3, 7-5

Basilashvili d Rublev : 6-3, 6-4

Bautista Agut d Garcia-Lopez : 6-1, 6-4

Lajovic d Berankis : 7-6(4), 0-6, 7-5

Cecchinato d Pella: W/O

Herbert d Marterer: 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(6)

Pune 🇮🇳

(ATP 250 - Hard)

Anderson d Djere : 7-6(3), 7-6(6)

Gulbis d Chung : 7-6(2), 6-2 ❗️

Karlovic d Donskoy : 6-4, 7-5

Simon d Ivashka : 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-1

Paire d Vesely : 6-4, 6-2

Darcis d Mmoh : 4-6, 7-6(4)

Munar d Bolelli: 7-5, 6-0

Hopman Cup 🇦🇺

(Exhibition - Hard)

Germany d France: 2-1

🇩🇪 A. Zverev d Pouille 🇫🇷 : 6-3 6-7(8) 6-2

🇫🇷 Cornet/Pouille d Kerber/Zverev 🇩🇪: 4-3(4) 4-3(3)

Australia d Spain: 2-1

🇪🇸 Ferrer d Ebden 🇦🇺: 7-6(1) 7-5

🇦🇺 Barty/Ebden d Muguruza/Ferrer: 3-4(3) 4-3 4-3(3)

SHOTS OF THE DAY 😮

— Flat as a pancake backhand down the line from Medvedev (vs Murray).

— Shots like this perfectly demonstrate how underrated Medvedev’s shotmaking is. This forehand, squash shot had a crazy amount of power on it. And it’s not like Murray didn’t hit his backhand down the line well.

— Dimitrov’s forehand was clicking today (vs Millman).

— Fucsovics was SO impressive today. His forehand in particular pushed Djokovic around more than most have been able to for the past 6 months.

— Some stunning 20+ rallies (too long to GIF).

Novak setting up two set points in the 2nd set. Brilliant angle off such a deep ball.

— More heavy forehands from Fucsovics.

— Verdasco getting in on the ‘ridiculously good forehand’ party (vs Berdych).

— And Berdych too. 🔥

— It is so good to see Berdych playing confident (and healthy) tennis again. Fantastic backhand pass.

— The avg. net clearance of both players in this point was 0.2mm. Slapping the fuzz off the yellow spheroid. (Rublev this end vs Basilashvili far end).

INTERVIEW & PRESS BEST BITS 🎤

Nadal withdraws from Brisbane with a left thigh strain:

“I did an MRI and it shows a small strain on my left thigh. I tried to play, I wanted to play, but recommendations from the doctors (were otherwise).” “It's a small thing that can become a much bigger... when you compete the intensity on the muscle it can get worse. I feel better than I did four days ago... It's a risk to damage my body for one month if I play here.” “You can't imagine how sad I am to be here in front of (you all) having to announce that.” Source

Nadal still plans to play the Australian Open.

Kyrgios after his loss to Chardy:

“I think I just fell down for me in the offseason when I didn't really hit much. It's tough to come back & play this level of tennis not really hitting & getting my iron from the back of the court at all. Every time I have a rally it feels foreign & dunno what I'm doing.” Source

Nishikori after beating Kudla:

“I'm feeling great and happy to be healthy again.” Source

Kyrgios on dropping out of the Top 50:

“I honestly could not care less.” Source

Djokovic after coming through a tough match vs Fucsovics:

“For the first two sets he was the better player. He played really well. Smart and changing up the rhythm, pace of the ball and moving me around. I was in a corner and I had to find my way and fight my way through.” (On Court Interview)

ORDER OF PLAY - THURSDAY ⏰

Match to watch = 🔥

BRISBANE

— (PR Arena @ 11am Local, 1am UK, 7pm CT) —

🇫🇷 Tsonga vs Daniel 🇯🇵 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: Tsonga in 2

🇫🇷 Chardy vs Uchiyama 🇯🇵 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: Chardy in 3

— NB 7pm Local, 9am UK, 3am CT —

🇯🇵 Nishikori vs Dimitrov 🇧🇬 (H2H: 4-1) (Hard H2H: 3-1) 🔥

Prediction: Nishikori in 3

DOHA

— (Centre Court @ 3:30pm Local, 12:30pm UK, 6:30am CT) —

🇨🇭Wawrinka vs Bautista Agut 🇨🇱 (H2H: 1-0) (Hard H2H: 1-0) 🔥

Prediction: Wawrinka in 3

🇷🇸 Djokovic vs Basilashvili 🇬🇪 (H2H:1-0) (1st Meeting on HC ) 🔥

Prediction: Djokovic in 2

🇨🇿 Berdych vs Herbert 🇫🇷 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: Berdych in 3 (if he recovers in time)

🇮🇹 Cecchinato vs Lajovic 🇷🇸 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: Cecchinato in 3

PUNE

— (Centre Court @ 3pm Local, 10:30am UK, 4:30am CT) —

🇰🇷 Karlovic vs Gulbis 🇱🇻 (H2H: 0-3) (Hard H2H: 0-2) 🔥

Prediction: Gulbis in 3

🇹🇳 Jaziri vs Darcis 🇧🇪 (H2H: 0-2) (Hard H2H: 0-2)

Prediction: Jaziri in 3

🇿🇦 Anderson vs Munar 🇪🇸 (1st Meeting)

Prediction: Anderson in 2

🇫🇷 Simon vs Paire 🇫🇷 (H2H: 5-3) (Hard H2H: 2-3) 🔥

Prediction: Simon in 3

HOPMAN CUP

— (Centre Court @ 10am Perth, 2am UK, 8pm CT) —

🇺🇸 Tiafoe vs Norrie 🇬🇧(1st Meeting)

Prediction: Tiafoe in 3

🇺🇸 S. Williams/F. Tiafoe vs Boulter/Norrie 🇬🇧

Prediction: Williams/Tiafoe

— (Centre Court @ 5:30pm Perth, 10:30am UK, 4:30am CT) —

🇨🇭 Federer vs Tsitsipas 🇬🇷(1st Meeting) 🔥

Prediction: Federer in 2

🇨🇭 Bencic/Federer vs Sakkari/Tsitsipas 🇬🇷

Prediction: Bencic/Federer

EXTRAS 🔍📊🎤

📊 Nadal has now withdrawn from 14 of his last 17 official hard courts events.

Matt: It was interesting to see a few tennis journalists jump on the news, of Rafa’s withdrawal from Brisbane, and attempt to spin it in a negative light. It’s rather confusing to me why anyone would look at Nadal's recent hard court withdrawals and retirements with anything other than sympathy. The guy is clamouring to get fit and play more tennis (which makes sense given his success on all three surfaces last season):

A few back and forths on Twitter showed me that there are large groups of people who believe that Nadal withdrawing from tournaments is bad sportsmanship, and is merely an attempt by him to project the image that he wants to play hard court events, when he has little intention of actually doing so. To this I would say: which is more likely? That Nadal is overly optimistic about his health when returning from injury, and so sometimes (earnestly) enters draws that he should not? Or that Nadal is trying to elaborately fool the world about his scheduling intentions? It feels about time that fans start taking these players at their word when it comes to their own health, rather than coming up with tenuous conspiracy theories (lord knows we have enough of these in the various tennis fandoms). Whether it’s Federer skipping the clay season in advance (which he has also caught flak for), or Nadal struggling to get fit for a surface which he has had consistent problems and pain with/on. Both athletes have earned the courtesy of respect from tennis fans.

📊 After losing today, Kyrgios will drop out of the top 50 for the first time since 2014. That is going to be a nasty unseeded banana skin for someone at the Australian Open.

🎥 Side by side of the Jarry - Fucsovics comparison. Left (not following in the big groundstroke) = certain death vs the very best.

NEW BALLS PLEASE 👀

— Kaomi Oshikori.

Credit to @seiadoumogera

— The Australian Open draw when the unseeded Wawrinka, Kyrgios, Murray and Berdych all somehow find their way into the same quarter.

These daily Recaps are usually only for paid subscribers (Free = weekly, Paid = daily for Slams, Masters and some 500’s). This week is a special ‘free week’, but to keep getting them through the Australian Open, you’ll need to subscribe below. The first month is free (normally $5/month) so you can see if it’s worth the💰 before committing:

Subscribe - first month FREE

GAME, SET, MATCH 👋

— The Racquet is created, and written, by Matt.

— You can find me on Twitter here.

See you tomorrow for Day 4 of Brisbane, Doha, Pune & more Hopman Cup.

Banner Image Source: Brisbane Tennis Twitter