Kei Nishikori lifted the Memphis Open trophy for the third time in a row last week, but that was not the only memorable moment in Memphis. The second round match between Kevin Anderson and Sam Groth produced some noteworthy serving displays and a moment Groth would most likely like to forget when one of Anderson’s serve hit him where it hurts. Gary Cimperman was at the match and reports on a memorable day in Memphis for The Tennis Review.
Over fifty years ago, one of the all-time classic rock-n-roll songs was produced a mere ten miles from the Racquet Club of Memphis, site of the 2015 Memphis Open. Jerry Lee Lewis recorded the hit at the famous Sun Studio Records, just a stones throw away from the epicenter of the music world, Beale Street. It became an overnight sensation and took the world by storm. Memphis has always been a gathering place for great talent, and the annual ATP tournament there is no different.
Recently, I had the pleasure of being court-side for the 2nd round match between Sam Groth and Kevin Anderson, both of whom can serve well into the 140’s mph with ease, standing over 6’7 the both of them. I was prepared for a serving clinic, and needless to say, I was not disappointed.
Ace after ace flew by from both sides of the court. The great majority of points were over within two or three swings of the racquet. And despite more than a few errant tosses, Sam’s aggressive style of play and doubles background provided a bit of excitement on his service games, serving and volleying for most of the match. Unfortunately for Sam, his aggressive nature got the best of him as halfway through the first set, Anderson blasted a 140+ mph serve on the ad side, straight into the body, jamming Sam on the return. Whether Sam was not ready in time, or simply misjudged the ball, we will never know, but the crowd witnessed the result when Sam doubled over in pain that only a man can know. “Goodness gracious, great balls of fire,” indeed! Anderson went on to win the match 6-3, 6-3 and a guaranteed $17,320.
Following the Anderson win, a doubles match featuring the #1 seeded team of Ivan Dodig/Max Mirnyi and two up-and-coming Australians John Patrick Smith/Michael Venus. The overall favorites to win the tournament were simply too much, as Dodig and Mirnyi used their significant height advantage and blistering serves to put the Aussie team on the defensive for most of the match. Their were flashes of great play however, as Smith showed off some fantastic serving skills, pulling the Croatian team out-wide on numerous occasions. Michael Venus, following an impressive run at the Australian Open and a LSU alum, displayed very clean volley work at the net, not allowing his opponents a second look at a ball. In the end, Dodig/Mirnyi advanced the next round with a 6-3, 6-4 win.
Commentary by Gary Cimperman
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