Category Archives: Features

Rules are made to be broken and other thoughts from quarter-final day one

Posted on January 25, 2012 by

Rules are made to be broken I’ll probably come across as a complete curmudgeon for focussing on the negatives after such an enjoyable match, but Rafael Nadal’s four set victory over Tomas Berdych once again proved what a joke basic … Continue reading →

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The future is now: Australian Open day five

Posted on January 20, 2012 by

Nine days into the Australian Open and I’ve officially succumbed to time-zone induced ADD. Last night, five set matches were just too much for me. I delved in and out of several and by the time I found one captivating … Continue reading →

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Incompetent Kader, demented Dave and breaking with Baggy: Reflections on a crazy day 3

Posted on January 18, 2012 by

Incompetent Kader and Demented Dave I think I need therapy. As a long-time Davd Nalbandian fan you’d think I’d be used to him blowing matches he has no right to lose but it doesn’t get any easier. That disgusting officiating played … Continue reading →

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“Miracle Matteo” and other thoughts from the Australian Open qualifiers

Posted on January 14, 2012 by

Miracle Matteo When Matteo Viola trailed Dusan Lajovic 5-0 and 40-0* in the third set of his first round qualifying match in Melbourne, a place in the main draw must have seemed light years away. With seemingly no way back, … Continue reading →

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Australian Open 2012: Thoughts on the qualifying draw

Posted on January 10, 2012 by

The slumming slam finalists Eleven years ago, Frenchman Arnaud Clement came back from the dead to beat compatriot Sebastien Grosjean in five sets and reach his lone slam final. He was destroyed by Andre Agassi in straight sets but it … Continue reading →

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Tennis Ireland: 2011 season in review

Posted on January 1, 2012 by

2011 was a stunning year for Irish tennis with the sport gaining unprecedented levels of coverage in the mainstream media. Much of this was down to the exploits of Conor Niland who fought through qualifying to reach the main draws … Continue reading →

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First title club 2012

Posted on December 29, 2011 by

Ten players picked up their first titles in 2011. Some such as Janko Tipsarevic, Andreas Seppi and Florian Mayer were long overdue. Others came out of nowhere with Ryan Sweeting, Ivan Dodig and Milos Raonic among those who picked up … Continue reading →

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“What is Gasquet” and the search engine hits of the year

Posted on December 14, 2011 by

My ten favourite search engine hits on Shank Tennis in 2011. 10.  “what is Gasquet” Any takers? I don’t know where to start. 9. “any given Sunday” For the simple fact I find it amusing that this nonsensical title generated … Continue reading →

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The biggest upsets of 2011

Posted on December 9, 2011 by

According to the ATP website, Milos Raonic beating Fernando Verdasco in the San Jose final was one of the top five upsets of the year. Ridiculous. It was barely in Fernando Verdasco’s top five upsets. Anyway, it inspired me to … Continue reading →

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Some stats on a static season

Posted on December 7, 2011 by

Spain’s Davis Cup final victory against Argentina last weekend finally brought the 2011 tennis season to a close. The fact that the pre-tournament favourite and perennial powerhouse ran out the winner was entirely in keeping with the rest of the … Continue reading →

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