Lets head East!!!!

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3:12Welcome to the mini-break. You'll gain profits for new big story long results and contests from the tennis world today. Wednesday, September 1st, the professional tennis world heads east as the Asian swing is now official. Underway, that means I'm a calendar this week. We've got four tour level events. You've got the 500 for the women in Singapore, a 250 for the women in Seoul as well. The men have a couple of 250's, Hung Jo, Chengdu respectively. Of course, you also have three WTA 125K's on the calendar. You've got five ATP Challenger events as well. Also, by the way, ceremonial start to a new college tennis season, the ITA All-American Main Draw, a qualifying event for this fall's NCAA individual championships. Now, officially underway, we'll be talking about that collegiate event on the great shot podcast feed this week. None of those events, though, where I want to start. Today's podcast previewing the week ahead, where I want to start, is with one of my favorite team events we have on the calendar,

4:19the closest thing we have to an all-star game on the ATP tour. We've got the ninth iteration of the Laver Cup. An event that I think has showed a greater staying power than many of us anticipated, particularly in the post-Federal Nadal Jokovic era of this Laver Cup. And I bring that particular fact up to start, because those first three seasons, even though it seemed never in doubt that Team Europe would ultimately emerge victorious, just the allure of seeing Federer, Nadal, Jokovic, Shere sideline, sometimes Sherecourt in doubles, watch them in part wisdom not only to the younger members of their team, but to one another throughout the course of a match. Those are some of the best gifts that live on, right, in the tennis social media zeitgeist. But I think it was an open question, particularly after that fourth iteration of the event in Boston, where you had no Federer, Nadal, no Jokovic, and a 14-1 Team Europe routing of Team World.

5:26And you go back and look at the roster of that 2021 iteration of the Laver Cup. Team Europe had a number two in the world, that I have number three CT-possed, number four Sverev, number five Rubelev, number seven Baratini, number ten Casper Rude. None of those men were older than 25 years old. You compare that to where we were in 2021. It's amazing to see the headline members of Team World were the two at the time ascending Canadians, Felix Ojiraliasim, Dennis Shapibalov. But there was no Fritz, there was no Paul, there was no Tiafah, who were all still spotty to that point of their career. In fact, it was right, Leopelka, number 19 in the world, who was the highest ranked American on the roster. You had another John Isner appearance. Obviously, Salkin Kerios did a lot of heavy lifting, played some marquee moments provided thrilling doubles ruppers over the years, but they were never going to threaten Medvedev, CT-poss, those Sverev. It seemed as those guys continued to ascend towards their peaks. Thus, accordingly, I think you wondered at the halfway point as we look now and get ready for the start of year 9, what would the future of this event be?

6:32Would it really be worthwhile to assemble all these stars, would they still want to do it if it was just a routing each and every year? Guess what? It hasn't been. And obviously, notably last season, Team World in... There I say the most impressive fashion. I mean, I was there. I talked about it at the time, watching Fritz beat Alcarez in straight sets after Alcarez had won the US Open. It just felt like, okay, Taylor Fritz belongs in the top 8. Like, maybe he hasn't had that signature slam run and threaten them there, but he can get this sort of win. And then, of course, he followed it up the next day by clinching the tournament 14 world with another victory over Sash's Verev, which cemented his stat... Like, again, coming out of that labor cup, you felt like you could say Fritz was the fourth best player in the world behind Sinner Alcarez, Joe Cavitual, as season. And that cementing of Stanis that consolidation of positioning like, it just felt real to beat him in that clinching scenario and get a victory over Carlos Alcarez in a year defined by Sin Caraz's dominance over every year.

7:35Of course, you also had Demon beat Sverev at that event at Demon, who obviously ends the year making back-to-back two or finals. And, you know, again, was Demon ever going to be considered Tier 1 guy? No, but you beat Sverev, you belong in the Tier 2 discussion. And all last season, there was that tier of 4 through 7, where you always said, Fritz, Sverev, Demon's name. Sometimes it would be Jack Draper in that mix. Sometimes it would be Ben Shelton, there would be others who would mix in otherwise, but you get that point more broadly, and then he kind of cemented his status in that tier. And by the way, like, despite Team Europe hypothetically having all of those aforementioned guys, Medvedev, C.C. T.Pas, Sverev, Rude, you know, many of whom we've seen constantly over the years. They also had the emergence of other stars, Carlos Alcarez, who was participated in the Svendo Gauruna, who has participated in the Svendo Yonic Sinner, who I believe has yet to participate in this event. And yet Team World's 1-3 of the last four labor cups. And, you know, again, to see some of the returning champions back, Taylor Fritz, obviously back to Pia.

8:37I mean, him and Alex Dimano are the de facto player captains of the team world side, and obviously you've had players like Shelton, and you've had Taylor Fritz, Shelton, excuse me, Shelton and T.O.F. In fact, it sucks that we're not going to have T.O.F. on this year's iteration, nor are we going to have Shelton. But it's been funny as the American men have returned to relevancy on the ATP tour. The other has been a slight pendulum swing in some of these labor cup events, and I will say again, given what this ATP tour season has looked like, when they've been healthy yet Sinner Alcarez, they are still clearly the class of the field. And Sverev has certainly done enough to elevate himself among above the rest of the pack as well. Jokovic just isn't around anymore, and so much like last season, that number four spot still feels wide open. And so to have an opportunity to watch many of the players who would be in consideration for, if not that number four spot again, the four through eight spots more broadly in that tour finals and hierarchy positioning race, a lot of them are in action.

9:47And we're going to get to see them go head to head over the course of this weekend with none insignificant stakes on the line. You're in the arena, you're watching the seriousness with which these guys compete. You see again, the four I like this, you think in particular number one, this is the event for demon to write the ship to get back on the correct track because his victory here was very last season. Again, that flipped ahead didn't flip ahead to head, but it was a moment for him in a head to head where he had severely struggled and was just he was the guy in the building in the group whose energy it felt like was lifting the tide of the rest of the field. And then Taylor Fritz was genuinely just the best player in the building last year in San Francisco in a way that amongst these peers, you just noticed certainly that much more so watching an all unfold in person. Like those guys are the headliners and I think both of them certainly leave their North American swings disappointed for demon just didn't threaten at any of the events that he played in a serious way for Fritz obviously to be up to sets to love.

10:55Lose to his labor cup compatriot Francisco Cerrandolo, but lose that match when through the first eight sets he had played. He looked like a legitimate contender for the title and certainly given it was there as the top seat in his section of the draw no center, no alcharez, no joke, which to have to theoretically contend with. I said it at the time he's the biggest disappointment probably leaves the most disappointed of anyone from New York given he was able to capitalize on that opportunity will now you're back here again. I think we will certainly see same team captain's by the way on a Andre Aguicy I am certain Andre Anguicy when he has the opportunity to deploy the Fritz is very of matchup once again he will certainly attempt to do so because. And again that's like been one of the defining rivalries sinner sincres is the defining rivalry does anything else even. Approach it in the rivalry hierarchy of the last two to three seasons I honestly think Fritz Vera would be next up on the list like there is no other rival for an alcharez there is no other rival for a sinner other than each other and.

12:02I guess joke of it certainly as well if you want to throw him in the mix here to but Fritz Vera would be high on my list and we're going to get probably see that matchup head to head again. Does Taylor Fritz look at any of the not the last two slam finals I mean he lost his air of at Wimbledon does he feel like this US open title was his to take and Zvaraf now gets to keep that trophy like again. A lot of hypotheticals here were speculating non quantifiable things but welcome to podcasting those would be the things I would be looking for it's like it's kind of the way I feel like well. I don't know if this is a fair comparison because Pat my homes at his best might still be even better than Josh Allen but certainly these last couple of years where it's like yeah everyone but Pat my homes might have these super bull trophies but I'm the best quarterback in the world now neither of them are the best in the world because the my homes in Josh Allen are. Name center and Alcharez but you get the point I'm trying to say more broadly and by the way that the sides this season Fritz demon are joined by summer sensation Brandon Nakashima big serving Sasha Buplik who feels perfect for this specific event there are no you know first of all it's a third set tie break.

13:14I'm sure that's the best thing I think. Opportunity use his serve play some doubles be amongst his most qualified peers have them on the sideline to keep him engaged keep him focused embrace all of his spot and a spontaneity and improvisational excellence I know those mean the same thing. I'm all about having I think the best of Sasha Buplik comes out in this event as well might by the way just rekindle the spark for Buplik who always opts to opt out of a lot of the North American hard court stretch which is can he be fresh for this Asian swing coming up. I'm going to get down the stretch last year he was one of the 10 best players in the world learner TN Monomeniical competitor and if I'm Andre Agassi you know who I'm facing Carlos Alcharez with learner I want learner I know demon and Fritz are the two highest ranked guys and the guys with pedigree I want learner Alcharez that's just I'm plan learner is the guy to do it I'm telling you I don't care about the.

14:15I'm weaponry advantage like learners the guy who's going to find a way in this team environment to get Carlos Alcharez moving to just keep him uncomfortable enough to see just how fit is Carlos Alcharez right now learner is the matchup obviously you're going to have him played if they if Carlos play singles twice which I would anticipate he would you're going to have Fritz and you're going to have a learner plan if I'm team captain that's my strategy going in Buplik is the matchup that makes sense or even an Akashima right because you have two massive servers your play. You're playing indoors it's a tie break third set like you figure each match might have two tie breaks against Alcharez what you're hoping for and you can take them both. Buplik is the most likely guy to get you there just by virtue of his serve I mean Akashima is server let's the whole percentage numbers right now let's look. Akashima right now by hold percentage is two four six eighth on the ATP tour just behind Carlos Alcharez. Buplik is currently 12th the percentage margin between them by the way since I know you all are curious 88 87.7 excuse me for not Kishima 86.9 for Buplik.

15:25Taylor Fritz by the way again who's clinched his body is holding survey 89.8% of the time yeah he's playing Alcharez from one. I'm just going with learner because I don't know the state of Carlos physically and I know the competitor that is learner TN and at least he would have multiple things to throw at Carlos indoors you figure going to help the MPH is on his serve. The man Brandon serving lights out like look you have actual real options. I mean but you're already throwing a big server at him in Fritz you don't want to play that same play that same card twice I'm throwing learner at him I stand by my decision I'm sticking with it. Now what sort of doubles pairings does Andre Agasi come up with here he might have to play himself in a rafter like they do not like where's Jack sock when you need him where's I mean no where's Jack sock you tell me he can't come out of retirement to give me three good sets of doubles here this weekend because. That's what we need him for again like team you a team USA team world has their shots but I'll tell you what the doubles is just going to be ugly this weekend more broadly now singles wise team Europe has all the options Alcharez there French open finalist Flavio Caboli top a player in the world in my mind and currently number nine in the points race currently what is he by overall yearly E. Los Angeles.

16:51Well yearly E. Los seventh overall E. Los seventh Rafa Houdar of course I'm alluding to makes his labor cup debut so right there like just those top three Alcharez Zverev Houdar singles wise better seasons than anyone team world can field on the singles on the opposite side of the net now how fit is Carlos Alcharez right now it's a fascinating question I imagine he will be fired up having lost a match at the end of the match. Lost a match at the labor cup last season and being the superstar of superstars at this event I mean again you're playing Carlos twice in singles for sure probably playing Zverev twice as well those there having just played Davis cup last week for Germany like just rackin up matches but I guess he always does we're seeing Houdar in singles certainly at least once by the way the other two members of this team Jakob Menschik get gets the call and then it's fascinating that Casper Rude like what's the difference between the role Casper Rude will play and the role vice captain Tim had been or captain Yanuk Noah will play the season or alternate Arthur Ferry like I don't know if it's going to be that different I'm not throwing Casper Rude out there confidently on an indoor hard court or in doubles given the state of his serve right now I do feel like he is there for the vibes for the team comrader which is an essential part of the energy.

18:20Is essential in any team environment ask any coach college level Davis cup etc but look again like Alkarez is best is still the best Zverev has been the weekend week out de facto best player in the world just because we've seen him every week I don't know the doubles the doubles is going to be ugly for both of these teams I think if the pathway for a fourth and fifth years for team world the win the three doubles like there's just not a convincing doubles pairing that you feel afraid of no matter who it is either side by the way but go in the doubles all three days I don't know he lost at the US open I don't see Carlos losing this weekend Carlos goes to and now you have to beat Zverev once you're just going to have to do it and then you can't lose to anyone else although hold are indoor hard I mean again it depends if you get to choose the matchup against hotel or that's who I'm throwing a boot look against that's who I'm throwing honestly maybe you throw fell over junior Cavalier Brandon not going to see matter off a Haudar and you just throw even though we've seen that like you throw that element into the mix as well it's going to get spicy man Haudar is a personality could only thrive in this environment I think given he's a little bit more established now I think we see more of the character of men should come out here I mean Alkarez is always fired up and then again this is what demon Fritz like I think he's going to be a little bit more established now I think we see more of the character of men should come out here I mean Alkarez is always fired up and then again this is what demon Fritz

19:48they fire up for this event I think we're going to get the best of Sasha but we can even get some noise at a brand that not Kashima the former Virginia Cavalier all American as well I'm locked in for the labor cup I do think back on home soil team Europe retakes the crown but then again it's probably more fun if team world wins it and they've won four out the last five going into labor cup number 10 Europe would have the five four lead it's in Los Angeles Indian to it dome I mean again sign me up sign me up for this weekend's labor cup we get to figure out again whether you're to a Haudar versus Fritz match up a 10 versus a caboli match up if they do throw a big server which I do like I just feel like he's going to throw boot look at Alkarez that feels like the thinking of Andre Agassi how fit how focused is Carlos right now again how frequently are going to get to see Carlos down the home stretch I think that's an open question as well we certainly will get to see

20:48him this weekend at labor cup looking forward to the action again I do anticipate team Europe retakes the crown just the juice up pop Alkarez there have I don't know if Fritz or anyone is playing well enough to knock out any of the either of those guys and if you're getting a four no singles performance from those two men you're probably walking away with the crown so I'll take team Europe I don't feel particularly patriotic in doing so in the moment but nevertheless that's where I see things as the night labor cup the 2026 iteration at the O2 arena in London ready to get set this weekend of course again we also have four tour level events on the calendar this week let's rapid fire through each of them I say rapid fire because I think I alluded to this yesterday still recovering from the flu and I'm not sure how much voice I have left I can feel I don't still want to make the edit too brutal for West off me hacking through everything he's got to cut it all. And if you didn't hear any hacking, shout out to Westoff. He did successfully cut it all.

21:50Obviously the big story in Singapore, top seed mirror, and Dreeva in play this week in Andriva, who by the way, like she's making the two or finals. She's 333 points away from qualifying for those two or finals. The biggest thing, again, unlike last season, the 19 year old furthest thing from fading down the season's home stretch. I'm Andrea the kicking her turn of it off of the two and two win over Sassinovich. And Treeva is just top a good weekend week out. Like, again, what's the bad loss, the bad loss on the Andriva counter this season? The Sinyak of a loss at Indian Wells, that's it. That's it. Like I guess Fernandez-Torano wasn't a great loss. I'm not going to say three sets around two to Kretchenkova and Wimbledon was a bad loss, particularly given she had won the French Open the Major before. Like, for 19 year old to really only have one head scratching loss. The third set, again, in Miami, six love to Wimbledon was also head scratching, but that's not a bad loss. Wimbledon's on the 10 best players in the world for the first

22:50three months of the year. She belongs at the two or finals. She's fewer than 400 points away from doing so. We will see Mirandriva reach her first two or finals at 19 years old here in 2026. By the way, the aforementioned Leyla Fernandez always looking for victories and she's got some serious points to defend from last year's home stretch. Fernandez threw to the quarter finals as well sets up a rematch with Andrea Fernandez wins over Akamura and Alicia Parks. Good win for my Hwylinska Beaton-Stramkova, Aulien Kova. She's just been looking for victory since the French Open. Now she's found them. Again, for her, she's got six months, seven months between now and next year's French Open to make the most of all the points. She accumulated with her run in Paris. The physicality is there. Can she just move the ball through the court well enough to compete with the weaponry required to sustain a top 25 or ranking weekend week out across surfaces? That's the question we're going to get to see answered, particularly

23:51over the next four or five months on the hard courts. But I think on the clay, she's always going to be good. Who else am I looking for this week? I'm always looking for Wang Xinyu, which it does, despite how good her first month was, it feels like it will be a break for our make or break All-Star. Good round one victory for her over Donna Vecchic one and two. Again, what rare moment will we get to play on her side of the world, like in better conditions that she's more accolade and two, more comfortable within one and two. Wang Xinyu over Donna Vecchic. Could she pop here in the Asian swing? Obviously, Wang Xinyu with the pace that she plays with. When she's in form, she can go gun for gun with anyone on the court. So looking forward to that. When sad, we had to see the Kretchenkova withdraw because I would love to watch her versus Mertens. But unfortunately, she was forced to withdraw. Your court of final set there, Andrea Vafonanda, as Mertens, Holinska, Alexiala, set to kick off our tournament against Tatiana Porozova. Again, unfortunately, a withdrawal already before the event.

24:52As our number two seed of Mandini, some of us forced to withdraw with a left-risk injury. Again, those are the headline players in Singapore, no shock. According to Tennis Abstrack, Mera Andriva, the favorite to capture the title. I mean, Lela Fernandez needs it most. She has serious points to defend it. I ask all of you, other than the fact that I just named her victory in Canada over Mera Andriva, what's the second most notable victory for Lela Fernandez here in 2026, Lela Fernandez, 19 and 23, overall on the year. You're just saying Madrid quarters? Beat Yovic on the way there? Not bad. Beat Iaala to make the Stuttgart quarterfinals fine. She hasn't made a semi-final this season. Not a single final for on her resume. She's not 21 anymore. She is 24 years old. Lela Fernandez is the number one and again end of last season for those that have forgotten. She wins, gets a winning Beijing, wins the title in Osaka, set my finals Hong Kong, gets a winning Tokyo as well.

25:54So there are some serious points to defend for the current world number 31. The number one on the list by far. Well, it's good to. And I think Yala three because I think there are some the most annoying people in the tennis world are waiting to start poking holes in the game of Alex Yala and her super stardom. And I'm not for that. Alex Yala is a star and she just radiates positivity. And there's real gate like again, the lefty is springy. She takes the ball on the rise. She gets outside the ball and pushes you into corners. I don't know if she has elite weaponry. I do know Alex Yala is going to be really sound for really long time. And it's fun when tennis is able to tap into otherwise. Otherwise unexplored audiences previously in Alex Yala by virtue of who she is in her background. Uniquely suited to provide exactly that for tennis to bring it to new audiences. And that's an unequivocal victory for our sport.

26:55So I'll put her three on that list just because again, every success she has keeps those people at bay even longer, which is something I think we all can enjoy. That's the action in Singapore again. That's your 500 level event for the women. They've also got the 250 this week in Seoul. Feels like an ostipanco week again in Seoul just like 250 September. No one's paying attention. This is where she racks up the points and keeps herself in the top 30. I will say I'm on Katie Valley. That's watch. Valley that's through the quarter finals with her victories this week over both. Who'd you be round one? Kali Ava, Three in Love, and the Win of Iraq, Mova, Three in Love. I got to see it in Philly. And while the service slow, like there were some 60 mile per hour meatballs being served up, everything else is so precise. And the ball she hits, her edges, as sharp as edges can be. And she just freaking fights. Like just high percentage. She's just good.

27:55And the physicality continues to improve as well. And the ball she hits is just big enough. She is a tough fucking out. I think she's getting to the finals in the bottom half of the draw here. I know obviously sorry I knocked out the number 18. You still have Russo, Burrell, Bonda, or all still alive in the section. I'm buying Katie Valley Netstock. Yes, I was there when she wanted Philly. Obviously I was biased as I got to see her at her best. I'm buying Katie Valley Netstock. I think she's through the final. Top half of the draw is fascinating to me because not only do you have Ostepanko, you've got Teenager Maya joint looking to find some post or some home stretch rhythm. You've got Tara Rudy, another talented young rising player. But most notably already through the quarterfinals and would set up a potential quarterfinal date with Ostepanko, it's the Alina Cornieva show. I've always been in. Nothing's changed. Cornieva 3 set win over Ostevo. Excuse me earlier today she also got around 1 victory over Suwanko and Straits. It's the weaponry man.

28:56It's one of those tennises the ultimate I test sport and you watch how she makes contact with the ball and is able to drive through when her feeder set it belongs at the highest levels of our sport. Her versus Ostepanko. That's tempting. By the way, if it's not Ostepanko, if it's Taylor Preston, I want to say one of the breakout stars of this 2026 season because stars feels a little hyperbolic. But obviously Taylor Preston able to make a top 100 breakthrough at the end of August. So certainly the 20 year old has made some moves here in 2026. Fun either way as you look at that action in so and so who needs it most? No one. I mean, Ostepanko. She's number one on the needs it. I'd say Maya joint too just because again despite beating Serena notably. At a major you look for Maya joint this season still overall in the year. Joined to as fallen to number 99 in the rankings. That's off of her career high of 28 back in February 13 and 22 this season. Now it's gotten a lot better, right? She got wins Wimbledon, Prague, Memphis, Toronto, Monterey, US open.

29:58Now two wins here in Seoul. So seven of her last eight events. She's gotten wins. She's got multiple wins by the way in three of those eight. Why is that relevant because she had some rough streaks earlier this season, including a stretch where she lost 10, 4, 6, 8, yeah 10 consecutive matches from the Adelaide Quarter Finals all the way through to the Makarska 125K on the clay after Roland Garros. She's doing better than that. She has found some form helps that the draws have opened up but she has found some form to keep herself in the top 100 mix. So yeah, some serious urgency for Maya joint even though by the way, Doppel's wise, Maya joint has thrived this season. She's too accordingly. I mean there's no urgency for Valinats, really no urgency for Cornie Eva. They've had their big results. I think for Valinats there's always some urgency just because Katie Valinats right now where she's sitting. She's 73 in the live ranking. It's go make a final. Go get yourself back in that top 50 push mix for the 24 year old.

31:01So I'll put her in the number three spot. That's your action at the two level on the women's side. On the men's side, getting all the top dogs are in the majority of them competing in labor couple or taking time off. In fact, you look at the points race. Eighth place to Neil Medvedev, 21st place Andre Rue blev, 26th place Thomas Maronette, 27th place, Alejandro Tepio. You got four players in the top 30 points race in action this week. Handful more inside the top 50. Most notable, I would say in Hung Jo was my number one draw just because look, if you're coming off of biggest disappointments of the North American hardcore stretch or you're putting together your list on the men's side, I think two of your top seeds in Hung Jo top seed to Neil Medvedev. Second seeded. Andre Rue blev. They'd be two of the top names on your list now. Rue blev did win the title, of course, in Bochdod post-wimble didn't, but in the states, match one loss in Canada, match two loss straight sets to Borges Cincinnati, obviously round two lost Daniel Morita, not a bad loss in the vacuum,

32:02but kind of compounds the trend that a guy who made five consecutive two or finals at the peaks of his powers is much closer to 25 in the rankings as he is currently ranked. And he is the number eight spot. You would need to get back to a two or finals. And by the way, played a ton of matches, like you look at the match count in his peaks. Oh my god. This guy who found his way of 51 matches in 2020 went 41 and 10 in the COVID shortened here. Let's not forget it. Those clay court finals he played down the stretch was Rue or Seats Pass. Might have been both. He was awesome that season. He went 51, 78, 71, 81, and 71 during that five-year stretch. I mean, again, you look for him this season, 28 and 17 overall on the year. What's the signature run for him this season? What's the signature victory? Yeah, you know, he made the final in Barcelona. He didn't have to be the top 50 player or top 25 player to get there. I think you have to keep an eye on him.

33:02And obviously, 30-year-old Daniel Medvedev, even more disappointing in the North American Heart Court stretch. First match lost to Von Dessentch, Gopin, Canada. Second match lost, Nakashima Sinci. Knocked out by Martin Dom. Match won Winston-Salem. Straight set lost to T-off on the round of 16. After I thought, again, he played one of his best matches of the season against Rinder Kineschen round number three. It's not great for Daniel Medvedev. Second consecutive season, by the way, Medvedev's hold percentage. Well, better than it was last season is not top 25 good. Again, the second serve win percentage has fallen off the cliff these last three seasons. Yeah, again, like he's just... There's a reason he's playing this week. And it's fascinating because Medvedev despite it all is currently eighth right now in the points race. He's got a 271 point lead on 9th place, Rafa Hodar. Chance to extend that lead here this week. Not insignificant given how many points are still left on the calendar. And certainly we will see Hodar and Fritz and all the others who are within...

34:04Earshot of him or within running distance of him. Try and pursue. Again, when you look at the draw this week, even with Rubelev being your two seed, Etch of area of the three. Hallease the four, but Leho the five. This should be as Shaqialaniel would say, barbecue chicken for Daniel Medvedev. He should be walking away with a 250 title on his mantle this week. There is no one in the field whose peak level should be able to threaten him. Not threaten, but should be able to knock him off if he is anywhere near good. Not at his best, just good this week. I mean we've seen Adam Walton beat him. That'll be his round one match up. I believe this is round one match up. Zheng Ji-jian, okay, big hitter, fine. Hallease could serve good forehand, fine. Like, he gains there of a push, but like, no. No. This needs to be a Daniel Medvedev week. Or I'm sorry, but it's just we're going to get to the end of 2026.

35:04And one of the big conclusions is that it's just time to knock Medvedev, even on hard courts of being that sure thing. And unfortunately, we probably tilts into the category when even if he was good in February, like you're still more surprised when he has that sort of week than when he doesn't, given where the trend lines have been over the past couple of seasons, which is again, crazy to say for a guy who's not going to turn 31 until February. Also, you look at his peak match count started in 2018, 69, 76, 38, 2020, but 76, 64, 85, 64, 66. He's racked up some matches on that body, Daniel Medvedev. Again, those are the two players with the most pressure on them. Rublev, Medvedev, Inhengzhou, best opportunity in Hengzhou. But Wildcard to the former Columbia, all American are still two-time reigning NCAA singles champion, Michael Zhang, opportunity for him to take on Blue Young Show Cat-Tag in round number one, looking forward to that battle, can boot find some momentum after obviously the massive victory over Houdar in New York.

36:09That's what I'm watching foremost closely in Hengzhou. By the way, despite the struggles, Medvedev still has 39.5% favorite here at the start of the week. Inhengzhou, of course, you've got the action where your top seed is a 250, top seed Valentin Vashiro. By the way, 1,000 points from Shanghai. I'm going to come off of his resume here shortly, Vashiro, as of this moment currently sitting at number 18 in the live rankings. You take those 1,000 points off his resume, he'd fall to 41. Let me just say, it's really freaking good. It speaks to Val Vashiro after, again, not even sniffing, like, top 100 and 2-or-level consistent, I shouldn't say not sniffing top 100, but sniffing a consistent 2-or-level lifestyle. Makes the most of his opportunity, obviously, in miraculous level last year in Shanghai. And even when you take those points away, has proven, I don't know. He is one of the 50 best players in the world. He's your top seed here this week, obviously, every point he can accumulate in the build up to losing those points massive to his resume.

37:12David Vichro Keena, your number 2 seed to be the 3-botic rallying off of his US Open Quarter Final showing he's your number 4. I mean, who needs it most? 7th seeded down a shop of all of. Again, shop of all of in a hard quarter mint is seeded below to be oh, is seeded below Botic. Like, is seeded below guys, he just should not be seeded below based on his peak performance. By the way, he could very well lose his round 1 match, he's going to take on talent Greek sport according to the Sapshrack, shop of all of a 50.8% chance, 50.8 of winning the match to Greek sports 49.2. And he looked at the shop of all of season, he was another one of those make a break all star carryovers, he's 16 and 19 and 2 were level action. Yeah, he made a Los Coppers Final. Made third round to US Open, played a good first couple of sets against Shelton. I don't know man, the serve has fallen off a cliff, like it just again, you projected him to have such extreme weaponry

38:16and to be able to dominate on his front foot and obviously unfortunately that has just not been the case. Yeah, he's a guy, this portion of the counter, go make your move. On a glass half full front like Moise Kwame, the young rising talent, he's going to get a pro level opportunity this week, the wild card Joe, he's going to get a pro level opportunity, Jerry Shung, working his way back from health, the lefty taken on fellow lefty, Adrian Manorino, and then Martin Domwatch, Martin Dom is going to face a qualifier in round number one, a potential date with big serving, who be hercotts in round number two, the urgency by the way for hercotts right now as well, he'd be number two on the list, but Dom is rising. Again, you look for Martin Dom, enters the week 105 in the live rankings, obviously you crack the top 100, but can he in the season inside the top 100 maybe even more importantly and the season inside that Australian open cut offline? I think that's certainly the thing you're watching for, if you're an American tennis fan and just a guy again big lefty, real weaponry,

39:17and he's found the requisite physicality down the stretch of this season as well. So that's what I'm watching for most closely in Chengdu, and those are your two two level events on the man inside, Hengzhou, Chengdu, Asian swing, officially underway, of course again, you also have three WTA 125Ks on the calendar this week, the one I'm watching most closely, selfishly, the action in Porto, where of course, respite liar, qualifying into the main draw, gets the win over Eric Andrew of a three and six in round number one, the reigning NCAA women singles champion, who of course just finished her career at North Carolina, her serve, her forehand, the way she plays downhill, the way she gets forward decisively, it's top 100 path, like that's what you're looking for, of she knows how to go about imposing her will against anyone. And I don't know if the weapons are good enough to do it against anyone, but the weapons are very, very good. She's in the draw, of course you've got me upon Kovah, the 2025 Junior Wimbledon champ, who I'm just fascinating by excuse me, sorry,

40:19why stuff's not gonna be able to catch that one moving forward. You know again, that of the W125Ks will be the one I'm watching most closely, selfishly, but you've got the action in Tolentino, of course as well, Maserova, Grebeer, Select Mateva, others in action this week, and then the 125K in Ankara, of course, I see Gilmert, the rising junior, Junior, she knows a senior at Georgia, I think she is a senior, which is gonna make me cry. She gets knocked down the round of 16, but good showing from the wild card in the rising senior, her teammate Denise DeLac, threw to the round of 16, she'll play tomorrow, coast of itch, yeah, plenty young rising players at the 125Ks this week, so whichever of the three you choose to tune into, don't worry, you're going to enjoy, and then of course, I might be watching the San Diego Challenge are more closely than the All Americans than anything else this week. Of course, you had some fascinating round ones from World Junior, number one, Maserov, Gregg, knocked out three and three by top seed, and returning to health in a Sheshboss of Arreby, shout out my boy Pat Maloney, straight sets of her brain and chick,

41:24qualifier, Sebastian Gorsny, Timo Lague, shout out Texas, they each get round one victories over Kruger, Malowski, respectively, my guy, Dylan Dietrich, the preseason number one player in the country, the Virginia senior, he gets a three in one win, he gets Smith, a rising junior, he gets a three set win, over Edward Winter, oh by the way, Keaton Hance, junior Australian open finalist this season, boys finalist, he gets win over Andreas Martin, darwin blanched last week's Tibberon champion, three sets, and from a set down, knocks out JJ Wolff, if you like college tennis, and you believe in those players, and I, but like Timo in the semi finals against Jack Pinington Jones, down a break in the deciding set, is as high of a level as I've ever seen from a human before, where it was just like, look, you may be up a break right now, but I promise you, you're not winning. So you better hope Duncan Chan, excuse me, Roger Paschule gets it down against Lucas Brown on court six, and by the way, Roger, Roger did get it done, but when Timo locked in, you're not hitting through his backhand win,

42:27I can promise you that, cannot wait to watch him in Colton Smith do battle, Gorsese got boiier, detrick versus Smith, the battle of teammates, how it hurts my soul, a lot of good action on the ATP challenge tour this week, because it's not just San Diego St. Tropiz, Buenos Aires, Genoa, and of course, Plove Div, all action this week to keep in mind. There's an action race, by the way, in action, Darwin Blanche, sixth in San Diego, Kwame and Chengdu, Henry Cervi in San Diego, Max Murra in Plove Div as well. That's your action this week on the ATP challenge or tour the WTA 125K level, that's your action this week to look forward to plenty on the calendar, so make sure you're locked in across levels to the tennis world this week, as no matter where you're looking no matter what time of day it is, there will be something for you to enjoy and of course, we will do our best to be back each and every day, to break down the action for all of you tennis fans the reason we can do that of course,

43:29because of the tireless support we get from our friends at the Laurel Springs School of Learn more about why they continue to rank amongst the top private online schooling options in the business, visit Laurel Springs dot com today also of course, childhood as well, the job of the first day of the summer. It kills it day in the air with that ten four-last of the winter levels spring small from oldest of a craft record, it's a capability podcast that we're craft levels that looks for us in the WTA, that's the break. Thanks everyone. Every game day you show up for your team now it's your time.

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