Jerzy Janowicz produced a stunning performance to beat Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(4) 6-3, a day after his temporary coach Gunter Bresnik had a few choice words to say about the Pole’s behaviour.
It was a fascinating match at the Mercedes Cup today as Jerzy Janowicz, who is aiming to make it back into the world’s top 100 faces world number 12 Grigor Dimitrov. Although their playing styles are not similar, one thing that is similar is their wasted potential. The Bulgarian should be a grand slam champion already in many people’s eyes while Janowicz’s attitude has prevented him from being a threat in the game. The first was at tight as it can be with both players holding comfortably on serve. Jerzy’s returns were a key feature during this match and was causing the Bulgarian all sorts of problems unexpectedly. However this tight battle was evident as not even a single break point was created between the two players. As a result the first set went to a tiebreak and it was the Pole who capitalised on his opportunities the most to take the first set on a tiebreak 7-4.
The second set saw a much more open contest as the struggling Bulgarian was trying to break down the Pole’s serve in order to win the match. His best opportunity came in the seventh game when he had a plethora of break point opportunities on Janowicz’s serve. However the Pole stood firm and a number of huge serves and big forehands saved these break points with authority for a 4-3 lead. This only increased Janowicz’s belief as he broke to 15 to grab the first break of the match at a crucial time. An unforced error from the Bulgarian secured the match for Janowicz in 1 hour and 18 minutes. Jerzy Janowicz produced a solid performance for the best win of the season, he will play Benoit Paire or Peter Gojowczyk in the Quarterfinals.
Coaching Crisis Overshadows Win
Despite the win there is a coaching crisis that has overshadowed his win against Dimitrov today. At the end of last season Jerzy Janowicz sacked Kimi Tilikainen as his coach and brought in the coach of Dominic Thiem, Gunter Bresnik. However that relationship seems to have ended very quickly as in a recent interview, the Austrian spoke of Janowicz’s recent laziness, here is what he said:
“Jerzy has the potential to be in the top 10. He arguably moves the best amongst the big guys. So he was with us in Spain, Australia and Sofia however are relationship isn’t particularly strong now. He was making many excuses not to practice such a short injuries and health. He comes to a tennis tournament two days before it starts and only practices once. He is stubborn and immune to my advice and he makes you feel ignored, that’s against my philosophy. It was a week after his loss at Roland Garros and he didn’t even call me as to what I said next.”
So it seems like that relationship has faded which is a real shame as Bresnik could have added a lot to Jerzy’s game. Janowicz is temporarily teaming up with fellow Polish tennis player Michal Przysiezny in Stuttgart.
