Tennis in Monte Carlo! April 16

Yesterday ended sadly because of the bombing at the Boston Marathon.  We heard that all the Nantucket runners were okay and heard from Jecca and Willy that they had not gone to the city, all a relief, but so tragic for those killed, wounded and their family and friends.

However, we had a spectacular and special day.  It started out waiting for a train that was over half an hour late.  And, when it did arrive, it was the most crowded train we have ever been on.  It was like photos we have seen of Tokyo.  We could not fit in, but went on anyway.  We had nothing to hold onto. It was intense.  But, people did get off at the first stop, so I was able to go in a bit further.  

We got off at a special stop that is only used for the ATP 1000  tennis tournament at the Monte Carlo Country Club.  (mark got the tickets for about $30 each).  We had fabulous seats, especially as the stadium is small.  What a venue with the Mediterranean as a backdrop!  I don't think I ever thought I would ever be at the Monte Carlo Country Club!!!

  We saw four matches, all fun.  First, we saw Grigor Dmitrov, a Bulgarian, upset 8th seeded Janko Tipsarevic in two sets.  The first went to a tie break, but then Tipsarevic fell apart and lost the second 1-6.     

The second set pitted two Frenchmen against each other.  It went three sets, but Richard Gasquet won in the end.  (6-1, 3-6, 6-1) He beat 23 year old Benoit Paire.  Gasquet was seeded 7.  In the third set, we saw 6th seed, Jo Wilfried Tsonga take on 33 year old Russian Nikolay Davidenko.  The first set was competitive and went to a tie break, but Davidenko lost 6-2 in the second set.

Finally, we saw the most entertaining and unpredictable three set match between 5th seed Juan Martin Del Potro and Ukrainian Alex Dolgopolov.  Both had lapses of serve and confidence mixed with brilliant shot making.  Dolgolopolov stunned the crowd by beating Del Potro 6-1 in the first set. But, Del Potro took the second 4-6, but it was more competitive than the score shows.  The third set had breaks of serve and times when either appeared they could win, but Del Potro was just too strong in the end, taking the set 6-3.  

The weather was amazing.  It was in the low 70s, sunny.  We sat in the top row so that we had a nice off shore breeze on our backs.  We each had an apple, banana and small granola bar saving ourselves expensive venue food.  After a much less crowded train ride home, Mark made a cauliflower, mushroom, tomato pasta dish at around 7:30.  It was pretty much a perfect day for tennis fans like us.