Daily Bagel: Dimitrov saves two match points to beat an angry Mathieu
The Daily Bagel is your dose of the interesting reporting, writing and quipping from around the Internet.
• The ATP has closed its investigation of Malek Jaziri's withdrawals from the Montpellier Open. After speaking with Jaziri and the on-site physio, the ATP has determined Jaziri did in fact have an elbow injury. Curiously, it doesn't sound like the ATP contacted the Tunisian Tennis Federation.
• Andy Murray has no problem with Novak Djokovic:
"In reality, you can go through periods of being very tired, then get better. You can get a second wind. As the finishing line gets closer, you can feel better. If Novak feels he has something to explain, I'd be pleased to speak with him. But I don't feel he really needs to explain anything."
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
• The draw for the World Group I and World Group II playoffs is complete and the U.S. will travel to Italy in April. The big question is whether Serena and/or Venus will play. The tie will likely be held on clay, which won't disrupt anyone's clay preparation. Also of note, Canada will host Romania.
• Dominic Thiem struck this running forehand pass en route to a straight-set win over his practice partner Ernests Gulbis in Rotterdam:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/-baoIOtzgtM]
• Grigor Dimitrov saved two match points -- rather spectacularly, in fact -- to beat Paul Henri Mathieu 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 on Monday in Rotterdam. But the match had some controversy after Mathieu took issue with the umpire's decision to replay the point on a ball that Mathieu believed Dimitrov had given up on. Mathieu and Dimitrov had a calm but intense discussion on court after the match in which Dimitrov tried to explain his side of things, only for Mathieu to brush him off. Where's Tim Smyzek when you need him!
[tweet=https://twitter.com/timsmyczek/status/564917957638512640]
Here's a translation of Mathieu's comments on the situation.
• It's four months away, but Lleyton Hewitt has already been granted a wildcard into the Aegon Championships. It will be his last appearance at Queen's Club.
• An interview (in Russian) with Alisa Kleybanova.
• Sam Querrey won a free-throw contest last night at a Memphis Grizzlies game.
• Here's a video of Maria Sharapova juggling a soccer ball during Fed Cup practice:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv0OhLtuxlM]
