we're seated for Ben Shelton. Stadium starts filling up because he's deservedly a huge draw. the drunkest, most hoggish finance boys I've ever seen sit behind us. And when they see the strokes of Shelton's opponent, they start talking shit. "He can't even hit the ball," "how old is this guy," etc
now, if you know me, or are a true sicko like me, you know about Adrian Mannarino.
I had a feeling going in that he would give Ben problems. So when the disgusting men started in about Mannarino's shitty outfit and "girl speed" serve I got so locked in. Adrian and I were now taking on everything rotten about American culture and we were going to do it one point at a time
First set, I though Ben played awesome. Had a plan, didn't overplay, really looked like he was gonna roll. Or I would have thought that, if I wasn't familiar with The Adrian Arc
Ben started to punch himself out, IMO. working way harder than the guy just bunting the ball back. And the genuine trickiness of playing Mannarino showed up, the dull rhythm, the weird depth because he's playing with a trampoline racquet. and suddenly "this guy sucks" turned to "wait a second"
by late in the fourth set it was total aesthetic victory, full capitulation. the drunks were on "he's so consistent, what do you even do against him" lol. One of the most satisying progressions of chauvinism into bewilderment I've ever seen. I was feasting.
I think the fifth set would have been a coin flip. I hate that Shelton got injured. I also think the rhythm of that match at that point was very much not in his favor and that he had some serious thinking to do if he was gonna get through it. Would have liked to see him try to solve it.
Anyway I love Adrian Mannarino and I love when people who aren't familiar with his stylings are subjected to him
Gracious in the comments as well.