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Enlarge PhotoFile photo of Sam Querrey of the U.S. as he poses with his trophy after... Sam Querrey left Paris with his mind in a fog, his tail between his legs and questions being asked about his attitude.A few weeks later the gloom of the French Open is fading fast and the towering American is enjoying himself on Wimbledon's lawns in Californian-type sunshine.
The 22-year-old 18th seed moved into the second round at the grasscourt slam on Tuesday when Ukrainian opponent Sergiy Stakhovsky retired injured after two sets of their match with Querrey in complete command.
Querrey, the second-tallest player on the Tour at 1.98m, gives the impression of being a rather gentle giant on court. His demeanour is calm and measured and he rarely gets excited.
That could be about to change, however, as his coach wants to see a little more outward fire and less of the inward fretting that has afflicted Querrey as recently as last month at the French Open.
After losing to fellow American Robby Ginepri at Roland Garros he said, with brutal honesty, that he was "mentally not there" and just wanted to get on the plane and go home.
The cure? Maybe some racket throwing.
"I've thought about it actually," Querrey told reporters. "I mean, my coach, David (Nainkin), said if you're gonna get angry, yell something out and smash the racket and move on to the next point. Don't carry it with you.
"If it comes to that point, I'm probably just gonna do that.
"Occasionally in practice (I do it). I guess this year, I've probably broken like two or three in practice.
"I can't really remember the specific moments. Sometimes it just needs to be done."
Querrey has a punishing first serve and hits his groundstrokes, particularly the forehand, with effortless power but until a few weeks ago was still a bit of a novice on grass.
Not now. Earlier this month he won the Queen's Club title, the traditional warm-up event that was a hunting ground for a long list of Wimbledon champions such as compatriots John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras.
Querrey still has much to learn, particularly in the volleying department, but even so he is beginning to look comfortable on the game's most intricate surface.
Worryingly for British fans desperate for a home champion, the San Francisco-based Querrey, who sent down 14 aces on Tuesday, could be a last-16 foe for fourth seed Andy Murray.
"I've just become more comfortable on grass every year," he said. "The movement is tough. But it's just more time spent on it. Now I've spent four, five months of my life on it rather than one. The only way you're going to get better is playing on it and time spent on it."
Querrey will face Croatia's Ivan Dodig next but fellow American James Blake will not be joining him in round two after losing in straight sets to Dutchman Robin Haase.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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