The Tennis Thread - Part 4

[raisethe3]

Agreed.

Strange how varied her performances can be. Got to be more consistent IMO to be regarded as one of the best. Hope she achieves that over the next few years.

Anyone wants to place bets on Halep vs Wozniacki match? Both women are in search for their first grand slam title. I really like Wozzy to win it. But again, she's known to come up short or doesn't rise to the occasion.

Simona on the other hand is no easy walk over. This girl can fight. As evident, 15-13 in the third set of 3rd round and 9-7 in the semi-final.

Believe me, both of these women at least deserve a GS title. No doubt about it. But for now, I think we all know that this could be the best chance for Wozniacki to capture a grand slam. As for Simona, I believe she will more chances in the future as she continues to develop and hone her game.

 

[Saitou Hajime]

Holy ****, what a match, and a hell of a way to win your first grand slam. Congrats to Caroline. Sucks for Simona though.

 

[raisethe3]

Saw the highlights, just wow. Congrats to Wozzy. Very happy for her at the same time sad for Simona.

 

[Kev4000]

Wozniacki-Haters finally cant call her slamless #1.

 

[raisethe3]

Wozniacki-Haters finally cant call her slamless #1.

That's true!

 

[Blitzkrieg]

 

[DarthSkywalker]

20 for the GOAT!!!!

God that was tense. Worth being up for though. Most definitely.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Fedex wins his 20th Grand Slam. He is nao level with Djokovic (at 6 each) for most no. of Australian Open titles.

He can also reclaim the No.1 ranking as he is just 155 points behind Rafa. Amazing achievement for my favorite sportsperson and my childhood idol.

 

[raisethe3]

Congrats Fed!

 

[Iceman]

Fed is a monster!

 

[raisethe3]

Man Nadal, he's virtually unstoppable on clay this season. Congrats to his 11th Barcelona title. Unbeaten in 46 sets on clay so far. Ridiculous, especially at the age of 31. I should say, he's not the King of Clay, but an Emperor of Clay.

 

[Breogan]

Fed's rise back to undisputed dominance has been spectacular.
Although he's skipping the clay season again, who can blame him (he's got 1, does he need another?).
Nada'ls climb back to #1 has also been phenomenal and as usual he's crushing the start of the clay season.
Wonder if he can hold out through an 11th French and have something left for Wimbledon?

Both these guys should have been past their prime, by previous standards. And have set a new bar.

Curious to see if/when Djokovic can make a similar climb back?

 

[Bim]

Curious to see if/when Djokovic can make a similar climb back?

I'm not a huge Novak fan, but i hope he does. I think he has a lot of tennis left in him, and it would be a shame if he cant get back to winning those big matches. I saw a glimmer of hope in Rome in the first set against Rafa. He looks so skinny to me now, i mean he's never had huge muscles or anything like that, but i think gaining a few pounds now would help him. He looks unwell to me.

What a comeback in the third set from Rafa in Rome yesterday! Let's see what happens at the French Open. Nadal is the clear favorite, but i do think there's a few guys out there who could have good runs and threaten Rafa's quest, like Thiem (biggest threat to Nadal currently imo), Zverev, Fognini (has a solid clay game), Djokovic (if he continues to pull it together, which i think he is), Del Potro (he's up in the air atm though, cause of injury).

Who do you guys consider contenders for the French?

 

[Breogan]

^Agree.
Just looking at the draw now, a few observations.
I think A. Zvreve might be the one who will (has been building up) to challenge Nadal at the French.
He's currently moved up to #3 slot and with Fed a no-show, he's #2 in this tournament and puts him at the opposite end of the draw to challenge #1 Nadal.

He's bested Nadal on clay before, and at just 21 only getting better against the "aging lol 31" Nadal, and more and more familiar with his game, it's bound to happen, could be here.
I think Rafa's clay top-spin that sends the ball hi and difficult for most, becomes useless against the 6'6' Zverev, and instead places it comfortably for him to return.
So Nadal (old dog) has got to learn a difficult new trick if he wants to keep on top of Zvreve, not easy.

The other as you indicate is Thiem who knocked Nadal out at the Italian.
I think it's insane Nadal insists on playing all the clay (although they are his favorite) tournaments, and expects to have anything left at the French.
Luckily for Nadal both Thiem and Zvreve are on the same side of the draw, so at best one has to eliminate the other.
On the other hand, on Nadal's side are Delpo, who in good form could challenge, and as you indicate Djokovic.

As far a Djokovic's anticipated come back, while I expect he'll do well enough here, he's still building back, my guess it will happen either on grass on more likely the hard court season where Nadal wanes and Djokovic might get back on top of a slam, of course then he'll have to get through Fed.

Either way just guesses, looking forward to it.

 

[Breogan]

Love the opening kids day, brings out the legit palling around and camaraderie, despite upcoming intense rivalry on court.

So far:
A.Zverev off to a powerful 6-1 6-1 6-2 start.
Djokovic off to a strong start against Dutra Silva
up next Nadal swaps Dolgopolov(who dropped out?) for the moved up Bolelli(can't tell is that lucky for Bolelli or not?)

 

[Iceman]

Cecchinato knocks out Djok!

 

[Loden Greatstorm]

Rafa about to claim his 11th French Open. Simply insane.

 

[Iceman]

Muguruza thrashes Sharapova who only wins 3 games.

 

[Iceman]

Rafa about to claim his 11th French Open. Simply insane.

The man is a beast.

Losing 4-6 2-3 to Schwartzman at the moment but hopefully he'll come back like he usually does.

 

[Iceman]

Nadal makes it through in the end.

Muguruza Vs Halep now. She's dropped the first 2 games.

 

[Iceman]

5-0 now. She's collapsing again on the big occassion.

 

[Breogan]

The man is a beast.

Losing 4-6 2-3 to Schwartzman at the moment but hopefully he'll come back like he usually does.

Comes back to crush it 6-3 6-2 6-2, LOL I guess he just needed a little siesta.

And sets up a great semifinal against Delpo, also in great shape.
Can't wait I love rooting for both those guys.

The big surprise here is Cecchinato, beat Djok, now against Thiem.
Did not see that coming.

 

[Iceman]

Muguruza goes out 6-1 6-4

Like the post at the top of the page, just too inconsistent when it really counts.

 

[Iceman]

Comes back to crush it 6-3 6-2 6-2, LOL I guess he just needed a little siesta.

And sets up a great semifinal against Delpo, also in great shape.
Can't wait I love rooting for both those guys.

The big surprise here is Cecchinato, beat Djok, now against Thiem.
Did not see that coming.

Yeah I’m a fan of Del Potro too. Glad one of them will be in the final. Cecchinato is doing amazingly.

 

[Breogan]

Yeah I’m a fan of Del Potro too. Glad one of them will be in the final. Cecchinato is doing amazingly.

Thiem put the breaks on Cecchinato's run, and is through to the final.

DelPo when focused delivers power that leaves even Nadal standing still.
Yet looks like DelPo is faltering here, and we will get a Nadal x Thiem finals rematch.