Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus
I would have loved to see the Kyrgios-Shapo match up....too bad. At least he's playing the right way despite the loss. His nerves got the best of him in a match that was his for the taking. Who would have thought his backhand of all shots would have let him down, twice, at the most crucial part of the match.
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To me, the two key moments that led to the loss were as follows:
At 3-0, up 30-40, he had the break on his strings with Tsonga trapped at the net but dunked his backhand.. If he hits the passing shot there and goes up 4-0 he wins the Final set 6-1 without encountering the nerves.
First point of the game serving 5-3, he hits a strong serve out wide and Tsonga blocks it back right to him. He hits a full forehand but puts it in the middle of the court which gives Tsonga time to reach it and direct it back deep to a corner. From there Shapo plays tentative and Tsonga overtakes the point and the game.
If he follows up his big serve with ripping Tsonga's return to the far corner (like he had done all match) he wins that point with a volley or open court backhand and that game might go differently. It's what he did so well all match but a clear case of what the pressure and nerves will do.
Great learning experience! He definitely impressed in his brief Aussie Opem debut.