2023 Tennis Thread

[dash_pinched]

Well, it wasn't easy, but Leylah does hold and we need a 3rd set.

[CedarMeter]

Oh wow. She won the 2nd

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Final game sums up this match - Felix trying to break to stay in the match, up love-40, loses five points in a row. 1/13 for break points and 11 double faults, those are challenger tour numbers.

Sadly, I called it as soon as he went up 0-40 in that final game. I've seen it many times this year and could tell that he was going to gift it right back just by the way he was carrying himself.

At this point, if FAA doesn't do something in terms of clearing out his team you really have to wonder what his motivations are. He's won something like 1 match since May and is having one of the worst seasons on tour of anyone in the top 50.

We've seen tail spins but to be losing to players like Michael Mmoh and Mackenzie Macdonald in the first round of slams should be panic station with nothing off the table in terms of approach, tactics, coaching.

[Hot_Flatus]

And just like that, Andreescu is out of another tournament due to injury. At this point what do you even say?

I would find it incredibly hard to see any chance that she gets herself back into top form if she's continuing to be unable to string together any significant healthy play. She should seriously consider shutting it down until the Aussie Open and try to get her body right. It may be the last kick at the can for her as you can imagine this kind of thing is taxing.

[dash_pinched]

Alexandrova had a break point for a 4-0 lead in set 3. It's 3-3 as I type.

Edit: Leylah breaks and is serving at 4-3 in set 3. This has been a roller-coaster of a match.

[dash_pinched]

I hope that missed swinging volley doesn't come back to haunt Leylah.

Edit: The match totally turned on that point - If she lets it bounce and puts it away, she has a game point to go up 5-3. Hey, Rebecca Marino is the lone Canadian left in singles, how are you enjoying the US Open thus far?

[Senator Clay Davis]

I will reiterate how great it is that Bianca cashed in that major, and even better she beat Serena in New York to do it. Almost makes up for how brutally disappointing the rest of the "golden era" of Canadian tennis has been, and how hopeless things once again look.

[dash_pinched]

The only thing I'm clinging to is that our Canadians are still young and there is time to make adjustments to improve their chances. That said, with players like Swiatek, Rybakina, and Sabalenka, it's going to be tough to have a chance to compete for a slam. On the men's side, who knows how long Novak will continue to play (could easily be another three years) and he and Charlie have a sizable gap over the rest of the men's field.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I will reiterate how great it is that Bianca cashed in that major, and even better she beat Serena in New York to do it. Almost makes up for how brutally disappointing the rest of the "golden era" of Canadian tennis has been, and how hopeless things once again look.

That was an incredible moment and as you say, thank God she cashed in and finished the job. Because it's obvious how much harder it is to sustain excellence vs. going on a great run. Maybe Bianca has another run in her but for now, it's evidence of just how hard it is to have the mental strength and physical tools and discipline to excel over a period of time.

[Erick Estrada]

This year has been as bad as you could have imagined for Canadian tennis. Felix and Shapo falling off a cliff and Bianca and Fernandez treading water. I have to imagine that both men will rebound to an extent next year. At the beginning of the year I thought Felix was on the verge of making a grand slam run but now I’m not so sure he’s got it in him. He’s still got time but he needs to make some changes in what he’s doing.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

This year has been as bad as you could have imagined for Canadian tennis. Felix and Shapo falling off a cliff and Bianca and Fernandez treading water. I have to imagine that both men will rebound to an extent next year. At the beginning of the year I thought Felix was on the verge of making a grand slam run but now I’m not so sure he’s got it in him. He’s still got time but he needs to make some changes in what he’s doing.

I would agree with this for Shapo as his game just doesn't have the required tools to beat, or even compete with Grand Slam finalists or semi finalists. FAA is a much more confusing situation. If he wasn't constantly self imploding and beating himself with poor shot selection and unforced errors, he could absolutely get into the conversation. I'm not sure I've ever seen a player with his tools hit so many neutral balls long or out of play consistently as he does and this leads me to believe a better coach and fresh tactics and hard work can still get him where he needs to be.

I think we just need to be happy at the prospect of have 3-5 players across the ladies and mens tours that are relevant and at least able to play at a top 20 level for stretches. Compared to where things were at 10-12 years ago, it is still light years ahead and will continue to breed more success down the development pipeline.

[CedarMeter]

Who’s on Ashe tonight?

[dash_pinched]

Well, I can still root on Stan the Man (oldest guy to win at the US Open since 1992

/A guy named Jimmy Connors

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by CedarMeter

Who’s on Ashe tonight?

Venus was, but she's about to go out to Greet Minnen. Charlie should be up shortly.

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1696685958853202302

[Inglewood Jack]

Carlos pre-match

[Inglewood Jack]

Koepfer kit

[dash_pinched]

The early match of the day could be Mirra Andreeva vs. Coco Gauff.

[dash_pinched]

Stricker up a set over Oikos.

[cam_calderon]

Back on serve now after Yoghurt broke in the second set.