2022 Tennis Thread

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Shapo is mired in the worst slump of his career at the moment as he loses to Tommy Paul at Queen's Club.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1537078763804147712

After the impressive start to the season he had, it's pretty shocking to see the massive ups and downs in his game continue this season. He's been awful since the US swing, but has somehow managed to knock of some huge names in between terrible losses.

At this point I think Shapo has arrived at what he is - a wildly inconsistent player that won't be able to hit the top 10 level with consistent, reliable play. Don't get me wrong, he's a fun player to watch but Felix is definitely the one to pin Canadian Grand Slam winning hopes on in this generation based on everything i've seen from the two the last couple of seasons. At least with FAA you can see the growth in terms of commitment to playing a style that allows you to stay in matches against a variety of players.

[dash_pinched]

Kyrgios breaks and is serving for the match at 5-4 in set 3.

Edit: Serves it out to love.

Edit 2: High quality match, Tsitsipas actually had more winners (41 to 36) and unforced errors were 18 to 17 with Stef leading that category as well.

[dash_pinched]

Next up is Felix versus Mackenzie McDonald. Let's go FAA!

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

After the impressive start to the season he had, it's pretty shocking to see the massive ups and downs in his game continue this season. He's been awful since the US swing, but has somehow managed to knock of some huge names in between terrible losses.

At this point I think Shapo has arrived at what he is - a wildly inconsistent player that won't be able to hit the top 10 level with consistent, reliable play. Don't get me wrong, he's a fun player to watch but Felix is definitely the one to pin Canadian Grand Slam winning hopes on in this generation based on everything i've seen from the two the last couple of seasons. At least with FAA you can see the growth in terms of commitment to playing a style that allows you to stay in matches against a variety of players.

When Youzhny was on board, you could see the improvements being made in Shapo's game (better return of serve and shot selection being the main improvements). Now I see a player that seems to just be going through the motions and quite honestly looks bored out on court. I just don't see a fire right now and willingness to dig deep and find a way to win when things aren't going his way. Contrast that to Felix who is finding ways to win matches and is pushing the top players to bring out their best tennis at grand slam tournaments.

[dash_pinched]

What a game just now, Felix hit 6 aces to hold, serve obviously working great, rest of the game not so much.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Felix has completely ####ed up this tie break. There's simply no excuse for this kind of crap from a top 10 player. Mi####s, completely unnecessary unforced errors with all the time in the world... his opponent just gifted him another chance which is lucky.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Felix has completely ####ed up this tie break. There's simply no excuse for this kind of crap from a top 10 player. Mi####s, completely unnecessary unforced errors with all the time in the world... his opponent just gifted him another chance which is lucky.

A pretty scrappy set of tennis from Felix, no doubt, but he does pull it out 9-7 in the tie-break.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

It's just a lot of unforced errors from the baseline for absolutely no reason. His play at net seems okay, but I didn't see the entire first set.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

It's just a lot of unforced errors from the baseline for absolutely no reason. His play at net seems okay, but I didn't see the entire first set.

Yeah, he just seems very unsettled for some reason today, but I thought he was playing better at the first set wore on...Luckily, he is serving very well today.

Edit: And there's a break for Felix.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

If his opponent wants to double fault away games he won't have any issues. My concern is that Hurkacz isn't likely to oblige in that way, so I hope he sorts it out. He is mostly serving well aside from flirting with the net cord.

[dash_pinched]

Now that was a great return game from Felix as he secures another break.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

MacDonald is toast. Just playing it out now.

Hurkacz will be a challenge.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

MacDonald is toast. Just playing it out now.

Hurkacz will be a challenge.

Yeah, that was pretty much a tanked second set by McDonald after going down 4-1 (Tomic would have been proud of that effort).

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

When Youzhny was on board, you could see the improvements being made in Shapo's game (better return of serve and shot selection being the main improvements). Now I see a player that seems to just be going through the motions and quite honestly looks bored out on court. I just don't see a fire right now and willingness to dig deep and find a way to win when things aren't going his way. Contrast that to Felix who is finding ways to win matches and is pushing the top players to bring out their best tennis at grand slam tournaments.

He certainly seems to be following in the footsteps of many wasted talents that are unwilling to play a certain way to get the results required to make the next step. Felix is still a work in progress in many ways, but he's at least able to win matches in a variety of ways now, which is far more than can be said for a lot of top 25 level players.

If you're only getting fired up for matches against the big dogs these days you might as well not bother playing every week and just reduce your schedule to try to create a bit more desire.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

MacDonald is toast. Just playing it out now.

Hurkacz will be a challenge.

FAA is 2-0 against Hurkacz and beat him at the same event last year in straight sets. He will need to be at his best, but he's definitely more than capable, and should win that match.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

FAA is 2-0 against Hurkacz and beat him at the same event last year in straight sets. He will need to be at his best, but he's definitely more than capable, and should win that match.

Felix is a better version of Milos on grass if he's serving well due to the excellent movement and better return game. Not sure when or if we are ever going to see the big man again, I know he recently got married and likely has plenty of money stashed away. Not a bad gig if you can get it.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Felix is a better version of Milos on grass if he's serving well due to the excellent movement and better return game. Not sure when or if we are ever going to see the big man again, I know he recently got married and likely has plenty of money stashed away. Not a bad gig if you can get it.

I feel like we still may see one last real kick at the can from Milos next season if he can get healthy and play a few events this year.

He's definitely not one to shy away from putting in the work and giving it his all and I would be very surprised if he is content to call it quits the way he has.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

He certainly seems to be following in the footsteps of many wasted talents that are unwilling to play a certain way to get the results required to make the next step. Felix is still a work in progress in many ways, but he's at least able to win matches in a variety of ways now, which is far more than can be said for a lot of top 25 level players.

If you're only getting fired up for matches against the big dogs these days you might as well not bother playing every week and just reduce your schedule to try to create a bit more desire.

in the modern game, shot tolerance is king. will he eventually one day decide to put the jumping backhand on the shelf and learn to rally and push and angle opponents off the court? my gut says no but maybe watching his buddy Felix continue to climb the rankings and earn huge paycheques for consistent winning will change his mind.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

in the modern game, shot tolerance is king. will he eventually one day decide to put the jumping backhand on the shelf and learn to rally and push and angle opponents off the court? my gut says no but maybe watching his buddy Felix continue to climb the rankings and earn huge paycheques for consistent winning will change his mind.

Shapo losing earlier today denies us of watching the battle of one-handed backhands as it will be Paul taking on Stan the Man on Thursday.

[dash_pinched]

As an unvaccinated foreigner, Djokovic will not be allowed to enter the States to play at the US Open based on current policy in place and the USTA is not seeking an exemption for Novak.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1537074366340530176