2021 Tennis Thread

[Nadal Fan]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Apparently, the two women’s single finalists are ranked 73rd and 150th in the world. Anyone know if any final has ever had lower rankings? I imagine they have had lower.

Kim Clijsters wasn't even ranked when she won the 2009 US Open coming back from retirement, so she would have been like #1,000 at least.

[dash_pinched]

This ladies doubles match (Stefanowksi vs. Gauff/McNally) is pretty darn good. Opening set tie-break is required.

[dash_pinched]

Oh no, Stefani just took a tumble and it does not look good at all.

Edit: Right knee buckled as she tried to plant.

Edit 2: This match is likely over, Luisa can't put any weight on that right leg.

[Mathgod]

I hope Leylah captures the title tomorrow, but more that that I hope that she becomes a top 5 womens player and stays there consistently. Bianca seemed poised to become a consistent threat at major tournaments since winning the US Open 2 years ago, but injuries have hampered her since then. Before that, it seemed that Eugenie was going to become that player, but she fizzled out since her finals appearance at Wimbledon.

It just seems like there hasn't been a consistently dominant player in the women's game since Serena. I'm not sure that a nonstop rotating door of newcomers headlining major finals is a good thing for the game.

[Mango]

That looks awful. Knees shouldn't bend that way.

[dash_pinched]

No official announcement yet, medical evaluation off-court, but short of Mr. Miyagi making an appearance, this match is over.

Edit: There it is, retirement by Dabrowski/Stefani - Such a shame.

[Mathgod]

Wishing her a speedy & full recovery.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

I hope Leylah captures the title tomorrow, but more that that I hope that she becomes a top 5 womens player and stays there consistently. Bianca seemed poised to become a consistent threat at major tournaments since winning the US Open 2 years ago, but injuries have hampered her since then. Before that, it seemed that Eugenie was going to become that player, but she fizzled out since her finals appearance at Wimbledon.

It just seems like there hasn't been a consistently dominant player in the women's game since Serena. I'm not sure that a nonstop rotating door of newcomers headlining major finals is a good thing for the game.

Ash Barty was having a pretty good 2021 and just kind of fell apart against Shelby Rogers here at the US Open. There are a number of good, young players in the game including Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff along with Leylah and Raducanu. Sabalenka is only 23 and is ranked #2, in all honesty, I thought the women's game was pretty boring was Serena was so dominant, my attitude was "why tune in when you know who's going to win" now it's great entertainment because the players realize they have a chance at a major.

[Mathgod]

Well sure, maybe someone as dominant as Serena kind of ruins the suspense, but wouldn't it be a good thing for there to be some players who at least make it to major semifinals on a somewhat consistent basis? It doesn't seem like the womens game has had anyone like that for a long time.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Well sure, maybe someone as dominant as Serena kind of ruins the suspense, but wouldn't it be a good thing for there to be some players who at least make it to major semifinals on a somewhat consistent basis? It doesn't seem like the womens game has had anyone like that for a long time.

Serena up until 2020 was making quite a few finals, she just wasn't able to win any of those finals. I think you are right that nobody has stepped up to Serena's level to dominate, but Ash Barty was starting to make some noise until she got derailed here at the US Open. As I mentioned in my earlier post, there are several young players coming up, I think we just have to wait and see if somebody can take charge (my guess is that it's going to be tough as all these players are very close).

[dash_pinched]

Felix with a shaky first service game, but the forehand looks good.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

Kim Clijsters wasn't even ranked when she won the 2009 US Open coming back from retirement, so she would have been like #1,000 at least.

I was sure that a lower-ranked player had made it this far but I was more interested in both finals players being this low.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

That service game looked great. Even the drop shot was fine. Have to put it in Daniil's head that that might happen anytime, even though he's fully capable of getting up to them he can't just get comfortable back there or this is going to be even tougher.

EDIT: I jinxed him.

[dash_pinched]

The sirens and alarms bells going off in the background as Medvedev breaks at love.

[Kidder]

Oh boy. Medvedev making the defensive game look effortless. Felix got a little rattled/impatient and went for too much on his aggressive shots.

He needs to Leylah right now and not let it rattle him.

[dash_pinched]

It's really incredible that Medvedev who is 6'6" tall can move that quickly.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Felix did everything you could realistically expect to try to break him there but there was just nothing that could be done. If he serves like this you have to be perfect on your own serve and that's a tall order for anyone much less Felix.

[Nadal Fan]

One bad game and Medvedev bounced on it. Hopefully his level falls a little bit in the 2nd set.

[Hot_Flatus]

A tad too predictable from Felix despite a solid showing thus far. If you're going to take down, Medvedev or Novak for that matter, you're going to need to mix in a few more slices, net approaches and drops to disrupt the their rhythm. He can still win this, but he's got to find a bit more in a hurry.

Despite all of this, he's continuing to play at a top 10 level this hardcourt season, against some serious competition, which you have to love to see.

[dash_pinched]

It is encouraging to see Felix winning some of these longer baseline rallies.