2023 Tennis Thread

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Not when they slow the hard courts down to basically make them clay courts (Indian Wells being exhibit 'A'). That said, if it weren't for the clay courts, the smaller guy in tennis wouldn't stand a chance against the big boppers. I think the ATP should add a Masters 1000 grass tourney (or make an existing 500 a Masters 1000). Maybe Hamburg?

You would hurt the Brit's feelings. It would have to be Queens if at all.

I think it should be Newport after Wimbledon. Tennis Hall of Fame and all that.

[dash_pinched]

Really nice win for Gabriel Diallo just now over Facundo Diaz Acosta. Two young guys (Diallo is 21 while Diaz Acosta is 22) battling it out in some very windy conditions on the clay in Sarasota, Florida. The Canadian takes it 3-6 6-2 7-6

[Erick Estrada]

I like clay. I like that servebots can't win French Open titles. As good as Sampras was, his game wasn't well rounded enough to win consistently on clay and I think different surfaces are important to ensure that players don't become too one-dimensional.

[Nadal Fan]

Mussetti wins 6-0,6-0

What is his reward for that effort? A match with Djokovic

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

Mussetti wins 6-0,6-0

What is his reward for that effort? A match with Djokovic

He needed that win, he has been struggling badly in 2023.

/Stan and Taylor Fritz are battling it out as I type

Edit: Fritz takes the opening set in a tie-break (12-10 was the tie-breaker score).

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1646065005236764674

[dash_pinched]

After that tough first set, Fritz cruises to victory 7-6 6-2 over Stan. Taylor Fritz has become a very dangerous player over the last 18 months.

[cam_calderon]

Stan had two break points at 4-2, could've made it more interesting.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

Stan had two break points at 4-2, could've made it more interesting.

Yeah, if Stan breaks to get back on serve, you just never know. That said, it looks like Father Time has caught up to Stan, the spirit is willing, but the body just can't battle like it could 8-10 years ago.

[cam_calderon]

Indeed. Same story with Murray, both probably hanging on for dear life now.

[dash_pinched]

Matteo Berrettini was up 5-love in the opening set against Francisco Cerundolo. Cerundolo just won the opening set 7-5

[dash_pinched]

Holger Rune eliminates Dominic Thiem 6-2 6-4. Good battle from Thiem today, Rune just a little too strong.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

After that tough first set, Fritz cruises to victory 7-6 6-2 over Stan. Taylor Fritz has become a very dangerous player over the last 18 months.

He's a bit of an odd player in that nothing about his game wows you outside of his serve but a really good serve can take you far in tennis. The rest of his game has come around pretty good but he's one of those guys that needs to do better in the slams.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

He's a bit of an odd player in that nothing about his game wows you outside of his serve but a really good serve can take you far in tennis. The rest of his game has come around pretty good but he's one of those guys that needs to do better in the slams.

I think he's really improved his backhand in the last year or so to the extent where it is a pretty big weapon. The forehand is a little shaky at times and his net game could be improved as well. He's not the fastest guy either, but I think he's pretty fit and has improved his conditioning.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I think he's really improved his backhand in the last year or so to the extent where it is a pretty big weapon. The forehand is a little shaky at times and his net game could be improved as well. He's not the fastest guy either, but I think he's pretty fit and has improved his conditioning.

Is it me or does he look slouchy at times with poor body language as he seems to always have that look like he's battling through something? He's definitely got to that stage where he routinely takes care of opponents below him in the rankings as in that regard I think he's surpassed Felix.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Is it me or does he look slouchy at times with poor body language as he seems to always have that look like he's battling through something? He's definitely got to that stage where he routinely takes care of opponents below him in the rankings as in that regard I think he's surpassed Felix.

Yeah, I find his body language funny at times although he seems to be able to put it behind him quickly and not allow it to fester. You're also right that he generally doesn't lose to guys that he should beat. Fritz gets Jiri Lehecka on Thursday which should be a very good match, Leheckha took out Dimitrov in straight sets earlier today.

[dash_pinched]

Gabriel Diallo wins again in Sarasota over his doubles partner (for this tourney anyway) Mitchell Krueger 6-2 6-4. Up to #166 in the live rankings.

[dash_pinched]

Jan-Lennard Struff has come out of nowhere (well qualifying) to have himself a week in Monte-Carlo. He knocks off Casper Ruud 6-1 7-6

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Jan-Lennard Struff has come out of nowhere (well qualifying) to have himself a week in Monte-Carlo. He knocks off Casper Ruud 6-1 7-6

Outside of Estoril, Ruud has struggled this year.

[dash_pinched]

Looked like Taylor Fritz was in some trouble against Jiri Lehecka after dropping the opening set 6-4, but he rallied to win the match taking the next two sets 6-4 6-1.