2019 Tennis Thread

[bigtmac19]

Rublev’s hair is really bad!

[GirlySports]

This is power tennis. No pushing here.

[GirlySports]

Shapo wins 63 76(5)!

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

This is power tennis. No pushing here.

That was fun and the right guy won 6-3 7-6(5)

[killer_carlson]

I wonder what Kerber has to say today.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The last couple of games in the second set, after Denis was broken, basically stand as a demonstration of what he is capable of. Just a tour de force, shots that all anyone could do is shake their head and say "can't do much about that". And Rublev played great tennis, yet was nonetheless blown off the court in a number of big points. Outside of Djokovic, I don't think anyone on tour right now could have withstood that onslaught.

If only Denis could get that game to work consistently. Earlier in the second set he blew a 0-40 lead to break to go up 3-2. In the game in which he was broken, he sent a ball way long on Rublev's first break chance. It's that sort of thing that is holding him back. Well done by Denis to dig in and break Rublev back, and nice dramatics at the end to win in the tie break, but it shouldn't really have gone that far.

Tough match up next... I think I might like Felix's chance of getting through better. Denis is capable of beating Tsitsipas, but it's not a great matchup for him. Still, they haven't met in over a year, and Denis won the last meeting, so, fingers crossed he plays well and takes it.

[Nadal Fan]

Over under the combined grand slam titles for Denis and Felix at 2

[Inglewood Jack]

majors have been won by guys who are capable of ripping the cover off a ball for the duration of a tournament, e.g. Cilic, Stan, Delpo. when they're feeling it, they are unplayable, but when they're not, you wonder how they ever became pros spraying the ball so badly.

unless Shapo decides to massively overhaul his game, he's destined to be one of those guys above. at some point over a hopefully long career he'll get hot and stay hot long enough to bag a major, but don't get pissed at the times he exits events early because there isn't really much of a plan B to fall back on.

if you're name's not Federer, Nadal or Djokovic, then generally you have to choose something along the spectrum of backboard-like grinder or wild west gun slinger. Felix on the other hand might have something that allows him to do a bit of both. it's still very early days, but the way he moves in as soon as he senses his opponent is about to get pushed back indicates unusually high tennis IQ. my expectation with him is that he'll be the guy that consistently gets into the quarters and semis at majors.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

Over under the combined grand slam titles for Denis and Felix at 2

I'll take the over.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

unless Shapo decides to massively overhaul his game, he's destined to be one of those guys above. at some point over a hopefully long career he'll get hot and stay hot long enough to bag a major, but don't get pissed at the times he exits events early because there isn't really much of a plan B to fall back on.

I'm starting to see signs Jack, he's definitely getting more returns back in play (using the Fed chip return) and he's starting to be more patient building points and waiting for a short ball before unleashing a winner. Hopefully, it's starting to sink in that he can rally with anyone on the tour and he doesn't have to paint lines on every ground stroke (i.e. use a greater margin of error).

[dash_pinched]

Also, it's certainly understandable giving Isner the stadium court booking today considering he is the defending champion and an American, but I think more people will be gravitating to Grandstand to watch Felix take on Bash.

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1110552273187467267

[dash_pinched]

Felix gets broken in the 11th game, breaks right back to force a tie-breaker to decide the opening set.

Edit: Felix wins the opening set taking the tie-breaker 7-4. Go Felix Go!

[Senator Clay Davis]

That would have been a bad set to lose given how poorly Basilashvili was serving. Can't believe Felix was about to lose when Basilashvili was serving under 40% first serve, so great mental fortitude to turn it around after the break.

[GirlySports]

I think if Grand Slams are reduced to 2 out of 3 sets one day, Shapo and FAA will win a lot.

Shapo for sure cannot bash the ball consistently for 2 weeks. Especially if he runs into consecutive negative players.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think the biggest difference between Felix and Denis is their floors. I think there's a pretty good argument Denis has the higher ceiling of the two, but it's not much higher (if at all). But Felix has a far higher floor and that's what you need to win majors, cause over two weeks you're going to have a bad match or run into a hot opponent. Having that higher floor mitigates those risks far more than having a higher ceiling.

[dash_pinched]

I'm stealing a page from Girly's book and calling today's upset - Medvedev will oust Roger tonight in three sets.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I'm stealing a page from Girly's book and calling today's upset - Medvedev will oust Roger tonight in three sets.

you're lucky I'm not a mod, otherwise I'd be looking to oust you tonight in three clicks for making such distasteful predictions.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

you're lucky I'm not a mod, otherwise I'd be looking to oust you tonight in three clicks for making such distasteful predictions.

I'm a Roger fan, but he hasn't been playing great (Albot could have and probably should have eliminated Roger a few days ago). Medvedev has the game to give Roger trouble, it should be interesting tonight.

[Hot_Flatus]

Not watching this one, but statistically, it looks like another high quality match from Felix against a player having a really nice season to date.

This win has Felix up to number 41 in the rankings with the 30's only another victory away!