2017 Tennis Thread

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Beauty forehand winner to get an early break in set 2.

Huge hold to consolidate the break. Encouraging to see him continue to play with so much conviction - he does not seem at all fazed by the scene that is the US Open. Would not want to be facing this kid at all.

[dash_pinched]

Denis now up two breaks and Medvedev is searching for answers.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

So, Medvedev has won zero points on his own serve in this set. Denis really does seem to get better as matches progress, so five set formats might actually not be bad for him.

Downside: if he wins, he gets Tsonga next. Tsonga had no difficulty whatsoever dispatching Copil. Pretty tough out at the best of times, but especially early in the tournament, and probably not a great matchup either.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

So, Medvedev has won zero points on his own serve in this set. Denis really does seem to get better as matches progress, so five set formats might actually not be bad for him.

Downside: if he wins, he gets Tsonga next. Tsonga had no difficulty whatsoever dispatching Copil. Pretty tough out at the best of times, but especially early in the tournament, and probably not a great matchup either.

Say what you want about Tsonga but he is not the player he once was and is certainly beatable given the level Shapovalov is playing at right now.

He's been returning at elite levels today and through qualifying. If this is a level he can sustain there are big things coming for him very soon. Medvedev is no slouch so it's not like he's doing it against a nobody.

[dash_pinched]

Denis takes set 2 6-1. Playing some very fine tennis thus far.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I'm more concerned about his service game than anything. If he was solid there, he'd be the functional equivalent of a top 20 player right now, IMO. But he's just so inconsistent and vulnerable that even if he manages to threaten and get a break here and there I think he'll probably end up giving up more than he gets.

Anyhoo, had a couple of set points for a bagel, but an easy hold gets him to 2 sets up and unless he takes his foot off the gas, I guess we'll get to see who's right.

[dash_pinched]

And a break to start set 3 - Medvedev looks dejected.

[dash_pinched]

That was a poor game from Denis - Was up 40-15 and lost four straight points to give the break right back.

[dash_pinched]

A break and a big hold of serve and Denis leads 4-2 in set 3.

[dash_pinched]

Long live the Shapovalov one-handed backhand - One game away from round 2.

[dash_pinched]

Denis serves it out in style - 7-5 6-1 6-2 and onto round 2 to face Jo-Willy Tsonga.

[killer_carlson]

wow!

That was fast.

That's got to get Tsonga's attention.

[dash_pinched]

Denis had two double faults in today's match and they were both in the same game. If he can serve as well against Tsonga (and if that backhand remains as strong as it was today), he has a legitimate chance to beat Jo-Willy.

[Resolute 14]

Shapovalov is in great position to qualify for the NextGen ATP Final for the top eight U22 players... and is two years younger than anyone else currently in the top eight. Amazing to see how his game is progressing.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Shapovalov is in great position to qualify for the NextGen ATP Final for the top eight U22 players... and is two years younger than anyone else currently in the top eight. Amazing to see how his game is progressing.

Well, he's the youngest player, but Rublev is 19.

1. Sascha Zverev - 20
2. Karen Khachanov - 21 (just lost in R1)
3. Hyeon Chung - 21
4. Andrey Rublev - 19
5. Jared Donaldson - 20
6. Daniil Medvedev - 21 (just lost to Denis)
7. Borna Coric - 20
8. Denis - 18

So according to my read of the rankings he's right on the bubble (though he is 6th in the Race to Milan), and is unlikely to move up any further in the next two weeks. On the plus side, he's probably not going to drop, either; the 9th place under 22 player is Tiafoe, whose first round opponent is... Roger Federer. Poor guy.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Zverev has all but locked up a spot in the ATP Finals so he's obviously out for playing the NextGen, so Denis is in a pretty good spot to make it.

[GirlySports]

This is going to be a loooong match

[Senator Clay Davis]

So far I'm struggling to determine if this match is good or terrible. Maria's noise factory definitely lends more to the latter though.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Zverev has all but locked up a spot in the ATP Finals so he's obviously out for playing the NextGen, so Denis is in a pretty good spot to make it.

The tournaments are in adjacent weeks, so he could play both if he chooses. The ATP might prefer that, as Zverev offers significant star power for the brand new U22 event.

Corsi - Should have been more accurate. He's the only 1999 birth year. The rest are 1996 or 1997. And he's very safely in sixth for Milan right now. It's based on calendar year points, like the ATP Final, not current overall ranking.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

So far I'm struggling to determine if this match is good or terrible. Maria's noise factory definitely lends more to the latter though.

More good I think. Not many errors and 2nd serves are being crushed.