Tennis

Someboy

Someboy

Hm, I’m going to say this one is a little different, because Muchova is truly a talent, matching variety with powerful attacks, she’s only underrated (and under-ranked) because of injury. However, Aryna having a 5-2 lead and losing 5-7 is a collapse, especially that bizarrely rushed service game at 5-3, where it seemed like she wanted the finish line moved to her instead of having to cross it. I think she’s been carrying too much this tournament (which kills me because I think Sloane could have capitalized, but whatever), and the drama caught up to her. That’s the way it feels different, it wasn’t a matter of lacking self-belief like it’s been in the past, but almost too much self-confidence, that her newfound aura would be enough, but she’s just not that girl yet.

I think a fresh and fit Muchova could disrupt Iga the same way Krejcikova does, but I don’t think she’ll be either on Saturday and Iga will run away with it.
 
M

Mike

A truly depressing sight.

I can see myself being otherwise occupied on Sunday afternoon regardless of the result later, because I don’t see Ruud making any more impression on Novak than he did on Rafa last year, and there's no way in hell I'm sitting through a final where Novak is the less objectionable player.
 
backstreetjoe

backstreetjoe

Can't say I'm invested in either of these finals. Totally want Casper to win of course. Womens dubs final looks fun though. Would be happy to see either Taylor or Su-Wei win.

Meanwhile Katie Boulter will become British number one if she beats Yanina Wickmayer in the 100k semi finals today.
 
Artemisia

Artemisia

So all the young girlies on the WTA had smoke for a Serena Williams pushing 40, but these 20 somethings on the ATP are too scared to push a 36 year old Novak on a clay court.
 
nooniebao

nooniebao

Artemisia said:
So all the young girlies on the WTA had smoke for a Serena Williams pushing 40, but these 20 somethings on the ATP are too scared to push a 36 year old Novak on a clay court.
Click to expand...
Casper just doesn’t have the game to do it. I think he’ll have a Ferrer/Tsonga/Nishikori/Berdych type of career.
 
Last edited:
M

Mike

What might have been if Alcaraz hadn't got cramp in the semi-final...

The outlook is no more promising at Wimbledon. The last two finalists aren't exactly having stellar years and no fewer than six of the current top 10 have yet to go beyond the fourth round. So Novak is probably winning that too. Yet again.
 
Someboy

Someboy

nooniebao said:
Casper just doesn’t have the game to do it. I think he’ll have a Ferrer/Tsonga/Nishikori/Berdych type of career.
Click to expand...
To be fair to Casper, he's only one slam final from equaling the total of finals of the four you mentioned combined. I think Casper's upbringing and mentality has given him an inherit respect for the game and its history, and that really hurts him against Nadal and Djokovic. But I didn't think he had that problem in the US Open final against Alcaraz; in fact, he really should have taken a two-set lead in that match. Against his peers, the drive to win definitely comes out more, and if he's able to put himself in this position repeatedly, I think he will convert one.

Everyone's ready for Alcaraz to start eating slams for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I still think we're going to enter a more randomized era than people expect. Medvedev will want more, Tsitsipas desperately wants one, Sinner, and even guys like Fritz, Tiafoe, or Khachanov, they all want a piece. I don't think it's impossible for Casper to put himself among them.

For Novak, I think lagging motivation will be his undoing in the long run. I could his team really pushing him to go after Wimbledon and the US for the illusive calendar slam, but he's not unbeatable. Here, and I know he lost in straight sets, but Davidovich Fokina really had the firepower to do it - just a little more self-belief, a little more moxie (quoting the legend Oracene there), and you never know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top