The Tennis Thread

[ralvy]

Dimitrov has slowly been clawing his way back into form under the radar. Had to double check I was seeing it right when I saw 19th seed next to his name

yeah, I knew he had been on a better form lately, but 19 seed is surprising (hadn't noted that actually). Still expect Zverev to beat him next round though.

 

[aliyid]

I know I’m a bit of a Jack Draper fanboy but what a win for him last night taking down the #17 seed (Hurkacz) in straight sets

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I know I’m a bit of a Jack Draper fanboy but what a win for him last night taking down the #17 seed (Hurkacz) in straight sets

Taking nothing away from the win, but Hurkacz was struggling with illness wasn't he?

 

[aliyid]

Taking nothing away from the win, but Hurkacz was struggling with illness wasn't he?

Unsure, was a late night / early morning game so only seen the scores not seen the match report.

6-2, 6-4, 7-5 suggests Hurkacz grew into the game as it went on

 

[aliyid]

I know he lost in 4 but that 3rd and 4th sets were some of the best I’ve ever seen Dan Evans play.

What a player Alcaraz is turning into If he keeps up that kind of form it’s hard to see anybody (even Djokovic) beating him.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I know he lost in 4 but that 3rd and 4th sets were some of the best I’ve ever seen Dan Evans play.

What a player Alcaraz is turning into If he keeps up that kind of form it’s hard to see anybody (even Djokovic) beating him.

It was a great match to watch, though the result was in very little doubt, and they were both enjoying themselves. Dan reminded me of his young self I saw at an U15 tournament in Sutton when he was just playing for the fun of it; there have been too many of the intervening years when he lost that.

Djokovic is getting a much easier ride to the final, which could work for or against him, but assuming they meet - Alcaraz still has Sinner (or Zverev) and Medvedev in his way - I wouldn't risk money on the winner.

 

[aliyid]

Djokovic is getting a much easier ride to the final, which could work for or against him,

Never been more convinced somebody would still win from 2-0 down than Djokovic last round

 

[aliyid]

Side note on the women’s side of the draw. Really looking forward to Wozniacki vs Gauff later today.

Always had a soft spot for Wozniacki and it’s great to see her back and playing well. Think Gauff will have too much for her as she’s playing to a high level at the moment and will have the crowd behind her but you never know… She’s a fighter and has already got an impressive confidence building win against Kvitova under her belt.

 

[ralvy]

I know he lost in 4 but that 3rd and 4th sets were some of the best I’ve ever seen Dan Evans play.

What a player Alcaraz is turning into If he keeps up that kind of form it’s hard to see anybody (even Djokovic) beating him.

Whoever is favorite to win this US Open, is only so by a very small margin IMO. I think quite a few players are showing a very high level, and I really don't remember when was the last time I saw that in a major (probably Australia 2020/21).

So, the reason I quoted your post is because I think a few players have good possibilities to beat Alcaraz, starting by Arnaldi tomorrow (okay, he may get trashed by Alcaraz because of his lack of experience, but if he takes a set or two from Carlitos I won't be too surprised). Even Evans could have defeated Alcaraz, but he started the match way too accelerated/erratic, and Alcaraz was on a very high level.

 

[aliyid]

Draper being outclassed for most of this game so far but he’s sticking in there to take the 2nd set after (crazily) only winning 4pts against serve the whole set (all in the same game to break serve )

Rublev starting to get wound up but if he keeps his head he should have too much for Draper

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Go Sascha!
Look out for the next match.

 

[ralvy]

Go Sascha!
Look out for the next match.

Feel bad for SInner, but great to see Sascha beginning to reach his top form once again.

 

[ralvy]

Shelton is looking like he will be better than Alcaraz. Maybe it's too soon for him this year, but Djokovic may face a lot of resistance before reaching the final.

 

[BSJ93]

Shelton is looking like he will be better than Alcaraz. Maybe it's too soon for him this year, but Djokovic may face a lot of resistance before reaching the final.

He has a big performance in him and is an explosively player which is eye-catching but I think Alcarez's is miles ahead despite them being the same age.

Shelton's done well in the Hard Court slams this year but has really struggled on the other surfances (R1 FO and R2 Wimbledon) and his record on the ATP tour is still relatively pretty poor.

Did anyone catch the Alcaraz and Zverev game last night? I saw the highlights this morning and it's frightening how Alcaraz grows into tournaments as they go on. He just seems to get faster, hit harder and gain power as the rounds go on.

 

[aliyid]

Haven't seen / heard much of Shelton yet beyond the big serve but he's done well to battle past Tiafoe (one of my favourites to watch).

Good to see some new names emerging at the top of the game with such contrasting styles. Exactly what we need to get some excitement back into the game. This new generation look exciting after the likes of Zverev, Tsistispas, Dimitrov & Thiem haven't quite been able to make that final step.

 

[aliyid]

Commentators are going crazy for Shelton in this 3rd set but from what I can see it’s more about Djokovic making so many uncharacteristic unforced errors.

Looks like he could raise his level at any point and mop up this tie breaker

 

[ralvy]

Commentators are going crazy for Shelton in this 3rd set but from what I can see it’s more about Djokovic making so many uncharacteristic unforced errors.

Looks like he could raise his level at any point and mop up this tie breaker

Yeah, he just got a bit tense I guess. Like striking that forehead right into the net.

Loved the way he slammed the phone on Shelton though, Djokovic is clearly not even attempting to play nice haha.

 

[ralvy]

Medvedev also played some amazing stuff against Alcaraz, who at times during the second set seemed lost and disoriented. It's going to be a great final and I really have no idea who's going to win it, but the media clearly took a hit last night with the anointed one failing to make it to the final (but he didn't actually play bad IMO, it's just that Medwed was on an astronomical level, and also with a chip on his shoulder after two straight matches losing quite easily against Carlitos).

 

[ajspurs]

I find Shelton a frustrating watch at times to be honest, I still think his game is just too erratic to compete at the very top as of now. I never feel confident when I watch him in long rallies, I just think it's either gonna be an insane winner or a poor unforced error. The balance isn't quite there yet for me.

Loved the way he slammed the phone on Shelton though, Djokovic is clearly not even attempting to play nice haha.

There must be something behind that. I saw someone on YouTube say it may have been because of Shelton's "college-like" antics. Like him or not, Djokovic is normally very gracious at the net.

Really looking forward to the men's final as I think both Alcaraz and Medvedev are capable of beating Djokovic, so hopefully we'll get a really good contest at the very least.

 

[aliyid]

Medvedev is one of the few players out there who’s mentally strong enough to take on Djokovic over 5 sets so this could go either way.

So hard to judge Djokovic so far as he’s kind of cruised to the final in 2nd gear while Medvedev has looked v impressive against some tricky matchups.

• R4 - de Minaur
• QF - Rublev
• SF - Alcaraz

That said though it’s always hard to bet against Novak so I’ll go Djokovic in 4