fed back; novak going to hold all slams again; nadal still the favoritekerber already out
― johnny crunch, Sunday, 26 May 2019 11:48 (four years ago) link
Looking to be 28 degrees already next Sunday, that’ll be interesting on court.
― L'assie (Euler), Sunday, 26 May 2019 12:03 (four years ago) link
kei/tsonga is a fun 2nd rd match, tho neither in top form rn
― johnny crunch, Wednesday, 29 May 2019 11:58 (four years ago) link
Goffin is looking good - maybe he'll take a set off Rafa. Meanwhile, the French wildcards seem to be justifying their selection.
Edmund-Chardy the other night whetted the appetite for a summer of fading-light deciding-set battles on raucous minor showcourts. It's the best thing.
― Michael Jones, Wednesday, 29 May 2019 13:55 (four years ago) link
not sure whats gotten into nico mahut either but ill take some amirite
― johnny crunch, Wednesday, 29 May 2019 15:53 (four years ago) link
evening of 1-handed backhands, tsisty on display and stan v grigor
― johnny crunch, Friday, 31 May 2019 18:45 (four years ago) link
Goffin is looking good - maybe he'll take a set off Rafa.
― Michael Jones, Wednesday, May 29, 2019 9:55 AM (two days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
nice call!
― johnny crunch, Friday, 31 May 2019 18:46 (four years ago) link
siniakova puts out osaka, naomi's 1st grand slam loss since kerber @ wimbledon but also not a hugely surprising result her form was lacking
― johnny crunch, Saturday, 1 June 2019 13:57 (four years ago) link
Serena also gone.
Stan-Tsitsipas is pretty tasty
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 13:32 (four years ago) link
fed into the qtrs w/o dropping a set ~ gonna get a match from either stefanos or stan next tho
― johnny crunch, Sunday, 2 June 2019 13:33 (four years ago) link
Incredible break back Stan 40-0 down and then Stefano starts making errors but Stan made it good by coming up with the goods
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 13:36 (four years ago) link
Breaks back again lol
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:01 (four years ago) link
What a god rally to save a 3rd set point!!!
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:08 (four years ago) link
Astonishing drop shot
How many set points man
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:12 (four years ago) link
yea incred game here
― johnny crunch, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:13 (four years ago) link
Jesus what a fucking hold
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:15 (four years ago) link
Reckon Stefanos will win if his mind allows it tho'
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:17 (four years ago) link
i thought that going in but as of now i would bet stan
― johnny crunch, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:18 (four years ago) link
Well another SP here
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:22 (four years ago) link
Finally, set apiece.
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:23 (four years ago) link
Pre-surgery you'd never bet against Stan in a long match. Today should show if he's really back.
― punning display, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:40 (four years ago) link
Stan has his break. Stefanos' his level is down a bit
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 14:55 (four years ago) link
Holds easily for the set lol
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 15:13 (four years ago) link
First time I am watching Stefanos Tsitsipas - ton of ability etc. Look forward to more from him - in this slam or in the future.
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 15:15 (four years ago) link
Yeah, he's a sure thing to crash the Big 3 dominance party any day now. He already dispatched Federer with ease at the Australian.
― punning display, Sunday, 2 June 2019 15:43 (four years ago) link
this match!
― johnny crunch, Sunday, 2 June 2019 17:01 (four years ago) link
That shot!
Perfect end to a beautiful match.
― punning display, Sunday, 2 June 2019 17:24 (four years ago) link
One of the greats, that. Best since Delpo-Nadal at Wimbledon, in my limited opinion.
― Michael Jones, Sunday, 2 June 2019 17:25 (four years ago) link
That was crazy. The game point seemed out, though !
― AlXTC from Paris, Sunday, 2 June 2019 17:32 (four years ago) link
I was gonna say best since Nadal-Thiem at US Open: 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7, 7-6
― punning display, Sunday, 2 June 2019 17:34 (four years ago) link
Yeah, would have liked to see the HawkEye on that.
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 2 June 2019 17:34 (four years ago) link
He already dispatched Federer with ease at the Australian.
Er, that's not how I remember it but ok! 7-6 in the 4th after nearly 4 hours, saving 12 BPs, including four when on brink of a two-set deficit. Fed has thrashed him since in Dubai too. BUT, yeah, he's the real deal and I want Tsitsi to win everything. He's beaten Novak and Rafa in the last 12 months too.
xp - Oh yeah, forgot about Thiem-Nadal. I think Delpo's level was maybe higher for longer though. Hawkeye apparently showed it was in.
― Michael Jones, Sunday, 2 June 2019 17:38 (four years ago) link
Okay, with relative ease. I had forgotten the score was that close. But it didn't seem like Tsitsi was having to play out of his mind to handle anything Fed threw at him. At least that's how I remember it.
Today, despite the loss, it was good to see his endurance and strong will. I like how he doesn't get rattled or stay down on himself after a screw up or a quick outburst. He'll do even better with experience.
And I was glad to see Stan looking like a real threat again at a major. I was worried that, at 34, he might never come close to his old form again.
― punning display, Sunday, 2 June 2019 18:13 (four years ago) link
Booked to see a film so missed the end. Glad Stan can still get involved in a thriller! Will watch highlights later
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 2 June 2019 19:16 (four years ago) link
Shot between the legs for a winner from Thiem
― xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 June 2019 14:40 (four years ago) link
Thiem/@ThiemDomi /(🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/qE7ShSTgya— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) June 3, 2019
― xyzzzz__, Monday, 3 June 2019 15:32 (four years ago) link
^Awesome! Too bad the match was a dud.
Stoked to see Anisimova play for the first time.
― punning display, Monday, 3 June 2019 16:29 (four years ago) link
(1) of ash barty, amanda anisimova, marketa vondorousova or jo konta will win the french open
― johnny crunch, Thursday, 6 June 2019 13:27 (four years ago) link
Their combined record at the French Open previous to this year was 3-12
― justfanoe (Greg Fanoe), Thursday, 6 June 2019 13:36 (four years ago) link
I think Barty will win. I'm rooting for Anisimova. I know nothing about Vondorousova. I like Konta and if Barty and Anisimova weren't in the mix, I'd be rooting for her.
― Arugula Raccoon (DJP), Thursday, 6 June 2019 14:12 (four years ago) link
Kicking myself for missing Anisimova/Halep. I should have realized they would be scheduled to play early, after yesterday's rainouts. Tomorrow, I'll get up at 5AM for the semis probably to find that it's raining in Paris again.
I really want to enjoy watching Anisimova reach the top now, before we all get sick of her being constantly in commercials over the coming years.
― punning display, Thursday, 6 June 2019 14:34 (four years ago) link
vondorousova is really goodid not be surprised by any of them doing it at this pt tbhid put konta last as thinking she'll do it, but shes running super hot this clay season
― johnny crunch, Thursday, 6 June 2019 15:14 (four years ago) link
Insane women's SFs
― xyzzzz__, Friday, 7 June 2019 10:14 (four years ago) link
Two teens in the final would be some kind of thing!
― abcfsk, Friday, 7 June 2019 10:36 (four years ago) link
Konya fails to serve for the set
― xyzzzz__, Friday, 7 June 2019 10:40 (four years ago) link
Vondrousova played a fantastic TB to win that. Beautiful get from the back of the court and then dropshot to win
― xyzzzz__, Friday, 7 June 2019 10:54 (four years ago) link
Lot of questions for Konta to answer.
― xyzzzz__, Friday, 7 June 2019 10:55 (four years ago) link
And now it's 12pm and Nadal Fed
― xyzzzz__, Friday, 7 June 2019 10:56 (four years ago) link
so happy for ash
― oscar bravo, Friday, 7 June 2019 11:00 (four years ago) link
Nadal broke which the most sublime bit of cour coverage on the Thiem drop shot
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 14:03 (four years ago) link
6-3. How was Nadal not taken to a tie-break. If I was a sportswriter I'd be shitting myself to describe what has gone on here
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 14:08 (four years ago) link
On serve so far but Thiem not putting any pressure on Nadal's serve and its fucking me up
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 14:33 (four years ago) link
15/30, some danger signs for Rafa...for the very first time this set
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 14:52 (four years ago) link
15/40, two SPs Thiem
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 14:53 (four years ago) link
Yes, so well played and constructed!
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 14:55 (four years ago) link
its in play that rafa loses this, words i never thought id type tbh
― johnny crunch, Sunday, 9 June 2019 14:56 (four years ago) link
Thiem is 0/40 down - just a mix of mistakes here.
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:01 (four years ago) link
and Nadal has gone up a level, responded - a couple of beautiful plays at the net
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:06 (four years ago) link
0/30, Thiem has yet to win a point in 2.5 games
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:07 (four years ago) link
well, he won one point
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:09 (four years ago) link
rip domi
― johnny crunch, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:09 (four years ago) link
I think you should ask the mod to delete your previous post johnny
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:11 (four years ago) link
fuck me wtf that was incredible get, the anticipation and the ball bouncing away from Thiem into the net
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:13 (four years ago) link
Follows with an ace and then 4-0 in 15 mins
xxp there were 90 seconds when it was true~
― johnny crunch, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:13 (four years ago) link
ok Thiem has won a game nicely - hopefully he can give us one great effort in the 4th.
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:16 (four years ago) link
fuck me 6-1
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:24 (four years ago) link
30-30 on the Nadal serve in the 4th. We might get a good set instead of a coronation
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:31 (four years ago) link
Mods if I am wrong delete me
well at least Nadal had to dig a bit
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:34 (four years ago) link
Two beautiful returns from Nadal - 0/30
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:36 (four years ago) link
Broken again
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:38 (four years ago) link
nadals ad-court serve saves him so often, just beautiful
― johnny crunch, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:44 (four years ago) link
Thiem fighting at the next. One BP here, involving a great defensive lob
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:46 (four years ago) link
first serve in the net :(
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:47 (four years ago) link
3-0, incredible response from 1-1 set all.
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:49 (four years ago) link
This is insane man, 0/30 with that.
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:51 (four years ago) link
3 BPs saved with two aces
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 15:53 (four years ago) link
To serve for a 12th French Open
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 16:08 (four years ago) link
The scheduling plays a part, no doubt:
If Thiem had played a Tuesday QF, got 2 days off, won his SF in straights, and Rafa had to play 4 straight days, let us not pretend sets 3 and 4 would have gone as they have.If you dispute that, you're not being intellectually serious.— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) June 9, 2019
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 9 June 2019 16:15 (four years ago) link
The scheduling plays a part, but the "if he'd won his semifinal in straight sets" is a big if that doesn't have to do with the schedule. Likewise Rafa arriving having played almost all straight-set matches was not some fluke.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Monday, 10 June 2019 00:20 (four years ago) link
Agreed on that bit however it would've been good to see a Monday final ideally, which of course wouldn't work for TV.
― xyzzzz__, Monday, 10 June 2019 10:05 (four years ago) link
I was out of town this weekend so not able to watch much of this. I do wonder what would have happened with better weather Fri/Sat. Thiem was in the zone from R4 onwards and the rain delays only served to halt his momentum vs Djokovic. That semi played in a single session may well have been a straight sets win.
Shortly after the second set someone tweeted "Thiem now the only man currently under 30 to have won a set in a GS final". I'd like to say that's changing in the next few weeks, but who amongst the NextGen looks comfortable on grass? Maybe Sascha is coming out of his slump. Tsitsipas for the US Open.
xp
― Michael Jones, Monday, 10 June 2019 10:16 (four years ago) link
Watched that semi and it would've been more like four sets but with the Sat to recover.
Reckon Nadal would've been taken to a 5th yesterday.
― xyzzzz__, Monday, 10 June 2019 10:24 (four years ago) link
Well if you really wanna entertain "what if"s about the weather, those ridiculous winds on Friday were a killer to both Djokovic's and Federer's chances with their flatter shotmaking. No telling who might have made it to the finals. Same goes for the women's side.
― punning display, Monday, 10 June 2019 13:11 (four years ago) link
Maybe we need an indoor Slam :)
Bring back the WCT Finals in Dallas. The Handsome (One Hundred And Twenty-)Eight.
― Michael Jones, Monday, 10 June 2019 13:40 (four years ago) link
That's insane that the 2nd set made Thiem the only men's player now under 30 to have won a set in a Grand Slam final, as noted upthread. After Cilic and Del Potro's birthdays last September, there were none. The only players under still 30 to have made a final, Nishikori (2014 US), Roanic (2016 Wimbledon) and Thiem (2018 French) had all lost in straight sets.
― punning display, Monday, 10 June 2019 16:31 (four years ago) link
The other cray-cray stat is that 53 of the last 64 Grand Slam tournaments have been won by Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic.
― Arugula Raccoon (DJP), Monday, 10 June 2019 16:37 (four years ago) link
I think they've really let their guard down at Flushing Meadow. RF/RN/ND have won 14 out of the last 16 in Melbourne, RG and SW19, but a mere 11 out of the last 16 in NYC. Bah!
It's fun to read some of the old tennis threads in here. For example (without attribution), Roland Garros 2009 thread, shortly after the men's final:
"Always half-suspected that Nadal would burn out fairly early on - these teenage prodigies doesn't necessarily just keep on winning. Becker had four Slams by the age of 21 and was apparently ready to dominate the '90s but it took him the rest of his career to win another two and he only ever spent 12 weeks as #1. Nadal has obviously already surpassed that but I do wonder whether he can sustain this.""i guess now there's del potro, monfils, tsonga, cilic and simon. plus gulbis ('88), who is quite possibly the most naturally talented player i've seen in ages but bit of a mental weakling. might get better once he gets older tho.""I'd guess that [RF] has a spell of God mode as afterglow, maybe even coasts to Wimbledon with Rafa out/injured, but give it another year and things might start slipping. Doubt he'll consider retiring until after the 2012 Olympics though.""i dont think novak will really challenge for the #1 - hes not mentally there and yah he seems to tire easily. hes a threat but imo he just doesnt have what it takes to really fuck w/ fed or nadal long term""I'd be glad to see Roger regain #1 for a spell and win at least 3-4 more Slams right in the heart of the Rafa/Nole/Andy era"
― Michael Jones, Thursday, 13 June 2019 11:14 (four years ago) link
Salad days on ilxor dot com
― xyzzzz__, Thursday, 13 June 2019 11:37 (four years ago) link
I have only had one favorite tennis player ever. I'm glad I picked Nadal. He could end up with the record for most grand slam wins ever and keep it for 100 years. Stay healthy my man.
― ilm jive mind (FlopsyDuck), Thursday, 13 June 2019 13:50 (four years ago) link
The "how many slams do you think Federer can win" conversation from that thread is amazing in retrospect.
― brigadier pudding (DJP), Thursday, 13 June 2019 14:49 (four years ago) link
lol i feel like I must have been that gulbis quote. the poster boy for squandered potential.
it's crazy that we're still talking about Fed/Nadal a decade later.
― Roz, Thursday, 13 June 2019 15:48 (four years ago) link
Roz! It was you! Aw, I thought he was great too. Did actually beat Fed at RG... 2014?
I wish I could remember (I could look it up) who put me straight about Rafa on the Wimb 2003 thread. I was shocked this teen had just dumped out Ancic, and someone said "watch this kid - he's going to be amazing". Maybe that was you too.
― Michael Jones, Thursday, 13 June 2019 16:24 (four years ago) link
lol I have an incredibly embarrassing Halep post on that 2009 thread
― brigadier pudding (DJP), Thursday, 13 June 2019 16:25 (four years ago) link
lol i still think of halep as a youngish player and then the reality of how long she's been on tour hits.
― oscar bravo, Thursday, 13 June 2019 16:31 (four years ago) link
You were in good company, Dan. Lex practically made an emoji out of her a few posts later. Well, hey.
Fed to end his career at Basel 2021 with 22 Slams (another W, another USO); 18 for Rafa (next year Thiem beats him at RG and Rafa retires), 16 for Novak (one more AO but a general slump from now on. Please). Murray plays another 18 months on the singles tour from late this year, makes top 25 but no better than L16 in Slams and misses a medal in Tokyo. Thiem #1 end of 2020, Tsitipas thereafter, then Auger-A. Zverev Olympic gold but continues to underachieve elsewhere. All hugely wishful thinking.
Let's check back in 2029 :)
― Michael Jones, Thursday, 13 June 2019 16:35 (four years ago) link
xposts nope, wasn't me - I didn't post on ILX until 2005, and only started on the tennis threads around 2008 I think.
I miss Lex around here, but he still posts tennis updates on twitter.
Speaking of Mario Ancic, look at this Wall Street goof: http://www.oneequity.com/team/bio/50
I love that his work bio completely neglects to mention his tennis career.
― Roz, Thursday, 13 June 2019 16:46 (four years ago) link
Ha ha! The President is called Dick Cashin. I ASK YOU.
― Michael Jones, Thursday, 13 June 2019 16:51 (four years ago) link