Carlos' first 3 finals(and potential titles) at 3 different surfaces at 21 is pretty goddamn wild.
Tennis 2024
- Thread starter Jippy
- Start date
Ofcourse, they've done very well to be where they are but I'm not sure the lack of fitness is an excuse here when they've both looked a lot better throughout this tournament. They both felt way below par today but I'm guessing we could even put that down to the cramps Sinner was struggling with.
My mind keeps comparing him to Nadal for dumb reasons (being Spanish, having brown hair and grunting loudly) but his game is much more varied in my opinion.
Think (hope) him and Sinner are the real thing.
Who is the chair umpire here? Asking for a friend.
Hon Casper
Casper is ill? Stomach problems?
Bummer. Hope Alcaraz flattens the out-of-court-settler in the final at least
Bummer. Hope Alcaraz flattens the out-of-court-settler in the final at least
Interesting one. Alcaraz obviously the better player but Zverev has a 5:4 record against him, including beating him pretty comfortably in the Australian Open this year and Roland Garros two years ago. Alcaraz thumped him, though, in their last meeting in March at Indian Wells.
How much as Zverev matured since giving away the US Open final in 2020?
How much as Zverev matured since giving away the US Open final in 2020?
Casper is ill? Stomach problems?
Bummer. Hope Alcaraz flattens the out-of-court-settler in the final at least
Shat himself.
This is honestly what I did expect of Ruud. He's a solid player (very Ferrer like) but he just seems to lack those weapons at the biggest stages. I don't want Zverev to win the final at any cost but for the sake of a fun final, it's a relief he's in the final as he actually has the game to make it a fun match.
I feel Zverev is definitely more mature than back then and I feel like he gave Rafa one of his hardest matches ever at Roland Garros in 2022 before he did roll his ankle. Carlos being a huge favorite will also probably help Zverev with nerves and expectations.
I feel Zverev is definitely more mature than back then and I feel like he gave Rafa one of his hardest matches ever at Roland Garros in 2022 before he did roll his ankle. Carlos being a huge favorite will also probably help Zverev with nerves and expectations.
Naa. Say what you want about him, but a guy who reached three GS finals in a year and a half doesn't do that. He may not be good enough to beat the absolute best but he can certainly beat Zverev when he's well. He clearly wasn't.
I laughed when Alcaraz said "you got to find the joy in suffering" 
That 5th set stat was a strange one. Is Jannik really 6 out of 14 in 5th sets? That seems horrible. Sadly I can't find which games those were.
That 5th set stat was a strange one. Is Jannik really 6 out of 14 in 5th sets? That seems horrible. Sadly I can't find which games those were.
He seemed a bit gassed in that 5th set to be honest. It's easy to forget that they are still only 23 and 21 years old, think they are very aware of that issue and can (or at least, should) work on that aspect of his game.I laughed when Alcaraz said "you got to find the joy in suffering"
That 5th set stat was a strange one. Is Jannik really 6 out of 14 in 5th sets? That seems horrible. Sadly I can't find which games those were.
The match vs Osaka was really the real final. Iga was way to good in the first set.
What a one sided final.
Iga doing Iga things, no surprises there. Well on her way to becoming a great.
6 out of 14 isn't terrible considering he's so young and needed longer than a very special Alcaraz to start making a real mark at the Grand Slams. He did struggle a bit in the past in tight, long matches.
It's also possible that the thigh injury that curtailed his training ahead of the Roland Garros meant he could quite reach his physical peak.
So having lost track of the WTA tour for a few years; is Swiatek really good or is the women's field not in a great era?
She seems like a really solid player, but not really the oomph factor or something? Though I base this on not a lot of live watching.
She seems like a really solid player, but not really the oomph factor or something? Though I base this on not a lot of live watching.
On clays courts she is special, it's not thrilling stuff and she's not the most varied player but she's so good at what she does. On hard courts she is still a very good player but I would fancy the like Sabalenka, Rybakina or peak Osaka to be her on top form. She is consistent enough and good enough to beat them on hard courts.
She's clearly not comfortable on grass but quite a few players aren't. Grass has become the most niche surface, I feel. There are a lot of really good clay court players but grass seems more specialised.
She is really, really good. She can be hurt by players with huge power and serves, but on clay that doesn't work as well. Her extreme topspin works even better on clay than other surfaces as well, so it's basically the closest we have gotten to Rafa territory. Her movement is also underrated, it is the best one the tour. Her forehand is also the best on tour, and her backhand is up there as well.
On hard courts she has still been the best over the last three years, but it's closer. Rybakina is her biggest bugbear, but she beats anyone else most of the time - even Sabalenka. On grass she hasn't been that good yet, but the grass season is so short that it is hard to adjust for someone with her game. She did win Wimbledon as a junior, so maybe she'll figure it out.
EDIT: I think the accusations of her being boring has more to do with the fact that so many of her matches aren't that competitive, she served bagels and breadsticks astonishingly often, and the fact that she is pretty introverted. I find her game spectacular, but I'm probably more into tennis than most. She doesn't have the flair of a Federer or a Barty.
In general I think both tours are in great shape at the moment. Some intriguing rivalries at the very top of the rankings on both sides, and the rest of the top ten on both sides is pretty competitive. There are also some interesting talents coming up on both sides. Post-big 3 and post-Serena tennis is looking good.
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Agreed, one area of her game that I think she can will and improve on (even on clay is coming to the net). With that she would be able to use approach shots and even drop shots a bit more. She wouldn't need to radically change her game but I feel it's one of the improvements that both Nadal and Djokovic made which made them much better all round tennis players and gives you more tactics at your disposal.
Maybe it's not her thing but doubles makes a huge difference in that regard. I think over the long term, Gauff will start to reap some of the rewards in singles by becoming a top doubles player as well.
Zverev having a better strategy so far. Alcaraz needs to change the gameplan.
Alcaraz will win this comfortably. His mentality is insane for his age.
Against the man who routinely crumbles when it matters.
As good as Zverev has been, there's still no evidence yet that he won't capitulate again here.
Early days, but think Zverev will do well to win a sett.
Imagine two fairly basic ass passing forehands costing you that game.
Zverev not dealing well with the changes of pace Alcaraz is giving him.
We all want Carlos to win but as a spectacle and a competitive match, this is disappointing.
Alcaraz also seems a lot fresher than Zverev, and it's only going to get worse for him.
All the fanatics of the Big 3 claiming they want Carlos to win.... but itching to absolutely trounce him should he lose is pretty hysterical. None of those guys really want him to win, Tennis fanatics are hysterical, and I don't know why they keep cropping up on my socials somehow
This is always going to be an issue with Zverev given just how many sets he drops against average players in every single tournament.
Alcaraz is showing a great solidity so far this match. On the other hand, Zverev does not end up being comfortable and has been unable to bring out his best tennis.
Unless Alcaraz goes completely walkabout(which is possible, with his decision making), hard to see Zverev winning this match, if taking a set.
Carlos has variety to his game, even if he doesn't always use it well, Zverev appears one-dimensional.
Carlos has variety to his game, even if he doesn't always use it well, Zverev appears one-dimensional.
Zverev needs to risk a bit more. Terrible smash just now by Carlitos
Calros has been quite poor this set.
I want Zverev to win.
This might be his best chance to get that slam
Mentality is incredible but don't think I've ever seen a player so skilled this young.
Point of the tournament just now. Incredible tennis
I remember him getting injured vs Nadal in that SF two? years ago, that's why I'm rooting for him today.
Alcaraz seems to be losing his focus a bit here