Tennis Thread

[ozgod]

Novak keeps getting some minor challenges, but then just pulls away.  He has now tied Federer for the most grand slam semis ever (he already had the most quarters).  His stamina, especially at his age, is just amazing.  He will face 8th seeded Sinner in the semis (not until Friday).

Yesterday 27 year old American Christopher Eubanks making his Wimbledon debut advanced to the quarters dispatching Tsitsipas in a 5 setter. Next up for him is 3rd seed Medvedev.  Alcaraz and Rune meet tomorrow as well.

Swiatek upset by an unseeded Ukrainian getting blitzed off the court in the 3rd set. The American, Jessica Pegula has lost for the 6th time in the quarters of a major and has yet to advance to the semis.  Pegula lost to an unseeded Czech.  Madison Keys is the last American woman, she faces 2nd seeded Sabalenka while 6th seeded Jabeur takes on 3rd seeded Rybakina. 

Tomorrow should be the best day of the tournament thus far as those quarters should all be interesting.

Sinner will be a major challenge for Djokovic. He has a lot of firepower and can take the racquet out of his opponents hands. Novak had an extremely favorable draw as the other half has Alcaraz, Medvedev, and Rune, who are all capable of beating him. Should be some epic matches over the next few days. Bummed that I have to go into the office tomorrow. Sigh… I’m hoping for an Alcaraz/Djokovic Final. That would be incredible.

He'll still get rolled. Novak is unstoppable right now. He can look terrible but then he pulls it out somehow. When they're playing him these young guys are half beaten even before they step on the court, he's got that fear factor. The only one that I think might have been able to beat Novak, other than an in-his-prime-Nadal, would have been Kyrgios on a good day because he's crazy and not afraid of anyone.

[Moranis]

Eubanks made it a match but fell to Medvedev. Alcaraz advanced as well.  That should be a great semi.

Sabalenka made quick work of Keys, so no Americans in the men's or women's semis, continuing a long pattern for the women and a much longer pattern for the men.  Tennis in America is just not being played by the top level yoing athletes any more.

[green_bballers13]

Eubanks made it a match but fell to Medvedev. Alcaraz advanced as well.  That should be a great semi.

Sabalenka made quick work of Keys, so no Americans in the men's or women's semis, continuing a long pattern for the women and a much longer pattern for the men.  Tennis in America is just not being played by the top level yoing athletes any more.

As a parent, I've definitely pushed my kids to play more "team" vs "individual" sports for the positive social benefits. The Tigers and Lances of the world could probably have benefitted from some team play at some point.

I wonder how many other parents feel this way. I love both tennis and golf, but I think they are more "life long" sports vs. high school experiences. To each their own....

[liam]

This thread is a racket!

[Kernewek]

Eubanks made it a match but fell to Medvedev. Alcaraz advanced as well.  That should be a great semi.

Sabalenka made quick work of Keys, so no Americans in the men's or women's semis, continuing a long pattern for the women and a much longer pattern for the men.  Tennis in America is just not being played by the top level yoing athletes any more.

Well it’s one of the vanguard of stereotypically yuppie sports - it’s expensive, requires special equipment & play areas, the cost to entry against good competition is often quite high, and it’s niche enough that you’re unlikely to pick it up unless you have a family member who plays.

Granted, it’s more visible than polo.

[green_bballers13]

Eubanks made it a match but fell to Medvedev. Alcaraz advanced as well.  That should be a great semi.

Sabalenka made quick work of Keys, so no Americans in the men's or women's semis, continuing a long pattern for the women and a much longer pattern for the men.  Tennis in America is just not being played by the top level yoing athletes any more.

Well it’s one of the vanguard of stereotypically yuppie sports - it’s expensive, requires special equipment & play areas, the cost to entry against good competition is often quite high, and it’s niche enough that you’re unlikely to pick it up unless you have a family member who plays.

Granted, it’s more visible than polo.

The Frances Tiafoe story is remarkable, considering how much competition and resources are put into youth tennis worldwide.

https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/frances-tiafoe-is-more-than-a-good-story

Kernewek is probably right- our most affluent (not athletic) young people are playing tennis.

[Goldstar88]

Novak keeps getting some minor challenges, but then just pulls away.  He has now tied Federer for the most grand slam semis ever (he already had the most quarters).  His stamina, especially at his age, is just amazing.  He will face 8th seeded Sinner in the semis (not until Friday).

Yesterday 27 year old American Christopher Eubanks making his Wimbledon debut advanced to the quarters dispatching Tsitsipas in a 5 setter. Next up for him is 3rd seed Medvedev.  Alcaraz and Rune meet tomorrow as well.

Swiatek upset by an unseeded Ukrainian getting blitzed off the court in the 3rd set. The American, Jessica Pegula has lost for the 6th time in the quarters of a major and has yet to advance to the semis.  Pegula lost to an unseeded Czech.  Madison Keys is the last American woman, she faces 2nd seeded Sabalenka while 6th seeded Jabeur takes on 3rd seeded Rybakina. 

Tomorrow should be the best day of the tournament thus far as those quarters should all be interesting.

Sinner will be a major challenge for Djokovic. He has a lot of firepower and can take the racquet out of his opponents hands. Novak had an extremely favorable draw as the other half has Alcaraz, Medvedev, and Rune, who are all capable of beating him. Should be some epic matches over the next few days. Bummed that I have to go into the office tomorrow. Sigh… I’m hoping for an Alcaraz/Djokovic Final. That would be incredible.

He'll still get rolled. Novak is unstoppable right now. He can look terrible but then he pulls it out somehow. When they're playing him these young guys are half beaten even before they step on the court, he's got that fear factor. The only one that I think might have been able to beat Novak, other than an in-his-prime-Nadal, would have been Kyrgios on a good day because he's crazy and not afraid of anyone.

We shall see. I’d give Djokovic a 60% chance to win tomorrow. Vs Novak, Alcaraz is 1-1 and Rune is 2-1. Medvedev beat Djokovic the last time they played at a major. Kyrgios is as talented as anyone and his serve gives him a lot of free points, but he usually comes up short when the lights are brightest at the majors. The pressure gets to him.

[Moranis]

It just seems like Novak is destined to win the grand slam this year.  Everything seems to be going his way.  That could change in an instant as he looked like he was going to win the Grand Slam in 2021 and Medvedev took him out in straight sets at Final of the US Open.  One wrong bounce can change the outcome of an entire match.  Fickle sport.

[Moranis]

Novak wins in straight sets.  Was nearly broken to start the match but then settled in.  Alcaraz and Medvedev up next.  Medvedev is the only man to beat Novak at a grand slam final since Nadal beat him at the 2020 French.  In fact Novak has won 15 of the last 18 grand slam finals he made (he also lost the 2016 US to Wawrinka but that streak dates back to the 2015 wimbledon). 

I can't see Alcaraz or Medvedev beating him on grass in the final on Sunday.  Hurkacz and Sinner because of their serving are tougher matchups for his style on the surface.  The US is his hardest grand slam as he only has 3 wins there and that is where Medvedev beat him in the Finals in 2021 to end his shot at the grand slam (he also only has 3 at the French, but that is far more about Nadal's dominance than Novak's ability).

[Moranis]

Alcaraz wins easily. 1 vs. 2 for the title. The way it should be.

[Goldstar88]

Novak wins in straight sets.  Was nearly broken to start the match but then settled in.  Alcaraz and Medvedev up next.  Medvedev is the only man to beat Novak at a grand slam final since Nadal beat him at the 2020 French.  In fact Novak has won 15 of the last 18 grand slam finals he made (he also lost the 2016 US to Wawrinka but that streak dates back to the 2015 wimbledon). 

I can't see Alcaraz or Medvedev beating him on grass in the final on Sunday.  Hurkacz and Sinner because of their serving are tougher matchups for his style on the surface.  The US is his hardest grand slam as he only has 3 wins there and that is where Medvedev beat him in the Finals in 2021 to end his shot at the grand slam (he also only has 3 at the French, but that is far more about Nadal's dominance than Novak's ability).

If Alcaraz plays like he did today, he absolutely can beat Djokovic on grass. Carlos is the #1 player in the world for a reason. It should be an epic match Sunday morning.

[Goldstar88]

Match time… Should be a good one.

[Moranis]

not a good start for Alcaraz.  Broken twice already down 4-0

[Goldstar88]

not a good start for Alcaraz.  Broken twice already down 4-0

Not surprised he came out with some nerves. Settled in second set, though. Best of 5, so a long ways to go…

[Goldstar88]

Alcaraz takes the second set in a tiebreak. We have a match!