Chilean (former Canadian junior) Alejandro Tabilo, though 26-years-old, seems to have emerged fully formed from a cabbage patch this year, rocketing from #190 a year ago to #25 on the live ATP rankings. He defeated Zhang today in straight, entertaining sets, following his earlier defeats of Nole and Khachanov. He is so calm and matter-of-fact out there, just going about his business with no muss and no fuss. But he has a fine all-around game with no obvious weaknesses and a forehand that can hurt people. His rise is partly explained by his success in Challengers last year as he won four of them, certainly a big boost to his confidence. Whoever he meets in the semis better bring their "A" game.
Tennis: All Purpose Tennis Thread XVI
- Thread starter MiamiScreamingEagles
- Start date
Zverev wins a one-sided match 3 and 4 over Fritz. As he has been doing all year, Zverev served great (77% on first serve), dominated from the baseline, proved superior on the backhand, and frequently took advantage of his edge in mobility to come to the net, usually with easy putaways. The way he is playing right now, Zverev has to be counted as a significant threat at Roland Garros.
I don't remember who said it, but some guy took the position that there are tennis players and then there are athletes who happen to be tennis players. I definitely think that Tommy Paul is in the latter category. It is so easy to see him as a good-fielding second baseman, a crafty midfielder, a clutch point guard. His easy athleticism mixed with his guile makes him fun to watch.
Very spotty tennis indeed as neither Paul nor Hurkacz could hold form or serve for very long. There were 13 service breaks in all, as first one then the other struggled to hold; their combined winners/unforced errors ratio was a minus 34. Paul finally eked out the win in three less than scintillating sets. Yes, the latter stages of the match was suspenseful but not for the right reasons.
Jarry comes from behind to beat Tsitsipas in three sets. Nicholas had jitters in the first set, but then settled down and outplayed Tsitsipas by a small but telling margin the rest of the way. His forehand did much of the damage, but it was a hit or miss affair what with 23 winners on that side to go along with 21 unforced errors.
Two Chileans in the semis of a 1000-level event--that has to be a first. It would be cool if they met in the final, but Zverev is probably licking his chops right now.
Two Chileans in the semis of a 1000-level event--that has to be a first. It would be cool if they met in the final, but Zverev is probably licking his chops right now.
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Sabalenka/Swiatek again in the final...would not shock me in the least if it happens again 2 weeks from now
Curious thing. The ballboys and ballgirls in Rome have matching outfits with one notable difference: the boys wear normal-looking shorts while the ballgirls wear ultra-tight short shorts. Shouldn't at least the WTF take note and explain to the organizers of the event what year we are in?
Geez, now I am kind of glad I only read the scores and didn't watch any games so far.
Seriously, what is wrong with these people.
I don't know if WTF is a typo, but if so it is an appropriate one.
After that first set I did not see Zeverev coming back to win it.
Jarry v Paul should be an interesting match later.
Jarry v Paul should be an interesting match later.
It's worse than a typo. It's more like a Freudian slip. I thought the organization was the Women's Tennis Federation, but, of course, it's the Women's Tennis Association. I think I will leave it, though. It is kind of a WTF thing.
Looking forward to your next set of quarterfinal predictions.
If you want to feel better, just look at my pre-tournament predictions.. 
It's worse than a typo. It's more like a Freudian slip. I thought the organization was the Women's Tennis Federation, but, of course, it's the Women's Tennis Association. I think I will leave it, though. It is kind of a WTF thing.
Looking forward to your next set of quarterfinal predictions.
I should have posted my predictions for the Womens tournament instead. I went 3 for 4 there (did not have Collins beating Azarenka).
If I had made pre-tournament predictions, I believe only I would have had one or two out of eight players in the quarterfinal correct, Tsitsipas and maybe Fritz (I'd have to double check his route). All the others were not even on my radar.
I should offer my services to gamblers, I give them my predictions and they place their bets on the opposite outcome.
Speaking of which....Paul over Jarry. Jarry is kind of scary, an atypical South American with a big serve and a potentially vicious forehand. Trouble is, he is streaky as hell as his confidence ebbs and flows, thus really erratic over the course of a match. Paul's injury layoff seems to have done him a world of good, and he is playing very good tennis since coming back. If he holds his concentration, he should win. But if he gets flustered when Jarry gets hot, he might almost as easily fall.
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Some of these forehand exchanges between Sabalenka and Swiatek, it is astonishing how hard these women hit the ball. It's like watching Rublev playing Rublev.
Elvis P
London Calling
The Italian Open was where Zverev's career took off. Another title in Rome signals a career revival
The Italian Open was where it all began for Alexander Zverev with his first Masters Series title seven years ago. On Sunday, another Rome trophy signaled a career revival. Zverev put on a serving clinic to beat 24th-ranked Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 7-5 and earn his biggest trophy since tearing his...
sports.yahoo.com
Shapo looks sharp in a 7-5, 6-love win over clay court specialist Coria. Denis looked pretty relaxed out there, especially the second run-away set. He is giving himself more margin for error and it is resulting in fewer unforced errors.
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Elvis P
London Calling
Wozniacki's dad launches scathing attack on WTA and tennis after wildcard snub
Piotr Wozniacki has torn into the WTA and the state of women's tennis as he slammed the treatment of mothers on the tour and warned that his daughter will quit.
www.the-express.com
Wozniacki's dad's irritation is understandable, but wild cards are one of the major perks for tournaments, and they use these invitations not to be "fair" but to promote local talent and to give fans some fellow countrymen/women to cheer for. So basically tournaments give wild cards to players who they deem suits their best interest. I don't think this arrangement is changing anytime soon.Wozniacki's dad launches scathing attack on WTA and tennis after wildcard snub
Piotr Wozniacki has torn into the WTA and the state of women's tennis as he slammed the treatment of mothers on the tour and warned that his daughter will quit.
Elvis P
London Calling
I'd bet that list is going to grow before the tournament starts. This year has been brutal for injuries, but it may not be an anomaly. It may indicate a larger systemic problem in the game: too many tournaments, too many exhibitions, too much pressure to play, play, play.
In his first test since his possible concussion, Nole didn't look great (he gave up 11 break point opportunities though Hanfmann could only convert one of them), but he erased any doubts that he won't be ready for the French Open. It was a very workman-like, passionless performance from Djokovic, 3 and 3. He didn't look like he was enjoying himself until the final game when he hit a couple of blazing zingers. But he got out of the match pretty much exactly what he needed to get.
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