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The Gays and Tennis 38: Clay season begins!

Will anyone rise to defeat Nadal or will he dominate once again? Will Djokovic be in the mix or continue his recent slump? Can A. Zverev get his shit together after a poor start to the year? Can Thiem build on his IW momentum or that was an anomaly? Will any other #NextGen members make themselves a factor? FAA? Tiafoe?

Will anyone on the WTA win more than 1 tournament? Could we see 1 or 2 women be consistent during the clay season? Will Osaka improve her clay game?

Flasback hot tub moment for duel coverboys

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by Anonymousreply 600April 20, 2019 3:35 AM

Two jinx for the prize of one

by Anonymousreply 1April 1, 2019 6:54 PM

I wonder how Monfils will go on clay this year. He's edging back into form since hooking up with Svitolina. Amazing in Rotterdam (winner) and Dubai (SF, lost a super tight match to Tsitsipas, one of the best of the year). Made only his 2nd ever QF at Indian Wells which is also a slower court. And he defends almost zero points... missed Monte Carlo last year, lost in the opening round of Rome, and only won a single match in Madrid. Plus two matches at RG. That's a lot of ground to make up, and his fragile body might be better served on the dirt. I can see him punishing some of the favourites like a Zverev.

Ditto Stan who is good on clay and seems to be in better health this year. At his peak he can beat most of the rest of the field on this surface bar Nadal and maybe Federer who he usually bends over for.

On the WTA i'm expecting big things from 4 players:

Halep - who will be aiming to defend RG and is playing with less pressure now.

Kvitova - who won two clay titles last year and is #1 in the race to China.

Svitolina - who usually does well on clay and could win her 3rd consecutive Rome title. She is the female Zverev at the slams but is bound to break through eventually. This is as good a time as any.

And Bertens - arguably the only true 'clay court specialist' in the top 10 (Halep is more 'all round')... but now she's improved basically every aspect of her game, has big titles and deep runs on hard and grass, and had the most top 10 wins last year. Will be taking all of that confidence onto her favourite surface.

by Anonymousreply 2April 1, 2019 7:13 PM

Two of the ugliest guys on the ATP tour

by Anonymousreply 3April 1, 2019 7:16 PM

We agree!

by Anonymousreply 4April 1, 2019 7:20 PM

Marrakech update:

OUT: Auger-Aliassime, Sousa

IN: Krajinovic, Fabbiano

Next: Kovalik

FCC is doing the right thing by not playing too many tournaments. He needs to in peak shape[mental and physical ] for the French open. I hope Bianca Andreescu would follow the same suit and not become a journeywoman like Kerber, Svitolina and Help

by Anonymousreply 5April 1, 2019 7:22 PM

Yes, Felix is doing the right thing.

One thing was that kind of schedule when he was outside top 100, but now it's different.

Tsitsipas needs to learn a thing or two, he is playing too many tournaments and even doubles. I know he is young and he has energy, but he it's not like he was losing on first rounds, if he keeps that kind of schedule he will be too tired by the end of the season and probably cost him lose tight matches on GS

by Anonymousreply 6April 1, 2019 7:56 PM

R2 actually all three of Stan’s wins against Federer have been on clay. R5 no way are kerber and Hali’s journeymen players.

by Anonymousreply 7April 1, 2019 8:18 PM

Hey now, Rafa’s a looker. I do agree, though, that Nole’s a plucked chicken.

by Anonymousreply 8April 1, 2019 10:38 PM

Could you please provide the link for Felix's withdrawal from Marrakech, R5?

by Anonymousreply 9April 1, 2019 11:41 PM

Is this where we talk about Family Circle Cup?

by Anonymousreply 10April 2, 2019 3:52 AM

Is Svitolina journeywoman?

by Anonymousreply 11April 2, 2019 3:52 AM

R11: No, definition of journeywoman (journeyman) doesn't include being in the top 10 for a long while. It's someone who is between 100-30 for almost all his/her career, someone who is always there but who is not fighting for the big titles.

Nicola Kuhn maybe didn't recover that well after Miami because he suffered a heavy defeat against Enrique López Pérez. Jannik Sinner (interesting middlename) was hyped in recent articles because he became the player born in 2001 with the best ranking after a challenger 80 and two M25 consecutives but in Alicante he lost against 15 yo Carlos Alcaraz Garfia (who is trained by Juan Carlos Ferrero). Carlos got ranking last year with 14.

by Anonymousreply 12April 2, 2019 1:53 PM

Felix also dances and plays piano...

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by Anonymousreply 13April 2, 2019 2:19 PM

....

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by Anonymousreply 14April 2, 2019 2:23 PM

So there's at least two pianists on the next gen

by Anonymousreply 15April 2, 2019 2:27 PM

BATTLE OF THE LESS TALENTED SISTERS:

Mari Osaka to face Urszula Radwanska in an ITF 80k tournament in Palm Harbor... should start in just a few hours. Who you got?

by Anonymousreply 16April 2, 2019 2:30 PM

Well, Uszula was a top 100 player for a good while, they are not remotely at the same level (or at least they weren't in the past).

Being the brother/sister of a talented player must be a nightmare when you are a player too

by Anonymousreply 17April 2, 2019 2:36 PM

Love that pic OP

by Anonymousreply 18April 2, 2019 2:38 PM

Looks like Federer is only scheduled to play Madrid in May during this clay season, then the French Open. Not a lot of prep for someone who has skipped the clay season for a couple years. He has no points to defend, though, so will only gain.

Last year, Nadal played Monte Carlo (won), Barcelona (won), Madrid (quarters), and Rome (won). His current schedule shows he's playing all four again. If he has some knee issues, that could aggravate them. But Nadal is the King of Clay, so if anyone could pull it off, it's Nadal. That is, though, a lot of points to defend, so if something goes wrong with his knee, he could drop in the rankings.

Last year, Djokovic played Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome. He lost in the earlier rounds in the first three but got to the semis in Rome. Still, not a lot of points to defend. This year, he's skipping Barcelona but playing the other three. Djokovic has seemed to be in a bit of a funk mentally, so we'll see what the clay season brings. He seemed in the same place last year heading into Wimbledon, then he turned his season around there, especially with that extraordinary win over Nadal in the semis.

by Anonymousreply 19April 2, 2019 3:43 PM

But Roger has a very hectic grass schedule after French. Stuttgart, Halle then Wimbledon. I don't think he is very keen to play clay court season but I think its pressures from his main sponsor[what is its name?] which is asking him to play

He is going to mess up his Wimbledon chance because of clay court

by Anonymousreply 20April 2, 2019 4:02 PM

Clay season never made Roger have a problem transition to grass, and this time won't be different.

Let's be honest, if Nadal lose for some reason on one of the early rounds of Roland Garros, the draw will be totally open, and Federer has chances against everyone on clay (with the exception of Nadal on Roland Garros, he really never had a chance in their matches).

And nobody can be sure of reaching the final stages of Wimbledon even if he focus only on grass, he did that last year and failed big time.

Roger needs and easy drawn. Tough matches on early rounds and his chances will go down to near zero

by Anonymousreply 21April 2, 2019 5:40 PM

If Federer goes deep at the French Open, he'll likely skip one of the Wimbledon lead-up tournaments, so I don't see his current grass schedule as being a real problem. Agree with R21 that Federer needs a good draw to help. Unless Nadal is dealing with injury problems, I don't see him going out early, but maybe an upset starting in the Round of 16 on? Doubtful, but there's a possibility depending on his draw. Far more likely that Nadal goes out early at Wimbledon once again unless he gets another good draw like he had last year.

by Anonymousreply 22April 2, 2019 6:43 PM

that's the thing I don't get about Nadal. He whines repeatedly about how damaging hard courts are to his body and how clay is softer OK fine. Then he goes and plays a full clay schedule! Yes clay is easier on the body but the points are typically longer, especially for a grinder like Nadal. Then he dominates clay and says he's injured after Wimbledon every year. It's like he doesn't realize his style of play and overplaying on clay also plays a part in his injuries.

by Anonymousreply 23April 2, 2019 6:51 PM

The problem with Nadal is that he ijured himself very early in his career. Injuries stopped his progression two consecutive years when he was very young just before his rise to being unbeatable on clay. During most part of his career he just relied on his defense too much. Yes, he is a wal, and his type of game with high bouncing balls is a hurddle for most players (specially players with a one hand backhand) but he had enough weapons to make the matches shorter if he was a little bit more aggressive. He is doing just that in recent years but it's too late for his body and of course the old strategy will be impossible right now.

What makes Nadal so difficult to beat on clay is his mental strength, when you have to play an extra point again and again and again to defeat him it's difficult to cope. And he was very smart on Australia. He was obviously not at his best, but he was able to start all his matches fully concentrated and get early breaks, and do the same set after set. Playing against him when you are behind on the score it's very difficult.

I don't know if he'll be able to dominate so clearly this year even if he is healthy., Of course i thought exactly the same last year and he won very easily all tournaments with the exception of Madrid (when he always struggle) and Rome final (when rain saved him)

by Anonymousreply 24April 2, 2019 7:13 PM

Sloane edges past Sorribes Tormo 7-6(4) 7-6(4). It was a mix of the very good and the very bad. Sloane was down double break 2-5 in the first set before the momentum swung her way. She also served for the match in the second set at 5-4 with 2 match points but got broken. She was down 2-4 in the second set tiebreak as well before reeling off the last 5 points.

Sorribes Tormo is a real clay courter with wicked spin but Sloane made some horrible misses. She'll need to up her level by a lot if she wants to do well in the clay season

by Anonymousreply 25April 2, 2019 11:31 PM

[quote]Then he dominates clay and says he's injured after Wimbledon every year. It's like he doesn't realize his style of play and overplaying on clay also plays a part in his injuries.

Gosh, you must ring-up his team immediately and advise them of this! I'm sure they've never even given this consideration.

by Anonymousreply 26April 3, 2019 12:00 AM

R25 well he does and says the same thing every year so clearly he will never change. It makes him look silly for continually bashing hardcourt tournaments. I agree there should be a longer grass season but I doubt most fans or players would want half the year spent on clay.

Nadal even flipped out the year that Madrid debuted that different blue clay. Even though it was still clay, it played differently and Nadal hated it. He lost early and threatened not to return if it didn't go back to "regular" red clay.

by Anonymousreply 27April 3, 2019 12:59 AM

Probably his sponsors pressure him to play as many clay tournaments as possible because that's where he wins and they want their products front and centre.

by Anonymousreply 28April 3, 2019 1:23 AM

Not to derail this too much - but got an email saying that a "DC based venture capitalist, Mark Ein" is taking over the management of the DC Citi Open from the WETF, with the option to buy the tournament outright in 5 years. Tournament is rejoining the US Open series and will focus on "improving the experience for both visitors and players."

Also - Isner has a stress fracture in his foot. He's out for 4 to 6 weeks.

by Anonymousreply 29April 3, 2019 3:01 AM

joining Stephens as winners today in Charleston: defending champ Bertens, Collins, Kanepi and Martic def. Anisimova

by Anonymousreply 30April 3, 2019 3:16 AM

Is Sorribes Tormo journeywoman?

by Anonymousreply 31April 3, 2019 3:26 AM

Some of these shticks are as old and tired as Ivo.

by Anonymousreply 32April 3, 2019 5:09 AM

Danielle ROSE Collins?

by Anonymousreply 33April 3, 2019 6:42 AM

WTA's finest rose

by Anonymousreply 34April 3, 2019 7:06 AM

Greta Arn (who will be 40 in ten days) beat Lara Arruabarrena in Monterrey.

Speaking of Isner, I found this twitter post hilarious:

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by Anonymousreply 35April 3, 2019 7:23 AM

Clay is clearly the best surface for tennis, health wise and otherwise, grass is pretty good for health as well, and good for playing as well.

by Anonymousreply 36April 3, 2019 10:34 AM

[quote] Speaking of Isner, I found this twitter post hilarious

[quote] Isner is struggling to walk. He told his box, which includes felony battery suspect Justin Gimelstob, "I can't move."

Isner is suspected of battery too?

by Anonymousreply 37April 3, 2019 10:37 AM

[quote] Clay is clearly the best surface for tennis, health wise and otherwise, grass is pretty good for health as well, and good for playing as well.

I agree. I'm one of the small number of proponents that the Australian Open should return to grass. I know it's never going to happen, but I wish it for the US Open too.

by Anonymousreply 38April 3, 2019 10:39 AM

[quote]Isner is suspected of battery too?

I don't think so, maybe you read 'felony' as 'fellow' ?

Here's Tsitsy in underwear from one of his vlogs:

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by Anonymousreply 39April 3, 2019 12:35 PM

There are already a LOT of clay tournaments. One slam, THREE Masters 1000, and a bunch of 250s and 500s that go throughout pretty much the whole year (as we saw with the likes of Djere and FAA playing them while everyone else was still in hard court mode). There isn't a single Masters tournament played on grass.

Even for the women, if you so wish you can play clay AFTER the grass season in places like Bucharest.

Clay is good for the body but the long grinding points, slow balls, and hampered movement (so easy to wrong-foot someone on clay because they can't turn straight around), are not that entertaining to me. Not to mention the constant checking of marks and rubbing them out with your shoe when you hit an error just so everyone at home knows it was a weird bounce and not your fault (lol).

And since we already have plenty of them, i'd like to see more tournaments on grass and the return of carpet (which is softer on the joints than hard courts too). One thing's for certain, we have enough blue slow-hard court tournaments to last us a lifetime.

by Anonymousreply 40April 3, 2019 12:35 PM

R37 not that I know of. I just thought it was funny since NONE of the tennis world or journalists will talk about Gimelstob's homophobia, misogyny, and his assault case. Every time it cut to him in Miami they were dead silent. To have one of the tennis journalists just slip it in there like that and make a point of mentioning it when it didn't need to be ("his box, which includes felony battery suspect Justin Gimelstob") was refreshing.

I just saw the replay of Sloane's pathetic win (if you can call it that) over Sara Sorribes Tormo. She hit 56 errors.... in only 2 sets - horrendous. In the post-match interview she said "she's a tough opponent, I was like who made the draw?? because that was tough." It sounded like she had expected them to fix the draw for her. But Sloane she's NOT a tough opponent, only 3 players have more first-round losses on their ranking than her. You are just hopeless.

In nepotism news, Emma Navarro lost to Siegemund. She has never played a WTA level match but she's the tournament director's daughter.... shameless.

by Anonymousreply 41April 3, 2019 12:49 PM

[quote]In nepotism news, Emma Navarro lost to Siegemund. She has never played a WTA level match but she's the tournament director's daughter.... shameless

Apparently she received a wild card because she won the USTA Girls 18s National Clay Court Championships last July

by Anonymousreply 42April 3, 2019 1:02 PM

Based on their clay points the past few years, match win %ages, etc., these are the WTA clay field at the moment.

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by Anonymousreply 43April 3, 2019 1:47 PM

Fitness queen and DL fave 'ten tonnes of fun' Taylor Townhouse just took out #7 seed and defending finalist Julia Goerges in Charleston. 64 76(0).

#4 seed Sevastova is also out to Jessica Pegula.

#3 seed Sabalenka is currently down a double break to qualifier and world #99 Kozlova.

by Anonymousreply 44April 3, 2019 4:04 PM

Taylor hits the ball very hard

by Anonymousreply 45April 3, 2019 4:55 PM

Puig upset Kenin

by Anonymousreply 46April 3, 2019 4:59 PM

In Monterrey yesterday, Kerber, Muguruza and Azarenka all won. That would be a thrill for the tournament if they can keep going and play each other this week

by Anonymousreply 47April 3, 2019 5:00 PM

[quote] Puig upset Kenin

Puig!

by Anonymousreply 48April 3, 2019 5:06 PM

R47 The tournament should be VERY happy! Aside from Azarenka who had a pretty straightforward win, the other two were completely lousy and got let off the hook even though they were down in both sets.

It always amazes me how much luck (or is it luck?) top players have with people who are totally outplaying them, but end up bending over and allowing them through eventually. It happens with Kerber, Federer, Djokovic and Halep a lot, it happened with Sloane and Muguruza this week (as well as Kerber). Obviously Isner and many others.

Is it that the top players are just better at closing? Is it the 'aura' of a top player that puts the other person off? Is it excitement that they're about to get a big upset and they kind of blow their load and forget to play? Most of the time it's not even like the top player will suddenly raise their level at the end of the set/match and earns it, it's more like the underdog (despite dominating) just completely takes their foot off the gas.

by Anonymousreply 49April 3, 2019 5:26 PM

R49 ask A. Zverev when he had a sitter on match point at Indian Wells a couple years ago against Nadal but missed and then collapsed. Still hasn't beaten him

by Anonymousreply 50April 3, 2019 5:40 PM

lol Paire lost to 29 year old #207 Roberto Marcora today 6-3 6-2 what a mess his forehand must have been

by Anonymousreply 51April 3, 2019 6:23 PM

Titsy got booty!

by Anonymousreply 52April 3, 2019 6:23 PM

R49: Sorry but one thing happens too many times it's never luck.

And people talk about Nadal he he didn't have 6 GS on other surfaces. Yes, he is the king of clay but the guy can win everywhere (specially outdoors)

by Anonymousreply 53April 3, 2019 6:25 PM

In her latest instagram post Serena looks quite slim. More so than at the Australian Open.

by Anonymousreply 54April 3, 2019 6:42 PM

Is Nadal clay court specialist?

by Anonymousreply 55April 3, 2019 6:46 PM

lmao Kanepi def. Mertens 0-6 6-0 7-5 I love nutty scores like that

by Anonymousreply 56April 3, 2019 7:39 PM

No more full 3-set doubles matches at the Olympics. In 2020, there will be a match tiebreaker in lieu of a 3d set. The men's gold-medal singles match will no longer be best-of-five sets. Only place left for best of five: the Slams

by Anonymousreply 57April 3, 2019 7:44 PM

nadal can kiss gold medal good bye and so does nole

by Anonymousreply 58April 3, 2019 7:44 PM

Kind of feel bad for Osaka. People on social media hyped up a possible relationship with tittypas, but he's going with Maria Sakkari instead.

by Anonymousreply 59April 3, 2019 8:06 PM

Useless fact about Pestros:

Last year at one of junior tournaments he played doubles with Brian Bencic, Belinda's brother.

by Anonymousreply 60April 3, 2019 8:13 PM

I wonder what Titsy saw in Sakkari? She is very homely looking. Not that Naomi is very beautiful either

by Anonymousreply 61April 3, 2019 8:15 PM

Alexander #Zverev will add Marrakesch (starts 8th of April) to his schedule.

expect another shoddy French open from him

by Anonymousreply 62April 3, 2019 8:18 PM

Br. Bencic and Be. Bencic

by Anonymousreply 63April 3, 2019 8:20 PM

Litte off topic ? But does any Canadain Dler knows what William Bouchard exactly does?I mean his profession ?

by Anonymousreply 64April 3, 2019 8:27 PM

R62, I’ve always assumed Sakkari was gay. Go figure. If she’s with Tsitsi they must both be straight.

by Anonymousreply 65April 3, 2019 9:08 PM

What R61 said

by Anonymousreply 66April 3, 2019 9:08 PM

Sorry, that last message was for r61, not r62.

by Anonymousreply 67April 3, 2019 9:09 PM

The tour should be 12-14 weeks of each surface. It’s just not possible unfortunately... so few grass courts.

by Anonymousreply 68April 3, 2019 10:39 PM

DL Fave Fran Schiavone is now in Wozniacki's box.

by Anonymousreply 69April 3, 2019 10:49 PM

Fran?

It’s Frank, you heathen.

by Anonymousreply 70April 3, 2019 10:52 PM

R69, Of course she is, they all are!

by Anonymousreply 71April 4, 2019 12:24 AM

Maria Keys

by Anonymousreply 72April 4, 2019 1:38 AM

titsy is hot

by Anonymousreply 73April 4, 2019 2:04 AM

Charleston had a couple of adventure matches today. Rogers served for the match third set 5-1 against Ostapenko. Then Ostapenko served for the match at 6-5 and finally won in a tiebreak.

Keys was up a set and 4-1 before losing 5 straight games. She was then down a break 3-4 in the final set before reeling off the last 3 games to finally get a win

Sabalenka won in 3

Wozniacki, Bencic and Collins all win in 2

Pegula upsets Sevastova in 2

by Anonymousreply 74April 4, 2019 3:02 AM

[quote] Wozniacki, Bencic and Collins all win in 2

You’ll have to get used to her winning. (Rolls eyes)

by Anonymousreply 75April 4, 2019 3:03 AM

we haven't seen too many double bagels yet this year but in Monterrey we have one today. Pavlyuchenkova smoked Jorovic 6-0 6-0

speaking of Monterrey...there's a men's challenger this week there. What the HELL has happened to Escobedo? He was on the rise in 2017 before he started stalling last year. He's now down to #292 and lost first round.

by Anonymousreply 76April 4, 2019 3:08 AM

[quote] What the HELL has happened to Escobedo?

A just question, my liege.

by Anonymousreply 77April 4, 2019 3:13 AM

I'm not surprised Pavlyuchenkova fed her opponent a double bagel, she really is the queen of Monterrey. She has won the event FOUR times, didn't even play it last year for some reason. Angie "drama queen" Kerber is also playing and Pavs has beaten her twice in finals there. I would love to see her knock out Kerber yet again.

Someone mentioned it already but the Kanepi match also featured a double bagel *of sorts*. Defeated Mertens 0-6, 6-0, 7-5. Mertens had a match point at 5-4 as well. The first two sets combined were less than 45 minutes, but the last one went for about an hour and a half. Lots of up and down scores on the clay so far!

by Anonymousreply 78April 4, 2019 5:28 AM

[quote]Is it that the top players are just better at closing? Is it the 'aura' of a top player that puts the other person off? Is it excitement that they're about to get a big upset and they kind of blow their load and forget to play?

Because so much of the game is mental and about holding your nerve. Watch any random match between someone ranked No. 10 vs. a qualifier ranked 100+. Both players generally hit the ball well, but often it's the mental aspects of the game that really separate them.

by Anonymousreply 79April 4, 2019 9:42 AM

Well, you only need a couple of rumours on DL and they get a girlfriend in no time. Given how dissapointing was some of his behaviour recently i expect him following Zeverv footsteps and uploading cheesy videos with the girlfriend in no time.

Frankly i always found very weird the fact that most tennis players are in relationships even when they are very young. They are traveling all the time so unless you are in a Nadal/Xisca kind of relationship it doesn't made too much sense. Of course dating a fellow tennis player made that at least you can see your girlfriend at the big tournaments.

If Felix keeps progressing at that rhythm i am curious about how the older next gen will react

by Anonymousreply 80April 4, 2019 2:20 PM

R65: Or maybe they are in a very convenient lavender relationship.

Anyway, there was no way Tipsy will come out (in case he is gay). He is some kind of national here now so he would be in an Ian Thorpe kind of situation.

To come out in a profesional sport with money (even in one where homophobia is not rampant like tennis) you need a lot of personality (and probably having some career and victories behind your back is a good idea too, it would be too much distraction if you are at the beginning of your career)

by Anonymousreply 81April 4, 2019 2:24 PM

He seems really close with Naomi and Sakkari, but he also does ping a lot to me. Has a lot of those 'gay youtuber' characteristics, and it took most of them an AGE to come out on their channels (probably when viewership was dipping lol). I can kiiind of see him doing the same thing eventually, but at the moment everything about him is very asexual and almost childlike. From his social media to his interviews to his sense of humour. He's like a kid (an overly sensitive one prone to bursts of anger).

Sakkari actually said last year when asked about him that "she's known him forever" and when there was a pause in the press conference, she said "not like that!!" and laughed. So if they are together it's a more recent thing. Also worth noting that she is older and has nobody to travel with her most of the year (in a lot of Tsitsi's social media stories she is there eating with his family etc.). The only people on the tour who speak her native language are Stef, Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Marco Baghdatis, and the latter two are mostly playing mens challengers. So I can see why she and Tsitsi would have become close companions.

Funnily enough people have commented that they think she might be a lesbian (it's probably the sporty, very muscular female jock look and tomboyish clothes - not unlike Ashley Barty). She's known to be one of the nicest girls on the tour and always gives a hug after losing. So who knows... maybe they can have a bearding relationship together lol.

by Anonymousreply 82April 4, 2019 3:45 PM

Hahaha

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by Anonymousreply 83April 4, 2019 6:26 PM

Charleston upsets!

Sakkari upsets defending chasmp Bertens in straights

Puig def. Sabalenka in straights. I don't think Sabalenka knows how to play on clay just yet. She struggled in the first round too

by Anonymousreply 84April 4, 2019 7:08 PM

Monterrey: Mladenovic gets her easiest win in a long time 6-0 6-2 romp over 39 year old Greta Arn. Only 1 double fault and didn't get broken

by Anonymousreply 85April 4, 2019 7:11 PM

Sascha Zverev has more points than WTA No. 1 despite:

- his slam results

- the fact that ATP gives fewer points than WTA to non-winners

- Osaka receiving 375 pts for losing ALL matches at YEC

by Anonymousreply 86April 4, 2019 7:15 PM

I thought Sakkari would get double bageled or something lol. Watched the match and she was amazing, color me surprised.

With players like Bertens, Goerges, Sabalenka, Sevastova, Mertens, and Kenin eliminated, the Charleston draw is quite open. Belinda Bencic has been playing well and she has a cakewalk draw. Who knows, perhaps Puig, Sakkari, Sloane Stephens, Maddy Keys, or even Jelena Ostapenko will finally get a good result this season. Kaia Kanepi is always dangerous too and still alive in the draw.

In Monterrey, Mladenovic beats 40 year old Greta Arn 60 62. Was closer than the score suggests.

by Anonymousreply 87April 4, 2019 7:22 PM

[quote]Mladenovic gets her easiest win in a long time 6-0 6-2 romp over 39 year old Greta Arn.

Yep! Kiki really gave it to her.

by Anonymousreply 88April 4, 2019 7:28 PM

R86: Despite recent and GS results Sascha is a very consistent player (something noone can say on the wta right now).

by Anonymousreply 89April 4, 2019 7:43 PM

but Alexander has not been consistent at all this season. His losses at the AO, IW and Miami were very poor. He was garbage in all 3 matches

by Anonymousreply 90April 4, 2019 7:55 PM

Are you referring to Tsitsipas in your first paragraph, R80?

And are you referring to Auger-Aliassime in your third paragraph? Also do you mean reaction to his game by stepping up their game accordingly, or do you mean something else? FAA checks a wishful few of the stereotypical boxes: artistic, musical, articulate, etc.

by Anonymousreply 91April 4, 2019 8:19 PM

No, but his points are not from this season.

In my opinion there's something that's failing big time, i don't know if it's what he was saying at US Open between finding a balance between his life and tennis or if he is not feeling well or whatever, but he is subpar this season and it came at the worst timing with all those young players getting good results recently

R91: I was talkinga bout Stefanos.

My comment about Felix was about how people like Zverev or Tsitsipas will react (some made some bitchy comments about rivals before) if FAA steal their spotlight.

I don't know that much about him but Felix seems very likeable, nice and articulate. And curiously he is the second next gen who seems to have an interest on playing piano which is a nice touch in a circuit where the most intelectual activity seems to be play sports videogames

by Anonymousreply 92April 4, 2019 8:24 PM

R92: both made bitchy comments which it was something very common on the wta.

I don't know if they realize that the "he did nothing to win, i was the one who lose" type of comments made them look really bad.

In Tsitsipas case it was specially dissapointing because he was on the other side of those type of comments last year when he lost against Sascha

by Anonymousreply 93April 4, 2019 8:27 PM

Charleston: Keys def. Ostapenko in straight sets

Wozniacki def. Buzarnescu in 3

by Anonymousreply 94April 4, 2019 11:27 PM

Nole!

by Anonymousreply 95April 5, 2019 1:53 AM

Stephens def. Tomljanovic 4-6 6-4 6-4 she was down 4-6 0-3 (double break) before things turned. Tomljanovic was also up a break at 4-3 in the third before Stephens took the last 3 games

Monterrey: Azarenka def. Diyas easily

by Anonymousreply 96April 5, 2019 2:04 AM

Muguruza and Kerber win

tomorrow we get to see what will be a bitchtastic match between Muguruza and Mladenovic. I hope there's video of the handshake

by Anonymousreply 97April 5, 2019 4:10 AM

They hate each other, so Muguruza will be motivated enough to play a decent match

by Anonymousreply 98April 5, 2019 2:01 PM

{unless you are in a Nadal/Xisca kind of relationship it doesn't made too much sense}

Do you mean the kind where your sister's girlfriend is your wife? Look at the jewelry, hair, manicures In every single picture year after year they look the same. Like 2 people who do every single thing together.

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by Anonymousreply 99April 5, 2019 2:59 PM

I can't believe Ajla let Sloane off the hook so many times. Well I can, because she's one of the biggest chokers on the tour (it's no wonder she doesn't have a single title yet). But it's still disappointing.

Speaking of disappointing, here's Wozniacki from yesterday.

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by Anonymousreply 100April 5, 2019 3:23 PM

Umm, r100, that ball looks out to me - so if that was called in, no wonder Caroline reacted like that. Or are you trying to say that's her disease?

by Anonymousreply 101April 5, 2019 4:09 PM

R101 I agree the ball looks close (from that angle) but it's actually caught quite a bit of the line, the umpire checked and you could see the mark clearly on camera afterward.

But in any case I just thought it was a funny point. She thought it was going out too but just didn't adjust her footwork at all either way.

by Anonymousreply 102April 5, 2019 4:17 PM

Look again, R101. You can see clay on the line, then when the ball hits, the clay disappears. Clearly right on the line.

by Anonymousreply 103April 5, 2019 4:49 PM

Burzanescu played some brilliant points in that match.

by Anonymousreply 104April 5, 2019 4:51 PM

wow I didn't expect Martic to straight set Bencic. Martic is very fit but not a great mover. She has a clever game but not that powerful either. I think she'll get demolished by the winner of Wozniacki/Sakkari

by Anonymousreply 105April 5, 2019 6:32 PM

R101: That's way more funny than the time she mocked Nadal's cramps

by Anonymousreply 106April 5, 2019 6:51 PM

funnier, funnier, i wanted to write funnier (god my english is getting worse and worse)

by Anonymousreply 107April 5, 2019 6:51 PM

(R107, don’t sweat it—funny is an adjective often used as an adverb, so your “That’s way more funny” isn’t wrong.)

by Anonymousreply 108April 5, 2019 6:55 PM

I’m watching Wozniacki v Sakkari right now, and if Sakkari is straight, or even remotely bi and not 100% gay, I will turn in my gay card and accept ostracism from My People.

by Anonymousreply 109April 5, 2019 6:59 PM

'Way more funnier' would have been a horrendous mistake and you'd have been crucified for it.

by Anonymousreply 110April 5, 2019 7:03 PM

R109 = Eléni Daniilídou ;~)

by Anonymousreply 111April 5, 2019 7:18 PM

Wozniacki destroys Sakkari

Keys gets her first win over Stephens in a very up and down match 7-6(6) 4-6 6-2 Stephens served for the first set at 5-4 and again at 6-5. Keys was up 4-0 in the tiebreak before Stephens went up 6-4. Then Keys won the last 4 points. The second set feature more breaks as well. The third set was very straightforward

by Anonymousreply 112April 5, 2019 10:54 PM

Keys and Stephens are so both unlikeable I wish they could both lose.

by Anonymousreply 113April 5, 2019 11:05 PM

Keys actually seems alright, though I despise her playing style. Stephens is a brat.

by Anonymousreply 114April 5, 2019 11:07 PM

I like both Madison and Sloane. (Keys playing style drives me up the wall, though.)

by Anonymousreply 115April 5, 2019 11:18 PM

Is FAA interested in interior design, or am I just internet challenged?

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by Anonymousreply 116April 5, 2019 11:26 PM

R115, I like Keys' playing style -- it's a lot like Davenport's, who's one of my favorite players of all time. What drives me batshit crazy is Madison's poor execution. She seems to be more naturally athletic than Lindsay was and maybe moves a little better, but Davenport worked hard to get in the best shape she could and played a much tidier game. And her groundstrokes were awesome.

by Anonymousreply 117April 5, 2019 11:40 PM

Keys seems like a nice girl but her game is a bit frustrating. However when she's on, she's THRILLING. Just absolutely paints the lines (and she has a surprising amount of variety and movement too). I'll never forget her defeating Coco in the US Open SF. She was wiping the floor with her (I think Coco barely got to hit any balls actually) and then took an MTO lol. I was like 'is she really playing this well *while* hampered?' Ridiculous level. Unplayable. A shame she shit her pants in the final against Sloane.

Garbage Muguruza got a painful, pathetic win over her nemesis Kiki "25 languages" Mladenovic in Monterrey. She was up 6-1 5*-1, wasted several match points, and kept choking away the victory until eventually Mladenovic was up 6-5 in the second set. Muguruza looked like she was about to have a mental breakdown on the court, Kiki was robbed a point or two by some bad umpiring, and eventually she managed to get back on serve and win it 7-5 in the tiebreak.

by Anonymousreply 118April 6, 2019 12:07 AM

Puig demolishes Collins. Too bad Sloane didn't win as I want to see them play since Puig has Sloane's former coach now and that always makes for an interesting dynamic.

SF in Charleson are now: Wozniacki vs. Martic and Keys vs. Puig

by Anonymousreply 119April 6, 2019 12:54 AM

Houston draw is out. Wow what an underwhelming field this year. Looking at the list of former champs, I forgot slam winners used to play there. The last time a slam winner won Houston was in 2009, Hewitt at the end of his career.

This year's draw is headed by top seed #39 Johnson who is 2-time defending champ. Chardy, Norrie, Opelka, Fritz, McDonald, Thompson and Querrey are the other seeds.

Other players to look out for include former champ Granollers, #nextgen Ruud, Tomic, Rubin, former top 10 Tipsarevic, Sandgren, Harrison, former champ Karlovic and clay lover Cuevas.

Lots of opportunity for most of the players in the draw to win this title. I don't think Johnson will complete a three-peat

by Anonymousreply 120April 6, 2019 12:59 AM

Underwhelming is an understatement, though McDonald, Cuevas, and Tomic's ass are worth a look. I wonder if Tomic will ever return from his profligate ways and realize some of his early potential since at 26 it may not be too late. Not that he's endeared himself to anyone anyway.

by Anonymousreply 121April 6, 2019 2:14 AM

Kerber straight sets Flipkens

by Anonymousreply 122April 6, 2019 2:21 AM

Who are the trolls on the tennis threads?

by Anonymousreply 123April 6, 2019 2:24 AM

Azarenka straight sets Pavlyuchenkova

Monterrey SF: Muguruza vs. Rybarikova and Kerber vs. Azarenka

in the challenger, Feliciano Lopez lost to #121 next genner Alexander Bublik

by Anonymousreply 124April 6, 2019 4:07 AM

Alphatbet soup

by Anonymousreply 125April 6, 2019 4:08 AM

Alphabet soup

by Anonymousreply 126April 6, 2019 4:09 AM

Lilibet soup

by Anonymousreply 127April 6, 2019 4:09 AM

R119 You still get your interesting dynamic! Just on the other side. Madison Keys is currently coached by Nacho Todero, who used to be Puig's coach.

by Anonymousreply 128April 6, 2019 9:16 AM

Cuevas is HAF even with that toucan bill. Tomic does indeed have nice cakes.

by Anonymousreply 129April 6, 2019 10:49 AM

The main problem with Keys is mental. She underperforms everytime she has to play a big match

by Anonymousreply 130April 6, 2019 10:55 AM

R121: I have serious doubts. I have to say that i was never impressed with Tomic, and that generation born in 92 and 93 never reached their potential, in fact some of the biggest flops in recent years of promising juniors were born those years.

Being irregular like Wawrinka is one thing, but a bad attitude and general disinterest for tennis is a very different one and way more difficult to correct

by Anonymousreply 131April 6, 2019 10:58 AM

Keys doesn't have a champion's mentality, i.e., she has no killer instinct. She gets all nervy and her game goes to shit.

by Anonymousreply 132April 6, 2019 10:58 AM

WTF Sascha Zverev is doing in Morroco? Clay season is already too long with three masters 1000 tournament, And he is playing this ATP 250. ? He will probably also play ATP 250 in Munich because that is "his fucking court" " How much energy he will have left for RG?

Why the hell he is behaving like a journeyman? We know that is Thiem's job

by Anonymousreply 133April 6, 2019 5:15 PM

R133: Maybe he needs some warm up for clay season. He is having very bad results this season (thankfully he has a girlfriend to make videos) so maybe a title (or at least a bunch of won matches) will help him to be in the right path again

by Anonymousreply 134April 6, 2019 5:21 PM

I think he wants matches, since he has barely played this year. Of course that's been due to him sucking. Momentum is everything though, I guess he's hoping to pick some up.

by Anonymousreply 135April 6, 2019 5:27 PM

Wozniacki is playing great tennis this week!

by Anonymousreply 136April 6, 2019 5:51 PM

The truth is Zverev is in a complicated moment. He achieved a lot and he is still very young (he is around the age Federer started to win GS) but he has a lot of pressure for his subpar results at GS (Rublev or Tiafoe have quarter finals on a GS in their curriculum when they are very far from Sascha achievements on the circuit) and this year he is not playing well and the results are poor, and unfortunately for him this happened at the same time Tsitsipas reached the top ten and FAA become the rising star or the circuit (and there are a good bunch of players younger than Sascha that are starting to get some attention) so he needs to start winning as soon as possible. And he defends a lot of points on clay season. He even got his best result on a GS on last season Roland Garros (yes, he struggle at almost every round and he was destroyed by Thiem, but it was his best performance by far). Of course things could get worse if he starts losing matches against other next gen players

by Anonymousreply 137April 6, 2019 5:54 PM

Former No. 26 player Joao Sousa from Portugal has been suspended by the TIU.

by Anonymousreply 138April 6, 2019 5:59 PM

R136 I hate to say it, but she really is playing well.

Adding Francisco Schiavone to her team seems to have been a great move. I wonder if she and dad will kick her out after using her knowledge though. They did the same thing with Sacha Bajin, hiring him, putting all his advice in to play (after which she won her YEC and fake Grand Slam), and promptly firing him after about 3 months.

She immediately started sucking until basically now when she added another good coach to her team. This is such a lesson to all the other daddy's girls (namely Caro Garcia, Camila Giorgi, Sofia Kenin, and mommy's girls Ostapenko and Mladenovic), to add someone with new ideas to their team.

by Anonymousreply 139April 6, 2019 6:11 PM

Zverev really has no reason not to win Marrakesh. The other seeds are Fognini, Edmund, Simon, Djere, Verdasco, Kohlschreiber and Herbert. If he loses, then he should be very worried about his form. I know it's just the first week of clay but still.

by Anonymousreply 140April 6, 2019 6:14 PM

Link, R138?

by Anonymousreply 141April 6, 2019 6:19 PM

Even Nadal career was looking directionless few years ago until he hired Moya in his team . Rafa wanted to hire him for a quite some time. But selfish uncle Tony was dead against any outside influence. Finally Tony had to agree because Nadal career was in the slump

by Anonymousreply 142April 6, 2019 6:21 PM

Which player Sasha Birjin currently coaching?

by Anonymousreply 143April 6, 2019 6:23 PM

R143 Actually he was with Mladenovic in Miami, but rumour has it he also might go with Olga Danilovic. I'm sure he's fielding a few calls though...

by Anonymousreply 144April 6, 2019 6:31 PM

Yeah, source for the Sousa news? Can't find anything on google, only that he has withdrawn from Marrakech.

by Anonymousreply 145April 6, 2019 7:08 PM

R140: Yes, he is the clear (very very clear) favourite there but that doesn't mean a thing if he doesn't play way. Fognini is playing bad lately but on a good day he is the type of player that can make a top player look pedestrian, Djere was playing very well on the clay tournaments before IW and Kohlschreiber has a good bunch of upsets under his belt

by Anonymousreply 146April 6, 2019 7:12 PM

[quote]Former No. 26 player Joao Sousa from Portugal has been suspended by the TIU.

Huh, r138? More info needed...

by Anonymousreply 147April 6, 2019 8:50 PM

Uncle Toni, not Tony.

by Anonymousreply 148April 6, 2019 8:56 PM

Ok found the source, but it's Brazilian Joao Souza, not the Portuguese Sousa.

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by Anonymousreply 149April 6, 2019 8:58 PM

Thank Christ!

by Anonymousreply 150April 6, 2019 9:09 PM

I'm the one who made the Souza/Sousa mistake. Apologies all.

by Anonymousreply 151April 6, 2019 9:13 PM

Charleston final set

Wozniacki vs. Keys

Woz was too solid for Martic

Keys really battered Puig in the second set but she did come up lame after 1 point towards the end. Hopefully it won't affect her tomorrow for the final

by Anonymousreply 152April 6, 2019 9:21 PM

R139 Why was it a fake Slam?

by Anonymousreply 153April 6, 2019 10:18 PM

R153 because in the third round, Jana Fett had match point against her and hit an ace. The ball was called out (but hawkeye later showed that it was in). Jana Fett was too inexperienced (or just plain stupid?) to challenge. The AO have quietly edited the hawkeye replay out of their 'highlights' videos since, lol. I think it's still somewhere on twitter.

Wozniacki ended up winning the match and made her way to the final without having to play a single top 20 player. In the final she used every trick in the book, from delay tactics, to fake MTOs, and finally won her slam over a then one-legged Halep (who had just played the longest match of her life against Lauren Davis and was later treated for exhaustion). Boring us all to tears in the process.

But anyone who was watching that day knows she effectively lost that match in round three, fair and square. There's a big asterisk next to her slam if you ask me.

by Anonymousreply 154April 6, 2019 10:23 PM

Also I just saw the Puig / Keys match and it was one of those rare occasions where Keys was unplayable. Poor Monica could only watch the balls fly past her. If she could summon that level for even 1/3rd of her matches, she would be a top 5 player. But i'm guessing she'll probably bring her worst to the final.

by Anonymousreply 155April 6, 2019 10:24 PM

[quote]There's a big asterisk next to her slam if you ask me.

Try having a big asterisk next to your slam [italic]count[/italic]!

by Anonymousreply 156April 6, 2019 11:06 PM

Whoever made the Davenport Keys reference needs to get their eyes checked and turn in their tennis knowledge card. Lindsay Davenport was WAY more consistent with her ground strokes and hit incredible shots, even on the run when she was not in the best shape. 3 grand slams and I think 5 years as year end #1. I like Madison but her tennis IQ is nowhere near Davenport and her style of play is not the same. Lindsay was also amazing at doubles and great at net but people put her in the ball basher category. It’s simply not true. She knew how to construct points. The only similarity is their ability to choke when ahead. Ok bye.

by Anonymousreply 157April 6, 2019 11:29 PM

Vika!

by Anonymousreply 158April 7, 2019 2:03 AM

Monterrey final set.

Muguruza swats Rybarikova comfortably

Azarenka 3 sets over Kerber. 6-1 in the third

should be an interesting final

by Anonymousreply 159April 7, 2019 2:05 AM

Rooting for Wozniacki and Azarenka in their respective finals.

by Anonymousreply 160April 7, 2019 2:07 AM

Bogota draw out. Ostapenko is the top seed. Not sure who #2 was but she pulled out so was replaced with #9. Tatjana Maria, defending champ Schmiedlova, Zidansek, Anisimova, Sorribes Tormo, Linette and Jakupovic are the other seeds.

Non-seeded players of note are clay lover Siegemund and WC Lisicki

Similar to Houston, this tournament often has very random winners though once in a while a name player shows up and goes all the way (Schiavone, Jankovic and Garcia in recent years). The very high altitude can be tough for some players to adjust to and most top players don't want to travel to Bogota ahead of the European clay season.

by Anonymousreply 161April 7, 2019 3:12 AM

Looked up the Azerenka / Kerber head to head. Kerber has only won once against her in nine matches. Pretty surprising. It’s so interesting to discover who’s game is Kryptonite to others’.

by Anonymousreply 162April 7, 2019 4:01 AM

Almagro to announce his retirement next week...

by Anonymousreply 163April 7, 2019 6:33 AM

Nico never really put his shit together, did he?

by Anonymousreply 164April 7, 2019 10:44 AM

Nico is the kind of player who can be amazing when he is on but generally he is unable to restrain his temper

by Anonymousreply 165April 7, 2019 10:52 AM

[quote]he is unable to restrain his temper

Or his groundies, too often

by Anonymousreply 166April 7, 2019 10:56 AM

I was hoping he had a Wawrinka kind of resurgence with age but then he got injured a lot. He had a good career anyway

by Anonymousreply 167April 7, 2019 11:05 AM

Lugano draw out

Bencic is top seed with the others being Suarez Navarro, Kuzmova, Van Uytvanck, , Parmentier, Alexandrova, Peterson and Lapko.

Unseeded players of note:, Bacsinszky and the return of Kuznetsova, who got a WC

by Anonymousreply 168April 7, 2019 5:06 PM

Lugano and Bogota week is always the weirdest week on the WTA calendar.

The draws are often a weird mixture of top 150 scrubs, higher ranked players trying to vulture, and slumping former greats.

And then you have the two shitty locations for tennis. Lugano is rained out almost every year - last year there were delays on every day except for ONE, Mertens and Sabalenka had to play the singles semifinals, the singles final, and the doubles final all on the same day. Three matches each in the space of a few hours because it was about to rain again.

Bogota has higher altitude than any other tennis tournament, often leading to record numbers of double faults and unforced errors. Top seed Jelena Ostapenko will be lucky to scrape through a single round lol.

But i'll be watching for the messiness...

by Anonymousreply 169April 7, 2019 5:25 PM

[quote]Bogota has higher altitude than any other tennis tournament, often leading to record numbers of double faults and unforced errors.

Why?

by Anonymousreply 170April 7, 2019 5:36 PM

R170 Can't remember what the technical explanation is for it but for some reason the higher altitude leads to more double faults especially. I believe it's something that affects the ball toss or the way it flies through the air, that is very hard to adjust to. I think someone had a good explanation for it on twitter or tennisforum last year. I'll try dig it up.

In other news, former top 20 player Tamarine Tanasugarn has been quietly making a comeback in doubles in 60k events in Japan. She’s aiming for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 56 years after her father competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Her father is currently severely ill with cancer and she wants to make the Olympic team as a tribute to him. There are articles in Japanese.

by Anonymousreply 171April 7, 2019 5:41 PM

If I remember correctly R171, there was a Davis tie between Spain/USA a few years ago. The venue was set to be Madrid and Spanish players were furious at the Spanish tennis federation for their decision. They were telling the high altitude of Madrid will help big servers like Andy Roddick and other big hitters like Bryan twins and Mardy Fish.

So I think high altitude clay tournaments help players who serve big, hit big and want fewer rallies and that is why Roger and Kvitova are more successful at Madrid and Rafa always struggles.

I know that Madird clay is also little faster than RG, Romem Montecarlo but alitute is the big difference

So I think condition will help Ostepenko

by Anonymousreply 172April 7, 2019 5:54 PM

"At high altitudes, the air pressure is lower. When the tennis ball flies through the air, the air pushes against it and slows it down (this is called air resistance)." How much air resistance there is depends on the air pressure and the surface area of the ball... which is why there are specifically larger tennis balls for high altitude tennis.

Here is actually a discussion on tennis warehouse that is very interesting. The biggest difference seems to be on serves, although the ball flies through the air differently and players seem to breath easier in high altitude conditions and can run longer. Players have to adjust their serve and their swing for regular groundstrokes as well (shorter swing).

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by Anonymousreply 173April 7, 2019 6:03 PM

There is a hot guy in Caroline's box. Is he her boyfriend?

by Anonymousreply 174April 7, 2019 6:15 PM

Not watching atm, but this is her bf/fiancé (basketball player David Lee).

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by Anonymousreply 175April 7, 2019 6:19 PM

R170: Ball is faster on altitude which explains why Rafa gets way more trouble in Madrid than in any other clay tournament

by Anonymousreply 176April 7, 2019 6:23 PM

I always crushed on Nico Almagro. Sad to see him go.

by Anonymousreply 177April 7, 2019 6:30 PM

Dustin Brown won the Mouratoglou Open Challenger and Mary Pierce presented the throphy

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by Anonymousreply 178April 7, 2019 6:43 PM

R174 The hot guy in Wozniacki's box is Francesca Schiavone. She's helping her out this week and maybe for the rest of the clay season.

by Anonymousreply 179April 7, 2019 6:49 PM

Frank

by Anonymousreply 180April 7, 2019 6:50 PM

next gen Bublik defeated DL fave Sandgren.

To be honest Bublik didn't impress me, very average groundstrokes (and he he hits his forehand he seems to have little control), he is good at the net but sometimes it goes to the net without any sense. And at some moments he seemed more interested in doing spectacular points ala Monfils or Kyrgios than winning the point (because he lost the point everytime he tried something special). Anyway, he seemed determined and Sandgren serve for the match but he was very good at the return to serve in that game.

Bublik is top 100 now which is nice, but he is close to 22 so not exactly a precocious player either

by Anonymousreply 181April 7, 2019 6:52 PM

Brown is so funny to watch, you never get bored watching him play. And he defeated Nadal everytime they played (ok they only played two times and both on grass but it's impressive anyway)

by Anonymousreply 182April 7, 2019 6:53 PM

yay Keys! Shocking this is only her 4th title but that's due to inconsistency and injury.

She was just consistent enough in the first set though she had chances to win it much easier. There were several Wozniacki service games that Keys had opportunities to win but didn't. In the second set Keys was more consistent and that frustrated Wozniacki who started making errors of her own

by Anonymousreply 183April 7, 2019 6:58 PM

Is Cuevas clay specialist?

by Anonymousreply 184April 7, 2019 7:01 PM

Madison Keyloid killed Wozniacki 7-6 6-3. Scoreline looks a lot closer than the match was, she had many more opportunities to break Wozniacki's serve. Every single point was on her racquet. Hitting brutally, serving bombs, and winning many of the longer exchanges too.

Very good week for her considering she had barely played any matches until this week (more matches played this week than the rest of the year combined). Good one for Wozniacki too who had a terrible start to the season.

I wonder if Madison could factor in at the French again this year? Last year she lost the SF to her on court nemesis (and off court bestie) Sloane. She lost in the Rome final a few years ago to a peaking Serena. Once she gets going she is very dangerous on any surface obviously, but she moves really well on clay for a slugger and is one of the few players who can hit through it.

by Anonymousreply 185April 7, 2019 7:01 PM

Keyloid

by Anonymousreply 186April 7, 2019 7:04 PM

Keys has learned how to slide and improved her moment.

That's why it's so shocking about Osaka having 3 of the biggest titles on tour before Keys. In the last year Osaka became more consistent in those tournaments but overall, Keys has more power, moves better and more variety. She's just less consistent.

It'll be interesting to see what Osaka does this year on clay. We saw this week in Charleston that Sabalenka is not a factor on the surface just yet

by Anonymousreply 187April 7, 2019 7:06 PM

But Osaka is a player who is able to control her nerves at big matches. Keys is defeated before the first point is played

by Anonymousreply 188April 7, 2019 7:19 PM

Tortellini Queen Sara Errani loses in the final round of Bogota qualifying to fellow italian Jasmine Paolini in 3 sets.

Interestingly (given the altitude discussion above), she was once known for having the highest first serve percentage on the tour and one of the lowest DF counts (of course the serve was a slow, high bouncing piece of shit so she wasn't risking much). In her two qualifying matches in Bogota she hit THIRTY SIX double faults.

by Anonymousreply 189April 7, 2019 8:37 PM

I was wrong about Bublik, that match against Sandgren was the semifinal and not the final

by Anonymousreply 190April 7, 2019 8:42 PM

Monterrey final:

Azarenka retires against Muguruza down 1-6 1-3. Seemed like leg cramps or something similar. Wasn't moving well from the end of the first set.

Muguruza becomes the first person to defend her 2018 title, even though she barely had to lift a finger for this cakewalk draw, and was still playing in mostly garbage form. She did turn on some better tennis for the final though, admittedly.

16 WTA tournaments, 16 different title winners. This week the only ones who have a chance at bucking the trend are Belinda Bencic (Dubai), and Allison Van Uytvanck (Budapest) who are both competing in Lugano.

by Anonymousreply 191April 7, 2019 10:57 PM

Muguruza def. Azarenka 6-1 3-1 ret. lower leg injury

by Anonymousreply 192April 7, 2019 11:01 PM

Sharapova will make her return in Stuttgart. She was given a WC

by Anonymousreply 193April 7, 2019 11:05 PM

Having a baby has consequences!

by Anonymousreply 194April 8, 2019 12:49 AM

R194 You had a baby?!

by Anonymousreply 195April 8, 2019 12:59 AM

Under Japanese law, the tennis star Naomi Osaka must choose between Japanese and American citizenship before she turns 22

by Anonymousreply 196April 8, 2019 6:54 AM

I would just keep the Japanese citizenship if I were her. She's already basically an American anyway and has benefited from the whole Florida boot camp USTA system anyway. As a two time GS champ she doesn't really need to be American to benefit from WCs to all the American tournaments like say a Bethanie Mattek Sands (should Naomi get injured or lower ranked in the future).

Now she won't have to fight with the crowded American field for those coveted 4 Olympic games spots (this is more for 2024 or 2028 - she'd make next year almost without a doubt), and can compete in Asian games etc. if she wants to.

Also she makes a LOT more money as a Japanese representative than if she wasn't. Kei Nishikori is still the 3rd highest earning male tennis player after Federer and Nadal I believe.

by Anonymousreply 197April 8, 2019 7:18 AM

^ Who needs a fucking title?!

by Anonymousreply 198April 8, 2019 10:44 AM

Bublik won Monterrey challenger and reach the top 100.

He was way better in the final, he has a good serve (and a good forehand when he is on), he is good at the net. But in my opinion he is too fond of making spectacular games and half of the time that means he lose the point.

by Anonymousreply 199April 8, 2019 2:43 PM

Kuznetsova wins her first match in 6 months against fellow Russian and top 8 seed Alexandrova (in Lugano, three sets). Is on the cusp of making the Roland Garros main draw. Faces clay specialist and home crowd favourite Bacsinszky in the next round.

by Anonymousreply 200April 8, 2019 3:13 PM

So happy to see Kuznetsova back winning. She really should have won more than she has but is one of those who suffered at the hands of the Greatest Era Ever.

by Anonymousreply 201April 8, 2019 3:31 PM

I assume R201 is being sarcastic since Kuznetsova was not a victim of the Greatest Era Ever. In fact, I think she was an underachiever. She's won a couple of majors so good for her, but mostly her Grand Slam history is littered with early round losses (since her US Open win in 2014, she lost before the quarterfinals 38 times). She rarely delivered on her early promise.

by Anonymousreply 202April 8, 2019 3:43 PM

R157: Lindsay Davenport was WAY more consistent with her ground strokes and hit incredible shots, even on the run when she was not in the best shape. 3 grand slams and I think 5 years as year end #1.

Lindsay Davenport was Y-E #1 twice - had a baby - and returned for 2 more Y-E #1s. And yet it's Serena who has article upon article written about her (no doubt by her PR firm.)

by Anonymousreply 203April 8, 2019 3:55 PM

Kuznetsova is really a strange case. She had the game to have a way bigger career and she was a choker but curiously she won her first GS very young (against uber choker Dementieva), winning so young should have gave her confidence but no. And she was one of the best clay court players out there, but she was unable to bring her A level after Justine retired to become RG queen

by Anonymousreply 204April 8, 2019 5:23 PM

confession: when I read a post about WTA players I just go blah-blah-blah in my mind and move on to the next post.

by Anonymousreply 205April 8, 2019 5:31 PM

R205: Well, i understand that.

I became a tennis fan at the end of the 80's and i always prefered women's tennis, maybe it was the drama, maybe the fact that female stars were more reliable, i don't know, but for the first time since i became a fan i'm more interested in male tennis.

Atp is in a very interesting moment, the big three are still the prominent players but we are living a moment of change (like what happened in the wta at the end of the 90's) and there are a good bunch of interesting new players.

On the other hand on the wta we have a good bunch of good players that unfortunately play at their best level a couple of weeks per year (if they are in a good year). Wta needs exciting new players as soon as possible

by Anonymousreply 206April 8, 2019 5:41 PM

[quote] against uber choker Dementieva

I’d heard rumors of a serial Uber driver choker on the streets of Moscow, but I thought it was an urban legend. Shocked it may be her.

by Anonymousreply 207April 8, 2019 5:45 PM

R203 what are you talking about? Davenport was not #1 after having her first baby in 2007

by Anonymousreply 208April 8, 2019 5:47 PM

In a couple of those year end no ones she didn’t win a major.

by Anonymousreply 209April 8, 2019 5:51 PM

yeah Davenport returned to the top in 2004 and 2005 when Serena, Venus, Henin and Clijsters were starting their on/off tour phases with injuries, illnesses and personal issues. She was the most consistent player but didn't win the huge tournaments

by Anonymousreply 210April 8, 2019 5:54 PM

DL fave M. Zverev got whipped! 0-6 3-6 loss to Taro Daniel

Mischa has won just 1 main draw match so far this season

by Anonymousreply 211April 8, 2019 6:27 PM

R211: Yes, he won one but he needed Kuh to choke first and to retire with cramps later

by Anonymousreply 212April 8, 2019 6:34 PM

Is Kuhn alive?

by Anonymousreply 213April 8, 2019 6:38 PM

M. Zverev is basically depending on his grass title. If he doesn't start playing better then he'll tumble out the top 100

by Anonymousreply 214April 8, 2019 6:40 PM

Davenport's ranking was also inflated because she vultured a lot more of the smaller tournaments than the other girls, who took more breaks and won more big titles. Most of her tournament wins come in the European indoor swing (after the US Open where a lot of players have basically ended their seasons), and on US hard courts.

Even in 2005 she was year end #1, with her biggest titles including stuff like Pilot Pen, Dubai and Bali. Year end #2 Kim Clijsters had won the US Open, both Indian Wells and Miami, and FOUR other solid titles. The other three slam winners Venus (Wimbledon) and Serena (AO) were #10 and #11, and Henin was #6 with the French Open and 3 other big tier I titles like Warsaw, Berlin and Charleston.

She was a great player and I don't mean to shit on her career, but it's not like she was dominating week-in week-out like the years Hingis, Henin or Serena were year end #1. She often held the #1 ranking because she feasted on scraps. While the likes of the Belgians and the Williams sisters actually won the big titles and even the titles just below that.

by Anonymousreply 215April 8, 2019 6:52 PM

R213: Yes, Kuhn is alive, but i don't think he is that well. He lost very clearly in the first round of a challenger last week, and he was supposed to play another one this week but he withdraw.

He was 100 positions higher last year, but like other young players he needs to stay focused and keep trying till the results start to get better. He has the advantage that he doesn't defend any points for several month. He'll get wc at Barcelona and Madrid, and a couple of wins could solve his ranking problem. His objectives should be first start to play better and get in the final rounds of challengers and rise his ranking to play the qualification of the US Open.

The good thing for him is Carlos Alcaraz is getting all the attention right now (of the young spanish players) so he has not the press pressure (and he'll not get any pressure unless Nadal retires, then the press will look for the next big thing and everything will change)

by Anonymousreply 216April 8, 2019 6:54 PM

[quote] She often held the #1 ranking because she feasted on scraps

That doesn’t sound so bad.

by Anonymousreply 217April 8, 2019 6:56 PM

Davenport's problem was she was never athletic enough to be dominant. She was 1 of the cleanest ball strikers with a lot of weight on her shot but o the run she became very weak. When other players with power came on tour who moved better, she was toast.

She even lost to a raw, young Lisicki in last year or so on tour

by Anonymousreply 218April 8, 2019 6:58 PM

I remember that AO final against Serena, during a set and a half she made looks Serena like a powerless journeywoman, then she got tired and Serena won very easily

by Anonymousreply 219April 8, 2019 7:22 PM

She was mentally weak in those big matches too. I don't know how you get bagelled in the 3rd set when you have THAT serve, even if it is Serena across the net. I don't think she won any games after Serena broke her in that AO final, that kind of felt like the final nail in her career coffin. So when she made the Wimbledon final against a slumping Venus (and lost despite having a MP) it was even more painful.

As good a ballstriker as she was, she was always prone to panic moments. The sisters hit harder, served bigger, moved better (especially Venus), and (again more in Venus' case back then) came to the net more. And she stopped moving and went into her shell in those tight moments. The 2005 Wimbledon final is the biggest example. Davenport looked anxiety ridden and played very passively on her match point. Venus was hungry, aggressive, and smacked a backhand winner... and then went on and stole the match from her by chasing everything down and firing her biggest shots while Lindsay stood there like a stunned mullet.

She conceded her poor movement on Tennis Channel last year when talking about some big hitter who didn't move well ("trust me, I know something about this"). But It was more her mental lapses that kept her from an even more glittering career. I hope she didn't pass them down to Madison but it seems like she has.

by Anonymousreply 220April 8, 2019 7:33 PM

Also blame Davenport for making Sharapova happen as soon as it did.

Yes Sharapova beat a horrific Serena in that 2004 Wimbledon final but she was lucky to get there.

Davenport was up an easy set, a break and points for a double break in the second set when the rain delay happened. When they came back out, everything switched and for some reason Sharapova ended up dominating the match.

Sharapova does move better than Davenport but she was only 17 in 2004. It was shock to see former #1, 3-time slam winner Davenport have such a mental lapse when up that far ahead in a slam SF.

Who knows how soon Sharapova would have started winning slams had Davenport stopped her right then and there

and Serena was garbage in the final so Davenport may have won her 4th slam

by Anonymousreply 221April 8, 2019 7:42 PM

She always choked against Sharapova. Maria won 5 out of the 6 matches they played, and in all of them Lindsay was either up a set and a bit, or up in the final set before bending over for Meldonia.

Oddly enough the only match Davenport ever won against her was a 6-0 6-0 lashing at Indian Wells 2005. I don't know if they got Maria's dosage wrong or something that day but Lindsay was killing her.

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by Anonymousreply 222April 8, 2019 7:52 PM

[quote] I don't know if they got Maria's dosage wrong

Tehe.

by Anonymousreply 223April 8, 2019 8:02 PM

Monte Carlo update:

OUT: Anderson

IN: Mannarino

Next: Fritz

by Anonymousreply 224April 8, 2019 9:04 PM

Source link, R224?

by Anonymousreply 225April 8, 2019 9:43 PM

I'm not R224 but there's an (unofficial) Twitter account that posts entry list updates

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by Anonymousreply 226April 8, 2019 9:48 PM

Who deserves a WC less than Sharapova? Sheesh.

by Anonymousreply 227April 8, 2019 10:44 PM

to be fair, Sharapova has won Stuttgart a few times and she's also a brand ambassador for Porsche.

by Anonymousreply 228April 8, 2019 11:24 PM

Davenport was a frustrating player to watch. In addition to the above matches, there were many, many others where she was in control, then she would go off the rails mentally. Sometimes, she looked like she wasn't even trying anymore in a match. Errors would fly off her racket. I always wondered how many Slams she would have won if she had Sharapova's mental strength.

by Anonymousreply 229April 8, 2019 11:43 PM

Great observation, R229. I did some digging into her Wiki page and found a fun fact: She won 3 different Grand Slam singles titles without dropping a set, matching a record set by Evert, Graf, and Serena. She also whipped that brat Hingis in 10 singles finals (and lost 5 or 6), and was 14-11 overall against Hingis.

by Anonymousreply 230April 9, 2019 12:27 AM

Thanks, R226!

by Anonymousreply 231April 9, 2019 1:43 AM

Tomic seems to have made it a habit lately to let it all hang out.

by Anonymousreply 232April 9, 2019 1:54 AM

Bogota: Anisimova def. Lisicki in 3 sets. Sabine is now 0-5 this year as she tries coming back on tour. At this point she should try challengers.

Houston: DL fave Cuevas loses in 3 to Garin

by Anonymousreply 233April 9, 2019 2:05 AM

Davenport is thinner now than during her playing days.

by Anonymousreply 234April 9, 2019 2:08 AM

[quote] Davenport is thinner now than during her playing days.

Very true. When I was a little boy I used to tell my mother that Davenport was the “fat lady player”. She used to say “She’s not fat just cheeky.”

She was no Virginia Slims that’s for sure.

by Anonymousreply 235April 9, 2019 2:18 AM

Shapovalov fired his coach of about 8 months, Rob Steckley.

by Anonymousreply 236April 9, 2019 2:28 AM

[quote]Shapovalov fired his coach of about 8 months, Rob Steckley

He's back with his old coach, Adriano Fuorivia

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by Anonymousreply 237April 9, 2019 2:46 AM

Re: Davenport feasting on "scraps"

I never considered the fall European tour events "scraps". You often had top players in those events in the 80s (Evert, Navratilova, Graf) and 90s (Graf, Seles, Hingis, Davenport). By the late 90s and into the 00s, Serena and Venus would play once in a while, but it was more likely they would enter and pull out. Serena very often would shut down her year after the US Open. Filderstadt, Zurich, Moscow always got top players in the late 90s and 00s.

by Anonymousreply 238April 9, 2019 9:52 AM

None of you will know these players, but still a funny result. At a 25k ITF event, Tara Moore defeated Jessika Ponchet 0-6 7-6(7) 6-3.

The gag is that she was down 0-6, 0-5, 30-40.

Match point was saved by a net cord that just brushed the line.

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by Anonymousreply 239April 9, 2019 1:39 PM

I will forever be grateful for Sharapova whipping Serena in that Wimbledon final. It hasn’t led to one of my favorite one-sides rivalries in sports.

How many times has Pova been beaten by Serena in a row? The media plays up each match like it could go either way and each time, Serena gets the win. So enjoyable!

by Anonymousreply 240April 9, 2019 1:49 PM

Maybe their relationship was not good because Shapovalov's results were not bad at all

by Anonymousreply 241April 9, 2019 2:17 PM

Verdasco and Fognini are upset in Morocco. Fognini makes a clean break here.

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by Anonymousreply 242April 9, 2019 6:47 PM

That was actually Fabio's second consecutive racquet smash. At the end of the gif you can see the poor ballboy holding the first snapped one lol.

Top seed and home favourite Belinda Bencic was also knocked out by qualifier Antonia Lottner in straight sets.

In Bogota, so many people withdrew late that Tortellini Queen Sara Errani actually got a spot in the main draw, despite losing in qualifying and not being originally eligible for one of the four lucky loser spots (in the end I believe there were 7). And she also won over Bara, 46 62 63.

Errani, who used to be known for only hitting 3 or 4 double faults in a season, hit 18 in this match. She also hit 18 in her first qualifying match, and 18 in her second. You can't deny her consistency!!! In the second set she switched to underhand serves. This is the comical end of the first set.

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by Anonymousreply 243April 9, 2019 7:06 PM

[quote] You can't deny her consistency!!! In the second set she switched to underhand serves. This is the comical end of the first set

Compelling.

by Anonymousreply 244April 9, 2019 7:12 PM

Alejandro Davidovich showed his friend Kuhn that he is not the only one who mastered the art of choke and tanked his second set against kohlschreiber in Marrakech. It was a close match and Alejandro had bad luck with the draw.

On more positive news for spanish young players Carlos Alcaraz won his second match on a challenger before turn sixteen

by Anonymousreply 245April 9, 2019 7:16 PM

Laslo Djere also got eliminated in Marrakech.

Some interesting matchups in the round of 16: Kyle Edmund vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Benoit Paire vs Pierre-Hughes Herbert. I wonder if any of these will be able to upset Zverev in this cakewalk draw.

by Anonymousreply 246April 9, 2019 7:18 PM

R243, Do you think that is bad? Wait till you see teen Dad Taylor Fritz's 2nd serve in Houston

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by Anonymousreply 247April 9, 2019 7:20 PM

I think Fabio would lose to his wife considering how badly he's been playing.

by Anonymousreply 248April 9, 2019 7:22 PM

[quote] Laslo Djere also got eliminated in Marrakech.

It would have been more fitting had he been eliminated in Casablanca.

by Anonymousreply 249April 9, 2019 7:24 PM

R247: Come on, he did that on purpose, it's not possible to serve so bad, maybe for someone who is starting with tennis but for a pro, no way. I would be a very bad serve even if his rival was on the other side of the court

by Anonymousreply 250April 9, 2019 7:35 PM

Fritz was rocking a baby man bun yesterday.

so many upsets today both men's and women's. A. Zverev 1 of the few to avoid falling victim

In Lugano #2 seed Suarez Navarro lost to Hercog

Verdasco lost to an old Spanish scrub. That's just shocking

by Anonymousreply 251April 9, 2019 7:36 PM

How does Errani hit so many double faults? It's not like she is serving particularly hard.

by Anonymousreply 252April 9, 2019 7:37 PM

[quote]How does Errani hit so many double faults? It's not like she is serving particularly hard.

Apparently she has issues with her shoulder cartilage which forced her to change her serve motion

by Anonymousreply 253April 9, 2019 11:41 PM

boring week

by Anonymousreply 254April 10, 2019 2:15 AM

Genie Bouchard is fighting fake news

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by Anonymousreply 255April 10, 2019 2:26 AM

A quick summary of who's defending what from ATP's 2018 northern hemisphere clay season..

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by Anonymousreply 256April 10, 2019 3:22 AM

OMFG Bogota rd1: top seed Ostapenko embarrasses herself with a first round loss to lucky loser 26 year old #205 Kristie Ahn 6-2 6-7(5) 5-7 16 double faults!

by Anonymousreply 257April 10, 2019 9:21 AM

And in Murcia 15 yo Carlos Alcaraz defeated Pedro Martinez (ranking 140) 63 76. Probably Molleker (who is winning against Robredo) next round

by Anonymousreply 258April 10, 2019 5:23 PM

Tennis has become seriously boring. The women's game is a joke. No consistent stars, Halep at #1, pushers like Svitolina in the Top 5. The men's game has been the Nole-Rafa-Roger show for so long, its tedious. If Nadal wins the French Open again, I bet the French consider changing the surface to slick grass just to get. a different winner. I've been waiting forever for the new generations to make their move. I seriously wonder if it's going to happen or if Federer wins his 28th Wimbledon at the age of 90.

by Anonymousreply 259April 10, 2019 7:09 PM

R259 Ummm Osaka is #1 and has won the last 2 majors.

by Anonymousreply 260April 10, 2019 7:16 PM

R260: Tennis is not only the GS.

by Anonymousreply 261April 10, 2019 7:30 PM

Ugh. Stob the Gimel on my screen!

by Anonymousreply 262April 11, 2019 2:25 AM

R262 in what capacity? Isner is injured and not playing. What's he doing on tv?

by Anonymousreply 263April 11, 2019 2:33 AM

R263, he's a spectator only, I believe, at the Clay Court Championship in Houston.

by Anonymousreply 264April 11, 2019 2:36 AM

Houston still has a few good sights left.

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by Anonymousreply 265April 11, 2019 3:03 AM

Who is this twink?

by Anonymousreply 266April 11, 2019 5:47 AM

Christian Garin

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by Anonymousreply 267April 11, 2019 11:24 AM

Wait, today I saw this guy on cam 4 jerking off. That guy is also from Chile.

by Anonymousreply 268April 11, 2019 12:59 PM

Mea culpa, R260, that Osaka is #1, not Halep, but as R261 wrote, tennis more than just Slams. Where has Osaka been after the Australian? There are still no consistent stars, which is probably why I forgot Osaka is currently #1. If she played well week in, week out like the stars of the past, that would change things.

by Anonymousreply 269April 11, 2019 2:08 PM

Monte Carlo update: OUT: Carreno Busta IN: Fritz Next: Auger-Aliassime

by Anonymousreply 270April 11, 2019 4:28 PM

Poor PCB has had such a bad run of luck after that Australian Open debacle. He must have been fuming that Kei didn't even play a full set against Djokovic.

by Anonymousreply 271April 11, 2019 4:49 PM

Domicakes practicing in Monte Carlo

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by Anonymousreply 272April 11, 2019 4:57 PM

Thanks, R272. Very nice.

by Anonymousreply 273April 11, 2019 5:20 PM

I don't get the rapture over Thiem.

by Anonymousreply 274April 11, 2019 5:48 PM

Kuznetsova def. Bacsinszky in 3!

by Anonymousreply 275April 11, 2019 5:58 PM

R274: It's because he is with a hot, talented and lovely girl like Kristina, that's a big part of his allure

by Anonymousreply 276April 11, 2019 5:59 PM

And she speaks 25 languages!

by Anonymousreply 277April 11, 2019 6:33 PM

I like Thiem’s looks mainly for his ass. I actually wish it were bigger. I like his cute, if not overly handsome, face. He’s much better looking facially than his ass competitors Sock, Wawrinka and Nadal.

by Anonymousreply 278April 11, 2019 6:37 PM

Thiem isn't particularly good looking. He's average at best

by Anonymousreply 279April 11, 2019 6:39 PM

and A. Zverev FLOPOS in Marrakesh! Upset in 3 sets by another #NextGen Munar

by Anonymousreply 280April 11, 2019 6:39 PM

*FLOPS

by Anonymousreply 281April 11, 2019 6:39 PM

Munar is exactly the kind of player you don't want to face when you don't have confidence. He is like a wall.

I thought it was a good idea to play this tournament, he needed to win some matches, but an early loss must hurt

by Anonymousreply 282April 11, 2019 6:43 PM

R278 always gets a front row seat.

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by Anonymousreply 283April 11, 2019 6:46 PM

A. Flopos

by Anonymousreply 284April 11, 2019 6:46 PM

A. Zverev should be quite worried about his form now. He's had bad loses for all 3 months of the season. Except for a very well playing Kyrgios in Acapulco, A. Zverev shouldn't have lost to the others

by Anonymousreply 285April 11, 2019 6:47 PM

Sasha Zverev collapse is complete !!

Jaume Munar def Alexander Sloane Zverev 7-6,2-6,6-3.

He should be ashamed

The only way he can redeem himself is by showing us his ass

by Anonymousreply 286April 11, 2019 6:48 PM

He has no ass to show, R286.

by Anonymousreply 287April 11, 2019 6:49 PM

Well, this is what you get when you are more worried about you social media and posting stupid videos than about playing well.

He got too comfortable last year, it's like he thought that the big 3 were old and sooner or later he would took their place. But now he has a lot of competence, even from younger players, and he is having a subpar season. One thing is flopping at Grand Slams when you do well on the rest of tournaments and other very different this.

It's curious that win the atp finals is like the kiss of death. First Dimitrov and now Sascha

by Anonymousreply 288April 11, 2019 6:53 PM

Well he better get his shit together as he's defending a masters tournament soon.

Not that I care about A. Zverev. I was never a huge fan even when some of you were deluding yourselves that he might be gay.

I hope the other #NextGen guys surpass him

Munar has an ugly ass grunt though ugh

by Anonymousreply 289April 11, 2019 6:57 PM

Flopos is currently #22 in the YTD rankings.

by Anonymousreply 290April 11, 2019 7:13 PM

Munar is part of the toothy club with Keys and Su Wei.

by Anonymousreply 291April 11, 2019 7:19 PM

I resemble that remark!

by Anonymousreply 292April 11, 2019 7:26 PM

Is Thiem clay specialist?

by Anonymousreply 293April 11, 2019 7:28 PM

Domi won IW

by Anonymousreply 294April 11, 2019 7:29 PM

IW is 1 of the slowest hardcourts though

by Anonymousreply 295April 11, 2019 7:44 PM

He said the US Open is his favorite slam.

by Anonymousreply 296April 11, 2019 7:49 PM

LOL at Miss Couturier talking about Sam Querry being “handsy.”

by Anonymousreply 297April 11, 2019 7:50 PM

Sorry, can you elaborate R297? Who is Miss Couturier and how was Querrey being handsy?

by Anonymousreply 298April 11, 2019 7:56 PM

Ohh! it's Jim C right? ...doh, I thought we might have a tennis #metoo case or something.

by Anonymousreply 299April 11, 2019 7:57 PM

A. Flopos

by Anonymousreply 300April 12, 2019 12:06 AM

Not a very deep observation here, but I like the color of the clay in Houston as well as the layout and aesthetics of the court.

by Anonymousreply 301April 12, 2019 2:32 AM

It's Tippy, not Tipsy!

Unless he's hitting the sauce.

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by Anonymousreply 302April 12, 2019 3:15 AM

Houston: 2X defending champ Johnson upset by 22 year old #241 Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia. Never seen him play before until today. He has a decent forehand. He's an unheralded #NextGen I guess

by Anonymousreply 303April 12, 2019 3:18 AM

He is journeyman.

by Anonymousreply 304April 12, 2019 4:21 AM

I miss the velvety blue clay of Madrid. Why did Novak and Rafa complain about it again? I wish they'd bring it back. :(

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by Anonymousreply 305April 12, 2019 8:09 AM

They said it was too slippery and hard to move on it, especially when they tried sliding.

Nadal also bitched "clay is red. I don't see red grass so I don't want to see blue clay." You know Nadal is a mega OCD traditionalist.

Federer was opposed to the tournament going blue at first but then he changed his mind since he won the event that year. Interestingly, Nadal didn't complain after he won his first round match. It was only after he lost to Verdasco (first time ever) that he started bitching. He and Djokovic both threatened not to return if the tournament kept the blue clay

by Anonymousreply 306April 12, 2019 8:52 AM

Whoops, thanks R302.

by Anonymousreply 307April 12, 2019 10:48 AM

R306 Interesting. Thanks!

I have been watching a few clips from that year (mostly WTA) and haven't noticed ANY issues with the traction. If anything it seems LESS slippery than the red mud they usually have (I think the blue clay had more minerals in it).

I wonder if the real issue was that the ball could actually go through the court faster, which helps their bigger-hitting, aggressive opponents. It's no secret that both Novak AND Rafa are the two players most responsible for the slowing down and homogenisation of surfaces.

by Anonymousreply 308April 12, 2019 11:32 AM

Possible Sascha Zverev - FAA in second round of Montecarlo. Just exactly what Alexander needs to get his ass kicked in second round for someone three years younger

by Anonymousreply 309April 12, 2019 5:52 PM

Where are you getting that information from, R309? From what I've seen so far FAA is the next player to be accepted into the main draw if any of the current main draw players withdraw. And no wildcards have been granted yet or draw published...?

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by Anonymousreply 310April 12, 2019 6:15 PM

Monte Carlo main and qualie draws are out. R310

if you're on your phone you can download the pro tennis app that has live scores, draws and order of plays.

if you're on your computer you can get the link from either ATP or WTA sites. It automatically updates weekly

by Anonymousreply 311April 12, 2019 6:25 PM

I wonder how FAA will respond first tournament back since his massive choke against Isner. Some young players forget it and keep up their good form while others get mental scar tissue. That was probably his most painful pro loss yet.

by Anonymousreply 312April 12, 2019 6:26 PM

Here's a picture of the draw from twitter. Looks like FAA, Kokkinakis, Munar & Lucas Catarina (local player?) received a wildcard

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by Anonymousreply 313April 12, 2019 6:28 PM

FAA has recovered well from previous setbacks, R312. He's got a pretty solid mindset if you look at his interviews, etc., far more so than some of his volatile peers (or older players).

by Anonymousreply 314April 12, 2019 6:32 PM

R314 none of them happened at such a big tournament in the SF. That was the biggest match of his young career so far. Hopefully he'll be just fine but some of them take a couple tournaments to get their form and mind back

by Anonymousreply 315April 12, 2019 6:38 PM

We'll see. Great players recover easily from that type of situation.

Even in his current form, Zverev is a very tough second round (in case he'll win his first match of course), but the pressure will be on Sascha. One thing is to lose with Khachanov or Tsitsipas (even he reacted pretty bad to lose with Stefanos) and other very different to lose with someone who is stealing his hype and it's three years younger

by Anonymousreply 316April 12, 2019 6:46 PM

Keep in mind too that clay is FAA's favorite surface and his best overall results have been on clay.

by Anonymousreply 317April 12, 2019 6:47 PM

I hope the Kokk can get back his game.

by Anonymousreply 318April 12, 2019 7:08 PM

Me too!

by Anonymousreply 319April 12, 2019 7:17 PM

R317: To be fair, that's Zverev's case too. 2 of his masters 1000 are on clay and his best result on a GS is in Roland Garros

by Anonymousreply 320April 12, 2019 7:18 PM

Don't be greedy R319, You have already got everything

by Anonymousreply 321April 12, 2019 7:19 PM

Monte Carlo update:

OUT: Monfils

IN: Jaziri

Next: Mayer

Jaziri will play against Lajovic, Edmund moves to Monfils' spot in the draw and will face Schwartzman

by Anonymousreply 322April 12, 2019 7:20 PM

Sad to see Monfils out, but YESSSS to Malek GOATziri.

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by Anonymousreply 323April 12, 2019 7:25 PM

Not sure how Kokkinakis got a WC into Monte Carlo. Clay is his worst surface by far (as is the case for most Aussies)

by Anonymousreply 324April 12, 2019 7:40 PM

Why I love clay...

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by Anonymousreply 325April 13, 2019 2:35 AM

Auger-Aliassime entered as WC although the tournament could have actually let him enter as direct acceptance by not using that WC spot in which case he'd get 10 points for a first-round defeat instead of 0.

by Anonymousreply 326April 13, 2019 2:37 AM

Nadal's face and OCDs have made clay courts season unwatchable for past 15 years

by Anonymousreply 327April 13, 2019 2:40 AM

Is Auger-Aliassime clay specialist?

by Anonymousreply 328April 13, 2019 2:44 AM

The timing was very close, R326. FAA was the next on the waiting list to be accepted into the main draw, but wildcards were awarded today right around the same time that Monfils withdrew. Can a tournament retract a wildcard in that situation? Then Jaziri would have been pushed out of the main draw unless they gave the wildcard to him.

by Anonymousreply 329April 13, 2019 3:48 AM

Kokkinakis injured his knee pretty badly in Monte Carlo last year because of those advertising boxes at the back of the court (in front of line judges), they probably gave him a WC this year as a way of apology.

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by Anonymousreply 330April 13, 2019 6:59 AM

[quote]Nadal's face and OCDs have made clay courts season unwatchable for past 15 years

Who watches his face?

by Anonymousreply 331April 13, 2019 10:26 AM

I realize that i miss Alesadr Dolgopolov. Is he retired or injured? And i watched a recent pic of him with the short hair and he looks really great (probably the only man on earth who likes headbands more than Shawn Mendes)

by Anonymousreply 332April 13, 2019 12:40 PM

Pablo Andujar really rise his level on Marrakech, he destroyed Gilles Simon in the semifinals

by Anonymousreply 333April 13, 2019 12:43 PM

Andujar is hot

by Anonymousreply 334April 13, 2019 12:52 PM

Why would you miss that homophobic misogynistic piece of trash, r332????

by Anonymousreply 335April 13, 2019 4:40 PM

Both Benoit and Pablo played superb match Benoit's backhand was on fire while Pablo 's forehand was on fire.

So much better than a mentally exhausting match of Kuzzy/Pliskova match which I saw and left in the middle

by Anonymousreply 336April 13, 2019 4:50 PM

Lugano final will be between Hercog and 17 year old Iga Swiatek

Marrakesh final will be between Andujar and Paire

Monte Carlo day 1 qualifying

#NextGen Popyrin edges past L. Mayer

#NextGen clash: E. Ymer crushes Kecmanovic

#NextGen Rublev edges past Tomic

F. Lopez continues losing ways, loses to journeyman Fabbiano

M. Zverev continues losing ways, loses to currently unranked 21 year old Julian Ocleppo whose highest ranking was #590 in 2017...ouch

Gulbis continues losing ways, loses to journeyman Andreozzi

by Anonymousreply 337April 13, 2019 5:18 PM

Querry the loser. I am excited about him

by Anonymousreply 338April 13, 2019 6:55 PM

Who’s the big queen in the chair for Querrey/Garin?

by Anonymousreply 339April 13, 2019 7:07 PM

Bogota final set. We're guaranteed a new titlist! Tomorrow Anisimova will face 23 year old Astra Sharma of Australia

by Anonymousreply 340April 13, 2019 8:08 PM

very impressive from Cristian Garin! Even after choking in the first set (he had a break) he recovered in the tiebreak and dominated the second.

Now we're guaranteed a #NextGen new titlist!!!

Garin will face the winner of Ruud/Galan

yay!

by Anonymousreply 341April 13, 2019 8:10 PM

Is Garin really a nextgen?, he is turning 23 soon

Well, i suppose he is, the first year they played that tournament they were born in 1996 so he fits that criteria.

But that term used for FAA or Molleker seems a bit odd because they are 4 years younger (which is a lot for a tennis player)

by Anonymousreply 342April 13, 2019 8:32 PM

Astra was really impressive in Australia. Glad to see her continue her success on clay, she's also in the Bogota doubles final right now. Seems like a lovely girl too. I hope she beats Anisimova who has gotten lucky in a few matches this week (including her SF), but the American is more experienced.

Garin always looks so bad in pictures but he's a cutie on the court. There seem to be a lot of young male clay specialists emerging. In 5 years time it will be interesting to see who is winning the titles.

by Anonymousreply 343April 13, 2019 9:06 PM

I think Houston day is done due to rain . I read heavy rain is expected for the next 24 hours in several southern states in America.

Anyway tomorrow Montecarlo is starting so we can have our regular tennis week back

by Anonymousreply 344April 13, 2019 9:49 PM

Is Bertens clay court specialist?

by Anonymousreply 345April 13, 2019 9:57 PM

R345 Definitely, even though she is now good on all surfaces. She has a huge heavy spinny forehand that actually flies through the clay (like Nadal), moves very well on the surface, and is able to use her variety to build points.

She narrowly lost to Serena in the Roland Garros semi final a few years back, and 5 of her 8 titles are on clay.

WTA has her second in their 'clay power rankings' (taking into account clay results the last 4 years), the highest after Simona Halep.

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by Anonymousreply 346April 13, 2019 10:13 PM

If Nadal is a clay court specialist, does he have any claim to being GOAT?

by Anonymousreply 347April 13, 2019 10:48 PM

Houston final set: Garin vs. Ruud

Galan had to finish his match against Thompson today so even though it was only a few games he might have been tired in the SF against Ruud. Hopefully Galan will keep playing well during the rest of the clay season

Garin and Ruud are both playing well. Happy to see a #NextGen final and first time titlist tomorrow.

by Anonymousreply 348April 14, 2019 12:45 AM

M. Zerev lost to unranked Italian/American/Monegasque WC Julian Ocleppo, who is also Tommy Hilfiger's step-son.

by Anonymousreply 349April 14, 2019 2:24 AM

Is young Grigor in Monte Carlo? Is there a hotel name, address and room number? Just out of fatherly curiousity.

by Anonymousreply 350April 14, 2019 2:29 AM

R350 yes in fact tomorrow he opens against Berrettini in what will likely be a hot mess of a match

by Anonymousreply 351April 14, 2019 3:15 AM

Monte Carlo update:

OUT: Kokkinakis

IN: Lucky Loser (will be drawn)

Kohlschreiber will play against a Q/LL

by Anonymousreply 352April 14, 2019 10:05 AM

Benoit!

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by Anonymousreply 353April 14, 2019 10:09 AM

R347: He is the king of clay, but the truth is even stripping him of all his clay titles he will be in the legend territory, with 6 GS the same people like Edberg or Becker.

The goat discussion if pointless, most people think it's Federer but the truth is Federer has a negative h2h against his two main rivals which is not exactly a characteristic you expect for a goat. And he is behind Nadal and Djokovic on the masters 1000 titles too.

You can find points to defend any of the three, and points to show they are not the goat either.

I suppose if their careers stop now, Federer will be consider the goaat because he has an important advantage in terms of GS and weeks at number one

by Anonymousreply 354April 14, 2019 10:40 AM

Humbert is having some trouble to adjust to the atp level. His results lately are a little dissapointing

by Anonymousreply 355April 14, 2019 10:47 AM

Can Benny Paire keep his head together and get this over the line. Is he the most infuriating player ever? So much talent gone to waste.

by Anonymousreply 356April 14, 2019 2:05 PM

R356, Give him some break. Living life with hiding your sexuality is never easy

by Anonymousreply 357April 14, 2019 2:08 PM

Coric beats Hurkacz in a close match. Coric was behaving like a spoiled brat and got some whistles/slight boos from the crowd.

Hurkacz continues to impress, though he lost today.

by Anonymousreply 358April 14, 2019 2:19 PM

Berrettini is cute.

by Anonymousreply 359April 14, 2019 2:30 PM

final of a challenger event in March: Paire vs. Andujar

final of an ATP event in April: Paire vs. Andujar

by Anonymousreply 360April 14, 2019 2:38 PM

Is Paire still with Shy'm?

by Anonymousreply 361April 14, 2019 2:48 PM

[quote]OUT: Kokkinakis. IN: Lucky Loser (will be drawn). Kohlschreiber will play against a Q/LL

Taro Daniel won the LL draw against Humbert and will play Kohlschreiber in the first round

by Anonymousreply 362April 14, 2019 3:43 PM

Sigh, Pouille was a break ahead against Wawrinka and choked it away. Now he's a set down.

by Anonymousreply 363April 14, 2019 5:14 PM

Pouille keeps going for some very strange drop shots. He's so beautiful though, so I forgive him.

by Anonymousreply 364April 14, 2019 5:17 PM

Hercog wins Lugano in 3 sets over 17 year old Swiatek. This is Hercog's 3rd title

by Anonymousreply 365April 14, 2019 5:20 PM

Regarding Paire, his first serve and backhand are really great but his forehand is so flawed. That's why he loses. There are plenty of matches when it just breaks down and he'll miss a routine forehand. This tournament it seemed to hold up better but his grip is often the the cause of his demise.

by Anonymousreply 366April 14, 2019 5:21 PM

It was amusing when Swiatek said her family back home were probably watching her match on an illegal stream.

by Anonymousreply 367April 14, 2019 5:22 PM

Poor Laslo needs a massage after that tight 3-set loss to Pella.

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by Anonymousreply 368April 14, 2019 5:49 PM

Amanda Anisimova beats Astra Sharma 4-6 6-4 6-1 in Bogota to claim her first title at 17 years old.

Those 4 American spots for the Olympics are becoming more and more competitive. Sloane, Madison, Danielle 'swamp creature' Collins, Anisimova, Tennis Robot Kenin, the Williams sisters.... You even have Allison Riske hanging aroun the top 50, and Shelby Rogers and Cocaine Vandeweghe slowly returning.

Granny Vee better pick up some big points at the 3 events she plays per year.

by Anonymousreply 369April 14, 2019 5:55 PM

I always like seeing players win their very first titles. I like how Anisimova was not overly dramatic and didn't rub it in Sharma's face. Some players completely forget the existence of the person they just beat.

Looking forward to the Houston final

by Anonymousreply 370April 14, 2019 5:59 PM

Christian or Rude?

by Anonymousreply 371April 14, 2019 6:09 PM

I think Garin had the harder draw but Ruude is playing well too

by Anonymousreply 372April 14, 2019 6:16 PM

Why does everyone look so bad in this photo?

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by Anonymousreply 373April 14, 2019 8:20 PM

Garin. He’s hot.

by Anonymousreply 374April 14, 2019 8:39 PM

Who is the guy next to Sascha, i don't know if it's the pic or that i'm not at my best but i don't realize who he is right now

by Anonymousreply 375April 14, 2019 8:44 PM

Do you mean his brother Mischa (M. Zverev) on the left R375 ? On his right it's Daniil Medvedev & David Goffin. And behind him Marin Cilic

by Anonymousreply 376April 14, 2019 8:54 PM

It was Mischa (i recognized Goffin and Medvedev, and all the rest). It's one of those cases you know the face but you are unable to put a name on it.

It's a weird bunch anyway, not the usual top seeds pic

by Anonymousreply 377April 14, 2019 8:58 PM

Garin team

by Anonymousreply 378April 14, 2019 9:27 PM

Dead @ Kei's 1997 first day of kindergarten haircut.

by Anonymousreply 379April 14, 2019 9:29 PM

Goffin looks like he's about to be shipped off to boarding school.

by Anonymousreply 380April 14, 2019 9:30 PM

Garin!!! He's good looking too.

by Anonymousreply 381April 14, 2019 9:38 PM

Non-white guys seem to excel at clay while white guys seem to excel on grass and hard surfaces.

by Anonymousreply 382April 14, 2019 9:40 PM

R380, elves have boarding schools?

by Anonymousreply 383April 14, 2019 9:47 PM

^ lol!

Team Garin.

by Anonymousreply 384April 14, 2019 9:52 PM

Nole looks like a used car salesman.

It looks like Kik dressed Dominic.

by Anonymousreply 385April 14, 2019 9:54 PM

Why is Kei wearing highwaters, a shrunken sport coat, and psychedelic socks? To draw attention away from his haircut?

by Anonymousreply 386April 14, 2019 10:32 PM

Why is Rafa wearing one of the waiter's jackets?

by Anonymousreply 387April 14, 2019 10:34 PM

Misha is always one of hansomest[?] guy in the room./group

by Anonymousreply 388April 14, 2019 10:50 PM

Mischa is beautiful.

by Anonymousreply 389April 14, 2019 10:52 PM

so glad to see more first time winners this weekend. It's only April and so far we have several:

WTA: Kenin, Y. Wang, Andreescu, Anisimova 4 so far

ATP: de Minaur, Sandgren, Londero, Opelka, Djere, Albot, Pella, Garin 8 so far

by Anonymousreply 390April 14, 2019 11:30 PM

Yes, though some of those wins are far gladder than others.

by Anonymousreply 391April 14, 2019 11:50 PM

R391 I'm fine with all of them except Sandgren lol

by Anonymousreply 392April 15, 2019 12:38 AM

Shapovalov becomes the first seed to fall, losing to Struff in three sets. Herbert and Mahut, # 1 doubles seeds, are also out in two tie breakers.

by Anonymousreply 393April 15, 2019 12:24 PM

R393,,No. Nikko Basil lost to Marton F . Nikko was the first seed to lose

by Anonymousreply 394April 15, 2019 12:52 PM

Bajin is officially coaching 25 languages.

by Anonymousreply 395April 15, 2019 2:45 PM

R395 He's obviously using her to get to Thiem.

by Anonymousreply 396April 15, 2019 2:55 PM

R396, You stole my post

by Anonymousreply 397April 15, 2019 3:04 PM

Fognini def. Rublev in a 3-set match that had a bit of everything. 46, 75, 64. Both coming down from several breaks down to take the first two sets. Both getting screwed by the umpires and ball marks, both with a few tantrums, Fabio bulging a bit in the second set. Flavia looking stressed.

At one point he called the trainer down just to yell at them, and shortly afterward he was even pointing to his box during a changeover and kept shouting "SOLO" at them and spelling it out letter by letter. Maybe indicating that they weren't supporting him enough.

Only his 6th match win on the year (and he has a fair bit to defend on the dirt).

by Anonymousreply 398April 15, 2019 3:15 PM

Zverev brothers also won their match from the brink of the defeat. They were down a set and break 4/6, 3/4. Just two services games away from the defeat.

Then Sasha becomes hyper and broke his opponents consecutively single handily.

In final match set tiebreaker, he was unstoppable and won the set 10/7 on his own

by Anonymousreply 399April 15, 2019 3:29 PM

Sasha must be getting sick of carrying Mischa, but at the same time he desperately needs the matchplay right now.

In other brothers news, the Djokovic brothers got drubbed by Cabal and Farah.

by Anonymousreply 400April 15, 2019 3:54 PM

"This is such a shitty court." - Fabio in Monte Carlo today.

by Anonymousreply 401April 15, 2019 4:11 PM

Come on Kyle !! Finish the job. Do it in two east sets. save energy for next round

by Anonymousreply 402April 15, 2019 4:33 PM

And he lost two straight games in less than 4 minutes after so close to victory.

My otherwise free tennis stream service suddenly become premium service today. I got 1-day free trial but there is no way I am subscribing for premiums service on these ATP Pussies. Bye Felicia.

by Anonymousreply 403April 15, 2019 4:40 PM

Christian Garin Doppelganger is currently live on Cam4 . Shall I post his profile here or post it on another thread named"YOu need to see this guy on Chaturbate"?

by Anonymousreply 404April 15, 2019 4:43 PM

Who would root for sulky, boring, choking Kyle over cute little Diegito?

by Anonymousreply 405April 15, 2019 4:47 PM

Kyle is cute and possibly gay too

by Anonymousreply 406April 15, 2019 4:48 PM

R403, which streaming were you using? I use Sekastream every so often with mixed results--sometimes it's flawless, sometimes it buffers too long, etc.

Not sure I want to pay for a streaming service for ATP. Recommendations?

by Anonymousreply 407April 15, 2019 4:54 PM

Cute? Kyle looks like any obnoxious, small-dicked, homely cricket player. That dopey looking jaw, the yellowing teeth. He's also a terrible sport (remember Wimbledon last year) and has a horrible attitude.

Diego treats us to umpteen shirtless photos on his instagram, including ones of his friends and fellow players. He even gave us a hot shirt change in this match. He also seems like a cheery guy and is a dynamic tennis player for his size.

by Anonymousreply 408April 15, 2019 4:55 PM

I'm venturing to guess that R403 is the former ESL.

by Anonymousreply 409April 15, 2019 4:57 PM

R407, It is a legal streaming service in my country. It will not be available to you guy in the USA Those who don't subscribe to Cable tv can still access the sports network streaming site in my country. I Could watch all the ATP matches free of cost. Now today they suddenly decided to make it a paid service [Live tennis only ] While stupid sports like Golf, Soccer, Car racing, boxing, and other stupid sports are still free.

I was thinking about subscribing to paid service but I am not sure it is worth it considering the way these guys are choking for past many years

by Anonymousreply 410April 15, 2019 5:04 PM

I don't know if this is the case everywhere, but here in the UK Amazon Prime is showing ATP matches.

by Anonymousreply 411April 15, 2019 5:40 PM

Woq R411, I wish Amazon Prime could do the same in my country too

by Anonymousreply 412April 15, 2019 5:45 PM

Nadal's draw looks relatively easy in Monte Carlo. If he's healthy, it's hard to see someone taking him out before the finals. Hope I'm wrong. I bet A. Zverev loses early again. I'm really curious to see how Djokovic is playing after not such a great March.

by Anonymousreply 413April 15, 2019 8:57 PM

I'll laugh so hard if Kohlschreiber beats Djokovic again in round one.

by Anonymousreply 414April 15, 2019 8:59 PM

The Fog's match was great. Vintage Fog.

And Lil Diego has a heart the size of Argentina.

by Anonymousreply 415April 15, 2019 9:16 PM

Kyle the loser. I am excited about him

by Anonymousreply 416April 16, 2019 1:21 AM

FAA is through to the second round 7-5, 7-6 over Londero. He'll need to improve his match point conversion rate (won on his fourth match point) for a win over Flopos.

by Anonymousreply 417April 16, 2019 11:19 AM

Marin 'grumpy old neanderthal' Cilic is knocked out by Argentinian clay court hottie Pella. 6-1 in the third set.

Lots of good results already this week!

by Anonymousreply 418April 16, 2019 12:59 PM

What happened to FAA and Shapo being entered into the doubles? Suddenly they've been replaced by Kohlschreiber and Verdasco.

by Anonymousreply 419April 16, 2019 2:01 PM

Typically ugly tennis from Shapo yesterday and it was his birthday.

Nole was about to go into psycho mode but he held it together an beat Kohlschreiber.

by Anonymousreply 420April 16, 2019 4:05 PM

Kohlschreiber really should have won that first set. In two different games he was 40-15 on the Djokovic serve during the first set. One of them was a missed sitter that he overcooked. He was really the better player the majority of the match, just bad on the important points.

In fact in both sets he lost, he had twice as many break chances as Djokovic did to break him.

Schwartzman has now knocked Kyle Edmund out in doubles as well as singles.

by Anonymousreply 421April 16, 2019 4:12 PM

Cilic and Khachanov continuing to struggle this year

what was Tsonga's injury? Hopefully nothing serious

by Anonymousreply 422April 16, 2019 4:27 PM

MSC has found a close friend and ally in a 30-year rugby superstar. I wonder what Nick Krygois will say about him?

by Anonymousreply 423April 16, 2019 4:31 PM

Care to enlighten us about who MSC is, R423?

by Anonymousreply 424April 16, 2019 4:56 PM

It took me a couple of minutes to figure out R423 but I guess it's Margaret (Smith) Court and this story:

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by Anonymousreply 425April 16, 2019 5:11 PM

Munar can definitely play but he needs to lose the baby fat. He's got this barrel-shaped gut. If he plays Nadal, he'll be cramping like crazy

by Anonymousreply 426April 16, 2019 5:25 PM

Yes, that especially doesn't bode well for Munar in 3 out 5 Slam events. He's almost 22 and has never advanced beyond the second round of a Slam.

by Anonymousreply 427April 16, 2019 5:58 PM

Munar is gay, right?

by Anonymousreply 428April 16, 2019 6:20 PM

I really hope FAA can upset A. Zverev

Bautista Agut seems to do better on hard courts but I'd like to see him at least challenge Nadal

by Anonymousreply 429April 16, 2019 6:27 PM
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by Anonymousreply 430April 16, 2019 6:27 PM

R427: Munar reached the top 100 last year: And he lost on Slams with Monfils, Djokovic, Schwartzman and Fognini, all with way better ranking than him. It's not like he was losing against people he should have won

by Anonymousreply 431April 16, 2019 6:28 PM

Wawrinka what a flop! He served for the match at 5-4 in the second then really lost his way. Cecchinato is a fighter

by Anonymousreply 432April 16, 2019 6:40 PM

Cecchinato is an old-school clay court specialist.

by Anonymousreply 433April 16, 2019 6:44 PM

Yeah Denis all over the place but in the court yesterday. I don't know if it's because his strokes are too big, or his mind wonders (poor shot choice and overplaying). He needs a good coach perhaps, not his mom!

by Anonymousreply 434April 16, 2019 6:45 PM

That's irrelevant to the point of my comment, R431. I was responding to R426 about how Munar needs to get in better shape. Otherwise it's unlikely that he'll have the stamina to get through the grueling schedule of a Slam, especially the FO.

He's aged beyond NextGen contention and needs to step it up if he is to be a serious threat in Slams or ATP 1000 events.

by Anonymousreply 435April 16, 2019 6:46 PM

so Feliciano Lopez is now the new tournament director for the Madrid masters, joining Haas at IW and Blake in Miami.

by Anonymousreply 436April 16, 2019 6:49 PM

I hope to see FAA be the victor tomorrow too, R429. It's ironic that Zverev is complimenting FAA's politesse given Zverev's less than exemplary court behavior.

Thank you for the excerpt, R430!

by Anonymousreply 437April 16, 2019 6:50 PM

R436 interesting selection considering Lopez isn't all that personable. Haas and Blake were known as two of the nicest guys. (Except for that anti-Pam tirade from Blake at Wimbledon).

by Anonymousreply 438April 16, 2019 6:54 PM

Blake gets congeniality points for not punching Hewitt in the face during their infamous US Open encounter.

by Anonymousreply 439April 16, 2019 6:58 PM

[quote] Wawrinka what a flop!

S. Flopos

by Anonymousreply 440April 16, 2019 7:45 PM

For podcast fans, the imaginatively titled The Tennis Podcast by British tennis commentators David Law and Catherine Whitaker has a very interesting nearly 2 hour long interview with Tipsarevic. I know he's not the most popular but it's a fascinating interview covering all the topics. He's so open and honest they've had to give it an explicit rating for the language he uses.

Of all the tennis podcasts I find this one to be the best. They often record it in pubs at the railway station on their way home from work and the difference between their onscreen professionalism and the podcast where they can say whatever they like is refreshing. And no, I'm not working for them.

by Anonymousreply 441April 16, 2019 9:27 PM

Tipsi

by Anonymousreply 442April 16, 2019 9:38 PM

R435: Yes, it has a lot to do with your comment, you are trying to say that he didn't reach nothing more than second round when the truth is that he is playing GS for a very short time and he always lost with people with better ranking.

Munar is not a precocious player, he is a David Ferrer, RBA (who didn't reach top 100 till he was 24), he is not an Zverev, Tsitsipas or FAA who are supposed to fight for GS. He is the type of player who probably will be better with age.

by Anonymousreply 443April 16, 2019 9:45 PM

And of course, not everyone aroung 21 who reach the top 100 is going to be fighting for GS.

In fact, even between the ones with great potential there are some that unless they made a real change they could only win a GS if they have two lucky weeks when they are in top form (Cilic style) because they are showing clear signs of irregularity and not being able to deal with the hype

by Anonymousreply 444April 16, 2019 9:48 PM

I thought Ion Tiriac and his trillions of dollars wouldn't let Madrid go. I'm surprised he's handed it over to Feli Lopez. Unless he's still 'owner' and just not 'tournament director' now.

by Anonymousreply 445April 16, 2019 10:23 PM

R441 did he discuss his homophobia or if he changed his views?

by Anonymousreply 446April 16, 2019 10:45 PM

Actually R443/R444, it was two sentences and you inferred something more than I implied. But if know what I was trying to say better than I did, congratulations! My point was to agree with the previous poster in that Munar needs to get fitter if he is going to win big matches. Then I added that he also needs to get fitter to go deep in Slams, and I cited his Slam history.

Of course he might be a late bloomer and will follow the RBA model. Who knows?

by Anonymousreply 447April 17, 2019 12:02 AM

Stan looks good with frosted hair. A bit 80s but still nice. His ass looks lovely.

by Anonymousreply 448April 17, 2019 2:33 AM

FAA seems to have some trouble closing out sets when he's serving for them. He got away with it today unlike against isner ... lol I hold my breath whenever he's up 5-x

by Anonymousreply 449April 17, 2019 3:28 AM

People are saying Naomi now has a bf. Rapper YBN Cordae. He doesn't have any hits yet but he's had some popular mixtapes.

Guess Stefanos is out of the picture

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by Anonymousreply 450April 17, 2019 3:52 AM

R441, I never miss their podcast, but I found the Tipsarevic interview really hard going. He is so up himself and such a macho turd—his citing Nietzsche and his nihilism is typical for cryptofascists. I suspect much more uncomfortable questions might have been posed if Catherine Whittaker had been with them for the interview.

by Anonymousreply 451April 17, 2019 6:58 AM

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

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by Anonymousreply 452April 17, 2019 11:40 AM

Was watching Novak's post-match press conference and they asked about the Tipsy podcast interview, now I understand why the journalist weirdly said the word "effing", he was quoting Tipsy! Also ootl, but any link to Tipsy being a homophobe? Tnx!

by Anonymousreply 453April 17, 2019 12:10 PM

Flopos Zverev beats FAA 6-1 6-4. Will face Fabio next.

Not a good match from either player. FAA was up a break several times in that second set and still couldn't hold on to his leads.

I know he's still super young and I don't mean for this to sound overly critical, but the fact that his first serve *always* leaves him at the most important moments is becoming a problem (or at least, a pattern). He's so prone to double faults too. Also while it's so refreshing he's not a tantrum thrower a la Zverev or Djokovic, he does often go into this cranky, frowny mode, glaring at his box and start missing every shot. Think Marin Cilic, or Nadal on his most frustrated days.

by Anonymousreply 454April 17, 2019 12:42 PM

Iirc the source was some Serbian interview

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by Anonymousreply 455April 17, 2019 12:47 PM

R450: I doubt Stefanos was ever in the picture, they seems friends and that's all (and the same with Sakkari). His next match against Medvedev is going to be interesting, Danil is playing very well.

Felix has a problem with his serve when he is serving for set, match or for staying in the set or the match

by Anonymousreply 456April 17, 2019 1:52 PM

And i know that Nadal is the king of clay and all the jazz, but it's kinda tiresome that nobody is able to give him a fight. He is amazing but he is 32, and had a lot of injuries. I know his style of game is diffcicult of a lot of players but even with that he should have some competence on clay

by Anonymousreply 457April 17, 2019 1:54 PM

Competition

by Anonymousreply 458April 17, 2019 2:05 PM

R458: Thanks (when some words are similar in two languages doesn't mean they have the same meaning in both languages).

The Tsitsipas-Medvedev is going to be interesting (and they don't seem to like each other)

by Anonymousreply 459April 17, 2019 2:07 PM

R451 I found it interesting to hear a former Top Ten player speak so honestly. Even retired players aren't so outspoken these days.

I agree about Catherine though. David did seem to be slightly over-awed by the situation. Catherine would've let him have it, for sure.

by Anonymousreply 460April 17, 2019 2:16 PM

Well, Tipsarevic career was a big dissapointment (even with his success). He was a great junior, people expected him to be a contender for the big titles but he had a slow start as a pro and he never reached the level people expected.

He is a fine example of the fact that being inteligent (he is for sure) doesn't make you better, he is full of himself and has an ego way beyond his success

by Anonymousreply 461April 17, 2019 2:20 PM

I agree, R457. You'd think by now someone would give him competition. I thought maybe Thiem would, but the way Thiem rolled over in the French final last year was very disappointing. It's just insanely boring to watch Nadal steamroll his way through the clay season year after year. Only when he's injured do we have a different outcome.

It's a testament to how great Nadal is on the surface. Wimbledon used to be a huge bore when Sampras won it nearly every year. It got boring again when Federer won five in a row. But geez, 11 French Opens? That's insane that absolutely no one can challenge him, especially now when as you point out he's 32 years old and has dealt with tons of injuries. I hate to say it, but I fully expect No. 12 to come in June.

by Anonymousreply 462April 17, 2019 3:36 PM

R461 The podcast is interesting for those reasons. It's rare we have a current player who's had such highs and such lows who's so frank about it all. He really goes into one about the recent shake-up of the lower ranks and doesn't hold back about the Player Council etc.

He has the confidence of someone who was good enough to be No.8 in the world but the perspective of someone who perhaps never really reached their full potential. It's a long listen, definitely, but it's worth it. I agree with the poster upthread who said Catherine Whitaker would have given a harder interview, but I have a soft spot for David Law. He really seems like a good bloke.

by Anonymousreply 463April 17, 2019 3:51 PM

I expect Murray will be similarly candid once he officially retires.

by Anonymousreply 464April 17, 2019 4:15 PM

Does the Spanish Federation require its players to lose in embarrassing ways to Rafa? It seems only Verdasco among the Spanish men plays with any heart against Rafa.

by Anonymousreply 465April 17, 2019 4:15 PM

I think Nadal is most in trouble against a player with a great serve and great return. RBA is just very solid but Nadal can overpower him. The best way to beat Nadal is to dictate play immediately and keep the points short. Dustin Brown would never be able to do it on clay, but he showed twice on grass how to do it. Nadal often didn't have a chance to get into a rhythm.

A. Zverev possess a good enough serve and return and can play on clay but so far he hasn't been to beat Nadal on any surface.

by Anonymousreply 466April 17, 2019 4:51 PM

Titsypoo

by Anonymousreply 467April 17, 2019 4:58 PM

Nishikori, Goffin and Cilic all seem over the hill.

by Anonymousreply 468April 17, 2019 4:58 PM

very surprised that Fritz upset Schwartzman

by Anonymousreply 469April 17, 2019 5:20 PM

Indeed there's no love lost between them, R459.

Tipsarevic is pretentious and full of himself, including his "genius" tattoo. Anyone who considers homosexuality to be objectionable or unnatural is an idiot: "I know there are some homosexual male players, but I try not to have any contact with them. And as for women, I know Mauresmo is a pervert."

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by Anonymousreply 470April 17, 2019 6:01 PM
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by Anonymousreply 471April 17, 2019 6:06 PM

I officially don't like Tsitsipas.

by Anonymousreply 472April 17, 2019 6:10 PM

R465: There are three things that a player needs to cause Nadal some trouble, a very good serve, being very good in the return to serve and a reliable backhand, if a player is good with his backhand and is able to hit parallel winners he is way less confortable because he can take the risk of trying to play with his forehand all the time (he gives too much court to the rival and he become more vulnerable).

Spanish players are known for a lot of things, they are generally very good on clay courts, the fight a lot, they run a lot, but most of them are not known for their serve (they are way better with the return to serve), even if you look at a promising young prospect like Carlos Alcaraz, the main flaw in his game is his serve.

Other problem to play against Rafa is the intimidation factor. You know you have to hit an extra ball to win the point, you are going to fight a lot, and that's a burden for a lot of players (and of course there are a lot of players who have terrible h2h against him).

His natural game is very uncomfortable, specially for players with onehanded backhand, the ball bounce very high. And he is a player that unless he is not in good form, doesn't give you free points (that's the main reason a big serve is needed)

by Anonymousreply 473April 17, 2019 6:53 PM

R466: Rain saved Nadal on Rome last year. And if they play in Madrid Nadal will suffer.

To be fair with Tsitsipas, Medvedev is not exactly the nicest guy on the circuit. If my memory doesn't fail he was disqualify on a match against Young when he was bordering racism (he accused the empire of being Young's friend because both were black).

Tsitsipas behaviour had a very worrying evolution. He seemed way nicer when he was a nobody

by Anonymousreply 474April 17, 2019 6:57 PM

Fedal

by Anonymousreply 475April 17, 2019 6:59 PM

Wawrinka really does have a spectacular body.

by Anonymousreply 476April 17, 2019 7:50 PM

What do you like about his body, R476?

by Anonymousreply 477April 17, 2019 7:54 PM

R477 check your eye pressure!

by Anonymousreply 478April 17, 2019 8:13 PM

You're right, R473. The year Soderling knocked out Nadal, he was serving great, returning great, and Soderling's backhand was a solid two-hander that could produce winners. Djokovic has a good serve, great return, and terrific backhand, too, and he's the only other guy to take out Nadal at Roland Garros. (In 2016, Nadal withdrew from the 3rd Round with a wrist injury, so no one beat him that year even though he didn't win the title.)

I don't really see anyone at Monte Carlo who can take out Nadal. Maybe A. Zverev, but he's had a terrible year so far. Hard to see him taking out Nadal. I don't see Dimitrov doing it, seeing he's in that Lost Generation. Djokovic is the only one with a realistic shot, and even though he had a bad March, Djokovic has shown before that he can turn his slumps around all of a sudden. I just hope Nadal doesn't dominate clay once again. Boring.

by Anonymousreply 479April 17, 2019 8:37 PM

I haven't given up on Thiem yet after he was clutch in that IW final against Federer. He may not peak again for the rest of the season but who knows

by Anonymousreply 480April 17, 2019 10:51 PM

RBA also hits a very fast flat ball. Which is so effective on hard or grass (see the Djokovic matches) but useless on this surface. He's not as much of a clay grinder as other Spanish players. Likes to go for a 'finishing shot' (whether he wins or loses the point). Problem is that here that finishing shot keeps coming back, especially against Nadal.

Medvedev is one of the biggest assholes on the tour lol. I don't know why we're so hard on Tsitsi (for supposed diva antics) when there are characters like Shopbottom, Tiafoe, and De Minaur around. They're all a bit egotistical (as they should be if they want to advance) and prone to tempers, but of the next gen players he's still one of the most harmless.

by Anonymousreply 481April 18, 2019 2:02 AM

Tiafoe is not a diva or an asshole. He's 1 of the more popular players on tour.

by Anonymousreply 482April 18, 2019 2:06 AM

I actually never called him a diva or an asshole R482 (that was Medvedev). He seems nice (i'm actually a fan), but the shirtless Lebron James / Hulk Hogan esque celebrations, and screaming "LET'S GO" on his opponent's errors? Saying during the Australian Open that he specifically wants to go ahead of the other Next Gen players like Tsitsipas because he knows inside he can be better than them? Getting the ball kids to untangle his necklace for him?

We crucify Zverev and Coco Vandeweghe for doing the same thing. He's popular because Kyrgios etc. all wish they were black basketball players and they latch on to him and his crew.

I'm not saying Tiafoe's not a good guy, i'm just questioning why Tsitsipas is such a target for supposed personality flaws.

by Anonymousreply 483April 18, 2019 2:17 AM

R483 almost all of them celebrate opponents' errors, even Federer when it's a tight match.

I like the shirtless celebrations since Tiafoe has a good body. He's getting more comfortable on court and he's stated how ambitious he is. I don't think there's anything wrong with his behavior.

Unless a player is cheating or being a jerk for no reason, I don't mind what they do.

Zverev and Coco often fight with umpires and whine when they're losing so they deserve criticism

by Anonymousreply 484April 18, 2019 2:37 AM

R484 Once again, the point of my post was not to disparage Tiafoe. I only mentioned him in passing as an example.

I was just wondering why there is so much vitriol towards Tsitsipas. And yes Tiafoe has a good body (well a great body) but there's a good example. If Tsitsipas did that? People would rip him apart on here.

by Anonymousreply 485April 18, 2019 2:46 AM

I think it's because Titsy was so sportsmanlike when he came on the scene and has gradually became a bit more petulant. So the contrast is a bit jarring.

by Anonymousreply 486April 18, 2019 3:06 AM

Generally I like Tsitsipas. I agree he's shown in recent months he can be annoying but he's nowhere near Zverev's level. I give the younger players who are occasionally obnoxious a break.

by Anonymousreply 487April 18, 2019 3:29 AM

Murray fistpumped opponents' errors all the time and screamed at Mauresmo so much she had to hide in a part of the stands he couldn't see. Yet he was supposedly the most humble and gracious bloke ever to step on a tennis court. People like to pick on Tsitsipas but so many players have faults or do stupid things at times yet the unsportsmanlike of some are ignored.

by Anonymousreply 488April 18, 2019 3:45 AM

I will never root for any male players who wear compression shorts and dark pants as they are not generous with their bulges.

by Anonymousreply 489April 18, 2019 3:46 AM

R481: De Miñaur? i know he is a fan of smashing raquets but apart of that he seems a really nice guy

by Anonymousreply 490April 18, 2019 9:19 AM

Tsitsipas REALLY doesn't like Medvedev, does he?

by Anonymousreply 491April 18, 2019 10:58 AM

And Tsitsipas fails again, on a surface he has a clear advantage, after recovering from a bad first set and after having a break in his favour in his last set.

And one thing is for sure, most next gen players hav a lot of trouble when they have to serve for the match or to stay in the match

by Anonymousreply 492April 18, 2019 10:59 AM

[quote]Yet [Murray] was supposedly the most humble and gracious bloke ever to step on a tennis court.

I don’t think we were watching the same film, r488. Murray was (is?) a surly cunt on court, whose salty language was often picked up by on-court mikes and further enhanced by slo-mo replays of him mouthing choice four-letter words.

by Anonymousreply 493April 18, 2019 11:02 AM

R493 Yes but he's also known to be one of the nicest blokes on the tour off-court. He'd scream and shout on-court but never at his opponent. He was always fair that way.

by Anonymousreply 494April 18, 2019 11:18 AM

Stefano Tsitsipas collapse is complete!!!

He should learn from the fate of WTA. Concentrate on gameplay and not cunting and throwing shades . It looks bad on women. It looks worse on men. Drop the cunting Titsy, unless and of course if that is your "natural" trait.

by Anonymousreply 495April 18, 2019 12:16 PM

Exactly, he is talking too much and not focusing on his game.

Keep the mouth shut and let your tennis speak for you

by Anonymousreply 496April 18, 2019 12:21 PM

Just now Nole fucked Taylor so hard that later will not be able to walk for days. I am afraid same fate is waiting for young Grigor in his upcoming match against Nadal

by Anonymousreply 497April 18, 2019 12:31 PM

Indeed, Grigor is getting is ass kicked.

by Anonymousreply 498April 18, 2019 2:11 PM

Nadal beats Dimitrov 6-4, 6-1. History continues to repeat itself.

by Anonymousreply 499April 18, 2019 3:17 PM

Coric's ass is far better than Thiem's, at least in the eyes of this beholder.

by Anonymousreply 500April 18, 2019 3:54 PM

Sasha Zverev collapse is complete. He lost to even bigger brat Fabio in straight sets

by Anonymousreply 501April 18, 2019 4:25 PM

Sascha is so 2017.

by Anonymousreply 502April 18, 2019 4:28 PM

Dominique Thiem collapse is complete. He was crushed, killed and destroyed by some Serbian named Dusan 6-3, 6-2.

Good news for him is that hard courts are only 3 months away!

by Anonymousreply 503April 18, 2019 4:30 PM

Yeah, Them lost, too. Should we just say the collapse of Next Gen is complete?

by Anonymousreply 504April 18, 2019 4:31 PM

"Nadal is an injured person who plays tennis." - Uncle Toni. For being so incredibly handicapped, he's doing quite well on the tennis court right now.

by Anonymousreply 505April 18, 2019 4:37 PM

Thiem is five years too old to be NextGen. NextGen are those born 1997 and later.

by Anonymousreply 506April 18, 2019 4:38 PM

Why the hell we having clay court season?? Just award 12th Montecarlo, Rome, Barcelona and French title to Nadal and be done with it

by Anonymousreply 507April 18, 2019 4:40 PM

R507 = Nick Kyrgios

by Anonymousreply 508April 18, 2019 4:46 PM

I know Fabio's problematic but when he's on, he's real fun to watch. Kinda feel bad for Zverev, his neighbour's all rooting against him lol

by Anonymousreply 509April 18, 2019 4:49 PM

Fine, R506, then the collapse of everyone 25 or under is complete.

by Anonymousreply 510April 18, 2019 5:02 PM

Still wrong, R510...

by Anonymousreply 511April 18, 2019 5:22 PM

And don't forget me!

by Anonymousreply 512April 18, 2019 5:24 PM

How is Medvedev a dick? He seems pretty low-key compared to the rest of them. I know he's got an odd-shaped head but he seems nice enough otherwise.

by Anonymousreply 513April 18, 2019 5:26 PM

Observe R470, R513, and draw your own conclusions.

by Anonymousreply 514April 18, 2019 5:28 PM

R506: In fact nextgen is 1996 and later. And the term is growing older because 4 years are a lot in tennis and that's the age difference between Khachanov, Coric, Medveded and FAA

Uncle Toni should shut up, that's the kind of thing that makes people believe Rafa is taking foribideen substances. You can't claim being seriously injured and then coming up and defeating your rivals without any effort, and Rafa is doing this again and again and again (and there's no other player who does that). So, or something suspicious is happening or he is never as seriously injured as he claims

by Anonymousreply 515April 18, 2019 5:41 PM

[quote]How is Medvedev a dick? He seems pretty low-key compared to the rest of them. I know he's got an odd-shaped head but he seems nice enough otherwise.

Yet I find him attractive and would be pleased to do unspeakable things with him.

by Anonymousreply 516April 18, 2019 5:45 PM

He is not ugly, but he is very far from being in the handsome group (maybe nextgen are not getting GS anytime soon but most of them are really handsome).

And Tsitsipas needs to cut his hair, he looks like someome who is going to do a casting to play Jesucrist superstar

by Anonymousreply 517April 18, 2019 5:59 PM

[quote]Tsitsipas REALLY doesn't like Medvedev, does he?

the handshake at the net:

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 518April 18, 2019 6:07 PM

Stef is as fake as his fake girlfriend Naomi

by Anonymousreply 519April 18, 2019 6:09 PM

Daniil Medvedev beat the crap out of Stefanos Tsitsipas, and I like his white underwear!

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 520April 18, 2019 6:14 PM

Medvedev sounds like a dying goat on the court sometimes. (I've seen him live).

by Anonymousreply 521April 18, 2019 6:32 PM

R520: My concept of beating the crap out doesn't include barely skipping being baggeled on a set.

It was a tight match, and it's a bad loss for Tsitsipas, first because he should had won on clay, and second because it's the second tournament he lose against a rival of similar age (and who is down in the ranking). Of course losing the four matches against someone you can't stand it's not a good thing (the last two with the greek having a better ranking)

I like Medvedev's game but it doesn't seem the best kind of game to play on clay

R519: That ship sailed long time ago

by Anonymousreply 522April 18, 2019 6:37 PM

Nadal in the QF will face Pella lol Pella is another grinder who is solid but I really don't see him having much to hurt Nadal with.

Nadal's bs claims of always being injured except for during the clay season and when he wins hardcourt/grass titles is nauseating. If his body is so fragile he should not be playing such a full clay schedule. Barcelona is not a mandatory event and he gets to play in Spain through Madrid so it's not like he needs Barcelona

by Anonymousreply 523April 18, 2019 6:39 PM

r523 Clay court is good for your health, hard-court and indoor are bad.

by Anonymousreply 524April 18, 2019 6:47 PM

R523 He's just showing off.

by Anonymousreply 525April 18, 2019 6:50 PM

I'm sure whatever bullshit injury Nadal had has "healed" in time for the clay season!

by Anonymousreply 526April 18, 2019 7:17 PM

Can anyone remaining in the draw even challenge "extremely injured" Nadal?

I guess Fognini has beaten him 3 times including twice on clay. Novak?

by Anonymousreply 527April 18, 2019 7:41 PM

Maria OUT of Stuttgart and Madrid.

The end is near.

by Anonymousreply 528April 18, 2019 7:43 PM

R528 O yuck. Will she use RG to retire? Or, ugh, even worse Wimbledon?

by Anonymousreply 529April 18, 2019 7:46 PM

She'll retire at her home slam - the US Open.

by Anonymousreply 530April 18, 2019 7:47 PM

damn I was hoping Sharapova would play more so she could get her ass kicked. I was hoping Serena could humiliate her 1 more time. I wanted to see all the top players rake her over the coals

hopefully she comes back at some point this year

by Anonymousreply 531April 18, 2019 7:50 PM

R527: On clay Fognini and Djokovic can defeat him. Coric defeated Nadal 2 times in 4 matches, but they never played on clay.

Nadal is playing well, Fognini, Djokovic and Coric came from not so good sensations, and this is clay and Montecarlo. I think Nadal is the clear favourite, like he will be in Barcelona and Roland Garros. Madrid is a different story

by Anonymousreply 532April 18, 2019 7:52 PM

Djokovic in particular can take out Nadal, but he has to be playing well, and can even beat an in-form Nadal on clay if he is playing well. Fognini would have to be playing extremely well and also hope for a subpar Nadal. Either way, I agree with R532 that it's advantage Nadal.

by Anonymousreply 533April 18, 2019 7:57 PM

Djoko & his adorable mojo

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 534April 18, 2019 8:10 PM

[quote]Nadal beats Dimitrov 6-4, 6-1. History continues to repeat itself.

Young Grigor will drop out of the top 40 for the first time since february 2013

by Anonymousreply 535April 18, 2019 9:13 PM

Grigor was on the verge of defeating Nadal the first time they played. I happened something similar with Sascha, i wonder if they had won that first match maybe things would be different.

Anyway Grigor made a good tournament in Montecarlo which is something he can't say that often this season

by Anonymousreply 536April 18, 2019 9:20 PM

Is Dimitrov the most disappointing player of all time?

If not, who is?

by Anonymousreply 537April 18, 2019 9:24 PM

Grigor means vulture in Bulgarian

by Anonymousreply 538April 18, 2019 9:24 PM

R537,, Hello Mam

by Anonymousreply 539April 18, 2019 9:25 PM

R539 Bouchard at least got to a Slam Final.

She was never as bigged up as Dimitrov.

by Anonymousreply 540April 18, 2019 9:38 PM

yeah Dimitrov was passed on the "baby Fed" moniker after Gasquet (the original press-deemed "baby Fed") failed to live up to the hype. Not sure who will get it next.

by Anonymousreply 541April 18, 2019 10:42 PM

[quote] Murray was (is?) a surly cunt on court

Thus why we call him Misery here.

by Anonymousreply 542April 18, 2019 11:09 PM

Nadal is probably suffering from Munchausen syndrome in which all of his illnesses are fake. It's a tactic to extract pity from his opponents.

by Anonymousreply 543April 18, 2019 11:38 PM

Rafa!

by Anonymousreply 544April 19, 2019 12:22 AM

Nole!

by Anonymousreply 545April 19, 2019 12:25 AM

[quote] Coric's ass is far better than Thiem's, at least in the eyes of this beholder.

What do you like about Coric’s and what don’t you like about Thiem’s?

by Anonymousreply 546April 19, 2019 12:41 AM

[quote] She'll retire at her home slam - the US Open.

Tehe.

by Anonymousreply 547April 19, 2019 12:45 AM

Any news on the whereabouts of young Grigor after that terrible loss? I hope he's mentally tough enough to not let others take advantage of him when's he vulnerable. He should really be with someone looking out for him.

by Anonymousreply 548April 19, 2019 2:49 AM

Coric is a dreamboat. I hope he share his D with someone other than Bruna.

by Anonymousreply 549April 19, 2019 3:41 AM

Other than Safin, have there been stories about some of the other hot male players being absolute sluts? I don't remember hearing much in the last 10 years after Safin retired. He was known for having more than 1 "Safinette" come and watch his matches.

by Anonymousreply 550April 19, 2019 3:50 AM

It’s time to get the Vaseline and put the hand between legs for someone.

by Anonymousreply 551April 19, 2019 4:12 AM

Didn't Safin become part of the Duma that passed the homophobic bills in Russia?!

by Anonymousreply 552April 19, 2019 9:21 AM

Lajovic is low-key one of the hottest guys on tour. Those blue eyes!

by Anonymousreply 553April 19, 2019 9:57 AM

R552: Yes he was. Of course all russian athletes and exathletes love Putin with few exceptions (like Svetlana Khorkhina).

Safin was on bar fights too, he had the talent to be way bigger than he was but talent alone is not enough. In the end he was lucky he played on an era without a dominant player (Agassi and Sampras were at the end of their careers and Federer was still the irregular player of the beginning of his career)

by Anonymousreply 554April 19, 2019 10:18 AM

R554 Weren't there pics of Safin out drinking and smoking the night before matches and stuff?

He was so talented but the money and fame went to his head. Back then even his modest (by today's standards) earnings were a huge deal in Russia.

by Anonymousreply 555April 19, 2019 10:29 AM

Gross.

by Anonymousreply 556April 19, 2019 10:42 AM

Lajovic first semifinalist

by Anonymousreply 557April 19, 2019 11:00 AM

If Medevev doesn't choke he'll defeat Nole 5 2 for the russian in the third set

by Anonymousreply 558April 19, 2019 1:36 PM

Please Danil for love of Putin don't choke

by Anonymousreply 559April 19, 2019 1:40 PM

Novak Djokovic collapse is complete !!

And skeptics still say that DL OP Pics curse don't work

by Anonymousreply 560April 19, 2019 1:41 PM

I was not expecting Djoko to choke on the third set.....truly bizarre

by Anonymousreply 561April 19, 2019 1:46 PM

Last minute wild card for Alexander Zverev for Barcelona.

Joins Nadal, Thiem, Nishikori, Tsitsipas

Sascha will play 8 of 9 weeks on clay.

Marrakech

Monte Carlo

Barcelona

Munich

Madrid

Rome

rest

RG

RG (?)

Not even that journeyman Thiem had ever done it just to get away from me

by Anonymousreply 562April 19, 2019 1:46 PM

R451, Just see the OP Pic.

Never mess with gays

by Anonymousreply 563April 19, 2019 1:47 PM

I meant R561

by Anonymousreply 564April 19, 2019 1:47 PM

R562 it doesn't matter the number of weeks if he is not winning matches

by Anonymousreply 565April 19, 2019 1:47 PM

Petros, Bring me the ax

by Anonymousreply 566April 19, 2019 1:52 PM

Hottie Guido Pella completely outplayed Nadal in that opening set. Was up a break several times, with chances to go up a double break (40-0 on Nadal's serve), and he even served for the set at 6-5.

So annoyed he completely let Mr. Rogaine off the hook.

Only win a single point in the tiebreak.

by Anonymousreply 567April 19, 2019 3:24 PM

From 4-1 to 6-7(1)

by Anonymousreply 568April 19, 2019 3:27 PM

Ugh, R567, so typical.

by Anonymousreply 569April 19, 2019 3:35 PM

Pella is playing some beautiful tennis but Nadal is Nadal.

by Anonymousreply 570April 19, 2019 3:53 PM

AT least Pella did what one should expect of someone who is facing the king of clay. Start the match concentrated and tried his best. Nadal won 11 GS for a reason, so it's obvious he is not easy to defeat on clay but most players go to court already defeated

by Anonymousreply 571April 19, 2019 4:36 PM

R546, Coric's is proportionate, compact, round, nice arch and with a fascinating muscle-to-fat ratio. Thiem's are like two ham hocks that got grafted on, outsize. I guess some people like ham.

by Anonymousreply 572April 19, 2019 5:18 PM

Plus, Kiki has soiled Domi for some here.

by Anonymousreply 573April 19, 2019 5:22 PM

I want Coric and his proportionate ass make into semifinals. This second set is not remotely as easy as the first, Fabio is a tricky player

by Anonymousreply 574April 19, 2019 5:48 PM

R566 Sorry, I am busy losing first round in ITF Futures in Tunisia that I entered with a wild card.

by Anonymousreply 575April 19, 2019 6:08 PM

Petros ate a very unusual bagel sandwich in Tunisia apparently.

by Anonymousreply 576April 19, 2019 6:21 PM

how the fuck did Coric fuck this up? He was up 6-1 and a break 1-0 with Fognini looking like he might retire. Now Fognini is up double break in the third. I bet he'll be dead tomorrow against Nadal who win 6-0 6-0

by Anonymousreply 577April 19, 2019 6:31 PM

6 of Petros' last 7 tournaments have been WC entries. Most of them first round losses. Isn't there a limit to how many WCs you can get? Or is that only at ATP/WTA level? Starting to get embarrassing. Is Stef bankrolling this? Mouratoglou?

I mean he's still only 19 but the clock is ticking if he wants to avoid Elk Clijsters / Jaslyn Hewitt / Marko Djokovic / Mari Osaka / Hsieh Yu-chei territory.

by Anonymousreply 578April 19, 2019 6:46 PM

I think that Fognini likes to play against Nadal.

by Anonymousreply 579April 19, 2019 6:51 PM

Being the small brother of a talented player is tough, unless you are a Maleeva or a Williams (or even a Sanchez Vicario)

Fognini defeated Nadal several times, but with the exception of the US Open big surprise, Fabio was in top form, which is not the case now.

Coric is very weak mentally, like Sascha, when thing don't go their way they simply surrender. That's the main reason why they have so bad results at GS, at five sets it's not easy to dominate all the time

by Anonymousreply 580April 19, 2019 6:54 PM

He is there with some other players from the Mouratoglou Academy, so probably the academy arranged the WCs.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 581April 19, 2019 6:54 PM

I was watching nextgen results at GS and Sascha is far from being the worst. The truth is only three of them (Zverev, Rublev and Tiafoe) reached the quarterfinals on a GS and only Tsitsipas reached on semis.

Not even fourth rounds are that common. Given some of them are seeds at GS for a while is quite surprising none of them has better results (or at least was able to have two qtr)

by Anonymousreply 582April 19, 2019 7:01 PM

I didn't know Fritz's wife was Raquel Pedraza. She was a promising player when she was U14 but her junior career was dissapointing

by Anonymousreply 583April 19, 2019 7:06 PM

R580, I disagree about Coric being mentally weak. He just came back from match point down in his previous match and many, many people including commentators note that he is a fighter and never gives up. He has off days for sure and just played too much this week...

by Anonymousreply 584April 19, 2019 9:54 PM

He has a lot of off days. And if he is praised and press start to talk about him you can be sure he tanks the next tournament.

Being a fighter is not the same of being mentally strong. David Ferrer was a fighter but he was not particulary good on close matches. On the other hand Nadal on a close match was lethal at his peak, and even now he is very dangerous in close matches

by Anonymousreply 585April 19, 2019 9:57 PM

At least as long as I've watched tennis since the late 1970s, a young player's Slam results were more indicative of future greatness than winning smaller tournaments. John McEnroe got to the semis os Wimbledon when he was just 18. Mats Wilander won the French Open when he was 17, Borg the same tournament at 18, as did Nadal. Agassi got to the semis of the French Open and US Open at age 18. Sampras won the US Open at 19. Federer struggled a bit at Slams until he turned 21. Djokovic won The Australian when he was 20, but then he struggled until he started winning again at 23-24.

I do think it's harder now to peak when the guys are teenagers because of how physical the game has gotten. However, as R582 points out, the younger generations aren't even getting to the quarterfinals very often. Winning Masters 1000s and other tournaments are great and necessary, but you have to consistently do well at Slams or I don't think you'll win one.

by Anonymousreply 586April 19, 2019 10:16 PM

[quote] Hsieh Yu-chei

Bless you.

by Anonymousreply 587April 19, 2019 10:28 PM

R586 I guess Chang would be an exception as he won RG before he was even 18 but finished his career as a 1 slam wonder

by Anonymousreply 588April 19, 2019 10:54 PM

The US Fed Cup team in their.....lovely dresses

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 589April 19, 2019 11:08 PM

[quote] but finished his career as a 1 slam wonder

Is he an International Tennis Hall of Fame member?

by Anonymousreply 590April 19, 2019 11:41 PM

Medvedev!

by Anonymousreply 591April 20, 2019 12:57 AM

is Nadal immune to the OP cover pic curse?

by Anonymousreply 592April 20, 2019 1:26 AM

He was about to be knocked up today by Pella but at the brink of 1set Pella pulled out

by Anonymousreply 593April 20, 2019 1:37 AM

Pella pulled out.

Tehe.

by Anonymousreply 594April 20, 2019 2:14 AM

To be fair the players in general are breaking through much older today than they were in the past. There's a longer gestational period, playing juniors and challengers etc., building a ranking up.

In the Wilander/Borg/McEnroe/Sampras era it was common to have retired by your mid to late 20s. Monica Seles had won something like 8 slams before she even turned 20. Borg started winning slams at 18 and didn't really stop until he retired rather young. Hingis almost won all 4 in the same year when she was 16.

It's a new day when people are shocked someone as young as FAA (at 18) is breaking through so young. Simply because it just doesn't happen any more at that age. Especially on ATP.

by Anonymousreply 595April 20, 2019 2:49 AM

Haven't seen Dušan Lajović play before today. He's onto the MC semi's, and he has a great ass.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 596April 20, 2019 3:05 AM

Link to his ass please, R596.

by Anonymousreply 597April 20, 2019 3:16 AM

[quote] There's a longer gestational period

[quote] Especially on ATP.

There’s no gestational period in the ATP because none of them have children. That’s because they’re all lesbians. All of them!

(You know who)

by Anonymousreply 598April 20, 2019 3:20 AM

I’ve started the new thread, part 39, but this thread is not allowing me to post links in responses. It’s the glitch that occurs when some threads near 600 posts. The new thread is subtitled “Heart of Clay Season”. Search on Google if you must. I’ll bump it as need be.

by Anonymousreply 599April 20, 2019 3:26 AM

Here's a link to the next thread:

part 39 - Heart of Clay Season

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 600April 20, 2019 3:35 AM
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