Tennis Thread

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Ben Shelton's match against Gael Monfils was another doozy. Ben remains the TIebreaker Merchant, and he came up big in those sets to win them at the end. A shame Monfils had to retire from the match, but at 38, it was nice for Shelton to give him props afterwards as they were still on the court.

Shelton has a decent shot to get to the semis, but whoever wins on the other side between SInner and De Minaur will be an easy favourite over Shelton/Sonego.

I've noted De Minaur is having a sneaky quiet tourney, but this next one will be the biggie.

 

[smevchenko]

Ben Shelton's match against Gael Monfils was another doozy. Ben remains the TIebreaker Merchant, and he came up big in those sets to win them at the end. A shame Monfils had to retire from the match, but at 38, it was nice for Shelton to give him props afterwards as they were still on the court.

Shelton has a decent shot to get to the semis, but whoever wins on the other side between SInner and De Minaur will be an easy favourite over Shelton/Sonego.

I've noted De Minaur is having a sneaky quiet tourney, but this next one will be the biggie.

So far Sinner on a different level.

 

[BlueHammer85]

I've finally caught up. Silly work getting in the way of getting to watch some fantastic tennis.

Stop me if you've seen this play out before...
View attachment 144016

In all seriousness, I do believe Joker needed the meds, and in his post-match on court interview with Jim Courier he noted he may not have continued had he lost the 2nd set.

Nice scene of Joker going over to thank and hug Coach Andy Murray afterwards.

Murray congratulating Alcaraz afterwards while on the stationary bike winding down was another nice touch.

Loads of players have to go through the pain barrier in Tennis, how can they not ? they're playing 3-5 hour matches every couple days at times!

also, not really sure how a stoppage is such an advantage - does the opposing player forget how to play the game after a few mins break.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Loads of players have to go through the pain barrier in Tennis, how can they not ? they're playing 3-5 hour matches every couple days at times!

No question - I've felt it even after a few sets.

also, not really sure how a stoppage is such an advantage - does the opposing player forget how to play the game after a few mins break.

I think it can be seen as a momentum thing, but again, I'm not faulting Joker for what he needed, and tbf, Carlos should not have taken off the gas as it appeared he did a bit in the 2nd set.

Still, the meme I used is so much how Joker lulls one into his trap and usually comes back with a vengeance. I've seen it before.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

So far Sinner on a different level.

Yeah, I'm not too surprised. Shelton will have his hands full on Friday and will have to play the match of his life and get a few breaks along the way. If Ben were to upset Sinner in the way the defending champ is playing, it would be amazing.

Given Zverev/Joker will be the later match for the night time audience, I won't feel too bad once SInner likely advances given I fully can't (yet) count on Zverev to win the 2nd semi.

It would be nice to see Keys upset Swiatek too, but it just appears we've been heading for a Sabalenka vs. Swiakek final given how they're both currently playing and dominating.

 

[smevchenko]

Yeah, I'm not too surprised. Shelton will have his hands full on Friday and will have to play the match of his life and get a few breaks along the way. If Ben were to upset Sinner in the way the defending champ is playing, it would be amazing.

Given Zverev/Joker will be the later match for the night time audience, I won't feel too bad once SInner likely advances given I fully can't (yet) count on Zverev to win the 2nd semi.

It would be nice to see Keys upset Swiatek too, but it just appears we've been heading for a Sabalenka vs. Swiakek final given how they're both currently playing and dominating.

Djokovic match is on first at 03:30 UK time

 

[WickyWain]

It would be nice to see Keys upset Swiatek too, but it just appears we've been heading for a Sabalenka vs. Swiakek final given how they're both currently playing and dominating.

It appears not ;)

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Djokovic match is on first at 03:30 UK time

And yes, I'm glad that match is first. The ESPN commentators in the US were thinking it would be the latter one given the prime time slot in Australia, but I'm glad its earlier.

It fairly gives Shelton and SInner a bit more extra time from the 2 days extra rest that Zverev and Djokovic already have had since Tuesday.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

It appears not ;)

Indeed, and kudos to Madison Keys for really stepping up her game in the 2nd set.

Just an amazing string of 5 games to go up 5-0 in breaking Swiatek 3 times straight. I couldn't believe the shots she was making that set to really rattle Swiatek.

And the 3rd set was simply epic. Words can't describe how good that battle was. Keys was down 0-40 on her serve and was able to come back to win the game. Then going down 5-6 with Swiatek having a match point during the next game to turn it around and tie things up at 6-6. Swiatek had a bad time for double faults.

And during the tiebreak, Swiatek led the whole time until Keys surged ahead at the end, playing the best tennis she ever has to win this.

Maybe for some more good mojo, I'll simply state the obvious that Sabalenka will be the heavy favourite on Saturday. C'mon Madison Keys!

 

[City Raider]

Keys seems really popular among players and media.

 

[Craig]

Shame Djokovic is injured. Would have been another 5 hour epic match.

 

[BlueHammer85]

Shame Djokovic is injured. Would have been another 5 hour epic match.

He was faking it obviously!
Such a shame for him but could tell early last match he was struggling with injury.
I feel he would have beaten Zverev even a set down. Not to be.

 

[RobMCFC]

He was faking it obviously!
Such a shame for him but could tell early last match he was struggling with injury.
I feel he would have beaten Zverev even a set down. Not to be.

Well obviously he was injured because he conceded! If he'd have gone back to the dressing room and come back out then there would have been a 70% chance he was faking it.

Anyway, it's a shame for the crowd when a big match ends like this, but at least we got the right result, eh?

After that nightmare injury in Paris a few years ago, I'd like to see Zverev win a grand slam.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Well obviously he was injured because he conceded! If he'd have gone back to the dressing room and come back out then there would have been a 70% chance he was faking it.

Djokovic did say if he didn't win the 2nd set against Alcaraz that he would have conceded. I really do believe him on that. He said the pain meds he took after the first set helped him through that match.

Given he was in a close first set tiebreaker with Zverev that was simply separated by the final 2 points that Zverev won, I too believe Djokovic would have kept going had he won that first set.

But I also believe he's been playing injured since the Alcaraz match. Maybe even a bit prior, but it certainly was on display then, especially before the meds kicked in after that first set in the QFs.

Anyway, it's a shame for the crowd when a big match ends like this, but at least we got the right result, eh?

For you and I, we certainly agree. ;-)

I don't think everyone here would be on that same page (especially Djokovic fans), but at least the final will be played with 2 players that certainly on the surface do not appear to be questionable to go the distance if needed.

I also give lots of credit and kudos to Zverev for telling the crowd not to boo Djokovic as he was leaving the court. That wasn't a good look for the fans that did, even if of course being upset not getting an 'epic match' that they might have been expecting.

I may not be a fan of Djokovic , but I certainly respect the effort he has given both over the years and during the tourney to try to win.

After that nightmare injury in Paris a few years ago, I'd like to see Zverev win a grand slam.

Given Zverev's blown leads in Slam finals, for that reason too. He's been tragically close twice now, and the 2020 US Open being the true heartbreaker being 2-0 up on Thiem.

Given it's now him vs. Sinner, I certainly hope Zverev can do it and it would be nice for him to get one. However, I'll be fine if Sinner wins, but yeah, I'd prefer Zverev.

Ben Shelton gave it a good run this tourney, but after that first set it was all Sinner. Hopefully the final goes 4 sets+ as a great clash of back and forth excitement on the court as both players are certainly capable of delivering.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

I feel he would have beaten Zverev even a set down. Not to be.

I'm not, but I'm convinced he would have kept playing had he won that first set.

 

[BlueHammer85]

I'm not, but I'm convinced he would have kept playing had he won that first set.

Well he was injured in the first set in which he lost to Alcaraz.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Well he was injured in the first set in which he lost to Alcaraz.

True, but he said in his post-match presser that his meds kicked in and fessed up he would have halted his match with Alcatraz had he lost the 2nd set (down 0-2, needing 5 to win).

Carlos Alcaraz reveals ‘biggest mistake’ he made in defeat to Novak Djokovic

Djokovic was injured in the first set and took a medical timeout before coming back to win in four sets

www.the-independent.com

Djokovic admitted he would have retired from the match had he gone two sets down to Alcaraz, but he started to play more aggressively in the rallies and survived to level the match before the painkillers kicked in at the start of the third set.

 

[BlueHammer85]

True, but he said in his post-match presser that his meds kicked in and fessed up he would have halted his match with Alcatraz had he lost the 2nd set (down 0-2, needing 5 to win).

Carlos Alcaraz reveals ‘biggest mistake’ he made in defeat to Novak Djokovic

Djokovic was injured in the first set and took a medical timeout before coming back to win in four sets

www.the-independent.com

Djokovic admitted he would have retired from the match had he gone two sets down to Alcaraz, but he started to play more aggressively in the rallies and survived to level the match before the painkillers kicked in at the start of the third set.

Well, can you blame him ? It’s his body and his choice - it’s not worth risking long term injury two sets down - it probably is 1 set down.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Well, can you blame him ? It’s his body and his choice - it’s not worth risking long term injury two sets down - it probably is 1 set down.

Not blaming him at all.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Congratulations Madison Keys for the AO Women's Title!

What an effort, what an amazing final, especially in that 3rd set all tied up 5-5. She had some amazing winners down the stretch to simply take that match away from Sabalenka.

It's been a long road, but she's finally reached the top. Credit to her serve and racket changes to help her improve to the degree she has during this tournament. Well deserved!