Tennis Thread

[MillionMilesAway]

I'm sure the players in general are for the new technology that I assume reduces the percentage of wrong calls by line judges, but it's definitely taken away some entertainment/jeopardy from the spectator. Having the challenge system in place was pretty good I thought, and most of the time it looked like the players almost enjoyed waiting to see if the ball was in/out etc, can't remember too many incidents where players moaned about it anyway.

The strange thing to me is that hawkeye was very flaky when it came in, and memory says that the players didn't much trust it.

Now they've brought a new system to Wimbledon, with no backup.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

There seem to be less replays of close calls at the moment. Is that because the powers that be aren’t 100% convinced Hawkeye is accurate enough?

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

There seem to be less replays of close calls at the moment. Is that because the powers that be aren’t 100% convinced Hawkeye is accurate enough?

There was one yesterday in the Alcaraz v Rublev game where Rublev’s return went just over the baseline (or possibly just clipped the line hence why he asked for a review). When the replay was shown, it was a totally different shot with the ball landing midway between the tramlines level with the service line. I can’t believe nobody else spotted it but we rewound the live broadcast and saw it with our own eyes. Quite worrying.

 

[MCFC1993]

Dimitrov rolling the clock back a good 10 years here.

Although he was playing some decent tennis last year, this year he's not been the same but he's outplayed Sinner in the first 2 sets.

 

[mancityscot]

Looks like Sinner’s got his get out of jail card here. Lucky lucky boy. Dimitrov outplayed him

 

[balotellishaircut]

Desperately sad for Dimitrov, sport can be cruel sometimes

 

[RobMCFC]

Yep, Sinner is very lucky. Dimitrov was playing superbly and Sinner was not at the races tonight.

This is the problem with individual versus team sports. One injury and it’s contest over.

 

[bluemoon32]

The drug cheat gets all the luck

 

[smevchenko]

Hard to watch Dimitrov having to retire there. 34 years old and in with a great chance of beating Sinner and giving himself the opportunity to get to his first Slam final.

He’s running out of time unfortunately and that’s 5 slams in a row where he’s had to retire. Desperately sad.

 

[nu774ll]

Yep, Sinner is very lucky. Dimitrov was playing superbly and Sinner was not at the races tonight.

This is the problem with individual versus team sports. One injury and it’s contest over.

City and Rodri say hello. lol

Can’t believe that, thought sinner was done for then, lucky tw*t

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Dimitrov rolling the clock back a good 10 years here.

Although he was playing some decent tennis last year, this year he's not been the same but he's outplayed Sinner in the first 2 sets.

Quite well stunned, actually. I was of course watching delayed with this match taking place during my workday, and saw with Sinner down 0-2 and not much time left on the ESPN DVR feed, I figured Dimitrov would break again and win in 3. Injury I suppose was the only other possibility. Still, unbelievable...

Dimitrov's serve was so dominant today, and he was playing so well with his serve and volley game. Just gutted for Dimitrov as when he was on as he was today, wow was he on.

Not sure what this means for Shelton, but he'll have to play at Dimitrov's serve level, and his dad Bryan (who is his coach) will certainly want him to serve and volley more vs. Sinner. That might be Ben's best shot. Odds also tell me Sinner doesn't come out as flat as he did tonight, but credit to Dimitrov's serve, which had a big part in the way Sinner was playing in its dominance.

 

[RobMCFC]

Quite well stunned, actually. I was of course watching delayed with this match taking place during my workday, and saw with Sinner down 0-2 and not much time left on the ESPN DVR feed, I figured Dimitrov would break again and win in 3. Injury I suppose was the only other possibility. Still, unbelievable...

Dimitrov's serve was so dominant today, and he was playing so well with his serve and volley game. Just gutted for Dimitrov as when he was on as he was today, wow was he on.

Not sure what this means for Shelton, but he'll have to play at Dimitrov's serve level, and his dad Bryan (who is his coach) will certainly want him to serve and volley more vs. Sinner. That might be Ben's best shot. Odds also tell me Sinner doesn't come out as flat as he did tonight, but credit to Dimitrov's serve, which had a big part in the way Sinner was playing in its dominance.

I've been impressed watching Shelton so far but even though he won, you could see the inconsistency in his game yesterday. Some amazing shots to get him in a good position and then some wild shots to throw away that good position. Yes, he won, but as you say, I doubt Sinner will come at and play as poorly as he did yesterday.

 

[blueste41]

Mirra Andreva is a breath of fresh air and great for the sport.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

I've been impressed watching Shelton so far but even though he won, you could see the inconsistency in his game yesterday. Some amazing shots to get him in a good position and then some wild shots to throw away that good position. Yes, he won, but as you say, I doubt Sinner will come at and play as poorly as he did yesterday.

Agreed, Shelton is much more prone to dropping games, especially in ones in which he is not serving. Add in the inconsistent overall court play, and we'll see that vs. capable players, such as Sonego and everyone else left in the field. He's a tiebreak merchant and 1) did exceptionally well in the 3rd set yesterday tiebreak in being very used to that, and 2) was wise to give it his all to break serve in the final game of the 4th to avoid another one.

Thus far he has played +1 round more than his seeding would suggest, so anything now at this point is gravy. Hoping he can surprise us, but it's going to take a lot for that to happen.

Fritz is the safer hope to get into the semis, and even that should be close, despite the early set lead where I'm at.

Also, best of luck to Cam Norrie today. He has fans of many countries with tie-ins cheering for him. ;-)

 

[KS55]

Agreed, Shelton is much more prone to dropping games, especially in ones in which he is not serving. Add in the inconsistent overall court play, and we'll see that vs. capable players, such as Sonego and everyone else left in the field. He's a tiebreak merchant and 1) did exceptionally well in the 3rd set yesterday tiebreak in being very used to that, and 2) was wise to give it his all to break serve in the final game of the 4th to avoid another one.

Thus far he has played +1 round more than his seeding would suggest, so anything now at this point is gravy. Hoping he can surprise us, but it's going to take a lot for that to happen.

Fritz is the safer hope to get into the semis, and even that should be close, despite the early set lead where I'm at.

Also, best of luck to Cam Norrie today. He has fans of many countries with tie-ins cheering for him. ;-)

Cam has beaten Alcaraz before so you never know.

 

[smevchenko]

Alcaraz just on another level in that QF. Norrie had a chance in the second game with 3 break points, but don’t think that would have changed the outcome, Alcaraz just too good.

Norrie can be very happy with his tournament though, hopefully he can maintain this improved level and get close to the top 20 again.

 

[RobMCFC]

Sinner back on form today and didn’t give Shelton a chance.
Djokovic was a bit too wily for Cobolli, who played some fine shots but just seemed to hit net too easily when it mattered.

That’s probably it for me in terms of watching the men matches this year - got a trip to Munich this weekend and doubt I’ll see any of the matches but I’m sure it will be 3 very good matches.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Sinner back on form today and didn’t give Shelton a chance.

Yeah, that went about as I anticipated, with Sinner's elbow the only question going in. Turns out he was doing fine save for the 141 mph serve that hit the racket on the frame and did not give Sinner those "good vibrations" down the arm. Shelton did well with serves, but was just too inconsistent with his overall game to break Sinner only once, while Sinner broke Shelton numerous times. Shelton, usually raising his game in the tiebreakers, wasn't able to in the first set.

Djokovic was a bit too wily for Cobolli, who played some fine shots but just seemed to hit net too easily when it mattered.

Agreed, Cobolli showed flashes of being up for it, especially in his serves, but never could get over the hump either in making too many errors when it counted. Beating Djokovic in the first set was a great start, but not maintaining that service percentage over the match contributed to the 3 sets in a row losses. Cobolli has had a great Wimbledon run and should be another young Italian ranked in the top 20 after this.

That’s probably it for me in terms of watching the men matches this year - got a trip to Munich this weekend and doubt I’ll see any of the matches but I’m sure it will be 3 very good matches.

Safe travels and enjoy!

I'd like to say Fritz has a chance, but he's never beaten any of Alcaraz, Sinner or Djokovic. I do think the Sinner/Djokovic semi should be close with hopefully the final on Sunday being just as competitive.

 

[RobMCFC]

I'd like to say Fritz has a chance, but he's never beaten any of Alcaraz, Sinner or Djokovic. I do think the Sinner/Djokovic semi should be close with hopefully the final on Sunday being just as competitive.

Although Sinner was lucky to get through thanks to Dimitrov's unfortunate injury, I'm still going with my original, and entirely obvious, forecast of another Alcaraz-Sinner final. Before the tournament, I had a gut feeling that if Sinner came up against Alcaraz, he wouldn't make the same mistakes again like in Paris, and I had him as favourite here. I even put a (very) small each way bet on him.

 

[KS55]

Although Sinner was lucky to get through thanks to Dimitrov's unfortunate injury, I'm still going with my original, and entirely obvious, forecast of another Alcaraz-Sinner final. Before the tournament, I had a gut feeling that if Sinner came up against Alcaraz, he wouldn't make the same mistakes again like in Paris, and I had him as favourite here. I even put a (very) small each way bet on him.

To me Alcaraz is looking imperious. I think he will win.