Tennis Thread - Grand Slams & The Tour

Ford kept me awake before it got light by digging his claws into my legs whilst he snoozed on my stomach. I didn't want him to but that's cats for you.
I've kept going so far but I hope,if Tsitsipas stays in,he gets a night match!

 

Routine wins for most of the big names,Halep,Zverev,Raonicetc.
However Kyrgios in just about to serve for a two set lead v Thiem and the crowd are going potty.
Battle of the Canadians is close. Augur Aliassime is a set up but Shapovalov has break in the second.

 

Love Krygios. In an era of robots in tennis, he's just fantastic.

 

He is but he made a poor choice by playing the 'tweener when he had game point when serving. There is the right moment to do it and that was certainly not it.
Djokovic overcomes a hip and side injury to beat Fritz in five. How bad it is remains to be seen and Raonic will be fancying his chances.

 

Medvedev has a meltdown and his coach walks out but he recovers from two sets down to beat Kraijinovic 0 in the fifth.
Tsitsipas beats Ymer very easily 4,1&1 and will play either Berrettini probably,who is two tie break sets up on Khachanov in a big hitting forehand fest.

 

Good performance from Norrie against Nadal.
He will learn from that and stayed competitive throughout without ever looking likely to win.

 

Depends on the MRI I would expect.
He didn't practice today. Anything in that region is difficult,especially if its an ab,nothing to push against and generally need to rest.
He's such a drama queen ND that it's hard to say,if I were a betting Bassett I'd say he plays.
Same applies to Berrettini who had something similar in the latter stages against Khachanov.

 

The Russian qualifier Karatsev wins again in five against Felix Augur Aliassime. It's often the way that a qualifier makes the Q/F and the depth in Russian tennis is impressive,so too Italy who have 18 men inside the top 200.
Dimitrov defeats a weary Thiem 4,4&).
Williams overcomes the very talented Sabalenka and Osaka edges past Muguruza in 3.Swiatek and Halep in a 3rd and Zverev 2 sets up on Lajovic.
How injured is Djokovic?
We will see shortly.

 

Djokovic having pain killing injections which is not good long term,masking the damage that may result in playing on.
Rudd retires after two sets against Rublev so he will play Medevedev in the Russian QF of the bad/no haircuts.
Rafa saves three consecutive break points in the second set and defeats a tired looking Fognini in straight.
He plays Tsitsi who received a walkover when Berrettini,unlike Djokovic,opted for caution.
All American Q/F as Pegula,who beat Svitolina,plays Brady. Three American women in the last eight.
Barty beats Rogers and plays Muchova who beat Mertens.

 

Yes you're probably correct. It emphasises the depth in the elite players,especially the men. From his perspective it's impressive to keep it going and beat Dimitrov who was playing with freedom. He probably benefited from the qualies having been completed over three weeks ago, unlike normal years when its the week before the tournament itself.'Therefore he's had a break in between.
It should be recognised however that the average age of the men's top 100 is 27 so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could break through.
Williams,looking leaner than before too powerful AND mobile for Halep. Interesting to see how she does against Osaka who has looked the most impressive of the women so far.

 

Zverev choked,again!
He was up in both third and fourth sets but blew both of them.
The Russians aren't coming they're here! Muchova beats Barty in three,Karatsev into the semis from nowhere and Medvedev wins in three against fellow Russian Rublev.

 

Brave and dashing performance from Tsitsi.
To keep faith with his game and to increase his level to stay and then outplay Rafa was brilliant.
Spoiled only by the inane witterings of Simon Reed who is an absolute twerp.
A contrast in styles when he plays Medvedev,beauty v the slugger.
The crowds returning will help Tsitsi as all of the Greek population of Melbourne will be after a ticket. Medvedev has been the most impressive in terms of his efficiency so far,so he will be the favourite.
Lesson plan in place for the tots at 2pm sorted,how to recover from two sets down! Or we could just play 'Shark Attack'!

 

Osaka,who has been very impressive defeats Serena in straight sets.
Will Serena ever claim the record,it is getting less likely with each passing major.

 

Seemingly not. I haven't seen the post match interview yet but she was tearful. Perhaps realising it may not evade her.
Aslan goes back to Nania and Djokovic through in comfort.

 

Medivet looking unbeatable at present.
Tsitsipas very flat and DM has served very well. Here at two sets down ,0 2 down and 30-0 is the first backhand I can recall DM missing.The only errors have come from the forehand side which looks like a spider juggling!
I have the unpleasant thought of supporting Djokovic on Sunday but it looks like Medvedev's time has arrived.
Ram and Salisbury beat Soares and Murray in the semi final of the doubles.

 

Well.
Djokovic or Medvedev?
The tennis equivalent of the Hamiltons v Al Fayed.
One thing is for sure it won't be pretty and the volleying,if there is any, will be ugly.
Ah well,that's sport.

 

Osaka defeats Brady 6-4 6-2.
The match turned at 4 all deuce. Osaka shanked a ball that spooked Brady who hit the resulting forehand long and then missed the bete noir of so many players the mid court forehand at set point. This also had a little fortune in it for Oasak as it took a slight net cord which delayed the shot for Brady.
Osaka then won the next four games before a mini revival from Brady brought her to 2-4.
That was as close as it would be.
Osaka is a deserving winner as she has played the best tennis throughout.
No one has worked out why she wears leggings in a Melbourne summer however.

 

Apologies,4&3 not 4&2.
I think she speaks very well in a quiet and measured fashion.
Probably the ladies all suffer,bar one,for not being Serena!
She tends to dominate proceedings especially in her quest for the elusive record.
The others are quite self effacing, Halep,Barty etc.

 

I think Medivet gives paint drying a bad name,really not my way and encourages coaches to pursue the 'hard,harder,hardest' mantra which I detest.
Safin was a proper player and his sister suffered from nerves,especially when she reached No.1.
Dementieva was a phenomenal athlete,such a shame she had a weak serve,her toss headed off into an eastern postcode when she got really tight. Brilliant mover.
Yes I think Matusevich has Russian parentage,I seem to recall asking Mr IBB,as he is a man of Kent, as is Mr IBB.
Lots of Russians playing for Kazakstan too. The Kazaks wanted a strong Davis Cup team so huge wads of cash were offered,Bublik,Kukushkin,Korolev ( Kournikova's cousin apparently) to name a few.
Before anyone here pipes up don't forget Dowdswell, Rusedski and now Norrie.
Tennis Canada have never forgiven Rusedski,they spent millions on his development. Who can forget his Union Flag bandana?!
They appear to have the last laugh however with Shapovalov ( again Russian mother),Raonic and Augur Aliassime all inside top 30.

 

Looking forward to it. Hoping Djokovic will win.

 

Whatever for? I know nothing about Medvedev but I do know Djokovic is a Grade A idiot.

 

Djokovic is in control at two sets up.
Med has missed more backhands in five games than he had in three sets v Tsitsi and routine 'trade' balls at that.
Will ND's hair EVER move?!
Med appears to have lost his mind.
In his last service game he charged the net twice.
ND is almost home.

 

Strange comment. You've never met him.

Djokovic has been my favourite tennis player since he turned 21. So no reason to not support him here.

 

Game Set & Match Djokovic.

 

An almost faultless performance from Djokovic.
Medvedev did not have an answer.
It will be interesting to see what damage he has done to his core,especially if he had been taking pain killers.