Rome aka the Internazionali BNL d’Italia

[jimlosaltos]

Draw pic (is it ok to start this, don't want to step on anyone's toes, just looking so sharing)

Again, Alcaraz regains world number one ranking simply by showing up for his first match because Djokovic can at best defend 1,000 points and even then will fall behind.

Good quarters if draw pans out.

filedata/fetch?id=100691&d=1683586590&type=thumb

[stroke]

https://punditfeed.com/sports-news/italian-open-odds/

[jimlosaltos]

Nice to see Wawrinka through.

Sir Andy on court vs Fogs in battle of old dudes as I type, fresh from his first title since 2019, I think, at Aix-en-Provence Sunday. Andy looked happy as a teenager winning a challenger. Have to envy him his continued love of playing after what he's been through.

Carlos Alcaraz has a bye, awaiting winner of Vinolas v Passaro. As I understand it, Alcaraz will return to number one in the world if he shows up for the match, gets through the coin toss, falls on his face and passes out. That would get him enough points to pass Djokovic, who is defending 1,000 pts here and can do no matter than stand still while Alcaraz goes by.

Two very good players returning from wrist injuries are in the draw -- Jannik Sinner and Seb Korda. Both have beaten Alcaraz and both are in Novak's half, along with Holger Rune (Rune-AH).

Might see another Alcaraz-Tsitsipas semi.

[stroke]

Fabio and Murray going to a 3rd set. Fabio certainly looks like the better tennis player, if he decides he is interested enough to get it done.

[stroke]

Early in the 3rd set, for the match, Fabio with 27 forehand winners vs 9 for Murray. His forehand is just so much better than Murray's. His drop shot also.

[stroke]

Well, Fabio was interested in the 3rd set. What a great game he has technique wise. The only player that has underachieved more than him is the GOAT of underachieving, Nick.

[stotty]

Well, Fabio was interested in the 3rd set. What a great game he has technique wise. The only player that has underachieved more than him is the GOAT of underachieving, Nick.

Well he got the job done against Murray. He's a bit of a prima donna but gets 10 out of 10 for supplying talented tennis entertainment. I usually watch him every year at Wimbledon. His matches are always good and nearly always involve some kind of drama. His nickname back home in Italy is Fogna, which means sewer in Italian. Very apt when you hear the language he occasionally comes out with.

[stroke]

Well he got the job done against Murray. He's a bit of a prima donna but gets 10 out of 10 for supplying talented tennis entertainment. I usually watch him every year at Wimbledon. His matches are always good and nearly always involve some kind of drama. His nickname back home in Italy is Fogna, which means sewer in Italian. Very apt when you hear the language he occasionally comes out with.

That being said, he is a massive underachiver. The opposite of say a Ferrer, not that it matters by today's standards.

[stotty]

That being said, he is a massive underachiver. The opposite of say a Ferrer, not that it matters by today's standards.

I don't think he cares. He's a spoilt rich kid born with a silver spoon in his mouth. A bit like that other talented waste of space....whose name was Rios something or other.

[stroke]

I don't think he cares. He's a spoilt rich kid born with a silver spoon in his mouth. A bit like that other talented waste of space....whose name was Rios something or other.

Agreed

[jimlosaltos]

I don't think he cares. He's a spoilt rich kid born with a silver spoon in his mouth. A bit like that other talented waste of space....whose name was Rios something or other.

Marcelo Rios, perhaps?

Great touch.

[jimlosaltos]

Well, Alcaraz managed to not get lost on his way to his first round match, which was all he had to do to return to number one in the world. First mission accomplished. Also won over Ramos-V.

Seb Korda, coming back from wrist injury that ended his good run in Australia did not look sharp. Since Delpo and Thiem any wrist has me scared.

FAA looked like a fish out of water on clay, sadly.

Bublik was a character as usual -- standing in no-man's land to return Ben Shelton's big serve, then "ghost returning" from so deep the camera lost him. Worked.

[stroke]

https://tennis-infinity.com/atp/worrying-scenes-as-djokovic-is-forced-to-put-protective-elbow-sleeve-on-after-1-game

The match of the day, Fognini vs Rune. The Italian crowd adores Fognini, and he is playing well, vs the not crowd favorite Rune. Very interesting.

[stroke]

Very impressive by Rune. The crowd was as badly behaved as one would expect there vs Fognini, who of course loves that kind of thing going on. Rune just ignored it all a put him away.

[stroke]

Qualifier Marozsan takes 1st set vs Alcaraz, looking very comfortable in doing so. Very interesting.