Australian Open

[stotty]

Sinner v Rublev

Devastating blow for Rublev, losing the second set tie-break after being 5-1 up and having the best four points of the match to take that lead. You can't fault Sinner though. He dug in and remained assertive. Shame...one set all would have been interesting.

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Sinner just stuck a dagger in Rublev. Ruvlev was up 5-1 in 2nd set tiebreaker, after losing 1st set. Sinner then won the next 6 points to take it 7-5. It was all Sinner just winning the points, not Rublev making errors.

[jimlosaltos]

It is hard to imagine the big 3, or hardly any other players, doing that. I like Tsitsipas, but he needs to not pull that ever again.

Yeah, that was a dumb move. But as far as intent goes, I see that more like waving a white flag vs a short put-away than an attempt to cheat.

Still wrong, just not malevolent.

[jimlosaltos]

Great interview by Jim Courier with Daniil Medvedev, ending in why and how he returns from so far back 5:46 min.

https://x.com/eurosport/status/1749328884338720864?s=20

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/nXP7a2FrWgcMvxDU9

Speaking of efficientcy....

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Zverez was made to work harder than he should and not for the first time in a slam...that's taxing. He's not the most efficient top player on the tour. I watched him at Wimbledon a few years ago and amazed at his backhand, which is arguably the best two-hander out there, and his first serve, which was enormous. It's his forehand that is lacking, and that doesn't always come across on TV as it does up close and personal. He struggled with low balls, and also when things got tight. And of course he sits too deep a lot of the time. I just wonder how much ground he's covered to get to the last eight? The length of a match is less important than the ground a player has covered in my view.

I suspect Carlos will be the much fresher player when they meet in the quarters.

Roger was the most efficient match player ever. He could dispatch minions in double quick time.

Certainly no one did anything on a tennis court with the efficiency of Fed. Zverev is so dependent on his 1st serve, but his backhand no doubt at the very top of the food chain, with Novak.

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Strange thing to do when you can't win either way; the umpire will declare the act illegal, and the media are bound to roast you in either event...so pointless. Why didn't he just take a guess and anticipate one side or the other? Strange bloke...not a fan.

It is hard to imagine the big 3, or hardly any other players, doing that. I like Tsitsipas, but he needs to not pull that ever again.

[stotty]

Zverez was made to work harder than he should and not for the first time in a slam...that's taxing. He's not the most efficient top player on the tour. I watched him at Wimbledon a few years ago and amazed at his backhand, which is arguably the best two-hander out there, and his first serve, which was enormous. It's his forehand that is lacking, and that doesn't always come across on TV as it does up close and personal. He struggled with low balls, and also when things got tight. And of course he sits too deep a lot of the time. I just wonder how much ground he's covered to get to the last eight? The length of a match is less important than the ground a player has covered in my view.

I suspect Carlos will be the much fresher player when they meet in the quarters.

Roger was the most efficient match player ever. He could dispatch minions in double quick time.

[stotty]

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/tennis-s...230323757.html

Strange thing to do when you can't win either way; the umpire will declare the act illegal, and the media are bound to roast you in either event...so pointless. Why didn't he just take a guess and anticipate one side or the other? Strange bloke...not a fan.

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https://au.sports.yahoo.com/tennis-stefanos-tsitsipas-called-out-illegal-act-match-point-australian-open-loss-230323757.html

[stotty]

Norrie v Zverev 2-2

Tough character that Norrie. You'd back him to win this fifth set if it comes down to gumption.

[jimlosaltos]

Taylor really played his very best tennis the last 3 games of the match vs Tsitsipas to take it. I have thought before he had a good chance vs Novak matchup wise. Last time they played, he just did not bring anywhere close to his best effort. He will clearly be a big underdog vs Novak, but unlike so many who don't, I think he has true self belief that he can beat Novak. I think we could be in for a big surprise here, and some trainer visits for Novak ha.

Trend? After Demon won every first serve point until the final game vs Djokovic in a tune up, Fritz won every single point behind his first serve in the first set, including a tiebreak -- corx/won TB

Now, Tsitsipas's relative weakness is his return, but still that's awesome.

filedata/fetch?id=103201&d=1705860166&type=thumb

[stotty]

Taylor really played his very best tennis the last 3 games of the match vs Tsitsipas to take it. I have thought before he had a good chance vs Novak matchup wise. Last time they played, he just did not bring anywhere close to his best effort. He will clearly be a big underdog vs Novak, but unlike so many who don't, I think he has true self belief that he can beat Novak. I think we could be in for a big surprise here, and some trainer visits for Novak ha.

I didn't see the Taylor match but Novak looked close to his best level against Mannarino. I would be surprised if Taylor were to beat Novak. He's 0 - 8 in their head to head contests. Sinner on the other hand looks a potent threat to anyone right now. If Sinner were to get through Novak I think he could win the whole thing.

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https://www.atptour.com/en/news/tsit...en-2024-sunday

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Taylor really played his very best tennis the last 3 games of the match vs Tsitsipas to take it. I have thought before he had a good chance vs Novak matchup wise. Last time they played, he just did not bring anywhere close to his best effort. He will clearly be a big underdog vs Novak, but unlike so many who don't, I think he has true self belief that he can beat Novak. I think we could be in for a big surprise here, and some trainer visits for Novak ha.