Italian Open

[neilchok]

Agassi has a good point. Carlos moves so well. Sometimes it seems like he might only just get to a shot but yet ends up getting there with time spare to hit a bullet. And he's great at the net; one of the few players around who properly closes down on the net to stick balls away...old school.

yeah exactly!!!

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https://open.substack.com/pub/hughclarke/p/alcaraz-vs-sinner-rome-final-recap?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1t7zzc

[stroke]

Agassi has a good point. Carlos moves so well. Sometimes it seems like he might only just get to a shot but yet ends up getting there with time spare to hit a bullet. And he's great at the net; one of the few players around who properly closes down on the net to stick balls away...old school.

Yes Carlos may be the best mover ever in tennis. It is a lot to overcome, and there is certainly no technique fix for other players to get closer. As the old basketball saying goes, you cannot teach height. Demon is close, but he does not do anything as well as Carlos. It would be interesting to see his 40 time. I would think sub 4.4.

[stotty]

Agassi has a good point. Carlos moves so well. Sometimes it seems like he might only just get to a shot but yet ends up getting there with time spare to hit a bullet. And he's great at the net; one of the few players around who properly closes down on the net to stick balls away...old school.

[jimlosaltos]

Agassi had an interesting comment before the match. On slippery surfaces ( Wimby & French) everyone else slows down but Carlos with his great balance and footwork seems just as fast.

Cross posting with Sinner thread. Carlos attacked Sinner's second serves, while Sinner was timid on Carlos' second. Also Sinner avoided the net, missed a key volley early, while Carlos, although he didnt' come in a lot, did so at key junctures including the tiebreak and match point.

1 of 2

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2 of 2 Carlos in virtual tie for Demon as best second serve returner, and won a much percentage of points vs Yannik than he does vs the tour on average.

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#

[stotty]

Sinner now 0-4 down in the 2nd. Carlos is on top now after some stunning play...that backhand winner down the line following at the end of an exhausting rally was unreal. He's definitely the more creative of the two and it's been telling at times in this match.

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/E4dj9TKTLZQebU8Y6

So far

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TennisTV just reported how much interest in this tournament there has been this year in Italy with the Sinner return, and of course this golden age for Italian Tennis. Over 5 million viewers in Italy tuned to watch Sinner's Friday night semi win.

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https://theplayoffs.news/en/jannik-sinner-vs-carlos-alcaraz-head-to-head-record-prediction-betting-odds-atp-italian-open-2025-final/

[jimlosaltos]

Paul wins the 1st set 6-1. Paul played great obviously, Sinner really played ok but did not win any big points. To say Sinner was unperturbed, completely not rattled by that outcome, would be a massive understatement. Sinner then takes no comfort break, and beyond calmly wins the 2nd set 6-0, back to his full flight form vs Ruud.

It appears that Sinner kept not only his title hopes alive but his winning streak of 24 straight sets won against top 10 opponents -- but only because Paul is ranked # 12-- until next week

[stotty]

Sinner is a class act, no question. He seemed hampered by some kind of injury in the third set, although it didn't hamper he's ball striking much. I hope he's fit for the final, which promises to be a good one.

Sinner was hitting a great length at times in the third set as well as using great width. He's so powerful off both wings.

[stroke]

Paul wins the 1st set 6-1. Paul played great obviously, Sinner really played ok but did not win any big points. To say Sinner was unperturbed, completely not rattled by that outcome, would be a massive understatement. Sinner then takes no comfort break, and beyond calmly wins the 2nd set 6-0, back to his full flight form vs Ruud.

[stroke]

We knew this already, but the ATP measured it - Sinner's performance was the highest quality, per TDI's stats, of the year.

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9.3 on the forehand, almost as good as the backhand. Those are scary numbers.

[jimlosaltos]

We knew this already, but the ATP measured it - Sinner's performance was the highest quality, per TDI's stats, of the year.

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[jimlosaltos]

While I was out on the court, doing something vaguely resembling tennis, Coco and Qinwen were having a duel on the dirt: 3 hours 22 min, Coco 7-6(3) 4-6 7-6(4)

First American to reach Rome final since 2016.

WTA: https://www.wtatennis.com/news/42664...nal-since-2016