Wimbledon

[stotty]

How Djokovic has stayed near the top as his return and backhand have regressed with age.

Answer: His serve has improved every year. Is it "The Goran Factor"?

In BBC interview, Nole credits deception. Can go anywhere with same or similar toss.

This year is the best he has ever served, no question. I would say he's a little more conservative in his play than he was, and he has used his DTL backhand less often and less frequently over the years, and even less since Rafa has left the scene – it’s not as piercingly accurate either.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/videos/ce8z61g5lnzo

[jimlosaltos]

Quite the match, Nicholas Jarry hit 103 winners (yes, he topped the century) including 46 aces and came to the net 65 times yet lost to Cam Norrie in five sets. His +/- is plus 32 vis Cam's +10 (36-26).

Jarry is likely just happy to be able to play after losing months to vestibular neuritis, which causes vertigo, dizziness, and difficulty maintaining balance.

Taylor Fritz gets a second set retirement, which could help him going into the quarters recovery from back-to-back five setters.

1 of 2 Table. Highlight vid is below.

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2 of 2

Highlights 9:22 min

[jimlosaltos]

The "Shot Quality" index for Ben Shelton is ever more lopsided than I anticipated.

Stellar serve, of course, but forehand is rated even higher than his serve. But Ben's return is well below average.

P.S. I don' know if this is the same "Shot Quality" that Tennis Insights/ TDI produces or whether it uses the same algorithm. But there is no credit for the source. Curious.

filedata/fetch?id=107802&d=1751840164&type=thumb

[stroke]

Cabolli takes Cilic in 4. Both played very well, great win for Cabolli. Demon and Novak at a set each. Demon is playing like he believes, but we all know this will be a huge task for him to win this match. Demon, with his combo of court coverage and holding the baseline, not giving up court, is really making Novak work. Demon does not hit anything real hard by today's standards, but his court position makes up for it if he is playing well.

[don_budge]

Novak has always been a very, very good server. Over the years I have mentioned many times how he is one of the best of "taking care of his serve game". That being said...this match with what's his name has devolved into a nonstop backcourt game. Novak looked as if he might just give the fourth set away and he gave De Minaur the old limp leg and then he gave it a bit of shuck and jive...he evened up the set and now he will make a serious play to win it in four. After he looked to be resigned to going five. Typical Djokovic. He is the best tennis player in the draw. He may not win the tournament as his legs are thirty-eight years old and there is no disguising this...although he is doing a tremendous job of it. Does he break the De Minaur serve here? Yes he does. Serving for the set now. Let's pay attention kids as he tries to serve it out...with his "new and improved serve". Not.

[don_budge]

Novak has always been a very, very good server. Over the years I have mentioned many times how he is one of the best of "taking care of his serve game". That being said...this match with what's his name has devolved into a nonstop backcourt game. Novak looked as if he might just give the fourth set away and he gave De Minaur the old limp leg and then he gave it a bit of shuck and jive...he evened up the set and now he will make a serious play to win it in four. After he looked to be resigned to going five. Typical Djokovic. He is the best tennis player in the draw. He may not win the tournament as his legs are thirty-eight years old and there is no disguising this...although he is doing a tremendous job of it. Does he break the De Minaur serve here? Yes he does. Serving for the set now. Let's pay attention kids as he tries to serve it out...with his "new and improved serve". Not.

Novak serves it out at love...what a surprise. Best thirty-eight year old legs in the business. Basically there are two players that can challenge him day in and day out. He is by far the best tennis player in the tournament...with the oldest legs. The legs will be the issue in the end.

[jimlosaltos]

Djokovic wins a struggle with De Minaur in four. Alex had 19 breakpoints and won 57% of his seconds serve points vs only 41% for Djokovic.

Cobolli with a nice win over Marin Cilic in four. Haven't seen Cobolli much, looks very athletic, had a potential football (aka soccer) career I read.

[don_budge]

Great to see Emma NAVARRO out there on center court!

[don_budge]

Five Lady players left in the draw without a country next to their name. So embarrassing and so typical. Group think. Mass hysteria. I'm pulling for NAVARRO first and a Russian next. Any Russian.

[stroke]

Ben Sheldon with a hard fought 4 set win over Sonego. Ben really has a live arm, like Sampras, Wayne Arthurs, Roddick, Nick. JY called Sampras one time the "shoulder
touched by God". Ben Sheldon has that no doubt. JY reported one time that the Roddick kick serve had even more rpm's than Sampras' kick. It would be interesting to know the rpm's on Sheldon kick serve. I would certainly guess he is right at the top.

[don_budge]

Grigor "The Bulgarian Playboy" Dimitrov needs to channel his inner "Baby Fed" and it appears that he might be approaching the Sinner match along those lines. A generous portion of slice backhands at the onset of the match.

[don_budge]

Ben Sheldon with a hard fought 4 set win over Sonego. Ben really has a live arm, like Sampras, Wayne Arthurs, Roddick, Nick. JY called Sampras one time the "shoulder
touched by God". Ben Sheldon has that no doubt. JY reported one time that the Roddick kick serve had even more rpm's than Sampras' kick. It would be interesting to know the rpm's on Sheldon kick serve. I would certainly guess he is right at the top.

Sheldon and Alcaraz my nod as the two biggest hotdogs left in the draw. Alcaraz is unwatchable for me. That phony hand to the ear, begging for more attention is puke worthy. His gaping mug after winning routine points borders on pathological narcissism. Sheldon is equally obnoxious.

[stroke]

Grigor all over Sinner so far for the 1st set and up a break in the 2nd.

[don_budge]

Grigor "The Bulgarian Playboy" Dimitrov needs to channel his inner "Baby Fed" and it appears that he might be approaching the Sinner match along those lines. A generous portion of slice backhands at the onset of the match.

Now the acid test for the service motion…serving out the set.

[don_budge]

Channeling the inner “Baby Fed”.