Nitto ATP Finals aka Turin

[jimlosaltos]

Forum is being persnickety. Let's see if I can post this image here:

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[stotty]

I thought FAA was going to choke that second set but Zverez seemed to help him out a bit. I only caught the second set. It’s a tough watch watching the ATP Finals my end. It’s hard to convey just how woeful the commentary is that I have to put up with…zero knowledge, no insights, dull voices just filling up airtime. Having the volume turned off is the preferable option.

I’m not a big fan of Zverez but I do love watching him hit that backhand. It’s one of the standout shots on the tour.

[stroke]

Sinner has looked unbeatable so far.

[stotty]

Sinner has looked unbeatable so far.

He certainly has looked unbeatable so far. He is now pummelling Minaur in the second set after winning the first. And what a backhand down the line in that final game of the first set. He had little right to get to it let alone hit a screaming winner. He’s moving so well and literally blanketing the baseline. The problem with de Minaur is he just can’t serve well enough because of technical limitations; this is in stark contrast to Sinner who first serve percentage is so high of late.

[stroke]

Sinner looks to me like he is now hitting a level that young Federer could, just a level of play that other players simply cannot match.

[stroke]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cRdeMqWQtVAyc9W37

[jimlosaltos]

Alex thinks he knows how to beat Sinner ...

ATP: "Alex de Minaur says he knows how to beat Jannik Sinner. It's just the execution that's the challenge. "I know how to beat him. It's just not that easy to do, right? You've got to hit the ball very hard, very flat, very deep and very close to the lines,” De Minaur said following his semi-final exit against the Italian at the Nitto ATP Finals on Saturday. “It is something that I try to do, but it's obviously not the easiest thing to do.

[stotty]

I think Carlos’s forehand is the most explosive, spectacular shot I’ve ever seen. When you watch him drive up into the shot in slow motion you realise is absolutely perfect…so cleanly executed.

It was only ever going to be a Sinner/Carlos final - it should be a great match.

[stroke]

They are clearly the best 2 forehands in tennis. Not sure which one is better. Even the shot quality metrics switch around between those 2. Sinner clearly has the better backhand. The Sinner serve is better. Alcaraz obviously has the good hands advantage, and is the best mover in tennis, even though Sinner is also top tier.. Sinner is the favorite, with an implied probability of winning at 61%.

[stotty]

It’s definitely an event that favours Sinner. You can’s imagine he loses much on an indoor hard court. I’m sure Jim has the stats on that one. The pace of the court and the pinpont accuracy (no sun, no wind, no damp ,no humidity) that indoor tennis provides will certainly favour Sinner. That said, Carlos’s first set against FAA was quite something, and if he can find that for a couple of hours later today he will have a great chance.

[stotty]

Carlos leads 5-4 first set

First, someone keels over in the stands and now an MTO for Carlos. This game cannot quite get going despite some spectacular hitting here and there. I’m finding the match quite edgy.

[jimlosaltos]

Carlos leads 5-4 first set

First, someone keels over in the stands and now an MTO for Carlos. This game cannot quite get going despite some spectacular hitting here and there. I’m finding the match quite edgy.

Lots of tension and it's showing on the players. Match started with both men being uncharacteristically timid, feeling each other out, perhaps wary of swinging out.

Then they ramped up.

After bold play to win the tiebreak, Sinner comes out flat and gifts Carlos the first game of the second set. Misses serves, forehand for the break.

[jimlosaltos]

In winning the first set Sinner was hitting with more pace (forehand ave 10 kph faster, see below) and his first serve was more effective.

1 of 2 from TennisTV

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[don_budge]

Excuse me. I don't mean to interrupt, but I find it very, very strange that these two are repeatedly playing in the finals of the biggest events. What does this imply? Are they the greatest players ever to dominate the sport the way they are? It's odd...to say the least. Almost disturbing.

[stroke]

Excuse me. I don't mean to interrupt, but I find it very, very strange that these two are repeatedly playing in the finals of the biggest events. What does this imply? Are they the greatest players ever to dominate the sport the way they are? It's odd...to say the least. Almost disturbing.

The Big 3 won most everything for about 15 years. I am still shaking my head about not only their Majors dominance but almost even more impressive their Master's 1000 dominance. Heck, Novak even won all the Masters 1000's twice. Mind boggling to me. If one of the Big 3 had not been around, I think we all know what would have transpired. I seriously doubt the big 2 will have that level of dominance for 15 years, but we will see. Chime in anytime time DB.