Western and Southern Masters 1000

[stroke]

The quarters look interesting. I would think RBA and Opelka are the most likely to pull an upset.

[glacierguy]

I'm enjoying towel management too. But I think a further improvement would be using two colours, one per player to avoid mixups.

Could only stand Murray/Raonic for 20mins.

[don_budge]

Watched just a bit of Medvedev. I still think the most exciting thing about this tournament is the players managing their own towels. This is quite a breakthrough for the boys. I'm serious.

[stroke]

Raonic wins the 1st set vs Murray 6-2 with a lot is service winners and I think 1 nap. We will see about the 2nd.

[stotty]

Novak is looking as solid as ever. 4-3 up but 0-40 down in the second set but turns the game round and walks away with a routine win. It's so nice to watch tennis again. Novak and Medvedev might be intriguing if it were to come about.

[stroke]

Opelka super impressive dismissing Berrenttini in 2 sets looking every bit a contender to win this thing. Albeit vs servebot, it would not be exactly Fed vs Nadal intrigue.

[stroke]

RBA with a very workmanlike win over Khachanov. RBA is kind of like the gatekeeper to the very top of the game, a very professional tough tough out.

[stroke]

I did not see the match, wish I had as I too was surprised at the abruptness off his loss. I do think his forehand is a liability at this level on a fast hard court. As Brian Gordon might say, "I would not teach it to my students".

[jimlosaltos]

Anyone see Thiem get steam rolled in straight sets? Were supposedly quick courts a factor?

[jimlosaltos]

Djokovic is saying the courts are "20-30% faster than last year". Meanwhile, BG posted that the stadium is slower and that's where Djokovic is going to play all his matches. Did anyone hear anything specific to this? I assume they can't resurface before the USOpen so these courts would only get faster with wear and multiple power-washings?

[stroke]

Struff and Goffin in a very well played match. Great win for Struff over Goffin. Tough loss for Goffin in playing very well in a loss, just as FAA and Fritz yesterday. Murray has had 2 wins in 2 not well played matches to me, but there he is. A lot to be said for that.

[stroke]

This no fans seems to favor the non drama queens. Raonic seems to have hit some kind of nirvana or zen. Drama queen Paire did not even win a game 1st round and just quit the match. I have a feeling Nick would be completely out of sorts also if here.

[don_budge]

I think Murray's good fortune has come to an end vs the servebot. The most interesting matches to me today are Berrenttini vs Opelka, Stuff vs Goffin, and Isner vs Tsitsipas. I have long felt that Stefanos' return of serve is his biggest weakness, even though his somewhat forehand grip on the serve is also an issue. Should be an interesting match. Stuff has been playing huge, but Goffin a very tough out. Opelka could be the first giant to win a major to me, and the Berrenttini forehand is top 5 in tennis to me. I like his serve grip way more than Stefanos'.

What I like most of all...is that these primadonas are now faced with their own management of their own towels. Now that is what I call taking responsibility. It is probably the real reason that Nadal is absent. I really wonder why the ball boys and girls are wearing masks. Why is anyone wearing a mask?

[stroke]

I think Murray's good fortune has come to an end vs the servebot. The most interesting matches to me today are Berrenttini vs Opelka, Stuff vs Goffin, and Isner vs Tsitsipas. I have long felt that Stefanos' return of serve is his biggest weakness, even though his somewhat forehand grip on the serve is also an issue. Should be an interesting match. Stuff has been playing huge, but Goffin a very tough out. Opelka could be the first giant to win a major to me, and the Berrenttini forehand is top 5 in tennis to me. I like his serve grip way more than Stefanos'.

[glacierguy]

At least Murray was commited and fighting, despite his form. Zverev looked uninterested and flat. Will be similar contrast between Murray and Raonic, since Raonic appeared to be deep in meditation against Evans.