Miami Open, Master's 1000

[jimlosaltos]

I watched all of the match after reading your teasing post. On Prime Video in the UK, the commentators were Sam Smith & Annabel Croft - they did a hilarious (with hindsight) introduction to Azarenka, saying what a fierce competitor she was, always brings her A-game, etcetera. As for the tennis, Azarenka couldn't settle early on, going down 0-3 against some excellent baseline play. I wouldn't say Fruhvirtova's level was something Azarenka hadn't dealt with before, but somehow in this match, she couldn't (deal with it). Fruhvirtova was able to inject some pretty fearsome pace at times, which was impressive. But Azarenka did win some great rallies, usually finishing with a crosscourt forehand winner. However, Azarenka continued to lose the plot and was constantly gesturing and moaning to her team. It must have been particularly frustrating for her not to be making more of Fruhvirtova's serve, which is slow. Azarenka started to "tee-off" (as we used to say) with occasional success, but much more frequent failure, until 0-3 in the second set, when she kind of asked for the physio, but then just walked off, with the umpire pleading "please wait Vika". The 16 yr old Fruhvirtova looked bemused (as you would), gestured as much to the crowd, then took the win with a smile and a wave.

Appreciate your commentary -- on the commentary. How recursive <g>. Yes, I love when commentators use absolutes, such as "Rafa goes for every ball" just before he turns away from a player hitting a put-away (Just an example. I'm not criticizing Rafa. Enjoy seeing him these days. Keeping memories of Fedal alive).

Hope Fruhvirtova can improve her serve to support that ground game.

[glacierguy]

Anyone else seen 16 yo Fruhvirtova?

I watched all of the match after reading your teasing post. On Prime Video in the UK, the commentators were Sam Smith & Annabel Croft - they did a hilarious (with hindsight) introduction to Azarenka, saying what a fierce competitor she was, always brings her A-game, etcetera. As for the tennis, Azarenka couldn't settle early on, going down 0-3 against some excellent baseline play. I wouldn't say Fruhvirtova's level was something Azarenka hadn't dealt with before, but somehow in this match, she couldn't (deal with it). Fruhvirtova was able to inject some pretty fearsome pace at times, which was impressive. But Azarenka did win some great rallies, usually finishing with a crosscourt forehand winner. However, Azarenka continued to lose the plot and was constantly gesturing and moaning to her team. It must have been particularly frustrating for her not to be making more of Fruhvirtova's serve, which is slow. Azarenka started to "tee-off" (as we used to say) with occasional success, but much more frequent failure, until 0-3 in the second set, when she kind of asked for the physio, but then just walked off, with the umpire pleading "please wait Vika". The 16 yr old Fruhvirtova looked bemused (as you would), gestured as much to the crowd, then took the win with a smile and a wave.

[jimlosaltos]

Anyone else seen 16 yo Fruhvirtova? I only caught a bit of this match but she looked awesome. And the ending of this match ...

You know a teenager has game when she beats Vika Azarenka so badly that, at 6-2, 3-0 Vika just walked off the court. The Ref was saying "Vika, please wait ..." while she grabbed her bag and left. No call for a trainer, no signs of injury just gave up. Linda Fruhvirtova in now the youngest player into a Miami R16 since Maria Sharapova in 2004. Next up, number 5 Paula Badosa.

https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2552314/fruhvirtova-16-becomes-youngest-player-into-miami-round-of-16-since-2004

[stroke]

Nick routines Fabio 6-2 1st set, which is no easy task. I would consider Fabio one of the technically most efficient tennis players out there overall skill set, along with of course Fed, Nick, and maybe Karatsev in the 4 spot. Nick's serve though obviously separates him from all others in this respect.

[jimlosaltos]

FYI _ see stats and discussion of Nick's returning in the Indian Wells thread. Sorry for possible confusion, but once planted these things grow where they set root <g>

[stroke]

Yes Nick's backhand return of serve with his very compact backhand technique is top shelf. That in combination with his top 5 serve technique, 1st and 2nd combined, is unique. He like no one else can be super aggressive tactically(to me) return of serve wise against anyone.

[jimlosaltos]

I posted about Nick's win over Rublev on the wrong thread. In today's mens game of paper thin margains separating the winners from the losers, this win by Nick over a top tier in form Rublev was about as impressive as it gets. He was superior to Rublev in every phase of the game. Oddsmakers now have him as the #5 favorite to win this tournament. Clearly, he is at his best a better tennis player than any of the 4 listed as more likely to win this tournament. I cannot warm up to him at all, but obviously a lot can.

I'll move my response to you to this thread as well then <g>.

His aggressiveness on service returns is fascinating.

I've uploaded a phone pic by Craig O’Shannessy of a return winner by Nick vs Rublev in Miami. Andrey only won 21% of second serve points. It's one thing to step in on a second serve, another to club it. Nick favors his backhand to attack, presumably because it has such a short take back and linear swing.

We saw Nick try this 5 times vs Rafa in their Indian Wells quarter. Every time was on the deuce court, where Nick was threatening Rafa's swing serve. Rafa (much like Fed) seems to have a preternatural ability to see what returners are doing while he's serving, so (as I remember it) he went for firsts-as-seconds each time, hitting 120 mph flat wide. The first four times, Nick could only stick out his arm and mishit the ball. Rafa double defaulted on a critical point for the fifth attempt. But Nick forced Rafa to go for his weakest serve - and take a big risk. Many have tried few have succeeded at that, as well.

filedata/fetch?id=96960&d=1648311150&type=thumb

[stroke]

I posted about Nick's win over Rublev on the wrong thread. In today's mens game of paper thin margains separating the winners from the losers, this win by Nick over a top tier in form Rublev was about as impressive as it gets. He was superior to Rublev in every phase of the game. Oddsmakers now have him as the #5 favorite to win this tournament. Clearly, he is at his best a better tennis player than any of the 4 listed as more likely to win this tournament. I cannot warm up to him at all, but obviously a lot can.

[jimlosaltos]

Oh, the Carnage !

My completely unofficial and quite possibly not entirely accurate tally:

On Thursday alone, 11 seeds fell, including top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka and third-seeded Anett Kontaveit, who were taken out by Irina-Camelia Begu and Pennsylvanian Ann Li,


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[stroke]

Fabio gets it done the hard way. Sometimes, simply being a better tennis player pays off.

[stroke]

Some great matches today. Rublev vs Nick the match of the day, but Japan's Daniel just won a very impressive hard hat 1st set in tiebreaker vs Fognini.

[stotty]

Wow...what a mess. Looks like he's been in a bare knuckle fight.

[jimlosaltos]

Kyrgios -Rublev could be a hoot.

Both played great in Indian Wells. Both are one spark away from bursting into flame.

By the way, this might .... amuse? Here's a close up of what Andrey's knuckles looked like after he pounded his first in frustration at losing a set to Fritz. Tried bandages but threw them away. My pic from Saturday's semis.

Scroll down to see blow-up.

Ouch! How .... Mikhail Youzhny-ish?

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[jimlosaltos]

Miami should give us a new women's number one, and possibly new number ones in both WTA and ATP.

With Ash's points rolling off the board, either Iga Swiatek, this week's IW winner, or remotely Paula Badosa, last year's IW winner, could move to number one.

Iga only needs to win her first while Paula supposedly needs Iga to lose and then win the title herself.

[stotty]

Yes & Wide open with all of the Big 3 out at once.

Yes it will be a snapshot of tennis to come without the Big 3. I wonder if spectator attendance of the event will be down. I wonder if TV viewings will be down. You would think so but who knows.