2019 Men's Wimbledon Championships

[herios]

If Rafa makes it to the SF and Roger, I almost think he'll win it - he'll have gone through some really tough players, while Roger has a cakewalk. That said, I don't think he'll make it to the SF...too many landmines. Kyrgios, Tsonga/Shapovalov, Cilic, Thiem. Ouch.

In fact, I'm also predicting an upset for Novak, and that Roger will be the only one of the Big Three to reach the semis.

You wish. On that note, I am rooting for a Berrettini Djokovic final.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

You wish. On that note, I am rooting for a Berrettini Djokovic final.

I am certain that Kskate would like that final

 

[Moxie]

I'm not sure what the controversy is. Wimbledon have ALWAYS done this. Everyone knows it. If any player had an issue with it then it was up to them to take steps to ensure it didn't affect them. It's that simple really. Complaining about it would be lazy and whiny if indeed that's what he did

No, they haven't always done it, according to @tenisplayrla08...only since 2002, (something I was asking if anyone knew.) It wouldn't have made since if they'd always done it, since so many more tournaments were once played on grass, and of course, at one time, the vast majority.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

My reply post to tennisplayer has gone AWOL...oh well I haven't the time to retype it at the moment.

 

[Moxie]

I've never heard you say this before.

For sure Darth has no fear of repeating himself.

 

[Moxie]

My reply post to tennisplayer has gone AWOL...oh well I haven't the time to retype it at the moment.

Try refreshing...TF saves your post as you type, so it could be at the bottom.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Try refreshing...TF saves your post as you type, so it could be at the bottom.

I tried doing that,still gone....probably a Roger fan trying to sabotage it LOL!

 

[Moxie]

@tenisplayrla08: I really appreciate your posts giving over-views by quarters, some matches to watch first round and onward, with reminders as to who is on-form and who has been recently injured or languishing. This will help me a lot in my draw challenge. All smart and well-considered.

I did initially think that Roger's draw was pretty smooth, and I still think it is, to SFs, but you added interesting nuance. I think Djokovic's is trickier than some think, as Kohly isn't an easy first round on grass, and he could get some trending youngsters, if they make it that far, but the middle-patch, at least, might be smoother sailing. Obviously, Rafa has his hands full. Rather differences of opinion as to Nick's chances if he gets out of the 1st round. @Bonaca give him no chance. Someone else said it could go either way. I agree with the 2nd assessment. However, as you rightly point out, Rafa's in better form than when Nick upset him some years back. And he'll be prepared for him, at least. And, while Nick tends to get up for big matches, he has not been demonstrating his best attitude for some time. But that will be one to watch. If Rafa get's past him, I expect him to meet Tsonga, as Shapo is sliding in form. I think he'd beat either, but I do think Shapovolov would be easier. Which would get him to Cilic, presumably. Cilic doesn't have a bad path, though Basilashvili is a potential danger, as Cilic's serve hasn't been working as well as he'd like. I didn't see the exhibition, but as you say...only tells us so much. IF Rafa gets through all of that, and not too bloodied, I like his chances to beat Federer. But there's a long way to go before that.

 

[mrzz]

Well, I think that @Federberg nailed when he posted that this is Wimbledon being Wimbledon, but... even if surfaces are not that different now, let's not pretend they are exactly the same. Most player's winning percentage across surfaces are different enough. The greatest problem is that grass "season" is extremely short, so they compensate with a two years ranking. Wimbledon is just standing their ground (literally). That is their way of saying "grass is different". The discrepancy once was more prominent, yes, but it is still there.

But isn't a marvelous and beautiful coincidence that Federer fans think that the Wimbledon system is fair, and Nadal fans otherwise? Oh, what a terrible and torturing thing it would be if some poor Federer (Nadal) fan reckoned that this system is wrong (right).

 

[Moxie]

If Rafa makes it to the SF and Roger, I almost think he'll win it - he'll have gone through some really tough players, while Roger has a cakewalk. That said, I don't think he'll make it to the SF...too many landmines. Kyrgios, Tsonga/Shapovalov, Cilic, Thiem. Ouch.

In fact, I'm also predicting an upset for Novak, and that Roger will be the only one of the Big Three to reach the semis.

I find it impossible to think that Roger won't make the SFs. I take your point about Rafa's chances, if he gets through the gauntlet and meets him, unless he's all kinds of beat up by then. (Hopefully the grass would be, too, and that could help. LOL.) For sure Rafa has a lot of landmines in front of him. My worries are Kyrgios and Cilic. Not Shapo/Tsonga or Thiem...esp. on grass, re: Thiem. As to Novak, I can only think that you hope FAA will take him down, or then Tsitsipas? Where do you see the upset?

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Ok that could be said for any match. It’s not likely, nearly impossible for the Greek to win. He’s a joke.

I have written him off long time ago as the ultimate clown, no disputing that. But I also know what he can do on any given day. All I am saying is conditions may just be right for him against a big opponent on a big stage. He has wins against all the top players when he can get out of his own ass. And Rafa's struggles in the early rounds of Wimby are no secret.

 

[Moxie]

Well, I think that @Federberg nailed when he posted that this is Wimbledon being Wimbledon, but... even if surfaces are not that different now, let's not pretend they are exactly the same. Most player's winning percentage across surfaces are different enough. The greatest problem is that grass "season" is extremely short, so they compensate with a two years ranking. Wimbledon is just standing their ground (literally). That is their way of saying "grass is different". The discrepancy once was more prominent, yes, but it is still there.

But isn't a marvelous and beautiful coincidence that Federer fans think that the Wimbledon system is fair, and Nadal fans otherwise? Oh, what a terrible and torturing thing it would be if some poor Federer (Nadal) fan reckoned that this system is wrong (right).

I get that Wimbledon occupies a unique place in tennis history. So they demand the wearing of whites, in keeping with tradition, and the right to reseed players per their own formula, (or, in the case of the women, per a committee, and rather, it seems, whim.) Sure, Fed fans, AND grass fans say it's perfectly fine. For myself, I'm not saying that it's wrong, I'm only say that it can be discussed, as we are doing. For example, I didn't know that the men and women's seedings were decided differently. That's an interesting thing, if nothing else. However, if there's no consistency in the TB rule amongst Majors, why should there be one in their seeding rules?

As a sidebar note: are you really going to keep that signature?

 

[mrzz]

...esp. on grass, re: Thiem

I am curious to see how Thiem will fare on grass. I admit I am biased, but Thiem's game has evolved in a direction that helps him on grass. His forehand is heavier, he is using more blocking shots, specially returning serve (a page he stole from Wawrinka's book), and, more importantly, he developed a very good slice backhand. He slices WAY better now than, say, two years ago, even one year ago. That all together makes him surely a better grass player. If it all is enough to make a difference big enough for him to be a factor, I do not know, and he got a terrible R1 match, as Querrey is quite good grass courter. Let's see.

 

[mrzz]

As a sidebar note: are you really going to keep that signature?

It is ugly, strange, borderline obnoxious, definitely clumsy and impossible to get for anyone who was not paying attention. Wow! Just positives!

 

[Moxie]

I have written him off long time ago as the ultimate clown, no disputing that. But I also know what he can do on any given day. All I am saying is conditions may just be right for him against a big opponent on a big stage. He has wins against all the top players when he can get out of his own ass. And Rafa's struggles in the early rounds of Wimby are no secret.

This is where I'm mad at Kyrgios for being such a clown. If he'd kept his ranking up, it wouldn't be a 2nd round match, as it is, I think that's dangerous for Rafa to meet Kyrgios (potentially) so early, you're totally right. Though I still favor Rafa, especially if it goes long.

 

[Moxie]

I am curious to see how Thiem will fare on grass. I admit I am biased, but Thiem's game has evolved in a direction that helps him on grass. His forehand is heavier, he is using more blocking shots, specially returning serve (a page he stole from Wawrinka's book), and, more importantly, he developed a very good slice backhand. He slices WAY better now than, say, two years ago, even one year ago. That all together makes him surely a better grass player. If it all is enough to make a difference big enough for him to be a factor, I do not know, and he got a terrible R1 match, as Querrey is quite good grass courter. Let's see.

I still think Thiem likes time on the ball, which I don't think favors him. What do you think? I agree that Querrey is a terrible place to start for him, esp. given that Querrey beat Djoker in 2016. If Querrey can play anywhere near like that, he'll get the upset.

 

[Moxie]

It is ugly, strange, borderline obnoxious, definitely clumsy and impossible to get for anyone who was not paying attention. Wow! Just positives!

You are mad.

 

[El Dude]

I find it impossible to think that Roger won't make the SFs. I take your point about Rafa's chances, if he gets through the gauntlet and meets him, unless he's all kinds of beat up by then. (Hopefully the grass would be, too, and that could help. LOL.) For sure Rafa has a lot of landmines in front of him. My worries are Kyrgios and Cilic. Not Shapo/Tsonga or Thiem...esp. on grass, re: Thiem. As to Novak, I can only think that you hope FAA will take him down, or then Tsitsipas? Where do you see the upset?

If Roger doesn't make the semis then something significant happened. He clearly has the easiest route to the SF of the big three.

My first thought about Novak's upset was Tsitsipas, who I think is about ready and will win one of the next three Slams. That said, he may prefer facing Novak than his arch-nemesis FAA, who is a very dangerous floater for anyone but clearly has Tits' number. I think FAA needs to become a bit more consistent--not to mention work on his second serve--to win a Slam, but he could put it together and upset Novak.

 

[mrzz]

If Roger doesn't make the semis then something significant happened

He lost so many matches he was supposed to win lately that I really do not think it will be significant. About FAA, I was very impressed with what I saw from him on grass. I agree that he is just one step away.

 

[DarthFed]

For sure Darth has no fear of repeating himself.

Only on points that are spot on B-)