Kieran, you need to plan a trip to Chicago..we can round up KSkate and take a drive via the I-290 N to Milwaukee to search for our dear friend and brother DarthFed
Matteo has withdrawn from Paris citing a stiff neck.
The qualifying matches are played on October 30 and 31st....Tournament starts on November 1st.I was just thiking of who might WD from Paris so Sinner could get a top 8 seeding & have a bye in the 1st round! I hope draw wasn't pulled yet!
I would have to check on that.....though remember Rafa already won a GS title before 20,Jannik is 20,though Jannik started tennis later,due to his skiing.
This Masters tournament has always thrown up 'surprise winners' , due to the fact it is the last one of the year,most players are carrying injuries at this time of the year.Well we all know that ain't gonna happen! Anyone's vulnerable in Paris at this time of year! It's notorious for upsets and upset Chp. wins! All we need to do is look back a few years where Sock came out of nowhere to take Paris and make the '17 finals of the YEC! It's a springboard for some up and coming talent, but IMO it's been more a resting ground for seniors; esp. if at the top of the game! Djokovic is an anomaly where it appeared he got stronger after the USO as opposed to Nadal who's emotional done for the season; hence no Paris Masters wins or a YEC to his name!
Yeah, I'm going off the top of my head, but I wonder if anyone can name a rise so swift since Nadal. I'm not saying that he's done it as quickly as Nadal, who was our last great phenom, but I can't think of anyone else who has been so good so fast since Rafa.
Djokovic isn't exactly an "anomaly," as Federer also has done quite well at the end of the year. Nadal is generally not so "emotionally" spent as physically. Plus, he's just not as good indoors. Reading your posts, and AP and Kieran's about playing indoors yourselves, due to inclement weather, it's hardly a wonder Nadal isn't great indoors. He lives in an island paradise and barely had to.Well we all know that ain't gonna happen! Anyone's vulnerable in Paris at this time of year! It's notorious for upsets and upset Chp. wins! All we need to do is look back a few years where Sock came out of nowhere to take Paris and make the '17 finals of the YEC! It's a springboard for some up and coming talent, but IMO it's been more a resting ground for seniors; esp. if at the top of the game! Djokovic is an anomaly where it appeared he got stronger after the USO as opposed to Nadal who's emotional done for the season; hence no Paris Masters wins or a YEC to his name!
Seems like Frances has really bought into Wayne's coaching technique and tactics.. Tiafoe is playing with so much more confidence .I'm happy for him and his team.
Rafa was one of the most successful teenagers in ATP Tour history,reaching No 2 in the world and winning 16 titles before his 20th birthday!,including his first French Open title and six Masters Events...so Jannik has a lot of catching up to do to match Rafa
Jeepers, even as a dedicated fan, I don't think I knew that Rafa had 16 titles before his 20th birthday. I wonder where Borg is in that. My point is that Sinner is beating the curve of late. He did fall apart today, when it was within his grasp, but great solidity from Tiafoe to go for broke, and make the match his own in the last half.Rafa was one of the most successful teenagers in ATP Tour history,reaching No 2 in the world and winning 16 titles before his 20th birthday!,including his first French Open title and six Masters Events...so Jannik has a lot of catching up to do to match Rafa
Still it is a good rise from Jannik,as yet to win a major,or a Masters event.
I had to read it twice when I looked up Rafa's stats what he achieved before his 20th birthday lol!.....Amazing.
I've been hoping good things for Tiafoe for a long time. Has he got one more upset in him? We'll see. He has a powerful game, and a lot of charisma. And Zverev can get tetchy when he's supposed to win. I'm pulling for one more upset. Go, Frances!
