ATP World Tour Finals 2017, London, UK

[Moxie]

I was not sure, but I hoped he will prove them wrong LOL

Sock gets most improved player for this late part of the season. He was ranked #22 on Halloween. Now he's (career high) #8 in the live rankings. That's a big jump, especially at the upper echelons.

 

[Moxie]

It turns out that Sasha took home less money than Chung (not to mention that he did not get to take home an Italian Model) in the end.

I'm pretty sure Chung doesn't get to keep the Italian model. But I still think it was the right decision by Sasha. Oh, well...he's young and still has much to learn and seasoning to get.

Nice job by Jack. I am happy to see him pulling through, especially because Zverev has enough fans and I felt Jack is not supported enough, even by Yankee fans.

If you've been paying attention, even this week, Sock can be accused of being a bit casual or show-boaty, in the same way that Kyrgios and Monfils get criticized for. It's made him a bit hard to get behind. But if he's going to play with more commitment, I'm sure there are plenty of Yanks willing to support him.

 

[Fiero425]

You're shocked, Fiero, but Sascha was just socked.

It would be akin or comparable to Davydenko winning as #6, but still stole the YEC with very weak effort of Rafa who lost all 3 of his RR matches! It was the Inaugural of them moving Tourney to London for the seeable future! Those 6 titles with a possible 7th putting record out of reach maybe? Thought Nole would own this tourney for a while longer since he gets his 2nd wind by the fall taking 4 straight before Andy broke it up last year! :whistle:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Sure, $ and 200 pts., but I agree with El Dude that it's as close to "nothing to lose" as a tennis match gets. PCB just a free pass in, so he should play with abandon, but I think it was one reason that Fed/Cilic was so dull today...not enough at stake.

Agreed, it will be boring for fans to watch a match without serious implications. But, the prize money for one match is $191,000 and
the points is 200 (almost close to what you get for winning a lowly event in ATP) and so the players (especially of the status of these two)
have a lot of stake.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I'm pretty sure Chung doesn't get to keep the Italian model. But I still think it was the right decision by Sasha. Oh, well...he's young and still has much to learn and seasoning to get.

There is no question that it was the right decision by Sasha. In fact, I would say it was the right decision even if he had lost all the matches.
I was just remarking on the end result as a matter of fact.

 

[Moxie]

Agreed, it will be boring for fans to watch a match without serious implications. But, the prize money for one match is $191,000 and
the points is 200 (almost close to what you get for winning a lowly event in ATP) and so the players (especially of the status of these two)
have a lot of stake.

Thanks for telling us the prize $ amount. I do believe that these guys are professionals, and who wouldn't play hard if you could go to work and make $191,000? And I'm not sneezing at the points, either. I don't question their motivation to play all out. I think the problem is for the fans. We don't so much care that they get points or big money, when the match is meaningless to the outcome of the tournament. I think that's @El Dude's point, and I agree with that.

 

[Busted]

Got busy this afternoon and forgot to check the Sock/Zverev score and now I"m LMAO. Wonder if young Alex is now wishing he hadn't skipped the Milan NextGen event? Cuz...he could have gone 1 and 2 even if he had played it. Oops. On well...congrats to Sock - last man in and if he beats Dimitrov in their SF he could make the final, pick up 800 points and end the season at #7 in the world. If that happens, who knows, maybe his buddy Nick Kyrgios will get inspired to...shooot, I don't know...CARE or something....

 

[Moxie]

Got busy this afternoon and forgot to check the Sock/Zverev score and now I"m LMAO. Wonder if young Alex is now wishing he hadn't skipped the Milan NextGen event? Cuz...he could have gone 1 and 2 even if he had played it. Oops. On well...congrats to Sock - last man in and if he beats Dimitrov in their SF he could make the final, pick up 800 points and end the season at #7 in the world. If that happens, who knows, maybe his buddy Nick Kyrgios will get inspired to...shooot, I don't know...CARE or something....

GSM and I were just discussing above: no way that Sasha shouldn't have skipped #NextGen for this. He wants to swim in the grown-up pool. He still gets points. I'm not sure why you're L'ing your AO...he's young, but he took Roger to 3, and beat Cilic in a good gritty effort. I don't think he acquitted himself poorly, for a 20-year-old.

 

[Busted]

Sock gets most improved player for this late part of the season. He was ranked #22 on Halloween. Now he's (career high) #8 in the live rankings. That's a big jump, especially at the upper echelons.

I don't know that he's the most improved during this part of the season. He's certainly the LUCKIEST. Let's face it - he have to beat anyone to win Paris and still went 3 sets with a qualifier. And now he's beaten 2 guys who have both been playing crappy since the last half of the season. Cilic has sucked since his "I've got blisters on my feet!" meltdown at Wimbledon and Zverev has sucked since he beat Roger and his ailing back in Montreal. So pardon me if I don't throw a coronation for Sock. I doubt he'll be able to defend these 1400 points (so far) next year but they'll keep his ranking boosted for a while and make his draws easier. That's when the real hard work will start - trying to back it up in early 2018 with a decent run at Slams and Masters events. Let's just say I'm not holding my breath because there's a lot of injured players returning next year.

 

[Moxie]

I don't know that he's the most improved during this part of the season. He's certainly the LUCKIEST. Let's face it - he have to beat anyone to win Paris and still went 3 sets with a qualifier. And now he's beaten 2 guys who have both been playing crappy since the last half of the season. Cilic has sucked since his "I've got blisters on my feet!" meltdown at Wimbledon and Zverev has sucked since he beat Roger and his ailing back in Montreal. So pardon me if I don't throw a coronation for Sock. I doubt he'll be able to defend these 1400 points (so far) next year but they'll keep his ranking boosted for a while and make his draws easier. That's when the real hard work will start - trying to back it up in early 2018 with a decent run at Slams and Masters events. Let's just say I'm not holding my breath because there's a lot of injured players returning next year.

You don't have to throw a coronation for Sock...Scoop has already done that on his blog thread. You're within your rights to be sceptical, but I do think it's been a fine run for him. No reason not to note it.

 

[Busted]

I'm pretty sure Chung doesn't get to keep the Italian model. But I still think it was the right decision by Sasha. Oh, well...he's young and still has much to learn and seasoning to get.

If you've been paying attention, even this week, Sock can be accused of being a bit casual or show-boaty, in the same way that Kyrgios and Monfils get criticized for. It's made him a bit hard to get behind. But if he's going to play with more commitment, I'm sure there are plenty of Yanks willing to support him.

Sock was "accused" of being show-boaty? NNOOOOOOOO!!! Who said that? Did you hear what he said McEnroe told him at the Laver Cup? He's got all the shots, he's got the serve - now what he needs to do is get serious and put it all together. The "get serious" having been emphasized. That's what I don't think some of these guys get. It's OK to play cute/trick shots - but at this level, if you're not playing an XO, they have their place and the big moments ain't it. They all grew up watching Roger hit ridiculous shots from anywhere on the court at any time, regardless of the score or the opponent - and that's what they want to do. The problem is - they ain't Roger and they're not as good during other parts of the match. Nobody's saying they have to cut it out entirely - just pick your moments better. The tweener used to be a fun desperation shot. Now they're treating it like Option A on a standard volley just to show boat. Back in the day when I was a big NBA fan and someone would try to throw down a gratuitous elaborate dunk - and miss - we'd call it, "Playing for the OOHS!" And that's what guys like Sock and Kyrgios do - play for the oohs and not the W's.

 

[Busted]

You don't have to throw a coronation for Sock...Scoop has already done that on his blog thread. You're within your rights to be sceptical, but I do think it's been a fine run for him. No reason not to note it.

I don't call it skepticism. I call it practicality. it's the same thing I said about Dimitrov wining Cincy. It's not a great run when you're not beating the 4-5 best players in the world. It's getting lucky that the top guys were either injured, didn't play or lost in an earlier round. IF Djokovic, Murray, Wawrinka, Nishikori & Raonic are all healthy next year, and some of the NextGen make a move - do you think we'll see these same 3-10 players ranked inside the Top 10 as there'll be at the end of the WTF? Cuz I don't think we will.

 

[Busted]

GSM and I were just discussing above: no way that Sasha shouldn't have skipped #NextGen for this. He wants to swim in the grown-up pool. He still gets points. I'm not sure why you're L'ing your AO...he's young, but he took Roger to 3, and beat Cilic in a good gritty effort. I don't think he acquitted himself poorly, for a 20-year-old.

I'm laughing because it's called IRONY that he skipped the event with his age group and then could only win 1 match at the grown-ups event. Sure, he took Roger 3 sets, but we all saw the match and know Roger chuffed it with a bad game at the end of the 2nd set. Do I think he should have skipped Milan? Well, yeah...but it's still funny that he couldn't advance to the SF when he's ranked #3 int he world is supposed to be able to beat lower ranked players like Sock. Zverev is another misleading ranking due all the injuries this year. Is he a true #3? No, not really. He's young and therefore too inconsistent - especially at Slams. and other big tournaments. In a normal non-injury year for Nole/Stan/Murray/Nishikori/Raonic he'd be #7 - #10 - and a 1-2 at the WTF is about what I'd expect out of a 20 y.o. #7 or #10. OK...now THAT was me being a "skeptic." LOL! Don't get me wrong - I think he's probably a future #1...I just don't think he's a true a #3 right now.

 

[Busted]

With 2020 being an Olympic year, I can't see him retiring in 2019. 2020 is my guess.

I hadn't thought about that - that he'd hang around until the next Olys. I don't know that the Olys are really that important to him at this stage of his life.

 

[Moxie]

I don't call it skepticism. I call it practicality. it's the same thing I said about Dimitrov wining Cincy. It's not a great run when you're not beating the 4-5 best players in the world. It's getting lucky that the top guys were either injured, didn't play or lost in an earlier round. IF Djoknovic, Murray, Wawrinka, Nishikori & Raonic are all healthy next year, and some of the NextGen make a move - do you think we'll see these same 3-10 players ranked inside the Top 10 as there'll be at the end of the WTF? Cuz I don't think we will.

You can call it "lucky," but I call it being "opportunistic," and in a good way. Perhaps I'm a glass half full fan and you're a glass half empty. That's cool. I'm not sure who we'll see still rising when/if the other top players are back at full-strength, but still, you only play the people on offer, and I will admire those that take their opportunities when they present themselves, as opposed to the ones that collapse, anyway.

 

[Busted]

Sock it is.

Apparently Sock has a winning H2H against Grigor, but I think Grigor will win this time.

I'm going to go with Sock...just because I'm really unimpressed by Dimitrov's cojones...ie, lack thereof...

 

[Busted]

You can call it "lucky," but I call it being "opportunistic," and in a good way. Perhaps I'm a glass half full fan and you're a glass half empty. That's cool. I'm not sure who we'll see still rising when/if the other top players are back at full-strength, but still, you only play the people on offer, and I will admire those that take their opportunities when they present themselves, as opposed to the ones that collapse, anyway.

I have been accused of being a "glass half empty" person more than a few times. :lulz2:. I think it IS lucky for him to have the opportunity because other players are injured.

 

[Moxie]

I hadn't thought about that - that he'd hang around until the next Olys. I don't know that the Olys are really that important to him at this stage of his life.

Roger has said before that he'd like to take his kids to the Olympics when he plays. Rio didn't work out (for more than one reason, I'm guessing. I doubt he'd have taken them to Brazil, given the health issues.) So if he gets a chance to have them all basically old enough to enjoy/remember the experience, I think Front is right that he'd take it.

 

[herios]

It will also be played seriously. There is a lot of money and 200 points at stake.

Another reason for Grigor to play PCB seriously is that #4 ranking is on the line. He is in a very tight race with Dominic for it. Grigor pulled ahead for the time being, but if he loses tomorrow and Dominic wins, he will be passed by Thiem again.

 

[Fiero425]

I have been accused of being a "glass half empty" person more than a few times. :lulz2:. I think it IS lucky for him to have the opportunity because other players are injured.

Sasha still won 2 Masters this season regardless and his name will forever sit there in the record books! That's the most outside the Big 4 in a decade! :whistle: