ATP World Tour Finals

[Moxie]

Our friend Fiero425 has disappeared.

He'll be back. It's a Sunday afternoon.

 

[britbox]

Just got up to the surprising news that Sascha won the YEC. Yay!! Didn't really see that coming but happy he's bagged a big tournament.

 

[britbox]

Highlights

 

[atttomole]

He'll be back. It's a Sunday afternoon.

He did post on another thread after the match. It could be he just forgot to post on this thread.

 

[britbox]

 

[Moxie]

Just got up to the surprising news that Sascha won the YEC. Yay!! Didn't really see that coming but happy he's bagged a big tournament.

Baron, we seem to be in the minority around here of actually championing young Zverev. I've heard all of the complaints, but I still find it a bit of a head-scratcher.

 

[Moxie]

He did post on another thread after the match. It could be he just forgot to post on this thread.

If the implication is that he's hiding out because Novak lost, he's not really that way. But, when you're disappointed by a loss, it's cool if you feel you have nothing to say, atm. But I still maintain that Fiero having nothing to say never lasts very long. :lulz2:

 

[britbox]

Baron, we seem to be in the minority around here of actually championing young Zverev. I've heard all of the complaints, but I still find it a bit of a head-scratcher.

As much as people criticise him, he's still the most successful of his peer group - 2 Masters and now a YEC. He'll work his way into contention for majors. Some don't like his perceived arrogance... but I do - I think it sets him apart from some of his peers. Like you, I've championed him a bit over the last few years but I'm not actually a massive fan of his game (to watch)... I prefer Tsitsipas... but pleased a young gun came through and bagged a big title.

 

[Moxie]

As much as people criticise him, he's still the most successful of his peer group - 2 Masters and now a YEC. He'll work his way into contention for majors. Some don't like his perceived arrogance... but I do - I think it sets him apart from some of his peers. Like you, I've championed him a bit over the last few years but I'm not actually a massive fan of his game (to watch)... I prefer Tsitsipas... but pleased a young gun came through and bagged a big title.

He's got 3 Masters, btw. I agree that I like his confidence and self-belief. I don't mind if he gets frustrated with himself. He wants to win, really badly. Funny how many other Federer fans don't like that, as the old master definitely has always been a bit arrogant, or, if you like, never lacking in self-belief. I like Sasha's game. It is reminiscent of Safin's, who I think was also a favorite of yours. But, OK, Tsitsipas does have the one-hander, which I know appeals to you. (Break out the monkey skulls. It will be slightly ironic if my next favorite has a 1HBH. Even more ironic if Darth and I end up on the same team. LOL.) Anyway, I like both a lot. Great win for Sasha today. Really unexpected outcome.

 

[El Dude]

As I said in the crystal ball thread, I think he can win one in 2019. This is a huge step forward for him. Sascha will win Slams (emphasis on "s").

 

[Moxie]

As I said in the crystal ball thread, I think he can win one in 2019. This is a huge step forward for him. Sascha will win Slams (emphasis on "s").

It'll be interesting to see how he takes the bounce from this into early next year. And how Novak recovers, should they meet at AO, or before.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I don't know...he's taken a big step up. And he has the coach with the Midas touch.

Even though the field is made up of elite players by design, WTF is the least challenging tournament in terms of format due to
1. You can win the tourney even after losing a match, like Sasha did today.
2. It is best of three sets and so is less taxing than GS matches.
3. It is even less taxing than an MS tourney as the two groups alternate and so you get some rest in between.

You should keep in mind that, apart from it being best of three, Sasha actually won his last three matches in straight sets.
In a GS, it is unlikely that he is going to win all his matches in straight sets. He is not that far ahead of the field. As a result,
he still has to prove that he can comeback from being down a set and down two sets etc against tougher competition.
IMO, he has not done that yet and hence I think he is not ready to win a GS yet. He won lot of five set matches at RG
last year. But, that is against weaker competition with whom he should not even get to five sets in the first place.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The MP in today's match was somewhat reminiscent of Ralph's beautiful banana shots (which we don't see coming much from Ralph these days).

 

[Moxie]

Even though the field is made up of elite players by design, WTF is the least challenging tournament in terms of format due to
1. You can win the tourney even after losing a match, like Sasha did today.
2. It is best of three sets and so is less taxing than GS matches.
3. It is even less taxing than an MS tourney as the two groups alternate and so you get some rest in between.

You should keep in mind that, apart from it being best of three, Sasha actually won his last three matches in straight sets.
In a GS, it is unlikely that he is going to win all his matches in straight sets. He is not that far ahead of the field. As a result,
he still has to prove that he can comeback from being down a set and down two sets etc against tougher competition.
IMO, he has not done that yet and hence I think he is not ready to win a GS yet. He won lot of five set matches at RG
last year. But, that is against weaker competition with whom he should not even get to five sets in the first place.

Wow, it's amazing that you're so against the format of the WTF. I thought all Fed fans were in favor of it. You make a compelling argument why it is far below the majors.

 

[Moxie]

The MP in today's match was somewhat reminiscent of Ralph's beautiful banana shots (which we don't see coming much from Ralph these days).

 

[monfed]

Fakervic FRIED!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Wow, it's amazing that you're so against the format of the WTF. I thought all Fed fans were in favor of it. You make a compelling argument why it is far below the majors.

No, I am not quite against the format of the WTF. I was merely trying to tell as to why folks should not carried away too much by Sasha's win. His mental and physical stamina are simply not tested here, but will be tested in a GS.

Talking about format of WTF, I would make the following recommendations.

1. Make the semifinals and finals best of five matches. The remaining can be best of three.

2. Increase the field to size 12 and make it into four groups of three. The winner from each group shall advance
to the SF. Winner from group with #1 plays winner from group with #4 in SF. Winner from group with #2 plays
winner from group with #3. The main advantage of this format (4 groups of three each) is that, it is totally
tank proof. No one can take advantage of the system or rules.

 

[Moxie]

Fakervic FRIED!

And just yesterday you were rooting for him to win. :whistle:

 

[lob]

No, I am not quite against the format of the WTF. I was merely trying to tell as to why folks should not carried away too much by Sasha's win. His mental and physical stamina are simply not tested here, but will be tested in a GS.

Talking about format of WTF, I would make the following recommendations.

1. Make the semifinals and finals best of five matches. The remaining can be best of three.

2. Increase the field to size 12 and make it into four groups of three. The winner from each group shall advance
to the SF. Winner from group with #1 plays winner from group with #4 in SF. Winner from group with #2 plays
winner from group with #3. The main advantage of this format (4 groups of three each) is that, it is totally
tank proof. No one take advantage of the system or rules.

Good post.

As to WTF difficulty, exhibit # 1 is Dmitrov. Of course Zverev will have a much more successful career but it highlights your point.

The format you thought of is excellent. You could make money if you can sell it to the ATP. Not just antitank. It will prevent the scenario of A def B in RR and then B def A in finals. The same two players never play each other. Even the RR will not have a redundant match if they take care of breaking 1-1-1 tie situation well.

The five set semis and finals really add to the status of the tournament apart from difficulty. Currently, it doesn't get the status of more than ATP1000 even though they spend so much more than ATP1000.

The 12 player format will give a few more players the opportunity to shine and make some money.

The only challenge I can think of is the scheduling of 2 five set semifinals on the same day.

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[Moxie]

The only challenge I can think of is the scheduling of 2 five set semifinals on the same day.

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They do it at Majors. Except, sadly and oddly, not at the AO.