Australian Open 2022 [Men] - Grand Slam

[tented]

I am 100% straight guy, Moxie and I agree with you that he is a good looking guy especially in person!

Yes, he is hot, as both @Moxie & @kskate2 have pointed out.

 

[Moxie]

I am 100% straight guy, Moxie and I agree with you that he is a good looking guy especially in person!

You saw him play in person?

 

[tented]

Still waiting for someone to give me an interesting response on my call on the PCB/Babycakes match.

It could go either way, really. There’s the physiological/psychological questions surrounding Matteo, but I think it will come down to whichever player is more aggressive. PCB can be the proverbial backboard, so Berrettini will have to hit through him. I’m kind of sensing the upset, though. PCB in 4?

 

[Moxie]

I am 100% straight guy, Moxie and I agree with you that he is a good looking guy especially in person!

It's a shame for him that he gets objectified and no one will game his actual chances v PCB...besides me.

But seriously, I laid my opinion on the table 2-3 pages ago, so @rafanoy1992, @Jelenafan, @tented: who do you pick in that match? I've got Berrettini, with my stated qualifications. Make your cases, or stop giving me crap about liking Berrettini just because he's a hottie. Cards on the table, boys.

 

[rafanoy1992]

You saw him play in person?

I saw him in practice live in IW last October. The ladies loved him and they were calling him Italian stallion. He is pretty nice in person too!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I saw him in practice live in IW last October. The ladies loved him and they were calling him Italian stallion. He is pretty nice in person too!

I am jealous I was going to watch the Italians in the ATP Cup if they made the final,oh well that did not happen

 

[tented]

It's a shame for him that he gets objectified and no one will game his actual chances v PCB...besides me.

But seriously, I laid my opinion on the table 2-3 pages ago, so @rafanoy1992, @Jelenafan, @tented: who do you pick in that match? I've got Berrettini, with my stated qualifications. Make your cases, or stop giving me crap about liking Berrettini just because he's a hottie. Cards on the table, boys.

I replied right above your post.

 

[rafanoy1992]

It's a shame for him that he gets objectified and no one will game his actual chances v PCB...besides me.

But seriously, I laid my opinion on the table 2-3 pages ago, so @rafanoy1992, @Jelenafan, @tented: who do you pick in that match? I've got Berrettini, with my stated qualifications. Make your cases, or stop giving me crap about liking Berrettini just because he's a hottie. Cards on the table, boys.

Either PCB in 4 sets or Matteo in 4 maybe in 5 sets.

If Matteo beat Alcaraz in three sets, I will be more confident in him. But he allowed Alcaraz (major credit to him!) to come back in the match. Also, Matteo seems “off” for some reason. He does have The power to blast through PCB…

 

[Moxie]

Either PCB in 4 sets or Matteo in 4 maybe in 5 sets.

If Matteo beat Alcaraz in three sets, I will be more confident in him. But he allowed Alcaraz (major credit to him!) to come back in the match. Also, Matteo seems “off” for some reason. He does have The power to blast through PCB…

So, finally, someone makes it about tennis.

But, seriously, PCB has not had an easy road, either. I know what you mean about Matteo being a bit "off," but it's possible that he found some confidence, and a gear, in the last match...if it's not about emotional flag. Could go either way, but Matteo is the favorite.

 

[Moxie]

It could go either way, really. There’s the physiological/psychological questions surrounding Matteo, but I think it will come down to whichever player is more aggressive. PCB can be the proverbial backboard, so Berrettini will have to hit through him. I’m kind of sensing the upset, though. PCB in 4?

Sorry I missed this before, between watching matches, and composing posts. I agree it will be about who can be more aggressive. PCB isn't a total backboard...he likes to be aggressive, to an extent. He's just willing to be measured. Berrettini likes to lead. It will be interesting to see how he comes out. Is he a bit flat? Or guns blazing? I think Berrettini needs to come out sharp. PCB can take the long-view but if MB gets behind early, he may press too hard, and become an UFE machine. First set will be very interesting.

 

[Jelenafan]

You guys are tough on me! Come on...even straight guys admit that Berrettini is the hottest looking guy on tour. But you have to admit that he has a bigger game than PCB. And you have to concede that PCB, like RBA, is one of the "workhorse" players at the top end of the draw. Not exactly thrilling, but so solid. PCB has bigger weapons than RBA, I'd say, but solid doesn't win the match against the better player on his good day. The match v.Alacraz was emotionally and physically draining though, and we shall see if it galvanizes Matteo, or he comes out flat.

Moxie, when we got our dog many years ago I asked my wife what we should call him, I took the bait when she said “ lets make it tennis related”.

Innocent me: OK

Wife:: Let’s call him Safin !

Believe me it wasn't just because she admired Marat Safin’s tennis game. ; )

 

[Moxie]

Moxie, when we got our dog many years ago I asked my wife what we should call him, I took the bait when she said “ lets make it tennis related”.

Innocent me: OK

Wife:: Let’s call him Safin !

Believe me it wasn't just because she admired Marat Safin’s tennis game. ; )

Hey, I have never pretended the #1 reason I became a Safin fan, but there was a #2 reason. He was no Anna Kournakova. (And yes, you guys can all look at yourselves with shame on HER fame in tennis.) The game was there. The looks were a bonus. As with Berrettini.

As to Rafa, he looks to be playing to Mannarino's level, at the moment. Needs to turn up the game.

 

[Fiero425]

Nadal's struggling! If not for the UFE's when he has had chances, Mannarino w/b up a set by now! It's always just "over the line" or "in the tape!"

 

[Moxie]

Nadal's struggling! If not for the UFE's when he has had chances, Mannarino w/b up a set by now! It's always just "over the line" or "in the tape!"

Nadal surprisingly flat.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Nadal surprisingly flat.

Did he have his usual Nutella for breakfast? maybe he needs a bar on court...

 

[tented]

Did he have his usual Nutella for breakfast? maybe he needs a bar on court...

His movement is not good at all. I hope he didn’t aggravate his foot playing Khachanov.

 

[Moxie]

Did he have his usual Nutella for breakfast? maybe he needs a bar on court...

There is no reason for this other than over-complacency. Mannarino is playing well enough, but Nadal is sub-par.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

His movement is not good at all. I hope he didn’t aggravate his foot playing Khachanov.

He is struggling on all levels at present

 

[Moxie]

He is struggling on all levels at present

It's not easy getting older, but watch him win this TB.

 

[Fiero425]

He is struggling on all levels at present

Lucky for him that Mannarino loves "giving back" his advantage just about every time I watch him play! He stinks in so many ways at times!