Australian Open 2023 [Men] - Grand Slam

[MargaretMcAleer]

This is just sad to watch, though I was live when Rafa did his back in against Wawrinka, at the AO
All I wanted was a even match, Mckenzie has played well to start, now Rafa is injured and playing on

 

[El Dude]

McDonald is kind of pathetic, to be honest. He looks like a guy ranked, I don't know, #65?

 

[Moxie]

I could get on board with that - would love to see Rublev win a Slam. But he's too one-dimensional, I think.

Yeah, I don't think he's a giant-killer.

 

[El Dude]

He's like the defensive line against Tom Brady: "Here, let me cuddle you to the ground, great Tom."

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

McDonald is kind of pathetic, to be honest. He looks like a guy ranked, I don't know, #65?

Ranked 63 to be exact lol!

 

[the AntiPusher]

It's the curse of Johnny Favorite.. Rafa's deal with Louis Cypier has come to a head and Rafa's dues are too be paid at his house of horrors.

 

[El Dude]

Yeah, I don't think he's a giant-killer.

He just doesn't have a diverse enough game. He could get lucky and face another guy without much diversity, but he needs the perfect draw to open up and the right opponent in the final.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Yeah, I don't think he's a giant-killer.

Actually I have really come to like Rublev, he has a great sense of humor, though he does need that Killer Instinct

 

[Moxie]

And FAA makes the case for best of 5.

 

[Moxie]

Actually I have really come to like Rublev, he has a great sense of humor, though he does need that Killer Instinct

...and a plan B, besides "hit harder."

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I will get behimd my Italian youngster Sinner, who has played well so far and remember he took 2 sets of The Protected One at Wimbledon, his least favorite surface

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

...and a plan B, besides "hit harder."

Baby steps

 

[El Dude]

I will get behimd my Italian youngster Sinner, who has played well so far and remember he took 2 sets of The Protected One at Wimbledon, his least favorite surface

I'm predicting a big breakthrough for Sinner. I don't know about a Slam title (yet), but I'd be surprised if he didn't bag at least one Masters this year, and I think he's the type of player who will go deep in most Slams.

 

[Moxie]

The good news is that Nadal's serve pct is up.

 

[El Dude]

Baby steps

He's 25...so nursery time is over for Andrey.

 

[Fiero425]

I could get on board with that - would love to see Rublev win a Slam. But he's too one-dimensional, I think.

So many of the players are like that; just different levels of consistency, stamina, and skill to get the job done! Ruud just a step above! They're still just gloried 250 & 500 level champs IMO! A step ahead of them are the likes of Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Zverev, & Medvedev! The more versatile players like Fritz, FAA, & Sinner are more entertaining, but still haven't proved they're going to excel over all others!

 

[tented]

I also think Rafa doesn’t want what will likely be his last match at the AO to end in retirement.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He's 25...so nursery time is over for Andrey.

You are a hard task master lol!.....remember some players take more time than others to fine tune their game

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I also think Rafa doesn’t want what will likely be his last match at the AO to end in retirement.

Yep he is still hanging in out there, that's Rafa to a tee.

 

[El Dude]

You are a hard task master lol!.....remember some players take more time than others to fine tune their game

Well I hope so. Rublev has been one of my favorite Next Genners since i first saw him play, six years ago or so. He's fun to watch.