Cincinnati Masters 2023, Ohio, US - ATP Masters 1000

[Moxie]

Makes notes to myself
Never say again ' Noone Beats Monfils 19 times!

I was hoping to use that one differently. Oh, well....

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I was hoping to use that one differently. Oh, well....

Oh well indeed
Novak serving for the match and to give Monfils a bagel

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Of course Monfils breaks Novak serving for the match at 5-0
Apparently he prefers a bread stick
Novak will serve for the match a 2nd time leading 5-2

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Djokovic d Monfils 63 62 to reach the QFs and makes history as this is now the "Most Lopsided
underfeated ATP head to head in the history of the Open Era ( 19-0)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

QFs,

C.Alcaraz (1) vs (Q) M. Purcell
N.Djokovic (2) vs (9) T.Fritz
A. Zverev (16) vs A.Mannarino
H.Hurkacz vs (LL) A.Popyrin

 

[Moxie]

QFs,

C.Alcaraz (1) vs (Q) M. Purcell
N.Djokovic (2) vs (9) T.Fritz
A. Zverev (16) vs A.Mannarino
H.Hurkacz vs (LL) A.Popyrin

Clearly Popyrin is making some hay while the sun shines!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Clearly Popyrin is making some hay while the sun shines!

Well he came in as a LL then was suppose to play Jarry who was forced to withdraw in their match because his wife was expecting their 2nd child, so I guess he is making hay while the sunshines, though not much sun in Cinncy this tournament

 

[Kieran]

He needs to practice how to play on BP's. If he has a better BP conversion, the TB (where every point is effectively a BP) will take care of itself. Normally he's money in the TB's. But everyone could use practice on how to play BP's or the big points.

But how do you practice break points? Generally these things are a question of either opportunity or confidence. The advantage is always with the server. Technically a break point is the same as other return points.

In terms of playing big points - which is what a bp is - Carlos is exceptional. There’s never been any real questions about him, like there was with Rafa, for example, when he used to struggle to serve out sets.

I think at the moment he’s still in his post-Wimbledon trance. He’d have been wiser to process what happened at Wimbledon instead of playing the Hopman Cup. He’s going to be heading to New York tired, at this rate..

 

[Kieran]

Novak v Fritz would have been interesting last year but the American isn’t at the same level this year. It’s a tough sport, hard to stay at your best. Injuries, an inability to handle the expectations, or maintain their highest levels. It’s hard to be a top player. Last year Fritz and The Big T’oe were doing great work for men’s American tennis, but this year they’re struggling.

Difficult to see Novak dropping a set in this one. He’s rolling through the draw. Looks like a sensible move, skipping Canada..

 

[the AntiPusher]

Djokovic d Monfils 63 62 to reach the QFs and makes history as this is now the "Most Lopsided
underfeated ATP head to head in the history of the Open Era ( 19-0)

To think their very first encounter was at the USO when Novak pull the rope a dope cramps and etc to edge Gael out 7-5 in the fifth.. things have never been reversed..I guess Gael is able to live with it ..I know I couldn't if I was him

 

[Kieran]

To think their very first encounter was at the USO when Novak pull the rope a dope cramps and etc to edge Gael out 7-5 in the fifth.. things have never been reversed..I guess Gael is able to live with it ..I know I couldn't if I was him

It’s ridiculously lopsided but Gael was wasteful through the most of his career. A clown who preferred to entertain than to compete. His missus had a civilising effect on him, in that regard - but it’s too late!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Early this year Gael has a big lead on Novak in Doha but let it get away. We always heard that there's no absolute in Life, well whenever they face each this might be the exception.

 

[Fiero425]

Early this year Gael has a big lead on Novak in Doha but let it get away. We always heard that there's no absolute in Life, well whenever they face each this might be the exception.

I think they said Monfils had at least 3 MP's in the 2nd set TB'r to finally def. Novak, but it wasn't to be! Djokovic came back & won in 3!

 

[Jelenafan]

While the 0-19 Monfils/Djokovic is admittedly bad, their overall record simply reflects an overwhelming superior player versus a very good but inconsistent one. Its not as if Monfils has *any* big wins, if you count Slams/Masters/YE champs/Olympics doesnt Novak have 55+ to Gael’s 0 ?

Really bad is the 0-19 rivalry between Sharapova-Serena post 2004. A 5 time Slam Champhion who can’t beat her older rival in 11/12 years is unheard of.

 

[tented]

 

[don_fabio]

Early this year Gael has a big lead on Novak in Doha but let it get away. We always heard that there's no absolute in Life, well whenever they face each this might be the exception.

That was actually 3 years ago in Dubai, just before the pandemic hit, how the time flies...Monfils had him there, 2 MPs on his serve in a TB and then he makes 2 consecutive UEs. Who would have tought he will never win a match against Novak when they played their first in 5 sets.

 

[don_fabio]

Difficult to see Novak dropping a set in this one. He’s rolling through the draw. Looks like a sensible move, skipping Canada.

He knows his B game is enough for early rounds and after a few sets of play he can reach to his A game if needed.

This is something Alcaraz has to work on. We know his A game wins Masters and Slams, but his B game is vulnerable, he tends to rush as a youngster and goes for shots when he can easily grind on the back of the court and win points. His inner Federer's side takes over.

 

[Kieran]

He knows his B game is enough for early rounds and after a few sets of play he can reach to his A game if needed.

This is something Alcaraz has to work on. We know his A game wins Masters and Slams, but his B game is vulnerable, he tends to rush as a youngster and goes for shots when he can easily grind on the back of the court and win points. His inner Federer's side takes over.

I think he’s finally having to accept this huge target on his back. He’s not considered to be a precocious kid anymore. Comparisons with the 3 are being made, prematurely perhaps, but still. He’s world number 1 and Wimbledon champ to go along with his USO title, which he’ll have to defend soon.

It’s a lot for a youngster to process. We saw in Paris that that’s the only thing that stopped him. He’s kind of playing catch up again now, I think..

 

[tented]

Novak v Fritz would have been interesting last year but the American isn’t at the same level this year. It’s a tough sport, hard to stay at your best. Injuries, an inability to handle the expectations, or maintain their highest levels. It’s hard to be a top player. Last year Fritz and The Big T’oe were doing great work for men’s American tennis, but this year they’re struggling.

Difficult to see Novak dropping a set in this one. He’s rolling through the draw. Looks like a sensible move, skipping Canada..

I checked their head-to-head. Fritz won sets in 1/6 matches.

 

[Kieran]

I remember that Australian Open match. Novak was pretending to be injured during it. I think it was a gunshot wound to the face this time, or a receding hairline, not too sure on the details, he kind of acts these things out regularly..

I checked their head-to-head. Fritz won sets in 1/6 matches.
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