Cincinnati Masters 2023, Ohio, US - ATP Masters 1000

[Kieran]

In the final Charly cannot afford such slow start again, against Novak, also his BP conversion rate is below par.

Well those can change in a flash, they’re not signs of a terminal decline but a symptom of how he’s adjusting to his changing status. He’s not on his A-game, for sure, but the sight of Djoker could well have the effect of focusing his mind. It’ll be interesting to see how he reacts. I imagine if Djoker wins we’ll have a lot of traffic with gloating Djokolytes denigrating the Wimbledon victory, and reciting the myth of Paris. They’ll repeat the same lies about the injustices he supposedly suffered by heroically (in their eyes only) making a vaccine stand. It’ll become something for them to celebrate as proof of who’s really the world number one, which is fair enough. You win the top spot, it’s not given.

So Carlos may suffer tonight as much as he might rise to the occasion. I suspect he’ll focus better and play every point as if it’s a final set. But it could be that Djoker will expose his jadedness even more, and cruelly hammer him. We’ll see. It can’t help but be an interesting match, regardless…

 

[the AntiPusher]

Looks like Zverev forgot to ask Alcaraz for a few advices.

To be honest and fair.. Sasha didn't play badly. He has a great opportunity to begin the match with a break 15-40 but played carelessly. I think Meddy said the difference between these players is only a few points where there cannot be mental lapse. FAA, Sasha, Stefonos and the big haired dude are the ones who have squandered more opportunities than their other peers. Novak, Rafa and now Carlos make them pay for their lack of focus.

 

[don_fabio]

To be honest and fair.. Sasha didn't play badly. He has a great opportunity to begin the match with a break 15-40 but played carelessly. I think Meddy said the difference between these players is only a few points where there cannot be mental lapse. FAA, Sasha, Stefonos and the big haired dude or the ones who have squandered more opportunities than their other peers. Novak, Rafa and now Carlos make them pay for their lack of focus.

It's true. At this level it is all about the focus and mental strength. We have seen in recent years countless times when players do everything right until the crucial moments, only to lose focus when it matters the most.

 

[Kieran]

It's true. At this level it is all about the focus and mental strength. We have seen in recent years countless times when players do everything right until the crucial moments, only to lose focus when it matters the most.

Which makes the prediction business even harder. We might see a player suddenly surge with a few great results and think, that’s them sorted, that’s who they are.

Put them on the Arthur Ashe Court on the second Sunday and let’s see if they’re so brave. The difference in pressure between even a slam semifinal and final is huge, and so many players falter soon as they realise this. They do great to get that far, though..

 

[tented]

 

[Fiero425]

Remember we all watched Zverev play Rafa in Australia in 2017, only a kid but he gave Rafa a run for his money. We hoped he’d amount to something bigger than he has. He’s got straw balls. No spine. And I think you’re right, he’s given up on giving his all to get the win against big players.

Contrast him with Carlos. He’d have been forgiven if he’d let any match just slide this week so he could prepare for the Open. He’s obviously not at his best, and he’s playing long matches. But he’s honest and tough and stubborn, and not giving up. He’s got pride. He might have lost against HH, and nobody would think less of him, but he found a way to win.

Zverev and Tsissy are this eras biggest flops, when it comes to not rising to the occasion, and digging deep to get the win…

Well they picked up a lit'l something in the way of glory! People keep touting OGM as if Djokovic's a failure since Fedal have theiirs! Zverev got his 2 yrs. ago w/ 2 YEC's! Tsitsipas snagged a YEC where Nadal hasn't had a sniff with 20 yrs of trying! Who're the real flops?

 

[Kieran]

Well they picked up a lit'l something in the way of glory! People keep touting OGM as if Djokovic's a failure since Fedal have theiirs! Zverev got his 2 yrs. ago w/ 2 YEC's! Tsitsipas snagged a YEC where Nadal hasn't had a sniff with 20 yrs of trying! Who're the real flops?

Has Rafa really played the WTF 20 times?

But you know who the flops are, brother. Nobody ever grew up dreaming of winning the WhatTheFeck…

 

[don_fabio]

So Carlos may suffer tonight as much as he might rise to the occasion. I suspect he’ll focus better and play every point as if it’s a final set. But it could be that Djoker will expose his jadedness even more, and cruelly hammer him. We’ll see. It can’t help but be an interesting match, regardless…

Alcaraz's court coverage and reflexes are so good, when he runs for the balls he is like a cheetah chasing the prey. It's blockbuster stuff.
Novak will have to win a point 3 times on more than a few occasions and it's hard to do it consistent, just ask Novak and Nadal opponents.

I think Novak is still searching for some holes in Carlos game and he haven't found it yet. He needs these matches against the young star, it can help him problem solve and find some solutions. I can also see the bo3 format suiting Novak now maybe more than the bo5 against the Chaz, because I have doubts if Novak can put Alcaraz down in a 4-5 hours tight battle. Hope we find it out if they meet in a final of USO. It's quite possible that Alcaraz might slowly become to Novak what Novak became to Federer (as the Fed got older). He might take some wins on Masters, but he will struggle to gain the edge in the Slams.

 

[Fiero425]

Has Rafa really played the WTF 20 times?

But you know who the flops are, brother. Nobody ever grew up dreaming of winning the WhatTheFeck…

Well when I was growing up, tennis wasn't in the Olympics so few if any really cared about winnng OG until after Fedal got theirs in Dubs./Sngls!

 

[Kieran]

Well when I was growing up, tennis wasn't in the Olympics so few if any really cared about winnng OG until after Fedal got theirs in Dubs./Sngls!

I don’t count the Olympics either, buddy. I remember Sampras skipped the Atlanta Olympics, possibly the most nationalistic Olympic Games since Hitler, and Agassi screeched and yelped and essentially cheated his way to the gold medal, helped by corrupt officials.

I know the players nowadays rate it, but that doesn’t make it an historically important feature of our sport..

 

[tented]

I’m looking at the weather: it’s 89 F/31.6 C in Mason, Ohio, and supposed to go up to the low 90s (about 32.7 C). Novak will not like that.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I’m looking at the weather: it’s 89 F in Mason, Ohio, and supposed to go up to the low 90s. Novak will not like that.

Is it windy he hates the wind as well lol!

 

[tented]

Is it windy he hates the wind as well lol!

No, it’s not windy, just extremely hot.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

No, it’s not windy, just extremely hot.

Okay

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Okay Charly no slow starts today thanks in advance!

 

[don_fabio]

Okay Charly no slow starts today thanks in advance!

Lot's of mishits/mistakes from him in a first few games, but no breaks so far.

 

[nehmeth]

Novak has not been able to get a read on the serve yet. Carlos is serving much better than his previous matches.

 

[don_fabio]

Novak is winning almost all points on his 2nd serve, while losing plenty on his 1st serve.

 

[nehmeth]

Quick break back from Carlos, compensated for the brain fart.

 

[don_fabio]

Exchange of breaks + time violation for Novak.