Hopman Cup - 2018

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Start of 2018 season

With this ITF tournament, i.e., Hopman Cup, 2018 season has started.

Decent field

Not bad. Federer, Zverev, Sock, Khachanov and ofcourse the lovely ladies.

Champions of 2017 - France

Teams

GROUP A

Germany
Canada
Belgium
Australia

GROUP B

Switzerland
USA
Russia
Japan

Website

hopmancup.com

Post away

Key in what you feel during the tournament.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed won the first match 6-4 6-3 over Sugita.

Fed does not have a serious opponent in the group play.

 

[mrzz]

Saw the highlights and liked it. Sugita played well and yet it was smooth sailing. Backhand seems to have recovered some bite. The winner on match point was a beauty.

 

[Front242]

Great highlights alright and he seems in red hot form. Both guys played some great points and that match point was an absolute rocket of a forehand.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Sugita has a decent serve and ok game. Not a huge challenge but a good challenge for a first match.

For a first match, Roger was splendid. He is extraordinary right now really. Footwork, movement, groundstrokes, great forehand and a sharp backhand.

He has the total A game right now.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Roger's trying to do his topspin backhand right now which is great

 

[Busted]

Fed won the first match 6-4 6-3 over Sugita.

Fed does not have a serious opponent in the group play.

Huh? Sock is #8 in the world! How dare you impugn his ranking by implying that he's only #8 because 19 other guys were injured last year. Oh wait...that's MY thought about everybody in the top 10 except Federer, Nadal, Zverev and Thiem... But...at least Sock will be good practice. And I do think Khachanov's got game...just neither of them have enough game unless Roger's playing crappy...

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

We've got for today - Zverev vs Goffin

A very good match of top players.

Goffin is doing impressive things right now. He looked fab at WTF.

A big test for Zverev right on the first match. It will reveal his form.

 

[herios]

Huh? Sock is #8 in the world! How dare you impugn his ranking by implying that he's only #8 because 19 other guys were injured last year. Oh wait...that's MY thought about everybody in the top 10 except Federer, Nadal, Zverev and Thiem... But...at least Sock will be good practice. And I do think Khachanov's got game...just neither of them have enough game unless Roger's playing crappy...

Zverev and Thiem also benefited of the many injuries.

 

[herios]

Goffin beats Zverev in straight sets. He looks to carry over his good form from the end of last season

 

[mrzz]

I guess everyone did, Herios, but those two were the ones who could actually beat occasionally Fedal and Djokovic, so they seem to be in a class of their own.

 

[herios]

I guess everyone did, Herios, but those two were the ones who could actually beat occasionally Fedal and Djokovic, so they seem to be in a class of their own.

Thiem is a player who is the most vulnerable among the to 10 to be upset by lower ranked players on HC. It happened a lot last year. Those results are an indication that his ranking is not exactly indicative. If he is not turning that around, he will likely fall in ranking.

 

[mrzz]

Yes. On the other hand, he is the only guy not named Nadal (or Djokovic, depending on how he returns) who can enter a clay tournament and rely only on his own forces. He can amass a fair deal of points on the clay season, I guess enough to guarantee him a top 10 spot providing he does not completely vanish on the other surfaces.

But, yes, I surely agree he needs to hugely step up on HC.

 

[Busted]

Zverev and Thiem also benefited of the many injuries.

True...but they were already top 10 before all the injuries. Thiem, in particular, has been in the Top 10 since June 2016. Zverev's a bit trickier but he's been Top 10 since May 2017. Granted he got into the Top 10 by beating an injured and off his game Djokovic, but that's beside the point. He was on a Top 10 trajectory anyway. Just got there a bit faster than anticipated. Can you honestly say the same about Dimitrov? That'd he'd be Top 10 - let alone top 3 - without all the injuries? No way. Now comes the hard part for Zverev - defending his 2 Masters titles - and doing better at Slams - so he can stay in the Top 10. Of course it could be that they'll all luck out again because of other top players still being injured.

 

[Busted]

Yes. On the other hand, he is the only guy not named Nadal (or Djokovic, depending on how he returns) who can enter a clay tournament and rely only on his own forces. He can amass a fair deal of points on the clay season, I guess enough to guarantee him a top 10 spot providing he does not completely vanish on the other surfaces.

But, yes, I surely agree he needs to hugely step up on HC.

Doesn't that put Thiem on the same course Nadal was on at the beginning of his career - learning to play better on other surfaces? No, I'm not saying Thiem is as good as Nadal. I'm just saying - it's adapt or die time when it comes to other surfaces. He's 24 already. Time to bring in an outside coach to help adapt his game for hard courts and grass. Actually that's a move that's long overdue - shortening up his stokes. Crikey. I could knit a sweater in the length of time it takes him to hit a forehand. And I can't knit...

 

[herios]

I was not saying anything different than both of you, just formulated differently.
Thiem is a legit top 10, but top 5 not. Based on his play in 2017 vs. 2016, he was pretty even.
If he was not going to be gifted by the injured guys, he was going to be ennding just where he did the year before, around top 8-10.
Zverev progressed really well last year,and he was going to finish in the top 10 no matter what.
For him also to stay in the top 4 will be a tough challenge.

 

[herios]

Doesn't that put Thiem on the same course Nadal was on at the beginning of his career - learning to play better on other surfaces? No, I'm not saying Thiem is as good as Nadal. I'm just saying - it's adapt or die time when it comes to other surfaces. He's 24 already. Time to bring in an outside coach to help adapt his game for hard courts and grass. Actually that's a move that's long overdue - shortening up his stokes. Crikey. I could knit a sweater in the length of time it takes him to hit a forehand. And I can't knit...

Totally agree. Dominic needs another coach to adapt his game on faster surfaces.
Anderson already beat him in Abu Dhabi. That does mean we can expect similar average results from him on HC this year.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Another good match from Roger. The first set was a treat from Roger.

The second set was a fierce, quality one. Some great shots and volleys from Roger throughout the match. Khachanov served great as usual, and on the same note, Roger served beautifully too. Karen has good groundies off both the wings. He also has a volley. A very decent player. A genuine talent. His forehand style and grip are intriguing. Ultimately, he is a very capable puncher. And, I think he shows a lot of heart on court which is adorable. And, he looks to be playing really well so I'd expect him to develop further.

Federer is looking nice and sharp. And he is being crisp too. Certainly the best HC player once again. And, it's wonderful to see him in this form going into a major. I actually feel great about his chances.

 

[isabelle]

funny to see Cash back at 52

 

[Fiero425]

funny to see Cash back at 52

Are they that desperate "down under?" What happened to all those "up & comers" like Kokkinakis? They couldn't find anyone born since the invention of the paper napkin? Hewitt's already scheduled for the Tie Break Tens XO next week! :whistle: