Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome, Italy - Masters 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

But he did get broken again when serving for the set, which happened twice yesterday, too.

The Ghost appears to be reading Novak's serve better from the later stages of the 1st set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Djokovic d Ruud 64 63.
That was Novak's 1000 match win

 

[Fiero425]

Djokovic d Ruud 64 63.
That was Novak's 1000 match win

Just watched a few points, but I think "he's back!" There's a swag of confidence & Novak's hitting his spots! So far hasn't lost a set!

 

[don_fabio]

Amen, this is what we have to endure in the future, these 2 players seem to play each other every other week lately

And Tsitsipas Dimitrov, seen too many of those lately too.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sasha keeps telling us he is a part of the 'new Big 3' in tennis?
He is kidding himself no?
He has not won a title so far this year......the rot continues.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

We kind of have a rematch of RG 2021 final between Novak v The Young Greek
The Young Greek has the game to defeat Novak, though has to be 100% focused in the match from the start to the finish
Conditions in Rome are quicker than RG, I must say the grounds people have kept the courts in good condition this year, last year they were dreadful,they are watering the court every 5 games as they should.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Ruud reminds me of the male version of Kerber. A solid player who doesn’t really do anything better than the top players, but solid enough to get a win in the right conditions.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ruud reminds me of the male version of Kerber. A solid player who doesn’t really do anything better than the top players, but solid enough to get a win in the right conditions.

Kerber has 3 GS titles to her name, she only needed RG to get a career slam, I think she was a bit more than 'solid' in her prime,
No one expected Ruud to defeat Novak today, well I didnt anyway.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Kerber has 3 GS titles to her name, she only needed RG to get a career slam, I think she was a bit more than 'solid' in her prime,
No one expected Ruud to defeat Novak today, well I didnt anyway.

We can agree to disagree. I think she was a solid player who had enough game to like I said win, but I don’t think there was anything about her game that made me say wow. Ruud has a game to be in the Top 10 young enough too where he could win a slam just like Kerber on being a solid enough player.

 

[roberto]

Great bh down the line shot from Zverev....though he didnt need to do a Djokovic and ask the crowd to applaud the shot?

Or you can say he did an Alcaraz who does the same thing too already. Personally I think it's kind of fun unless it gets excessive

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Or you can say he did an Alcaraz who does the same thing too already. Personally I think it's kind of fun unless it gets excessive

I did not say that dont take my words out of context...thank you I was talking about Sasha who has personality problems and wants to be liked...just like Novak.
The crowd already loves Alcaraz he does not need to 'pump up the crowd'

 

[Moxie]

I did not say that dont take my words out of context...thank you I was talking about Sasha who has personality problems and wants to be liked...just like Novak.
The crowd already loves Alcaraz he does not need to 'pump up the crowd'

Exactly. Alcaraz was pumping up, and acknowledging, and already excited Spanish crowd. Novak had told off the crowd, then wanted the love, which is complicated and a mixed message. Sasha...well, that's just begging.

 

[roberto]

I did not say that dont take my words out of context...thank you I was talking about Sasha who has personality problems and wants to be liked...just like Novak.
The crowd already loves Alcaraz he does not need to 'pump up the crowd'

Exactly. Alcaraz was pumping up, and acknowledging, and already excited Spanish crowd. Novak had told off the crowd, then wanted the love, which is complicated and a mixed message. Sasha...well, that's just begging.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but your exact words were: "though he didnt need to do a Djokovic and ask the crowd to applaud the shot?" That's EXACTLY what Alcaraz did, and Moxie FYI---that was NOT just in front of a Spanish crowd, he did it when playing in the previous several tournaments. As I said, I enjoy it when done sparingly, so I noticed when he did it. . I like the guy, but let's not color the facts to suit our agenda. I know how Moxie, in particular, doesn't like when folks do that.......

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but your exact words were: "though he didnt need to do a Djokovic and ask the crowd to applaud the shot?" That's EXACTLY what Alcaraz did, and Moxie FYI---that was NOT just in front of a Spanish crowd, he did it when playing in the previous several tournaments. As I said, I enjoy it when done sparingly, so I noticed when he did it. . I like the guy, but let's not color the facts to suit our agenda. I know how Moxie, in particular, doesn't like when folks do that.......

Maybe I need to get my eyes looked at because I havent seen Alcaraz to date asking any crowd to applaud his shots
Quite frankly he does not have to, some of his shots are just 'incredible'...he is one special young player and we as tennis fans are soo lucky this young man chose to play tennis.,we can just sit back and enjoy Alcaraz for many years to come.

 

[roberto]

Maybe I need to get my eyes looked at because I havent seen Alcaraz to date asking any crowd to applaud his shots
Quite frankly he does not have to, some of his shots are just 'incredible'...he is one special young player and we as tennis fans are soo lucky this young man chose to play tennis.,we can just sit back and enjoy Alcaraz for many years to come.

Sorry you haven't noticed it but I assure he's done it in several tournaments ---you're free of course to review the video . I agree that his tennis is spectacular, and though you may feel that his tennis is so good he doesn't need to ask the crowd for applause with a gesture, he still does it.

 

[the AntiPusher]

We kind of have a rematch of RG 2021 final between Novak v The Young Greek
The Young Greek has the game to defeat Novak, though has to be 100% focused in the match from the start to the finish
Conditions in Rome are quicker than RG, I must say the grounds people have kept the courts in good condition this year, last year they were dreadful,they are watering the court every 5 games as they should.

Agreed., He can defeat Novak.

Young Pegasus needs to hit his BH DTL and try to take the net from Novak. He had him at RG 2021 but his mental game couldn't last for 4 hours.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Agreed., He can defeat Novak.

Young Pegasus needs to hit his BH DTL and try to take the net from Novak. He had him at RG 2021 but his mental game couldn't last for 4 hours.

He also needs to return well, as Novak was hitting his spots well in his last 2 matches

 

[the AntiPusher]

He also needs to return well, as Novak was hitting his spots well in his last 2 matches

Goran really has been great providing assistance with Improvement to Novak's service.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Goran really has been great providing assistance with Improvement to Novak's service.

Also guess who is pregnant? go to the WTA News

 

[Moxie]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but your exact words were: "though he didnt need to do a Djokovic and ask the crowd to applaud the shot?" That's EXACTLY what Alcaraz did, and Moxie FYI---that was NOT just in front of a Spanish crowd, he did it when playing in the previous several tournaments. As I said, I enjoy it when done sparingly, so I noticed when he did it. . I like the guy, but let's not color the facts to suit our agenda. I know how Moxie, in particular, doesn't like when folks do that.......

I agree that it's amusing when done sparingly. Involve yourself with the crowd in a positive way. Novak does it every match. Plus, Alcaraz is so likeable, LBH, it doesn't come off as begging, as with say, Zverev.