Miami Open, Miami, FL, 2025 - ATP 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Why not? I like the attitude. Shame he couldn't hang on to that 2nd set.

Seb had been having wrist problems again, he withdrew from his doubles match yesterday ( wrist ) there were rumors he might have withdrawn against Novak

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Okay Matteo we dont need Fritz to hang around in Miami any longer as Fils did the job and defeated Zverev yesterday

 

[El Dude]

I'll never really understand why Murray inspires so much animosity around here, but I think you're right to give him a "special category." The WAS a time when we talked of a Big Four, and it was longer than people remember. Novak came up to #3 in 2007, Murray to #4 in 2008, so it was 3 years that Novak and Andy were bunched together below Roger and Rafa, before Novak's big leap in 2011. The gap between Murray and the other 3 did widen after that, but no other player in the Big 3 era came anything like that close to accomplishing as much as he did in the Big 3 era.

Yes, true, though I think the "Big Four" era was an oscillation....if it started with Andy joining the fray in 2008, 2008-10 was still Fedal with Rafa taking the lead, and Novak and Andy a bit behind, especially in 09-10. In 2011 it was Novak jumping ahead with Rafa next, then "Fedray." 2012 was the most balanced year of the Big Four, all four winning a Slam but Novak being first among near equals. 2013 was Rafa regaining the throne with Novak next, then Fedray a bit behind. 2014 was Novak returning to first among equals, with Fedal behind, and then Murray slipping back. 2015 was Novak's year, with Roger and Andy a lap or two behind. 2016 was Djoray, 2017 was Fedal redux and Andy falling away...

If 2008-16 was the Big Four Era, here are the top 10 players by GOAT points during that period of time:

514 Djokovic
383 Nadal
323 Federer
268 Murray
85 Ferrer
83 Wawrinka
77 Del Potro
68 Berdych
59 Tsonga
54 Nishikori

GOAT points are imperfect, but they illustrate the point: There was a much bigger gap between Andy and the pack, than the Bigger Three and Andy...during the time he was in his prime. The gap becomes larger when we look at their whole careers. But from 2008-16, Andy most definitely was part of a "Big Four," of which Novak was the clear leader. Notice that the gap between Nadal and Federer and Federer and Murray is about the same.

 

[Moxie]

Yes, true, though I think the "Big Four" era was an oscillation....if it started with Andy joining the fray in 2008, 2008-10 was still Fedal with Rafa taking the lead, and Novak and Andy a bit behind, especially in 09-10. In 2011 it was Novak jumping ahead with Rafa next, then "Fedray." 2012 was the most balanced year of the Big Four, all four winning a Slam but Novak being first among near equals. 2013 was Rafa regaining the throne with Novak next, then Fedray a bit behind. 2014 was Novak returning to first among equals, with Fedal behind, and then Murray slipping back. 2015 was Novak's year, with Roger and Andy a lap or two behind. 2016 was Djoray, 2017 was Fedal redux and Andy falling away...

If 2008-16 was the Big Four Era, here are the top 10 players by GOAT points during that period of time:

514 Djokovic
383 Nadal
323 Federer
268 Murray
85 Ferrer
83 Wawrinka
77 Del Potro
68 Berdych
59 Tsonga
54 Nishikori

GOAT points are imperfect, but they illustrate the point: There was a much bigger gap between Andy and the pack, than the Bigger Three and Andy...during the time he was in his prime. The gap becomes larger when we look at their whole careers. But from 2008-16, Andy most definitely was part of a "Big Four," of which Novak was the clear leader. Notice that the gap between Nadal and Federer and Federer and Murray is about the same.

We can always count on you to back it up with the numbers. Thanks.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oh No Matteo what a time to miss that volley at the net
Saving MPs off to a TB for the 2nd set
Dai Matteo!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ice in his veins MP down drop shot from Matteo
Matteo Forza! what a recovery
6 all in the TB

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Matteo saved 6 MPs and wins the 2nd set 76(7)
Matteo Forza!
Going 3 sets

 

[Moxie]

Berrettini on fire to win that set!

 

[El Dude]

I think that, at his very best, Berrettini is a better player than Fritz, but Taylor is just more steady and is less likely to lose the match due to mistakes than Matteo is. Berrettini seems a bit volatile and prone to bad moments, whereas Fritz just hammers away.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think that, at his very best, Berrettini is a better player than Fritz, but Taylor is just more steady and is less likely to lose the match due to mistakes than Matteo is. Berrettini seems a bit volatile and prone to bad moments, whereas Fritz just hammers away.

Fritz leads their H2H 4-0, Matteo won his first TB against Fritz in this match out of 4 meetings

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

What I am liking about Matteo's game is the touch he has had under pressure, around the net

 

[El Dude]

Matteo is prone to the occasional brilliant shot, which no one can accuse Taylor of. Fritz is workmanlike and rather boring, whereas Berrettini oscillates from brilliant to quasi-headcase.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ace no 17 for Matteo!
Forza Matteo

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Matteo is prone to the occasional brilliant shot, which no one can accuse Taylor of. Fritz is workmanlike and rather boring, whereas Berrettini oscillates from brilliant to quasi-headcase.

Actually I have been impressed with Fritz ROS in this match

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Cleaver return from Fritz inside the baseline
Good change of direction from Fritz

 

[El Dude]

Actually I have been impressed with Fritz ROS in this match

He's pretty solid all around. I'm just never wowed, except for his serve which is top-notch.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He's pretty solid all around. I'm just never wowed, except for his serve which is top-notch.

Serve is very good

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Great defense from Fritz and he will serve for a place in the SF
Matteo has never had a BP since the 1st set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

First SF in Miami for Fritz and he extends his H2H over Matteo 5-0 Ouch!

 

[mrzz]

Berrettini's backhand monumentally sucks.