Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2023, Monaco, ATP Masters 1000

[don_fabio]

Do you go much to Trieste, love that port city in NE Italy, though of course its not really Italian, is it? ; )

Never been there, had a plan to go last year when we were close by, but kid's document was expired to cross the border. Now we are part of shengen for a few months already and we moved through Slovenia and Italy with a car and there is no stopping at all for documents check.

Trieste is more like a Slovenian city. Many who live close to it go for shopping in the Trieste area, clothes and food, some sleep over a night or two and go back home. We might start doing it too, some sight seeing and shopping, it's worth it. We live about 200 km away, not that close, but not so far either.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The other tennis journalists who went into hiding:

View attachment 8002:

I dont blame them

 

[Fiero425]

The other tennis journalists who went into hiding:

View attachment 8002:

I still can't watch that movie! The dentist chair scene makes me cringe even though a senior & well past caring about my mouth!

 

[Jelenafan]

I must have missed that post! I don't remember reading or hearing anything about "fake German" trash talking! Sorry!

it was creepy to say the least
We were subjected to Swiss born Stan Wawrinka as a “fake Swiss”, German born Sasha as “fake German”, etc etc.

The irony was all the while Novak had taken residency in Monaco to avoid Serbian income tax and his mom’s parents were originally from Croatia , so again this all bordered on the surreal as you could counterargue in an equally offensive way that Novak was “fake Serbian”

By those crazy fans standards most Americans are “fake Americans” ; )

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Never been there, had a plan to go last year when we were close by, but kid's document was expired to cross the border. Now we are part of shengen for a few months already and we moved through Slovenia and Italy with a car and there is no stopping at all for documents check.

Trieste is more like a Slovenian city. Many who live close to it go for shopping in the Trieste area, clothes and food, some sleep over a night or two and go back home. We might start doing it too, some sight seeing and shopping, it's worth it. We live about 200 km away, not that close, but not so far either.

You can finally get to sleep lol!

 

[don_fabio]

He was not happy! That was the weakest handshake in a while! Novak almost embraces his w/ the guys, but has bad rep. w/ the populous of idiots! ;-)

Well said. We need to organize a petition to move Novak out of The Villian category

 

[Jelenafan]

Well said. We need to organize a petition to move Novak out of The Villian category

Its no secret that most of the rank & file players find Novak accesible and down to earth, you rarely if ever have Novak offer excuses when he loses…

 

[the AntiPusher]

Novak so happy he finally made an overhead that he crossed himself.

It's his one Achilles heel

 

[the AntiPusher]

I CAN'T wait to watch the replay on TC

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I CAN'T wait to watch the replay on TC

Wait for how he broke his racquet it is a new technique

 

[Moxie]

QFs,

Sinner vs Musetti
Medvedev vs Rune
Rublev vs Struff
Tsitsipas vs Fritz

A couple of thoughts about today before moving on to tomorrow:

Ruud should be very concerned about losing to Struff today. #100 in the world. Struff is a good player, and dangerous, but Ruud has been on a slide in terms of results, and should have been very happy to get back on the clay. Which is not to say that he doesn't have time to get his legs back on clay, but compare that to Sinner beating Hurcacz in 3. A much more dangerous player.

As to the QFs:

Sinner v. Musetti: H2H 1-0 Sinner on indoor hards. Musetti could have a letdown after his big win, or he could fly with it. Sinner is the more seasoned. I suspect Musetti for the letdown, but I'd be happy with either. Forza, Italia!

Medvedev v. Rune: They've never played each other! Meddy has a lot of recovering to do, but I don't think he'll want to get capped by the kid. Rune is aggressive and will keep Medvedev on his back foot, and he already hates clay. You have to like Rune's chances. (Jelenafan says don't jinx him.)

Rublev v. Struff: Rublev

Tsitsipas v. Fritz: Fritz. He's the on-form one.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A couple of thoughts about today before moving on to tomorrow:

Ruud should be very concerned about losing to Struff today. #100 in the world. Struff is a good player, and dangerous, but Ruud has been on a slide in terms of results, and should have been very happy to get back on the clay. Which is not to say that he doesn't have time to get his legs back on clay, but compare that to Sinner beating Hurcacz in 3. A much more dangerous player.

As to the QFs:

Sinner v. Musetti: H2H 1-0 Sinner on indoor hards. Musetti could have a letdown after his big win, or he could fly with it. Sinner is the more seasoned. I suspect Musetti for the letdown, but I'd be happy with either. Forza, Italia!

Medvedev v. Rune: They've never played each other! Meddy has a lot of recovering to do, but I don't think he'll want to get capped by the kid. Rune is aggressive and will keep Medvedev on his back foot, and he already hates clay. You have to like Rune's chances. (Jelenafan says don't jinx him.)

Rublev v. Struff: Rublev

Tsitsipas v. Fritz: Fritz. He's the on-form one.

Well Ruud only won back to back matches for the first time this year, at the Estoril tournament even though he went onto win the title? he has not had a good year to date and clay is his surface
I feel at this stage of their careers Sinner is the stronger, also mentally, Musetti can be a headcase at times, he hasnt won many matches this year, I am still in shock he has won, though I have 2 Italian men in the QFs at MC, so I am happy.
I wasnt surprised that Struff beat Ruud, after seeing him dismantled De Minaur with ease, he can be a dangerous player when 'on' though he is too hot and cold for me. Rublev to win
The Young Greek who is now looking to go 3 peat at MC plays Fritz, Fritz can be a clutch player, tight match, could go 3 sets, Young Greek for me, clay is a surface he likes, though I wont be surprised if Fritz wins.
Sometimes having a day off, due to a walkover, can go against you, though Meddy is a player that can absorb hard aggressive hitters, his has great defense, though he has to find his serve, which let him down at crucial times in the match against Zverev, I dont think he will get the let from Rune, like he did against Zverev. I am going for Meddy, clay maybe his new best friend

 

[tented]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think Medvedev is finally understanding clay tennis,

'He served for it twice so he probably shoud've done better. But that's also clay courts. You can come back at any moment.The serve dosen't count as much. As soon as someone gets a bit tight, the match can turn in 1 second. That's what I managed to do".

 

[tented]

Fritz up a double break after the first 3 games.

 

[tented]

This is hilarious!

 

[tented]

Fritz up 5-1 in just 23 minutes.

EDIT: Fritz wins the 1st set 6-2.

 

[tented]

Fritz took out Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-4, as @Moxie predicted. The first American to make the SFs here in about 20 years, according to one of the Tennis Channel’s commentators.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Wait for how he broke his racquet it is a new technique

Why does everyone feel so compelled to hug Novak afterwards he looses to them. I don't remember Rafa or Roger rushing to Novak's emotional rescue.

 

[El Dude]

A couple of thoughts about today before moving on to tomorrow:

Ruud should be very concerned about losing to Struff today. #100 in the world. Struff is a good player, and dangerous, but Ruud has been on a slide in terms of results, and should have been very happy to get back on the clay. Which is not to say that he doesn't have time to get his legs back on clay, but compare that to Sinner beating Hurcacz in 3. A much more dangerous player.

Sinner had a very "Ferrer-esque" season last year, in terms of results. He reached #2--almost #1--but without winning anything more than some ATP 250s, mostly because he reached two Slam finals (2400 points right there), the Tour Finals final, and going deep in a handful of Masters. But his trophies were underwhelming: three ATP 250s.

I have a scoring system that I use (big chart!) that gives points for "premier event" results. 10 is a good year, 20 is elite, 30 is great, 40+ is historic (Novak's 2015 was 71, highest of the Open Era). Anyhow, Ruud had 20 last year - making him one of only a few active players who have reached 20 in a season...Novak, Rafa, and Andy, of course; Wawrinka and Del Potro (if he's still considered active), Medvedev and Zverev; Alcaraz...and Ruud. Not even Tsitsipas or Cilic.

This kind of makes me think he maxed out last year. I mean, maybe he sneaks in a Masters at some point, but I see a player with a relatively low ceiling...a very good player, but a lot of guys are more dangerous.