Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2023, Monaco, ATP Masters 1000

[Jelenafan]

I told you he would wax his opponent today. Soon you'll acknowledge my prediction prowess. Will have a far tougher match tomorrow vs the Italian String Bean.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

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.

I just saw your post to me, I have been catching up with QFs matches on replay

Well who would want to hug anyone at the net, when you are all sweaty and stinky no thank you, a handshake is sufficient!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

There will be a first time champion in Monte Carlo,
Interesting fact in the SFs,
Fritz v Rublev
Sinner v Rune
Nobody older than age 25.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A encouraging stat for Jannik Sinner, ( I just finished watching his QF match against Musetti)
Jannik is the youngest player in the Open Era to reach the SF in IW, Miami and Monte Carlo in the same season, prior to him only the Big 4 ( Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray) have done so.

 

[El Dude]

We've got a Next Gen SF and a Millenial SF.

My hope is for a Rublev v Sinner, both because I like them both but mostly because neither has won a big title yet and both are ripe (Rublev a bit over-ripe). That said, I may be a budding Rune fan, but want one of the other two to win this one. No offense to Fritz, of course.

 

[Jelenafan]

We've got a Next Gen SF and a Millenial SF.

My hope is for a Rublev v Sinner, both because I like them both but mostly because neither has won a big title yet and both are ripe (Rublev a bit over-ripe). That said, I may be a budding Rune fan, but want one of the other two to win this one. No offense to Fritz, of course.

 

[Moxie]

We've got a Next Gen SF and a Millenial SF.

My hope is for a Rublev v Sinner, both because I like them both but mostly because neither has won a big title yet and both are ripe (Rublev a bit over-ripe). That said, I may be a budding Rune fan, but want one of the other two to win this one. No offense to Fritz, of course.

I see where you're going, picking with your heart there. Hopefully Margaret won't get mad at me, but I like Rune's chances v. Sinner, though the Italian making big improvements...better serve, mixing things up more. I also like Fritz over Rublev...mostly because I think he has the game to beat him, but also to shove one up Tsitsipas's nose over his comment about unicorns and skateboards. (Not that it hasn't been 20 years since an American has made it this far at MC. Ill-advised tweet, anyway.)

 

[Moxie]

I told you he would wax his opponent today. Soon you'll acknowledge my prediction prowess. Will have a far tougher match tomorrow vs the Italian String Bean.

I personally will always kneel to the powers of your crystal ball. You know I have "borrowed" it a few times over the years. (Happy 10th Anniversary, btw, speaking of years. ) But since we're tooting our own horns on this thread, I DID predict all 4 winners today. Frankly, it wasn't that hard, even Fritz. What I didn't expect was how quick they'd all be.

I know that @Fiero425 was doing the classic moan about Musetti pulling off the big upset, and then going away meekly today. But I think we have to keep in mind how rough the conditions were yesterday, on top of the long, emotional battles. It was cold and heavy and windy, which is part of why Djokovic lost, not to steal anything from the promising young Italian dragon slayer. Meddie finished in the wee hours. They both had to leave a lot on the court yesterday, not leaving much for today. Rune didn't have to play at all.

 

[kskate2]

Am I the only one watching this crapfest?

 

[kskate2]

I personally will always kneel to the powers of your crystal ball. You know I have "borrowed" it a few times over the years. (Happy 10th Anniversary, btw, speaking of years. ) But since we're tooting our own horns on this thread, I DID predict all 4 winners today. Frankly, it wasn't that hard, even Fritz. What I didn't expect was how quick they'd all be.

I know that @Fiero425 was doing the classic moan about Musetti pulling off the big upset, and then going away meekly today. But I think we have to keep in mind how rough the conditions were yesterday, on top of the long, emotional battles. It was cold and heavy and windy, which is part of why Djokovic lost, not to steal anything from the promising young Italian dragon slayer. Meddie finished in the wee hours. They both had to leave a lot on the court yesterday, not leaving much for today. Rune didn't have to play at all.

Doesn't feel like 10 years. But speaking of predictions over the years. I made one of my most controversial on the old tennis.com board by stating Fed would win the 2011 RG SF against Djoke. I got so many cross-eyed stares back then. And the Djokolites were threatening me w/ a brood of torches.

 

[don_fabio]

Am I the only one watching this crapfest?

I just joined after the rain delay, mid 3rd set now, Rublev with a break

Weather in Europe in April is a lottery these days, it's way warmer in October...Banja Luka next week will be rain almost whole week and cold around 13 deg C. It should get better only when the weekend comes. Novak could play Stan in R2.

 

[El Dude]

Glad to see Rublev through. He's really been over-due for a big title for awhile (as well as going beyond a Slam QF), and is earning a reputation as someone who can't get beyond "almost ran" status. Consider...

• Seven Slam QF appearances (including last three Slams he participated in), no SFs.
• Two Masters finals, 3 SFs, 3 QFs
• 5 ATP 500s, and 7 ATP 250s (12 titles overall)
• He's one of only two players in the Open Era with five or more ATP 500 equivalents and no big titles, along with Kei Nishikori (6)
• His peak Elo of 2227 is 13th among active players (including guys like Del Potro and Tsonga), and 66th all-time. Players within 5 peak Elo of him include Sergi Bruguera, Marin Cilic, Guillermo Coria, Cliff Drysdale, Earl Butch Buchholz, Roy Emerson (Open Era only), Juan Carlos Ferrero, Marty Riessen, Andres Gomez, and Petr Korda. Six of the ten have won a Slam, and all (except Rublev) have won at least one big title.

Fortunately for Rublev, unlike Nishikori (and Raonic, Berdych, Tsonga, etc), his prime years will merely overlap with those of Djokovic and Nadal (and just a bit of Federer), not be subsumed by them. He's 25 -- turns 26 in October - so presumably has a few years of prime performance left in him.

 

[AnonymousFan]

Another rain delay lol

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I just joined after the rain delay, mid 3rd set now, Rublev with a break

Weather in Europe in April is a lottery these days, it's way warmer in October...Banja Luka next week will be rain almost whole week and cold around 13 deg C. It should get better only when the weekend comes. Novak could play Stan in R2.

A lottery indeed,
I have arrived in Paris to go to RG and it has been wet and cold, I remember in 2013 the weather was horrid
BTW I saw some photos of the staduim at Banja Luka via twitter, looks like a great stadium.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done to Rublev he has shown solid form all week and deserves to be in the final

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I will go back to bed if this match dosent resume, soon, I had to get up at 1.00am in the morning, I will watch the rest of the match on replay.
Buona fortuna Jannik!

 

[El Dude]

What an angel, Holger is.

But seriously, the kid is a beast - when he's focused in and not frustrated. That said, I think he could work with his tempestuousness if he can harness, like Borg did. I'd love to see Borg work with him, though doubt that would happen.

 

[kskate2]

Active Angel: Shushes the Italian crowd
Bernardes: Holger that doesn't really help. Don't do that, just play the tennis
Crowd: Throwing down echoes of boos
Subliminal Angel: Dude, don't tell me what to do. I got this!

 

[Moxie]

Active Angel: Shushes the Italian crowd
Bernardes: Holger that doesn't really help. Don't do that, just play the tennis
Crowd: Throwing down echoes of boos
Subliminal Angel: Dude, don't tell me what to do. I got this!

It seemed to focus him to blow off some steam with the crowd. Sinner in a long game here to hold serve, at 1-2 in the 3rd.

EDIT: And he does hold. 2-2. Big hold.

 

[El Dude]

This is just a fun match. The future (and present) of tennis right here.

(Alcaraz, too)