Mutua Madrid Open, Madrid, Spain, ATP Masters 1000, 2019

[don_fabio]

Anyhow, Roland Garros is going to be a very interesting tournament. I still favor Rafa--he's got another whole tournament to find his A game--but the gap has closed quite a bit over this last month.

I am leaning towards Nole this year and would love to see another Nole slam and piece of history again right there. His clay court pedigree deserves a 2nd RG title. I believe after that win against Thiem yesterday that he is right where he wants to be. Even if he underperforms in Rome which could happen if some "don't get overplayed and save your nerves and elbow" tactics come into equasion. He could reach for a brake pedal.

 

[Federberg]

Ok... so I watched the highlights of the Tsitsipas vs Nadal match. Folks we have got to stop talking about Zverev. Tsitsipas is going to be the first one. I don't consider Thiem to be part of the group because of age. For the record I think Dominic is ready right now to lift a slam, for me what I saw with Tsitsipas in that match was an absolute disrespect of Rafa. This is the first time he faces him on clay after getting blown out by him at the AO? That was seriously impressive. I think he is going to be a major major problem for Rafa on any surface. What I loved was the hustle, the will, the belief in the primacy of his game. So good to see. I have my guy when my guy hangs up his racquet

 

[tented]

I have my guy when my guy hangs up his racquet

So will it be “Tsitsiberg” or “Perseusberg”?

 

[don_fabio]

So will it be “Tsitsiberg” or “Perseusberg”?

Adonisberg

I've seen the highlights too. I'm still processing this win. It's huge. No one saw him coming back like that in the 3rd, not even Nadal I think. Looks like he was mixing the balls guite well, little bit short and low, then long and with spin. This guy is smart. And the way he moves for his height, just bouncing around like it's nothing. Future of tennis.

 

[Federberg]

So will it be “Tsitsiberg” or “Perseusberg”?

Lol! Great idea for my secondary persona on the board

 

[mrzz]

And then the kid loses and everyone goes from Perseus, Adonis and whatever to Shitsipas (Dude, El, Tennis Frontier, 2018). That little prick got game but behaves likes an absolute shitsipas to ne honest.

 

[Federberg]

he doesn't have to beat Novak in the final as far as I'm concerned. I'm looking at the tennis he's playing. The guy has beaten a 2 time defending champion at the AO from a set down if I recall (and Roger is one heck of a front runner, with almost unfair crowd support). Now in his second match against Nadal, he's beaten him the first time he's faced him on clay. The boy has game. He's already shown that he can stay the course in majors unlike Zverev. Yes we would like to see him win more tournaments, nothing about what he's done so far tells me I need be concerned about that at all. So I'll stick with him. I think both Tsitsipas and Thiem look like major winners to me. I hope that Shapo and FAA keep improving because if that's the case they look like certainties to me. Jury is out on Zverev. This inability to perform in majors is a serious serious issue. It's not just the fact that he doesn't really go deep, it's how he loses as well. So in summary.... this isn't bandwagoning. It's what my lying eyes are telling me

 

[herios]

And then the kid loses and everyone goes from Perseus, Adonis and whatever to Shitsipas (Dude, El, Tennis Frontier, 2018). That little prick got game but behaves likes an absolute shitsipas to ne honest.

Not me. I like the guy a lot, I will root for him no matter what.

 

[herios]

I am leaning towards Nole this year and would love to see another Nole slam and piece of history again right there. His clay court pedigree deserves a 2nd RG title. I believe after that win against Thiem yesterday that he is right where he wants to be. Even if he underperforms in Rome which could happen if some "don't get overplayed and save your nerves and elbow" tactics come into equasion. He could reach for a brake pedal.

I will let Novak to select what strategy he decides to use, I think he knows by now what works for him.
Just hope he manages to win a second RG, because there is a lot of time before another opportunity, many things could change in another year.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It is interesting to note that Perseus got on my (as well as most other folks around here) radar only in 2018 Barcelona when he reached the finals of Barcelona, seemingly out of nowhere. Tremendous progress in just an year.

 

[don_fabio]

he started a last season ranked #91

 

[herios]

Novak plays quite well. He is up a break in the first set.
Stefanos runs a lot, will be difficult for him to keep up considering how late his match finished last night.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Novak to serve for the first set now. No one watching?

 

[herios]

Novak win the first set 6-3.
Most importantly, he hits the BDTL cleanly.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Novak holds easily to win the first set 6-3.

Novak lost only 8 points on serve in the entire first set.

 

[herios]

Novak to serve for the first set now. No one watching?

Me

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Perseus got in trouble and then saved two BPs to hold. It is 2-1 Tsitsipas, on serve in 2nd with Novak to serve.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I shall take a break and come after 15 mins.

 

[tented]

I shall take a break and come after 15 mins.

TMI

 

[tented]

The Greek needs to work on his temper. He can be his own worst enemy.