Nitto ATP Finals, 2019, London

[brokenshoelace]

We've reached the "19 time major champion and number 1 ranked player in the world has talent" phase of the dialogue around here. Amazing.

 

[AnonymousFan]

Djokovic vs Federer will be on ESPN2, 3 PM EST

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'm watching the Nadal comeback, "just because". Of course Medvedev choked. But Nadal also won with commitment, experience, and getting his level back up to where it was in the 2nd set, with Medvedev making tons of UFEs. But if Nadal hadn't come out of the gate in the 3rd with so many UFEs, he wouldn't have had to work so hard to get it back in the 3rd. With his back against it, Nadal cleaned up his act. Surely, Medvedev failed to hold up his end, but there is something to be said for experience, and also enduring the relentlessness of a competitor like Nadal. Cali argued with me that it was in part experience that won Nadal the USO. Surely it was in part experience that won him the match today, on a less-favorable surface.

True, but that's almost every come back ever though (where a guy is trailing in a major way but then wins). It's not like the player who was losing keeps playing at a mediocre level but the other dude just suddenly forgets how to play. It's usually a result of a loss in concentration/drop in level by one player (in this case Medvedev), which typically gives the other the opportunity to make it close and interesting, and that's when the nerves really kick in because one player believes the match should have been over already. From there on, it's not uncommon for said player (still Medvedev) to clean up his act, but the damage has been done in a way due to momentum, confidence, and a new sense of belief by his opponent. And of course, there's a combination of concrete attributes the said opponent needs to possess to be able to capitalize and convert (mental and physical toughness, ability to clean up his act, potential tactical adjustments, experience, etc...).

I would say however, that experience was definitely a reason why Nadal won the US Open (although he should have won that match far sooner), but this match was far more about Medvedev just blowing it.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I would take Rafa’s CC BH over anyone’s when it’s on laser guidance...

LMAO. Please.

 

[Bonaca]

I’m looking forward to one of the best encounters in tennis this evening. These matches between the 3 are what I’m waiting for!
Who I root for is crystal clear.
I think Novak showed better shape than Roger, and I’m confident he will win.
If that happens, I would like to see him play the Greek in the SF and Nadal in F. More likely is that he would face Vienna sausage in the F again.

 

[isabelle]

Stefanos seems in great shape, he really trashed Sasha

 

[the AntiPusher]

true but I think know who the good and bad Federer fans are on this fourm, its feels weird wanting them to be right for once they are not humble like nadal fans so might be a bit too much.

True

 

[Bonaca]

The winner of Roger and Novak will face No 1 of Agassi group in SF. Nadal has to win against Tsitsipus but need also help from Daniil.
If that happens he plays Roger or Novak, and Tsitsipus meets Thiem. Wow!!
I’m strongly rooting for this scenario, Nadal and Daniil have to win, pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaseeeeee!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Well Medvedev is mentally and physically exhausted from his season and is now already eliminated, but yeah he will fight as hard as he can and die on the court in order to win I'm sure. lol

No, Med is not eliminated. If he wins in two sets against Sasha and if Tits wins against Butts, then Med qualifies. So, Medvedev has a personal incentive to win beyond the points and the money. He can still advance.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I’m looking forward to one of the best encounters in tennis this evening. These matches between the 3 are what I’m waiting for!
Who I root for is crystal clear.
I think Novak showed better shape than Roger, and I’m confident he will win.
If that happens, I would like to see him play the Greek in the SF and Nadal in F. More likely is that he would face Vienna sausage in the F again.

Are you sure? If Novak faces Ralph in finals, it means Ralph will be #1 independent of the results of the finals.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

As everyone knows, Thiem has already qualified and the winner of Novak/Fed will be #2 in their group.,

Interestingly, if at all Ralph qualifies he will be #1 in his group (there is no scenario in which he will be #2 if he qualifies).

So, in that case we will definitely have Big (3) SF.

 

[herios]

Nice win by Matteo today. Does not matter for this event, but 200 pointy to the tally and a confidence booster for the next season.

 

[Bonaca]

Are you sure? If Novak faces Ralph in finals, it means Ralph will be #1 independent of the results of the finals.

You can call me crazy, but gaining the h2h in novaks favour is more important to me.
But I was wrong at another detail, they couldn’t meet in F only SF. Nadal can reach SF only as the 1st of his group and Austrian is already first. So only possible is a Novak Nadal SF!
So Novak can beat Nadal and become No 1!

 

[Carol]

This is LOL

 

[Fiero425]

You can call me crazy, but gaining the h2h in novaks favour is more important to me.
But I was wrong at another detail, they couldn’t meet in F only SF. Nadal can reach SF only as the 1st of his group and Austrian is already first. So only possible is a Novak Nadal SF!
So Novak can beat Nadal and become No 1!

I haven't seen the match from earlier, but I can guess Thiem's working the system like I said; either choosing his opponent or not needing it to be 1st in his group! I don't think they're still doing it, but the WTA's YEC would have the ladies skip that rubber match if winner of the group at 2-0! I can't wait for this other match! It's gonna be featured on ESPN2.@ 3:00 pm EST! :whistle:

 

[Bonaca]

I haven't seen the match from earlier, but I can guess Thiem's working the system like I said; either choosing his opponent or not needing it to be 1st in his group! I don't think they're still doing it, but the WTA's YEC would have the ladies skip that rubber match if winner of the group at 2-0! I can't wait for this other match! It's gonna be featured on ESPN2.@ 3:00 pm EST! :whistle:

Me too! Let’s hope the best my friend.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Let’s go Federer!!!!!

I love you so much and I will be rooting for you today, you can do it !!!! :heart:

Spoiler

 

[Nadalfan2013]

No, Med is not eliminated. If he wins in two sets against Sasha and if Tits wins against Butts, then Med qualifies. So, Medvedev has a personal incentive to win beyond the points and the money. He can still advance.

But if Nadal wins his match then Medvedev will already know that he’s eliminated before his match vs Sasha. So basically Nadal would be waiting and hoping that Medvedev will give it 110% despite being eliminated.

 

[Bonaca]

Let’s go !
Hopefully we see another epic!

 

[tented]

Novak saves a BP in the first game. Both players are a little tense — an unsurprising beginning.