Nitto ATP Finals 2023, Turin, Italy

[PhiEaglesfan712]

If the US Open or the Australian Open were as fast as this court, Federer could have retired a couple of years later. He could have won more slams with his B game on this surface.

They made the US Open an even faster court with the change to Laykold in 2020, but yeah, Federer and Serena would have a few more US Open titles if they made that change sooner. Even then, Serena (2015 and 2017) and Federer (2017 and 2018) still won the Australian Open on the slower hard court multiple times late in their careers.

 

[Moxie]

Hubi is making Novak very uncomfortable, he struggles to return his serve. It was obvious during their match in Wimbledon, if Hubbi stayed more focused could have won 1st and 2set in TB and possibly make a huge upset.

I'm not watching, but checking on the scores now. Novak had 2BPs after he got broken and Hubbi served 3 consecutive aces. Nothing you can do there.

That's exactly what's frustrating him...lack of control. That, and that the Italians were kind of rooting for Hubie, at least in the 2nd. They must have know what it would mean to Sinner's fortunes.

 

[Jelenafan]

Hurkacz wins the 2nd set, having held onto his break advantage by his fingernails (and serve) at 4-3. This puts Sinner in the SFs, and complicates things for Novak.

Yes, losing that second set for Novak means that if Rune beats Sinner (in either 2 or 3 sets) Little Holger is in and Djokovic is out. So Djokovic’s fate rests on Sinner winning.

Will be interesting how Sinner plays with those scenarios.

With Rune it’s regular tournament play now: win you’re in, lose you are out.

 

[atttomole]

They made the US Open an even faster court with the change to Laykold in 2020, but yeah, Federer and Serena would have a few more US Open titles if they made that change sooner. Even then, Serena (2015 and 2017) and Federer (2017 and 2018) still won the Australian Open on the slower hard court multiple times late in their careers.

Which is why many tennis lovers have been calling for greater variety in court speeds at grand slam tournaments.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

I like Ben but not as much as Sinner, Calitos, Holger or Meddy. I think a real steady player can break Ben down and his risk game may be difficult to last an entire Grand slam fortnight.

I think Ben belongs in that group, but everyone of those players have their weak points. To me, I think Ben's upside is much higher than Meddy and Sinner. Holger might have the highest upside of the group, but he seems so injury prone. I have more questions on him lasting an entire grand slam fortnite than I do with Ben. (Didn't Ben just prove it at the US Open?) I'll admit that Carlitos is the most complete player at this point, but even he does get injured from time to time.

 

[don_fabio]

Yes, losing that second set for Novak means that if Rune beats Sinner (in either 2 or 3 sets) Little Holger is in and Djokovic is out. So Djokovic’s fate rests on Sinner winning.

Will be interesting how Sinner plays with those scenarios.

With Rune it’s regular tournament play now: win you’re in, lose you are out.

Yes, Novak dropped his chances significantly by losing that 2nd set. If Sinner loses tonight he will face Meddy, which I think he would like to avoid. Either way, Sinner probably goes all in tonight without thinking how to lose a tennis match.

 

[Moxie]

Yes, losing that second set for Novak means that if Rune beats Sinner (in either 2 or 3 sets) Little Holger is in and Djokovic is out. So Djokovic’s fate rests on Sinner winning.

Will be interesting how Sinner plays with those scenarios.

With Rune it’s regular tournament play now: win you’re in, lose you are out.

I have a hard time thinking that Sinner would tank to keep Novak out of the SF's, even though his chances of winning the title have to improve if Novak is out of the picture. Plus, apparently every win is worth $400K, so there's that incentive. However, Sinner could have an emotional sink after beating Novak, and with the knowledge that he's already in the SFs. Then there's Holger...he'll want something to say about it, too.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I stand on what I said before the Djokovic/Hurkacz match: Sinner will play hard in the 1st set then will conserve energy for the SF match.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Which is why many tennis lovers have been calling for greater variety in court speeds at grand slam tournaments.

The US Open should have been turned into a carpet slam in 1978, instead of hard court. I know this is wishful thinking, but I hope that once the 5-year experiment is over with Laykold, the US Open goes to carpet in 2025.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I have a hard time thinking that Sinner would tank to keep Novak out of the SF's, even though his chances of winning the title have to improve if Novak is out of the picture. Plus, apparently every win is worth $400K, so there's that incentive. However, Sinner could have an emotional sink after beating Novak, and with the knowledge that he's already in the SFs. Then there's Holger...he'll want something to say about it, too.

It is not in Sinner's DNA to tank, remember he is playing in front of a huge Italian crowd, and also his coach Cahill would not be impressed if that happened I can assure you.

 

[don_fabio]

It is not in Sinner's DNA to tank, remember he is playing in front of a huge Italian crowd, and also his coach Cahill would not be impressed if that happened I can assure you.

Last year Novak played a dead rubber against Daniil if I remember well and it was one hell of match, maybe the best match of the tournament. So yeah, I don't believe in the tanking too.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Last year Novak played a dead rubber against Daniil if I remember well and it was one hell of match, maybe the best match of the tournament. So yeah, I don't believe in the tanking too.

Agree Don, these guys are professionals, and to tank? regardless of the situation you have to give your best, yep remember that match, for a dead rubber it was great.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

There is another factor to the Rune v Sinner match, Rune leads their H2H 2-0, winning in MC this year and also on an indoor court in Sofia via retirement, Jannik had an ankle injury and retired, so I am thinking he might want to change that H2H and maybe post a win over Rune

 

[Fiero425]

Last year Novak played a dead rubber against Daniil if I remember well and it was one hell of match, maybe the best match of the tournament. So yeah, I don't believe in the tanking too.

They tried to eliminate those possibilties by giving points and money for winning RR, but it can still happen! I heard Sinner'd lose $400 K if he dropped the match tonight! Not sure it's worth knocking Novak out w/ a lame effort to guarantee better odds in the SF's!

 

[Moxie]

Agree Don, these guys are professionals, and to tank? regardless of the situation you have to give your best, yep remember that match, for a dead rubber it was great.

I mentioned it because TC alluded to it as an option, though they never said the naughty word "tank." Annacone said, as a coach, that he would never recommend that. I'm sure you're right that Cahill is like-minded in that way. Plus, if you tank, you still lose, and that's not great for the mindset if you really want to win a big title.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I mentioned it because TC alluded to it as an option, though they never said the naughty word "tank." Annacone said, as a coach, that he would never recommend that. I'm sure you're right that Cahill is like-minded in that way. Plus, if you tank, you still lose, and that's not great for the mindset if you really want to win a big title.

No worries, I know why you mentioned it, I am reading on social media now, people are up in 'arms' that the court in Turin is too fast lol! cant please people can you

 

[tossip]

I have a hard time thinking that Sinner would tank to keep Novak out of the SF's, even though his chances of winning the title have to improve if Novak is out of the picture. Plus, apparently every win is worth $400K, so there's that incentive. However, Sinner could have an emotional sink after beating Novak, and with the knowledge that he's already in the SFs. Then there's Holger...he'll want something to say about it, too.

I want Rune to win so bad ....

 

[rafanoy1992]

Sinner won’t tank, but he won’t play 100% all out especially after the 1st set. He does have an extra day off, but he will be smart to conserve some energy for the weekend. I would even say that Cahill will advise him to do that. One thing about Cahill is that he preaches about the process and long term goals. In this case, he will advise Sinner to be competitive in the 1st set and then start doing strategic energy conservation after that.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Let’s go Rune!

 

[Nadalfan2013]

I want Rune to win so bad ....

Yep hopefully Rune wins…

https://packaged-media.redd.it/s9fz6t1e4xzb1/pb/m2-res_600p.mp4?m=DASHPlaylist.mpd&v=1&e=1700172000&s=59b522d379aa564d4131329b6ce97d530c03e978#t=0