Nitto ATP Finals, London

[El Dude]

I think its time to say that Thiem is the equal of Novak and Rafa, or at least the 33-34 year old versions. He's now won 5 of his last 7 vs Novak, and 3 of his last 4 against Nadal. Oh yeah, and his last 3 vs Roger.

I'd even go so far as to say that Thiem is the top candidate to finish #1 in 2021.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I think its time to say that Thiem is the equal of Novak and Rafa, or at least the 33-34 year old versions. He's now won 5 of his last 7 vs Novak, and 3 of his last 4 against Nadal. Oh yeah, and his last 3 vs Roger.

I'd even go so far as to say that Thiem is the top candidate to finish #1 in 2021.

I am just happy win or lose that Thiem is really offering consistent competition. Hopefully, he doesn’t overplay once there is a somewhat return back to a regular tour. I think that was a definite flaw of his was over scheduling. He is definitely starting to find his stride and place on the tour. It is good to see. I hope next year is just as strong for him. His serve seems to be improving as well which was a big issue in some of these close matches.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

What a horrible end of the year for Nole with losses to Nadal, Sonego, Medvedev, Thiem... We are witnessing the end of Noletardism.

 

[Front242]

I don't care who wins the title as long as it's Medvedev

 

[Front242]

What a horrible end of the year for Nole with losses to Nadal, Sonego, Medvedev, Thiem... We are witnessing the end of Noletardism.

Yeah, he should be ashamed losing to such poor players. Or wait. Actually, no. That was a lie. And what we are witnessing is only the continuation of Nadalfan2013moroniccommentism. Provoking others for no reason. Beaten by top players (and Sonego was on fire that week) and all you do is make yet another stupid post. Take a bow.

 

[Jelenafan]

Team Theim, that was the craziest match for him. Dominic is beating the top guys in excruciating nailbiters, if you win them it’s all good.

Novak didn’t play badly, though to be frank he was fortunate not to lose in straight sets. The big thing is Theim didn’t get down on himself, a lot of players would have wilted blowing 4 MP’s in a tiebreaker. That’s where he has the edge on Medvedev and Zverev who can mope and their games dip for multiple games. His record versus the top 3 the last few years is impressive.

 

[Front242]

Team Theim, that was the craziest match for him. Dominic is beating the top guys in excruciating nailbiters, if you win them it’s all good.

Novak didn’t play badly, though to be frank he was fortunate not to lose in straight sets. The big thing is Theim didn’t get down on himself, a lot of players would have wilted blowing 4 MP’s in a tiebreaker. That’s where he has the edge on Medvedev and Zverev who can mope and their games dip for multiple games. His record versus the top 3 the last few years is impressive.

Missed it 'cos I went for a 2 hour walk (gotta take the good weather when it's here this time of year) and was expecting a blowout 3rd set something like 6-2 or 6-3 at best with Djokovic winning and was shocked to see Thiem won it in yet another tiebreak. Gotta watch highlights later.

Edited just to point out I'm not surprised Thiem won at all and was actually expecting it tbh based on their respective forms, only that he won in a 3rd set and a tiebreak at that. Thought he needed to win it in 2, and once he'd lost set 2 I felt he was likely toast. Impressive stuff to not fold.

 

[kskate2]

I need to write off Novak’s opponents more often.

I'm glad he came back to win. I couldn't watch it and didn't know how it ended until I looked at the score on my phone. So he's really learned how to play these TBs. He said he watched how Novak wins them by not committing errors and he was trying to emulate that.

 

[kskate2]

At least Novak showed up today after the match he played against Medvedev, too.

I thought he played well today. He controlled most of the baseline rallies until Domi would throw in a haymaker and end it.

 

[kskate2]

Now I'm back home, bring on the undercard.

 

[Front242]

This should hopefully be a high level match. Watched a bit of the highlights of Nadal v Medvedev from last year and it was a massive bottle job by Medvedev being 5-1 up rather than a comeback for Nadal at 1-5 down in set 3. Because of this, the bookies have Medvedev as a slight favourite and also since he's won all 3 of his matches and therefore is the best player in the tournament thus far. For what it's worth, tennis.com picked Medvedev as the winner also.

That said, impressive level from Nadal up to now also considering it's by far his worst surface. Hopefully it'll be a good match.

 

[Kieran]

Now I'm back home, bring on the undercard.

The main draw coming up! The GS record holder vs a Russian...

 

[Front242]

The main draw coming up! The GS record holder vs a Russian...

Joint GS record holder

 

[Kieran]

This should hopefully be a high level match. Watched a bit of the highlights of Nadal v Medvedev from last year and it was a massive bottle job by Medvedev being 5-1 up rather than a comeback for Nadal at 1-5 down in set 3. Because of this, the bookies have Medvedev as a slight favourite and also since he's won all 3 of his matches and therefore is the best player in the tournament thus far. For what it's worth, tennis.com picked Medvedev as the winner also.

Medvedev should be favourite to win, based on his electric form so far, and his win in Paris. He's on a roll, and a player like him on a roll is well nigh unstoppable. Rafa - for me - is not playing at a similarly high level. I wouldn't set much store in last year's match, we've all gone through so much since then, I imagine the only effect of it will be that if Medvedev even thinks about it, it motivates him...

 

[Kieran]

Joint GS record holder

And you know what? I don't mind if they stay entangled as joint GS record holders for a long, long time after they both stop playing...

 

[Kieran]

Medvedev chose to receive. I always think that's a negative move by a player with such a big serve. Zverev did it yesterday and went down 0-3 in jig time. I'd have thought it would be better for Medvedev to crunch a few serves at Rafa, to place him on the back foot. We'll see.

Or, someone else will see, I don't have the channel. But I'll see the scoreboard so that's not too bad...

 

[Front242]

Medvedev chose to receive. I always think that's a negative move by a player with such a big serve. Zverev did it yesterday and went down 0-3 in jig time. I'd have thought it would be better for Medvedev to crunch a few serves at Rafa, to place him on the back foot. We'll see.

Or, someone else will see, I don't have the channel. But I'll see the scoreboard so that's not too bad...

Agreed. Not a smart move unless it works in his favour and he breaks. I'd only consider it a good move against a poor returner.

 

[kskate2]

Domi doing some primetime scouting

 

[Kieran]

Agreed. Not a smart move unless it works in his favour and he breaks. I'd only consider it a good move against a poor returner.

The funny thing is, rafa would have chose to serve first anyway...

 

[Front242]

Streams are shocking lately