Rio Open 2019, Brazil, ATP 500

[Moxie]

Battle of the Next Gens going on now, between Garin and FAA. They've just traded breaks 3 times. I saw a great point from FAA to get the first one.

 

[Carol]

I watched a bit of the last with the sound off. It all seemed to be resolved by the end. Munar was up a break, though, I think, so you have to think it was a call that cost him the break back.

Maybe was that but he looks really disappointed and he usually looks very calm

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

7 of 8 seeds out already in 1st rd. must be some sort of world record.

 

[tented]

7 of 8 seeds out already in 1st rd. must be some sort of world record.

1. Thiem
2. Fognini
3. Cecchinato
4. Schwartman
6. Lajovic
7. Jaziri
8. Jarry

Congrats to the no. 5 seed, Sousa, for winning a match!

 

[herios]

1. Thiem
2. Fognini
3. Cecchinato
4. Schwartman
6. Lajovic
7. Jaziri
8. Jarry

Congrats to the no. 5 seed, Sousa, for winning a match!

Today was Sousa's turn to get eliminated. He lost to Ruud.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

so all the designated top 8 seeds are out already ?.

sounds like wimby2002 when loads of seeds crashed out early doors.

 

[Moxie]

Today was Sousa's turn to get eliminated. He lost to Ruud.

Not all of the seeds lost to younger players, but most did.

 

[isabelle]

terrible for the tourney...

 

[herios]

Now, after the massacre, the highest ranked left is Cuevas.

 

[isabelle]

so hope Cuevas will win...

 

[herios]

so hope Cuevas will win...

He has won this event 3 years ago, so it would not be the first time.

 

[tented]

terrible for the tourney...

Exactly. Ticket sales are probably down, and perhaps TV viewship as well with the big names out.

I know it’s unlikely, but I’d love to see either FAA or Munar win the title.

 

[herios]

Exactly. Ticket sales are probably down, and perhaps TV viewship as well with the big names out.

I know it’s unlikely, but I’d love to see either FAA or Munar win the title.

I don't think those eliminated were so big names to begin with.

 

[tented]

I don't think those eliminated were so big names to begin with.

Sure, the Big Three aren’t there, but fans who would actually attend this tournament would at least know Thiem, Fognini, and Schwartman.

 

[tented]

Friday, February 22, 2019 Day 7

Quadra Guga Kuerten 3:00 pm

Aljaz Bedene VS (Q) Hugo Dellien

Laslo Djere VS (Q) Casper Ruud

Jaume Munar VS (WC) Felix Auger-Aliassime

Albert Ramos-Vinolas VS Pablo Cuevas

*****

Quadra 1 3:00 pm

Maximo Gonzalez / Nicolas Jarry VS (2) Juan Sebastian Cabal / Robert Farah

(WC) Thomaz Bellucci / Rogerio Dutra Silva VS Roman Jebavy / Andres Molteni

 

[herios]

Sure, the Big Three aren’t there, but fans who would actually attend this tournament would at least know Thiem, Fognini, and Schwartman.

Sport would be not fun if always the favorites prevail. Therefore this is an intriguing event now that all the higher ranked are gone .
As far as fans, they need to learn new names as well. I see a lot of guys from the lower ranks gaining ground and not just at this event.

 

[Moxie]

FAA beat Munar. What I saw, an interesting match and contrast in styles. Felix has power, even as young and slight as he is now, at 19. Good win for him.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Way to go FAA ! Enjoying his run in Cancun with a mojito in my hand

 

[El Dude]

FAA beat Munar. What I saw, an interesting match and contrast in styles. Felix has power, even as young and slight as he is now, at 19. Good win for him.

With apologies to @herios, I have great hopes for this kid. I think he's a legit prospect with everything he needs to be a star.

Hopefully the heart condition is manageable.

p.s. He's 18. He turns 19 in August. Crazy thing: when he was born, Roger Federer was #43 in the world.

 

[El Dude]

If he can get past one of the wily veterans in Cuevas or Ramos Vinolas, I think he's got a good chance of beating Djere or Bedene and taking the title.

Active Players Who Won ATP Titles at 18 Years Old: Nadal (x7!), Nishikori, Murray, Gasquet, Monfils.