Roland Garros / French Open 2023 [Men] - Grand Slam

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's OK, honey...we do the Aussie summer zombie thing for a few weeks out of the year, and you do it the whole rest of the calendar. I know it sometimes helps that you pull night-shifts, for tennis-viewing, but that can't be easy, either.

I agree with you that Ruud played very well today...maybe his best of the clay season? While I'm inclined to agree with @Kieran that the winner of this semi, (Ruud v Zverev) is likely to the the runner-up on Sunday, I'd actually pick Ruud as the sturdier finalist. Zverev has bigger weapons, but more down-side.

Refreshed after a nap, with my brain and head intact, hopefully, I have to agree with Kieren as well either Ruud or Zverev will likely be the runner up on Sunday, tough quite frankly I am surprised Ruud and Sasha have made the SF at Roland Garros this year, this is a telling stat, before RG neither Ruud or Zverev had defeated a top 20 opponent in 2023 ( combined 0-8)

 

[El Dude]

To be fair, Ruud is especially good on clay - so it isn't surprising that he's doing well. While his peak Elo is a good but not great 2163 (similar to David Goffin at 2165), it is 2224 on clay - between Del Potro and Fognini.

Zverev's peak Elo is 2303, 30th all-time. His clay is 2280, between Alcaraz and Verdasco - so no slouch. He's also been gradually improving for several months, so may be coming back into form.

That said, the real final is the other SF. I mean, it is hard imagining the winner of that losing to one of Ruud or Zverev.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

To be fair, Ruud is especially good on clay - so it isn't surprising that he's doing well. While his peak Elo is a good but not great 2163 (similar to David Goffin at 2165), it is 2224 on clay - between Del Potro and Fognini.

Zverev's peak Elo is 2303, 30th all-time. His clay is 2280, between Alcaraz and Verdasco - so no slouch. He's also been gradually improving for several months, so may be coming back into form.

That said, the real final is the other SF. I mean, it is hard imagining the winner of that losing to one of Ruud or Zverev.

I can't see Alcaraz losing to anyone left in the draw. However if somehow Djokovic makes the final then Zverev has beaten Djokovic plenty of times so he has a better chance than Ruud.

 

[Fiero425]

^^^The desperation and hate is so real it's making this person look so foolish! It's so sad and pathetic!

 

[Moxie]

To be fair, Ruud is especially good on clay - so it isn't surprising that he's doing well. While his peak Elo is a good but not great 2163 (similar to David Goffin at 2165), it is 2224 on clay - between Del Potro and Fognini.

Zverev's peak Elo is 2303, 30th all-time. His clay is 2280, between Alcaraz and Verdasco - so no slouch. He's also been gradually improving for several months, so may be coming back into form.

That said, the real final is the other SF. I mean, it is hard imagining the winner of that losing to one of Ruud or Zverev.

So, with all of that palaver, you're saying the tennis will win out? I hope so.

 

[Moxie]

^^^The desperation and hate is so real it's making this person look so foolish! It's so sad and pathetic!

Or, as it might be said, that everyone is entitled to their opinion, at this point. There was nothing about the above that was anything other than a valid opinion.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Why?

I think that his serve and defense will overcome Rudd game

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think that his serve and defense will overcome Rudd game

Take you points, Sasha is prone to DF, Ruud I feel is also a good defensive player, returns well with his heavy fhand

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am surprised that Alcaraz v Djokovic match is scheduled first up on Friday, friend of my texted and said that NBC's coverage does not start until 11am is that correct?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Juan Carlos Ferrero on Alcaraz and Djokovic ( source The Tennis Letter)

" We know Novak is going to give absolutely his best. He is a 22 time Grand Slam Champion. He is going to fight to the last ball. We expect a really tough, close match. Carlos believes a lot in himself.He believes he can beat Novak".

 

[don_fabio]

I think that his serve and defense will overcome Rudd game

I am also with Zverev here, he is able to hit from both wings, Ruud still lacks bite on the BH side. Zverev was able to hang with Rafa on PC last year while Ruud never showed up in the final.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak his thoughts on his up coming SF with Alcaraz ( source The Tennis Letter)

" I am going to fight until the last drop of sweat, everything to titanic battle with Alcaraz. I mean semis of a grand slam, I dont know how many opportunities to fight for big titles I will have, so I am cherishing every opportunity and see this as a big chance to win the trophy".

 

[tented]

 

[the AntiPusher]

Novak his thoughts on his up coming SF with Alcaraz ( source The Tennis Letter)

" I am going to fight until the last drop of sweat, everything to titanic battle with Alcaraz. I mean semis of a grand slam, I dont know how many opportunities to fight for big titles I will have, so I am cherishing every opportunity and see this as a big chance to win the trophy".

THIS means that the crowd should not have their young children near Novak's team box

 

[shawnbm]

Alcaraz-Nole is one I do wish to watch.

 

[Kieran]

Alcaraz-Nole is one I do wish to watch.

Yo brother, what do you think of the golf stuff? I opened a discussion on it in the other sports forum.

Carlos-Novak has the potential to be a classic like the 2022 Australian Open final, or a blow-out like the 2021 US Open final. I’m more inclined toward the former, without knowing who’ll win.

 

[El Dude]

Yo brother, what do you think of the golf stuff? I opened a discussion on it in the other sports forum.

Carlos-Novak has the potential to be a classic like the 2022 Australian Open final, or a blow-out like the 2021 US Open final. I’m more inclined toward the former, without knowing who’ll win.

Yes, agreed. To be honest, I don't know what to expect. I don't think either player is really capable of being blown out at this point, and it really could be a grueling match - one that the player who wants it more wins. I'd think that is Novak, but he's also at a point where age is becoming a factor. Alcaraz has that halo of invincibility to him - like he believes in himself.

 

[Kieran]

Yes, agreed. To be honest, I don't know what to expect. I don't think either player is really capable of being blown out at this point, and it really could be a grueling match - one that the player who wants it more wins. I'd think that is Novak, but he's also at a point where age is becoming a factor. Alcaraz has that halo of invincibility to him - like he believes in himself.

I think they’re both well conditioned to bringing everything they can to the match. They’re neither of them quitters. Well, not for a while anyway, in Novaks case…

 

[Jelenafan]

I dunno, just think Zverev has peaked, still a good player but the inner swagger to beat middle tier players easily isn't quite there .

If Ruud serves like he did against Rune i think he takes it in 4.

 

[shawnbm]

Novak has proven himself again and again and again. Really hard to take sides against him on clay. But, Carlitos is showing some mettle and that confidence at that age is really irreplaceable--a young Pete, a young Nadal (not so much Nole or even Roger until 22 by way of comparison) had that swagger, that self-belief they were largely invincible. Alcaraz knows this is his time. Can he handle "the moment" against one of the greatest to ever play? It is a tall task and Novak is a known quantity--nobody is going to blow him out and particularly not a young whippersnapper! LOL. It should be riveting stuff from the first service either way.