Rolex Paris Masters 2018, ATP 1000

[britbox]

Highlights / Interviews (Thursday)

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Anyone watched TMF vs TripleF ? Thoughts?

I "score watched" while at work. Fed went up 4-1 early in the first set. and then Fog fought back and Fed barely managed to eke out the first set. Second seems to be a fairly smooth affair, even though it is not lob-sided either.

Fed will die at the hands of Nole. But, probably will be able to make a realistic assessment of where his game stands when he plays Novak.
Even if he loses to Novak, if he was able to hang with him, then he can take some confidence and try to practice and hope for the best at WTF.

 

[monfed]

Fed needs to make teriyaki chicken out of Nishikori to send a strong msg to fakervic

 

[isabelle]

Karen's trashing Sasha, very surprising

 

[herios]

That was some beatdown. I am more and more pessimistic about Sasha as far as GS winner. His peers will catch up to him.

 

[Mile]

And i just voted for Zverev few hours ago, then he lost.

 

[monfed]

3 games. LOL mugrev is overrated

 

[Fiero425]

Sock's doing well to defend his points and title against Thiem! He may not win, but is really balling! After the way he spoke the other day, I didn't think he was going to try that hard! Success last season actually hurt the guy; didn't get his usual off-season since doing so well in Paris and the YEC! Strange, I think it's an epidemic in the Next Gen; too much success hurts them in some way! Sascha's been up and down since the beginning, but is still scratchin' in the top 10 winning a Masters here and there! :whistle: :cuckoo:

 

[ftan]

Where are the US folks watching matches, I don't have Tennis Channel anymore, and espn is not effin showing anything since US open

 

[El Dude]

That was some beatdown. I am more and more pessimistic about Sasha as far as GS winner. His peers will catch up to him.

I'm starting to agree with you on this, at least to an extent. I do think he'll win Slams, and probably several, but don't think he'll necessarily be the first among his generation. Both Shapo and Tsitsipas--and possibly Auger-Aliassime, if he can stay healthy--seem to have higher upside. Zverev is just closer to actualizing his than the other guys, but may peak out at a lower level.

 

[El Dude]

Where are the US folks watching matches, I don't have Tennis Channel anymore, and espn is not effin showing anything since US open

It is very frustrating. Tennis is basically a dead sport in the US. Maybe that's an exaggeration, but the glory years of the 70s-90s are long gone, at least on the men's side.

 

[herios]

I'm starting to agree with you on this, at least to an extent. I do think he'll win Slams, and probably several, but don't think he'll necessarily be the first among his generation. Both Shapo and Tsitsipas--and possibly Auger-Aliassime, if he can stay healthy--seem to have higher upside. Zverev is just closer to actualizing his than the other guys, but may peak out at a lower level.

Although Canadians, I am not as optimistic as you are about Denis or Felix. I know you project further improvement based on their early progression as teenagers, but is no guarantee that progression will actually happen.
Therer is much more visibility at this moment regarding those who are already 21-22 and they were able to get into the top 20. Those are the guys who will sooner into the top 10 and be bigger threats.

 

[El Dude]

Although Canadians, I am not as optimistic as you are about Denis or Felix. I know you project further improvement based on their early progression as teenagers, but is no guarantee that progression will actually happen.
Therer is much more visibility at this moment regarding those who are already 21-22 and they were able to get into the top 20. Those are the guys who will sooner into the top 10 and be bigger threats.

I admit to being overly biased towards "age vs. rank" projections and am slowly learning my lesson, but in both cases I see a lot of actual on-court potential. I've watched Shapo a lot more, but he has a very dynamic game with a variety of talents - far more so than Zverev, in my opinion. I see someone who could be a complete player. My worry about him is that he just seems all over the place, still very unpolished, and there is some concern that his rate of ascent has slowed over the last half year or so.

But he is only 19, and he's still going to finish the year in the top 30. I think its OK if he stalls out in the 20-40 range for awhile as he refines his game.

As for FAA, I'm more doubtful but mainly due to his health issue. It is hard imagining him having the fortitude to play 80 matches a year with a heart condition. But clearly the talent is there.

But yeah, it does seem that the age progression has pushed back a couple years as a lot of 21-22 year olds are reaching a level that the elite of the past reached more around 20. This also means that these guys probably won't reach their peak until maybe 24ish; in the past, peak was usually 21-26 or so, now it might be 24-29 or so.

 

[herios]

I admit to being overly biased towards "age vs. rank" projections and am slowly learning my lesson, but in both cases I see a lot of actual on-court potential. I've watched Shapo a lot more, but he has a very dynamic game with a variety of talents - far more so than Zverev, in my opinion. I see someone who could be a complete player. My worry about him is that he just seems all over the place, still very unpolished, and there is some concern that his rate of ascent has slowed over the last half year or so.

But he is only 19, and he's still going to finish the year in the top 30. I think its OK if he stalls out in the 20-40 range for awhile as he refines his game.

As for FAA, I'm more doubtful but mainly due to his health issue. It is hard imagining him having the fortitude to play 80 matches a year with a heart condition. But clearly the talent is there.

But yeah, it does seem that the age progression has pushed back a couple years as a lot of 21-22 year olds are reaching a level that the elite of the past reached more around 20. This also means that these guys probably won't reach their peak until maybe 24ish; in the past, peak was usually 21-26 or so, now it might be 24-29 or so.

That is exactly why I am cautious about Denis. He is just too erratic at this point in time.
I did not watch Felix much, but I am following his results. What I am not pleased with in his case, he wins a Challenger one week, the next he is upset in the first round by someone ranked a lot lower. It happened not once.that is not good either.

 

[herios]

Cilic came to play. Novak has his work cut out.

 

[El Dude]

That is exactly why I am cautious about Denis. He is just too erratic at this point in time.
I did not watch Felix much, but I am following his results. What I am not pleased with in his case, he wins a Challenger one week, the next he is upset in the first round by someone ranked a lot lower. It happened not once.that is not good either.

And that could be either age-related erraticism (he just turned 18), or a stamina issue due to his heart. I hope for the former but fear the latter.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Cilic is generally good on indoors too.

Of course Novak and Fed are well known for their indoor prowess.

I am comparing Cilic here to other second rate players.

 

[Fiero425]

Cilic is generally good on indoors too.

Of course Novak and Fed are well known for their indoor prowess.

I am comparing Cilic here to other second rate players.

Well looks as if the ride's over for Cilic! He was up a set, but it's been all NOVAK since! Even the let/net cords are favoring him now! :whistle:

 

[herios]

Good win by Novak.

 

[atttomole]

Fed has improved a touch. More of his shots are clearing the net, and he is winning some rallies.