Rolex Paris Masters, Bercy, France - ATP Masters 1000

[Fiero425]

I have every faith in Rafa, but this isn't the time of year when his game shines. I wasn't able to watch the 3rd set, but...Tommy Paul? He's not going to finally pull out the WTF. I am thinking that resting up for the AO is a better call. Just waiting for @Fiero425 to tell us this was Rafa avoiding Novak.

Makes sense to me, but Nadal needed the points desperately if a chance to be YE #1! Paul legitimately played out of his mind and took Rafa to the woodshed! @tented predicted Paul playing well while Rafa would be rusty early on IIRC!

 

[Kieran]

... and I'm sure Jimbo doesn't kick his dog, takes care of his mommy, & is great with kids! Hmmm; signs of a ""serial killer"" maybe?

Sounds like he’d make a great coach!

 

[tented]

 

[tented]

Ruud goes out to Musetti: 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

3/4 of the top seeds are out.

 

[Kieran]

Ruud goes out to Musetti: 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

3/4 of the top seeds are out.

Some low ranking dude might come outta nowhere and win this - like Djokovic or someone..

 

[tented]

Dimitrov is going down in flames to Alcaraz, who’s up 6-1, 3-0

 

[tented]

MP for FAA to end Simon’s career.

EDIT: That’s it for Simon. FAA wins 6-1, 6-3.

 

[Fiero425]

Some low ranking dude might come outta nowhere and win this - like Djokovic or someone..

Holger defeated our favorite redhead, Rublev! Will be some kind of match against Carlos tomorrow! Funny w/ only 2 past champions left in the draw and they're slated to play next; Djokovic vs Khachanov! I just SMH seeing the success of Novak at this event over the years when most top players go down in flames! He's won 6; WOW! He's striking the ball very cleanly against Karen!

 

[El Dude]

Well, we're getting a preview of what might become the next big rivalry: Rune vs. Alcaraz. They've only met at the Next Gen Finals last year, where Alcaraz won three sets. Not sure if they ever met on the Futures or Challenger tour - maybe not, as Alcaraz had a more advanced timeline and was already on the main tour by the time Rune was in the Challenger tour, I think. So this is basically their first true match-up.

Regardless of the outcome, from this tournament and the last month or two, I think we're seeing a legit breakthrough for Rune. He's now #18 in the live rankings and is going to finish the year in the top 20.

 

[El Dude]

For some reason I wrote Lorenzo Musetti off as a future "second tier" type: top 10-15, but not true elite. I'm not sure why I thought that, but maybe I was wrong? He's having what looks like a breakout season with two titles, and a nice ranking trajectory: #128 in 2020, #59 in 2021, #23 right now and a chance at the top 20 this year...though he has to make it past Novak tomorrow. But still, that steady trajectory of improvement in the early years is one of the characteristics of future elites.

I haven't watched much of him - what's the breakdown of his game? Strengths and weaknesses? What do people see as his ceiling potential?

 

[kskate2]

My peeps in Tampa Bay said that Jimbo is the nicest guy in the world whenever they attend the local tournament there..he gives them comp seats and etc.

I'm sure he is a good guy that doesn't kick his dog. Doesn't stop him from being a motor mouth.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

For some reason I wrote Lorenzo Musetti off as a future "second tier" type: top 10-15, but not true elite. I'm not sure why I thought that, but maybe I was wrong? He's having what looks like a breakout season with two titles, and a nice ranking trajectory: #128 in 2020, #59 in 2021, #23 right now and a chance at the top 20 this year...though he has to make it past Novak tomorrow. But still, that steady trajectory of improvement in the early years is one of the characteristics of future elites.

I haven't watched much of him - what's the breakdown of his game? Strengths and weaknesses? What do people see as his ceiling potential?

Thanks,
Musetti weakness's I feel was his mental strength at times in matches, and also to me he has fitness issues, when a match went the distance, he kind of gave up, though of late I feel he has improved in his mental ability and concentration.
He is a really good shotmaker, a great backhand his best shot.
I was getting very frustrated with him, because he has shown soo much talent as a teenager, maybe he is a player that will take more time to mature fully in all area's as a tennis player. He has the natural talent, he just has to buckle down train hard, in the gym, etc. I think when he defeated Alcaraz this year, that gave him the belief he can defeat higher ranked players. I wont make his ceiling potential as yet, I want to see how he performs in 2023.

 

[El Dude]

A commanding win over Tiafoe by FAA. Honestly, he's looking hard to beat right now.

Rune up a set on Alcaraz. Frankly I'm not surprised. Alcaraz has been drifting a bit since the high of winning the USO - understandable, really - while Rune is focused and making his big rise.

I wouldn't be surprised to see FAA, Alcaraz, and Rune all in the top 5 a year from now, signifying 2023 as the year the Millenial Gen took the reins of the tour. Add in Sinner and Musetti, and these guys might be performing a coup on Next Gen, just as it seemed they were going to take over.

Rune probably has some bumps up ahead, but the way he's been playing projects for great things ahead.

 

[Kieran]

A commanding win over Tiafoe by FAA. Honestly, he's looking hard to beat right now.

Rune up a set on Alcaraz. Frankly I'm not surprised. Alcaraz has been drifting a bit since the high of winning the USO - understandable, really - while Rune is focused and making his big rise.

I wouldn't be surprised to see FAA, Alcaraz, and Rune all in the top 5 a year from now, signifying 2023 as the year the Millenial Gen took the reins of the tour. Add in Sinner and Musetti, and these guys might be performing a coup on Next Gen, just as it seemed they were going to take over.

Rune probably has some bumps up ahead, but the way he's been playing projects for great things ahead.

Rune is pissing people off, and I think that's a sign that he's doing something right. Some people may say it's a sign that he has ideas above his station. but actually he seems like a kid who thinks his proper station is situated at the very top of the sport...

 

[Fiero425]

Rune is pissing people off, and I think that's a sign that he's doing something right. Some people may say it's a sign that he has ideas above his station. but actually he seems like a kid who thinks his proper station is situated at the very top of the sport...

He's a real threat and people are definitely taking notice! Rune is working over Carlos and making him look bad! I don't see some brat!

 

[Moxie]

Rune is pissing people off, and I think that's a sign that he's doing something right. Some people may say it's a sign that he has ideas above his station. but actually he seems like a kid who thinks his proper station is situated at the very top of the sport...

Not because he's above his station...but because he's a JERK. And a brat.

 

[Moxie]

I had to be on a call for the end of first set/beginning of 2nd, but Carlos seems to have settled the nerves. Missed a great opportunity to finally break Rune, though.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I had to be on a call for the end of first set/beginning of 2nd, but Carlos seems to have settled the nerves. Missed a great opportunity to finally break Rune, though.

Alcaraz movement to me is not 100%, agree he blew a great opportunity to break

 

[Moxie]

Alcaraz movement to me is not 100%, agree he blew a great opportunity to break

He's had his left knee strapped on and off this whole week.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

He's had his left knee strapped on and off this whole week.

Dotors only gave him clearance to play after he had his scans just before the tournament started.