Taking Stock of the Young Guns (end of 2015)
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GameSetAndMath
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nehmeth said:
Before you be happy for Rubin, you might want to check whether Benoit is one of the 16 BDFs (buzzfeed/bbc distinguished fellows). :devil
nehmeth
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Murat Baslamisli
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The TV guys at the AO were just talking about this young Canadian, Félix Auger-Aliassime , who is 15 years old. There has been a lot of talk about this kid and Brad Gilbert already calls him future number one. Shares the same birthday with Roger. Hmmm....
nehmeth
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herios said:
I've watched him and he strikes the ball well. It remains to be seen if he has the fortitude to become an all time great, or just another Monfils - also the preeminent junior in his day. Gilbert can be overly effusive every so often. :snicker
A fun shot from Tiafoe against Groth: http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/video/tiafoe-fake-and-bake-dallas-challenger-hot-shot-2016
herios
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I think, if I am not mistaken, that this last week was the first time ever, when at all events in a week: Buenos Aires, Rotterdam and Memphis, all the titles were grabbed by only players from the "lost generation": Klizan, Nishikori and Thiem.
I am a believer that this generation will have something to say before is all said and done. They will probably peak all of them later in their career, in the 26-30 range. That will confirm the new trend we have seen recently.
I am a believer that this generation will have something to say before is all said and done. They will probably peak all of them later in their career, in the 26-30 range. That will confirm the new trend we have seen recently.
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I think you are right, herios. First of all, history is on their side. If we use my five-year spans starting with 4 and 9 (e.g. 1989-93), no generation has gone completely Slamless in tennis history - not just the Open Era, but going back to players born in the 1890s. The worst generation, at least of the Open Era, was the 1939-43 gen, which won only 5 Slams - 3 by Ashe, 1 each by McKinley and Bowrey, and 3 of those in the amateur era.
I don't know if they'll manage 5 Slams, but they should win at least 2 or 3. I also think this generation with break-out by winning a Masters this year. While they might not be able to challenge Novak yet - who is? - I could see this generation start regularly beating players like Ferrer, Berdych, and Tsonga, even Stanimal and Andy.
I don't know if they'll manage 5 Slams, but they should win at least 2 or 3. I also think this generation with break-out by winning a Masters this year. While they might not be able to challenge Novak yet - who is? - I could see this generation start regularly beating players like Ferrer, Berdych, and Tsonga, even Stanimal and Andy.
nehmeth
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herios said:
Good observations herios.
Klizan was ridiculously good during the second and third sets, hitting winners at will off the forehand side. Have been waiting for him to have a moment like this for a few years now. I hope he can continue to build on this.
herios
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Also an encouraging sign is the number of upsets I am seeing all over the place, way more than usual. That is a good sign of the rankings to be shaken up.
Even if not at the very top, but right below is good enough. That is a good start.
Even if not at the very top, but right below is good enough. That is a good start.
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Yes, although here's a depressing thought. The 89-93 generation is, respective to age, where the 84-88 generation was at the beginning of 2011, when that generation had pretty much been the most dominant generation for over three years. It is by far the worst--or at least most late-blooming--generation in Open Era history, and it isn't particularly close. Even the weak 74-78 generation was much stronger.
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Didn't now exactly were to post this, but it fits here. Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, who beat Tsonga at Rio Open a few weeks ago, is playing a Challenger in Chile, after receiving a WC. He is on the third round, beating a seed on the way. He was #338 (I guess, maybe lower) before Rio Open and now is close to 200. I believe he started the year close to #500. Two more months and he will join the conversation.
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Thiago Monteiro first came to my attention when he beat Tsonga. He started the year #463 in the world, although reached into the top 300 a couple years ago in 2014 and has pretty much fluctuated since then. He also reached as high as #406 in 2012, so he's been around for awhile. Not sure what his upside is, but the Tsonga victory is something.
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El Dude said:
He was AO Juniors champion three or four years ago. Have been plagued by injuries since them, but I do not have many more details. Maybe had a hard time finding support, given that he comes from a part of Brasil with zero tradition on tennis.
