2023 In Between Grand Slam Thread

whiterebel · 08-08-2023 9:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120953636#Comment_120953636

They should use them for competition, otherwise the net would be the wrong height.

dublin49 · 10-08-2023 8:51am

Murray going well in Canada,he is playing well and ekking out wins .Big surprise with Rune,Rublev ,Zverev and Tsitsipas all getting knocked out yesterday.As I was saying above there is a real levelling up( or down) of standard now and most matches potentially can have an upset.

Girly Gal · 10-08-2023 10:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959328#Comment_120959328

It's definitely a levelling down of standard!

Floppybits · 11-08-2023 12:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959328#Comment_120959328

Except for Alcaraz. Alcaraz could get a few major wins in before someone comes along to really challenge him. Reminds of the early years of Federer were he is was dominant and then Rafa came along and for awhile it was just the 2 of them and then Djokovic came along and we got some great matches.

josip · 21-08-2023 8:27am

Djokovic doesn't look ready to play second fiddle to Alcaraz just yet. It also means that he's likely to return to #1 after the US Open. Hopefully he can get past 400 this time around.

Winning Cincinatti also moves him clear of Lendl in ATP titles, but he's still 8 behind Federer so unlikely to close that gap before age catches up with him.

lbunnae · 21-08-2023 8:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121005907#Comment_121005907

It sounds insane to say it but the 3 sets suits Djocko now. Can't see him getting the better of Alcaraz in the US open.

dublin49 · 21-08-2023 10:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121005935#Comment_121005935

I thought last night early on that Alcaraz had worked out how best to play Djock but by the end was thinking Djock had worked out Alcaraz.

Alcaraz won nearly every drop shot point and don't think Djock used it once,They are so close currently that I think it will on the day who wins albeit Djock may start to feel it if he gets a few 5 setters before there likely next meeting in US OPEN.

Floppybits · 21-08-2023 2:29pm

That was a cracking final last night between Djokovic and Alcaraz. 5 games into the match and Alcaraz had hit 12 winners and Djokovic hadn't hit one. I thought it was going to be over in 2 sets with the way Djokovic was playing especially towards the end of the First set and mid way through the second but then again we have seen this many times before from Djokovic. Alcaraz was like rocky he just wouldn't stay down. Unreal stuff.

Any chance someone would know what the tablets were that they gave Djokovic midway through the second set? Asking for a friend.😀 It reminded of a match in the US Open a few years ago where Del Potro was suffering similar to Djokovic and was 2 sets down and the medics came out checked on him gave him some tablets and Del Potro won the match in a 5 setter.

josip · 21-08-2023 5:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121007857#Comment_121007857

Creatine

camz09 · 22-08-2023 7:37am

Sucks we're losing US Open Coverage on Prime. So easy to access and get free thru 1 month trial, ugh.

Now we're stuck with Sky. Or on Sports membership on NowTv for 15 euros for 1 month on a voucher. Cheapest and probably only option I can find. Not even sure if they show replay on demand for those late night early morning matches.

dublin49 · 22-08-2023 5:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121010547#Comment_121010547

I am hoping SKY adopt Primes coverage and show every match,if they do it will be through red button and not sure that works on Now TV.

tiegan · 22-08-2023 8:58pm

9 now (Australia) with a VPN show free coverage

dublin49 · 25-08-2023 12:49pm

Poor ould Richard Gasquet,37 year old ,battlies away for over 2 hours in horrendous mid day sun and loses in 3 sets,in a tie breaker to Korda, who promptly pulls out of tournament,theres no sentiment in sport.Gasquet had match points.

yerwanthere123 · 28-08-2023 12:54am

US Open thread here

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058311131/us-open-2023

yerwanthere123 · 12-09-2023 4:01pm

Simona Halep banned for four years! Won't be eligible to compete until 6th October 2026.

https://www.itia.tennis/news/sanctions/independent-tribunal-sanctions-simona-halep-for-anti-doping-rule-violations/

Zero sympathy from me I'm afraid.

gmisk · 17-09-2023 9:39pm

Watched the end of the GB Davis cup tie with France....no idea how they managed to win that final key rubber (saved 4 match points). Dan Evans was terrific (in his own match he was down a set and a break) but dead on his feet in doubles, but dragged them through to the finals along with Skupski, if they really want a chance at winning they have to drop Norrie on current form...brutal.

josip · 04-10-2023 4:53pm

Sinner beat Alcaraz and Medvedev on the way to the China Open title last week.

29 of the top 30 have entered the Shanghai Masters this week. That's an impressive entry list.

Still a lot of points up for grabs between now and Turin. In reality, probably only those in 9th to 12th have a chance of catching Rune in 8th.

yerwanthere123 · 04-10-2023 5:25pm

Great result from Sinner, think he'd lost all six matches he'd previously played against Medvedev. Also got a win over Alcaraz during the week, and now surprisingly leads their h2h 4-3. Some great mental hurdles to get over, now just needs to overcome his record in best of 5 matches.

josip · 12-10-2023 9:47pm

Alcaraz goes out very early in Shanghai. That will dent his hopes of finishing year end #1.

He's got the Swiss Indoor to try and close the gap to Djokovic before they both compete in Paris and Turin.

josip · 01-11-2023 1:36pm

And Alcaraz out early again in straight sets in Paris. Is he injured? He's had a long time to rest since Shanghai.

Meanwhile at the more interesting side of the race for Turin, Hurkacz has a 200 point gap to try and make up to take 8th place from Rune. It's between him and Rune, I can't see Ruud getting the extra 500 points he needs to take the spot.

whiterebel · 01-11-2023 3:28pm

Alcaraz pulled out of Basel last week with an injury, so I'd say its still affecting him.

Royale with Cheese · 01-11-2023 3:47pm

Nadal usually gives up for the rest of the season after Flushing Meadows and he's done alright for himself, I wouldn't read too much into it just yet.

josip · 05-11-2023 3:55pm

Title number 97 for Djokovic in Paris. Still a long way to go to get to Federer's 103.

gmisk · 09-11-2023 5:13pm

Nice to see Jack Draper hitting some form, won a challenger and now into a semi final in Sofia and up to world number 65, he had been outside top 100 until recently. No reason why he shouldn't be pushing top 20 soon enough if he can stay fit!

whiterebel · 09-11-2023 10:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121328295#Comment_121328295

Hard to see him not winning another 6.

josip · 09-11-2023 11:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121348983#Comment_121348983

True, but 1 injury could change everything. Doesn't matter how flexible or fit he is, any significant injury at his age would be very hard to come back from. It was injuries that did for both Federer and Nadal in the end, more than diminishing competitiveness.

josip · 13-11-2023 6:04pm

Djokovic beat Rune yesterday which means he'll get to at least 410 weeks as #1.

Today, Alcaraz loses to Zverev. Whether it's form or injury or something else, Alcaraz has been indistinguishable from the rest of the next gen since winning Wimbledon.

yerwanthere123 · 14-11-2023 11:31pm

Big first win for Sinner over Djokovic. Made to work for it though, three hours and eight minutes.

josip · 17-11-2023 2:04pm

In case anyone needs help with the qualifying permutations from today's group :)

1) Regardless of score, if ALCARAZ defeats MEDVEDEV and RUBLEV defeats ZVEREV, then ALCARAZ wins the group and MEDVEDEV qualifies 2nd.

2) Regardless of score, if MEDVEDEV defeats ALCARAZ and RUBLEV defeats ZVEREV, then MEDVEDEV wins the group and ALCARAZ qualifies 2nd.

3) Regardless of score, if MEDVEDEV defeats ALCARAZ and ZVEREV defeats RUBLEV, then MEDVEDEV wins the group and ZVEREV qualifies 2nd.

4) If ALCARAZ defeats MEDVEDEV in 2 sets and ZVEREV defeats RUBLEV in 2 sets, then ALCARAZ wins the group and MEDVEDEV qualifies 2nd.

5) If ALCARAZ defeats MEDVEDEV in 2 sets and ZVEREV defeats RUBLEV in 3 sets, then ALCARAZ wins the group and MEDVEDEV qualifies 2nd.

6) If ALCARAZ defeats MEDVEDEV in 3 sets and ZVEREV defeats RUBLEV in 2 sets, then MEDVEDEV wins the group and ALCARAZ qualifies 2nd.

7) If ALCARAZ defeats MEDVEDEV in 3 sets and ZVEREV defeats RUBLEV in 3 sets, then MEDVEDEV wins the group and ALCARAZ qualifies 2nd.

whiterebel · 17-11-2023 2:14pm

This tournament was threatening to turn into a shambles during the week after Tsitsipas lasted 3 games. No refund by the organisers, because they go to see the doubles? It wasn't looking great last either, with both players needing the physio. I don't think I'd be in a rush to pay money to see this, when you see Cam Norrie being flown in.

josip · 17-11-2023 3:18pm

Zverev-Rublev later tonight is now a dead rubber. I'd agree about the group stages, but I'm looking forward to both semi finals.

yerwanthere123 · 18-11-2023 10:02pm

Oh dear, Alcaraz not at the races at all tonight, the least competitive match between the pair yet. A rematch with Sinner awaits in the final, but lightning won't be striking twice methinks.

tiegan · 19-11-2023 7:00am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121386175#Comment_121386175

Agreed, but there was some fantastic tennis played in the second set by both players. But Novak on fire!

Slashermcguirk · 19-11-2023 9:51am

Alcaraz played well to be fair and even said himself he could hardly serve better. Just shows how ridiculously good Djokovic is

yerwanthere123 · 19-11-2023 10:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121387234#Comment_121387234

Not denying Djoko was good, but serve aside Alcaraz was way below par.

Augme · 19-11-2023 10:47am

Alcarez form since Wimbledon has been really poor. Novak must be really kicking himself over that one. Unless Carlos turns it around, it's hard to see past a clean sweep for novak next year. I do hope Sinner wins, might give him some confidence that he seems to sorely lack.

yerwanthere123 · 19-11-2023 10:59am

I wouldn't say has Alcaraz has been poor since Wimbledon, maybe just slightly below par for him. Only bad losses I'd say were to Dimitrov and Safiullin, but these occurred near the end of the season when fatigue kicks in and the motivation mighn't be quite as high as it would be in the first half of the season. Although the loss to Tommy Paul was a bit of a weird one too.

He is still just 20, so probably still not even that used to playing a full season, and there was bound to be a a bit of a mental comedown after all that comes with winning Wimbledon. I just think he needs a rest, above all else.

Slashermcguirk · 19-11-2023 12:19pm

I really don't think Alcaraz was particularly below par. Djokovic is a far superior indoors player, very different surface to play on. Alcaraz played some great tennis but I don't think anyone would have beaten Djokovic yesterday. Alcaraz played really in Cincinatti in that really close final vs Djokovic. There are such small margins when it comes to matches against the very best.

Sinner is the form player this week and with all the home support he is probably marginal favourite in the final but would never write off Djokovic.

Slashermcguirk · 19-11-2023 12:23pm

Even looking back at Wimbledon final and small margins, Djokovic was one point away from taking a break lead in that 5th set but Alcaraz somehow saved that crucial break point. If Novak wins that point maybe he is thr calendar year grand slam winner now. It really is the smallest of margins. That wimbledon final could have gone either way but Alcaraz played his max level and snuck out the win deservedly. Really just a few key points decided it though

yerwanthere123 · 19-11-2023 12:27pm

Yeah it could've all been so different. Just goes to show how high a level people have to consistently display to get past Djokovic. Sinner did it this week, but it took over three hours to do so, and I can't see him doing it again in the final.

Girly Gal · 19-11-2023 5:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121387736#Comment_121387736

You could say that about any close slam final or indeed any close match, generally comes down to a handful of points, it's not always the best player on the day that wins, but, the player that plays the big points the best. Djokovic has won plenty of matches and slams that could so easily have gone the other way, on the law of averages alone he was due to lose one he could and probably should have won.

Augme · 19-11-2023 6:59pm

One way traffic. Again, the big points and the big moments and Sinner just wasn't good enough. Story of his career so far.

josip · 19-11-2023 7:26pm

I only saw the 2nd set, including Djokovics near perfect service game. Was the first set pretty much the same?

lbunnae · 19-11-2023 7:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121389069#Comment_121389069

Think it was much more perfect.

lbunnae · 19-11-2023 7:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121388988#Comment_121388988

World no 4 at 22. 10 titles lol , Just to add context.

Augme · 19-11-2023 8:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121389086#Comment_121389086

Ones masters 1000 title and one semi-final appearance at a grand slam. It's a poor return for someone of his talent at this stage of his career.

lbunnae · 19-11-2023 8:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121389227#Comment_121389227

No it isnt. Hes 22. Hes got great talent but i dont see him as a generational one. I think he will win 3 or 4 slams.

Slashermcguirk · 19-11-2023 9:47pm

Djokovic brings a level of tennis that is just mind boggling.. easy to criticise his opponents like Sinner but you need to appreciate just how good Novak is. There is virtually no weakness to target him. He is known for his amazing return, backhand and his forehand which is a big weapon but look beyond that. His serve is so under rated, gets so many free points even though he is not one of the big servers, its so accurate. His volleys are now superb so he can kill points at the net even when he wants to shorten points.

Alcaraz and Sinner didn't do much wrong. They were playing against an absolute machine who is so strong both physically and mentally. Sinner is definitely not an under achiever, he will win many slams as will Alcaraz but Djokovic is from another planet.

Girly Gal · 24-11-2023 8:25pm

It's his mental strength that really sets him apart, regardless of how well he is playing or his opponent, he has an ability to play the big points well, that's what ultimately wins the matches at elite level. There are plenty of examples in matches throughout his career where opponents had him in all sorts of trouble, yet, he was able to turn these matches around by winning the big points, either break points against or for and in tie breaks, eventually that's what breaks his opponents spirit, knowing that no matter how far ahead they are or how well they are playing they know he has the ability to turn the match, even when he's playing poorly, because he's done it so often before, it feels inevitable that it'll happen again, that's a fear other players feel even when they have him in trouble.

Despite his dominanation in recent years I personally feel, his level has dropped off, he's not playing as well in the last few years as he was between 2010 to 2020, however, his level is still good enough to win more often than not, as the level of the opposition has dropped off more in my opinion, not Djokovic's fault he can only beat what's in front of him.

The Golden Miller · 24-11-2023 9:21pm

The field is the worst I've ever seen. Dunno if it's ability, but the young players have no steel mentally. They'll be ahead in a game, and completely collapse. Djokovic doesn't even have to play better when losing or force the game, they'll just completely collapse on their own accord. Never seen anything like it!

2023 In Between Grand Slam Thread

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