The New and Improved Tennis Thread

Solid effort for Shapo. He'll be back, though you do worry if the inconsistencies that showed up again today are going to keep him from pushing to a higher level.

 

I lost by the way for those of you wondering. Sorry Roger

 

It really wasn’t about me though. I was trying to do it for Roger amd I feel awful that I let him down.

 

Pliskova tighter than a drum early.

 

Barty breaks in the 2nd and consolidates. 3 games away.

 

Pliskova breaks back. We’ve got a match.

 

Wow. Barty down 0-40 on Pliskova’s serve at 5-5, comes back to break her and now will serve for the Championship.

 

Nerve monster gets Ash and Pliskova breaks. Tiebreak time.

 

Barty not making this easy on herself

 

Awesome. I like them both, hard to have a rooting interest but good tennis.

 

Bit of the old chokey chokey from Barty. Pliskova really didn't do much to win that breaker/set.

 

Tremendous TB for Pliskova and we’re going 3! Fun set there.

 

A really lame effort by Ash at 6-5, especially the double fault to start the game. That's still what separates her from the other top players - can you imagine Serena or Naomi not closing that set out?

 

Oh no Pliskova

 

Some of it is definitely in her head. Could see that nervy game coming from a mile away.

I also think she just doesn’t have a ton of experience in these situations. Her French Open Final and SF were both blowout wins where she faced no pressure late. Outside of that, her “biggest” moments where she’s come through and won are probably like Miami and the Tour Finals?

Still learning on the job a bit.

 

Nervy hold there but she does consolidate.

 

Double faults going to kill her if she's not careful. - they've already cost her the last 2 games of set 2.

 

That last game is why I think Pliskova is still right in this - Barty was hitting short rubbish all over the place. Very nervy.

 

I’d advise Ash to find a way to break here for it. Another service game feels like asking a lot.

 

Really strong hold by Barty there - one game away.

Lot of uneducated dimwits in the crowd today that seem more impressed with the ball kids catching balls and not shutting up when players are ready to serve.

 

POINT! That was amazing.

 

Not sure - I think that hold for 5-2 gave her some belief back.

...and now we find out.

 

Nope, still nervy - that was lazyass footwork.

 

Oh god, a Novak smash!

 

Pliskova returned the favour with that backhand - went for way too much.

 

ASH!!!

 

Good for you Barty

 

Well done. Got some help from Pliskova in that last game, but she's still the champion.

 

Lilov and Banerjee in the Boys Final tomorrow. Good to see a couple young Americans in there.

 

Lets rumble

 

prima colazione, it’s our all day theme here.

 

not going to make any judgements based off anything this set, Novak almost seems to toy with the opponent in Set 1.

How matteo deals with a Set 3 version of Novak will be more revealing.

 

As much as I hate him I think he’s mastered his work load management. He’s so good he can play down to the opponents level putting forth the least effort possible.

While I agree with what you are saying, not sure he employs this tactic in finals or not. Like we saw with Rafa he’s more than content to just outlast you over hours.

 

if his opponent is going to be this nervous/anxious then we will be done here in short order

 

This is a waste if Matteo’s leg is compromised.

 

He seems to be moving fine. He’s just playing like shit.

 

Looks noticeably stiffer and less fluid moving around today to me. Could be nerves, could be the leg. But that’s a lot of strapping.

 

Some life from Matteo!

 

awesome

 

Let's go

 

hope that jolt of adrenaline is what shakes the nerves

 

Matteo! Had to have it.

 

Forza Matteo!

 

Has Djokovic ever once been a crowd favorite?