Australian Open 2021

whiterebel · 17-02-2021 11:59am

Tsitsipas gets one back

lostcat · 17-02-2021 12:19pm

Rafa had a serious malfunction in the tie breaker there, Tsitsipas has steadied up a bit after his very poor first two sets.

Similar pattern emerging to when he played Djokovic is the French Semi - Djokovic looked in complete control in the first two sets there but let the third set slip and it ended up being a long 5 setter.

lostcat · 17-02-2021 12:59pm

Going to a 5th amazingly. Tsitsipas' radar finally dialled in, Nadal has his hands full now.

dominatinMC · 17-02-2021 1:07pm

Tsitsipas is cruising now, favourite for me at the moment

lostcat · 17-02-2021 1:09pm

He got something like 6 games off Nadal in Aus Open semi last year, promising progress even f he loses here.

josip · 17-02-2021 1:24pm

12 years age difference today.
Only 10 years between Zverev and Djokovic yesterday.

castletownman · 17-02-2021 1:45pm

Nadal's tactic of ekeing out as much time as possible lining up to serve has backfired for him.

yerwanthere123 · 17-02-2021 1:56pm

I know an Extremely Injured Serbian who'll be happy with that result!

Hopefully we'll get a new champion, but probably not to be.

lostcat · 17-02-2021 1:56pm

wow, has anyone beaten Nadal in a slam from two sets down before?

Extremely well done by Tsitsipas to hang in there before taking control in the last two sets. Him v Medvedev will be a belter.

yerwanthere123 · 17-02-2021 1:59pm

lostcat wrote: »

wow, has anyone beaten Nadal in a slam from two sets down before?

Extremely well done by Tsitsipas to hang in there before taking control in the last two sets. Him v Medvedev will be a belter.

Once, Fognini at the 2015 Us Open.

lostcat · 17-02-2021 2:00pm

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

I know an Extremely Injured Serbian who'll be happy with that result!

Hopefully we'll get a new champion, but probably not to be.

I disagree, he would have been happier seeing Nadal - whom he usually gets the better of in Austrailia - than a big hitting young fella. I think its open enough at present.

EagererBeaver · 17-02-2021 2:02pm

lostcat wrote: »

wow, has anyone beaten Nadal in a slam from two sets down before?

Extremely well done by Tsitsipas to hang in there before taking control in the last two sets. Him v Medvedev will be a belter.

Fognini in US about 5/6 years ago.

BQQ · 17-02-2021 2:05pm

Fair play to Tsitsipas.
He upped his game those last two sets and deserved the win.

Rafa will regret that tie-break.

I hope he recovers in time for the semi, but I have a feeling Medvedeev will beat him quite easily. It can often be hard for these guys after beating one of the big three to focus on the next match

Augme · 17-02-2021 2:07pm

Massive result either way for Medvedev and novak. If Nadal had won in three it would be a much different semi final prospect. Although both the won have preferred a Nadal win once it went to five. Nadal will kick himself for that third set tie breaker.

Tsitsipas looked much fresher at the end. He was exceptional in the 4th and 5th set. His approach and attitude was night and day compared to Zvererev yesterday. Really hoping he pushes on from here.

Hector Savage · 17-02-2021 2:20pm

Absolutely fantastic result !!!
As for Nadal been beaten from 2/0 up at slam level, I believe Cilic did the same to him in AO 2018, and Del Potro in US 2018.

Could be wrong though, I have not goggled it - happy to be corrected.

So happy, I can enjoy the rest of the tournament now

I like Djokovic but I also like these new fine yong fellas !! can't wait for Tsitsipas Medvedev, whatever happens I'm happy, hopefully it goes to 5 sets !!

Oh I lost my bet, could have won €130 - BOO F*CKING HOO!!!

josip · 17-02-2021 2:26pm

Tsitsipas will have a lot of crowd support for his semi.

walshb · 17-02-2021 2:42pm

Hector Savage wrote: »

Absolutely fantastic result !!!
As for Nadal been beaten from 2/0 up at slam level, I believe Cilic did the same to him in AO 2018, and Del Potro in US 2018.

Could be wrong though, I have not goggled it - happy to be corrected.

So happy, I can enjoy the rest of the tournament now
I like Djokovic but I also like these new fine yong fellas !! can't wait for Tsitsipas Medvedev, whatever happens I'm happy, hopefully it goes to 5 sets !!

Oh I lost my bet, could have won €130 - BOO F*CKING HOO!!!

You're wrong again on Nadal...

I knew he would not win this slam

And he won't win RG either...

Nole will not win this slam...

CassieManson · 17-02-2021 2:56pm

walshb wrote: »

You're wrong again on Nadal...

I knew he would not win this slam

And he won't win RG either...

Nole will not win this slam...

Would love to see Tsitsipas win now!

dominatinMC · 17-02-2021 3:14pm

CassieManson wrote: »

Would love to see Tsitsipas win now!

Same here, very exciting brand of tennis, reminds me of Fed - and not just because of the BH. He kind of glides around the court, and has an attacking style. Unfortunately, I can see Medvedev taking him out next round though..

Royale with Cheese · 17-02-2021 3:23pm

Would be happy to see either Tsitsipas or Medvedev take it. I fancied Zverev to choke against Djokovic because... Zverev, but if Djokovic is still injured on Sunday and manages to win it will be seriously disappointing.

josip · 17-02-2021 3:59pm

walshb wrote: »

You're wrong again on Nadal...

I knew he would not win this slam

And he won't win RG either...

Nole will not win this slam...

Food for thought there.
Up to now I'd been impressed with how Nadal was able to win every match in straight sets.
But after today I'm beginning to think he knows he has to win in straight sets. (he's won 35 consecutive sets in GS before today)
Between injuries and age, he knows he can no longer go toe to toe over 5 sets.
But who can take Nadal to a 4th set in RG? From what we've seen in Melbourne it won't be Thiem.

Djokovic on the other hand, doesn't seem to have that fear of the 4th or 5th set yet. But he's not going to be seriously challenging Nadal at RG anyway.
So I still think Nadal has RG this year, if/whenever it goes ahead.

lostcat · 17-02-2021 4:10pm

People get a bit carried away with Nadal having a couple of good early wins in Australia every year and them the Nadal aura takes over...fact is he has been beaten here by someone every year except one, and that was in 2009...this just isn't his slam.

its a bit of an extrapolation to say it means he won't win the French, it usually means the opposite!

Would like to see Tsitsipas get to his first final but Medvedev is becoming very hard to beat. His game isn't easy on the eye (to my untrained eye he looks like he is taking a 'good swing' at evert shot) but he is bloody effective.

MisterAnarchy · 17-02-2021 4:33pm

walshb wrote: »

And he won't win RG either...

He could win RG playing right handed.

Hector Savage · 17-02-2021 4:47pm

walshb wrote: »

You're wrong again on Nadal...

I knew he would not win this slam

And he won't win RG either...

Nole will not win this slam...

Ah now come on , RG is Nadals, for the next 3 years minimum!

Hector Savage · 17-02-2021 4:48pm

dominatinMC wrote: »

Same here, very exciting brand of tennis, reminds me of Fed - and not just because of the BH. He kind of glides around the court, and has an attacking style. Unfortunately, I can see Medvedev taking him out next round though..

Medvedev on fire, I see him as favourite for the tournament now..

Royale with Cheese · 17-02-2021 4:54pm

Only chance of Nadal not winning RG is if it doesn't go ahead. It was only a few months ago he steamrolled the entire tournament.

Augme · 17-02-2021 4:58pm

You'd he a brave man to back against Nadal at RG. As said above, austrailia has never been his strong suit. In way of that, he still should have wrapped up that third set tie breaker and then we would all be waxing lyrical about him. I don't think he would have made it past Medvedev or djok though.

There's no one close to him on clay in reality.

whiterebel · 17-02-2021 7:49pm

josip wrote: »

Food for thought there.
Up to now I'd been impressed with how Nadal was able to win every match in straight sets.
But after today I'm beginning to think he knows he has to win in straight sets. (he's won 35 consecutive sets in GS before today)
Between injuries and age, he knows he can no longer go toe to toe over 5 sets.
But who can take Nadal to a 4th set in RG? From what we've seen in Melbourne it won't be Thiem.

Djokovic on the other hand, doesn't seem to have that fear of the 4th or 5th set yet. But he's not going to be seriously challenging Nadal at RG anyway.
So I still think Nadal has RG this year, if/whenever it goes ahead.

I actually thought he looked tired at the start of the third. He made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes too. It must have helped ST having a walkover in the previous round.

lostcat · 17-02-2021 8:46pm

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

He could win RG playing right handed.

he actually is naturally right handed!

lostcat · 17-02-2021 8:48pm

whiterebel wrote: »

I actually thought he looked tired at the start of the third. He made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes too. It must have helped ST having a walkover in the previous round.

Maybe having a bye is why it took him a while to find his range.

Augme · 18-02-2021 7:51am

Osaka was immense against serena. Brady just about falling over the line against Muchova at the end their, almost like both of them were trying not to win.

I'll be very impressed if brady manages to win a set, let alone the match in the final.

hamburgham · 18-02-2021 9:12am

lostcat wrote: »

Maybe having a bye is why it took him a while to find his range.

Also wondering if the quietness of the stadium helped his concentration. No hysterical cheering to distract him.

Floppybits · 18-02-2021 10:45am

lostcat wrote: »

Maybe having a bye is why it took him a while to find his range.

I was surprised to see Tsisitipas win that match and from 2 sets down. I had him down as being flakey like Zverev. Will have to rethink this now. I can't see him beating Medvedev. I like Medvedev he is as tough as nails.

Chivito550 · 18-02-2021 10:51am

How did this lad make the semi finals. He's 27 and I'd never heard of him til this week. He was ranked around 250 in the world as the ATP tour resumed last year. He had never even qualified for a first round of a grand slam before. Now he's in the semi finals?

Sorry, but if this was athletics or cycling, people would be asking doping related questions right now.

Yet in tennis, nothing.

Remember a question is not an accusation but there are never any questions asked in this sport.

Rikand · 18-02-2021 11:21am

Chivito550 wrote: »

How did this lad make the semi finals. He's 27 and I'd never heard of him til this week. He was ranked around 250 in the world as the ATP tour resumed last year. He had never even qualified for a first round of a grand slam before. Now he's in the semi finals?

Sorry, but if this was athletics or cycling, people would be asking doping related questions right now.

Yet in tennis, nothing.

Remember a question is not an accusation but there are never any questions asked in this sport.

Injured his whole life - i think medvedev said a few months ago that he was Russia's secret weapon as long as he can stay fit

josip · 18-02-2021 11:35am

Chivito550 wrote: »

How did this lad make the semi finals. He's 27 and I'd never heard of him til this week. He was ranked around 250 in the world as the ATP tour resumed last year. He had never even qualified for a first round of a grand slam before. Now he's in the semi finals?

Sorry, but if this was athletics or cycling, people would be asking doping related questions right now.

Yet in tennis, nothing.

Remember a question is not an accusation but there are never any questions asked in this sport.

Well he only got to the semis because of Dimitrov's injury.
He beat Auger-Aliassime because he went to the toilet.
He says his new coach is the best yet.
4 years ago, he was out for 6 months with a knee injury, could take a while to come back.
Moved around a lot when he was younger.
Last 12 months has disrupted a lot of the top players, perhaps the lower ranked players are better able to handle change and having to adjust.

josip · 18-02-2021 12:03pm

Whatever happens in the final Djokovic can have no excuses.
Nice handy 3 setter in the semi.
Extra day to recover.

Royale with Cheese · 18-02-2021 12:16pm

He said after the match he feels great, can swing properly and will train one day before the final now. I fully expect him to start wincing and holding his side should he go a set or two down on Sunday though.

MisterAnarchy · 18-02-2021 1:18pm

Augme wrote: »

Osaka was immense against serena. Brady just about falling over the line against Muchova at the end their, almost like both of them were trying not to win.

I'll be very impressed if brady manages to win a set, let alone the match in the final.

Serena is a pale shadow of the player she once was .
Mentally she is very poor now.

46% of first serves in, only 3 aces, 2/7 break points, thats very poor.

I'm happy to see Brady doing well, I was impressed with her at the US Open.
I think she lost in 3 tight sets in the semi to Osaka.
If she serves well and plays aggressively she should do well.

Floppybits · 18-02-2021 2:33pm

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

He said after the match he feels great, can swing properly and will train one day before the final now. I fully expect him to start wincing and holding his side should he go a set or two down on Sunday though.

I was thinking the same thing. He will be under a bit of pressure and suddenly the injury will reappear and he will need a medical timeout

Hector Savage · 18-02-2021 2:57pm

AlexPavlyk wrote: »

I would really like to get to Australia, but it is unlikely that it will work with this damn virus

Well should be ok for next years AO ...

walshb · 18-02-2021 4:07pm

Delighted Serena beaten..

Tell me, was she favorite? I knew Osaka would beat her.

Joe_ Public · 18-02-2021 4:17pm

walshb wrote: »

Delighted Serena beaten..

Tell me, was she favorite? I knew Osaka would beat her.

No, osaka was favourite, round 4/6 or maybe a tad shorter.

Girly Gal · 18-02-2021 5:44pm

Can't see Serena winning another slam, still well able to beat most of the cannon fodder and reach semi finals, even the odd final depending on draw, but, once she meets someone who can move her around the court she's goosed.
I have no doubt Djokovic's injury will reappear again if his opponent gets any momentum in the final, it'll disappear just as fast if he turns things around and wins.

Chivito550 · 18-02-2021 6:11pm

Medvedev has won 3 of the last 4 meetings against Djokovic and the H2H is 4-3 in favour of Djokovic.

I hope he can bring his A-game (assuming he wins tomorrow) and take down the injury faker. It woukd leave a sour taste in the mouth if Djokovic comes away with the title after all his histrionics.

walshb · 18-02-2021 6:39pm

Medvedev in 3...

C__MC · 18-02-2021 7:26pm

We can make predictions but more than likely come Sunday Djokovic will be champion

lostcat · 18-02-2021 9:23pm

Tsitsipas can certainly beat Medvedev (and I think it would be a more interesting final to watch if he is in it) but only if he goes on the offensive and things are clicking. It is too much for him to put two huge performances back to back? I think it may well be.

Medvedev is on a remarkable winning streak, only the Big 3, of current players, have put together comparable runs of consecutive wins against top 10 players, and I think he gets to the final here. I like the cut of his jib, if not his game.

A Djokovic win is far from nailed on in any case, Nadal looked his age towards the end of the quarterfinal and a grievously injured Djokovic may well be made to look his on Sunday.
These other guys are catching up pretty fast at this stage.

Joe_ Public · 18-02-2021 10:48pm

Have really enjoyed medvedevs interviews on eurosport, comes across as a really chilled, decent bloke, kind of guy you'd be happy to go for a beer with. On that basis, i hope he wins it.

Augme · 18-02-2021 11:08pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Have really enjoyed medvedevs interviews on eurosport, comes across as a really chilled, decent bloke, kind of guy you'd be happy to go for a beer with. On that basis, i hope he wins it.

Lol, he's been quite the opposite on the tennis court. His behaviour previously had been fairly shocking and I really did have a strong dislike for him. To his credit he has improved a lot lately recently and has matured and grown up. Fingers crossed he remains that way.

Australian Open 2021

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