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2021 In Between Grand Slam Thread

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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    Play will resume tomorrow but with the WTA matches playing a tiebreaker to ten instead of a deciding set. Feels like the WTA matches are reduced to a glorified exhibition, although maybe they aren't exactly complaining given the Australian Open is still starting on Monday?

    Curious about if something similar happens next week? Will they shut down the tournament again for a day or two? Wouldn't be the worst thing I guess, but I really hope they don't go down the road of playing shorter matches to get the tournament done. Imagine the asterisking and debates that'd cause in the future! Also I know there's scheduled tournaments the week after the Australian Open but frankly I don't care too much about them, prioritise the grand slam.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Read somewhere else there is heavy rain forecast for Melbourne tomorrow. Maybe they've factored that into the equation? Cant see them shortening matches for a GS, hope not anyway.


  • Registered Users Posts: 695 ✭✭✭lostcat


    ... but I really hope they don't go down the road of playing shorter matches to get the tournament done. Imagine the asterisking and debates that'd cause in the future! ....

    Personally I wouldn't have a problem with the men playing best of three, at least until the quarters say, if it helped things stay on track. Theres no way most of the players can be match fit for a 5 setter. If its agreed before the tournament starts I cant see it being 'less valid' in the history books..


    Same goes for the women re. fittness, but I can't see it being reasonable to shorten their matches to less than best of three.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    lostcat wrote: »
    Personally I wouldn't have a problem with the men playing best of three, at least until the quarters say, if it helped things stay on track. Theres no way most of the players can be match fit for a 5 setter. If its agreed before the tournament starts I cant see it being 'less valid' in the history books..


    Same goes for the women re. fittness, but I can't see it being reasonable to shorten their matches to less than best of three.

    I think they'd be reluctant to do that just in case people like the format too much and there'll be calls for it to be a permanent change! It's already something that seems to have got a bit of traction in recent years.

    I wouldn't mind if they did that this week though. Tbh I rarely watch 5 set matches in the earlier stages of a grand slam, particularly when it's a top player beating an unseeded player 6-2 6-2 6-1 or something, I think they're an awful slog. QF's onwards is where I'll start paying attention.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123




  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    These tournaments in Melbourne turning into a bit of a farce. Osaka, Serena and Azarenka have all withdrawn from their respective draws, and the Grampians Trophy has now cancelled the final due to the delay in the schedule. Probably something of a blessing in disguise for the players really, it is after all the Australian Open that they're prioritising and these are extraordinary times.

    Muguruza and Barty are still contesting their final as things stand, with Muguruza also scheduled to play her round 1 on Monday.

    I had fancied Sinner to do some damage in Melbourne but...

    https://twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1357976390520479745

    Then again he's young, fit and possibly the next big thing so maybe it'll be no bother to him!

    FAA is into his seventh final, has yet to win a title, hopefully he can finally get over the line against Dan Evans.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    Dan Evans beats FAA to win his first ever title at age 30. FAA now 0-7 in finals, but got to think at age 20 time is on his side so I'm sure he'll win one before long.

    Sinner wins his second consecutive title title and still only 19, hope he's not too drained for the fortnight ahead. Not an easy draw, Shapovalov in the first round, FAA in the third, Schwartzman in the fourth and a possible QF with Thiem. Meanwhile, here's a stat:

    https://twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1358308824831164419

    Not too bad is right!

    Meanwhile, Barty wins the Yarra Valley trophy after almost a year out. With a very favourable draw I'd be surprised if she didn't make at least the QF's at the Open.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,149 ✭✭✭✭josip


    Regardless of happens in Melbourne tomorrow, on Monday Djokovic will join Federer on 310 weeks at #1.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    Lots of good tennis to look forward to over the next month. On the WTA side there's decent fields in Adelaide, Doha, Dubai and then of course Miami at the end of March. On the ATP side there's an incredibly strong field in Rotterdam starting 1st of March, followed by Federer's return after a year out in Doha. Federer also plans on playing Dubai the week after and I'm assuming Miami at the end of the month if all goes well.


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    Murray loses 76 61 to Gerasimov in the first round of Montpellier. Tbh I didn't even realise he was playing. Lost in the SF's of a challenger to Marchenko a couple of weeks back also. Not even sure what Murray's aims are going forward but at the very least I hope he can get some run of results going. Sinner also lost in the first round to Bedene. So we went from a possible Murray-Sinner match to Bedene-Gerasimov!

    Lot of people withdrawing from Doha on the WTA side, including Andreescu and Barty. Both say they're aiming for Miami returns. In a way I can maybe understand Barty withdrawing as she's played three tournaments in a row, plus she has to ask herself is it worth flying to the Middle East if she'll have to quarantine for two weeks on her return. Andreescu though, you'd think she'd be trying to get as many matches as possible after 16 months out of the game. She withdrew from Adelaide, Doha and Dubai.

    I'm intrigued by Swiatek, currently through to the Adelaide QF's. Came into Australia very under the radar in spite of her RG win and had a very decent tournament. Curious to see if she'll keep the momentum going.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    Nadal withdraws from Rotterdam. Medvedev is now the top seed, and will rise to world #2 if he can reach the final.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,941 ✭✭✭dominatinMC


    Nadal withdraws from Rotterdam. Medvedev is now the top seed, and will rise to world #2 if he can reach the final.
    Inevitible, he certainly wasn't at full tilt down under, back was giving him trouble pre-tournament so I presume this is a precautionary measure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    California Masters in cancelled, is Florida going ahead ?


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    After such an enticing looking draw initially, Rotterdam completely fell apart. Most of the top seeds out in either the first or second round.

    Muguruza/Kvitova final starting now in Doha, hoping Muguruza wins. Think she's more chances of winning grand slams so I'd prefer her to get the momentum. 1-4 against Kvitova though, the only one she won was their first match back in Singapore 2015.

    Federer, meanwhile, will play his first match back next week against either Evans or Chardy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    This looks like shaping up into a very good final in Doha. Muguruza in excellent form of late, if she can sustain it, she'd be a definite contender for slam glory this year i think. I thought she'd win this week but kvitota playing well too from the bits i've seen.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Well that turned into a damp squib. Muguruza didnt seem to enjoy windy conditions but not much of an excuse really. Kvitova just had her measure, 28-10 in finals now, so solid. Should never have doubted her!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,149 ✭✭✭✭josip


    Djokovic gets to 311 weeks today and surpasses Federer.
    He probably would be well past him by now if it wasn't for the 22 weeks missed last year.


  • Registered Users Posts: 695 ✭✭✭lostcat


    josip wrote: »
    Djokovic gets to 311 weeks today and surpasses Federer.
    He probably would be well past him by now if it wasn't for the 22 weeks missed last year.

    Well, with ranking points now frozen/half frozen until the French, he will be able to add a couple of months without playing too much, so its swings and roundabouts in the end.

    Hard to see any of the current generation having the dominance to come close to those numbers.

    Medvedev is to move up No 2 next week, first time someone outside the Big 4 has been in the top 2 since mid 2005, amazing....


  • Registered Users Posts: 925 ✭✭✭JPup


    Anyone else not able to watch ATP Doha on Amazon Prime? I can see all the other tournaments.


  • Registered Users Posts: 695 ✭✭✭lostcat


    JPup wrote: »
    Anyone else not able to watch ATP Doha on Amazon Prime? I can see all the other tournaments.

    just checked there, don't see it on offer either..


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 400 ✭✭camz09


    JPup wrote: »
    Anyone else not able to watch ATP Doha on Amazon Prime? I can see all the other tournaments.

    Can you actually see any tennis tournaments on Amazon Prime since the New Year Brexit? I feel like they all turn up with "This title is not available in your location" It's all only Amazon Originals showing up on Prime now.

    I learned though that you can use a Hola VPN set to UK to watch tennis/UK content. I did so when watching Rotterdam live. Unfortunately it's only on my phone, I can't use Chromecast on it like before.

    Doha (or Qatar Exxonmobil) should turn up on the "Live and Upcoming Events" section if you scroll down the mainpage.


  • Registered Users Posts: 925 ✭✭✭JPup


    Strange thing is that I can see the WTA in Dubai but not ATP in Qatar this week, but last week it was letting me watch Rotterdam. Not sure what my account settings are on Amazon!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,158 ✭✭✭Royale with Cheese


    Found it myself on Amazon eventually. You have to search for Qatar ExxonMobil, their search function is absolutely brutal for one of the biggest tech companies on the planet. In fact the entire UI of prime video is brutal.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    Found it myself on Amazon eventually. You have to search for Qatar ExxonMobil, their search function is absolutely brutal for one of the biggest tech companies on the planet.

    Indeed it is. Would also like to know if there's a way to pin my favourites to the top of the app? Hate having to scroll down every time to find the tennis.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,158 ✭✭✭Royale with Cheese


    I don't think so. I'd say half of what I watch on Prime Video is tennis, yet when there's a tournament on does it come up in my suggestions on the home page? Not a chance, you have to search for it and even half the time that's a mission.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,149 ✭✭✭✭josip


    Federer wins on his return.

    ...and all was well once again in the world.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,007 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel


    Rusty with flashes of brilliance. Evans was a good first opponent.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,149 ✭✭✭✭josip


    Monorail32 wrote: »
    Would love to see Federer win Wimbledon and then the US Open at the age of 40.

    I always wanted to fly an SR 71.
    That's not going to happen either :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    Was watching Fritz v Shapovalov there, fair play to Fritz for holding his nerve, He was serving for it 5-4 in the third and Shapovalov broke back 5/5 I thought he would go on with that momentum.

    Fritz immediately broke back and won it 7/5.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,007 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel


    Fed in big trouble here. Movement is gone, whether its the injury or tired playing 2 matched in 2 days.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,158 ✭✭✭Royale with Cheese


    And he's out, he looked quite poor today.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    Basilashvili has been in terrible form for quite a while so that's a bad loss, however it's pretty understandable given his age and time away. He is going to lose a few more of these matches before he gets back into any kind of form. I imagine for Federer at this stage it's all going to be about being ready for Wimbledon.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,007 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel


    Once BasilasMilli-Vanilli smelled blood he played fairly well. How Fed got to a match point is beyond me, but Basilashvilin dug in a few times on his service games. I doubt Fed would have showed tomorrow anyway, projecting 37 degrees in Doha tomorrow. I would have thought he would be happy with that workout, providing the knee is ok.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    And he's out, he looked quite poor today.

    Pity, I was looking forward to Fritz Federer ...


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,007 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel


    And he's pulled out of Dubai as well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    Daniil Medvedev #2 !!!

    deserved !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,158 ✭✭✭Royale with Cheese


    First time someone other than Federer, Nadal, Djokovic or Murray has been ranked no.2 since 2005.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    First time someone other than Federer, Nadal, Djokovic or Murray has been ranked no.2 since 2005.

    wow, I would have thought Thiem would have touched there ... just kissed it, briefly after winning the USO.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,158 ✭✭✭Royale with Cheese


    I'd say he would have if Nadal wasn't still using his 2019 points from the US Open at the time.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 695 ✭✭✭lostcat


    Djokovic joins Nadal, Federer and Thiem in avoiding Miami, looks like European Clay is the next time we will see anything like a complete field on the mens side.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    lostcat wrote: »
    Djokovic joins Nadal, Federer and Thiem in avoiding Miami, looks like European Clay is the next time we will see anything like a complete field on the mens side.

    Thiem isn't playing either, so the event is very sparse. Will be the first time since Bercy 2004 that either Federer, Nadal or Djokovic haven't played a masters. Will be a pretty open event, and a glimpse at what awaits the ATP in a few years time when all three are retired.

    Karatsev wins his first ever title at the age of 27, beats Lloyd Harris in the Dubai final. Now climbing to #27 in the rankings, he was #253 as recently as last August. Harris had a fine run too, had to win two qualifying matches and then beat Thiem, Krajinovic, Nishikori and Shapovalov along the way to reach the final. Tsitsipas-Zverev final in Acapulco in the early hours of tomorrow morning, could be a decent match.


    On the WTA side, it's been an uncharacteristically solid start to the season for Muguruza, two finals and then a title in Dubai, her biggest title since 2017. Will be interesting for the clay season if she can keep it going. Nice to see Kvitova win the title in Doha too, her 28th career title. #30 won't be long coming I'm sure.

    Also been impressed by Swiatek's start to the season. She got comprehensively beaten by Muguruza in Dubai but she'd been doing well before that, winning her second career title in Adelaide after a very solid Australian Open. Will be looking forward to seeing what she can do during the clay season also.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,007 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel


    Karatsev was unplayable yesterday against Rublev a lot of the time. In the other semi final it seemed to be difficult to hit through the court, then Karatsev comes on and hits winners from all angles. Forehand, backhand it didn’t seem to matter. I didn’t think Harris would be able to manage what was his 8th match in 8 days. He’ll be sore tomorrow.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    Karetsev, what a turnaround for a player that was throwing matches in a betting scandal a few years back - allegedly

    51062455557_777b05cb50.jpg

    these are exhibition matches from last year but were bettable .

    el midhawy is ranked ~ 600 and is a terrible player who cannot win a single match at ITF level
    odds of 8.00 in that match so it was enough for karatsev to bet 2k against himself to make 16k

    days earlier he only sold the 1st set against the same player.

    that el mihdawy player is so bad that even in his best day he could not win more than 2 games vs karatsev in a set
    the problem is that it is hard to catch the players when the money is coming from 1 account, it has to be coming from a lot of accounts for it to be reported at the tennis integrity unit, obviously the betting account was never in his name, he has a friend of a friend of a friend etc. who operates it.



    Mad stuff


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    bummer for him that the prize money for the winner in Dubai is nearly 75% down from last year at just under $150k


  • Registered Users Posts: 695 ✭✭✭lostcat


    glasso wrote: »
    bummer for him that the prize money for the winner in Dubai is nearly 75% down from last year at just under $150k
    he will be ok, his elevated ranking will get him into better paying tournaments for the next while, he should be able to make some hay while the sun shines.

    Murray out of Miami with a groin strain, the road back for him keeps getting longer unfortunately. I assume it's not possible to get a wild card into a slam like Wimbledon? he may need one..

    I don't comment much on the women's game as I don't watch enough, but have to give a hat tip to Halep for her keepie-uppies, impressive! (and no, the irony is not lost on me..)


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,533 Mod ✭✭✭✭yerwanthere123


    Del Potro having yet another knee surgery. Don't think we'll be seeing him back on court again unfortunately.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Was more to highlight the effect of covid on smaller tournament prize money tbh

    Haven't looked at the tournament line ups that closely compared to last year but may well mean that some bigger players couldn't be arsed travelling for some tournaments like that at the moment


  • Registered Users Posts: 695 ✭✭✭lostcat


    glasso wrote: »
    Was more to highlight the effect of covid on smaller tournament prize money tbh

    yeah it is an issue, but it I think it will affect players where Karatev was (i.e. those the wrong side of rank 100) rather than where he is ranked now.

    500 levels tournaments were just about worth going to for most players even pre-covid.

    In a related matter, Popisil went off on a very strange rant - during a match - about being seriously abused on a zoom call by the Chair of the ATP. There must be war behind the scenes about prize money etc. Popisil is a key driver of the newly formed 'Players Union' who are... somewhat at odds... with the ATP over prize money and all that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Barty v Andreescu coming up should be a good final in miami. Been a good tournament though osaka rather let the side down again with a tame enough exit. Barty is favourite but have a feeling Andreescu might give a flash of her serious potential today.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,023 ✭✭✭✭Joe_ Public


    Guess i couldn't have been more wrong about that. Andreescu retires at 3-6 0-4, just completely bossed from the outset, long before the slip that precipitated her retirement. Seriously good serving from barty, hard to stop in that form.


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