2021 In Between Grand Slam Thread

MisterAnarchy · 27-07-2021 10:26pm

Osaka will now have more time to concentrate on more important things than the Olympics like the upcoming Met Gala.

Simone Biles taking a leaf out of the Osaka playbook today too.

gmisk · 27-07-2021 10:33pm

Big win for Liam Broady today over Hubert Hurkacz...especially considering how late he was called up

josip · 28-07-2021 10:06am

Djokovic through, faces Nishikori next. Tsitsipas out.

Murray's doubles exit in Tokyo only made it to the sports footnotes; pity, they were playing well and it would have been nice to finish his career on a high note.

Meanwhile in Belgrade, Pliskova is on court against Gracheva this morning.

MisterAnarchy · 28-07-2021 11:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117672079#Comment_117672079

It was a tough route for Murray but they did well.

At 34 and his hip problem has he much more left in the tank you'd wonder.

Girly Gal · 28-07-2021 9:44pm

When Osaka first came on the scene she seemed to be a really humble player who just just got on with the game and let her play do the talking, in the last year or so, she certainly has shown a real petulant side, almost as if she feels she needs to fill Serena's drama Queen boots, looks like she's being badly advised and has created the media circus herself.

The women's tournament is as unpredictable as ever, any of the 4 could win it, while the men's is going pretty much as expected, Novak sailing through to what looks like an inevitable Gold; Zverev looks the main danger (that's if he gets past Chardy, no guarantee), Medvedev looks to be struggling with the conditions.

yerwanthere123 · 28-07-2021 10:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117675817#Comment_117675817

"Badly advised" is certainly I think what's happening here. See, I still think she's a good decent person, something that couldn't be said about Serena, but I think Osaka is probably now surrounded by lots of people who all want a piece of the pie. I've gone off her, but I don't think she's beyond reach just yet. But when she's being surround by yes men and is actively cheerled by the media as some kind of paragon of strength in the face of adversity, it's difficult to see how she might pull it back.

Anyway, anarchy on the women's side as usual. I thought perhaps Muguruza could take advantage but not to be. At the very least three of the four are seeded, and neither one would be a terrible winner. If I had to pick I guess I'd go for Bencic or Rybakina. Bencic is talented but I'm not sure she'll ever fulfil the early promise her career showed. Rybakina would be a nice 'random' winner I guess after having her 2020 momentum destroyed by the pandemic. Plus I can't imagine Kazakhstan win too many gold medals either?

Men's largely going to form except perhaps for Tsitsipas losing. Can't see Djokovic losing bar maybe an inspired Nishikori taking him out? Japan having a very good games so far, but the home advantage for Kei would be somewhat nullified by no crowd.

Girly Gal · 28-07-2021 11:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117676025#Comment_117676025

I think you're not far off the mark with Osaka, her "advisors" looking for her to fill the gap left by Serena, but, 2 completely different characters. Serena was her own woman, did things her way whether people liked it or not and used the media for her own needs. Osaka seems a much more timid character with her entourage trying to mould her into something she's not.

I think it's expecting a lot to expect Nishikori to take Djokovic out, but, the fact there's no crowds probably gives him a slightly better chance (still very slim), as Djokovic seems to thrive even more when the crowd is against him.

29-07-2021 12:57pm

Think that Osaka's main "advisers" seem to be her sister and her father - not sure about a shadowy pack of yes men in the background although no doubt there are agents etc there of course

trying to make a "brand" about being some sort of victim and playing it up to the media is puke-inducing in my book. basically leveraging race aspects make it even worse.

Meanwhile Goatovic has spanked Nishikori and surely will face Zverev who seems to be motoring through the draw to this point well

yerwanthere123 · 29-07-2021 1:40pm

Zverev is probably the only one left who stands a chance of taking out Djokovic, particularly over 3 sets. He seems much better mentally these days and will be up for the scalp. Obviously Djokovic is the heavy favourite but you never know. If he wins anyway the gold is in the bag, somehow I can't see Khachanov or PCB pushing him very hard over 5 sets.

Reasonably happy with the women's final, well as long as Bencic wins it now. A nice career bonus for whoever wins given neither will likely win a slam.

tiegan · 29-07-2021 3:17pm

Has anyone been able to watch the tennis with a commentary? I have been watching on eurosport, and there seems to be no commentary on the tennis at all!!

Girly Gal · 29-07-2021 4:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117678298#Comment_117678298

Would agree Zverev is the only one left that has any chance of beating Djokovic, both have had a straight forward run to the semi, Djokovic in particular has really swatted away the opposition, Zverev should at least make it competitive, but, you'd have to strongly favour Djokovic. It's bonus territory for Khachanov and Carreño Busta, neither will trouble Djokovic in the final. The Golden Slam is very much on.

30-07-2021 9:20am

Djokovic / Zverev on now

Goatovic takes the first set 6-1

no commentary on Eurosport is a bit annoying alright

barring a huge turnaround not really looking like Djokovic is going to be troubled here

josip · 30-07-2021 9:46am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117681452#Comment_117681452

After the first few games of that set I thought it would be closer. Watching in Greece, so we can't cheer too loudly in case they are still upset after Roland Garros. Knowing the Greeks they probably got over their disappointment after 10 minutes and continued on enjoying life. They truly are a wonderful people.

Meanwhile Schmiedlova (Osaka FO bageller) dispensed with the top seed Binkova yesterday and is rewarded with a semi against World No. 203 Sramkova. Schmiedlova must be very keen to put together a few good tournaments and get back into top level tennis.

30-07-2021 9:59am

Poor service game from Djokovic to allow Zverev break back to 3-3 in the second

30-07-2021 10:07am

Suddenly Zverev is swatting away winners at will

Has a break up and will serve for the 2nd set

30-07-2021 10:11am

and it's one set all

Zverev is playing very well right now

Djokovic put it up to him in that service game with good winners but he was able to come back from 0-30 and then a deuce to take it

josip · 30-07-2021 10:22am

Djokovic not playing well. He even came into the net to try to shake things up. His first serve isn't firing at all.

30-07-2021 10:24am

Zverev breaks Djokovic in the final set to go 1-0

Serious challenge for Djokovic now

30-07-2021 10:33am

wow

some game there - how long was that?

2-0

a real battle

fascinating stuff right now

Djokovic is seriously rattled

another break and it will be over

30-07-2021 10:37am

Djokovic's serve is not going in on the first serve and Zverev is on song in all departments

Very hard to see Djokovic coming back here from two breaks down at 3-0

30-07-2021 10:41am

it's 4-0

Zverev's serving is too good

Djokovic can't get any depth on the returns

30-07-2021 10:46am

Djokovic somehow finds a hold

Zverev is playing as well as I've ever seen him though

most times Djokovic comes to the net Zverev just whips a passing shot that gives Djokovic no chance

whipping winners out of back court defensive positions also

it's now or never really for Djokovic to get a break back

has to hope that Zverev's serve level goes down

30-07-2021 10:51am

5-1

Zverev just not making mistakes and belting out the winners from everywhere

And Djokovic poor by his standards for sure

Djokovic did a really poor lob attempt at 30-30

this match is done surely

Golden slam is a gonner

30-07-2021 10:56am

and it's done

at least Djokovic didn't get bagelled in the final set!

If Zverev could play like that final set consistently he'd have multiple slams by now

His serving was almost unplayable and he was ripping out vicious forehand winners and his backhand was also excellent.

30-07-2021 11:00am

Djokovic's serve went to crap in the 2nd and 3rd sets

If he had maintained his serve for the second set he would most likely have taken it in two but didn't happen

https://www.flashscore.com/match/IFo6mCKH/#match-summary/match-statistics/2

look at the set 1 vs 2 and 3 first serve in and won - some fall off

either way Djokovic won't fancy meeting Zverev at the US Open with that sort of form that he rose to

But then again Zverev has had problems doing it over 5 sets where Djokovic is a different proposition

Surely Zverev will take the gold now unless he bottles the final

won't have the GS pressure on him really so I say that he should do it

30-07-2021 11:09am

And it's Croatia vs Croatia in the mens' doubles final - remarkable.

klr87 · 30-07-2021 11:21am

Djokovic must be kicking himself, a set and a break up, Khachanov waiting in the gold medal match. Zverev was unusually aggressive in the closing stages.

Yet another bronze medal match for Novak: He beat James Blake in 2008, but lost to del Potro in 2012.

30-07-2021 11:23am

it was lights-out stuff from Zverev in the final set

Djokovic's serve in the 2nd set was the killer as said - he should have wrapped it up then but didn't

He wasn't in the final set at all after game 2 where Zverev resisted the break back

much better to lose there than at the US Open really

The "Golden Slam" is of much less importance vs the "Calendar Slam" really

I wonder how much that will affect Djokovic though

yerwanthere123 · 30-07-2021 12:00pm

Good man Zverev 😎 Presume Djokovic is still in the mixed? That might offer some small consolation. With Paris only three years away another shot at singles gold isn't an impossibility, but yeah he wanted to win this.

Hector Savage · 30-07-2021 12:08pm

And that is the moment when it becomes 100% certain Nadal will win the USO.

Shambles.

Hector Savage · 30-07-2021 12:15pm

Money in the bank ...

josip · 30-07-2021 12:15pm

The concern for Djokovic would be that Zverev didn't just beat him, he made him look old and tired in that 3rd set.

30-07-2021 12:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117682347#Comment_117682347

I don't think that it was as dramatic as that

Zverev's serve was pretty much impossible to return for most of that set with any depth and every winner was going in and he wasn't hitting the net

But Djokovic was off his game obviously - his serve had gone to pot (as well as most of his game compared to Zverev)

The key game was the second game in that set.

Longest game of the match by far

After that Djokovic was a beaten man really

Also the service game where Zverev held to take the second set was crucial

Djokovic hit some nice winners in that game to get to 0-30 but Zverev hit the zone really just about then to come back and take the game and set

It happens

Still think that Djokovic is favourite over 5 sets at the US Open

It won't be as stifling in terms of oppressive heat and humidity there either which of course didn't really suit anybody but possibly was a factor

Royale with Cheese · 30-07-2021 12:35pm

The Djoktards won't be too happy with that result.

I don't think much of Zverev but on his day in best of 3 (that's the key) he can beat anyone.

30-07-2021 12:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117682475#Comment_117682475

Djoktard - doesn't really have much of a ring to it!

Nah it's the Fedtards who really lose the plot and have to resort to this sort of pathetic effort to put off his opponents in big tie-break points - so pathetic that it's very sad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT7qEFDK3HA&t=177s

The Goatovic is still in with a good chance of a Calendar Slam.

Federer has more chance of being hit by lightning than ever doing that

yerwanthere123 · 30-07-2021 1:14pm

I miss when this thread was moderated 🙁

yerwanthere123 · 30-07-2021 2:04pm

Djokovic out of the mixed now too. Can still walk away with two bronze medals, which wouldn't be a terrible haul.

Russia having a good tennis Olympics, guaranteed gold in the mixed, at least silver in the men's singles and will compete for bronze in the women's doubles.

whiterebel · 30-07-2021 2:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117682721#Comment_117682721

I miss the ignore user feature.

yerwanthere123 · 30-07-2021 2:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117683144#Comment_117683144

It's still there! At least on the mobile version anyway. Had to use it today.

whiterebel · 30-07-2021 2:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117683149#Comment_117683149

Yes! Thank you, it is there.

Girly Gal · 30-07-2021 4:23pm

Bad day for Djokovic, out on the double! Steffi will stay as the only Golden Slam winner for a long time to come as doubt we'll see anyone get as close again in the near future Calendar slam still there for him, which would be an amazing achievement.

Thought I'd read the score wrong first, as I'd seen he was a break up in the second set. I wonder did playing in the doubles catch up with him. It would be very Zverev to go on and lose the final now. The Olympics does have a habit of throwing up strange winners down through the years.

sxt · 30-07-2021 4:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117682347#Comment_117682347

Djkovic completely ran out of juice at the end there. With a bit of time off, I think you will see a completely rejuvenated djkovic at the US open

30-07-2021 6:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117683796#Comment_117683796

He didn't take to the high heat and humidity either.

Still all to play for in New York

30-07-2021 9:05pm

"I feel terrible," said Djokovic, who refused to blame the incredibly humid conditions.

"It's just sport. He played better. You've got to give him credit for turning the match around. He served extremely well. I was not getting too many looks at the second serve.

"My serve just drastically dropped. I didn't get any free points from 3-2 up in the second. My game fell apart."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/58023509

yerwanthere123 · 31-07-2021 11:28am

Oof, Djokovic loses the bronze medal match and then withdraws from the mixed doubles match. Bad form.

Well done to PCB, beats the world #1 and #2 to snatch the bronze, great week for him.

redlad12 · 31-07-2021 11:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117682587#Comment_117682587

Goatovic haha

31-07-2021 11:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117686207#Comment_117686207

pulled out with a shoulder injury you did forget to mention?

surely just an oversight on your part.

he had to withdraw from the US Open in 2019 with the same injury

His serve has been dramatically off the last couple of days and that's where it particularly affected him before

he has already committed to going to Paris in 3 years time

redlad12 · 31-07-2021 11:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117686207#Comment_117686207

It's shite like that why he has never been universally loved. He comes across frequently like a bit of prick which is fair enough but he can't then turn around and moan about not being loved. It's very bad form.

Hemison32 · 31-07-2021 11:43am

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yerwanthere123 · 31-07-2021 11:46am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117686230#Comment_117686230

So he could play through the injury in singles? But not for his mixed doubles match. How strange. Harsh for Nina Stojanovic who likely won't get this chance again.

2021 In Between Grand Slam Thread

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