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2021 In Between Grand Slam Thread

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,233 ✭✭✭✭MisterAnarchy


    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.

    Post edited by MisterAnarchy on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,302 ✭✭✭✭gmisk


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



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,151 ✭✭✭✭josip


    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.

    Post edited by josip on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,233 ✭✭✭✭MisterAnarchy


    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.



  • Registered Users Posts: 2,898 ✭✭✭Girly Gal


    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.



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


    "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.



  • Registered Users Posts: 2,898 ✭✭✭Girly Gal


    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.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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



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


    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.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 506 ✭✭✭tiegan


    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!!



  • Registered Users Posts: 2,898 ✭✭✭Girly Gal


    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.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,151 ✭✭✭✭josip


    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.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


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



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Suddenly Zverev is swatting away winners at will

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



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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,151 ✭✭✭✭josip


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



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


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

    Serious challenge for Djokovic now



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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



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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    it's 4-0

    Zverev's serving is too good

    Djokovic can't get any depth on the returns



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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

    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



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


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



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 646 ✭✭✭klr87


    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.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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



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


    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.



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


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


    Shambles.

    Shambles.



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


    Money in the bank ...



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,151 ✭✭✭✭josip


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



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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



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


    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.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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

    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



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


    I miss when this thread was moderated 🙁



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


    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.



  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,008 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel




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


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



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  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,008 Mod ✭✭✭✭whiterebel




  • Registered Users Posts: 2,898 ✭✭✭Girly Gal


    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.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,756 ✭✭✭sxt


    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



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


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

    Still all to play for in New York



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    "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



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


    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.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 433 ✭✭redlad12




  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 433 ✭✭redlad12


    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.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1 Hemison32


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


    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.



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